The Sprite: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On September 8, 2025, the cargo tanker ‘Sprite’ found itself detained at Dongjiakou port due to serious safety concerns highlighted by the Tokyo MoU authorities. The vessel, which had just arrived from Marsa Bashayer, was subjected to an inspection that unveiled nine significant deficiencies, with three of them categorized as critical enough to warrant immediate detention. The evaluation focused on the overall safety and operational condition of the vessel, although details about specific inspection areas or conducted drills have yet to be revealed. As of September 11, 2025, the ‘Sprite’ remains under detention, awaiting the rectification of the identified security issues before it can resume operations.

A fresh charter agreement has been finalized, with Vitol securing a vessel for a period of one year at a rate of $29,750 per day. This development reinforces Vitol's strategic positioning in the maritime sector and highlights ongoing demand for charter services in the industry.