- One dead after containers fall overboard as cargo vessel Pacific 88 lists at Indonesian port
On 2 February, the cargo vessel Pacific 88, docked at the Jamrud Selatan pier, Tanjung Perak Port, Subaraya, Indonesia, developed a severe list, causing around 30 containers to fall into the sea.
The incident occurred at approximately 04:00 WIB when the Pacific 88 was in process of loading and unloading cargo at the port. Due to improper cargo handling, the vessel suddenly listed heavily, resulting in approximately 30 containers plunging overboard.
One port worker fell into the water and was initially reported missing. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, and port operations were temporarily suspended. Tragically, the victim’s body was recovered about one mile from the scene at around 16:00 WIB the same day.
Recovery efforts for the fallen containers have begun, with priority given to clearing the pier to prevent disruption to other berthing schedules and port operations. An investigation into the cause of the incident has been launched.
- US-flagged tanker approached by armed crafts in Strait of Hormuz
Reuters News media reported that US-flagged oil/chemical tanker Stena Imperative was approached by Iranian gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz on 3 February.
The tanker was approached by gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz. The gunboats reportedly ordered the tanker to stop and prepare to be boarded. The vessel did not responded the orders and continued it journey.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident and reported that the vessel was approached by several small armed craft approximately 30 km north of Oman. The agency is continuing to investigate the incident.
- Estonia detains refrigerated cargo vessel on smuggling suspicion
The Bahamas-flagged refrigerated cargo vessel Baltic Spirit has been detained by Estonian authorities over suspect of smuggling activity linked from Ecuador.
On 3 February at around 17:10 local time, the Investigation Department of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, along with special police unit K-Commando and the navy, detained the vessel while it was en route to St. Petersburg, Russia. It was subsequently placed under national supervision to allow for a comprehensive customs inspection.
Authorities said that the Baltic Spirit had entered Estonian waters for bunkering and was located at an official anchorage when the inspection began.
- Three injured after fire breaks out on ferry “Maria Felisa”
A fire broke out in the engine room of the Ro-Ro/Passenger vessel Maria Felisa while it was crossing the Surigao Strait, Philippine on 1 February. Three crew members sustained injuries, but all passengers remained unharmed.
The fire reportedly started in the engine room at approximately 1:40 p.m.,local time when the ferry was about 0.85 nautical miles off Lipata Port.There were 92 passengers and 33 crew members on board.
A distress signal was sent out, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to launch a search and rescue operation. The crew successfully contained the fire and prevented it from spreading.
Search and rescue operations were initiated by the PCG, which deployed Fast Patrol Boat 151 and High Speed Boat 026 to assist. The vessel Marie Vanessa later took the Maria Felisa alongside and towed it toward Lipata Port, with Coast Guard units escorting both vessels during the operation.
By approximately 3:58 p.m.,all passengers had been safely evacuated aboard Maria Felisa with the assistance of the responding teams.
Maria Felisa is a Philippines-flagged Ro-Ro/Passenger Ship. The vessel measures 57.43 meters and 13 meters in width.The incident occurred when the vessel had departed Benit Port in San Ricardo, for Lipata Port.
- General cargo vessel grounds at Swedish port of Varberg
The Belgium-flagged general cargo CL Flanders ran aground with the cargo of timber in the port of Varberg, Sweden, during the night of 4 February. All eight crew members aboard the vessel were safe, with no injuries reported.
The vessel lies against the pier that belongs to Getterön’s marina. According to the Gothenburg Vessel Traffic Service, salvage operations are expected to begin the following day.
The Swedish Coast Guard remained at the scene and has launched a preliminary investigation into the incident, focusing on possible negligence in maritime traffic.
CL Flanders is a 2024-built general cargo vessel that measures 84.89 meters in length and 13 meters in width. The vessel is en route from Varberg to Rochester Port, UK.
- Iran seized two tankers over alleged fuel smuggling; detains 15 crew
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two foreign-flagged oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and detained their 15 crew members on 5 February.
The vessels were accused by the IRGC of being a part of an illegal smuggling ring that had been operating for months and were reportedly found with a combined 1 million litres of fuel.
Iranian authorities stated that the tankers had been identified through intelligence monitoring and were subsequently seized during coordinated naval operations.
According to Iran news media, the crew are under custody and referred to Iran’s judiciary. The names and nationalities of the vessels and their crew members have not been revealed.
