Discover the Antarctic-Sea: Ratings & Maritime News

On March 31, 2026, a controversial incident unfolded in the pristine waters off Antarctica when the activist ship, 'Bandero' (MMSI: 341633001), claimed by anti-whaling advocates led by Paul Watson, rammed into the krill fishing vessel 'Antarctic Sea.' This collision, which involved 19 crew members aboard the 'Bandero,' raises significant concerns regarding the safety of human life and the environmental integrity of the region that the activists purport to protect. Previously a Japanese fisheries patrol vessel, the 'Bandero' took aggressive action by first deploying a steel anchor to disrupt the fishing operations of the 'Antarctic Endurance.' Following this, it maneuvered towards the 'Antarctic Sea,' striking it on the port side at a precarious angle, coming alarmingly close to hitting a diesel tank. This reckless move jeopardized the local habitat, which supports various whale species, seals, and seabird populations. Fortunately, the 'Antarctic Sea' only sustained minor abrasions, and its multinational crew emerged unharmed but understandably shaken from the ordeal. The operator of the fishing vessel has vowed to seek all legal remedies available, promptly notifying naval authorities in both Argentina and Chile, who dispatched support vessels to the collision site near the Antarctic Peninsula. The incident marks a troubling re-emergence of confrontational tactics in the Southern Ocean, reminiscent of a “terrorist attack,” and underscores the escalating tensions between marine conservation efforts and fishing operations in one of the world's most ecologically sensitive areas. For more details, visit the full reports with photos and video: [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/antarctica-watson-krill-trawler-collision-whaling-1dcd71b2a1396709d2091818a1db2939), [ABC News](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-02/tas-krill-wars-back-on-in-southern-ocean/106525856), [Maritime Executive](https://maritime-executive.com/article/paul-watson-activists-hit-krill-fishing-vessel-in-direct-intervention).

In a recent development, Aker BioMarine ASA (AKBM) announced that the bondholders of Krillsea Group AS have rejected its proposal to acquire the krill trawl vessel, Thorshoevdi. The company has graciously accepted the bondholders' decision and subsequently retracted its offer for the purchase. Despite this setback, Aker BioMarine is committed to exploring alternative avenues for obtaining a krill trawl license for another vessel.