Japanese Ro-Ro Cargo Ferry Goes Hard Aground on Its Way to Tokyo

Video: Mexican Patrol Boat Loses Control and Hits Docked Ferry

Published Jun 19, 2026 2:39 PM by The Maritime Executive

A Mexican patrol boat maneuvering in the port at Isla Mujeres lost control and hit a docked ferry on Thursday afternoon, June 18. There were no injuries, but both vessels sustained significant damage. According to a statement from SEMAR México, “During a maneuvering approach to the pier of the Fifth Naval Region, the Coastal Patrol Uxmal experienced a possible failure in its clutch system, which resulted in an unintentional contact with a cargo vessel.” (Video screen grab) Uxmal (PC-335) is...

JMIC Warns of Confirmed Mine in Hormuz as Uncertainties Continue

Published Jun 19, 2026 1:33 PM by The Maritime Executive

While reports indicate that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is increasing, many shipowners have still voiced concern largely because of the unknown threat of mines placed by Iran during the conflict. The Joint Maritime Information Center added to those concerns, issuing an advisory confirming the location of one mine and telling ships to continue to avoid the main shipping lane. The confirmed mine was reported to be close to the recommended southern transit route. It is near the apex...

One Seafarer Killed, More Injured as Russia Attacks Ships off Ukraine

Published Jun 19, 2026 12:07 PM by The Maritime Executive

Ukrainian government officials are denouncing Russia’s increased attacks on commercial shipping in and around Ukraine’s seaports. For more than a month, Russia has increased the pace of attacks on commercial ships, killing and wounding seafarers. The latest attacks using drones took place early on June 19, hitting two more merchant ships. The ships, one registered in Panama and the other in Saint Kitts and Nevis, were both hit as they were departing Ukrainian ports. One seafarer aboard the Panamanian-flagged ship...

Oman’s Didamar Island Lighthouse mid-channel in the Strait of Hormuz (AMNAS)

Will Passage Fees be Charged in the Strait of Hormuz?

Published Jun 18, 2026 8:59 PM by The Maritime Executive

The question of whether vessels will be charged a new toll for transiting the Strait of Hormuz remains very much an unresolved issue in U.S.-Iran peace talks. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed both by President Trump in Evian on June 17 and by President Masoud Pezeshkian the next day commits Iran to clearing the strait of mines and obstacles within the next 30 days, and to allowing free transit without tolls until 60 days after the agreed start date....

Shipping

cargo ship intercepted in the Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands Intercept Shadowy Vessel Suspected of International Crimes

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Solomon Islands Customs, and Immigration conducted a joint operation working with international authorities in the apprehension of a shadowy vessel suspected of involvement in transnational organised criminal activities. The ship has been brought to Honiara, on the island of Guadalcanal, the capital of the Solomon Islands, on the island of Guadalcanal, for further investigation. The authorities reported they had been tracking the vessel’s movements since April after intelligence reports indicated suspicious movements and...

Tugs & Salvage

Japanese Ro-Ro Cargo Ferry Goes Hard Aground on Its Way to Tokyo

A Japanese cargo ferry making its way from Osaka to Tokyo went hard aground overnight. While there were no immediate reports of damage or environmental issues, the ship remains hard aground after efforts to bring it free during the day on Friday. The Niraikanai II (7,762 dwt) is a Ro-Ro ferry used to transport cars and cargo between Osaka and Toko. At approximately 0330 local time on Friday, June 19, the vessel’s crew reported it had gone aground off Toshima...

Government

Low on Fuel, Russian Frigate Drifts in the English Channel

A Russian frigate stationed in the English Channel, which was not on hand to impede the Royal Navy’s seizure on June 14 of the sanctioned Cameroon-flagged Aframax Smyrtos (IMO 9389100), appears to be running very low on fuel. The frigate RFS Admiral Grigorovich (F494), the lead ship of its namesake class and launched in 2014, has frequently been seen recently in the English Channel and Western Approaches, the more so since Russia has perceived that tankers carrying Russian oil are...

Corporate News

Easterly Clear Ocean Tranche I Delivers Strong Investor Returns

[By: Easterly Clear Ocean] Easterly Clear Ocean (“ECO” or “the Company”), a maritime investment platform and Strategic Partner of Easterly Asset Management, today announced the successful exit of all vessels in its inaugural investment fund, ECO Tranche I. All remaining vessels were sold in Q2 2026 and will be delivered to buyers by Q3 2026. ECO I is expected to achieve an estimated 63% net Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and an estimated 4.25x net multiple at close, subject to...

Cruise Ships

Turkish Cruise Ship Remains Detained as It Loses Flag and Classification

Problems continue to build for the small Turkish cruise ship Gemini, which has been under detention for more than 200 days. A Greek court refused to release the ship last week, while media reports are that the ship is running out of fuel and provisions for the skeleton crew of 25 on board. The ship is also reported to have had its classification certificates withdrawn and is now under a false flag. Built in 1992 in Spain, the Gemini is...

Ports

Master and Pilot at Fault as Bulker Contacted Wharf During Departure

Failure by the master and pilot of the bulk carrier Pacific Century to clearly discuss and agree on the departure procedures caused the vessel to make contact with a wharf and the sinking of a boat at Taiwan’s largest commercial port last year. That was the finding in a report issued by the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB). Investigators found that the 295-meter Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier made contact with Wharf No. 89 during departure operations at the Port of...

Shipping

Solomon Islands Intercept Shadowy Vessel Suspected of International Crimes

Tugs & Salvage

Japanese Ro-Ro Cargo Ferry Goes Hard Aground on Its Way to Tokyo

Government

Low on Fuel, Russian Frigate Drifts in the English Channel

Corporate News

Easterly Clear Ocean Tranche I Delivers Strong Investor Returns

Cruise Ships

Turkish Cruise Ship Remains Detained as It Loses Flag and Classification

Ports

Master and Pilot at Fault as Bulker Contacted Wharf During Departure

Offshore

Trump Administration to Buy Back Four More Offshore Wind Leases

Continuing its strategy of canceling offshore wind projects by buying back the leases in exchange for other energy investments, the Department of the Interior announced its third agreement. The administration has committed nearly $2.6 billion to canceling offshore wind leases even as the strategy is being challenged in court and by regulators. Invenergy will voluntarily terminate four offshore wind leases it purchased in the past from the government and will redirect the investments toward other domestic energy sources, said the...

Shipbuilding

JERA Signs Charters with MOL and NYK to Import US Ammonia to Japan

Japan's largest power generation company, JERA, has finalized charter agreements with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and NYK for the charter of four new gas carriers that will be dedicated to importing ammonia produced in Louisiana as a fuel component at Japan’s largest power generation station. Expected to be in service by 2029, this project would likely mark the first shipment of low-carbon ammonia as a fuel for power generation in Japan. The companies launched projects beginning in late 2022 to...

Environment

hydrogen-powered short-sea dry bulk carrier concept

Norway Accelerates Hydrogen-Power Bulker Project for Shortsea Shipping

Norway’s LH2 Shipping reports it is accelerating the development of hydrogen-powered shortsea shipping bulkers for the Baltic with an additional grant from the Norwegian government program to accelerate the green energy transition. The company will add a fifth and sixth bulker to its plan, saying that increased support reflects the growing momentum for liquid hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel for shortsea shipping. The company was awarded an additional grant of approximately $35.82 million from Enova, which it says will...

Business

Diana Reaffirms Offer to Acquire Genco After Losing Proxy Fight

After losing its proxy fight to place two new directors on Genco’s board, Diana Shipping issued a statement reconfirming its commitment to its outstanding offer to acquire Genco. It is now calling on the reelected board to deliver on the commitments it made to shareholders to create value. Diana spent more than six months pursuing Genco and has had three prior offers rejected by the board of Genco. The board has repeatedly said the offers did not reflect the net...

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Japanese Ro-Ro Cargo Ferry Goes Hard Aground on Its Way to Tokyo

Video: Mexican Patrol Boat Loses Control and Hits Docked Ferry

JMIC Warns of Confirmed Mine in Hormuz as Uncertainties Continue

One Seafarer Killed, More Injured as Russia Attacks Ships off Ukraine

Will Passage Fees be Charged in the Strait of Hormuz?

Solomon Islands Intercept Shadowy Vessel Suspected of International Crimes

Japanese Ro-Ro Cargo Ferry Goes Hard Aground on Its Way to Tokyo

Low on Fuel, Russian Frigate Drifts in the English Channel

Easterly Clear Ocean Tranche I Delivers Strong Investor Returns

Turkish Cruise Ship Remains Detained as It Loses Flag and Classification

Master and Pilot at Fault as Bulker Contacted Wharf During Departure

New Digital Platform Connects Shipowners Directly With Seafarers

The Hidden Clause Contradictions Driving Demurrage Claims

Six Estonian Maritime Companies Solving Retrofit and Port Challenges

Solomon Islands Intercept Shadowy Vessel Suspected of International Crimes

Japanese Ro-Ro Cargo Ferry Goes Hard Aground on Its Way to Tokyo

Low on Fuel, Russian Frigate Drifts in the English Channel

Easterly Clear Ocean Tranche I Delivers Strong Investor Returns

Turkish Cruise Ship Remains Detained as It Loses Flag and Classification

Master and Pilot at Fault as Bulker Contacted Wharf During Departure

Trump Administration to Buy Back Four More Offshore Wind Leases

JERA Signs Charters with MOL and NYK to Import US Ammonia to Japan

Norway Accelerates Hydrogen-Power Bulker Project for Shortsea Shipping

Diana Reaffirms Offer to Acquire Genco After Losing Proxy Fight

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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