Discover the Antarctic-Sea: Ratings & Maritime News

**Title: Activist Vessel 'Bandero' Collides with Fishing Ship 'Antarctic Sea' in Antarctic Waters** On March 31, 2026, a significant maritime incident unfolded off the coast of Antarctica when the activist-operated ship 'Bandero' (MMSI: 341633001) collided with the krill fishing vessel 'Antarctic Sea.' The 'Bandero,' acquired in 2024 by a coalition led by anti-whaling advocate Paul Watson, previously served as a Japanese fisheries patrol vessel and had 19 individuals aboard during the confrontation. The conflict began when the activists on the 'Bandero' targeted the fishing operations of the 'Antarctic Sea' by deploying a steel anchor into the trawls of the vessel "Antarctic Endurance," effectively damaging its fishing gear. Following this, the 'Bandero' approached the 'Antarctic Sea' and struck it on the port side at an angle, narrowly missing a critical diesel tank and potentially endangering a rich habitat that supports various whale species, seals, and seabirds. The impact resulted in superficial damages to the fishing vessel, but the crew, composed of multinational members, emerged shaken yet unharmed. In response to the incident, the company operating the 'Antarctic Sea' has declared its intention to pursue legal avenues against the activists for the dangerous and unexpected ramming, which company representatives likened to a “terrorist attack.” Authorities in Argentina and Chile were promptly notified, leading to the deployment of a naval vessel to the location of the incident near the Antarctic Peninsula. This ramming marked the first occurrence of such an event in over a decade within the Southern Ocean, raising significant concerns over the safety of maritime operations and the preservation of sensitive marine ecosystems. For more detailed reports, including images and video footage of the incident, visit the following links: - [AP News Coverage](https://apnews.com/article/antarctica-watson-krill-trawler-collision-whaling-1dcd71b2a1396709d2091818a1db2939) - [ABC News Report](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-02/tas-krill-wars-back-on-in-southern-ocean/106525856) - [Maritime Executive Article](https://maritime-executive.com/article/paul-watson-activists-hit-krill-fishing-vessel-in-direct-intervention)

Aker BioMarine ASA (AKBM) said the bond holders of Krillsea Group AS rejected the offer from Aker BioMarine to acquire the krill trawl vessel Thorshoevdi, Bloomber reports. Aker BioMarine acknowledges the bond holders’s decision and the company has withdrawn the offer to purchase the vessel. Aker BioMarine will actively pursue other opportunities to get a krill trawl license for another vessel, it said.