Sunday, February 15, 2026
Media Kit
Veronica III boarding

US Forces Board a Sanctioned, Venezuela-Linked Tanker in the Indian Ocean

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Eagle S anchor

Cutting the Cord

Published Feb 15, 2026 6:35 PM by Erik Kravets

Russia's land border with Europe extends 3,983 linear miles. If that sounds difficult to patrol, consider that the Baltic Sea comprises 180,000 square miles of shallow water. That's bad news for the 35+ cables and pipelines carrying power, gas and data that crisscross its waters. At an average depth of only 180 feet, that valuable infrastructure is vulnerable to attack by the unlikeliest of weapons. Anchors. Several anchor attacks have happened in the past two years. Russia with its shadow...

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Sparta IV

The Mysterious Stopover of Sparta IV Near Sardinia

Published Feb 15, 2026 5:38 PM by Giangiuseppe Pili and Peter Boerstling

For the first time since the Syrian Express started moving interesting materials for the Russian military logistics, one convoy moved in close to Italian shores, though remaining in international waters. The sanctioned Russian-flagged freighter Sparta IV (IMO 9743033) departed Baltiysk, Russia on 31 December 2025. Sparta IV proceeded southbound from the Baltic Sea toward the Mediterranean. Sparta IV was tracked moving in parallel with another Russian cargo ship, the Mys Zhelaniya (IMO 9366110). Both ships departed from Baltiysk under the...

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Patrol boat

New Thai Government Asserts Control over Coastal Waters

Published Feb 15, 2026 2:33 PM by The Maritime Executive

The newly-elected Thai government, still led by the previous prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul but now with a strengthened parliamentary majority, is still forming up after its election victory on February 8. But in the immediate wake of his election victory, former general Anutin Charnvirakul announced enhancement to the defense and border security budget to better defend Thailand’s interests, but also undertook to resolve border issues with Cambodia through diplomatic channels and joint border liaison committees. He also suspended border negotiations...

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ZIM

Hapag-Lloyd Buys Out ZIM, Creating Number-Four Ocean Carrier

Published Feb 15, 2026 1:13 PM by The Maritime Executive

Number-five container line Hapag-Lloyd has agreed to buy 10th-ranked carrier ZIM, Israel’s de facto national shipping line. A heads of agreement has been reached by the two parties, and ZIM’s board approved the deal on Sunday night. Israeli business publication Calcalist reports that the transaction value exceeds $4 billion. The planned merger would create the new number-four container freight company, edging out the boxship division of COSCO. ZIM, publicly listed since 2021, is headquartered in Haifa. The deal entails Hapag-Lloyds’s...

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Offshore

Transocean Barents

Transocean Buys Valaris for $6 Billion, Creating New Industry Leader

Offshore drilling company Transocean has struck a deal to acquire competitor Valaris for $6 billion in stock, giving Transocean shareholders a 53 percent stake in the combined company. The transaction creates the largest drilling company in the world, valued at $17 billion. It will operate 33 ultradeepwater drillships, nine semisubs and 31 jackups - 73 rigs in total - across global markets. Transocean CEO and President Keelan Adamson suggested that the combination makes for "a very attractive investment" in offshore...

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Shipbuilding

Russian icebreaker with patriotic livery

Russia to Build 10 More Icebreakers and 46 Salvage Vessels to Develop NSR

Russian authorities recently announced plans for the next phase of the development of the Northern Sea Route as part of Vladimir Putin’s plan to establish a trans-Arctic transport corridor. They are calling for aggressive shipbuilding efforts as well as the development of the infrastructure along the route to support the continued growth of traffic over the next decade. Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev outlined the details, saying that by 2035, Russia will construct 10 more icebreakers along with 46 rescue...

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Environment

Ship

Navigating the Deadlock: Accelleron’s Daniel Bischofberger on Green Fuels

Accelleron, a leading provider of turbocharging, fuel injection, and digital solutions for marine engines and ships, recently released a study on the multifaceted, multi-industry challenges slowing shipping's transition to carbon-neutral fuels. TME recently spoke with CEO Daniel Bischofberger about the current state of marine decarbonization, regional developments in Asia-Pacific, and the path forward for the industry. Can you describe the current state of shipping's transition to carbon-neutral fuels? The ships are ready, but the fuel is not. The technology exists...

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Business

ZIM

Hapag-Lloyd Buys Out ZIM, Creating Number-Four Ocean Carrier

Number-five container line Hapag-Lloyd has agreed to buy 10th-ranked carrier ZIM, Israel’s de facto national shipping line. A heads of agreement has been reached by the two parties, and ZIM’s board approved the deal on Sunday night. Israeli business publication Calcalist reports that the transaction value exceeds $4 billion. The planned merger would create the new number-four container freight company, edging out the boxship division of COSCO. ZIM, publicly listed since 2021, is headquartered in Haifa. The deal entails Hapag-Lloyds’s...

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