Loss Prevention Advice
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A bulk carrier sailing approximately 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha was struck by an unidentified projectile on May 10.
The vessel’s master reported that the impact sparked a small onboard fire. The crew successfully extinguished the blaze, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. There was also no reported environmental impact resulting from the incident.
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A renewed piracy threat near Somalia has sparked concerns after reports emerged that Somali pirates seized another dhow that could potentially be used as a “mothership” for future attacks on commercial vessels.
The dhow was reportedly hijacked on May 9 while en route to Kismayo, Somalia. The vessel was operating off the country’s southern coast when the incident occurred.
In response, European naval forces participating in Operation Atalanta were notified immediately and deployed assets to assess the situation.
In a separate development, security officials in Somalia’s Puntland region told AFP that an Emirati dhow hijacked by Somali pirates last month has since been abandoned in the Arabian Sea after the group failed to use it in attacks on other ships. The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) also confirmed that the dhow hijacked on 25 April 2026, is no longer believed to be under pirate control.
AIS tracking data indicates the vessel is now safely heading toward the Gulf of Oman.
According to JMIC, the piracy threat level remains SEVERE in the Somali Coast and Somali Basin.
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Over the past week, 5-11 May, no incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
Area of concern
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Recent bunker alerts have pointed to a growing presence of high-abrasive fuels containing cat fines in several regions.
As explained by Jordan Hatch, the latest VPS Bunker Alerts confirm this upward trend, which is increasingly contributing to operational challenges and disputes within the shipping sector.
If not properly managed, cat fines can cause severe engine wear and, in extreme cases, lead to complete engine failure in a relatively short period of operation. Damage involving multiple cylinder liners and piston rings can be particularly costly and disruptive.
Because vessels typically carry only one or two spare liners on board, extensive damage can quickly exceed onboard repair capacity. This often results in prolonged off-hire periods, as additional spare parts must be sourced and shipped in, with supply chain delays further extending repair timelines.
ISO standards vs engine reality