Tanker News – Iran warns further tankers could be detained – 30.05.2022

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that other Greek tankers currently in the Persian Gulf could be detained as the dispute between the two nations continues about the fate of an Iranian oil cargo onboard a Russian-flagged tanker that was seized in Greece in April. Iranian forces detained two Greek owned tankers – the […]
Heavy Lift – TOPAZ URAL at Malta – March 2022

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 […]
Yachting – 78 m yacht TANGO seized in Spain – 04.04.2022

On Monday 4th April, 2022 the 78 metre yacht TANGO owned by the Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg was seized in Mallorca, Spain by the Spanish Authorities at the request of the United States. The seizure marks the first instance of the United States seizing an asset belonging to a sanctioned Russian oligarch since Russia’s invasion […]
Yachting – 65 m yacht LADY M seized in Italy – 04.03.2022

On Friday 4th March, 2022 the 65 metre yacht LADY M owned by Alexei Mordashov, the richest man in Russia was detained at Imperia Port, Italy by the militarized Police Force Guardia Di Finanza. The move followed similar seizures in France and Germany belonging to other Russian oligarchs, as Western states implement massive sanctions, including […]
Fishing Vessels – TOK TOK
A British built fishing vessel which ended her years in black events was the 1975 built TOK TOK. She was originally the Petershead Tynedraft 86 Class Fishing Vessel GOLDEN DAWN bearing fishing matricola PD 211 and later while she was delivered to Maltese owners she was flying Irish (IRL) Flag and with matricola as BS […]
Maltese Fishing Vessels – 1975 built GOLDEN DAWN
One of the United Kingdom (UK) based fishing vessels bought locally was the 1975 built GOLDEN DAWN. She was built at Cubow Ltd, Woolwich, London as yard no 704 for Skipper A. Cowe (later to become assistant harbour master at Peterhead) as GOLDEN DAWN with fishing matricola as PD 211. She was a Tynedraft 86 […]
Tanker News – JAL PARI detained with Court Warrant at Malta – 19.08.2021

On Thursday 19th August, 2021 at 1427 hrs the 1998 built chemical/oil products tanker JAL PARI received instructions from Valletta VTS that she can’t heave up anchors after the completion of bunkers due that a court warrant (1253/21) was issued. She was uplifting bunkers at Bunkering Area 4 with the bunkering tanker BALLUTA BAY. At […]
Mgarr Harbour – LARK – 25.07.2007

One of the ships that used to call at Mgarr Harbour, Gozo was the 1976 built ship LARK. She was built in Japan by Shimanami Shipyard at Imabari as ALAND trading until 1983 where she was renamed to HOOGEN trading until April 1994 where she was sold to Turkish interests and renamed as LARK homeported […]
Casualties – Containership MAERSK LAUNCESTON split HS KALLISTO M 63 in two – 27.10.2020

On Tuesday 27th October, 2020 @ 0740 UTC the containership MAERSK LAUNCESTON collided with Hellenic Navy HS KALLISTO M 63 with the result of splitting her in two while leaving Piraeus, Greece at Saronic Gulf bound to Turkey. The collision incident left 2 naval crew slightly injured and later hospitalised to Athens Naval Hospital and […]
Breaking Up – 1964 built bitumen tanker JAGUAR – July 2019.

On Tuesday 4th May, 2019 the Maltese tugboat SPINOLA towed the 1964 built asphalt/bitumen tanker JAGUAR from OPL Malta towards Grand Harbour. Late afternoon she was joined by another tugboat , the SEA SALVOR and entered Valletta. She berthed starboard side alongside at Shipwrights Wharf at Bezzina Ship Repair Yard. She was built in 1964 […]