The Tulip: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The cargo vessel 'Tulip' faced detention in Raoping, close to Shantou, after a thorough inspection carried out by the Tokyo MoU on October 28, 2025, marking its inaugural visit to the port. Inspectors identified a total of seven deficiencies, with three deemed serious enough to warrant the ship's detention. Following this incident, the 'Tulip' departed from the port on October 29, 2025, to receive further orders.

In the early hours of June 27, 2025, at precisely 12:32 a.m., the cargo vessel 'Tulip' became the victim of an armed boarding incident while navigating the high-traffic area of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The vessel was approached by four assailants equipped with gun-like equipment as it traveled in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme, approximately 3.9 nautical miles from Pulau Cula, Indonesia, located at the coordinates 1° 5.7' N 103° 43.85' E. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the crew members during this unsettling event, although the perpetrators managed to steal valuable engine spare parts. Authorities are currently investigating the incident to enhance maritime security in this vital shipping corridor.

In a significant transaction within the maritime industry, a vessel has been sold for $11.8 million to a group of buyers from China. This sale highlights the ongoing global interest in shipping assets, particularly from the Chinese market, which continues to strengthen its maritime portfolio. The specifics surrounding the vessel and its future operations remain closely monitored by industry experts as this acquisition marks another strategic investment in the shipping sector.

The maritime trade between China and Iran has resumed with the arrival of the Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) named Gas Jasmine. The vessel successfully discharged its cargo, which included 33,000 metric tons of propane and 11,000 metric tons of butane, on June 21 at the bustling port of Daxie, located in Ningbo. This significant event marks the end of a four-month suspension in imports. The Gas Jasmine made its voyage from Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, where the cargo underwent a ship-to-ship transfer in the Persian Gulf, according to sources in the trade and shipping sector.