Incident

Tanker “Koala” suffers multiple explosions at Russian port of Ust-Luga

Vessel reportedly suffered three separate blasts while preparing to depart, resulting in the engine room flooding while the vessel was secured to the pier, says Ambrey Analytics.

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2025

Admin

Oil tanker "Koala" suffers multiple explosions at Russian port of Ust-Luga

An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged tanker has been reported to sustain explosions in the aft of the vessel while docked in the port of Ust-Luga, Russia, according to Ambrey Analytics on Monday (10 February).

The tanker reportedly suffered three separate blasts while preparing to depart, resulting in the engine room flooding while the vessel was secured to the pier.

Ambrey said the vessel’s 24 crew evacuated with no injuries and the vessel’s cargo tanks were reportedly not damaged.

Authorities in Leningrad, Russia reportedly described the blasts as a “man-made incident”.

Finnish authorities are also monitoring the incident in preparation for a potential oil spill from the vessel.

“Ambrey assesses this to be consistent with an attack but additional information is required to verify this,” it said.

“Ambrey is aware of recent incidents in which vessels trading from Ust-Luga with a similar trading profile have suffered multiple explosions under the waterline at the aft.”

“The vessel was flying a flag of convenience and her ownership was obscure.”

The vessel’s behaviour aligned with Ambrey’s thresholds for a vessel highly likely to be investigated in connection with future sanctions designation.

“The vessel was not sanctioned at the time or on the Ukrainian Military Intelligence list. This incident, and others that have gone unreported, will likely initiate a review of war risk premium rates for vessels calling Russian Baltic Sea ports,” it added.

Ambrey advised shipping companies to conduct asset screening assessments for all charter-party agreements and purchases, and to carry out dynamic voyage risk assessments.

Aleksandr Drozdenko, Governor of Leningrad Oblast, identified the tanker as Koala and that the incident occurred during engine start up.

“Efforts are underway to inspect the engine room and establish the cause of the accident,” he said on his Telegram channel.

Photo credit: Aleksandr Drozdenko on Telegram
Published: 11 February, 2025

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MPA probes Singapore Strait collision involving fishing vessel, bulk carrier

MPA says there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel in the incident involving China-registered fishing vessel “Lu Qing Yuan Yu” and Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux” .

Published

1 day ago

September 25, 2026

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Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said it is investigating the incident involving the China-registered fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu and the Panama-registered bulk carrier First Margaux in the Singapore Strait on 17 September.

MPA said there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident and navigational traffic was not affected.

Videos circulating on social media showed the bulk carrier colliding with the fishing vessel.

“The fishing vessel took on water during the incident but remained afloat and stable, with the crew taking measures to manage the situation onboard,” MPA said.

The vessel was subsequently towed to Raffles Reserved Anchorage for assessment.

Essential crew remained onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore.

MPA added it also issued navigational safety broadcasts to keep other vessels clear of the tow and escorted the vessel into port with a MPA craft.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Arnold Pohen
Published: 25 September, 2026

Incident

MPA: 25 crew rescued after abandoning “MSC HERMES III” east of Vietnam

MRCC Singapore coordinated the rescue after receiving a distress alert at about 8.45am as the vessel was within Singapore’s Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said all 25 crew members from the Liberia-registered container vessel MSC HERMES III were rescued on 22 September 2026.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore coordinated the rescue after receiving a distress alert at about 8.45am (Singapore Time).

“The vessel was within Singapore’s Maritime Search and Rescue Region (MSRR), about 300km east of Vietnam,” MPA said in a statement.

MRCC Singapore immediately issued a broadcast requesting vessels in the vicinity to render assistance. Three vessels responded, and MSC RUBY recovered all 25 crew members after they had abandoned MSC HERMES III in a lifeboat.

“All 25 crew members are safe, with no injuries reported,” MPA said.

“MRCC Singapore is coordinating with the Vietnamese MRCC on arrangements for the rescued crew members to return safely to shore.”

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 September, 2026

Incident

Peninsula: Missing “Hercules Star” crew member found dead after Dubai incident

Firm confirmed crew member reported missing following last week’s incident involving bunker tanker “Hercules Star” off Dubai has been found dead.

Published

1 week ago

September 18, 2026

Admin

Marine fuels supplier Peninsula on Thursday (17 September) confirmed that the crew member reported missing following last week’s incident involving bunker tanker Hercules Star off Dubai has been found dead.

The confirmation brings the death toll from the incident to two.

“Following the report of a loss of life during the incident involving the Hercules Star in the early hours of 9th September whilst at anchor off Dubai, we regret to announce that the missing crew member has been found deceased,” company said.

“Their family have been informed, and we continue to offer our full support and our deepest condolences.”

“All members of the Hercules Star crew have now been repatriated and we continue to support them.”

According to a Reuters report last week, citing preliminary assessments by maritime security sources, the vessel may have been struck by a drone.

The report also said the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of a vessel listing while at anchor about 24 nautical miles off the UAE’s Port Rashid, with the condition “possibly indicating water ingress following an attack from an unknown projectile”.

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 18 September, 2026