His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has taken significant steps to support his community. By providing a monthly allowance to students at the Maritime Transport Academy and increasing the minimum retirement pension, he demonstrates his commitment to improving the lives of his people.
A bulkhead named Anima Saima 2 capsized in the Karnaphuli River near the Chattogram port channel after colliding with the outbound container vessel MSC Giannina II. Three crew members were rescued, and the wreckage has been marked with a red buoy. Vessel movements in the port channel remain unaffected.
Maritime traffic in the Bosphorus Strait was halted due to heavy fog, affecting vessel movement between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The closure, announced by the Directorate General of Coastal Safety, aims to ensure the safety of ships navigating through the busy waterway. Updates on the situation are expected as visibility improves.
In 2024, the Irish Coast Guard was extremely busy with 44 units mobilized on 1,154 occasions. They conducted 752 missions with helicopters, assisting 537 individuals. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution launched lifeboats 699 times, and the community inshore rescue service responded to 73 taskings. The Coast Guard coordinated 2,554 incidents.
The UK New Year Honours List for 2025 has recognized individuals in the maritime industry for their services to diversity. Monica Kohli, president of WISTA UK, was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Members of the RNLI and Sea Cadets were also recognized.
A Singapore-flagged ship, the Yangze 22, collided with a Japan-flagged ship, the Vega Dream, in Chinese waters on December 30. The incident occurred in the Changjiang River around 10pm, as reported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on December 31. Fortunately, there were no injuries to the crew on either vessel.
A search and rescue operation was launched by the Philippine Coast Guard after a cargo ship capsized in rough seas. 13 out of 15 crew members were rescued, one was missing, and one body was found. The incident highlights the dangers of unpredictable weather at sea and the importance of safety measures for seafarers.
The Integrated Transport Centre and Abu Dhabi Maritime have launched MARSDNA, a tool by Maqta Technologies Group to help maritime stakeholders achieve their ESG goals. By grading their progress on ESG metrics, businesses can track their sustainability efforts. Future phases will expand the tool’s coverage to the entire sector, supporting sustainable development.
After nearly 15 years of being detained in Indonesia for drug trafficking, Mary Jane Veloso, a migrant worker, finally returned home a week before Christmas. Her homecoming marked a significant milestone in the Philippine government’s efforts to protect overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Estonia is advocating for a revision of its maritime laws to better address damage to undersea infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines. Minister Liisa Pakosta highlighted the inadequacy of current regulations in handling incidents like the recent damage linked to a Russian oil vessel. Estonia plans to propose updates to the International Maritime Organization by February.
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.
