Reporting & analysis
Hormuz shipping risks rise as US-Iran strikes resume
Merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz faces renewed threats from military action, reported mine incidents and attacks on tankers, while maritime authorities continue to warn of dangers near established transit routes.
reported · 01 Sep 2026IAPH and IHMA launch Port Call Optimization Guide at IMO
The new guide promotes harmonized electronic exchange of nautical and operational data to support safer, more predictable and sustainable port calls. Its data sets have been tested in port-to-port trials.
reported · 31 Aug 2026European CSOV Rates Stay Elevated as Project and Newbuild Delays Tighten Supply
European CSOV availability remained tight through the summer, with several spot fixtures exceeding €60,000 per day. Delayed offshore wind projects and postponed vessel deliveries supported demand, although record fleet growth and weaker activity in Asia-Pacific could reshape the market.
reported · 31 Aug 2026MacGregor Advances Offshore Gangway and LCO2 Transfer Systems
MacGregor has secured DNV certification for floating-to-floating personnel transfers using its Horizon gangway and is progressing qualification of a bow transfer system for direct offshore LCO2 delivery.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Port congestion temporarily shields container shipping from capacity shock
Port delays are keeping 2.3m teu of containership capacity out of service, cushioning the market as newbuildings and a gradual return to Suez threaten to release substantial vessel supply.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Hormuz vessel traffic falls as tanker attacks heighten security concerns
Visible commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to five per day over the weekend as operators responded cautiously to continued attacks. The IMO renewed calls for unhindered navigation, saying up to 400 ships and around 6,000 seafarers have been unable to leave the Persian Gulf safely.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Panama Canal Eases Neopanamax Booking Rules as Water Constraints Tighten Capacity
The Panama Canal Authority will temporarily allow customers to hold multiple Neopanamax reservations for the same booking date and secure slots on consecutive dates, offering greater flexibility as reduced rainfall and strong vessel demand put pressure on transit capacity.
reported · 31 Aug 2026US-Iran Strikes Renew Security Concerns Around Strait of Hormuz
The US and Iran exchanged attacks for the first time in about a month, renewing concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushing Brent crude above $90 a barrel.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Congestion Deepens at Shanghai, Ningbo and Singapore Container Hubs
Schedule reliability weakened across Asia’s 14 busiest container ports in July as typhoons added pressure to stretched terminal operations. Shanghai’s reliability fell to 21%, while global delays absorbed an estimated 6.6% of containership capacity.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Kpler: Oil shipping adapts as Hormuz restrictions persist after MoU expiry
Oil markets are adjusting to restricted and increasingly opaque shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after the 60-day US-Iran Islamabad MoU expired without an agreement or extension, according to Kpler.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Iran Sets Conditions for Restoring Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Iran is preparing conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including an end to the regional war, sanctions relief and compensation. Tehran and Oman are also discussing a designated shipping corridor spanning their respective waters.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Panama Canal Restrictions Raise Container Capacity Concerns
CMA CGM has delayed the introduction of a $150 per TEU low-water surcharge as tighter Panama Canal draught limits and fewer daily transits threaten to reduce effective container shipping capacity.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Hormuz vessel transits fall as tanker attacks heighten security concerns
Visible commodity vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to five ships per day over the weekend amid continued attacks, while the IMO renewed calls for unhindered navigation and warned that around 6,000 seafarers remain unable to leave the Persian Gulf safely.
reported · 31 Aug 2026MSC Suspends Novorossiysk Cargo Bookings After Drone Attack
MSC has halted new cargo bookings to and from Novorossiysk after the container ship MSC ULSAN III was attacked by a drone while heading toward the Russian Black Sea port. The carrier said services could resume when security conditions permit.
reported · 31 Aug 2026Tanker Struck in Strait of Hormuz as Navigation Risks Persist
The tanker AL SALAM II was hit by an unknown projectile near Khasab, Oman, while sailing eastbound through the Strait of Hormuz. Its crew extinguished a resulting fire and no injuries or environmental impact were reported, as mine-clearance work and regional talks on safer navigation continue.
reported · 30 Aug 2026VLCC Buying Drives 53% Surge in Tanker S&P Activity
Global tanker sale and purchase transactions rose 53% year on year to 365 vessels between January and July 2026, according to Xclusiv Shipbrokers. VLCC and ULCC deals led the market, while demand remained strong for both modern ships and older tonnage.
reported · 30 Aug 2026Tanker Catches Fire After Projectile Strike Off Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu
A tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, causing a fire on its main deck, according to UKMTO. All crew members were reported safe, with no environmental impact identified.
reported · 30 Aug 2026Arc7 LNG Carrier Alexey Kosygin Lingers Off China Amid Repair Speculation
The recently delivered Russian Arc7 LNG carrier Alexey Kosygin has remained off China’s eastern coast after carrying an Arctic LNG 2 cargo through the Northern Sea Route, prompting unconfirmed speculation that the vessel may require attention at a Chinese repair yard.
reported · 30 Aug 2026Four Owners Order VINGA Product Tankers for 2028-2029 Delivery
FureBear, O.H. Meling and Älvtank have ordered four 17,999-dwt VINGA product tankers from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. The Swedish-flagged vessels will join the Gothia Tanker Alliance following delivery in 2028 and 2029.
reported · 30 Aug 2026Panama Canal Congestion Pushes LPG Tankers to Alternative Routes
Delays and cargo restrictions at the Panama Canal are prompting LPG tanker operators to consider ship-to-ship transfers and longer voyages around South America as they seek to maintain flows between the US Gulf Coast and Asia.
reported · 30 Aug 2026La Spezia Container Terminal orders €90m crane package for Ravano expansion
La Spezia Container Terminal has signed €90m in equipment contracts for four ship-to-shore cranes and 18 yard cranes as part of a wider €350m modernisation programme centred on the new Ravano terminal.
reported · 29 Aug 2026Gulf States Accelerate Port and Pipeline Investment Amid Hormuz Disruption
Gulf governments are directing capital towards ports, pipelines and alternative transport corridors as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz exposes the region’s dependence on the strategic waterway.
reported · 29 Aug 2026Russian Strikes Target Ukrainian Ports and Logistics Infrastructure
Ukrainian officials said a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack targeted ports, grain storage, distribution centres, energy facilities and industrial sites across the country, including three ports in the Odesa region.
reported · 29 Aug 2026SFL commits $363m to four LNG dual-fuel car carriers
SFL has ordered four 7,000 ceu LNG dual-fuel car carriers for delivery in 2029. Two vessels have secured five-year charters to an Asia-based vehicle manufacturer, while the remaining pair are still open.
reported · 29 Aug 2026Iran Blacklists 45 Tankers Over Strait of Hormuz Transit Rules
Iran has placed 45 tankers on a non-compliance list for allegedly breaching its rules governing Strait of Hormuz transits, warning that the vessels could face fines, detention and cargo confiscation. Ships conducting transfers with the listed tankers may also be blacklisted.
reported · 29 Aug 2026Strait of Hormuz commodity vessel traffic remains below 10-day average
Preliminary Kpler tracking data showed five commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of 15. Bab el-Mandeb cargo traffic remained broadly stable and close to its recent average.
reported · 28 Aug 2026Strait of Hormuz Shipping Traffic Edges Higher but Remains Below Recent Average
Visible commodity vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz increased to 10 on Wednesday from eight a day earlier, according to Kpler data, but remained below the 10-day moving average of about 15 vessels.
reported · 28 Aug 2026Jones Act Waiver Opens US Coastal Trade Opportunities for International Tankers
A temporary Jones Act waiver is altering US coastal tanker flows by allowing foreign-flagged vessels to carry domestic cargoes when qualified US tonnage is unavailable, according to Intermodal. Product tankers are expected to benefit most, while longer West Coast voyages could generate additional ton-mile demand.
reported · 28 Aug 2026Container rates rise as carriers tighten transpacific capacity
Drewry’s World Container Index increased for a second consecutive week as capacity cuts lifted transpacific rates, offsetting declines on Asia-Europe routes. Xeneta said prolonged Middle East disruption is also feeding into long-term freight contracts.
reported · 28 Aug 2026Drewry Warns Cost Optimisation Is Deepening Container Port Congestion
Container shipping’s focus on cost efficiency has reduced the spare terminal capacity needed to absorb disruption, Drewry says. Global vessel waiting times have nearly doubled since 2019, while more than 4.3m teu of containership capacity is currently waiting to berth worldwide.
reported · 27 Aug 2026Ningbo Marine Plans Five-Vessel Bulker Expansion
Ningbo Marine has approved plans for five bulk carrier newbuildings in China, potentially adding 342,000 dwt to its fleet renewal programme. Together with four ultramaxes already lined up, the company’s prospective dry bulk orderbook could reach nine vessels and 598,000 dwt.
reported · 27 Aug 2026Iran and Oman Discuss Temporary Shipping Corridor Through Strait of Hormuz
Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and have agreed to clear mines from the proposed route, as prolonged blockades and attacks continue to restrict shipping through the strategic waterway.
reported · 27 Aug 2026Search Continues for 22 Seafarers After Ocean Winner Sinks in Bay of Bengal
The Indian Coast Guard and merchant vessels are searching for 22 missing crew members from the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Ocean Winner. Two seafarers were rescued from life rafts after the ship sank southeast of Paradip.
reported · 27 Aug 2026Singapore completes first CNSL co-processed bio-bunkering trial
Vitol Bunkers and Olam Agri have completed Singapore’s first bunkering trial using VLSFO co-processed with cashew nutshell liquid. The fuel was supplied to MV Scion Mathilda and consumed during a voyage without reported operational issues or additional onboard treatment.
reported · 27 Aug 2026OFAC Updates Sanctions Guidance on Iranian Demands in Strait of Hormuz
OFAC has issued additional guidance warning maritime stakeholders about sanctions risks linked to Iranian demands for tolls, information, insurance or other services associated with safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
reported · 27 Aug 2026Paratus CEO Says Middle East Shipping Risk Has Been Permanently Repriced
Paratus founder and CEO Gus Majed says the Hormuz crisis has permanently changed shipping’s assessment of Middle East risk, affecting war-risk premiums, charter clauses, crew terms and investment in alternative export routes.
reported · 27 Aug 2026Container Shipping Schedule Reliability Falls to 17-Month Low
Global container shipping schedule reliability fell to 56.4% in July 2026, its lowest level since February 2025, according to Sea-Intelligence. Late vessel arrivals averaged 6.06 days behind schedule, while none of the 13 leading carriers tracked achieved a month-on-month improvement.
reported · 27 Aug 2026Freight Buyers Face Higher Complexity if IMO Net-Zero Vote Fails
Baxter Freight’s Tom Isler argues that freight buyers, rather than only shipowners, have a direct stake in the IMO Net-Zero Framework vote, as failure could accelerate a patchwork of regional carbon schemes and less transparent surcharges.
reported · 26 Aug 2026IMO expands Port State Control data exchange with Black Sea and Caribbean agreements
IMO has signed updated data-exchange agreements with the Black Sea and Caribbean Port State Control regimes, advancing plans for a global database designed to improve inspection-data sharing, transparency and risk-based planning.
reported · 26 Aug 2026Commodity Vessel Transits Through Strait of Hormuz Fall to Three-Month Low
Only two tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, marking the lowest daily commodity-vessel count since early May, according to shipping data. The tally was well below the 10-day average of 14 transits.
reported · 26 Aug 2026Russian Urals Crude Freight Rates Surge on Security Risks and Tight Vessel Supply
Tanker freight costs for Russian Urals crude shipments to India rose sharply in August as security concerns, route disruptions and strong vessel demand tightened tonnage availability.
reported · 26 Aug 2026Vancouver port upgrades halve inbound truck transit times
Road and rail improvements at the Fraser Surrey Port Lands have reduced average inbound container truck transit times from more than 30 minutes to around 14 minutes, according to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
reported · 25 Aug 2026Bahri Vessel Involved in Red Sea Incident Off Yanbu
Bahri said its vessel Amzan was involved in a maritime incident in the Red Sea, with all crew reported safe. The statement followed a Houthi claim of an attack and a UKMTO report that a tanker had been struck west of Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port.
reported · 25 Aug 2026Windward: False-Flagged Vessel Fleet Expands Amid Iran and Russia Sanctions
The IMO database lists 580 vessels carrying fraudulent flags, according to Windward, while false-flag activity remains closely linked to sanctioned tanker trades involving Iran and Russia.
reported · 25 Aug 2026One Seafarer Missing After Drone Attack on RMS Team in Black Sea
Eleven crew members were rescued and one remained missing after the container ship RMS Team was attacked by a drone while sailing to Novorossiysk on August 21. Fires affected the accommodation, engine room and containers on deck.
reported · 25 Aug 2026Crowley Launches Weekly Houston-Central America Container Service
Crowley is introducing a weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla in Guatemala and Puerto Cortés in Honduras. The Gulf-Central America Express Service will handle dry and refrigerated cargo, including fresh produce, apparel and industrial goods.
reported · 25 Aug 2026UGS calls for realistic global framework on shipping decarbonisation
Union of Greek Shipowners President Melina Travlos has urged IMO Member States to pursue a practical and globally supported approach to maritime decarbonisation, highlighting fuel availability, affordability and vessel energy efficiency ahead of ISWG-GHG 22 and MEPC 85.
reported · 25 Aug 2026IMO urges action as piracy resurges in Gulf of Aden
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called for the immediate and unconditional release of more than 90 seafarers held captive, warning that piracy and armed robbery are making the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters increasingly dangerous.
reported · 25 Aug 2026Vessel-tracking data challenges US estimate of Middle East oil exports
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says oil flows from the Middle East have recovered to about 15 million barrels per day, including almost 9 million bpd through the Strait of Hormuz. However, figures from Kpler and LSEG Oil Research indicate substantially lower export volumes.
reported · 25 Aug 2026Iran Lists 46 Ships as Non-Compliant with Strait of Hormuz Transit Arrangements
Iran has identified 46 vessels that it says breached its Strait of Hormuz transit arrangements, warning of possible fines, detention, seizure or confiscation during future passages. Shipowners and charterers were advised to screen vessels before fixing Gulf voyages.