Gagan

Four Russian tankers carrying oil and refined products, the 'Anthea' (IMO: 9281683),'Elsa', 'Hebe' (IMO: 9259185) and 'Baxter' (IMO: 9282522) have become immobilized at sea following the imposition of new Iran-related sanctions by the United States, imposed on April 4, 2024, and targeting the shipping company, Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, and its vessels, citing their alleged involvement in transporting commodities on behalf of the Iranian military. The U.S. Treasury Department aimed to isolate Iran and disrupt its ability to fund proxy groups allegedly supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. The 'Anthea' received 200,000 metric tons of Russian Ural crude oil via STS from two vessels near the Laconian Gulfin late March and is underway to Singapore with an ETA as of April 30. The 'Elsa' received 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil through STS near the Port of Kalamata. The fuel oil was originally supplied to Kalamata from ports in St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga, Russia. The 'Elsa' was underway to Qingdao with an ETA as of May 12. The 'Hebe' was loaded with 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil at St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga. It was heading towards the Suez Canal, with its final destination unclear. The 'Baxter' was carrying naphtha from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and destined for India. The vessel has been drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 5.

On Dec 23, 2019, short past midnight the 'Bamzu', underway in the Singapore Strait en route from Nipa anchorage to Qing Dao was boarded by three perpetrators. The chief engineer and duty engineer sighted them in the engine room. One of the perpetrators was armed with a knife. The alarm was raised and the three perpetrators escaped immediately. Two motormen were later found tied up by the perpetrators. A search on board the ship was conducted, with no further sighting of the perpetrators. The crew was safe, nothing was stolen and the ship resumed her voyage.

Little known Dubai-based Marshal Shipping has added its second aframax in just three weeks, adding its most expensive vessel to date. Marshal has moved for the 104,900 dwt Voyager C for $13.2m, having taken the 99,000 dwt Hildegaard earlier this month. The seller of the ship is Anthony Comninos-led Horizon Tankers, who originally bought the ship as Vega Voyager in January last year for $10.8m, a purchase that made the headlines at the time as it was the Greek owner’s first aframax.