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

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

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