Trygve Nøkleby, Managing Director of the Bergen Shipowners Association, received the prestigious 20th annual WISTA Norway Leadership Award at the Bergen International Shipping Conference on June 10. He is the second male recipient, recognized for his exceptional leadership and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector.
India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, led by Mukesh Mangal, is prepared to bolster seafarer repatriation from West Asia as needed. With 562 Indian seafarers currently aboard 13 vessels and recent maritime security incidents raising concerns, the Ministry has already facilitated the safe return of over 3,537 seafarers.
A tragic incident involving the Palau-flagged MT Settebello has claimed the lives of three Indian seafarers, whose bodies have now been identified. Sarbananda Sonowal expressed heartfelt condolences, highlighting the profound loss for the maritime community. This incident underscores the inherent risks of sea travel and the sacrifices made by seafarers.
All 20 Indian crew members of the tanker MT Jalveer were safely evacuated after U.S. forces disabled the vessel during a blockade enforcement operation in the Gulf of Oman. This incident, the third involving Indian seafarers in a week, raises significant concerns over their safety amid escalating maritime tensions.
A group of young men, including four from Andhra Pradesh, has been stranded on the Iranian coast for months due to their cargo vessel being immobilized. With inadequate support from the ship’s management, the 13 crew members face severe hardships, including food shortages and lack of electricity. Families urge government intervention.
The family of Aditya Sharma, a 23-year-old Indian seafarer who tragically died during an alleged U.S. attack on the MT Settebello, is demanding a thorough investigation. While 21 crew members were rescued, his family’s grief is compounded by concerns over the vessel’s command decisions and working conditions, prompting urgent calls for accountability.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping, despite claims from the Iranian-affiliated Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) of its closure. While hundreds of vessels continue to navigate the strait, concerns over maritime safety persist amid rising tensions and competing claims of authority.
Iran’s authority for the Strait of Hormuz has announced a complete closure of the vital waterway due to escalating tensions from U.S. military actions. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority stated the closure will remain in effect until further notice, urging patience from those with transit permits as the situation develops.
Global container shipping rates have surged sharply due to rising tensions around Iran, with Asia–U.S. shipment spot prices nearly doubling since late February. A 40-foot container from Shanghai to Los Angeles now costs $4,565, while shipments to New York hit $5,505, driven by soaring fuel costs and disrupted trade flows.
On June 7, the cargo vessel Fri Skien reported a leak off the French coast, 20 nautical miles from Cap de la Hague. Despite the leak, the ship remained maneuverable. Emergency services quickly stabilized the situation, ensuring crew safety and preventing environmental pollution, allowing the vessel to reach Le Havre for inspection.
BIMCO has introduced a Biofuel Clause for Time Charter Parties to address legal and operational challenges stemming from low-carbon fuel use in shipping. This clause provides clear definitions, aligns with ISO standards, and includes processes for sampling and testing biofuels, ensuring safe and efficient integration into charter agreements as the industry decarbonizes.
Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the IMO, stressed there’s no commercial justification for endangering seafarers’ lives. He warned that the Strait of Hormuz is unsafe for navigation and urged thorough risk assessments. With rising incidents and an unstable geopolitical climate, he emphasized that safety must always be the top priority for all stakeholders.
On Tuesday, a cargo ship off Yemen’s coast exchanged gunfire with six armed individuals in a piracy incident, differing from typical Houthi attacks involving drones. The ship’s Armed Security Team repelled the attackers, who fled. Authorities are investigating, as piracy concerns linger in the Gulf of Aden, despite recent reductions.
On Wednesday, India summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires to express strong discontent over an attack on the Settebello off Oman’s coast, which left three Indian crew members missing. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the assault, confirming 21 out of 24 crew members were rescued and urging for safe navigation in international waters.
Two crew members are missing and one injured after the U.S. military disabled the tanker M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. This incident marks the first seafarer casualties amid the maritime blockade against Iran. It raises safety concerns for civilian operations in the increasingly volatile Strait of Hormuz.
