Port of Long Beach Outpaces Rivals as Tariffs and War Risks Cloud Outlook
The Port of Long Beach topped U.S. seaports in Q1 2026, handling 2.39 million TEUs despite a 5.7% year‑over‑year dip. March volumes fell 5.2% to 774,935 TEUs, with imports slipping and empty containers dropping 11.1%. While the Middle East conflict has not yet curbed cargo volumes, tariffs and shifting shipment timing are cited as primary headwinds. The port also highlighted its Clean Truck Fund, which has raised over $62 million to accelerate zero‑emission equipment and a planned offshore wind terminal.
Europe Eyes Canada LNG as Iran War Rewires Energy Routes
European energy buyers, led by Germany’s Uniper, are assessing Canada’s west‑coast Ksi Lisims LNG project as a diversification option amid the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. The proposal involves shipping liquefied natural gas through the Panama Canal, a longer...
Maximum Pressure Returns: U.S. Targets Shadow Fleet Tankers as Iran Oil Waiver Expires
The U.S. Treasury reinstated full "maximum pressure" on Iran by letting the 30‑day general license for stranded Iranian oil expire and sanctioning more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to the Shamkhani shadow‑fleet network. The designations target a...
Fincantieri Lands First U.S. Navy LSM Contract as Program Moves Toward Construction
Fincantieri Marine Group secured a $30 million contract from the U.S. Navy for long‑lead material procurement and early engineering on the first four Medium Landing Ships (LSM). The award, part of a program that could field 18‑35 vessels, positions construction to...
ABS and Alfred Maritime to Advance Fleet Operations and Safety for Cruise Vessels
ABS and Alfred Maritime GmbH have signed an MOU to develop technical projects that improve cruise vessel performance, maintenance and safety. The partnership combines Alfred Maritime’s fleet‑performance management tools with ABS’s classification expertise to streamline regulatory compliance and reduce operational...
U.S. Will Let Iran Oil Waiver Expire as Blockade Tightens Grip on Global Flows
The Trump administration will let the 30‑day waiver that permitted Iranian oil shipments at sea expire on April 19, tightening the sanctions blockade. The waiver, issued on March 20, had allowed roughly 140 million barrels of Iranian crude to reach global markets, easing...
“Free Seas” Are Not Unraveling — But the System Is Changing Under Pressure
While the global maritime system remains legally open, recent crises—from the Strait of Hormuz to Red Sea attacks—have tightened slack and raised risk‑based costs. Bruce Kimbrell argues that these disruptions reflect three overlapping forces: crisis, coercion, and market‑driven risk pricing,...
Bulk Carrier Hit by Projectiles Off Oman as Maritime Threats Spill Beyond Hormuz
A bulk carrier was struck by projectiles in the Arabian Sea off Oman on April 7, about 112 nautical miles southeast of Ras Al Hadd. The attack ignited a fire, prompted assistance from a Pakistan Navy vessel, and was later declared...
Global Oil Flows Plunge as Hormuz Disruption Chokes Tanker Trade
Global seaborne crude oil shipments have plunged 16% since the Iran war, cutting daily volumes by 7.6 million barrels to 38.4 mbpd—about 9.5% of projected world production now stranded. Gulf exports collapsed, with a net loss of 9.0 mbpd after modest gains from...
US-Sanctioned Tanker Tests Trump Blockade With Hormuz Exit
A US‑sanctioned tanker, the Rich Starry, successfully navigated out of the Strait of Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman, directly testing President Donald Trump’s newly announced naval blockade. The vessel, previously blacklisted for aiding Iran’s evasion of energy sanctions, altered...
North Korea Tests Cruise and Anti-Ship Missiles From Destroyer
North Korea conducted a live‑fire test from its new 5,000‑ton Choe Hyon destroyer, launching two strategic cruise missiles and three anti‑ship missiles off its western coast. The missiles flew for roughly 7,870 seconds and 1,965 seconds respectively, demonstrating ultra‑precision and...
Argentina River Auction Draws Fire From U.S. Dredger Over ‘Cooked’ Tender
Argentina’s government, under President Javier Milei, launched a high‑profile concession to deepen the Paraná River, a critical artery for grain exports. The tender pits a Belgian‑led incumbent consortium against a rival group that includes U.S. dredger Great Lakes Dredge & Dock and...
Port of Los Angeles Posts Strong March as Trade and Energy Risks Build
The Port of Los Angeles handled 752,520 TEUs in March, with imports slipping 1% year‑over‑year while exports rose 7%. First‑quarter volume reached 2.39 million TEUs, about 5% below last year but matching the five‑year average. Empty container counts dropped 11%, and...
NATO Allies Refuse to Join U.S. Hormuz Blockade, Deepening Rift With Trump
NATO allies publicly declined President Donald Trump's proposal to block maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, insisting they will only act after hostilities with Iran cease. The United States scheduled the blockade for 1400 GMT, targeting vessels bound for Iranian...
VIKING Helix Shapes Simpler, Easier Ship Evacuation At Speed
VIKING Life‑Saving Equipment has launched the Helix marine evacuation system, a helix‑type slide that can move four to eight passengers at once and evacuate up to 477 people within 30 minutes into 153‑person life rafts. The system features a patent‑pending...
