On April 25, 2025, the container vessel KMTC Surabaya collided with the bulk carrier Glengyle on the Saigon–Vung Tau waterway in Vietnam, resulting in significant damage and an oil spill into the Long Tau River. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and shipping operations remained unaffected.
The damaged tanker Sounion, attacked by the Houthis off Yemen, successfully transited the Suez Canal. The operation, managed by Ambrey and Mega Tugs, offloaded 150,000 tons of crude oil in Greece. The Canal Authority oversaw the complex operation, highlighting the challenges of towing the heavily damaged vessel without steering control.
Finnish authorities have released the product tanker, Eagle S, after being detained for 53 days due to damage to undersea transmission cables. Three crew members are still held for investigation. The vessel was escorted out of Finnish waters to Port Said, Egypt. Authorities have rectified deficiencies on board and suggested sabotage as the cause.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has suggested that captains of ships damaging underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea should face EU sanctions. This proposal comes amid discussions for sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Sikorski highlighted the need to hold individuals accountable to prevent further damage and maintain security in the region.
German prosecutors are investigating an accident on the Moselle that paralyzed river traffic, involving an inland cargo ship on autopilot. The ship crashed into lock gates, causing significant damage. The captain was not present during the incident. Despite repairs, the lock was reopened in just 55 days. Authorities are looking into the cause of the accident.
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.
The Explorer of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, faced a terrifying ordeal in near hurricane-force winds. Passengers slid around as the ship rolled dramatically, with injuries reported. Captain Frank’s quick response led the ship back to Las Palmas for medical assistance. Despite weather monitoring, unforeseen challenges can arise at sea.
The National Transport Safety Board criticized the master of the American Mariner for multitasking during a complex maneuver, leading to the vessel touching bottom in Sault Ste. Marie. With only the master on the bridge and a crew of 19, the NTSB emphasized the need for proper staffing to ensure safe navigation in confined spaces. The incident resulted in $600,000 in repair costs.
A cargo ship named Samuda-1 drifted out of control in Chattogram, Bangladesh, hitting the Kalurghat Railway Bridge. Eyewitnesses reported strong winds as the ship floated from a nearby shipyard. Officials are investigating if the ship broke away from its moorings or if it was a helmsman error. Salvage efforts are underway.
One of Carnival Cruise Line’s large cruise ships, the 130,000 gross ton Carnival Magic, sustained damage after being pushed into the dock by heavy weather. The ship remained in Jamaica for inspections, causing disruptions for passengers. The weather also affected other cruise ships in the Western Caribbean.
The storm-damaged cruise ship Maud, marketed by Hurtigruten’s HX Expeditions, will remain out of service till mid-April as it undergoes repairs. The 16,150 gross ton cruise ship is currently at a shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany to undergo a survey and planning repairs to its systems. The incident and the plans for the ship’s return to service are detailed.
