Discover the Rona: Ratings & Maritime News

On January 14, 2026, the cargo ship 'Rona' tragically sank in the Caspian Sea while on its way to Astrakhan, carrying 14 crew members. The vessel, which had been operating between Iranian and Russian ports, encountered a severe fire that led to its sinking. Turkmen rescue services swiftly responded to a distress signal from the ship, launching a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. All crew members, comprised of Iranian and Indian nationals, were successfully brought to safety and provided with medical care, as well as undergoing necessary immigration and security checks, according to Turkmen authorities. The investigation is ongoing, with local officials cooperating with Iranian authorities to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident and track the fate of the sunken ship. The 'Rona' had previously completed 20 voyages between various ports, including Astrakhan, Makhachkala, and Azov from October 2024 to December 2025, primarily transporting goods along a route frequently used for the shipment of Iranian arms to Russia. Speculation has emerged regarding the potential involvement of Ukraine's long-range strike drone forces in the sinking, as the situation continues to unfold. For further details, you can view the report at Maritime Executive's website.

On June 21, 2019, the bulk carrier 'Winner S,' while traveling from Izmir to Novorossiysk, encountered unforeseen technical difficulties, prompting her to anchor at the southern entrance of the Canakkale Strait around midday. The crew promptly began repairs to address the issues. As of June 24, the vessel was still anchored at coordinates 39° 52.24' N 026° 1.04' E, continuing their efforts to restore operations.

On February 27, 2019, at approximately 01:30 AM, the bulk carrier Winner S., navigating from Temryuk to Bandirma, encountered a significant technical issue while passing through the Istanbul Strait. The crew promptly initiated repairs onboard to address the malfunction. Following these efforts, the vessel safely dropped anchor off the coast of Bandirma on February 28 at 7:20 AM, situated at coordinates 40° 22.82' N and 027° 59.55' E.

On October 30, 2018, the cargo vessel Winner S., which has been undergoing routine maintenance at the Tuzla shipyard since October 28, 2018, experienced a significant fire outbreak in its accommodation block at approximately 10 a.m. The ship's crew, along with the on-site shipyard duty team, initiated the first phase of firefighting efforts. Shortly after, the local fire brigade arrived to assist in controlling the emergency. By noon, the fire was successfully contained, and it was fully extinguished by 1 p.m. The cause of the fire and the extent of any damage remain undetermined at this time, prompting local authorities to open an investigation. Surveyors have been assigned to assess the situation and determine the necessary steps moving forward. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. After the situation was managed, the Winner S. departed the repair yard on November 6 at 10 a.m. and made its way to Azov, reaching its destination at 1:30 a.m. on November 11.