Global Conflict Reporting

Category: Maritime/Shipping

  • Chinese PLA Navy Forces conduct live fire drill in waters between Australia and New Zealand.

    Chinese PLA Navy Forces conduct live fire drill in waters between Australia and New Zealand.

    By. Scott Jackson

    February 24th, 2025

    Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships, first spotted last week according to Australian officials, have carried out a military drill in the Tasman Sea, the area between Australia and New Zealand. The drill, carried out on Friday, consisted of ship maneuvers as well as a live-fire component. Air traffic in the region was warned only moments before the live fire drills started and were forced to divert to other routes.

    “We haven’t been given a reason as to why they’re here in this configuration with this set of ships, with these different set of capabilities, and we don’t really have a sense of, you know, we haven’t been told where they’re going and why.”

    Said New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. He continued

    “They are in international waters, they are completely within the balance of international law and the UN Convention on the law on the sea, which is important, it is important that all countries have freedom of navigation, it works for us when we are out and about in the world as well.”

    The task force of Chinese ships was led by Type 055 destroyer Zunyi. Also was the Type 054A Frigate Hengyang, and Type 903 replenishment ship Weishanhu.

    (more…)
  • Cargo containership losses power and runs aground in Newfoundland.(Video Included)

    Cargo containership losses power and runs aground in Newfoundland.(Video Included)

    By. Scott Jackson

    02/15/2025
    MSC Baltic III running aground in Newfoundland.

    Earlier this morning, February 15th 2025, MSC Baltic III, a Liberian flagged Cargo containership lost power and ran aground in Newfoundland. The ship has left Montreal, Canada and was heading to Corner Brook, NL. The seas I. The area are rough even on a good day but today a winter storm was raging. Allegedly a large wave hit the ship knocking out power and thus the ships propulsion. The ship was aet adrift and battered as can be seen on the AIS marine tracking data. The crew attempted to stop the ship at the point it became obvious they were going to hit land however the anchor was not able to stop them and the ship drove into Wild Cove, west of Lark Harbor and close to the mouth of the river that would take them to their destination.

    AIS Marine Tracking Data showing the ships course before she stuck ground.

    At some point before hitting ground at Wild Cove the crew had declared a MAYDAY and sent out a distress call that was picked up by Marine Communications and Traffic Services in Port aux Basques. The Canadian Coast Guard and its icebreaker Henry Larsen has responded to the scene and all 20 crew have been pulled from the ship however there are reported injuries.

    Video shows the Canadian Coast Guard airlifting crew off the ship in high winds and rough seas.

    It unknown at this time but some questions have been raised about the possibility of a potential pollution hazard in this case as the sea hammers the ship which though it’s not likely could break apart.

    The CCGS Harry Larsen that responded to the accident.