Maritime news & intelligence
Independent maritime reporting across shipping markets, ports, regulation, technology, environment and seafarers.
Bahrain-Led Group Calls for Strait of Hormuz Reopening Without Tolls
A Bahrain-led group supported by 80 countries has urged the immediate and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling for safe commercial transit without tolls, conditions or other charges amid continued security incidents affecting regional shipping.
27 Sep 2026
Gulf of Oman STS Capacity Tightens as Saudi Crude Exports Shift to Hormuz
Ship-to-ship crude transfer operations off Sohar are facing mounting congestion as Saudi Arabia redirects exports through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing tanker demand, voyage times and freight costs.
27 Sep 2026
Taiwan Expands Coast Guard Patrol Capacity Around Pratas Islands
Taiwan has increased coast guard patrol and enforcement capacity around the Pratas Islands, stationing a new 100-tonne-class vessel at the remote South China Sea outpost and regularly deploying larger patrol ships.
25 Sep 2026
Copper Import Surge Creates New Orleans Terminal Congestion
A rush of copper shipments into the United States ahead of a possible expansion of import tariffs is straining capacity at marine terminals around New Orleans, with further arrivals expected through October.
24 Sep 2026IMO CCC 12 finalizes revised methanol fuel safety guidelines
IMO’s CCC 12 sub-committee finalized revised interim safety guidelines for ships using methyl and ethyl alcohol fuels, while advancing work on low-flashpoint fuels, onboard carbon capture and cargo safety provisions.
24 Sep 2026
Navios linked to four 10,100 teu containership newbuilds at HJSC
Navios Maritime Partners has been identified by market sources as the likely buyer behind a KRW679bn contract for four containerships at South Korea’s HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, although the shipbuilder has not named the owner.
24 Sep 2026
Yangzijiang Maritime confirms 24 newbuildings and 16 options
Yangzijiang Maritime Development has confirmed orders for 24 vessels across five segments, with delivery slots running from 2028 to 2030. The Singapore-listed group also holds options for a further 16 ships.
22 Sep 2026
Trump signs sanctions bill allowing tariffs on Russian trading partners
US President Donald Trump has signed a sanctions bill into law that could permit tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil, including China.
22 Sep 2026Maersk expands Gulf landbridge options amid Middle East disruption
Maersk has updated cargo booking restrictions, alternative landbridge routings, emergency freight charges and empty-container return arrangements as disruption continues across the Middle East.
21 Sep 2026
Iran Claims Strike on Togo-Flagged Tanker in Hormuz as Italy Plans Red Sea Escorts
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck the product tanker Trend in the Strait of Hormuz, while Italy is preparing a framework to escort nationally linked merchant ships through Bab el-Mandeb.
21 Sep 2026
US approves $2.52bn loan for Mobile port access road project
A $2.52bn federal loan has been approved for Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, which is intended to improve freight access to the Port of Mobile and relieve congestion on a key interstate corridor.
21 Sep 2026
Unreported Foreign Tanker Voyages Raise Questions Over Jones Act Waiver Data
Foreign-flagged tankers carried petroleum products between U.S. ports under a Jones Act waiver without appearing in MARAD’s public reports, according to a Bloomberg Government analysis.
21 Sep 2026
LNG Tanker Vivit Africa Reports Systems Failure, Suspected Cyber Attack
The LNG tanker Vivit Africa LNG experienced a systems failure while approaching Italy, with crew reporting a suspected cyber attack. Investigations are ongoing and no perpetrator has been identified.
21 Sep 2026
Strait of Hormuz Commodity Vessel Traffic Falls to Three Transits
Commodity vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz fell to three on Wednesday from 12 a day earlier, according to preliminary ship-tracking data, as conflict in the Gulf intensified.
18 Sep 2026Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd shift four Gemini services to trans-Suez routing
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will reroute the AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 Gemini services through the Suez Canal rather than around the Cape of Good Hope, subject to continued security stability in the Red Sea region.
17 Sep 2026
WSC: More Than 9,600 Cargo Units Found With Safety Deficiencies in 2025 Inspections
World Shipping Council data shows that 9,645 of 93,079 cargo transport units inspected by authorities in seven countries in 2025 had safety deficiencies, producing a 10.36% deficiency rate.
17 Sep 2026
Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Pipeline After Drone Attack Amid Red Sea Escalation
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut its East-West oil pipeline after an aerial attack, removing a key alternative export route while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely disrupted by war.
15 Sep 2026
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd expand Suez Canal return on four Gemini services
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will shift four further Gemini Cooperation services to the Suez Canal route, adding to services already transiting the waterway. The carriers said the deployment remains conditional on security stability in the Red Sea.
15 Sep 2026Fire aboard Ocean Melody kills 25 at Qingdao shipyard
Twenty-five people died after a fire broke out aboard the Liberia-flagged dry bulk carrier Ocean Melody during repair and inspection work at Qingdao Beihai shipyard. Twelve people were safely evacuated and five were injured and hospitalised.
14 Sep 2026Maersk revises Gulf cargo routes and booking restrictions amid Middle East disruption
Maersk has updated its Middle East contingency measures, including cargo-specific booking suspensions, revised Gulf landbridge routes and emergency freight charges. Some Khor Fakkan shipments will be discharged at Fujairah and moved by bonded transport to Jebel Ali.
14 Sep 2026
US-Iran attacks hit tankers as Strait of Hormuz oil flows fall
Iran said it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the United States sank five Iranian oil tankers, marking the largest declared exchange against shipping since the war began. At least one seafarer was killed, while renewed disruption sent Brent crude above $100 a barrel.
11 Sep 2026
Iran and US Escalate Tanker Attacks Around Strait of Hormuz
Iran said it targeted 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after US forces sank five Iranian oil tankers, marking the largest declared exchange of attacks on shipping during the six-month conflict. The escalation pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel.
09 Sep 2026
Hapag-Lloyd revises $4.2bn ZIM offer amid Israeli security concerns
Hapag-Lloyd is working with Israeli authorities to revise its proposed $4.2 billion cash acquisition of ZIM, seeking to address national security concerns through stronger local control, ownership restrictions and protected shipping links.
09 Sep 2026
Suez Canal Revenue Jumps 42% as Hormuz Disruption Redirects Shipping
Suez Canal revenue reached $505 million in July 2026, its highest monthly level since December 2023, as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and security threats near Bab El-Mandeb redirected more vessels through the Egyptian waterway.
09 Sep 2026