Discover the Ksecond: Ratings & Maritime News

The maritime world has been shaken by the unexpected return of the 'EM Longevity', a vessel previously believed to have been scrapped three years ago. This ship has cunningly assumed the identity of a decommissioned vessel to circumvent international economic sanctions. Initially decommissioned in December 2021, the 'EM Longevity' was thought to have been sent to the scrapyard. However, it reemerged at the port of Dalian on September 23, 2024, and partially unloaded its cargo before navigating across the Yellow Sea. By September 30, it had reached Yantai, further fueling speculation regarding its true status. Experts from the University of Copenhagen’s Ocean Infrastructure Research Group suggest that the vessel's actions may be an attempt to project legitimacy, allowing it to operate under the radar of regulatory authorities. Alarmingly, data from VesselTracker revealed that the ship now sails under the flag of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, deviating from its original Singaporean registration during its two decades of active service. Compounding the mystery, the IMO registration number for the 'EM Longevity' does not indicate a current manager, owner, or insurer, exhibiting patterns characteristic of the notorious 'dark fleet'. In recent years, Russia has been implicated in the formation of a large shadow fleet, leveraging vessels to bypass European Union sanctions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Reports suggest that China, the world's largest importer of oil, has been receiving crude imports from such clandestine fleets, despite U.S. sanctions targeting crude exports from countries such as Russia and Iran. Notably, identified dark vessels have been recorded making journeys to and from Iran. Coincidentally, the 'EM Longevity' lookalike was spotted in waters near Iran around August 11 before its journey to China, raising further questions about its operational integrity and purpose.

A tragic incident unfolded on March 4, 2023, at approximately 8:45 p.m. when an industrial diver lost his life during an underwater inspection of the vessel 'EM Longevity' at the José Antonio Anzoátegui (Jose) Petrochemical Complex. The accident occurred 3.5 nautical miles north of Cryogenic Jose as part of an underwater anti-drug operation. The Bolivarian National Guard, alongside the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces (INEA), has initiated a search and rescue (SAR) operation in response to the incident. The diver, Jackson Antonio Meza García, aged 43, has been recovered, but the search continues for the second diver, Liam Jhon Marcano Rivas, also 43, who serves as a marine firefighter with INEA. Both divers were employed by the company Squalo Services, C.A. This unfortunate event underscores the inherent dangers that divers face in marine operations.

On December 22, 2021, the vessel Bag Meur found itself beached at Chittagong, a key maritime hub in Bangladesh. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by ships in navigating the region's coastal waters. Shipping enthusiasts and local authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation as they assess the implications for maritime traffic and environmental safety. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.