Maritime news & intelligence
Independent maritime reporting across shipping markets, ports, regulation, technology, environment and seafarers.
Tanker Hull Damaged in Ice on Russia’s Northern Sea Route
An unnamed tanker sustained hull deformation while sailing through Arctic ice with icebreaker assistance, resulting in a 53 million-ruble insurance payout. The incident comes as Russia increases crude oil shipments to Asia via the Northern Sea Route.
21 Aug 2026
Armed Group Boards Tanker off Yemen and Diverts Vessel Towards Somalia
Six armed people boarded and took control of a tanker in the Gulf of Aden before diverting it towards Somalia, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations. The condition of the crew and vessel remains unknown.
20 Aug 2026Caribbean Seminar Builds Seafarer Training Capacity for Alternative Fuels
Maritime educators, policymakers and industry stakeholders met in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen regional training for the safe operation of ships using ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and new technologies.
20 Aug 2026
PV GAS Explores Five-Year LNG Supply Tender for Thi Vai Terminal
Vietnam’s state-controlled Petrovietnam Gas is assessing supplier interest in a potential five-year LNG contract covering 250,000 to 450,000 metric tons, with deliveries to the Thi Vai Terminal beginning in January 2027 or later.
20 Aug 2026
Ukraine Proposes Black Sea Truce as Port Attacks Disrupt Grain Exports
Ukraine has offered Russia a mutual halt to attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea through a third party, according to a source familiar with the matter. The reported initiative follows mounting strikes on vessels and ports that have disrupted grain shipments and raised concerns over global food supplies.
20 Aug 2026
CENTCOM Says US Forces Disabled Vela Nova in Gulf of Oman
US Central Command said American forces disabled the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Vela Nova after it attempted to sail towards an Iranian port in violation of a US blockade.
20 Aug 2026
Strong Container Demand and Port Congestion Lift Maersk’s 2026 Outlook
Maersk raised its full-year earnings guidance for the second time in 2026 after resilient container demand, higher freight rates and port congestion helped second-quarter EBITDA reach $3.0 billion.
20 Aug 2026
UK Chamber report maps safety risks across five alternative marine fuel pathways
The UK Chamber of Shipping has assessed preliminary safety risks associated with biofuels, methanol, hydrogen, ammonia and battery energy storage systems, highlighting the need for operational readiness, robust safety protocols and clearer regulation alongside shipping’s energy transition.
20 Aug 2026
PSC pressure eases in August, but bulk carriers remain under scrutiny
The RiSK4SEA PSC Stress Index Outlook for August 2026 shows improving enforcement conditions for tankers, container ships and general cargo vessels. Bulk carriers remain at PSI-6, with technical, safety management and fire protection deficiencies requiring attention.
19 Aug 2026DP World First-Half Profit Falls 9.7% as Trade Outlook Remains Uncertain
DP World reported a 9.7% year-on-year decline in first-half profit attributable to owners, despite an almost 14% increase in revenue, while warning that macroeconomic and geopolitical factors were clouding the near-term trade outlook.
18 Aug 2026
Atlantic strength offsets weaker Capesize market in Baltic weekly review
Dry bulk performance diverged in the week of 18-22 August, as the Capesize market weakened while Atlantic demand supported Panamax, Ultramax/Supramax and Handysize rates, according to the Baltic Exchange.
18 Aug 2026
Windward Records 18 Strait of Hormuz Transits After U.S.-Iran MoU
Windward recorded 18 vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz during June 17-18, the highest single-window total of the conflict, after the signing of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. The maritime intelligence company described the movement as cautious momentum rather than full normalization.
18 Aug 2026
Nautical Institute Singapore Conference to Focus on Seaworthiness and Seafarers
The Nautical Institute Singapore Conference 2026 will take place on 20 August at Furama City Centre Singapore, addressing vessel seaworthiness, operational safety, maritime careers, workforce sustainability and seafarer wellbeing.
18 Aug 2026
Strong Container Demand and Freight Rates Prompt Maersk to Raise 2026 Outlook
Maersk has increased its full-year earnings guidance for the second time in 2026 after resilient container demand, strong Chinese exports and port congestion lifted freight rates and second-quarter profitability.
18 Aug 2026
IMO Adopts First Global Safety Code for Autonomous Ships
The IMO has adopted a non-mandatory safety framework for AI-enabled, remotely operated and autonomous cargo ships. The MASS Code will take effect on 1 July 2026, ahead of planned work on binding requirements under SOLAS.
18 Aug 2026US Coast Guard Coordinates Rescue of 22 from Vehicle Carrier Min Jiang Kou
All 22 mariners were reported safe after abandoning the Marshall Islands-flagged vehicle carrier Min Jiang Kou following an engine room fire about 630 miles south of Costa Rica.
18 Aug 2026
Middle East-China VLCC Earnings Approach $510,000 a Day
Assessed VLCC earnings on the Middle East-to-China crude route have risen to nearly $510,000 a day, their highest level since late June, as Persian Gulf exporters seek additional tonnage amid continuing uncertainty over Strait of Hormuz transits.
18 Aug 2026
Maersk signals shift beyond longstanding containership fleet ceiling
Maersk has indicated that it intends to secure capacity for further growth after its operated fleet moved above the carrier’s previous 4m-4.4m teu range. Analysts expect a mix of newbuildings, chartered tonnage and fleet renewal, while warning of broader overcapacity risks.
18 Aug 2026TowWorks Introduces AI-Enabled Invoice Processing for Marine Operators
TowWorks has launched Invoice Intelligence, a machine-learning solution that reads vendor invoices, extracts key information and links costs to relevant voyage and operational records.
18 Aug 2026IMO condemns attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea and Sea of Azov
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has condemned a recent series of attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, calling on parties to geopolitical conflicts to protect seafarers, respect international law and safeguard freedom of navigation.
18 Aug 2026
IMO Council Calls for Unimpeded Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
The IMO Council has reaffirmed freedom of navigation and transit passage through international straits, while condemning attacks on civilian commercial ships around the Strait of Hormuz and urging regional de-escalation.
18 Aug 2026
EMSA deploys oil spill response assets in Bulgaria’s BREEZE 2026 exercise
EMSA mobilised the stand-by recovery vessel Amalthia and a Current Buster 4 containment system during the annual BREEZE 2026 operational exercise near Burgas, Bulgaria.
18 Aug 2026Record Low River Levels Disrupt European Cargo Transport
Record low water levels across major European rivers are restricting goods transport, reducing electricity generation and weighing on corporate earnings, raising concerns over the wider economic effects of extreme heat and irregular rainfall.
18 Aug 2026Strait of Hormuz Shipping Slows Sharply Following Tanker Attacks
Commodity vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply over the weekend after attacks on tankers, while efforts to resolve the conflict between the United States and Iran remained stalled, according to ship-tracking data and regional reports.
18 Aug 2026