Maritime news & intelligence
Independent maritime reporting across shipping markets, ports, regulation, technology, environment and seafarers.
US Hormuz Oil-Flow Claims Exceed Levels Shown by Commercial Tracking
US officials say military-assisted operations moved more than 15 million barrels through the Strait of Hormuz in one day, but commercial vessel-tracking services continue to report sharply reduced traffic and say the claimed volumes cannot yet be independently verified.
24 Aug 2026
Ukraine Proposes Halt to Black Sea Civilian Target Attacks
Ukraine has conveyed an offer to Russia through a third party to suspend attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea, according to a source familiar with the matter. The proposal follows escalating strikes on vessels and ports that have disrupted grain shipments.
24 Aug 2026
Venezuela’s Ageing Oil Terminals Leave Tankers Waiting Up to 30 Days
Infrastructure failures, power outages and crude quality problems at Venezuela’s oil terminals are delaying tanker loadings and limiting exports despite higher production. Congestion is particularly acute near the Jose port, which handles about 70% of the country’s oil exports.
24 Aug 2026
Armed Men Hijack Sanctioned Tanker Sibu 1 in Gulf of Aden
Six armed men have seized control of the US-sanctioned product tanker Sibu 1 in the Gulf of Aden and redirected it toward Somalia, according to UKMTO. The incident is the second reported hijacking in the region within days.
24 Aug 2026
Venezuelan Port Constraints Leave Oil Tankers Waiting Up to 30 Days
Aging terminals, power outages and crude-quality problems are restricting Venezuela’s oil exports despite rising production and strong demand. Tankers face waits of up to 30 days, while limited berth and storage capacity is increasing demurrage, contamination risks and competition for infrastructure.
23 Aug 2026
ATSB Cites Planning and Risk Control Failures in Sea Pelican Grounding
An ATSB investigation found that inadequate preparation, limited knowledge of an encroaching sandbank and insufficient risk controls contributed to the grounding of the tug Sea Pelican in Port Adelaide. The operator has since strengthened its safety management procedures.
23 Aug 2026
Panama Canal to Reduce Daily Transit Slots as El Niño Threatens Water Levels
The Panama Canal Authority will reduce daily transits to 34 vessels from September 4 and 32 from September 15, citing below-average rainfall and the expected severity of the 2026-2027 El Niño event.
23 Aug 2026
Armed Group Reportedly Hijacks Tanker in Gulf of Aden
Six armed individuals reportedly boarded an Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker east of Al Mukalla after it issued a distress call. The vessel is believed to be heading towards Somalia, while the crew’s status remains unknown.
23 Aug 2026
Ukraine Reports 52 Civilian Ships Attacked in Black Sea Over Six Weeks
Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry says 52 civilian vessels were attacked in the Black Sea during July and the first half of August 2026. Kyiv has appealed to the IMO, warning of risks to seafarers, freedom of navigation, maritime exports and global food supplies.
23 Aug 2026
Middle East Shipping Markets Price in Prolonged Hormuz Disruption
Maritime markets are preparing for extended disruption as conflict, vessel attacks and limited tracking data reshape Middle East trade. Tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz have declined, while owners pursue differing strategies on routes, transfers and regional deployment.
22 Aug 2026
US Extends Jones Act Waiver with New Vessel Availability Test
The US has extended an emergency Jones Act waiver through November 15, 2026, while introducing a voyage-by-voyage review intended to give coastwise-qualified vessels an opportunity to carry eligible domestic cargo before foreign tonnage is authorized.
22 Aug 2026
Panama Canal to Reduce Daily Transit Slots as Rainfall Disappoints
The Panama Canal will reduce Neopanamax and Panamax transit capacity in September as weaker-than-expected rainfall pressures freshwater supplies. The authority is also restructuring auction allocations and has postponed planned Neopanamax draft reductions.
22 Aug 2026
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Traffic Slows Amid Reopening Uncertainty
Commodity vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz declined as shipowners remained cautious over the waterway’s status. Kpler recorded six crossings on Tuesday, while traffic through Bab el-Mandeb increased despite a declared blockade.
22 Aug 2026
Panama Canal Congestion Mounts as Draught Restrictions Approach
Around 112 vessels were reportedly waiting to enter the Panama Canal as increased energy shipping and approaching low-water restrictions intensified concerns over delays, schedule reliability and equipment availability.
22 Aug 2026
Commodity Ship Traffic Slows Through Strait of Hormuz
Seven commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, half the previous day’s total, according to Kpler data. No very large crude carriers or LNG tankers were recorded, while traffic also eased at the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
22 Aug 2026
Panama Canal to Cut Daily Transit Capacity to 32 Vessels
The Panama Canal will reduce daily booking capacity to 32 vessels from September 15 as weak rainfall and watershed inflows intensify water-management pressures. The restrictions are expected to tighten effective vessel supply and could support freight rates on affected trades.
21 Aug 2026
US Forces Disable Panama-Flagged Cargo Ship Over Alleged Iran Blockade Breach
A US Navy helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the Panama-flagged Vela Nova after the cargo ship allegedly ignored orders to stop in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was disabled, while all 17 crew members were reportedly accounted for.
21 Aug 2026IMO condemns fatal attack on tanker Settebello near Strait of Hormuz
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off Oman, which reportedly caused an onboard fire and killed three seafarers. The IMO has called for a full and transparent investigation.
21 Aug 2026
Trump directive opens path for foreign-built US Navy vessels
A US presidential memorandum orders a broad overhaul of Navy shipbuilding, allowing qualifying foreign yards to build initial vessels overseas while establishing US facilities, transferring technology and developing domestic supply chains.
21 Aug 2026
IMO condemns deadly attack on cargo ship TIHAMAH off Yemen
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the attack on the cargo ship TIHAMAH off Al Mokha, Yemen, which resulted in several confirmed seafarer deaths. He urged operators to assess transit risks and follow appropriate best management practices.
21 Aug 2026
US Extends Limited Jones Act Waiver Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruption
President Donald Trump has extended a Jones Act waiver for 90 days, allowing foreign-flagged vessels to move specified energy and agricultural cargoes between US ports as disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz pressures fuel supplies.
21 Aug 2026
European CSOV Market Stays Tight as Project and Newbuild Delays Lift Rates
European C/SOV availability remains constrained, with spot fixtures exceeding €60,000 per day as offshore wind construction delays extend vessel requirements. A record delivery programme will add supply through 2027, while weaker prospects in parts of Asia could redirect tonnage to Europe or alternative work.
21 Aug 2026
Covert Hormuz Oil Shuttle Trade Helps Contain Global Crude Prices
Middle Eastern producers are moving more than an estimated 4 million barrels per day through covert shuttle operations in the Strait of Hormuz, supporting global supply and helping keep Brent prices below levels feared at the start of the Iran conflict.
21 Aug 2026
Strait of Hormuz Ship Traffic Falls to Near Standstill After New Attacks
Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz declined sharply after two ADNOC vessels were attacked and Iran continued targeting ships it says are transiting without permission. Ship-tracking data showed no visible crude oil shipments on Friday, while the United States said it could sustain its naval blockade of Iran.
21 Aug 2026