Ship Experiences Steering Loss in Strait of Gibraltar
On January 31, 2026, the cargo vessel ‘Olga’, sailing from Istanbul to Tallinn, encountered a serious issue in the Strait of Gibraltar. The vessel, under the watchful eye of the Salvamento Marítimo control center in Tarifa, reported losing steering after changing fuel. The incident occurred at coordinates 35.9357° N, 5.9756° W, prompting immediate action from maritime authorities.
In response to the emergency, the SAR vessel ‘Clara Campoamor’ (IMO: 9338022) was dispatched from Algeciras to provide a precautionary escort. The crew of the ‘Olga’ worked diligently to make repairs while remaining in communication with the control center. By February 2, the ‘Olga’ had regained its speed and was positioned at 36° 27′ N, 007° 21′ W off the coast of Cádiz. The vessel resumed its course and is now expected to reach its destination by February 11, 2026.
Allision Incident Involving ‘Olga’ and Tanker ‘Iver Blessing’
On August 9, 2024, at approximately 9:22 PM, the ‘Olga’ was involved in an allision with the Gibraltar-flagged tanker ‘Iver Blessing’ (IMO: 9588287) at the approach of St. Nazaire. The tanker was moored when the incident occurred as the ‘Olga’ was leaving its anchorage. Fortunately, the allision resulted in only five minor injuries aboard the ‘Iver Blessing’, none of which required medical attention.
The allision caused a breach at the rear of the ‘Iver Blessing’ above the waterline, but it did not compromise the vessel’s buoyancy. Similarly, the bulk carrier ‘Olga’ sustained a hole above its waterline, which also did not affect its structural integrity. However, the incident led to minor pollution due to the fall of an oil drum. A police investigation has been initiated to uncover the circumstances leading to this accident.
Bulk Carriers Set to Transport Ukrainian Grain Amidst Ongoing Conflict
In a significant development for Ukrainian agriculture, five bulk carriers, including the ‘Olga’, are preparing to load 120,000 tons of grain destined for Africa and Europe. These vessels are heading to Black Sea ports, specifically the major ports of Odesa, which include Chornomosk and Pivdennyi. This effort comes as Ukraine seeks to navigate around the Russian blockade that has severely impacted its commodity exports.
The five vessels are transiting a temporary corridor established by the Ukrainian Navy, despite ongoing threats from Russia after its withdrawal from a United Nations and Turkey-brokered grain deal in the summer. The situation is compounded by Kremlin drone attacks targeting alternative trade routes via Danube River ports, leading to a drastic reduction in outbound grain shipments from 3 million tons in August to just 1.75 million tons in September.
In addition to the ‘Olga’, other bulk carriers like ‘Ida’, ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Forza Doria’, and ‘New Legacy’ are also scheduled to load grain. Meanwhile, three additional vessels, ‘Azara’, ‘Ying Hao 01’, and ‘Eneida’, are making their way southwest after successfully departing Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi with over 127,000 tons of agricultural products and iron ore.
