US Forces Board Shadow Tanker in Indian Ocean as Iran Blockade Efforts Grow

USS Zumwalt on her initial sea trials (USN file image)

Report: Three Injured in Fire Aboard USS Zumwalt

Published Apr 22, 2026 7:37 PM by The Maritime Executive

A fire aboard the first-in-class destroyer USS Zumwalt has injured three sailors, according to the U.S. Navy. Zumwalt is currently at shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi to undergo modifications needed to launch the service's next-generation hypersonic missile. Launch tubes and equipment have replaced both of the Zumwalt's iconic deck guns, which were designed to deliver high velocity, high tech shore bombardment from a stealthy platform. According to USNI and Naval Surface Forces, a fire was reported aboard Zumwalt at about 2145...

Bourbon’s New Shareholders Drive Rapid Expansion in Offshore Operations

Published Apr 22, 2026 7:27 PM by The Maritime Executive

France’s Bourbon is highlighting the rapid expansion of its fleet and efforts to consolidate its position in the offshore market since the start of the year. The group completed a series of steps in 2025, which restructured its financial and capital structure, and with the emergence of new majority shareholders, who said they would contribute to new growth. Since the start of 2026, the group reports it has added 13 offshore support vessels to its fleet. They said it represents...

Secretary Phelan and family during his Senate confirmation hearing last year (CSPAN)

Navy Secretary John Phelan Departs Abruptly

Published Apr 22, 2026 6:43 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Pentagon has announced the departure of Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, an investor and prominent art collector who had served in the role since March 2025. No explanation was provided; Reuters reports that he was fired, and the Wall Street Journal suggests that his dismissal was preceded by months of tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. "Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately. . . . We are grateful to Secretary...

New Lobbying Group Joins Effort to Push Legislative Agenda on Shipbuilding

Published Apr 22, 2026 5:56 PM by The Maritime Executive

Despite the recognition of the importance of revitalizing the American shipbuilding and maritime industry, and Congressional proposals and a plan from the Trump administration, the efforts have yet to move forward in Congress and reach the president’s desk. While hearings are underway in Congress, a new coalition formed by a lobbying group has also appeared, aiming to “spur Congress to advance legislation” supporting the shipbuilding industry and specifically the SHIPS Act. A bipartisan group of congressmen led by Arizona Senator...

Shipping

Pirates Trade Gunfire with Security Team on Cargo Ship off Somalia

A cargo ship departing Somalia is reporting that it was shot at by an approaching small boat and returned fire. It is the second report of a possible new piracy event in the region this week, with EUNAVFOR Atalanta confirming that the reports are under investigation. A small boat, which is being described as a white fishing boat, came within approximately 600 meters (less than 2,000 feet) of the cargo ship. It appeared to be working with a second boat,...

Tugs & Salvage

An IRGC minelaying boat. Iran possessed thousands of mines before the war, some deployable from civilian small craft (IRGC)

Report: Removing Mines From Strait of Hormuz Could Take Six Months

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a top-of-mind objective for the White House, but it may take more than a deal with Iran to get the situation back to normal in the waterway, according to the Washington Post. The Pentagon's internal assessment is that it could take six months to complete minesweeping operations in the strait after hostilities have ceased, the Post's Dan Lamothe reports - even with the advanced minesweeping and minehunting equipment embarked on three Independence-class littoral combat...

Government

US Forces Board Shadow Tanker in Indian Ocean as Iran Blockade Efforts Grow

The Pentagon announced that U.S. forces have boarded another tanker linked to Iran as the White House vowed to expand the blockade to strangle Iran’s economy. It is the second tanker the Pentagon has confirmed it has boarded this week, while CENTCOM reported that a total of 31 tankers have now been ordered to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and shipping. Releasing pictures and videos, the Pentagon identified the crude...

Corporate News

Ring Power Strengthens Cox Marine Network Across the U.S. South

[By: Cox Marine] Cox Marine today announced the expansion of its long-standing partnership with U.S. distributor Ring Power, extending the company’s territory to include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. The move marks a significant step in strengthening Cox Marine’s presence across the southern United States, building on Ring Power’s proven track record of delivering high-quality service and support across its extensive existing territory. “Ring Power has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of customer support and...

Cruise Ships

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

Oceania Cruises announced plans to convert one of the line’s oldest cruise ships as the platform for long, luxury cruises. The brand has been working to move more upscale in its offerings while also pursuing a strong expansion program that will add five new, larger cruise ships. The brand was launched in 2002 using two small cruise ships, Regatta and Insignia, as a reincarnation of the failed Renaissance Cruises. The original company was building six 30,000 gross ton cruise ships...

Ports

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

The maritime industry has evolved to integrate renewable energy, emissions reduction strategies, and eco-efficiency within every aspect of its operations. From cruise efforts to create an inviting and welcoming environment to streamlining cargo and trade operations with modern technologies and sustainable systems, the Port of San Diego’s latest shore power efforts and milestones serve as a prime example of how small shifts within daily operations can make a huge impact on delivering cleaner air and streamlined logistic processes. Shore Power...

Shipping

Pirates Trade Gunfire with Security Team on Cargo Ship off Somalia

Tugs & Salvage

Report: Removing Mines From Strait of Hormuz Could Take Six Months

Government

US Forces Board Shadow Tanker in Indian Ocean as Iran Blockade Efforts Grow

Corporate News

Ring Power Strengthens Cox Marine Network Across the U.S. South

Cruise Ships

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

Ports

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

Offshore

U.S. is Negotiating to Cancel More Offshore Wind Leases

Executives at the French company Engie confirmed today that they are in discussions with U.S. officials about possibly canceling their offshore wind farm leases. Last month, the administration agreed to reimburse TotalEnergies for its offshore wind leases and hinted it might use the same technique with others, although advocates and lawmakers are questioning the legal authority. The Trump administration said in March that it had agreed to reimburse TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion it had paid to acquire a large lease...

Shipbuilding

Report: Three Injured in Fire Aboard USS Zumwalt

Environment

Winning Formula

For residents living near ports, seafarers working aboard ships and passengers stepping ashore, the question is no longer abstract: Why am I still breathing this? Sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) from ship exhausts are a daily reality in many port cities. A 2023 World Bank report estimated that more than 250 million people globally are exposed to air pollution around ports, underscoring that maritime emissions are not only a climate issue but a public-health issue....

Business

Bourbon’s New Shareholders Drive Rapid Expansion in Offshore Operations

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US Forces Board Shadow Tanker in Indian Ocean as Iran Blockade Efforts Grow

Report: Three Injured in Fire Aboard USS Zumwalt

Bourbon’s New Shareholders Drive Rapid Expansion in Offshore Operations

Navy Secretary John Phelan Departs Abruptly

New Lobbying Group Joins Effort to Push Legislative Agenda on Shipbuilding

Pirates Trade Gunfire with Security Team on Cargo Ship off Somalia

Report: Removing Mines From Strait of Hormuz Could Take Six Months

US Forces Board Shadow Tanker in Indian Ocean as Iran Blockade Efforts Grow

Ring Power Strengthens Cox Marine Network Across the U.S. South

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

From Local to Global: Genoa Maritime Forum to Bring the Industry Together

Estonian Solutions Support Cruise Industry’s Green Transition

Pirates Trade Gunfire with Security Team on Cargo Ship off Somalia

Report: Removing Mines From Strait of Hormuz Could Take Six Months

US Forces Board Shadow Tanker in Indian Ocean as Iran Blockade Efforts Grow

Ring Power Strengthens Cox Marine Network Across the U.S. South

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

U.S. is Negotiating to Cancel More Offshore Wind Leases

Report: Three Injured in Fire Aboard USS Zumwalt

Winning Formula

Bourbon’s New Shareholders Drive Rapid Expansion in Offshore Operations

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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