India has secured the release of more than 150 seafarers who were stranded at Yemen’s Ras Isa Port. All 11 vessels detained at the port have now departed, with the final ship, the 'Gaz Gms', sailing on June 29, 2025, after the completion of cargo discharge operations, en route to Sohar. The crisis in Ras Isa began following an airstrike on April 17, which damaged port infrastructure and led to the Iranian-backed Houthis enforcing a blockade of the port. Some vessels had been stuck at the port since Dec 2024, with local authorities refusing to grant departure clearance until all cargo was discharged.
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CALEDONIAN ISLES
CalMac is trying to recover millions of pounds of repair costs for the 'Caledonian Isles', which has been sidelined from the Arran route since Jan 2024, The costs has already risen to nearly £11m. The ferry operator is now seeking compensation from the Cammell Laird Yard over problems discovered when the ship returned to Scotland in September, after the Merseyside firm carried out the first phase of work. The claim relates to deformation of the ship's hull, which has required months of remedial work. Cammell Laird has declined to comment. Action was under way to recover some of those repair costs following an investigation into the cause of the hull deformity. The problems began in January 2024 when annual maintenance inspections in Scotland revealed extensive steel corrosion. The ship was moved to the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead for a highly complex repair operation which required removal of the ship's engines. The work, said at the time to cost around £5m, was completed last September but when the ship sailed back to Scotland the crew noticed a gearbox problem and metal shards were discovered in a filter. Further investigation revealed that eight frames were deformed and that more steel replacement was required. CalMac engaged a naval architect to report on the root cause of the deformation, while more repairs were carried out in Greenock, by a different ship repair firm. The ferry was due to resume sailing from Ardrossan in June, but a new fault affecting its variable pitch propellers, essential for manoeuvring in harbour, was identified during sea trials, and the ship remained out of service.
HMNZS MANAWANUI
Samoa's Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said that the the wreck of the HMNZS 'Manawauni' can stay exactly where it sank after being presented with options regarding the vessel's future, which were presented to the cabinet. The shuo already been incorporated into the reef and all the toxic elements have been removed. Local authorities have maintained a 'no-go zone' around the site of the wreck, making it in inaccessible for fishing. The New Zealand Defence said they were still completing technical and environmental analysis of the wreck and surrounding area to inform future decisions of both governments.
ASTORIA
On July 4 at around 7 p.m. the 'Astora' arrived at her last destination ever after a journey of more than 24 hours, being towed by the 'ÄMultratug 20', 'Multratug 13' and 'Multratug 1'.. The ship was towed from Rotterdam to Ghent and will be dismantled at the recycling yard Galloo, which has years of experience in dismantling, depollution and recycling of scrapped ships. The and will be good for more than 12,000 tons of material, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, wood, glass and plastics. Galloo will recycle more than 97% into renewable raw materials. The demolition will take about 12 months. First, all decks above the waterline will be dismantled, after which the ship will be pulled onto dry land on a specially designed slipway. ‘The entire process is specialist work, not only because of the hazardous substances, but also because of the stability of the wreck during the total processing time. The scrap will be transported by barge to other Galloo locations in Europe. Report with photos: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/07/04/cruiseschip-galloo-aankomen-op-final-destination/
CONDOR VOYAGER
The 'Condor Voyager' and the RNLI boat 'George Sullivan went to the aid of a French yacht after its skipper fell ill on July 5, 2025. The RNLI received a mayday call at about 6:30 p.m. BST from the yacht which was about eight miles west of Corbière lighthouse. The call was made by the daughters of the skipper, who was unwell and unable to sail the yacht into St Helier.The 'Condor Voyager', which was en route to St Malo, diverted to offer assistance. It launched its rescue boat so the crew could board the yacht and provide immediate care. The 'George Sullivan' 'arrived 30 minutes later, relieving the ferry crew and allowing it to continue with its sailing to St Malo. A casualty assessment found the skipper of the yacht was not in immediate danger. It was decided to sail the vessel back to St Helier under a reduced sail area. The weather conditions were challenging with a heavy swell and gusting winds of up to a force 6. The 'George Sullivan' and the yacht arrived in St Helier harbour just before 10 p.m. report with photo: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/july/06/rnli-jersey-tasked-to-mayday-from-french-yacht
GALAXY LEADER
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) launched a series of extensive airstrikes on Houthi-controlled targets across Yemen overnight between July 6 and 7. The military targeted key Houthi military assets at the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant. Among the targets was the 'Galaxy Leader'. The vessel’s 25 crew, including 17 Filipinos, 2 Mexicans, 2 Bulgarians, 3 Ukrainians, and 1 Romanian, were held hostage for over a year before being released on Jan 22. The Houthis had installed a radar system on the 'Galaxy Leader', anchored at Ras Isa. The vessel was being used to monitor maritime activity in international waters and support operational planning for terrorist activities. There has been no immediate information available on casualties or the extent of damage caused by the airstrikes.
SIERRA
The "Sierra," which since its delivery sailed for 13 years as the "Suvorovsky Prospect" for the Russian state shipping company Sovcomflot. However, this changed with Russia's attack on Ukraine. As a result of the EU investigation, the "Suvorovsky Prospect" became the 64th ship on the EU sanctions list in December 2024. For camouflage purposes, the "Suvorovsky Prospect" was renamed "Sierra." The new owner was a company in Dubai. At the same time, a "flag hopping" began. First, the ship went from Liberia to Gabon, then on to Barbados, and finally, via the African island republic of Sao Tome and Principe, to Malawi in June 2025. The new home port is Monkey Bay on Lake Malawi. However, no one knows who the real owner is. The question of insurance in the event of a shipwreck remains equally open. On July 3, 2025, the "Sierra" left the Baltic Sea with its "fake flag" after loading in Ust-Luga, Russia – unchallenged by German and Danish authorities. The crew listed Port Said as its destination. Meanwhile, Malawi is also alarmed. "The Government of the Republic of Malawi would like to clarify that Malawi does not currently have an international shipping registry. Therefore, these vessels are fraudulently registered," wrote David Mzandu, the country's Minister of Transport and Public Works. The country protested the use of its flag at the UN. The "Sierra" was able to leave the Baltic Sea unchallenged under a "false flag." Although the "Sierra" is now listed in international databases as a "false flag" ship, it was able to leave the Baltic Sea unchallenged on Friday with approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil.
ECO WIZARD
On the morning of July 6, 2025, an explosion with a subsequent ammonia leakage occurred at the Ust-Luga seaport during loading operations on the 'Eco Wizard'. The ship started taking on water and listed to port side. The terminal’s emergency services were working to contain the incident. The Transportation Ministry convened an emergency meeting at its Situational and Information Center, chaired by the Transport Minister Roman Starovoit. The port’s loading operations were suspended, and local authorities have placed nearby facilities on alert. The 23 crew members of the LNG tanker were evacuated, and the emergency services were planning a diving inspection of the vessel to determine the extent of the damage to the vessel’s hull and cargo systems. An underwater drone inspection revealed two breaches, each about 1 by 1.5 meters, near the engine room at depths of 6 and 7 meters, with metal bent inward, suggesting an external blast. The tanker had not been inspected upon docking due to poor weather conditions. The explosion occurred during ammonia loading, with 3,500 tons of cargo already onboard, prompting an immediate halt to operations. The tanker had arrived in the port, en route from Antwerp. The 'Eco Wizard' was suspected to belong to Russia’s shadow fleet. The cause of the explosion remained under investigation, with speculation ranging from a technical malfunction to possible sabotage. Report with photo: https://splash247.com/russia-downplays-ammonia-leak-in-wake-of-stealthgas-tanker-blast-at-ust-luga/
FULDA
The 'Fulda', bound for Oman reported an explosion in pos. 22° 48' N 070° 04' E, shortly after completing a methanol discharge at atthe Oil Jetty No. 2 of the Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat, and leaving port at 1.05 p.m. IST. The explosion was observed by a nearby vessel, the 'Team Focus'. prompting a swift response of the Coast Guard and Deendayal Port Authority on July 6, 2025. While no fire or smoke were reported, the ship was heavily listing to starboard side and showed massive signs of destruction by the force of the explosion. The tanker initially developed a 22-degree list to starboard side, later shifting to port as onboard actions were taken. By 7 p.m. IST, the vessel’s master formally requested the evacuation of the 21 crew members, including 11 Chinese, two Bangladeshi, one Indonesian, and seven Myanmarese nationals. They were safely taken off the vessel by the tug 'Orchid Star', which had been dispatched from Kandla. Though the situation was initially reported as under control, the evolving conditions and severe structural impact led the master to request assistance. The tanker was carrying 384.17 metric tons of fuel as cargo on board. While no oil pollution has been confirmed, a full-scale pollution prevention effort has been activated. The explosion may have been linked to improper handling of flammable vapours during gas-freeing operations. The 'Fulda' had been carrying methanol, and inadequate flushing and purging may have allowed a flammable vapour-air mix to build up. In response to the emergency, two tugs, the Indian Coast Guard vessel 'ICGS 'C-429' and the pollution control vessel 'Samudra Pavak' were deployed to the site. Two Indian Coast Guard interceptor boats remained on station monitoring the Fulda', which was still afloat with no reported water ingress. All surrounding vessels have been advised to maintain safe distance from the tamler due to potential fire or pollution hazards. Reports with photo and video: https://connectgujarat.com/gujarat/tanker-bound-for-oman-reports-explosion-off-gujarat-coast-all-21-crew-evacuated-9469903 https://splash247.com/tanker-explodes-off-indian-port/
MAGIC SEAS
On July 6, 2025, the Houthis rebels of Yemen launched their first attack on Red Sea shipping since Dec 2024, striking the 'Magic Seas', loaded with ron and fertilizers and bound from Zhuhai to Turkey, with drone boats, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and small arms fire. The ship was ablaze. It was transiting north in the Red Sea about 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodiedah when it was initially attacked by eight skiffs that opened fire with small arms and RPGs. Armed Security Team (AST) returned fire. The vessel was subsequently attacked by four Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). Two of the USVs impacted the port side of the vessel, damaging the vessel’s cargo. The remaining two USVs were intercepted and destroyed by the AST. The crew prepared to abandon the ship, which was taking on water, at 3.45 p.m. and was at risk of sinking. By 7:00 p.m. UTC, all 19 crew members had been safely rescued by a passing merchant vessel, and no injuries were reported. They arrived in Djibouti on July 7. No immediate group has yet claimed the attack; however, maritime security firms noted that the attack resembled that of Houthi militants.
EL.VENIZELOS
The 'El Venizelos' was detained in the port of Alicante on July 4 by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Port State Control (PSC). This latest detention came after a six-day detention at the port of Marseille from June 23 to 2 by the French Maritime Security Center (Dirm Med), due to the discovery of potential technical irregularities, The ship sailed on July 1 and arrived in Alicante on July 2. In anticipation of the summer season, the Algerian shipping company had planned a schedule with 320 crossings. To carry out this schedule, it chartered the 'El Venizelos' from a Greek company. But the ship appears to be experiencing difficulties in European ports. According to the French specialist website Le Marin, citing the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Thétis base, the El Venizelos has been detained in a Spanish port since July 4
ELEGANT LADY
By the evening of July 6, 30 cargo ships have passed through the damaged Moselle lock in Sankt Aldegund. The lock has been in test operation again since July 5. Initially only ships sailing downstream passed throught the lock. The gate must be inspected again after each ship. The Dutch 'Mission' with skipper Pieter Wieland was the first to be able to continue the descent. The passage took 45 minutes.Approximately 50 ships had been stuck above the lock. The doors were checked after each lockage to see if they held. That was also the reason that the locks were not in operation 24 hours a day, but were stopped at nightfall, starting again at 6 a.m. As of July 8, ships sailing upstream may also be able to pass through the loc. Because greater water pressure is exerted on the defective gate upstream, these locks are more difficult. However, the Waterways and Shipping Authority expects these locks to resume operating as well. No passenger ships would be locked through. Therefore, some trips will continue to be canceled. Several river cruise ships, each carrying over 100 passengers, have been stuck on the Moselle. One of the cruise ships is carrying international passengers who booked a tour from Luxembourg to Nuremberg. Some arrived by plane and are now stuck on the Moselle. If the lock process takes any longer, the ship might not even arrive in Nuremberg. Tours on the Moselle for tourists are also affected by the failure of the Sankt Aldegund lock. On two routes, three berths cannot be reached. Therefore, the trips will be shorter. The damaged lock gate has been largely repaired. Even if a new gate isn't in stock, at least one for Aldegund is already under construction andwill be completed soon, It is expected that the gate can be installed at the end of September or the beginning of October. After that, operations can return to normal. Reporst with photos and video: https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/koblenz/schleusungen-sankt-aldegund-beginnen-fahrgastschiff-rammt-schleusentor-mosel-100.html https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/07/07/deuren-sluis-sankt-aldegund-houden-het-dinsdag-weer-opvaart-moezel/
HARMONY OF THE SEAS
A few days after some minor electrical issues caused a firewall to go down, the 'Harmony of the Seas' began having power outages. The power began shutting off in different parts of the ship in the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, prompting the captain to begin making emergency announcements about the situation, which was described as safe, while the crew was currently working on restoring all electrical systems for the propulsion. The ship was sailing at 10 knots due to the reduced propulsion with only one propeller working, and was still heading safely to its next destination. The captain incessantly apologized for making the announcement at such a late hour, but with over 8,000 people on the ship between the crew and passengers, they all deserved to know what was going on. The continuous announcements made roughly between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. During the night, technicians were able to restore most of the power, and in the time since have brought all systems back to being fully operational.The incident occurred while the vessel was underway from Cozumel to Galveston, Texas, where it disembarked guests on July 5.The 6-night itinerary also included stops in Costa Maya in Mexico as well as Roatan Island in Honduras. Due to the propulsion issues caused by the power outage, embarkation for the July 5 voyage out of Galveston on tje 'Harmony of the Seas' was been delayed by one hour.
TUNU PRATAMA JAYA
The National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) interrupted the search for 29 people still missing amid worsening weather and low visibility that hampered rescue operations on the evening of July 4. The visibility dropped to just three kilometers due to heavy fog and waves reaching 2.5 meters. The operation, which had resumed earlier that morning with 160 personnel, three helicopters, thermal drones, and 20 vessels, was resumed the next morning. The KMP 'Tunu Pratama Jaya', carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, sank only 30 minutes into its short 5-kilometer journey between Ketapang in East Java and Gilimanuk, after rough seas rocked it, causing heavy vehicles to shift and capsize the ferry.. Many onboard were unable to reach life jackets in time. Sx deaths had been confirmed, and 30 people rescued, including a male passenger who initially went unreported after returning home without notifying authorities. At the Jembrana Regional Hospital, survivors were treated. Authorities are investigating the cause of the sinking. Some survivors suggested a possible leak in the engine room, while others pointed to extreme weather and strong currents. The ferry was carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks.
ZAHRAA
After on July 1 the "Admarine 12" overturned while being towed to a new site in the Gulf of Suez, near the Zeit Bay area, with 30 personnel on board at the time, three people remmained missing as of July 3. 23 workers have been rescued, four fatalities have been confirmed, The Egyptian authorities had launched immediate SAR efforts. Both the rig and its crew are fully insured, with no material financial impact anticipated on the company's earnings. A joint investigation was underway in collaboration with relevant authorities to identify the cause of the incident and enhance safety protocols for future operations.
TUNU PRATAMA JAYA
The Joint Search and Rescue (SAR) Team found one dead body on July 6 at around 12:00 ü-m- WIBin sector 3 waters, about 6 nautical miles from the location of the KMP 'Tunu Pratama Jaya'. The evacuation process was carried out using rubber boats owned by the Indonesian Navy's Warship KRI 'Tongkol 517'. The body was then taken to the Pusri dock and then to the Blambangan Regional General Hospital (RSUD) for the identification process by the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team of East Java Regional Police. Preliminary identification results stated that the body was male, about 170 centimeters tall. He was wearing a blue T-shirt and brown shorts, the BASARNAS stated. The discovery of the body prompted the Composite SAR Team to plan to expand the SAR mission on July 7,. After the ship, carrying 53 passengers, 12 crew members, and 22 vehicles sank, 30 people survived. A total of 21 victims have been handed over to families in Ketapang and nine in Gilimanuk. With the discovery of the deceased victim, the number of fatalities increased to seven. Meanwhile, 28 people were still missing. The search in the sea is focused on the waters of the Bali Strait, from north to south. Three air Search and Rescue Units (SRUs) were also deployed to sweep the area from the same direction. Meanwhile, land SRU teams were monitoring the coastline along the Ketapang (East Java) and Gilimanuk (Bali) sides. On July 5, a composite SAR team from the Ministry of Transportation's Navigation Service had found an object on the sea floor at a depth of 40-60 meters, suspected to be the wreck of the ferry, The location of the sunken ship has shifted about 800 meters from the initial location of the sinking.
SAGRADO CORAZON
The governor of Chubut, Ignacio Torres, confirmed that work will begin in the coming days to remove the Sagrado Corazón', which has been sunken for almost a decade in the Chubut River navigation channel. The opperation seeks to eliminate a risk to navigation and mitigate the environmental impact generated by the vessel. The joint work of the provincial Fisheries Secretariat, through the General Directorate of Ports, and the Argentine Naval Prefecture, allowed for the unblocking of a case that had been stalled since 2016. The Sagrado Corazón, an Argentine-flagged fishing vessel, got stuck in 2016 in pos. 43°20, 234' S 065°03, 815' W, near the local Prefecture headquarters after a poor maneuver. Its owners went bankrupt and abandoned the vessel, leading to a lengthy legal dispute and a lack of action by the authorities. The vessel not only became a hazard to navigation and dredging operations, but also a source of pollution for the river ecosystem. On July 4, the Argentine Naval Prefecture granted the final authorization for the extraction through provision DISFC-2025-906-APN-PNA#MSG, pursuant to Article 389 of the Navigation Law. The resolution authorizes the General Directorate of Ports to carry out the tasks of removing the vessel. The salvage oepration will begin in the coming days. Report with photo: https://www.eldiarioweb.com/2025/07/reflotaran-un-buque-que-permanece-abandonado-en-el-rio-chubut-hace-nueve-anos/
DE ZONNEBLOEM
The 'De Zonnebloem' was due to set sail again on July 7 from Arnhem to Duisburg, to Gouda and then back to Arnhem via Nijmegen. with a kind of trial run after being out of service 11 eleven weeks A 3D photo was made of what the ship was like. Then the front was sawn away and completely rebuilt- The system that makes the doors watertight has arrived and was installed aboard the ship. Young people iwth care needs which were somewhat greater because their disability is congenital, or because they have had an accident were on board. As a result, two volunteers joined each passenger, which means it had on board only 45 passengers in total, instead of the 70 that would normally be the case. The passengers will return from their vacation on July 12.
WAN HAI 503
The 'Wan Hai 503' continued to be held in position outside the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through towing operations conducted by the 'Offshore Warrior' on July 4. The vessel was located in pos. 07° 45.83'N a074° 50.98' E with a course of 280° and an average speed of 1.0 knots. The condition of board remained under continuous monitoring. Visible light grey smoke persisted from Bay 29 to 35, indicating ongoing smouldering in cargo hold no. 4, which remained the primary zone of concern. Wind conditions have been fluctuating, with increased gusts observed during the day, exacerbating the smouldering fire and complicating localized firefighting efforts. Despite attempts, Pyrocool application was aborted due to high winds and unstable deck conditions, making precise deployment unsafe and ineffective at sea. Dewatering operations in the engine room were temporarily halted due to malfunction of the power pack essential for pump operations. Repairs ertr underway to restore continuous dewatering. Notably, the stern draft has increased, suggesting successful prior dewatering, though updated soundings ertr awaited. Recent temperature surveys indicatef elevated readings in cargo hold no. 4, peaking at approximately 92°C, while temperatures in hold no. 5 have shown slight reduction, though residual heat persists due to the compartment being sealed with CO₂. Meanwhile, the 'Saksham' has returned to Kochi Port for crew rotation and equipment adjustments. The 'Water Lily' was engaged in personnel and equipment transfers between the 'Offshore Warrior', 'Wan Hai 503' and other support units. The 'Advantis Virgo' remained on standby for firefighting operations and carries approximately 11,000 litres of Pyrocool onboard. An additional 15,000 litres of Pyrocool were scheduled to arrive in Singapore, with contingency plans for airlifting to India, subject to Port of Refuge outcomes. The 'SCI Panna' continued to provide fire watch and boundary cooling assistance as required. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has emphasized the need for effective localized cooling and access to sheltered waters to allow for safer and comprehensive fire suppression. The primary threat stems from smouldering in cargo hold no. 4, exacerbated by strong winds, damaged deck infrastructure, and inaccessible zones. With on-deck Pyrocool application restricted by sea conditions, comprehensive firefighting remains dependent on securing Port of Refuge access or reaching a more sheltered area. Dewatering of the engine room remains a priority, with planned resumption once power pack repairs are completed. Tunnel connections between cargo hold no. 3 and the engine room remained a possible ingress point for water, complicating stability efforts. Full structural assessments, especially of ballast and bunker tanks, were pending. The Indian Coast Guard has recommended repositioning the vessel approximately 200 nautical miles (Lat. 04°43'N, Long. 077°03'E) southeast to the India–Sri Lanka–Maldives tri-junction, balancing safety, operational flexibility, and minimizing regional environmental risk. Final clearance for Port of Refuge is awaited, with Wan Hai Lines actively engaging in documentation and negotiations. On July 5, visible black smoke continued to emit from the casualty, though onboard temperature readings reflected gradual improvement in affected areas, but residual heat within cargo holds persistted, particularly in Hold No. 4. Isolated flare-ups and intermittent smoke are anticipated to recur, attributed to the nature of the residual cargo smouldering within enclosed spaces. The salvage team currently consists of five firefighters and five salvors. Dewatering efforts have successfully reduced engine room water levels to approximately two meters, though additional pumping was ongoing to identify and control the ingress source, was is suspected to be linked to previous firefighting water runoff. The hydraulic Power Pack, which encountered debris-related malfunctioning, has been restored, with one hydraulic pump and one electric pump operational for dewatering. The vessel's name and flag markings remained visible, and the general structural condition was reported stable at this stage. Firefighting and boundary cooling operations were being undertaken by the 'SCI Panna' and 'Advantis Virgo'. The teams onboard these vessels were maintaining fire suppression efforts as required, with an emphasis on controlling temperature escalation and preventing fire spread. The overall fire remained localized and is assessed to be under control; however, elevated temperatures within Hold No. 4 and inaccessible areas limited further inspection and tank soundings. The portside forward area remained unsafe for entry until further cooling was achieved. Small flare-ups, smoke, and high heat in isolated compartments continued to present operational constraints. Divers were on standby but are not being deployed inside the engine room at present due to concerns over water contamination from unknown cargo residues. Controlled dewatering were to proceed to lower water levels sufficiently for inspection without necessitating diver entry. The situation demanded operational patience, with timelines contingent on prevailing fire conditions and vessel stabilization. Efforts were being made to maintain the current position, balancing logistical access, safety, and proximity to support assets. Port of Refuge discussions remained active and the vessel remained within logistical support range of Kochi, facilitating continued resupply and operational support. Stakeholders have been urged to prioritize securing the forward forecastle area, completing towline replacement, conducting bunker tank soundings, and ensuring structural and environmental safety before any further relocation or port entry is executed.
VILAMOURA
An external explosive device most likely caused the blast that damaged the 'Vilamoura' off the Libyan coast, the vessel’s Greece-based operator TMS Tankers said on July 6, citing an initial investigation. The tanker had left the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27 headef to Gibraltar with one million barrels of oil when there was an explosion in the engine room. "Preliminary investigation findings clearly indicate that the explosion, the resulting fracture of the side shell plating, and the flooding of the engine room were caused by an external source —an unidentified explosive device,” TMS Tankers said.