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The captain and crew of the 'Galaxy Leader', who were held for more than a year by Houthi terrorists, have been nominated for shipping’s top bravery award. The nomination of Lyubomir Chanev and his crew for the IMO’s Exceptional Bravery at Sea award is part of a list notable for acts of seafarer courage during the Red Sea crisis in 2024. The men from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Ukraine, Mexico and Romania were released in Jan 2025, after the start of a Gaza peace deal briefly reduced tensions in the region and led to a halt in the Houthi campaign. Other nominations on the 60-strong list include the Greece-nominated Captain Dimitrios Flouris and his crew from the tug 'Aigaion Pelagos', who played a key role in the operation to remove crude from the burning suezmax tanker 'Sounion', which was carrying a cargo of Iraqi oil from Basrah when it was attacked on Aug 21, 2024, off the port of Hodeidah. After the crew abandoned the ship, Houthi operatives detonated explosives on the deck of the ship, sparking fears of an environmental catastrophe. The cargo was not removed for another three months. Also nominated was Captain Sharad Sinsunwal and the crew of the Indian warship INS 'Kolkata'. The vessel was involved in the rescue of the surviving crew from the Houthi missile strike against the 'True Confidence', who were plucked from the sea and given medical treatment on the warship. The vessel was also involved in the rescue of 17 crew members who had been held hostage for four months fromthe 'Ruen', which had been hijacked by Somali pirates. The 'Kolkata' cornered theship in a 40-hour operation and coerced all 35 pirates into surrendering in March 2024. The nominations will now be scrutinised by an assessment panel chaired by IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez before being submitted to a panel of judges. The winners will be announced later this year.

The 'Carnival Paradise' saved five men who were drifting in a small makeshift raft south of Cabo San Antonio off the coast of Cuba on May 14, 2025. The ship provided food, water and fuel to the men on the boat. The cruise line's medical staff also evaluated the boat people. The cruise ship continued its course on to Jamaica. It remained unclear where the group originated or their intended destination. It was also unclear when the people will be transported back and where exactly they will go next. The five people who requested rescue were part of a larger group on board the small boat. The other occupants did not wish to join the ship but were given food and water by the ship's team. The US Coast Guard was notified, and a transfer was coordinated. Report with video: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/florida-cruise-ship-saves-people-drifting-sea-small-raft

A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Thai crew members of the 'Chayanee Naree' for trafficking 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria from Brazil through the Apapa seaport. The convicted sailors are Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom. They were arrested alongside nine Nigerian suspects on Oct 13, 2021 and arraigned in February 2022 on charges bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful importation of narcotic. On May 15, 2025, the trial judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, delivered the judgment following a plea bargain agreement entered into by the convicted crew members with the NDLEA. Justice Osiagor convicted the vessel under Section 11(a) of the NDLEA Act and imposed a fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent for its role in smuggling the illicit drug into Nigeria. The convicted sailors opted for a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA and as a result, Justice Osiagor delivered his ruling at the resumed hearing of the matter. Among other penalties, the judge convicted the 'Chayanee Naree' for unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria and ordered to pay a fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent. The 2nd – 11th defendants were convicted under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting the use of the vessel for the unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants were ordered to pay N100,000.00 each as punishment for the offence and in addition restitution in the sum of $50,000 each or its equivalent in Naira to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The 5th – 11th defendants are to pay N100,000.00 each and restitution in the sum of $30,000.00, bringing the total amount payable to $4,360,000.00. Justice Osiagor adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian suspects to June 25.

The 'Seven Seas Explorer arrived in Vancouver, British Colombia, on May 14, 2025, after a repositioning journey across the Pacific Ocean, during which 22 of the 666 passengers and two members of the 545 crew membersbecame victims of a gastrointestinal outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received word from the ship’s medical team after the ship pulled into port. It had departed from Tokyo on April 26, with passengers beginning to fall ill to symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. The cause of the outbreak was unknown, but norovirus was a likely cause. The affected passengers and crew members were isolated and deep cleaning procedures commenced.

Beached at Aliaga 15.05.25

An NL-Alert was issued on the morning of May 16 in connection with the large fire on the 'Trade' in the port of Amsterdam. This warning to stay out of the smoke has now been aimed at the centre of Amsterdam. The wind direction has changed and that was why a new alert has been issued. Four NL-Alerts were already issued earlier because the smoke was spreading far. Combating the fire remained a complex operation, as the ship consists of five separate cargo holds. The fire started in hold 4 and spread to hold 3. The intention was to empty the hold and extinguish the burning remains further on the quay. However, the hatches of hold 3 have become unstable due to the high temperatures. Scrap metal in that hold could thus no longer be reached and continued to burn. Soot particles have been found in areas where the smoke has passed over. The fire department advised to remove them with soapy water and not to eat vegetables from own vegetable gardens that have these particles on them. The municipality of Amsterdam reported that the priority is to limit damage and risks to the environment and to support all emergency services. The 'Pa5 Pollux' (MMSI: 244660572) and 'Jan van der Heyde 4' (MMSI: 244030134) were attending the ship from seaside. Reports with photos and video: https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1701590710/brand-op-schip-in-amsterdamse-haven-nog-niet-geblust-geen-buitensportlessen-voor-school https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/05/15/veel-rook-bij-brand-op-schip-in-westelijk-havengebied-amsterdam/ https://jeugdjournaal.nl/artikel/2567495-grote-brand-op-schip-in-amsterdam-blussen-duurt-lang https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/binnenland/artikel/5509209/schip-amsterdamse-haven-brandt-nog-steeds-vuur-twee-laadruimen https://nos.nl/artikel/2567482-blussen-grote-brand-vrachtschip-amsterdam-kan-uren-tot-dagen-duren https://tpo.nl/2025/05/16/nieuw-nl-alert-rook-van-brandend-schip-bereikt-centrum-amsterdam/

On May 15 the work to prepare for the salvage of the 'Bayesian' has resumed. It was halted after the death of a Dutch diver from Smit Salvage on May 9. The victim was probably hit by a piece of steel, possibly the boom, after an explosion while working with a cutting torch. An autopsy in a clinic in Palermo should provide clarity on this. The salvage operation is led by the British TMC Marine and carried out by Smit Salvage and Hebo Maritiemservice. Just before the work was stopped, TMC thought it would need another ten days or so for the preparatory work, including removing the boom and mast.

On May 16 at around 6:30 a.m. the Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received a distress signal from the missing 'Lucky Harvest', pinpointing its location. At approximately 9:30 a.m., one crew member was successfully hoisted to safety by a U.S. Navy MH-60 Knighthawk helicopter crew from helicopter sea combat squadron 25. The U.S. Coast Guard’s HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawai’i, was overhead, monitoring the vessel and the remaining man aboard. The 'Myrtle Hazard' proceeded to the position to bring the second mariner aboard and tow the 'Lucky Harvest' to a safe pport. The cause of the vessel’s disablement and drift was under investigation.

The Indian Coast Guard rescued the six crew members of the 'MSV Salamat', which sank 60-70 nautical miles southwest of Mangalore, on May 14, 2025. The vessel had departed from Mangaluru port on May 12, carrying a mixed cargo of cement and construction materials, and was expected to reach Kadmat Island on May 18. However, on May 14 at around 5:30 a.m., the ship encountered a huge wave, resulting in its sinking. On May 15 at 12:15 p.m. the Coast Gzard received an emergency alert from the LPG tanker 'Epic Susui' (IMO: 9713612), en route from Duqm to Chittagongwhich reported spotting a small boat with six people on board, which was floating about 52 nautical miles off the coast of Suratkal, Karnataka, The Coast Guard deployed the patrol vessel ICGS 'Vikram', already on routine surveillance nearby, to the location. The rescue team evacuated all six men safely from the dinghy and took them to New Mangalore on May 15. The rescued crew members were: Ismail Sharif, Alemun Ahmed Bhai Ghavda, Kakal Suleman Ismail, Akbar Abdul Surani, Kasam Ismail Mepani and Ajmal. Reports with photos: https://www.thejbt.com/india/msv-salamat-sinks-indian-coast-guard-rescues-6-crew-members-news-285395 https://www.udayavani.com/english-news/cargo-vessel-bound-for-lakshadweep-sinks-off-mangaluru-coast-all-crew-rescued

The Invictus', which was disabled and adrift in the Indian Ocean after an engine room fire on April 23, is being towed to safety by the tug 'Advantis Virgo' (IMO: 9276676). On May 16, the ship was towed at a speed of 3.7 knots towards Dubai to undergo repairs at the Gulf Emirate and moored in pos. 25° 23' N 055° 05' E on May 16. One Filipino crew memberhad suffered burns in the fire and received emergency medical assistance from an Indian Navy vessel, but was not evacuated. The tanker was then drifting for about a week, in good weather and at a safe distance from the Somalian coast, before a tug arrived to pick it up. Though the ship remained without power, it was largely cables and panels that suffered the brunt of the blaze. The reason for the fire was not yet known.

On May 15, the tug 'Sea 1 Ruby' (IMO: 9413444 ), which had left Bergen on May 4, has reached the 'Maersk Sana', which has been adrift in the Atlantic Ocean after an engine room explosion on April 28, approximately 354 nautical miles east of Bermuda, in pos. 33° 27' N 064° 47' W. The tug is due to tow the ship to the Bahamas, where it is expected to arrive in the last week of May. The explosion had injured three crew members one of them seriously, who remains in critical but stable condition in a U.S. hospital. Despite the explosion, the vessel has retained auxiliary power and can use its thruster for limited maneuvering. The tug was dispatched on May 4 with the aim of towing the container ship to a port of refuge in the Bahamas by the last week of May. Maersk defended its decision to use a distant tug, stating it prioritized finding the right vessel for the job rather than the nearest one. Calm weather has thus far prevented the situation from worsening, and Maersk’s monitoring teams continued to track conditions to ensure safety.

Beached at Alang 15.05.25 https://www.facebook.com/746795035/videos/g.6884293942/586753417771870

arrived Alang anchorage 15.05.25

The 'Ilse of Arran', serving on the route Kennacraig-Islay, suffered a hydraulic leak at the bow visor on May 13. As a consequence, the vessel operated to and from Port Askaig only. All other sailings were operated as scheduled. The service, however, was liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. On May 15, the vessel operated to and from Port Askaig only, departing from Port Askaig at 07:00 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. and from Kennacraig at 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. All other sailings were operated as timetabled.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) responded to an oil spill from the 'Aroyat', which was moored alongside the Demerara Sugar terminal (DST), Ruimveldt, after entering Port Georgetown on May 15, 2025, to load a cargo of rice. The MARAD was informed about the incident at approximately 5 p.m. The National Emergency Response Team including, MARAD, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDF-CG) was immediately mobilised, and mitigating efforts were underway to stop the leak and contain the spill. An investigation into the cause of the incident was launched.

Estonia has accused Russia of creating a serious threat to the NATO after a Russian fighter jet disrupted operations by the Estonian Navy to inspect the unflagged 'Jaguar', which is believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet that Moscow is using to avoid international sanctions imposed over its war in Ukraine. The vessel refused to cooperate when asked to stop on May 15. Russia sent a fighter jet to check the situation, which violated NATO territory for close to one minute. Russia has not commented on the incident.

On May 12, a passenger was suffering from an urgent mecidal issue and needed to be medevaced from the 'Disney Fantasy', while the ship was heading toward Lisbon, during the ship’s 13-night sailing, a one-way transatlantic cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona. On May 14, a military helicopter approached the ship in the early evening. An emergency responder was loweredon to the foreship. The patient was loaded onto a lift basket, and both were raised up to the helicopter. Once the basket had been safely loaded into the helicopter, the aircraft took the affected individual to more extensive land-based care. Report with video: https://www.cruisehive.com/amazingly-efficient-operation-to-airlift-guest-from-disney-ship/173983

On May 15, 2025, shortly before midnight, the 'Julie' caught fire near the Remanso Bridge over the Paraguay River. The violent fire, which started n the engine room and spread rapidly, caused multiple explosions due to the presence of flammable materials on board. It completely destroyed the pusher tug, owned by the Brazilian company LHG MINING, near the Remanso Bridge over the Paraguay River. The Paraguayan Volunteer Firefighters were mobilized and managed to evacuate the ten crew members unharmed. The ship had approximately 250,000 liters of fuel in its tanks, as well as oil drums and electronic equipment. The fire was only contained during the early morning hours after extensive fighting efforts. Firefighters continued their cooling operations to prevent a possible re-ignition, given the characteristics of the remaining cargo. The vessel was recently undergoing repairs on a floating dock in Villa Hayes. The Authorities started nvestigate the cause of the fire. Reports with photo and video: https://dataportuaria.ar/nota/21606/el-remolcador-julie-fue-consumido-por-el-fuego-en-remanso-rescate-exitoso-de-su-tripulacion/ https://www.npy.com.py/noticias/nacionales/incendio-en-remolcador-del-rio-paraguay-rescatan-a-toda-la-tripulacion

En route from Myre to fish farms, the 'Borgensfjord' ran aground in pos. 66° 21' N 012° 47' E off Lurøy on May 16, 2025, at around around 8 a.m. The ship was coming from the west side of Aldra and ended in a shallow area west of Stokkvågen, south of Lurøya. According to the Central Rescue Center, there was no emergency situation, neither for the crew nor the environment.

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has welcomed the Public prosecutor’s appeal of the Rendsburg District Court’s decision to acquit the shipowners involved in the illegal export and scrapping of the'Westerhamm'. While the ruling marked the first time in Germany that shipowners stand trial for violating environmental law through shipbreaking practices, the Court failed to hold them legally accountable, despite the judge’s own recognition of the environmental damage caused. In her oral statement, Judge Martje Heinsohn stated: “What you did was not right. You caused significant damage to the environment in order to achieve maximum profit. I can only appeal to you to give something back to the environment.” The container ship, which was operated by MSC and owned by the Rendsburg Schiffahrtskontor, sailed from Bremerhaven on Nov 2, 2016, then made stops in Gibraltar and Egypt before being beached in Alang, where was dismantled under conditions that are well documented to be highly hazardous for both workers and the environment. The export of end-of-life ships to India is illegal under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation. The Court’s decision to acquit was based on doubts about the timing of the intention to dispose the ship. The shipowners claimed that the decision to scrap the vessel was only taken when the vessel had left German waters and provided as evidence sales documents for scrapping that had been signed when the ship was in international waters. They also sought to argue that because the 'Westerhamm' was still operational when it left Germany, the ship could not be considered as waste under international and EU law, disregarding well-established jurisprudence that confirms a vessel can simultaneously be classified as both a ship and waste. Indeed, what triggers the classification as waste is the owner’s intent to dispose the asset, and because a ship is a waste that can move on its own, it remains also a ship subject to all other maritime regulations on its last voyage to the scrapping yard. The fact that the 'westerhamm' was still operational does therefore not negate its classification as waste under international and EU law. The public prosecutors have appealed the acquittal and maintained that internal communications confirming the “unconditional desire to dispose of the ship” as there was no market for its further operational use provide evidence of the intent to dispose of the ship.