A cargo vessel named MV Jerlyn Khatness sank off the waters of Northern Samar, with five crew members missing and 10 rescued. The incident occurred due to rough sea conditions while en route from Naga City, Cebu to San Jose, Northern Samar. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with the Philippine Coast Guard.
Finnish authorities have found tracks on the Baltic Sea seabed, possibly caused by a Russian oil tanker damaging power and telecom cables. The tanker, Eagle S, is under investigation with its crew being questioned. Concerns have risen among Baltic nations, leading NATO to increase its presence due to tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Shell has successfully contained an oil leak at its oil processing units in Pulau Bukom, Singapore. The facilities were shut down for investigation, with ongoing efforts to locate the source of the leak. Additional containment measures have been deployed in the channel and at the mouth of the channel as a precaution.
The Shell refinery at Pulau Bukom, Singapore faced a second leak, releasing oil products into the marine environment. The incident on December 27 led to the shutdown of an oil processing unit. Cleanup measures were quickly deployed, with no slicks reaching beaches or marine parks. The source of the leak is under investigation.
The owner of the oil tanker suspected of damaging a subsea power line and telecom cables in the Baltic Sea is requesting the release of the ship. Finnish authorities seized the Cook Islands-registered Eagle S, believed to have caused the destruction. The incident has put Baltic Sea nations on high alert amid tensions.
The Finnish coast guard has responded swiftly to an oil tanker’s engine failure in the Gulf of Finland, dispatching a patrol vessel and tugboat to prevent environmental damage. The tanker, M/T Jazz, anchored south of Hanko Peninsula, was en route to Russia without cargo. Cooperation between authorities and crew is crucial in managing the situation effectively.
Vyron Vasileiadis, Chairman of APE owner V Group, unveiled a groundbreaking project focusing on solid waste collection from ships in waiting areas. The plan includes establishing a waste-derived fuel plant for green hydrogen production. A strategic partnership with key players in the sector highlights a holistic approach to sustainable practices in the maritime industry.
A new multi-purpose tugboat, TITAN, has joined its sister tugboat MORETTO in Rijeka, Croatia. Part of a contract with Scafi, TITAN is based on the RAmparts 2400SX MKII design. With an 80-ton bollard pull, TITAN is the most advanced in Sanmar’s Boğaçay class, enhancing maritime operations in the region.
Egypt recently conducted a successful test of a new channel near the southern end of the Suez Canal. The trial run saw two ships passing through without incidents, aiming to increase the canal’s capacity by 6 to 8 ships daily. The expansion comes after a drop in revenue due to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants.
The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration successfully freed vessels trapped on the Saar in France and the Moselle in Germany ahead of schedule. 78 emergency lock operations were completed in 10 days, with 72 vessels cleared. The lock is expected to reopen by early February, impacting regional transportation in Western Germany, Luxembourg, and France.
Caterpillar Marine is at the forefront of developing methanol engines for the maritime industry, aligning with IMO 2050 goals. Their upgrade kit for Cat 3500E series engines meets regulatory requirements and customer demand for sustainable operations. With expertise in dual-fuel technologies, Caterpillar is driving the adoption of methanol for a greener future in shipping.
The new digital series “Oceans of Opportunity: A Change of Tide” by IMarEST and CWP showcases marine businesses improving sustainability practices. Featuring short films, expert interviews, and case studies, it explores issues like sustainable resource use and workers’ welfare. The series aims to inspire a sustainable future in the marine industry.
Efforts to free the grounded bulker ship Maccoa near Montreal have been unsuccessful so far. The vessel is sideways outside the navigation channel, with no obstruction to traffic. Despite harsh winter conditions, no injuries or pollution have been reported. The Canadian Coast Guard is monitoring the situation and planning further actions.
PSA Singapore, the largest terminal operator in Singapore, reached a milestone by handling over 40 million TEU in 2024 despite disruptions to traffic flow. Nelson Quek, Regional CEO Southeast Asia for PSA International, highlighted Singapore’s position as a transshipment hub amidst challenges like diversions away from the Red Sea.
The first Russian-built ice-class LNG carrier, Alexey Kosygin, has started sea trials, signaling Russia’s push to increase its global LNG market share despite US sanctions. The tanker, part of the Arctic LNG 2 fleet, faces challenges due to sanctions. Additional tankers are planned, but construction has been hindered by geopolitical tensions.
