· Shadow tanker trapped in Suez standoff
The crew on the Dignity, a shadow Russian suezmax, arrested in Egypt over a month ago, have appealed for urgent help.
The tanker was seized by Egyptian authorities five weeks ago for failure to pay its Suez Canal transit fee, with the ship now moored to the south of the waterway and crew getting in touch with the Seafarers’ Union of Russia for help.
The vessel is running low on fuel and on lubricants, threatening a power cutoff, while the crew have not received any pay for more than three months.
The vessel is affiliated with the Russian company Agro Tanker Group, with both the ship and the company under sanctions from the US, the UK and the EU.
This is not the first shadow tanker to be making headlines around the Suez recently.
Another sanctioned Russian ship, the 21-year-old Komander, an aframax, experienced engine trouble and briefly ran aground last Tuesday near the 48 km mark of the canal.
· Gunfire exchange as pirates target Stolt tanker in Somali waters
A chemical tanker operated by Stolt Tankers came under fire from armed pirates off the coast of Somalia, according to maritime security specialist Vanguard Tech.
The Cayman Islands-flagged Stolt Sagaland was transiting about 332 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu, within the Somali exclusive economic zone, when it was approached by a skiff launched from a suspected mothership at around 04.45 hrs local time.
Vanguard reported that four armed men on board the skiff opened fire as they approached from the starboard side. The crew raised the alarm, increased speed and carried out evasive manoeuvres, while the armed security team on board returned fire, deterring the attack.
No injuries or damage were reported, and the vessel continued its voyage after the exchange. The 44,000 dwt super-segregator, built in 2008, had departed Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and was en route to its next port when the incident occurred.
The incident was confirmed by both UKMTO and private security firm Ambrey, which said the attackers came within 0.05 nautical miles before retreating to their mothership after warning shots were fired.
The EU NAVFOR Atalanta operation has since raised its threat level in the region, assessing that an active Pirate Action Group (PAG) may be operating off Somalia. The group is believed to be linked to an Iranian dhow hijacked last week near Garacad.
Ambrey noted that unusual dhow movements had been reported in the area before the attack and warned of the “realistic possibility of further suspicious approaches.”
· Ferry and Vehicle Carrier Collide at Jolo Port in Philippines; No Injuries Reported
The Philippine Coast Guard reported an allision between the ferry Maria Rebecca and the vehicle carrier Anonia 1 at the port of Jolo amid inclement weather on 4th November. No injuries or pollution have been reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 am local time, when Maria Rebecca, while attempting to dock, lost its manoeuvring control and its starboard side beam struck the port forward portion of the Antonia 1, which was moored at the port.
Following the incident, the Philippine Coast Guard provided assistance, and both the vessels were secured. Authorities will conduct a joint inspection and evaluation to determine the extent of damage to both vessels.
The ferry Maria Rebecca is owned by Montenegro Shipping Lines, while the vessel Antonia 1 is of Aleson Shipping Lines.
