A 35-year-old crew member was discovered deceased in his cabin from hanging on the Maltese-flagged supramax bulk carrier MV Zografia, managed by Athens-based Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises, while the vessel was undergoing repairs near Piraeus, as reported by Greek coastguards on March 27, 2024. The MV Zografia, managed by Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises and flying under a Maltese flag, was previously damaged in January by a missile attack attributed to the Houthi forces. Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises, the Athens-based ship management and operating firm, has not issued any comments regarding the incident. As per the statement released by the Greek coastguard, the deceased was employed as a kitchen cleaner aboard the MV Zografia and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Greek coastguard refrained from providing additional details or confirming whether the individual had been on the vessel during the missile attack that compromised the ship’s structure, with a Houthi missile impacting the deck and sides of the 2010-built, 56K DWT supramax bulk carrier MV Zografia two months prior. An ongoing autopsy is expected to provide more clarity. The MV Zografia has been docked for repairs in Greece following two separate attacks by Houthi forces on January 16, 2024. The missile strike left a significant hole on the port side of the MV Zografia, amidship towards the bow and close to the waterline. Despite this, the missile attack resulted in no injuries or critical damage, allowing the Greek-owned MV Zografia to proceed with its voyage. After undergoing preliminary repairs at the Suez Canal, the vessel continued its journey to Greece for further maintenance. 28-March-2024
The Red Sea has seen a recent increase in attacks, with the Athens-managed bulk carrier MV Zografia being the latest target. This Maltese-flagged supramax bulk carrier, built in 2010 with a 56K DWT capacity and carrying 24 crew members, was attacked near Yemen, approximately 122 km northwest of al-Saleef, while navigating northbound through the southern Red Sea. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the MV Zografia was struck in the cargo hold by an unidentified object. The vessel, owned by Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises based in Athens, experienced minor damage, but thankfully, there were no injuries reported among the crew. It is noted that the Houthis have been actively targeting vessels since November, specifically those they believe are Israeli-owned, flagged, or operated, or, as in the case of the unladen MV Zografia, heading towards Israeli ports. 16-January-2024
The recent surge in maritime hostilities in the Red Sea has claimed another vessel, this time the 2010-built, 56K DWT supramax bulk carrier MV Zografia, owned by Athens-based Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises. This Maltese-flagged vessel, carrying 24 crew members, was assaulted off the coast of Yemen while navigating northbound through the southern Red Sea, approximately 122 km northwest of al-Saleef, as reported by security consultancy Ambrey. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has disclosed that an unidentified object struck the MV Zografia’s cargo hold. Despite the attack, the MV Zografia incurred only minor damages and there were no injuries reported among the crew. The Houthis have been escalating their attacks on vessels since November 2023, targeting ships they allege to be Israeli-owned, flagged, or operated, or in instances like the unladen supramax bulk carrier MV Zografia, those en route to Israeli ports. This incident follows closely on the heels of last week’s US and UK strikes against Houthi forces, after which a bulker operated by the US-based Eagle Bulk Shipping also came under missile fire in the Gulf of Aden. 14-January-2024
Greek shipowner and operator Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises acquired 2005 Chinese built supramax dry bulk carrier 53K DWT MV Evanthia (ex MV Santa Margherita) from German shipowner and operator Stella Marine Services for around $9 million. Previously, Greek shipowner and operator Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises was operating Japanese and South Korean built handysize dry bulk carriers. Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises steadily transformed itself into a pure-operator of Chinese-built supramax dry bulk carriers. In 2017, Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises acquired four (4) secondhand supramax dry bulk carriers. 26-April-2018
The Hong Kong-based maritime company, Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, known for its extensive fleet, has sold its supramax bulk carrier, the 53K DWT MV Pacific Sea, of middle age. The Athens-based Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises acquired the vessel for approximately $5 million. The MV Pacific Sea, constructed in 2004 at the Xiamen Shipbuilding facility in China, now joins the fleet of Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises. Pacific Basin Shipping Limited stands as one of the leading global entities in the ownership and operation of handysize and supramax bulk carriers, with a current operational fleet exceeding 200 vessels. Last year, Pacific Basin Shipping Limited announced its intention to establish a reserve fund for the acquisition of secondhand handysize and supramax bulk carriers, citing the historically low prices of these vessels. The company asserted that these strategic acquisitions are expected to yield earnings that surpass standard market indices. 28-January-2017