Russia-Ukraine War – 2 Russian Navy Warships damaged after Missile Attacks – 13.09.2023

On Wednesday 13th September, 2023 Ukraine confirmed it severely damaged the Russian Navy Improved Kilo Class submarine (Project 636.3) RFS ROSTOV-NA-DONU with British supplied cruise missiles Storm Shadow , during a missile attack on the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Russian occupied Crimea while drydocked. Russia said 10 cruise missiles were fired against the […]

Law Enforcement – NOAA identifies 7 Nations for Illegal Fishing Activities – September 2023

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has identified seven nations and entities for their illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in its 2023 report congress. Two of those nations were also cited for issues relating to forced labor, and two were identified for issues related to shark catch. The biennial report, titled 2023 Report to Congress […]

RoRo Vessels – MSC BRIDGE

One of the Italian built ships that had an interesting shipping history so far is the 1998 built roll on roll off (RoRo) vessel MSC BRIDGE. She was built in Italy by Esercizio Cantieri at Viareggio as STENA AUSONIA. Between 1998 and 2002 she was chartered to Britain’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary renamed RFA SEA CENTURION A 98 […]

Vehicle Carriers – SEA PATRIS

One of the Greek owned car carriers trading around is the 1985 built 176 metre long SEA PATRIS. She was built in Japan at Imabari Shipbuilding Marugame Yard in 1985 as FRANCONIA of which was renamed to her current name on May 2014. Her Maiden Call at Grand Harbour, Malta was during July 2017 and […]

Aerial Photography – MPP ship MARTINA loaded – 03.08.2023

One of the Multi Purpose (MPP) Ships trading worldwide, the 109 metres vessel MARTINA,  was photographed from the air by MALTA SHIP PHOTOS (MSPAP) last Thursday 3rd August, 2023 She was leaving within territorial waters (wtw) after she uplifted bunkers at OPL Malta of which she was photographed offshore Gozo on a beautiful hot sunny […]

Casualties – Fire aboard FSO LEONIS offshore Sicily – 24.07.2023

Last Monday 24th July,2023 the 1994 built Floating, Storage and Offload(FSO) tanker LEONIS, part of the Vega mining field managed by Edison and Eni, reported Fire Aboard. Fire was quickly extinguished by joint efforts of FSO personnel and Italian agencies responsible for safety at sea. Not much details available, understood fire was sparked off by […]

Aerial Photography – Crude Oil Tanker FRANKOPAN

One of the Croatian Ships trading around, the 250 metres crude oil tanker FRANKOPAN, part of the Shipping Company – Tankerska Plovidba based in Zadar was photographed from the air by MALTA SHIP PHOTOS (MSPAP). She was leaving within territorial waters (wtw) after she left drydocking at Palumbo Malta Shipyard. As a company, it’s been […]

Maltese Fortifications – Fort Saint Elmo at Valletta Part 1

One of the Fortifications full of never ending history around the Maltese Islands is FORT SAINT ELMO (in Maltese as FORTI SANT’ IERMU) , situated at Valletta. Building it started in 1552 and it stands on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula that divides Marsamxett Harbour from Grand Harbour, and commands the entrances to both harbours along with Fort […]