Discover the Spark: Ratings & Maritime News

On January 16, salvage operations were actively ongoing as a fleet of tugs, including the 'Nene Hatun' (IMO: 9675004), 'Kurtarma 16' (IMO: 9915052), and 'Kurtarma 17' (IMO: 9942990), worked tirelessly to refloat the grounded tanker 'Qendil' near Habbvele, Boczaada. The tugs made significant progress over the past days, successfully maneuvering the stern of the vessel, although the bow remained firmly lodged on the rocks at coordinates 39° 49.38' N 025° 58.10' E. On the same day, salvage efforts gained momentum as the tugs 'Nene Hatun', 'Kurtarma 16', and 'Kurtarma 17' were joined by the lifeboats 'Kiyem 6' and 'Kiyem 7', ultimately leading to the successful refloat of the tanker. Following the challenge, the 'Qendil' was secured and moored at the Çanakkale anchorage, with the assistance of the 'Nene Hatun', now located at coordinates 39° 47' N 025° 59' E. Footage of this remarkable operation can be found at these links: [Video on X](https://x.com/i/status/2012251227682230527) and [Video on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2078793129546590).

Two individuals connected to the Wagner Group and Russian military intelligence (GRU) were found aboard the tanker 'Qendil', a vessel implicated in bypassing Western oil sanctions as a part of Russia’s elusive shadow fleet. The duo, identified as 'security' personnel in crew documents, has raised eyebrows among experts, who suspect their involvement in espionage activities in European maritime regions. Alexander Malakhov and Viktor Alexandrov boarded the 'Qendil' in early September 2025, just prior to its departure from Ust-Luga, Russia. Notably, both men lack formal seafaring credentials, an anomaly given that previous journeys of the 'Qendil' did not necessitate armed security, despite traversing perilous areas like the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden. Malakhov, born in 1975 in the Volgograd area, is a former operative of Russia’s prestigious 22nd Spetsnaz Brigade, a unit under the GRU. After his service, he worked in aviation security in Rostov-on-Don but abruptly exited that role in late 2023. He reportedly returned to Russia from Syria in early 2024, although specifics regarding his activities during that time remain undisclosed. Alexandrov, a 1965 birth in Crimea, has a checkered past, marked by a robbery conviction in the 2000s and significant financial troubles, including reliance on payday loans. His association with the Wagner Group led him to serve as a BMP driver in a sixth assault unit, using the callsign 'Katso.' After being dismissed in 2019 for a drunken incident in Syria, where he and others reportedly commandeered a military vehicle and challenged pro-government forces, Alexandrov was blacklisted. However, records indicate he reintegrated into Wagner's operations by 2020, flying aboard a military Il-76 transport plane linked to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The unprecedented presence of individuals with intelligence and militant backgrounds aboard the 'Qendil' raises alarms about potential espionage, overshadowing any claims of standard security provisions.

On January 4, 2026, the Russian shadow fleet tanker 'Qendil' encountered a crisis when it ran aground off the coast of Bozcaada island in the Polente area, near the southern entrance of the Dardanelles Strait. The incident occurred while the tanker was ballasting from Aliağa to a repair zone in Yalova. After dropping anchor southwest of Bozcaada, the vessel began to drift towards the shore, reaching speeds of approximately four knots, until it ultimately became stuck about 100 meters from land. In an effort to address the situation, the captain sought assistance from the Vessel Traffic Services of the General Directorate of Coastal Safety. However, the dispatched tugs, 'Kurtarma 10' (IMO: 9598593) and 'Kurtarma 16' (IMO: 9915052), were unable to prevent the grounding. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the reasons behind the drift and subsequent grounding. Officials from the Çanakkale administration conducted inspections which confirmed that the 'Qendil' was not taking on water, the crew members were in good health, and no marine pollution occurred as the vessel was empty at the time. The 'Qendil' had previously been damaged during a Ukrainian drone attack in the Mediterranean Sea more than 2,000 kilometers away from Ukraine on December 19, while navigating off Libya’s coast, on its way from Sikka to the Russian port of Ust Luga. The vessel is currently facing sanctions imposed by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland, alongside restrictions from Ukraine on both the vessel and its owner. For more information and updates, please refer to the following reports with visuals: [Turk Deniz](https://turkdeniz.com/bozcaada-ve-buyukada-aciklarinda-kritik-anlar-kegmden-zamaninda-mudahale), [Biganin Sesi](https://www.biganinsesi.com/bozcaada-korkutan-olay/amp), [Instagram Reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTF3NN1CitU/), [The Maritime Net](https://x.com/themaritimenet/status/2008203083265020229).

On December 19, 2025, the 'Qendil', a tanker under EU/UK sanctions and connected to Russia's clandestine shipping operations, was targeted by drone strikes in the Mediterranean Sea. The Ukrainian domestic intelligence service confirmed that the attack resulted in significant damage to the vessel, rendering it inoperable. The precision strike was executed by the Alfa special forces unit, utilizing air drones to carry out the operation. At the time of the assault, the tanker was in ballast condition and suffered what's been characterized as 'critical' damage. Fortunately, there was no immediate environmental threat reported due to the incident. Following the strike, the 'Qendil' altered its course and continued to move at a reduced speed, suggesting that it remained somewhat navigable. Its new destination was reported as Port Said, hinting at a possible shift towards a closer anchorage or port. For further details, you can view the report with video footage here: https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/war-reaches-the-mediterranean-as-ukraine-1766143808.html

Norwegian authorities have launched an investigation into Romarine AS, a firm based in Norway but reportedly owned by Russian citizen Andrey Mochalin. The owner, a former employee of the Norwegian insurance company Hydor AS, is suspected of generating fraudulent insurance documents for tankers used by Russia to evade international sanctions. Importantly, Romarine AS is not recognized as an insurance provider by Norway’s Financial Supervisory Authority, known as Finanstilsynet (FSA). The company attempted to present these tankers as having valid Western insurance to cover potential pollution or sinking incidents. In January 2023, the FSA issued a warning to Romarine, only to receive no response. Consequently, on March 4, 2025, the FSA ordered Romarine to cease operations immediately. The company acknowledged the FSA’s directive, asserting that it had communicated through legal channels, but the FSA claims no response had been received. Currently, Romarine has opted to suspend new business until it receives positive feedback from the authority. Interestingly, Romarine’s digital footprint indicates that its website is hosted in St. Petersburg, Russia. As of early March, the site listed at least 30 tankers, including the 'Captain Kostichev' (IMO: 9301392), operated by Stream Ship Management based in the United Arab Emirates, and the 'Ionia,' owned by Seychelles-based Narus Maritime Corporation and recently rebranded as ‘Oilstar.’ Notably, an insurance certificate from the 'Ionia,' presented to Russian port authorities in Primorsk on February 2, indicated Romarine as its insurer. Meanwhile, the 'Captain Kostichev' supplied a similar document to authorities in De Kastri, dated March 24, which also identified Romarine as the insurance provider. Although the 'Captain Kostichev' has since been removed from Romarine’s official website, the 'Ionia' remains listed. On March 12, Romarine claimed that the presence of sanctioned vessels on their website was an error stemming from technical issues, as these tankers cannot access Western insurance markets and typically rely on Russian and Indian insurers instead. The FSA's concerns about Romarine intensified after it received an email last September regarding a false document supposedly validating Romarine as a legitimate insurer. This document, utilizing forged FSA letterhead, cited fictitious Norwegian laws and bore a signature from someone who had never worked at the FSA. Following this, on March 25, a public warning was issued against using Romarine's services by the FSA. Furthermore, investigations by Oslo police have begun based on a complaint from the FSA, targeting four individuals for potential involvement in forging documents and conducting unauthorized insurance practices. This group includes two Norwegians, one Bulgarian, and one Russian, with searches carried out at the home of one suspect in late March. While the two Norwegian individuals deny any wrongdoing, the Russian suspect remains at large, and despite the FSA's orders, Romarine’s website stays active. In a separate development, the newly implemented insurance inspection regime in the Baltic Sea has uncovered seven tankers claiming coverage through Romarine, raising alarm as these vessels possess no valid insurance backing, leaving them vulnerable to significant liabilities in case of incidents or spills.

In a strategic move to bolster its maritime capabilities, Polembros Shipping, the esteemed Greek shipping company, is set to enhance its fleet with the addition of yet another aframax tanker. George Vakirtzis, the managing director of the family-run enterprise based in Athens, has officially announced the acquisition of the tanker Elia, which boasts a deadweight tonnage of 115,400. The vessel was constructed in 2006 by the renowned Sanoyas shipyard in Japan. This latest purchase aligns with Polembros' commitment to expanding its portfolio of dry and liquid bulk carriers, solidifying its position in the global shipping industry.

On July 6, 2014, at approximately 2 p.m., the United States Coast Guard launched a search operation after receiving an alarming report from the tanker 'Elia'. The crew reported that the Chief Engineer, a 47-year-old Russian national, had gone missing. Last seen at around 10:10 a.m., the engineer's unexpected disappearance raised concerns that he may have fallen overboard. The vessel was located about 20 miles off the coast of Port Aransas, as it was making its way from Lake Charles to Corpus Christi in the Gulf of Mexico. By evening on July 6, the 'Elia' had anchored at Corpus Christi Anchorage, but searches thus far yielded no sign of the missing crew member. The Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston watchstanders quickly mobilized in response to the emergency call, while counterparts at Sector Corpus Christi coordinated the search efforts. Responding units included a Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and a 45-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Port Aransas. Further support was provided by a HU-25 Falcon airplane crew operating out of Corpus Christi. Should the situation remain unresolved as darkness approached, the Coast Guard Cutter 'Amberjack', an 87-foot patrol boat, was prepared to join the extensive search efforts.