Discover the Mariel: Ratings & Maritime News

On February 14, 2023, the tanker 'Melogy' was apprehended in the Port of Kali Limenes, having been identified as a participant in ship-to-ship transfers of Russian oil within the Mediterranean Sea. Previously, the vessel had been associated with activities involving US-sanctioned Venezuelan oil trades but transitioned to Russian oil shipments in December 2022. The 'Melogy' made its way to the island on February 12 after navigating the Suez Canal in a ballast condition. The reasons behind the detention of the tanker remain unclear at this time.

On Wednesday morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials encountered an unexpected situation when two stowaways, believed to be from Colombia, were discovered aboard the Liberian-flagged oil tanker Alter Ego II at the Port of Texas City. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. as the vessel was stationed at Pier 21 to discharge crude oil. According to CBP spokeswoman Paula Rivera, the stowaways were found during a routine inspection performed by a Customs officer. Investigators are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding how these individuals managed to board the tanker, with early assessments suggesting they may have gained access while the ship was refueling at sea.