On the evening of Sep 4, 2025, the 96 meter long cargo vessel Meike (IMO: 9105841) caught fire at the Kishon West port of Haifa, Israel. The fire started in the Meike‘s hold loaded with scrap metal. Fire fighters were called out to help extinguish the blaze. The burning scrap metal was being offloaded to the nearby quay where fire fighters will extinguished.
Authorities report there have been no casualties. The extent of damage to the vessel was not released, but reports state there was no danger to Meike. No pollution was released.
On the evening of August 18, the 188 meter long, 7823 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Ciudad de Sóller (IMO: 9137997) caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea while docked at Valencia, Spain. The fire was started by an auxiliary engine located in the engine room. The local fire brigade was called out and was able to quickly extinguish the blaze. There were no reports of injuries. Reports stated there were no crew present in the engine room and there were no passengers on board the vessel at the time of the incident. Authorities have stated that the Ciudad de Sóller had sustained damage from the fire, but it was limited to the area around the auxiliary engine. The Ciudad de Sóller was taken out of service for inspections, but is expected to return to service.
On the night of July 24, the 105 meter long, 5813 dwt cargo vessel MN Kostas (IMO: 9103489) ran aground in the Mediterranean Sea off the northeastern tip of Crete, Greece. The MN Kostas departed from Sitia, Crete bound for Chekka, Lebanon, with a cargo of plaster when it ran aground on a reef some 6 nautical miles off Sitia. The cargo vessel sustained hull damage and water ingress.
The Greek Coast Guard was alerted and dispatched 3 patrol boats to the scene. Assisted by nearby fishing and private vessels , all 14 crew members were safely evacuated and taken to Sitia. No reports of injuries. Four tugboats were dispatched from Heraklion to start salvage operations. Divers inspected the MN Kostas hull for damage. Authorities are monitoring the area for any signs of pollution released.
Reports state the Sitia Port Authority has launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have arrested the master and the acting bridge officer under the Greek Penal Code for causing a shipwreck. The MS Kostas had prior legal issues a few months prior. The owners of the cargo vessel were cited for only paying the crew half their wages over the last several months.
