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UK forces intercept suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in English Channel

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel “SMYRTOS” was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.

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UK forces intercept suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in English Channel

British Armed Forces on Sunday (14 June) boarded a sanctioned oil tanker, suspected of being part of the Russian shadow fleet, in the English Channel, according to the Ministry of Defence. 

In the first UK-led operation of its kind, the vessel SMYRTOS was boarded by Royal Marine Commandos and law enforcement officers from the National Crime Agency.

The UK’s Prime Minister agreed in March that British Armed Forces and law enforcement officers were able to board shadow fleet vessels, in accordance with international law.

The SMYRTOS will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the South Coast of England and will be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.

UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: “This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide.

“I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

The operation builds on recent support provided by the UK to its allies to interdict shadow fleet vessels, which included RAF and Royal Navy capabilities supporting US and French operations. The operation was conducted in close coordination with the French.

The UK has sanctioned almost 600 Russian shadow fleet vessels to date.

 

Photo credit: Ministry of Defence
Published: 16 June, 2026

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Incident

Three dead after supply boat sinks following collision off Pasir Panjang Terminal

PCG recovered three bodies from the waters after a supply boat sank off Pasir Panjang Terminal on 12 June 2026 at about 9.30am following a collision with a landing craft.

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The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (12 June) said a supply boat sank off Pasir Panjang Terminal at about 9.30am after colliding with a landing craft. 

MPA, Police Coast Guard (PCG), and SCDF Marine Division, immediately activated their crafts to the incident site and commenced search and rescue operations.

“The landing craft is stable with no reported injury to crew on board,” MPA said in a statement. 

PCG has recovered three bodies from the waters, believed to be deceased crew members of the sunken supply boat. Search and rescue operations, including diving operations, are ongoing to determine if there are other crew members from the supply boat missing.

“Port operations have not been affected. Navigational broadcasts have been issued advising vessels to keep clear of the incident area,” it added.

“Investigations into the incident are ongoing.” 

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 15 June, 2026

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MPA: Tanzania-registered container ship sinks off Batam

“GOLDEN STAR 1” reportedly took on water and subsequently sank; all nine crew members were safely rescued by the Indonesian authorities.

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MPA: Tanzania-registered container ship sinks off Batam

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Saturday (6 June) said a Tanzania-registered container vessel, GOLDEN STAR 1, sank about 6 km off Batam on 5 June 2026 at around 10.30pm (Singapore Time).

The vessel reportedly took on water and subsequently sank. All nine crew members were safely rescued by the Indonesian authorities.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore issued navigational broadcasts advising vessels to exercise caution when transiting the area, and to report any sighting of containers adrift.

“Vessel traffic in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore remains unaffected,” MPA said. 

“There are currently no reports of oil pollution in Singapore waters.”

MPA has informed the Indonesian authorities and is monitoring the situation.

 

Photo credit: Marine Traffic / Hans Rosenkranz
Published: 8 June, 2026

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Uncertainty prompts shipping industry to seek answers on Hormuz route

IMO’s Arsenio Dominguez said it was verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

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While cautiously welcoming Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open, shipping companies said they need further details, particularly on potential mine risks, before sending vessels through the Gulf’s main gateway.

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, announced in a social media post on 17 April, that in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

US president Donald Trump reportedly welcomed the announcement that the Strait of Hormuz was fully open and ready for full passage. 

However, Trump later said the US blockage of Iranian ports would continue in full force until the transaction with Iran is completed. 

Then it was reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had again closed the strait, citing the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports.

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, said: “We are currently verifying the recent announcement related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, in terms of its compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant vessels and secure passage using the IMO established traffic separation scheme.”

International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos said while the announcement is encouraging, significant uncertainty remains about what it will mean in practice.

“This development offers a cautious measure of reassurance to the global maritime community and, most importantly, to the seafarers who have been placed in harm’s way and confined on board their vessels for more than seven weeks,” he said. 

“While this announcement is a positive step there is still much uncertainty around what it means in practice. Regardless it is essential that it marks the beginning of a broader and more durable return, beyond the current ceasefire, to freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.

“An orderly and sustained return to normal transit through the Strait will be essential. This will require close coordination between the International Maritime Organization, regional states, naval authorities, and the shipping industry to ensure that vessels can transit safely.

“Above all, it is imperative that full freedom of navigation is respected by all parties in accordance with international law.”

In an urgent safety message, Jakob Larsen, Chief Safety and Security Officer of BIMCO, said the announcement by US President Trump that Hormuz is fully open was “inaccurate”.

“100 % credible reports indicate that status of mine threat in the Traffic Separation Scheme is not fully understood, and that shipping should consider avoidance of the area. In other words the TSS is NOT declared safe for transit,” he said in a social media post. 

 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 20 April, 2026

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