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Iran has released the Filipino crew members of the 'St. Nikolas', which was seized in January with 145,000 tons of oil on board. The 18 seafarers people were only allowed leave after replacement staff had been arranged. A Greek crew member was released shortly afterwards. The Filipino crew were allowed to go home in groups from the end of January. The latter returned to Manila last week.

The 35 pirates are to be prosecuted for the hijacking of the 'Ruen' were were brought in for prosecution by the Indian Navy, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on March 23, days after its navy recaptured a hijacked bulk carrier and rescued several hostages. The destroyer INS 'Kolkata', which led the rescue operation, docked in the port early on March 23. The Somalis were expected to be transferred to police custody later that day. This marked the first time in more than a decade that pirates captured at sea would be brought to Indian shores to face trial. Under India’s anti-piracy laws, the men could face the death sentence if they were convicted of a killing or an attempted killing, and life imprisonment for piracy alone. Regarding the 'Ruen', the 17 crew members were duly shifted to Indian Naval ships. The Navy then sent in its specialists to sanitise the ship and ensure it had no arms, ammunition or contraband on board. It also had to assess the seaworthiness and carry out some essential repairs with the help of a naval technical team to ready the merchant ship for further voyage. The M/s Navibulgar, the shipping company that owned the vessel, requested that the captain and crew be reinstated on the 'Ruen'. The crew was again shifted mid-sea from the INS 'Kolkata' onto the bulk carrier, which then proceeded under own power to the next port of Salalah. The destination was decided by the company. The Indian Navy warship INS 'Subhadra' escorted the vessel to ensure its security against another possible pirate attack. Report with photos: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/23/captured-somali-pirates-arrive-in-india-to-face-trial-over-ship-hijacking

On March 23, 2024, between 6:50 and 9:50 a.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. forces, including the USS 'Carney (DDG 64)', engaged six Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over the southern Red Sea. Five crashed into the Red Sea, and one flew inland into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

The Chinese-owned 'Huang Pu', en route from Ust-Luga, was attacked 23 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port of Mokha by ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels on March 23, 2024. The tanker issued a distress call but did not request assistance. “No casualties were reported, and the vessel resumed its course. A fire had broken out on board the ship but was extinguished within 30 minutes. The vessel was now sailing out of the Red Sea into the Gulf of Aden heading for its next port of call New Mangalore.

The BRP 'Cabra' assisted the supply boat 'Unaizah May 4', which was chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and carrying fresh supplies for Filipino troops stationed at the BRP 'Sierra Madre'. The wooden boat was severely damaged, and three soldiers were hurt, after it was water cannoned by the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels while approaching Ayungin Shoal on March 23, 2024. CCG vessels impeded the voyage of the supply boat and the Philippine Coast Guard’s escort vessels. At 6:08 a.m., the 'BN 21551' performed a dangerous maneuver of crossing the bow of the supply ship. Approaching Ayungin shoal about an hour later, the CCG then conducted a reverse blocking maneuver against it which caused a near collision between the two vessels. At 7:59 a.m., the CCG started blasting a water cannon as it deliberately targeted and hit the boat. At 8:38 a.m., the boat was eventually subjected to direct water cannoning by two CCG vessels. while two Chinese maritime militia (CMM) vessels were simultaneously blocking the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP 'Cabra (MRRV 4409)', one of the designated escort vessels. The UM4 supply boat sustained heavy damages at around 8:52 a.m. due to the continued blasting of water cannons from the CCG vessels. The BRP 'Cabra' managed to maneuver and reach the 'Unaizah May 4' to assist. The BRP 'Cabra' was impeded and encircled by the CCG vessel 21551 and CMM vessels bearing bow numbers 00036 and 00314. The 'MRRV 4409' has been isolated from the supply boat due to the irresponsible and provocative behaviour of the Chinese maritime forces, who have shown a disregard for the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. At 11:09 a.m., six navy crew and essential cargoes from the 'Unaizah May 4'and the BRP 'Cabra' were brought on their way, and by 11:59 a.m., the navy crew with supplies arrived at the starboard side of the BRP 'Sierra Madre'. The 'Unaizah May 4' could not continue its course as the CMM vessel, assisted by Chinese RHIBs, installed floating barriers to prevent further entry to the shoal. Despite China’s blocking maneuvers, the AFP announced the success of the RoRe mission. The AFP-chartered supply boat departed the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on March 22. It was escorted by two Philippine Navy ships and two more from the PCG. The 'Unaizah May 4' was the same chartered supply boat which was water cannoned by two CCG vessels on March 5 in the same area. Report with photo: https://tribune.net.ph/2024/03/23/phl-supply-ship-damaged-after-chinese-vessels-water-cannon-attack