Death Toll in MV Trisha Kerstin 3 Sinking Rises to 40

The death toll from the sinking of the passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has increased to 40, according to the latest update from the Philippine Coast Guard. The vessel sank in waters off Basilan while traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo. Search and retrieval operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to locate missing passengers.

France Detains Captain After Seizing Russian-Linked Tanker in Mediterranean

Paris, France — French authorities have detained the captain of the oil tanker Grinch following its interception and seizure by the French Navy in the Mediterranean Sea earlier this week. The tanker, which departed from the Russian port of Murmansk in early January, was stopped on suspicion of operating under a false flag and being part of a so-called “shadow fleet” used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports, according to the Marseille prosecutor’s office. The 58-year-old captain, an Indian national, was placed into judicial custody on preliminary charges linked to the validity of the vessel’s registration and flag state documentation after the ship was diverted to anchor off the port of Marseille-Fos. Other crew members, who are also Indian nationals, remain aboard the tanker as investigators verify its navigation documents and compliance with international maritime regulations. French naval forces carried out the high-sea interception on Grinch in the western Mediterranean, between the southern coast of Spain and northern Morocco, last Thursday. The ship was reportedly flying a Comoros flag which authorities say may be a facade at the time of the boarding operation. This operation marks one of several recent European efforts to enforce sanctions intended to restrict Russia’s revenue from oil sales related to its war in Ukraine, with the vessel’s seizure reflecting growing international pressure on these “shadow fleet” operations. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly reaffirmed France’s commitment to upholding international law and sanction enforcement following the operation. The investigation will examine whether Grinch breached maritime law, including potential misuse of flag documentation and compliance with sanctions regimes, as authorities determine next steps in the case.

Shaping Future Seafarers Through Global Standards and Real Sea Experience

Maritime cadets under the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) CADETS Program are currently undergoing intensive Shipboard Familiarization (MAREX), transforming classroom theory into real-world competence through hands-on training at sea. Recognized worldwide for its commitment to safety, excellence, and professionalism, the NSA Cadets Program continues to be a gold standard in developing future maritime leaders.

Mediterranean Safety Alert as Sanctions-Linked Tanker Goes Adrift

A tanker subject to international sanctions has been reported adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, one day after French authorities intercepted and seized another vessel suspected of operating as part of Russia’s so-called “dark fleet.” According to maritime tracking data, the sanctioned tanker lost propulsion and declared a status of “not under command” while transiting the central Mediterranean. The vessel was drifting at low speed outside normal shipping lanes, raising concerns over navigational safety and potential environmental risks. The tanker was reportedly carrying a cargo of crude oil and had been en route toward the eastern Mediterranean. The incident occurred shortly after French naval forces boarded and detained a separate Aframax tanker believed to be linked to sanction-evasion activities. That vessel was diverted to a French port for inspection as part of an ongoing investigation into compliance with European Union and allied sanctions on Russian oil exports. Authorities have not confirmed any direct operational link between the drifting tanker and the seized vessel, but the timing highlights increasing scrutiny of ships operating under opaque ownership and flag arrangements. Western governments have intensified monitoring of tankers suspected of transporting sanctioned crude using complex ship-to-ship transfers and irregular registration practices. Maritime safety agencies continue to track the drifting tanker while assessing whether assistance or intervention may be required. The situation underscores growing challenges in enforcing sanctions at sea and managing the risks posed by aging or poorly maintained vessels operating within the shadow fleet network.