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Dutch Cargo Ship Thamesborg Stuck in the Northwest Passage: Ten Days Amid Ice and Controversy

For over ten days, the Dutch cargo ship Thamesborg , owned by Royal Wagenborg , has remained grounded in the Franklin Strait , at the heart of the Northwest Passage. Canadian authorities, together with the Coast Guard, are closely monitoring the situation, but salvage operations have proven more challenging than expected. Current Situation According to updates from the Canadian Coast Guard and the ship’s owner, the vessel is stable, and there are no immediate risks to the crew or the environment. However, weather conditions and the rapid formation of sea ice have hindered the refloating efforts. Temperatures in the area range from -5°C to -11°C , and satellite images show a progressive freezing of the surrounding waters. A Canadian icebreaker is keeping a navigable channel open nearby, but maneuvering space remains limited. Controversy Over Canadian Management The incident has reignited criticism of Canada’s management of Arctic navigation. According to TopoftheWorldNews (@Polar...

Drone Activity Disrupts Flights at Copenhagen Airport

On the evening of September 22, 2025 , air traffic at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) was disrupted following suspected drone activity in the vicinity. According to independent flight tracker observations shared by Christian Panton (@pa.nton.cx) , several flights were directly affected. At 20:28 local time, flight SK652 from Hamburg was forced to abort its landing at just 175 meters above ground, executing a sharp turn away from the airport. Later, at 21:24, flight SK1668 from Hannover landed at CPH after burning fuel for 45 minutes. Noise sensors between 22:10 and 22:35 also picked up what was interpreted as helicopter activity in the northern part of the airport. Normal traffic only resumed at 00:38 , when SK7744 from Ioannina, Greece became the first aircraft to land after the incident (Source: Panton, Bluesky). Reports of drone sightings were not limited to Denmark. The Swedish outlet TV4 reported that drones were also observed over Malmö, Sweden, after the disruption at Kastrup, dis...

The Northern Sea Route: Between Chinese Ambitions, Russian Power, and New Global Equilibria

In recent years, the Northern Sea Route (NSR) – the maritime corridor running along Russia’s Arctic coast – has emerged from the shadows of major trade routes to establish itself as one of the strategic axes of the 21st century. Recent developments confirm that the route is no longer just an experiment: a Panamax-class container ship operated by Chinese companies completed the passage in just six days , as reported by Tom MacSweeney on gCaptain . A transit time that challenges the traditional Suez Canal route, potentially reshaping trade flows between Asia and Europe. The Logistics of the Future: Intermodality and Time Reduction The NSR’s potential lies not only in its speed. As Ed Finley–Richardson has highlighted, the Arctic link could become a cornerstone of a China–Europe intermodal chain , integrating maritime and rail transport. This would not only shorten distances but also diversify logistical options, reducing dependency on chokepoints such as Suez and Malacca, which ...

Second Attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla: The “Alma” Struck.

After the attack on the “Family Boat” , the flagship of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) , on the night between September 8 and 9, the organizers have reported a second incident . At 00:17 on September 10, 2025 , an incendiary device reportedly hit the “Alma” , another vessel of the humanitarian flotilla headed toward Gaza. Onboard were nine people , all unharmed. The strike affected the aft section of the ship, causing only minor damage . Videos and Accounts The flotilla’s official channels have released new footage , allegedly showing an unlit drone flying over the vessel and dropping an incendiary object, described by experts as “coated with fuel-soaked materials” to maximize fire upon impact. The GSF coordination team called it a “ second assault within 48 hours ,” while UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese reiterated that the video evidence points to an attack from above. Tunisian Authorities As in the case of the Family Boat, the Tunisian National Guard continues t...

Attack on the “Family Boat” of the Global Sumud Flotilla: Drone Allegations, Tunisian Denials

A controversial incident has involved the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) , a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza, during the night off the Tunisian coast. According to the organizers, the “Family Boat” – the main vessel of the expedition, a 35-meter ship sailing under the Portuguese flag – was struck by a drone that allegedly dropped an incendiary device, causing an explosion on board. The Flotilla’s Account Activists from the GSF claim this was a deliberate strike from above: on the mission’s official channels they released surveillance camera footage from the vessel, where a buzzing sound believed to be a drone can be heard, shortly before a flash of light hits the frame. Additional footage – filmed from another ship in the flotilla – reportedly shows the impact from above. The organizers state that none of the crew or passengers, including Greta Thunberg, were injured , though some reports mention two people suffering minor injuries. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur...

Heightened Maritime Security in Key Norwegian Ports Amid Increased Threat Level

On the morning of August 8, 2025, at 06:31 UTC, a safety broadcast was transmitted via the Inmarsat Indian Ocean Region (IOR) satellite, alerting vessels to a sudden change in maritime security conditions in Norway. The message, classified under NAVAREA I and issued as an ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) Announcement , informed the shipping community that the maritime security level in several Norwegian ports has been raised from Level 1 to Level 2 with immediate effect. Ports Under Security Level 2 The announcement specifically named six port facilities, all operated or associated with NorSea, a major logistics provider for Norway’s offshore oil and gas sector: NorSea Logistics Averøy – NOAVE-0001 NorSea Tananger (Risavika) – NOSLA-0002 NorSea Logistics Stordbase – NOSRP-0003 NorSea Polarbase (Hammerfest) – NOHFT-0005 NorSea Dusavik (Stavanger) – NOSVG-0008 NorSea Logistics Vestbase (Kristiansund) – NOKSU-0014 The affected facilities...