Loss Prevention Advice
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A maritime security update pointing out awave of suspected underwater explosive attacks on commercial oil tankers in the Mediterranean throughout 2025 has heightened regional security concerns.
Dryad Global claims that it has identified a clear pattern, as vessels recently calling at Russian ports are being targeted by suspected limpet mines, raising fears of a deliberate sabotage campaign tied to geopolitical fallout from western sanctions on Russian oil exports.
Latest incident: explosion off Libya
On 29 June, the Malta-flagged crude oil tanker VILAMOURA, operated by a Greek firm, suffered a significant blast off the Libyan coast near Benghazi. The explosion caused severe engine room flooding, rendering the vessel uncontrollable until towed to safety. Early assessments point to a possible limpet mine, although official confirmation from Greek and Libyan investigators is expected by July.
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An alert on the continued occurrence of incidents of sea robbery onboard ships while underway in the Singapore Strait and warns a possibility of further incidents.
According to, three incidents of sea robbery were reported on ships while transiting the Phillip Channel, in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the Singapore Strait (SS) on 1 July 2025, within a time interval of three hours (between 0150 hrs and 0440 hrs). The incidents occurred in close proximity with each other (between 1.4 nm to 3.5 nm apart).
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A circular providing an overview of the updated compliance guidelines and discharge control requirements for water pollutants from ships operating in Chinese coastal waters, offering practical guidance.
As explained, the suggestions are intended to provide general compliance references for the industry. Specific operations must be comprehensively determined by referencing to ship types, pollutant characteristics, and real-time regulatory requirements, etc. When necessary, the local MSA should be consulted to confirm operation compliance. Huatai Marine’s guidance includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Wash Water from Open‑Loop Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems
Discharge of wash water from open‑loop exhaust gas‑cleaning systems is prohibited within the Domestic Emission Control Areas for Atmospheric Pollution from Ships (DECAs).
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An incident where a cross-channel ro-ro ferry lost control during departure in severe weather, ultimately grounding after a series of misjudgements.
Incident overview
Background of ship and voyage details
The 30,635 gt ro-ro, built in 1991, is registered under the United Kingdom (UK) flag, and has an overall length of 179.7m. This ro-ro was employed as a cross-channel ferry, making several return journeys per day between Dover, UK and Calais, France carrying a mixture of passengers with cars and freight.
The ship was powered by four main engines, driving two shafts fitted with controllable pitch propellers. To assist in manoeuvring, two bow thrusters were fitted, and steering was augmented with high lift rudders.