Industrial-Merchant

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office responded to an oil leak that occurred on the night of Oct 28, 2025, at the Port of Galveston. At about 9:50 p.m., Coast Guard's Houston-Galveston sector received a report of the fuel oil spill near Pier 32 after the 'Industrial Merchant' allided with the pier. The source of the spill has been secured, and the exact amount of oil released remained under investigation. The vessel’s operator, Forestwave Navigation BV, was cooperating with the federal and state agencies in the cleanup effort. Personnel and equipment from the Coast Guard, Texas General Land Office, and the responsible party were deployed to the scene to contain and mitigate the spill’s impact. As a precaution, the Galveston Ship Channel has been closed from Gulf Copper Dry Dock and Rig Repairing to the Pelican Island Bridge to prevent further contamination and ensure safe response operations. The Port of Galveston was working closely to assist authorities coordinating the spill response in Galveston Harbor. We’re also working directly with tenants and port users who could be impacted. Cruise operations have been adjusted due to the incident. The 'Regal Princess', originally scheduled to sail on Oct. 29, was now expected to depart early on Oct. 30. Passengers for the 'Carnival Breeze' sailing on Oct. 30 debarked and embarked at the Cruise Terminal 10 instead of Cruise Terminal 28. The Port of Galveston provided a shuttle service between Cruise Terminal 10 and its cruise parking lots for port parking customers, while other parking providers coordinated their own transportation. Cargo operations have experienced only limited impacts from the spill. Air quality monitoring was underway, and authorities reported no injuries or wildlife effects as of Oct 29. The Coast Guard and our partners were working to ensure the safety of the waterway and minimize environmental damages. Mariners and residents were urged to report any sightings of oil sheen or affected wildlife to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. The cause of the impact remained under investigation. Reports with photos: https://www.galvnews.com/news/ship-leaks-fuel-oil-after-hitting-port-of-galveston-pier/article_d5e122e3-412a-5542-972f-c64496b2ed5f.html https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4326765/coast-guard-partner-agencies-respond-to-oil-discharge-near-galveston-texas/

The "Industrial Merchant" was arrested by 1st Hall Civil Court at Valletta, Malta, due to unpaid credit in the amount of Euro 11,994.000, on Dec 17, 2018. The departure permission was cancelled by Harbour Master until payments of credit together with legal expenses were paid. The vessel remained stationary and still under arrest at the Deep Water Quay in Valleta's Inner Harbour by Jan 8, 2019.