Six-Year Sentence Imposed on Solong Captain Following Fatal Ship Collision

A London court has sentenced Russian mariner Vladimir Motin to six years in prison after finding him responsible for the death of a crew member in a high-profile maritime collision in the North Sea. The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Judge Andrew Baker at the Old Bailey Central Criminal Court in London. Motin, 59, was commanding the Portuguese-flagged container vessel Solong on 10 March 2025 when it struck the anchored U.S.-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate off the east coast of England. The impact triggered a fire and explosion, engulfing both vessels. During the trial, the court heard that Mark Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino crewman working on the bow of the Solong, was killed instantly in the collision; his body was never recovered. Prosecutors argued that Motin failed to maintain a proper lookout and neglected fundamental navigational duties, contributing to the accident.

Blue Star Patmos Damaged During Berthing at Megisti Port

Blue Star Patmos Damaged During Berthing at Megisti Port The passenger and vehicle ferry Blue Star Patmos sustained damage while attempting to berth at the port of Megisti (Kastellorizo), Greece, during scheduled operations. The incident occurred amid challenging weather conditions, which affected the vessel’s approach to the quay. According to port authorities, strong winds complicated the berthing manoeuvre, causing the ferry to make contact with the pier. The impact resulted in damage above the waterline, but officials confirmed that the vessel’s hull integrity was not compromised and there was no water ingress. All passengers and crew on board were reported safe, with no injuries sustained during the incident. At the time, the ferry was carrying passengers, vehicles, and commercial cargo as part of its regular service connecting the Dodecanese islands with mainland ports.

Malaysia Releases Tankers After Suspected Illegal Oil Transfer, Raising Enforcement Concerns

Malaysia Releases Tankers After Suspected Illegal Oil Transfer, Raising Enforcement Concerns Malaysian authorities have released two oil tankers that were previously detained on suspicion of conducting an unauthorized ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer in Malaysian waters, a move that has drawn attention to the challenges of enforcing regulations against so called shadow fleet operations. The vessels were intercepted earlier this year during a maritime patrol off the coast of Penang. The tankers were initially detained after enforcement officers observed them positioned side-by-side at anchor, a configuration commonly associated with STS oil transfers. Authorities seized a significant quantity of crude oil and detained crew members for questioning as part of an investigation into possible violations of Malaysian maritime and environmental laws. Following several weeks of review, the vessels were released after the operators posted a financial bond in accordance with local regulations. Malaysian officials stated that the decision was made within the existing legal framework, citing documentation provided by the ship operators regarding the origin and ownership of the cargo.

MARINA Conducts Heightened Vessel Inspections in Zamboanga Region

ZAMBOANGA REGION — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has started intensified inspections of vessels operating in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu on February 2, 2026, following the directive of MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan. On the first day of the operation, three vessels were thoroughly inspected by MARINA Regional Office IX (MRO IX), including two roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels and one passenger vessel. MARINA said the compliance inspections will continue until all operating vessels in the area have been checked.