· Tanzania-Flagged Cargo Vessel Grounds off Kefken, Turkey
On 18th September, the Tanzania-flagged cargo vessel Rapid ran aground near the Pink Rocks in Kefken, Turkey. The vessel, carrying a cargo of plaster, was en route from Turkey to Chornomorsk, Ukraine, with seven crew members on board.
The incident was reported at 05:54 local time to Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, which immediately initiated a rescue operation. The General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM) deployed its fast rescue craft KEGM-10 and a land-based response team, while a helicopter successfully evacuated all crew members to safety. No injuries were reported.
According to initial assessments, the vessel struck a reef while navigating close to shore. The exact cause of the grounding remains under investigation by the authorities.
Rapid is a 1991-built vessel that has a carrying capacity of 2,620 tonnes. It measures 81.2 metres in length and 11.33 metres in width.
· Fire Breaks Out on Grande Argentina at Port of Hamburg, Contained Swiftly
On 15th September, a fire broke out aboard the Malta-flagged Ro-Ro/Container Carrier Grande Argentina docked at the O’Swaldkai terminal of the port of Hamburg.
The incident occurred at around 5:30 pm local time when a truck on one of the decks aboard the vessel ignited, producing smoke. The crew responded immediately, deploying two C-hoses to tackle the blaze and successfully extinguished the smoldering fire before it could spread further.
More than 40 firefighters arrived at the scene as a precaution. Their teams inspected the vessel to locate any residual fire sources and confirmed there was no further danger.
Authorities have not yet reported any injuries or material damage. Investigations are expected to follow to determine the cause of the fire.
Grande Argentina is a 2001-built Ro-Ro/Container Carrier with a carrying capacity of 56,660 Gross Tonnage. The vessel measures 213.88 metres in length and 32.25 metres in width.
· Panama-Flagged Oil Tanker Disabled Off New Zealand, Towage Efforts Stalled
The Panama-flagged product tanker Golden Mind remains stranded off Stewart Island, south of New Zealand, after suffering steering difficulties, with towage efforts delayed by severe weather.
On 9th September, the vessel departed from Bluff, en route to Timaru, New Zealand. On 10th September, the tanker developed steering difficulties and was left drifting near Stewart Island. Maritime New Zealand reported that the ship did not issue a distress call and that its crew remains safe on board.
Following the incident, the owner of the vessel dispatched ocean-going tug MMA Vision to assist the stranded vessel. The tug departed from Wellington on 12th September and reached Golden Mind on 15th September. Despite being alongside, MMA Vision has been unable to secure a towline due to gale-force winds in the region. Authorities stated that the vessel remains stable, and the plan is to tow the tanker to Timaru once weather conditions improve.
Golden Mind is a product tanker that was built in 2020 and has a carrying capacity of 12,488 tonnes. The vessel measures 124 metres in length and 20 metres in breadth.
· Israeli Airstrikes Launched on the Yemeni Port of Hodeidah
A series of airstrikes was conducted at the Yemeni port of Hodeidah on 16th September. The attacks were preceded by a publicly issued evacuation warning from the Israel Defence Force (IDF), and no casualties or damage to vessels were reported immediately afterwards.
Twelve separate airstrikes were reportedly performed on the port in an attack that lasted around 10 minutes. The evacuation warning, issued by IDF Spokesperson Avichay Adraee, urged civilians and merchant vessels to leave the area.
The attacks reportedly targeted three docks that had been repaired after a prior Israeli airstrike at the exact location.
The IDF has stated that these attacks were in response to repeated Houthi drone and missile strikes against Israel. Israel has accused the Houthis of using Hodeidah port for receiving Iranian weapons. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also stated that the attacks ensured the maritime and air blockade against the Houthis could continue.
· Marshall-Island Cargo Vessel Grounds off Santos Following Power Blackout
On 14th September, the Marshall-Island cargo vessel Shandong Xin Ze ran aground in the South Atlantic Ocean while approaching the Port of Santos, Brazil. No injuries or marine pollution were reported in the incident.
The vessel was transporting a cargo of fertilisers when it experienced a power blackout while entering the port. With propulsion lost, the ship drifted out of the navigation channel and grounded off the coast of São Paulo.
