Loss Prevention Advice
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Fraudulent messages offering safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been circulated to shipping companies with vessels stranded west of the waterway.
In an alert issued on 20 April, an unknown actors posing as Iranian authorities had contacted shipping companies, demanding payment in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Tether in exchange for transit “clearance.”
According to the firm, the fraudulent message stated: “After providing the documents and assessing your eligibility by the Iranian Security Services, we will be able to determine the fee to be paid in cryptocurrency (BTC or USDT). Only then will your vessel be able to transit the strait unimpeded at the pre-agreed time.”
These messages are fraudulent and not issued by official Iranian entities.
There has been no immediate response from Tehran. MARISKS noted that at least one vessel, reportedly fired upon while attempting to exit the strait on 18 April, may have been targeted as a result of the scam.
The scam comes against a backdrop of continued disruption in the region. The United States has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has intermittently imposed and lifted its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flowed prior to the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
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A Ukrainian drone strike hit the Russian Black Sea port of Tuapse on 20 April, causing a fire and killing at least one person, according to local officials.
The attack came just days after a similar incident on April 16, when another blaze had already been extinguished. Regional governor Veniamin Kondratiev said the port faced a “massive drone attack,” with one man killed, another injured, and debris damaging multiple civilian buildings including a kindergarten, school, church, and residential block, Reuters reported.
Tuapse is a key southern export hub for Russia, handling oil products and dry bulk cargo like coal and fertilizer. It is also home to a major refinery owned by Rosneft. Local authorities reported damage to transport infrastructure at the port, while schools in the area cancelled classes following the strike.
The attack is part of a broader escalation, with Ukraine increasing strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in recent weeks amid stalled peace talks. Russia’s defense ministry said it intercepted 112 Ukrainian drones overnight across the country.
The Tuapse port plays an important role in exporting refined fuels such as naphtha, fuel oil, and diesel from both local and regional refineries.
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Coal cargoes loaded at Ciénaga, Magdalena, Colombia are associated with recurring issues that, if not properly managed, present elevated risks during carriage.
The coal parcels loaded at this port have demonstrated inconsistent and unpredictable behaviour. In some cases, cargoes have shown clear signs of self-heating, including elevated carbon monoxide levels and decreasing oxygen concentrations.
At least one incident has resulted in significant operational difficulties during discharge due to a fire within the cargo hold.
In contrast, other parcels have been observed to emit methane without any indication of significant self-heating. This variability means crews cannot rely on a single behavioural pattern and must instead apply enhanced monitoring and strict compliance with the IMSBC Code throughout the voyage.
Coal loaded at Ciénaga, Magdalena is typically shipped with very limited ullage space, allowing any internal reactions within the cargo to become apparent relatively quickly through gas measurements. While shippers provide carriage instructions, these have not always been sufficiently clear, which can lead to confusion or inconsistent onboard practices.
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Mastering the precautions for the safe carriage of bulk grain extends far beyond compliance with the International Grain Code and regulations. Ensuring the safe shipment of grain is a complex process that starts well before the first kernel is loaded onto the vessel.
A single overlooked detail during the planning or execution phase of a cargo shipment can affect the condition of the cargo and ultimately determine its state upon arrival at the discharge port, explains Antony Dats Thomas in a recent Risk Alert from Steamship Mutual.
The term “Grain” refers to wheat, maize (corn), oats, rye, barley, rice, pulses, seeds, and their processed forms so long as their behaviour is similar to that of grain in its natural state. When carried in bulk on ships, these cargoes are defined by their “free flowing” nature, which means they can settle and shift during a voyage posing significant risks to ship stability.
To mitigate these stability risks, the International Grain Code (part of SOLAS Chapter VI), mandates strict safety precautions for the vessels to have a Document of Authorisation or an approved equivalent as required by the Grain Code.