Singapore's Straight Talking on Strait Blockade
Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told parliament that Singapore backs the long‑standing international rule that bordering states may not impede or charge for transit passage through straits. He highlighted that the Strait of Malacca moves more oil and containers than the Strait of Hormuz, making free passage vital for global trade. Balakrishnan invoked Article 44 of UNCLOS and customary law, rejected any bilateral talks with Iran on tolls, and reaffirmed support for the International Maritime Organization’s position.
The U.S. Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Begins
On April 13, the United States launched a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, deploying more than 15 warships to enforce a cordon around Iranian ports and coastal waters. The operation, coordinated by U.S. Central Command, applies only to...
Estonian Solutions Support Cruise Industry’s Green Transition
Estonia is presenting a practical, state‑backed maritime transition ecosystem at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, featuring a $29.3 million retrofit fund, smart‑port digital tools, and a suite of local companies offering green technologies. The initiative focuses on retrofitting existing cruise ships with efficiency...
AI-Enabled ETA Management Could Be the Key to Solving Port Congestion
Port congestion is worsening as megaships and trade volumes outpace infrastructure, driving higher costs, emissions, and supply‑chain delays. AI‑driven predictive ETA management leverages real‑time weather, vessel performance and traffic data to forecast arrival times with greater accuracy. By aligning berth...
Singaporean Responders Put Out Container Fire on Evergreen Boxship
A fire erupted on the 9,500‑TEU container vessel Ever Lenient while docked at Singapore's PSA Pasir Panjang Terminal on Friday afternoon. The Singapore Civil Defence Force led a marine firefighting effort, supported by PSA Singapore and the Maritime and Port...
Launch Control
China is rapidly expanding its sea‑based launch capability, fielding the 160‑meter Tai Rui semi‑submersible barge that can fire Long March 11 rockets derived from the DF‑31 ICBM. State‑funded tracking vessels such as Yuanwang‑7, which can operate for over 100 days and monitor 1,200...
Sweden Busts Bulker for Washing Russian Coal Residue Into the Baltic
Swedish Coast Guard agents boarded the Panama‑flagged bulk carrier Hui Yuan near Ystad after suspecting the vessel had illegally washed Russian coal residue into the Baltic Sea. The ship, owned in Guangzhou, had loaded coal at the Utramar terminal near...
Ahead of Russian Gas Ban, Europe Buys Almost All Cargoes From Yamal LNG
Europe bought 97 percent of Yamal LNG cargoes in Q1 2026, receiving 69 of 71 shipments, amounting to 5.07 million tons and $3.33 billion in payments. The bloc’s dependence on Russian gas has surged, with over $230 billion spent on Russian oil and gas imports...
Separatists Attack Pakistan's Coast Guard, Killing Three
Separatist militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attacked a Pakistan Coast Guard patrol boat near the Iran maritime border, killing three guards. The group claimed the strike as a "new development" in its campaign, which has traditionally targeted land‑based...
Net Zero by 2050? This Decade's Fuel Choices Will Decide
Green‑hydrogen based synthetic fuels face a coordination deadlock that threatens the shipping sector’s net‑zero pathway. Shipping alone would need 100‑150 million tons of green hydrogen each year, requiring $2‑3 trillion in upfront capital, while hard‑to‑abate industries collectively demand 500‑600 million tons and $9 trillion...
Iran Crisis Puts China's UN Diplomacy to the Test
China and Russia vetoed a watered‑down UN Security Council resolution aimed at deterring further closures of the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing argued the draft lacked balance, fearing it could legitimize unauthorized military action and provide a pretext for regime‑change operations....
Buildout Continues of Emerging Category of CO2 Carriers for CCS
A new class of purpose‑built CO₂ carrier ships is scaling to meet the logistics demand of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Northern Lights, a partnership of Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, launched its first commercial vessel in 2025 and plans to...
HM Coastguard and RNLI Coordinate Medevac After Cargo Ship Fire
On 8 April, the Dutch‑owned cargo ship RDJ Waalstroom suffered an engine‑room fire in the English Channel, prompting a Mayday call. HM Coastguard dispatched a rescue helicopter that air‑lifted an injured crew member to a Portsmouth hospital, while the RNLI’s Salcombe lifeboat...
German Industrial Pump Specialist Lutz Holding Expands Into Italy
Lutz Holding GmbH announced the launch of its Italian subsidiary, Lutz‑Jesco Italia S.r.l., in Milan. The new office builds on an existing sales partnership with Italian pump maker ARGAL and will deliver the full Lutz product range for water, wastewater,...
International Association of Maritime Clusters Confirms Its First Members
The International Association of Maritime Clusters (IAMC) has welcomed 17 national and regional maritime clusters, expanding its global footprint. Membership is free for clusters, while companies can join for a modest annual fee. The association aims to serve as a...
Jamaica Calls Time on Paper-Based Maritime Practices in 2026
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica announced that paper‑based processes will be phased out by 2026, requiring operators to prove digital compliance, cyber resilience, and crew training. The shift aligns with International Maritime Organization directives and aims to make information instantly...
Op-Ed: UK Naval Shrinkage Taints London Defence Conference
The London Defence Conference aimed to position the UK as a geopolitical hub like Munich, but recent statements by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary have highlighted a shrinking defence posture. Although the government pledged to raise defence...
Global Cruise Outlook: New Challenges
The cruise industry kicked off 2026 with strong bookings, extending itineraries through 2027 and outperforming broader travel benchmarks. Analysts highlight a looming overcapacity issue, particularly in the Caribbean, as several ultra‑large vessels entered service in 2025. Despite capacity concerns, a...
Dong Fang Offshore Selects ScanReach ConnectPOB for Offshore Wind Fleet
ScanReach announced that Dong Fang Offshore has selected its ConnectPOB personnel‑on‑board safety platform for deployment across its commissioning service operation vessels and cable‑laying vessels supporting Taiwan’s offshore wind projects. The wireless, cabling‑free system provides real‑time visibility of technicians and crew...
RINA Strengthens Foreship Brand and Global Marine Consulting Offering
RINA has unified its marine consulting teams under the Foreship brand, unveiling a new visual identity. The combined workforce now exceeds 150 professionals, with more than 20 hires already made and plans to grow staff by up to 45% before...
Royal Navy Tracks Russian Warships for Ten Days in UK Waters
From 29 March to 7 April, the Royal Navy dispatched HMS Mersey, HMS Somerset and HMS St Albans to shadow a series of Russian warships transiting the English Channel and the North Sea. The British vessels tracked the Admiral Grigorovich frigate, the Aleksandr Shabalin tank landing...
After Ceasefire, Iranian Attacks Cut Saudi Oil Production
Saudi officials confirmed that a series of Iranian drone and missile attacks in the past 48 hours severely damaged key oil and gas infrastructure. The East‑West pipeline’s throughput fell by about 700,000 barrels per day, while the Manifa and Khurais...
Mining Giant Vale Orders World's First Ethanol-Powered Giant Bulkers
Vale has signed a 25‑year agreement with China’s Shandong Shipping to build two 325,000‑dwt Guaibamax‑class bulk carriers that will run primarily on ethanol. The vessels, 340 m long, are part of Vale’s multi‑fuel strategy and can also burn methanol, heavy fuel...
Bering Sea Trawler Boarded and Investigated in Pollock-Counting Dispute
The U.S. Coast Guard, together with NOAA Fisheries, boarded the Bering Sea trawler Northern Eagle after detecting a large gap between the vessel’s pollock production records and its electronic logbook. Inspectors found the ship’s reported catch weight understated by 1,223 tonnes...
Iran Publishes Redrawn Traffic Scheme for Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization issued a revised traffic separation scheme for the Strait of Hormuz, citing the risk of naval mines and ongoing war conditions. The new routing forces inbound vessels between Qeshm and Larak islands and outbound traffic...
Liberian Registry: Sanctions Compliance Checks Should Extend to Seafarers
The Liberian Registry, which commands roughly 17% of the global flag‑services market, is urging the maritime sector to extend sanctions compliance checks to seafarers, beginning with the credentialing process. It is embedding these checks into license applications and rolling out...
Piracy Falls to Lowest Levels in 35 Years During First Quarter of 2026
Global maritime piracy incidents fell to 16 in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest number recorded since 1991, according to the International Maritime Bureau. The decline follows a drop from 45 incidents a year earlier, though 14 ships were...
Russia's Shadow Fleet Thumbs Its Nose at the Royal Navy
The Russian Navy escorted two OFAC‑, EU‑, and UK‑sanctioned shadow‑fleet tankers, Enigma and Universal, through the English Channel under the protection of the frigate Admiral Grigorovich. A UK legal review confirmed that existing legislation would allow authorities to interdict such...
Iran Says Tankers Are Suspended at Hormuz Due to Israeli Attack on Lebanon
Iran’s state media said it suspended oil‑tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after Israel launched a large‑scale attack on Lebanon, while U.S. officials insisted the waterway remains open and traffic is rising. The announcement came amid a fragile cease‑fire...
Iran Secures Cessation of US Attacks – But the War Goes On
The US‑Iran ceasefire ended the first day of American and Israeli strikes on Iran, but Tehran continued targeting oil and infrastructure in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. A hit on Saudi Arabia’s East‑West pipeline highlighted Iran’s intent to...
First-Ever LNG Shore-to-Ship Bunkering Operation at Port Everglades
Sawgrass LNG & Power completed the first shore‑to‑ship LNG bunkering at Port Everglades on March 26, 2026, fueling the Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection vessel Ilma. The operation demonstrated coordinated safety oversight with the U.S. Coast Guard, Broward Sheriff’s Office and local partners. It...
EcoNavis to Validate and Demonstrate Improved Design for Wind Rotors
EcoNavis Solutions, backed by a £100,000 ($133,000) Scottish Enterprise grant, is moving its patented tail‑appendage design for Flettner rotors from simulation to physical testing. The aerodynamic appendage promises up to a 10% thrust increase while cutting torque demand by roughly...
Russia and China Veto UN Security Council Resolution on Hormuz Security
Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution aimed at endorsing defensive measures to secure the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks. The text had been softened from authorizing "all necessary means" to merely encouraging naval escorts, yet it...
Japan and South Korea Advance Autonomous Navigation
Japan’s Nippon Foundation and ClassNK have awarded a full autonomous navigation notation to the newly built containership Genbu, a 5,374‑dwt vessel operating on medium‑to‑long coastal routes. The ship, built by Kyokuyo Shipyard, marks the first autonomous certification for a container...
Freedom of Navigation May Not Return to the Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump hinted that the United States could begin charging tolls for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz once the Iran conflict ends, arguing that America’s victory justifies taking over Iran’s existing tolling system. The proposed fees could reach...
Ukraine to Prosecute Captain of Detained Cargo Ship for Trips to Crimea
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has moved to prosecute the captain of the cargo vessel Gladius, detained in Odesa last December, for multiple illegal voyages into Russian‑occupied Crimean ports. Evidence uncovered includes voyage plans, pilot cards and radio logs showing trips...
Container Vessel Reports Being Hit Off Iran
A fourth containership was struck about 25 nautical miles off Kish Island, near the northwestern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, marking a rapid escalation of attacks in the Persian Gulf. The vessel sustained damage above the waterline but the...
On-Demand Manufacturing: A New Direction for Marine & Energy Parts Sourcing
On‑demand manufacturing is reshaping maritime and energy parts supply chains by digitizing designs and leveraging a global network of verified manufacturers. This model allows OEMs to produce legacy and current components closer to the point of need, cutting lead times...
Podcast: Port Everglades CEO & Port Director Joseph Morris
Port Everglades CEO Joseph Morris highlighted record cruise traffic and robust cargo volumes, noting 4.77 million cruise guests last year and FY 2025 movement of over 130 million barrels of fuel and 1.17 million TEU. He announced a $3.8 billion, 20‑year capital program to upgrade...
Lone Russian Corvette Flies the St. Andrew’s Flag in the Med
The Russian Navy’s Mediterranean presence has contracted to a single surface vessel, the Steregushchiy‑class corvette RFS Stoykiy. The Project 636.6 Kilo‑class submarine RFS Krasnodar and its support tug Altay completed a three‑month patrol and exited the region via the Strait of Gibraltar on...
Report: Russia Faces Logistical Nightmare in Redirecting Yamal LNG to Asia
Russia’s Yamal LNG is set to redirect most shipments from Europe to Asia starting in 2027, after the EU bans Russian LNG imports. The existing fleet of 25 vessels can only complete 120‑130 voyages a year, roughly half of current...
Amidst War, Iran's Merchant Fleet Is Enjoying Boom Times
Iran’s state‑owned merchant fleet, led by the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, is experiencing a surge in activity since the war began on February 28. Daily traffic at Bandar Abbas now exceeds 20 vessels, while oil and LNG price spikes...
Iran Claims to Have Hit an MSC Container Ship in the Mideast
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a drone strike on the MSC Ishyka container vessel, claiming it caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. AIS data, however, places the ship at a berth in Manama, Bahrain, and shows intermittent signal...
Sweden Charges Two in Oil Pollution Case as Shadow Tanker Is Investigated
Swedish prosecutors have charged two crewmembers aboard a shadow‑fleet tanker suspected of causing an eight‑mile oil slick in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone. The vessel, operating under a disputed Sierra Leone flag and linked to Russian energy sanctions, was detained after...
Houthis Release Russian Seafarer in Apparent UN-Brokered Deal
A Russian seafarer, Aleksei Galaktionov, was released from Houthi custody on April 2 via a United Nations‑organized flight, marking the last Russian detainee held after the July 2025 attack on the bulk carrier Eternity C. The UN‑brokered exchange also returned several sick and...
APM Terminals Becomes Minority Shareholder & Operating Partner in Hai Phong
APM Terminals has taken a 49% minority stake and become the operating partner of the Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal (HHIT) after three years of joint development. HHIT, the largest deep‑water port in North Vietnam, can accommodate vessels up...
Human Remains Reportedly Found on Thai Bulker Attacked by Iranians
Precious Shipping announced that human remains were found aboard the Thai‑flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, which was struck by a missile near the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. The vessel, a 30,193‑dwt bulker, suffered a fire in its engine room...
Wah Kwong & Bureau Veritas 1st SMART “Augmented Ship” In Newbuild Series
Wah Kwong Maritime Transport and Bureau Veritas have delivered the LR2 tanker Frontier Venture, the first vessel in Wah Kwong’s new SMART‑enabled series and the inaugural Group 3 “augmented ship” with BV‑assigned SMART notations (H1, M1, EnE3, MH3). Built at Hengli...
Saudi Global Ports Begins Operations at Jubail Container Terminal (JCT)
Saudi Global Ports Group (SGP) has commenced operations at the Jubail Container Terminal (JCT) within Jubail Commercial Port under a 30‑year concession with the Saudi Ports Authority. The agreement includes a SAR 2 billion (≈ $534 million) investment to upgrade infrastructure and install advanced...
Iran Can Stop Shipping With Mines, From the Gulf to the Red Sea
Iran retains a stock of roughly 5,000‑6,000 sea mines capable of threatening both military and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf. The mines, ranging from ground‑influence to floating types, can be laid from civilian boats,...
