Sailing – Italian Navy Sail Training Vessel ORSA MAGGIORE A 5323 as Royal Middle Sea Race Entrant

The famous Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta (RMSR) starting from Valletta has risen continuously since it was first held in 1968. After leaving the Grand Harbour , Malta, boats head to the Gulf of Messina (Sicily), then the Aeolian Islands (together with the active volcano Stromboli), then passing through the Aegadian Islands, Islands of […]
Naval News – Bilateral relations: Nigeria with Italian Navy ITS COMANDANTE BORSINI P 491 – 23.11.2022

On Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 the flag officer in charge of the Nigerian western naval command rear admiral Yaqub Wambai has received the Italian navy ship ITS COMANDANTE BORSINI P 491 during her port call to Apapa area of Lagos state, led by the ambassador of Italy to Nigeria Stefano De Leo. The ambassador of […]
Naval News – EUNAVFOR Operation Irini nets embargo buster – 18.07.2022

Last Monday 18th July the EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI found cargo in breach of the United Nations (UN) arms embargo on Libya on the ro/ro vessel VICTORY RORO after she was spotted by French Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). She has been on the radar for a while when she delivered military vehicles to the country […]
Russia-Ukraine War – 2021 built Russian Navy Logistic Ship VSEVOLOD BOBROV damaged with missile hit – 12.05.2022

On Thursday 12th May, 2022 the Ukrainian forces have damaged the 2021 built 94.88 metres Russian Navy logistics ship (Project 23120) VSEVOLOD BOBROV in the Black Sea off Zmiinyi Island known as Snake Island with an Ukrainian Navy Anti-Ship Neptun Missile Hit, setting her on fire. She was carrying reinforcements to the island, including Pantsir […]
Naval News – Irish Naval Service buys IPC’s from New Zealand – 14.03.2022

The Irish Naval Service purchased 2 Inshore Patrol Craft (IPC) from New Zealand, investment of around €26 million to replace the Peacock Class Patrol Craft LE ORLA P 41 and LE CIARA P 42. Both HMNZS ROTOITI P 3569 and HMNZS PUKAKI P 3568 were a Lake Class Patrol Craft built by Tenix Defence at […]
Malta Naval Visits – USNS TRENTON T-EPF 5 – 12 to 18th Nov 2021
On Friday 12th November, 2021 the Spearhead Class Expeditionary Fast Transport Vessel USNS TRENTON T-EPF 5 called at Grand Harbour, Malta during her maiden call and the first of the Class to enter Grand Harbour passing breakwaters at 1423 hrs. The Spearhead class ships is a United States Navy led shipbuilding program to provide “a platform […]
Naval News – Russian Navy Tugs RB-406 & RB-407 as deck cargo at Malta – Oct 2014
2 Russian navy tugs of Project 16609 built at Pella Shipyard, Otradny in 2014 RB-406 and RB-407 were seen in Malta as deck cargo aboard the heavy lift vessel WIEBKE entering Grand Harbour on Tuesday 7th October 2014. Both with 29.44 metres long and 10.14 metres beam with maximum draft of 4 metres , RB-406 […]
Malta Naval Visits – ESPS PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS R 11 – 16 to 17.03.2021

The only Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola) Aircraft Carrier that visited Malta so far is ESPS PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS R 11. She entered Grand Harbour, Malta on Friday 16th March, 2007 around 0835 hrs piloted with the late harbour pilot Austin Vella. She was assisted by Tug Malta twin screw tugs FELICA and MARI. She berthed […]
Naval News – Danish Royal Yacht HDMY DANNEBROG A 540 towed – 10.07.2021

On Saturday 10th July, 2021 the Royal Danish Yacht HDMY DANNEBROG A 540 called for assistance while sailing in the Skagerrak on her way to the Faroe Islands (of which the Queen Margrethe II will visit next week) after an engine failure. Back at Grand Harbour, Malta in 2006. The Iver Huitfeldt Class Frigate HDMS […]
Naval News – Maiden Deployment for HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH R 08 – 2021

In the afternoon of Saturday 30th May, 2021 the Aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH R 08 left her home in Portsmouth ahead of her first operational deployment. She will lead the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, which is taking part in an exercise off Scotland before departing for a tour of the Indo-Pacific region. Image by […]