Casualties – Cement Carrier CEMENT TRADER ran aground – 01.05.2025
On the morning of Friday 1st May, the Swedish built cement carrier CEMENT TRADER ran aground on the Western Scheldt at the entrance to Terneuzen, Netherlands. She was underway to Terneuzen from Setubal, Portugal with 7.10 m draft when the the vessel became stranded. The Belgian built tugs MULTRATUG 13 and VB TRIUMPHANTE, British built […]
Maritime Incident – Retrieving tanker SILENDI lost anchor – February 2025
On Saturday 8th February, 2025 the 2009 built chemical/oil products tanker SILENDI lost port side anchor while she was anchored at the waiting area and few hours later she was drifting within territorial waters (wtw) sheltering from the strong SE winds. In this case the Maritime Authority here as Transport Malta (TM) must be provided […]
Local Shipping – Former Shell Tanker – STAR ONE
One of the former Shell ships operating at Malta was the 1966 built Oil Products Tanker STAR ONE. She was ordered as ESK BANK by Shell-Mex & BP Ltd. on 17th August 1965 from Grangemouth Dockyard Co. Ltd., Grangemouth, with yard number 537. She was launched a year later exactly on the 16th August 1966 […]
Maltese Islands – Victoria Gate at Valletta
The only surviving gate within the fortifications of Valletta since all the other fortified gates were demolished in the 19th and 20th centuries is VICTORIA GATE. It was built by the British in 1885, and was named after Queen Victoria. The gate is the main entrance into the city from the Grand Harbour area, which was once the […]
Former Military – Research Vessel OCEAN ENDEAVOUR
One of the former naval vessels that was given a second life, converted for research and survey work OCEAN ENDEAVOUR is the former Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS) Sal Class Mooring & Salvage Vessel RMAS SALMASTER A 186. She was built in Aberdeen, Scotland by Hall, Russell & Company, with yard no 994 and launched […]
Malta Drydocks – Libyan Navy Corvette TOBRUK 411 at Malta – 16.05.1979
Over a 47 year period Malta Drydocks (MDD) from 1963 to 2010 evolved into a conundrum that baffled successive governments, the Maltese and the Dockyard workers themselves. Few people know that after Malta became neutral (Freedom Day is celebrated annually – 31st March) and we still have Brainwashed People saying that no more warships since […]
Local Shipping – Converted RAF Rescue Launch into Motor Yacht BARRACUDA at Malta
One of the former British Admiralty Boat still trading around is the 21 metre motor yacht BARRACUDA. Built by Vosper Ltd at Portsmouth, UK in 1957 with yard no 2512 for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a Rescue Target Towing Launch (RTTL) Mk II 2758 Above image is of RTTL C 71 (Ex 2771) […]
Towage – CMS Sealion towing tug AIAS and crane barge LESVOS I – 29.05.2012
After another towage was done (Flat top barge SANTORINI III) during May, 2012 from Tripoli, Libya , the 1974 built MLT flag and owned tug CMS SEALION arrived at Grand Harbour, Malta with 2 more maritime assets for drydocking at Palumbo Malta Shipyard on Tuesday 29th May, 2012. CMS SEALION was built in 1973 by Richards […]
Aerial Photography – HMS ARK ROYAL R 07 last voyage towed by CHRISTOS XXIII – 05.06.2013
11 years ago also on a Wednesday the last voyage of the light aircraft carrier and former flagship of the Royal Navy HMS ARK ROYAL R 07 was photographed from the air by MALTA SHIP PHOTOS (MSPAP) while being towed by the Greek anchor handing tug/supply vessel CHRISTOS XXIII while underway to Leyal Ship Recycling […]
Diving – HMS X127 wreck known as Carolita at Malta
One of the few shallow wreck dives in Malta, is the 1915 built 24 metre water lighter HMS X127 known as Carolita. Originally built as a landing craft she was converted into a water lighter and later again into a fuel lighter ferrying fuel for Royal Navy (RN) 10th Submarine flotilla. She’s one of the […]
