Maritime news . Week 35
Marina Starovoitova Becomes World’s First Woman To Captain Nuclear Icebreaker
For the first time in history, a woman has been appointed captain of a nuclear-powered icebreaker. Marina Starovoitova has officially taken command of the Yamal, making her the world’s first female captain in this role.
The appointment was announced on August 20, 2025, during the Era of Dreamers concert in Nizhny Novgorod. The large-scale gala, which opened celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry, gathered around 30,000 people, including more than 20,000 employees of Rosatom enterprises.
Major Cyberattack Disrupts Communication On Dozens Of Iranian Ships
A major cyberattack has disrupted communications on more than 60 Iranian Oil tankers and cargo ships, severing links between ships and their ports, creating chaos and confusion.
A hacking group which calls itself ‘Lip-Dochtjan’ or The Sewn Lips told Iran International that it had breached the systems of the National Iranian Oil Tanker Company and Iran Shipping Lines, per foreign media.
The report affected 39 oil tankers and 25 cargo ships.
Europe moves to snap back Iran sanctions
Britain, France and Germany have triggered a 30-day process to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran, a move that threatens to shake up tanker markets.
The so-called snapback mechanism, launched on Thursday, would reinstate wide-ranging sanctions suspended under the 2015 nuclear accord, including restrictions on oil exports, financial flows, and maritime trade.
Iran’s crude exports—already moving largely in the shadows via a sprawling ghost fleet of elderly tankers—would once again be designated as fully illicit under international law. Insurers, financiers and port authorities would face renewed pressure to sever ties with Iranian-linked tonnage.
Preliminary licences granted for two more Australian offshore wind farms
The Australian government has awarded three preliminary feasibility licences for offshore wind projects in Western Australia’s Bunbury zone.
The Bunbury zone is located south of Perth and was declared in September 2024. Authorities believe that it could provide up to 11.4GW of renewable energy.
In the southern area of the zone, Westward Wind and Bunbury Offshore Wind South have both received feasibility licences.