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On March 17, 2025, at 5 a.m. the 'Provincia del Azuay', which was docked at pier number 2 on the east side, located within the Port Authority of Veracruz, started sinking at its berth. Emergency protocols were immediately activated with the support of the First Naval Region, Remafe, firefighters, ENSAR, the tug 'Reylaver', UNAPROP, and other units.The Navy deployed personnel in coordination with the Veracruz National Port System Administration (Asipona) and the Veracruz Regional Port Captaincy, in order to protect the marine environment after the sinking. The two crew members had managed to escape in time after an audible alarm was raised. Only a small part of the wheelhouse and the mast of the tug remained visible above the water surface. Firefighters from the Veracruz Asipona (National Fire Brigade of Veracruz), personnel from the Veracruz Regional Port Authority, and personnel from the Veracruz Naval Port Protection Unit and the Departments of Coordination of Programs Against Marine Pollution and Marine Environment Protection of the First Naval Region attended the scene. The tug only had reserve fuel in its service tanks and oil in its propulsion system, which were being contained using booms, dispersant liquids and absorbent material. These measures were being taken as prevention. The cause of the sinking was currently unknown. Reports with photos: https://www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2025/03/17/estados/se-hunde-remolcador-de-bandera-ecuatoriana-en-puerto-de-veracruz https://veracruz.quadratin.com.mx/se-hunde-remolcador-en-el-puerto-de-veracruz/ https://www.clarinveracruzano.com/la-embarcacion-permanecio-inmovilizada-en-la-bahia-sur-del-puerto-sin-recibir-mantenimiento/ https://imagendeveracruz.mx/veracruz/asipona-descarta-lesionados-por-remolcador-hundido-en-el-puerto-de-veracruz/50652199 https://www.milenio.com/estados/barco-remolcador-ecuatoriano-se-hunde-en-el-puerto-de-veracruz

The chief mate of the 'Tyrhaug', who was sentenced to prison after the speedboat accident in Edøyfjorden 2023, will have his case heard at the Frostating Court of Appeal. At the Møre og Romsdal District Court, the man was sentenced to 90 days in prison on probation and a fine of 30,000 Norwegian crowns.The court found that both he and the master, coming from Trøndelag, had acted grossly negligently on the crossing between Kristiansund and Trondheim. The chief mate has appealed the sentence and the liability for reparation.

The 'VB Seal' was in collision with a Marshall Islands flagged chemical tanker on the Caland Canal near the Europoort of Rotterdam on Feb 23, 2025, at around 2 a.m. After the accident, and suffered a leak with ensuing water ingress, The tug started to list to starboard side. The seagoing vessel and two other vessels pushed the tug against the quay in the Europoort to keep it afloat. They had to accelerate considerably, which released a lot of CO2. The exhaust fumes entered the ship, and six people on board became unwell due to the high carbon dioxide concentration. Four ambulances rushed to the scene, and four of the victims were taken to hospital. They were doing well under the circumstances. The two other injured people were checked on site by emergency services. The tugwas ventilated after which further action could be taken. To prevent the tug from sinking, pumps were also placed on board to drain out the water, and the ship could be stabilzed. The emergency services attended with large contingents. The Port Authority and HEBO Maritiemservice with the 'Hebocat 7' were on scene. The cause of the collision was being investigated. On Feb 24, the ship was moored in pos. N 51° 58' N 004° 07' E with the tug 'VB Tiger' (IMO: 9454888) alongside to stabilize it, later joined by the 'VB Beagle' (IMO: 9816359). Reports with photos: https://mediatv.nl/nieuws/nieuws/28090/sleepboot-lek-na-aanvaring-6-mensen-onwel-bij-hulpverleningsactie-calandkanaal-europoort-rotterdam https://www.tugspotters.com/app/content/2025/02/vb-seal-vb-tiger-vb-beagle-hebo-cat-7/# https://www.dehavenloods.nl/nieuws/algemeen/57284/zes-personen-onwel-na-botsing-sleepboot-met-zeeschip-bij-euro

On March 16 at noon, the Port Authority of Patras was informed by the Captain of the 'Superfast II' about a failure in the water cooling system of the generators in the southern port of the port. The ship was to carry out a scheduled route to the ports of Igoumenitsa and Bari with 165 passengers, 56 vehicles and 65 crew members on board. The passengers were informed by the ship-owning company about the departure of another ferry to the port of Ancona. The Central Port Authority of Patras banned the ferry from sailing until the damage was repaired and a certificate of class maintenance was presented by the classification society that monitors it. As of March 18, the ship remained stationary in Patras.

On March 10, 2025, the 'Al Udeid' was detained in Abu Qir with 14 deficiencies, ten of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety Construction Cert Expired 2) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Cert Expired 3) Certificate & Doc - International Air Pollution Cert Expired 4) Certificate & Doc - International Oil Pollution Cert Expired 5) Certificate & Doc - Civil liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage Cert Invalid 6) Certificate & Doc - International Sewage Pollution Prevention Expired 7) Certificate & Doc - Load Lines (incl exem) Expired 8)) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety Radio (incl exem) Expired 9) Certificate & Doc - Other (Certificates) Other 10) Radio communications - Satellite EPIRB Not as required The vessel was released again on March 15 and permitted a single voyage to the Yalova shipyard area for permanent repairs. The ship remained stationary in the naval port of Abu Qir as of March 17. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

On March 11, 2025, the 'Serena' was detained in Dalian with seven deficiencies, two of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Fire safety - Fire detection and alarm system Not as required 2) Fire safety - Other (Fire safety) Other The vessel was released again on March 12 and left the port en route to Kozmino with an ETA as of March 16. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

US aircraft targeted with two airstrikes the command post of the 'Galaxy Leader', the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television channel reported on March 16. The Houthis provided no further details on the attack, and there has been no official statement from the US or Israel regarding the incident. The 25 crew members were held hostage for over a year before being released this January with mediation from Oman. The Houthis warned Israel on March 7 to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip within four days or face renewed maritime operations against Israeli-linked vessels, when Israel blocked all aid into Gaza on March 2.

After the grounding of the 'Rønvikbuen' near Honningsvåg in the Magerøy Sound on the early morning of Feb 13, the skipper has sent a report to the Norwegian Maritime Authority, stating that he was locked in the toilet when the vessel ran aground: "I went to the toilet about 10 minutes beforethe grounding. I couldn't open the door again before it slammed. Then the crew came and unlocked it. The ship had landed on the rocks," the description of the accident said. Both the crew and the fishing boat were rescued.

There are still small pockets of fire on board the 'Solong', but there is no longer a risk of the ship sinking. However, large amounts of microplastic have been observed in the sea, believed to originate from containers on board the ship. The RNLI identified the pollution reporting on March 16, that a sheen had been spotted on the water. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out an aerial survey and confirmed the pollution which has now been identified as plastic nurdles (small plastic pellets). On March 17, observers have found the first clumps of burnt pellets washing ashore at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Microplastics have a size of between 1-5 mm, and are part of the production of plastic. They are typically transported in containers, but the 'Solong's owner has not yet confirmed that there were containers with microplastics on board. Microplastics pose a major threat to marine life, as they normally float on the surface of the water, where many species find their food. They are easily mistaken for fish eggs, and when eaten, plastic gives the feeling of being full, which ultimately leads to starvation and death for many species. The Coast Guard announced that something was spotted in the water on March 16, that turned out to be plastic pellets. Surveillance flights confirmed this. Plastic particles were also found on the beach at Wash Bay, the Coast Guard confirmed on March 17, and the recovery began that day, As of March 18, the tugs 'Brage Viking' (IMO: 9475791) and 'Svitzer Castle' (IMO: 9316397 ) were attending at the accident site, where both the ''Solong' and the 'Stena Immaculate' remained stationary as of March 18, with the latter moored in pos. 53° 44' N 000° 24 E. The salvage experts from SMIT Salvage were continuing with their detailed onboard assessments of the tanker.

The Dutch Safety Board has launched an investigation into the collision between the 'VB Seal' and a chemical tanker on the New Waterway in Rotterdam on the early morning of Feb 23. The flag state of the tanker is the Marshall Islands, the investigation body of the Marshall Islands acts as a ‘state with a significant interest. The tug was hit by the tanker in dense fog, sprang a leak and started to take on water in the accommodation area. To prevent the tug from sinking, the crew turned on the emergency fire pumps and, as a precaution, the ship was pushed onto a shallow by other ships. Exhaust fumes from the emergency fire pumps developed in the accommodation block, causing six people to feel unwell. As a precaution, four people were taken to hospital for observation, after which they were allowed to go home.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, has issued a statement following the Russian attack on the civilian seafarers aboard the 'MJ Pinar' in Odesa on March 11: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of seafarers in the recent attack in Odesa, which has claimed the lives of four seafarers. My thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, as well as those who were injured. Seafarers ensure the continuous flow of essential goods that sustain communities worldwide. They must never become targets in conflicts beyond their control. We must reaffirm our collective commitment to their safety and well-being. I reiterate my call to all parties involved to work together to ensure that such acts of violence against innocent seafarers and shipping do not continue. International shipping should never become a casualty in the broader geopolitical landscape. The IMO remains committed to supporting efforts to improve the safety of all those who work in the global maritime industry.”

On March 7, 2025, the 'Armony' was detained in Bartin with 17 deficiencies. 1) Certificate & Doc - SOPEP Not as required 2) Certificate & Doc - Oil record book Not as required 3) Certificate & Doc - Document of compliance Not as required 4) Water/Weathertight - Freeboard marked Not as required 5) Fire safety - Fire fighting equipment and appliances Not as required 6) Fire safety - Fire detection and alarm system Not as required 7) Fire safety - Fire pump and its pipes Inoperative 8)) Safety of navigation - Charts Expired 9) Safety of navigation - Navigation records Not as required 10) Safety of navigation - Magnetic compass Not as required 11) Safety of navigation - Nautical publications Not as required 12) Emergency systems - Emergency fire pump and its pipes Inoperative 13) Emergency systems - Functionally og Safety Systems Not as required 14) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management Plan Not as required 15) Life saving Appliances - Lifebuoys incl provision and disposition Not as required 16) Radio communications - Operation/Maintenance Not as required 17) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on March 11 and left the port en route to Burgas, where it arrived on March 16 and remained moored in pos. 42° 29' N 027° 27' E as of March 18. The last detention was only on Jan 8 in Stylis with 16 deficiencies for one week. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

Beaced at CHittagong 10.03.25

On the morning of March 16, 2025, the Port Authorities of Agia Galini and Paleochora were informed by the JRCC of the Greek Coast Guard about a vessel with migrants on board in a difficult situation 55 nautical miles south of Paleochora, Crete. The 76 people on board, among them 72 men, one woman and three minors, were picked up by the 'Ignacy Lukasiewicz', which sailed into the Bay of Messara. From there, they were transferred to a lifeboat of the Greek Coast Guard and safely transported to the port of Agia Galini. They were taken to a temporary accommodation facility in Agia Chania, accompanied by Coast Guard officers. A preliminary investigation was being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Chania.

The chief mate of the 'Tyrhaug', who was sentenced to prison after the speedboat accident in Edøyfjorden 2023, will have his case heard at the Frostating Court of Appeal. At the Møre og Romsdal District Court, the man was sentenced to 90 days in prison on probation and a fine of 30,000 Norwegian crowns.The court found that both he and the master, coming from Trøndelag, had acted grossly negligently on the crossing between Kristiansund and Trondheim. The chief mate has appealed the sentence and the liability for reparation.

Beached at Chittagong 17.03.25 https://www.facebook.com/reel/1191354639267685

There are still small pockets of fire on board the 'Solong', but there is no longer a risk of the ship sinking. However, large amounts of microplastic have been observed in the sea, believed to originate from containers on board the ship. The RNLI identified the pollution reporting on March 16, that a sheen had been spotted on the water. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out an aerial survey and confirmed the pollution which has now been identified as plastic nurdles (small plastic pellets). On March 17, observers have found the first clumps of burnt pellets washing ashore at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Microplastics have a size of between 1-5 mm, and are part of the production of plastic. They are typically transported in containers, but the 'Solong's owner has not yet confirmed that there were containers with microplastics on board. Microplastics pose a major threat to marine life, as they normally float on the surface of the water, where many species find their food. They are easily mistaken for fish eggs, and when eaten, plastic gives the feeling of being full, which ultimately leads to starvation and death for many species. The Coast Guard announced that something was spotted in the water on March 16, that turned out to be plastic pellets. Surveillance flights confirmed this. Plastic particles were also found on the beach at Wash Bay, the Coast Guard confirmed on March 17, and the recovery began that day, As of March 18, the tugs 'Brage Viking' (IMO: 9475791) and 'Svitzer Castle' (IMO: 9316397 ) were attending at the accident site, where both the ''Solong' and the 'Stena Immaculate' remained stationary as of March 18, with the latter moored in pos. 53° 44' N 000° 24 E. The salvage experts from SMIT Salvage were continuing with their detailed onboard assessments of the tanker.

Total loss since 12.05.2015

On March 6, the 'Lider Haluk' was detained again, this time in Tuapse, with 26 deficiencies. 1) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management System Not as required 2) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management Plan Inoperative 3) Pollution Prevention - Pumping, piping and discharge arrangement Not as required 4) Pollution Prevention - Crew training and familiarization Lack of training 5) Pollution Prevention - Garbage shipboard handling Not as required 6) Pollution Prevention - Retention of oil on board Not as required 7) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Record Book Not as required 8)) Safety of navigation - Charts Expired 9) Safety of navigation - Compass correction log Inoperative 10) Safety of navigation - Speed and distance indicator Inoperative 11) Safety of navigation - Long.range identification and tracking system Inoperative 12) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Inoperative 13) Safety of navigation - Navigation records Not as required 14) Safety of navigation - Navigation bridge visibility Not as required 15) Fire safety - Fixed fire exthinguishing installation Inoperative 16) Fire safety - Other (Fire safety) Other 17) Living and working - Gangway, accommodation ladder Not as required 18) Living and working - Personal equipment Not as required 19) Living and working - Mooring Not as required 20) Water/Weathertight - Cargo ports and other similar openings Not as required 21) Cargo Operations incl equipments - Cargo Securing manual Not as required 22) Radio communications - Radio log (diary) Not as required 23) Radio communications - Satellite, EPIRB Not as required 24) Propulsion auxiliary machinery - Operation of machinery Not as required 25) Other Other (Solas International) Other 26) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on March 16 and proceeded to the Unye Anchorage. The last detention had been on Jan 23 in Chioggia with 14 deficiencies for ten days. The inspection had already led to a refusal of access to Paris MOU ports. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

On March 16, 2025, the 'Dashan', en route from Novorossyisk to Port Said, carrying 140,000 tons of crude oil, suffered an engine failure in the Eceabat Strait of the Çanakkale Strait. The tanker was safely moored at the Bozcaada Anchorage Area under the coordination of the Çanakkale Ship Traffic Services Center; Video: https://x.com/i/status/1901366363483955233