News

Dark fleet collision sparks safety fears for Milford Haven-bound vessels

Published

6 months ago

June 19, 2025

Rogue tankers pose rising threat to global shipping routes

A MAJOR maritime collision off the coast of Fujairah has raised urgent safety concerns for vessels operating out of Milford Haven, one of the UK’s largest oil and gas ports.

The crash, which took place in the early hours of Monday (June 17), involved the VLCC Front Eagle, operated by Anglo Eastern, and a suspicious cargo vessel named Adalynn, widely reported to be part of the so-called “dark fleet” – a group of ships that sail with their transponders turned off, often transporting sanctioned oil.

***Concerns for ships bound for Pembrokeshire: Dark Fleet poses a threat***

Fire on both ships

According to the vessel’s owner, Frontline, a fire broke out on deck after the impact but was contained. All crew aboard Front Eagle were reported safe. However, satellite imagery showed intense flames on the Adalynn, and her condition remains unclear.

The incident occurred just 15 nautical miles from Fujairah and near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz – a vital chokepoint for global energy exports.

Milford-bound crews could be at risk

While this event took place far from Pembrokeshire, maritime experts warn that the rising number of such incidents globally has serious implications for UK-bound vessels, particularly those approaching Milford Haven from oil-rich regions in the Middle East, Africa, or Russia.

“These dark fleet vessels operate unpredictably,” one shipping analyst told The Herald. “They may not appear on radar, don’t respond to standard maritime calls, and are often old, uninsured, and poorly maintained – posing serious collision risks.”

The Dark Fleet tanker Adalynn is engulfed in flames in the Gulf of Oman after a collision with another tanker, the MV Front Eagle.

The point of impact is ablaze, with large sections of the ship’s superstructure burning intensely.

All 24 crew members aboard Adalynn have been… pic.twitter.com/wStsmd5Ei8
— Neha Khanna (@nehakhanna_07) June 17, 2025

Recent shadow fleet incidents
The Adalynn collision is the latest in a string of dark fleet-related incidents. Other recent examples include:

June 18, 2025 – Australia sanctions 60 ships: The Australian Government sanctioned 60 Russian-linked dark fleet tankers, citing safety and regulatory violations.
May 13, 2025 – Baltic Sea standoff: Russian-linked tanker Jaguar refused inspection by the Estonian Navy, prompting NATO surveillance and military aircraft intervention.
December 25, 2024 – Gulf of Finland cable strike: The shadow fleet tanker Eagle S severed the Estlink 2 undersea power cable after dragging anchor, prompting an investigation.
July 2024 – Collision off Malaysia: The tanker Ceres I collided with Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile, resulting in fires on both vessels.

These incidents underscore the growing hazards to compliant shipping, especially as shadow fleets multiply in the wake of global sanctions against Iran, Venezuela, and Russia.

Implications for Milford Haven

As a major hub for LNG imports, crude oil, and refined fuels, Milford Haven’s port operations are directly affected by the increased risks posed by rogue tankers during the approach and departure stages of international voyages.

While UK waters remain heavily regulated, vessels en route to Pembrokeshire often pass through high-risk zones such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Baltic Sea.

Port authorities, insurers, and vessel operators are now reassessing routing strategies, safety training, and emergency protocols to account for the rising presence of these unregulated tankers.

Investigation ongoing

The cause of the Fujairah collision remains under investigation by local and international maritime authorities. Preliminary findings are expected in the coming days, but early reports point to the likely failure of standard collision avoidance procedures due to one or both vessels operating without active AIS (Automatic Identification System).

A global issue, with local consequences

With more than 50 shadow fleet incidents logged since early 2023, shipping companies and port authorities across the globe are on alert. For Pembrokeshire’s seafarers and port operators, the message is clear: while the risk may lie thousands of miles away, the consequences could sail straight into Milford Haven.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.