Tankers

Interest in the construction of new ships carrying liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas has been expressed in recent days, according to brokerage firm Intermodal.

A total of nine LNG Carriers and LPG Carriers agreements were signed last week.

Authorities have placed floating barrier around a small oil tanker than ran aground off the coast of the western Aegean island of Kea while carrying 190 migrants and refugees on Monday.

The Turkish-flagged Dorduncu crashed into rocks on the breakwater at the island's port in gale-force winds in the early hours of Monday, taking on water and sinking partially.

Iran said on Sept. 23 that a British-flagged oil tanker is "free" to leave more than two months after it was seized in the Gulf.

Iran said on Aug. 13 that Britain might free its oil tanker Grace 1 soon, after some documents were exchanged that would help the seized ship's release.

The United States and its allies are discussing plans to provide naval escorts for oil tankers through the Gulf, a top U.S. general said on July 11 after Iranian military vessels menaced a British tanker.

Iran on July 4 condemned the "illegal interception" of one of its oil tankers in Gibraltar where authorities said they suspected it was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.    

Prosecutors in Bulgaria on Friday opened an investigation into the alleged illegal sale of a Libyan oil tanker, after Libya ordered the seizure of Bulgarian ships entering its ports in retaliation, reported AFP.

Bulgarian Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski told Bulgarian national television on Tuesday that the row between Bulgaria and Libya over a detained Libyan vessel is merely a "private legal matter" after Libya threatened to seize all Bulgarian ships that enter its waters.

A Greek-flagged oil tanker run aground in shallow waters at the beach of Kanavas, on the island of Milos, on Wednesday morning, while trying to dock at the pier.

FRES, with a crew of 16 Greek nationals onboard, was sailing from Lesvos to Milos carrying 1,000 tons of fuel oil.

So far, no oil leaks have been reported and the vessel does not appear to be taking in water.

32 people are missing after a collision of an oil tanker and a cargo ship in the East China Sea, the Bulgarian National Radio reported, referring to the Chinese Ministry of Transport, quoted by world agencies.