Falcon

On Oct 22, the INS 'Trikand' of the Indian Navy has successfully coordinated firefighting operations and SAR efforts for the 'Falcon' while operating in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Djibouti, approximately 116 nautical miles east of Aden. The 'Trikand' undertook firefighting operations in coordination with a salvage tug hired by the shipping company and successfully brought the fire under control. A specialized team of firefighting and medical personnel from the warship then boarded the 'Falcon' and recovered the mortal remains of the two missing crew members despite intense heat, damaged structures and toxic fumes.The remains were subsequently handed over to the Embassy of India in Djibouti. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially reported the vessel was struck by what was described as an unknown projectile, but later stated they were still unable to confirm the source of the explosion and could not rule out an onboard accident. The alert has since been reclassified as an advisory with investigations ongoing. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES had coordinated the initial SAR operation, with 24 crew members rescued by the passing gas carrier 'Meda'. The Greek Frigate HS 'Spetsai' escorted the 'Meda'to the port of Djibouti, where the rescued seafarers were handed over to the Djiboutian Coast Guard. Maritime security analysts have raised questions about the operations of the 'Falcon'. An analysis of the EOS Risk Group indicated that the 'Falcon' was illicit maritime trade involving Iran. On Sep 25 the ship was laden with Iranian LPG at Assaluyeh and most likely heading to Ras Isa, Yemen; to supply the Houthis. The Indian-owned, Cameroon-flagged tanker was detained in Jan 2025 in Istanbul with 13 deficiencies, and has no known insurer. Reports with photo: https://gcaptain.com/indian-navy-recovers-bodies-from-burning-lpg-tanker-off-djibouti/ https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1980975071633277207

The ' Falcon' issued a distress call on the morning of Oct 18, 2025, whoöesailing near the coast of Yemen, 130 miles southeast of Aden, following an explosion and fire, the cause of which was unclear. EUNAVFOR Aspides was coordinating an SAR operation. Approximately 15 % of the vessel were on fire, and the ship was abandoned by the 26 crew members, consisting of the Ukrainian captain and 25 Indians, and went adrift. The UK Maritime Trade Operations UKMTO) which monitors the region reported that it has received information from the shipping company’s security officer that the vessel was hit by a projectile, before later stating that it could not confirm the source of the explosion. The Greek frigate HS 'Spetsai' was dispatched and launched an air asset along with a French air asset from France’s Indian Ocean command for an SAR operation. Two passing vessels, the 'Meda' and 'AK Carl', have taken aboard 24 of the crew members. The 'Meda' appeared to be another shadow fleet LPG tanker operating for the Iranians, likely under a false flag. Other data sources wee identifying the vessel as 'Aira' (IMO: 8818219). Two crew members were reported missing. The rescued crew members were transported to Djibouti. The vessel has carried Iranian products in the past and was enroute from Khor Al Zubair to Djibouti according to its AIS data. As of Oct 20, it remained on fire, and the blaze continued to grow. There was also an explosion risk as it was fully loaded with LPG. ASPIDES has advised all authorities to keep a safe distance from the 'Falcon'. All passing vessels in the vicinity were required to proceed with caution. A private company has assumed the salvage operation of the 'Falcon'. The tanker has a spotty inspection record with 13 deficiencies reported in Jan 2025 during a port state inspection in Turkey. The ship was detained due to a hole in its hull and corroded ventilation pipes, along with citations for safety and welfare issues. Indian authorities in Aug 2023 cited the vessel for 17 deficiencies, also including safety, cargo handling, and corrosion. The position of the ship in the Gulf of Aden raised immediate suspicion of an attack by the Houthi militants, but Ambrey reported the ship has no known association with Israel. The Houthis issued a statement denying any involvement with the explosion on the LPG tanker. The vessel, which forms part of the LPG shadow fleet, engaged in deceptive shipping practices, has a history of AIS manipulation in both the Middle East Gulf and in the Baltic. Reports with photos: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/lpg-tanker-reportedly-hit-unknown-projectile-yemen https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eunavfor-aspides/mv-falcon-third-update-october-19th-2025_en

On Oct 20 a fire fighting ship tug went alongside the 'Falcon', which was still burning and adrift in the Gulf of Aden, two days after the explosion. One company, which had initially been tasked to participate in the salvage operation, withdrew due to sanctions risk. Another company taken its place. The cause of the explosion was still unclear, but initial indications suggested it was a cargo-related accident, according to the European Union's Aspides naval mission. The vessel, suspected of carrying LPG loaded in Assaluyeh in late September, while manipulating its AIS data, was sailing west towards Djibouti when it suffered an explosion with subsequent fire. It stopped broadcasting AIS data on Oct 18 at 06.46 a,m. The two missing crew members, both Indian nationals, have been located and recovered deceased on Oct 20..The efforts to recover the tanker were continuing. Aspides has advised vessels sailing in the area to exercise extreme caution due to the abandoned and fully loaded tanker, which posed a danger to navigation.

for $ 7,8m to undisclosed buyers

EXMAR LPG (the Joint Venture between EXMAR and Teekay LNG PARTNERS) announces the sale of the Very Large Gas Carrier FLANDERS HARMONY (85,826 m³ - 1993 built) and the Midsize Gas Carrier TEMSE (35,754 m³ - 1994 built), the company said in its press release. TEMSE is expected to be delivered to its new ow ners by the end of the first quarter 2014 and FLANDERS HARMONY in the course of the second quarter 2014. The capital gain realized by EXMAR for its 50% share in EXMAR LPG will be approximately USD 10.4 million. This transaction will generate for EXMAR LPG net cash proceeds of around USD 30.0 million. The gradual sale of older tonnage coincides with the forthcoming delive ries of EXMAR’s more efficient Midsize newbuildings. These deliveries will substant ially increase the company’s ability to support its customers with a competit ive quality fleet based on innovative designs. EXMAR LPG has increased its participation of 33% in the time-charter in of BW TOKYO (83,300m³ - 2009 built) and BW KYOTO (83,300 m³ - 2010 built) to 50 % in both vessels. In addition, BW LPG and EXMAR agreed that the BW TOKYO will be commercially operated by EXMAR from end March onwards.

sold to Indonesian Buyer 26 million USD