Maritime News

EU Operation IRINI Boards Sanctioned Shadow Fleet Tanker MT Sun in Mediterranean

September 3, 2026

EU Operation IRINI boards sanctioned shadow fleet tanker MT Sun in Mediterranean on August 31 - sixth flag-verification boarding of 2026, vessel operating under suspected false flag.

Accidents

Dominican Republic-Flagged Cargo Ship Progress IV Sinks in Romanian Black Sea EEZ

September 3, 2026

Dominican Republic-flagged cargo vessel Progress IV sinks in Romanian Black Sea EEZ on August 27 - all 12 crew rescued, Romanian president suggests vessel was struck, investigation ongoing.

War

Twin VLCC Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

September 2, 2026

Twin VLCC attacks in Strait of Hormuz on September 1 - Bahri's Sidr and Sinokor's Senegal Prosperity struck within minutes, each carrying approximately two million barrels of Saudi crude.

General

Spanish Fishing Vessel Corvo Catches Fire off Estaca de Bares, Three Crew Rescued

August 28, 2026

Spanish fishing vessel Corvo catches fire off Estaca de Bares on August 24 - three crew rescued, salvage and fire investigation teams deployed.

Accidents

Bulk Carrier Ocean Winner Sinks in Bay of Bengal, 22 Crew Missing

August 28, 2026

Bulk carrier Ocean Winner sinks in Bay of Bengal on August 22 - 22 crew missing after vessel sinks within eight minutes, two survivors rescued from liferaft.

War

Ukrainian Strikes Hit Eight Russian Commercial Vessels at Novorossiysk and Tuapse

August 27, 2026

Ukrainian strikes hit eight Russian commercial vessels at Novorossiysk and Tuapse during August 17–23 - one bulk carrier abandoned by 21 crew, rescue vessel also struck.

War

Tanker Metro Venetian Struck in Engine Room and Immobilised in Strait of Hormuz

August 27, 2026

Tanker Metro Venetian struck in engine room and immobilised in Strait of Hormuz on August 24 - crew safe, no environmental impact, no claim of responsibility.

War

Bahri VLCC Amzan Struck by Houthi Ballistic Missile 63NM West of Yanbu, Red Sea

August 26, 2026

Bahri VLCC Amzan struck by Houthi ballistic missile 63NM west of Yanbu on August 24 - fire on main deck, all crew safe, largest vessel hit by Houthis in Saudi campaign.

War

Chief Engineer Killed Aboard Bulk Carrier Minoan Dignity in Strait of Hormuz Attack

August 23, 2026

Chief engineer killed aboard bulk carrier Minoan Dignity in Strait of Hormuz on August 17–18 - first seafarer fatality from Hormuz attack since July 14, IMO logs 66 total incidents.

Piracy

Sanctioned Product Tanker Sibu 1 Hijacked in Gulf of Aden, Diverted Toward Somalia

August 22, 2026

OFAC-sanctioned tanker Sibu 1 hijacked in Gulf of Aden on August 19 - six armed men seize vessel, AIS broadcasts "PIRATE ONBOARD HELP," sixth vessel now held by Somali pirates.

General

US-Flagged RoRo Vessel SLNC York Evacuated in Central Pacific After Taking on Water

August 23, 2026

US-flagged RoRo vessel SLNC York evacuated in Central Pacific on August 18 after taking on water en route to Japan - vessel stable, crew transferred to nearby ship, cause under investigation.

Accidents

Nine Workers Killed by Toxic Gas Aboard LNG Carrier Rasi at Bangladeshi Shipbreaking Yard

August 22, 2026

Nine workers killed by hydrogen sulphide gas aboard LNG carrier Rasi at Bangladeshi shipbreaking yard on August 14 - yard's environmental clearance had expired two days prior.

Piracy

Somali Pirates Hijack Cameroon-Flagged Cargo Vessel Lutuf South of Mareeyo

August 21, 2026

Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel Lutuf hijacked south of Mareeyo, Somalia on August 17 - fifth vessel seized by Somali pirates since April, crew reported safe.

War

Ukrainian Drone Strike Halts Loadings at CPC Terminal, Novorossiysk for Two Days

August 20, 2026

Ukrainian drone strikes CPC terminal at Novorossiysk on August 15, halting Kazakh crude loadings for two days — second major attack on terminal since July.

Accidents

Major Salvage Operation Launched for Grounded Shadow Fleet Tanker Caroline Bezengi off Oman

August 20, 2026

Major salvage operation launched August 13 for grounded shadow fleet tanker Caroline Bezengi off Oman — oil slick exceeds 2,000km², uninsured vessel carrying 800,000 barrels.

War

Two ADNOC Tankers Struck by Iranian UAVs in Strait of Hormuz

August 19, 2026

Two ADNOC tankers Navig8 Messi and Tarif struck by Iranian UAVs in Strait of Hormuz on August 13 - minor damage, all crew safe, 15th and 16th ADNOC attacks since conflict began.

Accidents

COSCO Car Carrier Min Jiang Kou Ablaze in Eastern Pacific, 22 Crew Rescued

August 12, 2026

COSCO car carrier Min Jiang Kou catches fire 600NM off Costa Rica on August 7 — 22 crew rescued from lifeboats by good Samaritan vessels, salvage coordinated by Resolve Marine.

General

Five Tonnes of Cocaine Seized Aboard Maersk Nokwanda off Portugal

August 11, 2026

Five tonnes of cocaine seized aboard Maersk container ship Nokwanda after interception off Portugal — three arrested, drugs found in concealed compartments at port of Sines.

General

Icelandic Coast Guard Boards and Seizes Paul Watson Foundation Vessel Bandero, Captain Arrested

August 5, 2026

Icelandic Coast Guard boards and seizes Paul Watson Foundation vessel Bandero on July 31 after crew ignores repeated coastal zone departure orders - captain arrested, vessel held in Reykjavik.

Sanctions

EUNAVFOR Frigate Thaon di Revel Boards Falsely-Flagged Shadow Fleet Tanker Toa Payoh Southwest of Sicily

August 4, 2026

EUNAVFOR frigate Thaon di Revel boards falsely-flagged shadow fleet tanker Toa Payoh southwest of Sicily on August 3 - evidence gathered, vessel released to continue voyage.

Accidents

Five Dead, 41 Missing After Fire Engulfs Indonesian Ferry Mutiara Sentosa 2

August 3, 2026

Five dead and 41 missing after fire engulfs Indonesian ferry Mutiara Sentosa 2 off Madura Island on August 2 - over 220 rescued, search operations ongoing.

War

Two LNG Carriers Struck by Drones at Egypt's Port of Damietta, Fires Extinguished

July 31, 2026

Two LNG carriers Gaslog Salem and Energos Winter struck by drones at Egypt's Port of Damietta on July 29 - fires extinguished, no casualties, major escalation in strike geography.

War

Saudi Product Tanker NCC Ghazal Struck by Houthi Missiles in Red Sea

July 29, 2026

Saudi product tanker NCC Ghazal struck by Houthi missiles in Red Sea on July 28 - vessel returns to port, Houthis claim responsibility.

Accidents

Norwegian Chemical Tanker Bergstraum Explosion and Fire off Fredrikstad

July 29, 2026

Norwegian chemical tanker Bergstraum suffers explosion and fire off Fredrikstad on July 28 - sulfuric acid cargo unaffected, all 15 crew safe, cause under investigation.

Accidents

Great Lakes Bulker Algoma Equinox Grounds in St. Clair River, Freed After Overnight Operation

July 26, 2026

Canadian laker Algoma Equinox grounds in St. Clair River near Sarnia on July 21 — freed after overnight operation, no hull damage or pollution confirmed.

War

Three Tankers Struck by Drones at CPC Terminal, Novorossiysk - Loading Twice Suspended

July 25, 2026

Three tankers struck by drones at CPC terminal Novorossiysk on July 19–20 - Chevron-managed Asia and Nissos Ios hit on July 19, sanctioned Nelsa ablaze with 22 crew evacuated July 20.

War

Houthis Strike Saudi Tanker Encelia in Red Sea, Marking Resumption of Hostilities

July 24, 2026

Houthis strike Saudi tankers Encelia and Layla in Red Sea on July 22 - Encelia confirmed hit with fire on board, Layla unconfirmed, Brent crude jumps 5% to $95.

General

Sanctioned Tanker Caroline Bezengi Breaking Up on Omani Rocks, Major Oil Spill Feared

July 23, 2026

Sanctioned tanker Caroline Bezengi breaking up on Omani rocks off Dhofar - fully laden vessel leaking crude, salvage frozen by legal disputes, major spill threatens protected marine zone.

War

Turkish LPG Carrier Gas Lisbon Struck and Ablaze off Romanian Coast, Three Crew Hospitalised

July 23, 2026

Turkish LPG carrier Gas Lisbon struck and ablaze 20NM off Romanian Black Sea coast on July 21 - all 17 crew evacuated, three hospitalised, Russia suspected.

War

Dynacom VLCC Acheloos Reportedly Struck in Strait of Hormuz as Kavomaleas Continues to Burn

July 21, 2026

Second Dynacom tanker Acheloos reportedly struck in Strait of Hormuz as Kavomaleas continues to burn adrift - two FIRMS heat signatures detected, crew of Kavomaleas rescued.

War

Kuwaiti Product Tanker Kaifan Struck in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Abandons Ship

July 22, 2026

Kuwaiti product tanker Kaifan struck by drone or missile northeast of Limah in Strait of Hormuz on July 21 - crew abandons ship, engine room fire reported.

War

Tanker Kavomaleas Set Ablaze by Double Strike off Oman in Strait of Hormuz

July 20, 2026

Tanker Kavomaleas struck twice and set ablaze 8NM northwest of Kumzar, Oman on July 20 — engine room fire, crew ashore safely, Iran claims responsibility.

Piracy

Tanzanian-Flagged Chemical Tanker Asana Hijacked off Yemen, Steered Toward Puntland

July 21, 2026

Tanzanian chemical tanker Asana hijacked off Yemen on July 18 by seven armed pirates and steered toward Puntland - crew status unknown, South Korean naval vessel dispatched.

War

Suezmax Tanker Nordic Zenith Struck by Two Drones at CPC Terminal, Novorossiysk

July 20, 2026

Suezmax tanker Nordic Zenith struck by two drones at CPC terminal Novorossiysk on July 18 - fire extinguished, 13 crew evacuated, vessel removed from loading schedule.

Sanctions

U.S. Marines Board Shadow Fleet VLCC Wen Yao in Gulf of Oman

July 19, 2026

U.S. Marines board shadow fleet VLCC Wen Yao in Gulf of Oman on July 16 - vessel falsely flagged, laden with Iranian fuel oil, changed name during pursuit before boarding.

Accidents

Hydrofluoric Acid Spill from Container Aboard Mia Summer II Hospitalises 28 at Port of Antwerp

July 18, 2026

Hydrofluoric acid leak from container aboard Mia Summer II closes Antwerp terminals and hospitalises 28 - one in intensive care, Belgian prosecutors open criminal inquiry.

Accidents

Cargo Ship Black Rhino Sinks After Collision in Port of Douala-Bonabéri, Threatening Port Access

July 17, 2026

Cargo ship Black Rhino sinks after collision in Port of Douala-Bonabéri on July 12 - threat to Cameroon's primary port contained, operations resumed by July 14.

Accidents

Bulk Carrier Luni Splits in Half and Sinks off Bandar Abbas, All 23 Crew Rescued

July 16, 2026

Bulk carrier Luni splits in half and sinks off Bandar Abbas on July 14 - all 23 crew rescued, cause unconfirmed amid reports of prior collision and simultaneous nearby explosions.

War

Stolt-Nielsen Chemical Tanker Stolt Magnesium Attacked off Oman, Engine Room Fire Reported

July 14, 2026

Stolt-Nielsen chemical tanker Stolt Magnesium attacked off Oman on July 14 - engine room fire reported, all crew safe, incident coincides with broader Gulf escalation.

General

Scarlet Lady Denied Port Entry in Turkey and Egypt Over LGBTQ Passenger Manifest

July 16, 2026

Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady denied port entry in Turkey and Egypt over LGBTQ passenger manifest - itinerary rerouted after both countries cite moral grounds for refusal.

War

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces Strike 116 Vessels in Sea of Azov in Sustained Week-Long Campaign

July 15, 2026

Ukraine strikes 116 vessels in the Sea of Azov from July 6–14, including tankers, a ferry, and an oil terminal - Russia halts Kerch Strait transit as wheat futures rise 4%.

War

Container Ship GFS Galaxy Struck in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Abandons Ship - One Crew Member Missing

July 14, 2026

Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy struck in Strait of Hormuz on July 13 - crew abandons ship, 23 rescued by Oman Navy, Indian engineer missing, vessel towed to Khor Fakkan.

General

Estonia Photographs Armed Machine Gun Positions Aboard Gazprom LNG Carrier Marshal Vasilevskiy in Baltic

July 1, 2026

Estonia photographs sandbagged machine gun positions aboard Gazprom LNG carrier Marshal Vasilevskiy in the Baltic - first armed Russian civilian vessel documented in the region.

General

Tanker YM Jupiter Drifts Near Alonissos After Engine Failure, Captain Sanctioned for Delayed Reporting

June 30, 2026

Tanker YM Jupiter drifts near Alonissos after engine failure, towed to safety by salvage vessel Aigaion Pelagos - captain sanctioned for delayed incident reporting.

Sanctions

French Forces Board Shadow Fleet Tanker Deliver off Sicily, Fifth Such Action Since September

June 27, 2026

French forces board shadow fleet tanker Deliver off Sicily with Royal Navy and EUNAVFOR MED support - fifth such boarding by France since September, invalid flag documents found.

War

Evergreen Containership Ever Lovely Struck by Projectile off Oman, Halting Stranded Vessel Evacuation

June 26, 2026

Evergreen containership Ever Lovely struck by projectile off Oman, halting IMO-coordinated evacuation of Gulf-stranded vessels — first attack since US-Iran MOU signed.

Accidents

Mexican Navy Patrol Boat Uxmal Strikes Docked Ferry UltraCarga III at Isla Mujeres

June 23, 2026

Mexican Navy patrol boat Uxmal loses control due to clutch failure and strikes docked ferry UltraCarga III at Isla Mujeres - no injuries, both vessels damaged.

Accidents

Ro-Ro Ferry Niraikanai II Runs Aground off Toshima Island en Route to Tokyo

June 23, 2026

Ro-Ro ferry Niraikanai II runs hard aground off Toshima Island en route from Osaka to Tokyo - refloating attempts unsuccessful, calm seas reported, cause under investigation.

War

Cargo Ship Victress Struck in Drone Attack, One Crew Member Killed

June 22, 2026

Turkish cargo ship Victress struck in drone attack near Romanian-Ukrainian border, killing one Egyptian crew member - Ukraine blames Russia for the strike.

Sanctions

Tanker Era, Formerly Bella 1 and Marinera, Resurfaces Under New Flag Approaching Trinidad

June 20, 2026

Tanker Era, formerly Bella 1/Marinera, resurfaces under new Comoros flag approaching Trinidad - name changed June 7 per ShipIntel, captain pleaded guilty to Coast Guard charges.

Accidents

Docker Killed in Loading Accident Aboard Ro/Ro Delphine at Port of Zeebrugge

June 20, 2026

Docker killed in loading accident aboard ro/ro Delphine at Port of Zeebrugge - vessel detained, prosecutor's office opens formal inquiry.

War

Sanctioned Tanker Fina A Struck by Ukraine en Route to Novorossiysk, Black Sea

June 19, 2026

Sanctioned tanker Fina A struck by Ukrainian forces in Black Sea en route to Novorossiysk - vessel "not under command" as Kyiv's kinetic sanctions campaign continues.

General

Qatar Brings Empty LNG Tanker Back Through Strait of Hormuz for First Time Since War Began

June 18, 2026

According to Bloomberg, Qatar has brought an empty liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker back into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war in Iran began.

Piracy

Multiple Ships Report Trading Shots with Pirates: Cargo ship involved in 30-Minute Firefight

June 17, 2026

Commercial vessels transiting the waters between Somalia and Yemen have reported a series of increasingly brazen approaches by pirates over the past several days, including multiple reports of shots fired.

General

China Completes World's Largest Bulker-to-Containership Conversion

June 16, 2026

The China Classification Society (CCS) has announced the successful completion of what it describes as the largest conversion of a bulk carrier into a cellular container ship. The six-month project is the first of its kind to involve an 80,000 dwt Kamsarmax dry bulk carrier.

General

Norwegian Budget Includes Money to Construct World's First Ship Tunnel

June 15, 2026

In an unexpected development, Norway's new government budget has revived hopes for the construction of the world's first ship tunnel. While approval is not yet final, the move marks a significant turnaround, coming approximately eight months after the government concluded the project was too costly to proceed.

Accidents

Hong Kong-Flagged Tanker Hit in Strait of Hormuz

June 15, 2026

According to maritime security sources, Iranian forces appear to have hit another tanker on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz.

Accidents

Bomb Squad Called to Cruise Ship at Kiel After Explosives Trace Found in Ship's Stores

June 12, 2026

A bomb disposal squad was called to the Port of Kiel after a security check detected traces of explosives on a consignment of ship's stores destined for the cruise ship Mein Schiff Relax.

Accidents

Cargo Ship Olymp Trader Crushes Sailboat and Strikes Pier at Korsør, Denmark

June 10, 2026

Cargo ship Olymp Trader crushes sailboat and strikes pier at Korsør on June 8 - helmsman arrested after failing breathalyzer, Danish Maritime Authority detains vessel for inspection.

Accidents

Four Indian Seafarers Rescued After 10 Months Stranded on Abandoned Ship off Turkey

June 9, 2026

Four Indian seafarers have been rescued after spending nearly 10 months stranded aboard the abandoned cargo ship Azra C anchored off Turkey.

Sanctions

U.S. Treasury Sanctions Six LPG Carriers Linked to Iranian Gas Exports

June 8, 2026

The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned six LPG carriers connected to Iran's petroleum industry, adding them to its long list of blacklisted vessels.

Accidents

All Nine Crew Rescued After Ship Sinks in Strait of Singapore

June 8, 2026

All nine crew members were safely rescued after Golden Star 1 sank in the Strait of Singapore on the night of June 5, approximately three nautical miles north of Batam, Indonesia.

General

"Big Blue" Begins 9,000-Nautical-Mile Tow from Wisconsin to Pearl Harbor

June 4, 2026

A 200-foot-tall U.S. Navy portal crane has departed Manitowoc, Wisconsin (LOCODE: USMTW) bound for Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (LOCODE: USPEA).

War

U.S. Forces Disable Sanctioned Tanker M/T Lexie Bound for Iran

June 3, 2026

U.S. forces have disabled the sanctioned oil tanker M/T Lexie (IMO 9203277) while it was attempting to reach Iran, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

War

MSC Container Ship Hit by Projectiles Near Umm Qasr Amid Gulf Tensions

June 2, 2026

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has confirmed that its container ship MSC Sariska V was hit by two projectiles shortly after leaving the Port of Umm Qasr (LOCODE: IQUMQ) in Iraq.

War

U.S. Aircraft Fires Hellfire Missile into Engine Room of Cargo Vessel Lian Star in Gulf of Oman

June 1, 2026

U.S. aircraft fires Hellfire missile into engine room of cargo vessel Lian Star in Gulf of Oman on May 29 — fifth vessel disabled under blockade, 116 redirected in total.

War

Turkish-Owned Cargo Ship Ant Struck by Russian Drone off Odesa, Two Crew Injured

May 29, 2026

Turkish-owned cargo ship Ant struck by Russian drone in Black Sea on May 29 — fire extinguished, two crew injured and evacuated, third vessel hit in overnight attack wave.

Accidents

Maersk Valparaiso Aground in Bonny Channel After Collision with Tanker Lady Martina, Blocking two Nigerian Ports

May 28, 2026

Maersk Valparaiso aground in Bonny Channel after collision with tanker Lady Martina on May 20 — causing Nigerian ports Onne and Port Harcourt to be blocked, oil spill reported, five injured.

Accidents

Philippine Coast Guard Deploys Waterborne Assets to Major Waterfront Fire at Parola Compound, Manila

May 28, 2026

Major waterfront fire at Parola Compound Manila on May 23 displaces over 7,000 residents — Philippine Coast Guard deploys fireboat and RHIBs, fire controlled after nine hours.

Accidents

Fire Aboard General Cargo Vessel Jolyn at Hamburg Port Injures Eight

May 27, 2026

Fire aboard Royal Wagenborg cargo vessel Jolyn at Hamburg port on May 24 injures eight — six crew and one firefighter hospitalised, 80 emergency personnel deployed.

Accidents

Explosion at May Ship Dry Dock on Staten Island Kills One, Injures 35 Including 31 Firefighters

May 27, 2026

Explosion at May Ship dry dock on Staten Island on May 22 kills one civilian and injures 35 — 31 FDNY members among the injured, fire marshal in critical condition.

Accidents

Megamax Container Ship Singapore Express Collides with Fishing Vessel Stella Polaris off Terschelling

May 26, 2026

Megamax container ship Singapore Express collides with fishing vessel Stella Polaris off Terschelling on May 21 — wheelhouse crushed, one minor injury, fishing vessel towed to Harlingen.

General

Two Limpet Mines Found on Hull of LPG Tanker Arrhenius at Ust-Luga, Russia

May 26, 2026

Two limpet mines found on hull of LPG tanker Arrhenius at Ust-Luga on May 25 — each containing 7kg of explosives, neutralised by FSB, criminal investigation opened.

General

Seven Stowaways Found in Rudder Compartment of Bocimar Tanker Cap Fexlis off West Africa

May 22, 2026

Ghana Navy removes seven stowaways from rudder compartment of Bocimar tanker Cap Fexlis 200NM off West Africa — suspects believed to be Ivorian nationals, investigation underway.

Accidents

Petrobras-Chartered AHTS Skandi Amazonas Intentionally Grounded off Macaé Beach After Hull Rupture

May 21, 2026

Petrobras-chartered AHTS Skandi Amazonas intentionally grounded off Macaé beach on May 16 after hull rupture — 12 crew evacuated, 17 remain aboard, no injuries or pollution.

Accidents

Container Feeders Meratus Kolaka and Spil Ratna Collide on Mahakam River, East Kalimantan

May 21, 2026

Indonesian container feeders Meratus Kolaka and Spil Ratna collide on Mahakam River on May 13 — eight containers lost overboard, extensive hull damage, no injuries or pollution.

War

U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian Shadow Fleet VLCC Skywave in Indian Ocean

May 20, 2026

U.S. Navy reportedly seizes Iranian shadow fleet VLCC Skywave in Indian Ocean — third tanker boarding since blockade began.

War

Russian Drones Strike Three Commercial Vessels Inbound for Ukrainian Ports

May 20, 2026

Russian drones strike three commercial vessels inbound for Odesa on May 18 — including Chinese-crewed bulker KSL Deyang, no injuries reported and vessel continued to its destination..

General

Libyan Coast Guard Opens Fire on German NGO Rescue Vessel Sea-Watch 5 in International Waters

May 16, 2026

Libyan coast guard opens fire on German rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 after migrant rescue in international waters on May 11 — mayday issued, vessel escorted to Brindisi, criminal complaints filed.

War

Iranian Forces Seize Floating Armoury Hui Chuan Northeast of Fujairah

May 20, 2026

Iranian forces seize floating armoury Hui Chuan northeast of Fujairah — vessel held weapons for commercial anti-piracy operations, AIS contact lost after seizure.

Accidents

Cyprus-Flagged Ro-Ro Passenger Vessel Tom Sawyer Catches Fire in Rostock During Maintenance

May 12, 2026

Ro-Ro passenger vessel Tom Sawyer catches fire in Rostock during maintenance - one injured, vessel detained by German authorities pending repairs, no environmental damage reported.

War

Sanctioned Iranian VLCC Sevda Ablaze off Jask Following U.S. Navy Strikes

May 11, 2026

Sanctioned Iranian VLCC Sevda ablaze off Jask after U.S. Navy F/A-18 strikes on May 6 and 8 - satellite imagery confirms fire and multiple damaged tankers in the area.

War

Bulk Carrier MV Laya Likely Struck by Drone in Qatari Waters Northeast of Doha

May 11, 2026

Drone strikes cargo vessel in Qatari waters northeast of Doha — fire extinguished, vessel completes passage to Mesaieed; Liberian bulker MV Laya identified as likely target.

General

UPDATE: MV Hondius Underway to Tenerife with ETA May 10 as Hantavirus Case Count Rises

May 8, 2026

Hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius underway to Tenerife with ETA May 10 - two British nationals confirmed infected, death toll remains at three.

Accidents

Cargo Ship Corsage C Sinks off Andros Island After Grounding, Master Arrested

May 9, 2026

Cargo ship Corsage C sinks off Andros Island after grounding in favourable weather — master arrested, Greek intelligence probing blacklisted vessel for possible undeclared cargo.

War

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Disables Rudder of Iranian VLCC Hasna in Gulf of Oman

May 7, 2026

U.S. Navy F/A-18 fires 20mm rounds into rudder of Iranian VLCC Hasna (299,229 DWT) in Gulf of Oman - second disabling force incident under blockade, first use of carrier jet for interdiction.

War

CMA CGM San Antonio Struck by Missiles in Strait of Hormuz, Crew Injured and Evacuated

May 7, 2026

CMA CGM San Antonio struck by missiles in Strait of Hormuz on May 5 - crew injured and evacuated, second CMA CGM vessel attacked in the strait since conflict began.

War

Russian Strike Damages Cook Islands-Flagged Vessel in Greater Odesa Port, Fifth Attack in Eleven Days

May 7, 2026

Russian strike damages Cook Islands-flagged vessel in Greater Odesa port — crew unharmed, fifth confirmed attack on civilian shipping in the area in eleven days.

General

Expedition Cruise Ship MV Hondius Anchored off Cape Verde After Three Deaths in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak

May 6, 2026

Three dead and four more cases as hantavirus outbreak strikes expedition ship MV Hondius — vessel refused port entry at Cape Verde, WHO coordinating crew evacuation.

Accidents

Container Ships Maersk Chattogram and HR Turag Collide at Chattogram Port Anchorage

May 6, 2026

Container ships Maersk Chattogram and HR Turag collide at Chattogram Port anchorage — substantial hull damage to Maersk vessel, joint investigation committee formed.

Accidents

South Korean-Operated Container Vessel HMM Namu Explodes and Catches Fire off Umm Al Quwain

May 5, 2026

South Korean-operated vessel HMM Namu explodes and catches fire at anchor off Umm Al Quwain — all 24 crew safe, cause under investigation.

War

ADNOC Tanker MV Barakah Struck by Two Iranian Drones in Strait of Hormuz

May 5, 2026

Tanker MV Barakah struck by two Iranian drones in Strait of Hormuz — first confirmed attack on UAE national carrier since ceasefire, UAE condemns as "act of piracy."

Piracy

Togo-Flagged Tanker Eureka Seized off Yemen's Shabwa Coast, Redirected Toward Somali Puntland

May 5, 2026

Togo-flagged tanker Eureka seized off Yemen's Shabwa coast and directed toward Puntland — third vessel hijacked in region in under two weeks as Somali piracy surges.

Accidents

Cameroonian-Flagged Cargo Ship Ninova Driven Ashore in Black Sea Storm, Eight Crew Rescued by Breeches Buoy

May 5, 2026

Eight crew rescued by breeches buoy from grounded cargo ship Ninova on Turkish Black Sea coast — vessel has history of 60+ recorded deficiencies and unknown current ownership.

Sanctions

Swedish Coast Guard Boards and Detains Sanctioned Shadow Fleet Tanker Jin Hui off Trelleborg

May 5, 2026

Sweden boards and detains sanctioned tanker Jin Hui south of Trelleborg — false Syrian flag, EU/UK/Ukraine sanctions, and eight port state control deficiencies confirmed.

War

Bulk Carrier Minoan Falcon Attacked by Small Craft West of Sirik, Iran — First Confirmed Strike in 11 Days

May 5, 2026

Bulk carrier Minoan Falcon likely attacked by small craft west of Sirik, Iran — first confirmed commercial vessel strike in 11 days, Iran denies incident, crew safe.

Sanctions

USS Rafael Peralta Intercepts Iranian Tanker M/T Stream in Arabian Sea, Vessel Redirected

May 1, 2026

USS Rafael Peralta intercepts Iranian tanker M/T Stream in Arabian Sea and redirects vessel — 38th diversion since U.S. blockade began April 13, turned back without incident.

Sanctions

U.S. Marines Board Containership Blue Star III in Arabian Sea Under Blockade Regime — Vessel Cleared and Released

May 5, 2026

U.S. Marines board containership Blue Star III in Arabian Sea under Iran blockade — vessel cleared after search confirms no Iranian port call, first non-Iranian vessel released under regime.

War

Ukrainian Drones Strike Sanctioned Tanker Marquise in Black Sea, 210km from Tuapse

April 30, 2026

June 18, 2026

According to Bloomberg, Qatar has brought an empty liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker back into the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war in Iran began.

General

China Completes World's Largest Bulker-to-Containership Conversion

June 16, 2026

General

August 21, 2024

In July 2024, the Port of Los Angeles handled a record-breaking 939,600 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units(TEUs), making it their busiest month in over two years. This marked the port’s best July in 116 years, with a 37% increase compared to 2023.

Piracy

Sanctioned Product Tanker Sibu 1 Hijacked in Gulf of Aden, Diverted Toward Somalia

August 22, 2026

OFAC-sanctioned tanker Sibu 1 hijacked in Gulf of Aden on August 19 - six armed men seize vessel, AIS broadcasts "PIRATE ONBOARD HELP," sixth vessel now held by Somali pirates.

Piracy

Somali Pirates Hijack Cameroon-Flagged Cargo Vessel Lutuf South of Mareeyo

August 21, 2026

Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel Lutuf hijacked south of Mareeyo, Somalia on August 17 - fifth vessel seized by Somali pirates since April, crew reported safe.

Piracy

Tanzanian-Flagged Chemical Tanker Asana Hijacked off Yemen, Steered Toward Puntland

July 21, 2026

Tanzanian chemical tanker Asana hijacked off Yemen on July 18 by seven armed pirates and steered toward Puntland - crew status unknown, South Korean naval vessel dispatched.

Piracy

Multiple Ships Report Trading Shots with Pirates: Cargo ship involved in 30-Minute Firefight

April 30, 2026

Ukrainian drones strike sanctioned tanker Marquise in Black Sea near Tuapse — stern, engine room and rudder targeted, vessel reportedly empty and awaiting ship-to-ship transfer orders.

War

Ukrainian Drones Strike Tuapse Refinery for Third Time in April, Major Fire Burning

May 5, 2026

Ukrainian drones strike Tuapse oil refinery for third time in April, triggering major fire — residents evacuated, smoke visible for miles, firefighting conditions "extremely difficult."

War

Panama-Flagged Containership Euphoria Attacked Near Iranian Coast, Strait of Hormuz

May 5, 2026

Panama-flagged containership Euphoria attacked near Iranian coast in Strait of Hormuz on April 22 — third vessel hit that day, seizure claimed by Iran but unconfirmed.

War

MSC Containership Francesca Fired Upon and Escorted into Iranian Waters, Strait of Hormuz

May 5, 2026

MSC containership Francesca fired upon and escorted into Iranian waters in Strait of Hormuz — vessel bound for Sri Lanka, IRGC claims Israeli ownership link, damage unknown.

War

Container Ship Epaminondas Fired Upon and Escorted into Iranian Waters, Strait of Hormuz

A crude oil tanker diverted to Turkey after reporting a suspected drone strike while transiting the Black Sea. Authorities are inspecting the vessel to assess damage.

War

US Forces Have Siezed the Oil Tanker Marinera After Two Week Long Pursuit

Denmark has detained the sanctioned containership Nora after authorities questioned its registry and certification, following multiple flag changes and links to a U.S.-sanctioned shipping network.

Sanctions

U.S. Coast Guard Intercepts Tanker Ocean Mariner Bound for Cuba, Vessel Alters Course

May 5, 2026

The product tanker Ocean Mariner altered course after a reported U.S. Coast Guard interception near Cuba, in the context of tightened U.S. pressure to halt oil deliveries to the island.