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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

Unexploded Drone Found Near Istanbul by Turkish Fishermen, Coast Guard Investigates

Turkish fishermen discovered an unexploded drone in the waters near Karaburun, a district on the northwestern side of Istanbul, prompting an investigation by the Turkish Coast Guard Command. The incident occurred midday on Thursday, February 5, when the fishermen spotted an unidentified device in the sea and immediately notified the authorities. A specialized SAS team was dispatched to secure and neutralize the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which was later destroyed after analysis.

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Ports and Shipping

Four New Transpetro Tankers to Feature Kongsberg Maritime Integrated Systems

Kongsberg Maritime has been selected by Consórcio Marenova to design and equip four methanol- and ethanol-ready handy-size product tanker newbuilds for Petrobras Transporte (Transpetro), strengthening Brazil’s fleet renewal and future-fuel shipping capabilities. The vessels will be constructed by Consórcio Marenova, a joint venture between Ecovix in Rio Grande and MacLaren in Niterói, and will be operated by Transpetro.

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Ports and Shipping

Dockworker Strike Disrupts Major Italian Ports over Alleged Arms Shipments

Dockworkers across Italy disrupted port operations after unionized labor staged a 24-hour strike protesting the alleged “militarization” of ports and the handling of arms and military cargo, forcing several container ships to remain offshore or divert to alternative anchorages. Reports indicate that vessels operated by ZIM and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company were among those affected.

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Maritime Trade & Economy

India’s Continued Crude Buying Helps Balance Global Energy Markets: Russia

Russia has said it sees no indication that India is planning to scale back or halt its purchases of Russian oil, reaffirming that energy cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi remains strong and mutually beneficial. The Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday that India’s continued imports of Russian hydrocarbons contribute to stability in the global energy market and remain an important pillar of bilateral relations.

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Maritime Trade & Economy

Australian Workers Set to Gain Easier Access to EU Jobs under New Trade Deal

Australian workers could soon gain easier access to jobs across Europe as Canberra and Brussels move closer to finalising a long-awaited free trade agreement that includes a two-way mobility arrangement for skilled professionals and investors. The agreement, which could be signed as early as this month, is expected to simplify temporary work access for highly skilled workers, researchers and business investors travelling between Australia and the European Union.

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Ports and Shipping

China Suspends Panama Projects after Court Cancels Major Port Contracts

China has instructed its state-owned firms to pause negotiations on new projects in Panama following the Central American nation’s decision to nullify CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.’s contract to operate two strategic ports along the Panama Canal. The directive comes amid Beijing’s growing response to Panama’s move, which it views as influenced by U.S. interests.

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Blog

Heavy Metals in Coastal Waters: Risks to Seafood Safety and Human Health

Coastal water has been a source of livelihood for humans for a long time and a cultural identity for millions of people, and fish and sea animals are present in it. Heavy metals enter coastal waters through industrial effluent, oil spillage, and volcanic activity. These are consumed by plankton, then by small fish, and are affected. Then, small fish are eaten by large fish. These metals accumulate in the body and this process is referred as bioaccumulation.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

At Least 15 Migrants Die after Speedboat Collides with Greek Coastguard Vessel

A collision between a speedboat carrying migrants and a Greek coast guard patrol vessel off the eastern Aegean island of Chios has claimed at least 15 lives, authorities reported late Tuesday. Greek coastguard officials said the incident occurred while a search and rescue operation was underway to locate potentially missing passengers, involving four patrol vessels, an air force helicopter, and a private boat carrying divers. Fourteen bodies, including 11 men and three women, were recovered from the sea, while 25 migrants, including around 11 children, were rescued and transported to a hospital on Chios. Two coast guard officers injured during the incident were also hospitalized, and one of the injured women later died, bringing the total death toll to at least 15.

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

Shipping Decarbonization in the Caribbean Requires Coordinated Regional Efforts, Say Leaders

Caribbean maritime leaders are calling for a coordinated, cross-sector approach to decarbonize shipping, emphasizing that isolated projects or technologies alone will not be enough. Policymakers and financiers across the region stressed that successful decarbonization requires collaboration between countries and sectors, supported by evidence-based planning and investment-ready pathways.

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Maritime Trade & Economy

Brent Crude Climbs to $67.86 as Gulf Tensions and Record U.S. Inventory Draw Fuel Buying

Oil prices moved sharply higher on Wednesday, with Brent crude rising to $67.86 per barrel, as renewed naval tensions in the Middle East combined with a steep decline in U.S. crude inventories to reignite concerns over global supply security. The rally marked a decisive shift in market sentiment, as traders refocused on immediate geopolitical and physical risks after a brief period of optimism driven by diplomatic signals.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

Comoros-Flagged Cargo Ship Grounded Off Bosphorus, Istanbul

A 100-metre cargo ship, Razouk, flying the Comoros flag, has run aground off Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait near Kisirkaya, Sariyer. The vessel was en route to anchor at Constanta Port in Romania when the grounding occurred, though the cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
Turkish coast guard teams were dispatched to the area following reports of the grounding, and operations to refloat the stranded ship are currently underway. Authorities have not yet released official information regarding injuries, pollution, or damage to the vessel.

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Ports and Shipping

Chittagong Port Workers Begin Indefinite Strike over Foreign Lease of NCT Terminal

Port workers at Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port have launched an indefinite strike in protest against the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign terminal operators, including UAE-based DP World.
The non-stop work stoppage is being led under the banner of the Chittagong Port Protection Struggle Council, which opposes the handover of NCT management to a foreign entity. According to the council, the strike has brought port operations to a standstill.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

Penang MMEA Detains Two Oil Tankers Carrying RM512 Million Worth of Crude Oil

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Penang has detained two oil tankers suspected of conducting an illegal ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of crude oil valued at more than RM512 million in Malaysian waters.
Penang Maritime Director Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said a marine patrol boat received intelligence at around 1:00 a.m. regarding two oil tankers anchored approximately 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head. The vessels were suspected of being involved in unauthorized crude oil transfer activities.

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Maritime Trade & Economy

US Reduces India Tariffs to 18% after Modi Commits to End Russian Oil Imports

President Donald Trump revealed on Monday plans to lower U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to reduce purchases of Russian oil. The move comes after months of U.S. pressure on India to cut its reliance on discounted Russian crude, which India had increased following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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