The 2018 built 123 metres long RUS flag deck cargo ship TOPAZ URAL was seen at OPL Malta on Tuesday 15th March, 2022 with her deck clear from any cargo unlike her sisters.
She was built at Vard Vung Tau, Vietnam as yard no 865. Design was known as VARD 9 21 and was built for Topaz Energy & Marine Ltd. Homeport was Astrakhan, Russia (RUS).
She was due to enter Grand Harbour and berth at Magazine Wharf on Friday 18th March but due that rough weather was picking up she heaved up anchors from OPL Malta and went to shelter on the West Coast of Malta, drifting off Bunkering Area 6.
In the afternoon of Monday 21st March, 2022 she left the sheltering area , sailed passed the North of Gozo and again she anchored OPL Malta after 2000 hrs.
Due to the Russian War in Ukraine and sanctions worldwide, flag change was in force and was homeported at Majuro with Marshall Islands (MHL) Flag.
On Tuesday 29th March around 1100 hrs she shifted to Bunkering Area 3 flying MHL Flag.
Her last Port State Control ( PSC ) inspection was at Gibraltar on 17th August 2021 (Still in RUS flag with call sign UFLO) where 1 deficiency ( Emergency Lighting etc) was found –
She left OPL Malta on Tuesday 5th April bound to Izmir, Turkey.
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli otherwise stated. NO PHOTOS can be used or manipulated without our permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Saturday 16th April, 2022
