Discover the Olga: Ratings & Maritime News

On January 31, 2026, the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo at the Tarifa control center was closely monitoring the situation involving the cargo vessel 'Olga', which was traveling from Istanbul to Tallinn. The ship's journey took a concerning turn as it began to decelerate and ultimately halted in the Strait of Gibraltar (Lat. 35.9357, Lng. -5.9756). Upon establishing communication, the crew reported a loss of steering control, attributed to a recent fuel change. In response, repair efforts commenced promptly to remedy the issue. As a precautionary measure, the Search and Rescue (SAR) vessel 'Clara Campoamor' (IMO: 9338022) was dispatched from Algeciras to escort the 'Olga'. By February 2, the 'Olga' was located at position 36° 27' N, 007° 21' W, off the coast of Cádiz. After regaining speed around 6 p.m. UTC, the vessel was able to continue its voyage, setting an estimated time of arrival at its destination port for February 8.

A maritime incident occurred on August 9, 2024, at 9:22 PM when the bulk carrier 'Olga' collided with the Gibraltar-flagged tanker 'Iver Blessing' (IMO: 9588287) while the tanker was moored at the approach to St. Nazaire. During the incident, the 'Iver Blessing' reported sustaining a breach at the rear of the hull above the waterline, which did not compromise its buoyancy. Fortunately, the collision resulted in only five minor injuries among the crew that did not require medical treatment. The 'Olga' sustained a hole above the waterline, but similar to the tanker, it did not affect the vessel's structural strength. Additionally, minor pollution was detected due to the spillage of an oil drum at the site. Authorities have initiated a police investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this accident. For more details, including images of the incident, visit: https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/pays-de-la-loire/loire-atlantique/saint-nazaire/collision-d-un-tanker-et-d-un-vraquier-au-large-dans-la-zone-d-attente-de-saint-nazaire-3016547.html

In a strategic move to boost exports amid a challenging maritime environment, five bulk carriers—the 'Olga', 'Ida', 'Danny Boy', 'Forza Doria', and 'New Legacy'—are en route to Black Sea ports for the loading of 120,000 tons of Ukrainian grain. This grain shipment is destined for Africa and Europe, with loading taking place at Ukraine's significant ports around Odesa, including Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi. These vessels are navigating a temporary maritime corridor established by the Ukrainian Navy, continuing their journey despite ongoing threats from Russia, which withdrew from a UN and Turkey-brokered grain deal earlier this summer. Meanwhile, three other bulk carriers recently departed with cargoes, highlighting Kyiv's determination to circumvent the Russian blockade on commodity exports. The situation has been further complicated by recent drone attacks on alternative trade routes through ports along the Danube River. Notably, outbound grain shipments experienced a significant decline in September, plummeting to 1.75 million tons compared to 3 million tons in August. In a related development, the bulk carriers 'Azara', 'Ying Hao 01', and 'Eneida' were reported heading southwest after departing from Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, carrying over 127,000 tons of agricultural products and iron ore.