- Iran Releases Tanker After 5-Day Detention; All 21 Crew Members Safe
Iran has released the crude oil tanker Talara after detaining it on suspicion of illegally smuggling petrochemicals. All 21 crew members aboard the vessel are reported to be safe, and no formal charges have been filed.
The vessel was headed from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore when the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the tanker at around 04:22 UTC on 14th November and steered it into Iranian waters. The vessel’s manager reportedly lost communication with the tanker during this time.
Iranian officials stated that the vessel had been diverted under court orders due to an alleged violation. Local Iranian media quoted sources alleging that the vessel was carrying around 30,000 tons of Iranian petrochemical products that were being smuggled to Singapore.
The vessel was released by the Iranian government at 01:12 UTC on 19th November after an inspection. Authorities clarified that no formal charges were being brought against the vessel.
The vessel’s manager, Columbia Shipmanagement, has stated that the Talara is now free to resume normal operations.
- Russian Sailor Dies of Suspected Toxic Exposure Aboard Chemical Tanker Near Turkey
A Russian sailor was pronounced dead, and two others are reportedly critical due to possible toxic exposure aboard the chemical tanker Swanlake off the Turkish coast. The exact chemical compound being carried by the tanker has not been disclosed.
The incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m.local time on 19th November when the tanker Swanlake with 13 Russian crewmembers was several nautical miles off the Turkish coast. When emergency services arrived at the vessel, one Russian sailor was pronounced dead, and two others who were suffering from poisoning were placed under medical observation.
Initial assessments of the situation indicate that the leak of the toxic chemical occurred from the tanker’s refrigerated storage compartment. However, the exact substance stored in the compartment has not yet been disclosed.
According to a Turkish media outlet, the chief officer of the vessel has been detained as the authorities investigate a poisoning incident.
The Swanlake is a Panamanian-flagged chemical tanker that was built in 2015. The vessel has a length of 142 meters, a beam of 18 meters, and a gross tonnage of 6,680.
- Ferry Runs Aground Near South Korean Coast; No Fatalities Reported
The passenger ship Queen Jenuvia II ran aground off the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula on 19th November while en route from Jeju to Mokpo. Authorities confirmed that no pollution has been reported.
The incident occurred at around 8:15 p.m. local time. The ferry struck a rocky outcrop near the uninhabited Jokdo Island in Sinan County, causing its engines to shut down and to list over 15 degrees to port. In response to the emergency, the South Korean Coast Guard deployed 10 patrol boats to evacuate those onboard.
The first rescue vessels arrived within 20 minutes, and all passengers were evacuated by approximately 11:15 p.m., while the captain, crew members, and essential personnel remained on board. A total of 27 passengers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, including headaches and back pain.
After a preliminary investigation, the Coast Guard stated that the vessel’s officer was distracted by his cell phone while traversing a treacherous area. The officer reportedly kept the ship operating on cruise control in an area that required manual navigation, leading it to miss a critical moment to change course, resulting in the grounding.
Following the incident, divers were deployed to inspect the hull, with officials expected to assess the vessel’s refloating at peak tide around 1:00 a.m. on 20th November.
The Queen Jenuvia II is a Korean-flagged cruise vessel built in 2021. It has a length of 170 meters, a beam of 26 meters, and a capacity of 1,010 passengers along with 3,500 tons of cargo.
