· Cargo Vessel Collides with Fishing Boat off Fort Kochi
On 1st October, a collision occurred between the cargo vessel MSC Silver II and the fishing vessel Prathyasha in the Arabian Sea off Fort Kochi, India. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The nearby fishing boats alerted the cargo ship to the presence of another fishing boat in its path. Although the MSC Silver II reduced speed, it brushed against the Prathyasha, causing several crew members from the fishing boat to jump overboard. All were later confirmed safe.
In the incident, the fishing vessel sustained structural damage, and a large number of fishing nets were destroyed. No injuries or damage were reported on the MSC Silver II.
Authorities have opened an investigation into the incident. Latest reports indicate that the main shipping channel is located approximately 20 kilometres from the site of the collision. The reason for the cargo vessel navigating in that area has not been disclosed.
MSC Silver II, 2002-built, is a vessel sailing under the flag of Liberia. The vessel measures 185.5 meters in length, 29 meters in width and has 27828 gross tonnage.
· Dutch flagged Cargo Vessel Adrift and Ablaze After Attack in Gulf of Aden
The Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht has been left adrift and on fire in the Gulf of Aden after being struck by an explosive device on 29th September. All 19 crewmembers of the vessel were airlifted to safety, although two crewmembers were injured in the incident.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the general cargo vessel was struck by an unknown projectile about 128 nautical miles off Aden and was reported to be on fire.
The vessel’s operator, Spliethoff, stated that the vessel was passing through the Gulf of Aden when it was struck by an explosive device, leading to substantial damage to the vessel and a fire breaking out on board.
All 19 crewmembers of the vessel were airlifted via a helicopter. Two crewmembers were injured in the incident, one is reported to be gravely injured and is being transported to Djibouti, while the other is reported to be in a stable condition.
The vessel was also targeted on 23rd September while en route to Djibouti.
Minervagracht is a 2011-built vessel measuring 142.1 meters in length and 18.95 meters in width. The vessel was scheduled to arrive at Mumbai Port, India, on 04th October.
· French Authorities Detain Two Crewmembers Aboard Russian-Linked Shadow Fleet Tanker
French media have reported that two senior crew members from a Russian-linked shadow fleet tanker have been arrested off the coast of Saint-Nazaire in France. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the vessel has been detained for “serious offences” by the crew.
The vessel, now identified as the Boracay, was boarded off the coast of Saint-Nazaire by French forces around 1st October. The Boracay is a Benin-flagged crude oil tanker that was built in 2007. The vessel was blacklisted by the EU in February under the name Kiwala for circumventing Russian oil sanctions.
According to AIS data, the vessel was stationed off the coast of Denmark from 22nd to 25th September. There have been drone sightings over Denmark since 22nd September, which have prompted closures of airports for brief periods of time and a ban on all civilian drone flights.
President Macron stated that the vessel was being probed for “serious offences,” but did not explicitly establish any connection between the detaining of the vessel and the drone flights.
French prosecutors have stated that two crew members, identifying themselves as the captain and the first mate of the vessel, were taken into custody. The prosecutors further stated that the preliminary investigations of the vessel involve a “failure to provide proof of the vessel’s nationality” as well as “refusal to comply” with instructions.
