Traffic through the at the Bab al-Mandab strait decreased slightly on Thursday August 20th compared with the previous two days, amid concerns that the Houthis might expand their targets beyond Saudi-linked vessels. There were 23 commodity ships, down from 34 on each of the previous two days, according to Kpler data. Of these 23, 16 ships entered and seven exited. Two of the exits were Suezmax tankers – the Greek-managed Stoic Warrior (IMO 1028762) (heading to Vietnam) and the Greek-managed Dokos (IMO 9318072) (reportedly heading to India but still listing its destination as Skagen in Denmark, with no date attached).
2025-built, Liberia-flagged, 82,687 gt Stoic Warrior is owned by Stoic Navigation Co care of manager Pomebros Shipping Ltd of Athens, Greece. It is entered with UK Club on behalf of the owner. As of August 22nd the 274.3m x 48.04m Stoic Warrior was off East Africa heading east, en route to Dung Quat, Vietnam, ETA September 7th.
2007-built, Liberia-flagged, 81,339 gt Dokos is owned by Tanzanite Maritime Co care of manager IMS SA of Piraeus, Greece. It is listed as entered with West P&I (Greece claims team) on behalf of Tanzanite Maritime Co. As of August 22nd the 274m x 48m Dokos was in the Gulf of Aden heading east, having left Ust-luga, Baltic Sea, Russia, on July 28th.
Chinese operator NewNew Shipping Line has expanded its footprint in Russia’s Arctic with the first delivery of containerized cargo to Murmansk via the Northern Sea Route. The Xin Xin Hai 1 (IMO 9623609) arrived at Murmansk on August 19th after a journey of about a month from Tianjin. It was carrying automotive components in about 500 containers. It marked the first time that Murmansk port had received container cargo from Asia delivered via the Northern Sea Route. The Murmansk voyage represents another step in an expansion that began in 2023, when the company completed seven Arctic voyages. There were 13 voyages in 2024 and 13 in 2025. Its Arctic Express No. 1 service links Shanghai and Ningbo with Arkhangelsk through the Northern Sea Route.
2012-built, Hong Kong-flagged, 21,270 gt Xin Xin Hai 1 is owned by Yangpu NewNew Shipping Co of Yangpu, Hainan, China. It is managed by Xinhai Container Transport of Hong Kong, China. ISM manager is Tianjin Xinhai Ship Management Co of Tianjin, China. It is entered with Skuld (Skuld Hong Kong) on behalf of New New Shipping Line Co Ltd. As of August 21st the 166.31m x 27.4m vessel was moored at Murmansk (arrived August 18th) having left Tianjin on July 19th.
Correspondent Pandi Liquidadores has informed NorthStandard that the Argentine Union of Grain Receivers and Related Trades (URGARA) on Tuesday August 18th announced a sudden strike at all private ports, effective from 22:00 LT on August 19th and running for an indefinite period. Following URGARA’s sudden strike announcement, the Argentine Government ordered a 15-day mandatory conciliation period between the Union and the industry chambers. During this period, URGARA was required to call off the strike and refrain from any industrial action. The correspondent said that, therefore, checks conducted at various ports indicate that operations currently were continuing normally.
https://north-standard.com/insights-and-resources/resources/news/argentina-port-strike-updates
General cargo vessel Arklow Falcon (IMO 9527659) ran aground while transiting the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal in the Netherlands during the evening of August 20th. No injuries or pollution were reported. The vessel reportedly lost control of its steering and struck the bank with its bow near the Bulk Cargo Port at Terneuzen. Canal traffic remained unaffected. Some 50 minutes later the vessel refloated under its own power and moved to Goese Quay for inspection. Initial assessments indicated that damage to the vessel was limited.
2010-built, Ireland-flagged, 2,998 gt Arklow Falcon is owned by Sollube Naviera C-284 AIE care of manager Arklow Shipping Unlimited Co of Arklow, Wicklow, Ireland. It is entered with NorthStandard on behalf of the owner.
As of August 22nd the 90m x 14.4m vessel was moored in the Antwerp area, Belgium.