The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized two vessels, the Salama and the Sea Ranger, on charges of smuggling heavily subsidized oil from Iran.
The vessels were reportedly detained on 22nd April near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf. According to Iranian media reports, the vessels were attempting to leave Iran’s territorial waters when the seizure was made. The IRGC claims to have found approximately 1.5 million liters of diesel fuel on the vessels, along with 700 billion Iranian rials.
The IRGC apprehended the 25 crew members aboard the vessels and escorted them to Bushehr Port. The seized oil will be handed over to the National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company, which will redistribute it into the local Iranian supply chain.
In related news, an Iranian court in the province of Hormozgan has issued strict judgments against two unnamed vessels crews previously apprehended by Iran for smuggling oil. Iranian media reported that the captain and his two deputies of first unnamed vessel were sentenced to five years in jail, along with a fine of $5.37 million after being caught smuggling 4.5 million liters of oil.
The same court also issued a judgment against the captain of another vessel, which was detained while carrying 1.7 million liters of oil. The captain and his two deputies were sentenced to five years in jail, and a fine of $3 million was imposed on the vessel.
Iran has stated that the two unnamed vessels will be free to depart once the fines have been paid.
Fire Erupts in Cargo Hold of Bulk Carrier in Amsterdam Port
A fire broke out in a cargo hold aboard the bulk carrier Federal Tweed on 24th April. The incident occurred at around 6 AM local time when the vessel was berthed along Amerikahaven Way in Amsterdam’s Western Port Area, Netherlands.
The blaze, erupted by scrap metal stored in the hold, produced dense smoke that drifted across the port and nearby regions. In response, the Amsterdam’s fire department issued a precautionary advisory urging nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed.
A crane is being used to lift smoldering scrap from the cargo hold of the vessel and deposit it onto the quay. The fire department is expected to remain engaged in suppression efforts for an extended period while continuously monitoring smoke levels.
Federal Tweed is a 2013-built bulk carrier sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. The carrier has a length overall of 189.99 metres, width of 32.27 metres and a carrying capacity of 55,317 tonnes.
Singapore-Flagged Vessels Allide at Savannah Port
On 22nd April, Singapore-flagged container ships Ever Memo and Wai Hai A09 allided in Port Savannah, USA. Neither of the vessels sustained damage, and no injuries were reported during the incident.
The Ever Memo made contact with Wan Hai A09 while being maneuvered by tugs in the Port of Savannah turning basin. The allision occurred amid active cargo operations, with five quay cranes engaged on the Wan Hai A09.
After the allision, Ever Memo remained moored at Savannah while Wan Hai A09 departed from the port on 23rd April en route for Cristobal, Panama.
Oil Tanker ”Invictus” Battles Fire, Left Adrift Off Somalia
The Marshall Island-flagged oil products tanker Invictus caught fire on 22nd April. The fire broke out in the engine room of the tanker at approximately 508 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia.
The 180-meter-long tanker departed from Beira Port, Mozambique, for Fujairah, UAE, when the incident occurred.
The crewmembers aboard the tanker were able to extinguish the flame by the next day on 23rd April. However, flooding in the engine compartment left the condition of the main propulsion system unknown, rendering the vessel adrift.
One Filipino crew member was reported to have sustained burns during the incident. An Indian Navy vessel operating nearby provided first‑aid to the injured crew member.
Although treated aboard the vessel, the injured seafarer was not evacuated; the tanker’s management is exploring options to transfer him ashore. The remainder of the crew have stayed on board.
According to the MarineTraffic data, Invictus’s navigational status states that the vessel is currently not under command.
