- Pirates Kidnap Nine Crew Members from LPG Tanker off Equatorial Guinea
Nine crew members from the Portuguese-flagged LPG tanker CGAS Saturn were kidnapped by pirates while the vessel was approximately 50 nautical miles off Mbini, Equatorial Guinea, on 1 December.
The tanker was attacked and boarded by the pirates, who rounded up the crew and reportedly stole personal belongings. The attackers departed with nine hostages, leaving four crew members behind. One of the four sustained minor injuries and received medical attention on board.
The CGAS Saturn has since proceeded to safe waters. The vessel’s owner, Christiania Gas, stated that it is working to establish contact with the kidnapped crew and secure their safe release. The company has activated its emergency response team, which is coordinating with relevant authorities.
- Russian-Flagged Tanker Attacked in Black Sea off Turkish coast
The Russian-flagged chemical/oil tanker Midvolga 2 was attacked in the Black Sea, approximately 130 kilometres off the Turkish coast. None of the 13 crew members was injured, and the vessel did not request assistance.
Turkish authorities confirmed the incident but have not released further details about the nature of the attack. Following the incident, the Midvolga 2 resumed its voyage to the port of Sinop under its own power.
The ship was reportedly carrying a cargo of sunflower oil at the time of the incident.
- Cargo Ship Allides With Pier at Busan Gamcheon Port
A cargo vessel allided with a pier while entering Busan’s Gamcheon Port on 1 December. All ten Indonesian crew aboard the vessel were safe with no marine pollution reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:18 a.m., local time, when the vessel’s bulbous bow struck the seawall structure at Pier 3 in Saha-gu.
According to the Busan Coast Guard, the impact was reported by the port pilot, prompting the deployment of a coastal rescue vessel to the scene. Authorities confirmed that the ship’s bulbous bow had become lodged in a stormwater discharge pipe following the collision.
During an inspection, the port side of the vessel’s bulbous bow sustained a crack measuring approximately 30–50 centimetres. The stormwater pipe’s cement structure and reinforcing steel were also damaged in the impact.
The Coast Guard conducted an alcohol test on the vessel’s captain, which was confirmed to be negative.
A Coast Guard official stated that initial accounts from the crew suggest the vessel moved forward instead of reversing during an attempt to dock on the port side. Investigators are currently examining the precise cause of the allision.
- Nine Crew Members Of Eternity C Set to be Released from Houthi Captivity
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has announced that nine Filipino crew members of the bulk carrier Eternity C are set to be released from Houthi captivity after five months, thanks to mediation by the Sultanate of Oman.
The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C was attacked by Houthi forces in the Red Sea off the Yemeni coastline between 7 and 8 July using drones, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The vessel, which had 22 crew members and a three-person armed security team on board (25 people in total), began taking on water on 9 July, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
Ten of the crew were rescued by a salvage team arranged by the ship’s management. Five crewmembers died in the incident. The Houthis announced that they had also rescued several crew members from the sunken vessel.
- Three Injured as General Cargo Vessel “Meridian Dos” Catches Fire in Manila
The general cargo vessel Meridian Dos caught fire while docked at Manila North Harbor in Tondo, Philippines on 3 December. Three people were injured in the incident, and an investigation has been opened into the incident.
Reports indicate that thick smoke started emanating from the vessel at around 6:00 a.m., when the vessel, loaded with container vans, was preparing to depart. The fire later grew serious enough that it was raised to a “second alarm” status and needed a significant response team. Around 30 trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection were mobilized, and the fire was declared to be put out after almost 3 hours of efforts at 8:45 p.m.
Due to the prompt response from the authorities, the fire is reported to have been contained to the lower decks of the vessel. Three people were injured in the incident and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
A formal investigation has been opened into the incident by the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Ports Authority. Depending on the discoveries, there could be new safety rules, extra inspections, or penalties in the coming days.
