Maersk-Utah

Shipping through the Dardanelles Strait was suspended on Jan 28, 2026, in both directions after the 'Maersk Utah' suffered an engine failure, en route from Istanbul to Tanger-Med, off the coast of Burhanli, prompting the captain to notify the Dardanelles Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). Following the notification, the tug 'Kurtarma 20' (IMO: 9995117), operated by the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, was deployed to assist. At the same time, the VTS radioed captains navigating the area that the strait had been closed to traffic in both directions (north and south), while the vessel awaited towing to a safe anchorage. Report with photo: https://lapatilla.com/2026/01/28/un-buque-averiado-paraliza-el-transito-por-el-estrecho-de-los-dardanelos/

As the attacks by the Houthi militia in the Red Sea continud, the shipping company Maersk has instructed four container ships to sail through the Suez Canal again and then take the long route around Africa to Asia, to avoid possible attacks by the rebels. Affected were the "Maersk Genoa", "Maersk Londrina", "Ebba Maersk" and "Gjertrud Maersk", which have been lying south of the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah in the Red Sea for the past few days due to attacks from Yemen. They will be rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, according to Maersk's schedule. A fifth ship, the 'Maersk Utah', which is also in the area, has not yet been diverted, but it will not go past Yemen, according to the company.

The "Maersk Utah"-crew has been honored with Mariners’ Plaques for performing rescue at sea. The award to the officers and crews was presented at the Admiral of the Ocean Seas (AOTOS) award dinner on Nov 15, 2013, in New York. The "Maersk Utah" received the AOTOS Mariners’ Plaque for their participation in the rescue of 83 Syrian refugees. On the night of Aug 9, 2013, the vessel was about 70 nautical miles off the coast of Sicily when officers received a distress call regarding a small craft. Aboard the ship were Master Robert H. Sienel, Chief Mate Joe Single, Second Mate Bryan Phillips and Third Mate Thomas Komenda. The containership altered course and increased speed to reach the distressed boat before nightfall. The "Maersk Utah" approached the craft and stopped alongside at 8:33 p.m. At this time it became clear that the boat, approximately 15 meters long, was carrying many people of various ages, gender and physical condition. The "Maersk Utah" maneuvered into position to shield the refugees’ small boat against the rising wind and sea, while the Italian Coast Guard, with trained ship and crew, were in route to perform the rescue operation. Over the next 9.5 hours, the Container ship sheltered the boat while the Italian Coast Guard completed the rescue. The first Coast Guard vessel arrived at about 01:28 a.m., but was too small to execute the rescue in such rough seas. The "Maersk Utah" received instructions to provide shelter for both boats while awaiting the arrival of a larger rescue vessel. The second Italian Coast Guard vessel arrived at 03:54 a.m. and began rescuing the refugees. Finally, at 10:00 a.m., the rescue of all 83 refugees was complete and the "Maersk Utah" was released to continue its voyage to Algeciras.

Port Qasim Authority (PQA) on Nov 13, 2011, safely berthed the largest container ship which has ever visited Pakistan's second largest port. The "Maersk Utah" with a draught of 11.7 meters was moored at the Qasim International Container Terminal before proceeding further to Nhava Sheva on Nov 14, ETA Nov 16.