U.S. Seizes Seventh Crude Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuelan Trade

AD Ports Buys Spanish Shipyard Astilleros Balenciaga

Published Jan 20, 2026 8:38 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports acquired a Spanish shipyard as part of its effort to expand in the Mediterranean and serve the offshore operations sector. The reports indicate that it paid €11.2 million ($13.1 million) for 100 percent ownership of Astilleros Balenciaga, based on the northern coast of Spain near Bilbao. The shipyard, which traces its origins to 1921, will now be known as Balenciaga Shipyard. AD Ports acquired the yard for its Safeen Drydocks subsidiary, which is part of...

Mys Zhelaniya at Archangelsk, 2024 (VesselFinder)

Sanctioned Russian Military Cargo Ship Shows Up in Libya

Published Jan 20, 2026 7:49 PM by The Maritime Executive

A sanctioned Russian military cargo vessel has appeared in Libya after a closely-watched voyage through the Baltic and the English Channel. The Mys Zhelaniya, a 17,000 dwt geared freighter, has been spotted by satellite alongside at Tobruk, a port controlled by the militia forces of Libyan-American warlord Khalifa Haftar. Mys Zhelaniya started her voyage at the port of Baltiysk in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Baltiysk is an important naval base for the Russian Baltic Fleet, and its port activity...

India Says Iran has Not Permitted Contact with Crew of Seized Tanker

Published Jan 20, 2026 7:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

India’s Embassy and Consulate in Iran went public with their complaint that Iranian authorities have not permitted consular access to the crew of a small product tanker that was seized a month ago, accused of smuggling. The public statement posted on X came after the families of the 16 crewmembers made a personal appeal to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the Embassy, Iranian authorities notified them in mid-December that the tanker Valiant Roar (13,754 dwt) had been stopped...

Knut Orbeck-Nilssen Fills Top Role at DNV During Remi Eriksen's Absence

Published Jan 20, 2026 6:33 PM by The Maritime Executive

DNV Maritime chief Knut Orbeck-Nilssen is stepping in temporarily to take on the role of group president and CEO across all of the class society's business lines. Longtime CEO Remi Eriksen has been diagnosed with cancer, and will be taking off seven months for treatment and recuperation. “It’s with great respect and humility that I step in for Remi during his absence. DNV’s strategy and commitments remain unchanged, and we will continue to deliver for our customers and partners without...

Shipping

International Maritime Bureau Reports Increase in Piracy and Maritime Crime

The ICC International Maritime Bureau, an international reporting center for piracy and maritime crimes, analyzed reporting for 2025, highlighting an increase in global maritime incidents. It warns of an increase in piracy and armed robbery, and while much of it was low-level crimes, the group emphasized the need for timely reporting to counter the spike in crimes. Overall, during 2025, the group received information on 137 incidents against ships, up from 116 in 2024 and 120 in 2023. The reports...

Tugs & Salvage

Aurelia at Novorossiysk, Russia, 2020 (VesselFinder)

Video: Container Feeder Damaged in Drone Attack in the Black Sea

This week, Turkish media reported an apparent drone attack on a small container feeder under way in the Black Sea, the latest in a series of back-and-forth strikes on merchant vessels linked to Russian and Ukrainian cargoes. The small boxship Aurelia reportedly departed Novorossiysk and was under way in the Black Sea when a drone reportedly struck containers on deck on the starboard side. Aurelia diverted to a port of refuge and called at Samsun, Turkey for inspection and salvage....

Government

DC Court Dismisses High-Profile Legal Challenge to the Jones Act

A high-profile legal challenge to the constitutionality of the Jones Act has been shot down in federal court, bringing a close to a rare challenge to the century-old cabotage law. On Tuesday, Chief Judge James Boasberg of the DC Circuit found against plaintiff Koloa Rum Company, which had filed suit last year in an attempt to overturn the Act. Koloa argued that U.S. cabotage law discriminates against seaports located in Hawaii, thereby violating the little-known Port Preference Clause of the...

Corporate News

Bay Area Diesel Repowers M/V Launch Runner with Quad Scania DI13s

[By: Laborde Products] Laborde Products, working through its dealer Bay Area Diesel, has completed a repower of the M/V Launch Runner, a quad-screw crew boat owned by G&S Marine. The project replaced four Scania DI13 Tier 2 engines with four Scania DI13 Tier 3 engines, each rated at 650 hp @ 2100 rpm, giving the vessel modernized power while maintaining a proven platform. For G&S Marine, the decision to return to Scania centered on uptime and familiarity. With more than...

Cruise Ships

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

In what is being billed as a new era of luxury expedition cruising, Atlas Ocean Voyages unveiled its designs for a new expedition cruise ship that will include three masts and large sails. The company is presenting the ship, which will be built in China, as a luxury expedition sailing yacht capable of accommodating up to 400 passengers. Named Atlas Adventure, the ship, which will be 26,000 gross tons, will measure 690 feet (210 meters) in length. It will have...

Ports

London Gateway Posts Strong Growth and Is Poised to Be UK’s Largest Port

DP World’s London Gateway Port, located on the Thames, reported strong growth in 2025 as it continues to expand its operations. The Times (London) asserts that the terminal, which has been in operation for a little more than a decade, is on track to claim the top spot in the UK, and become the largest UK container port. Today’s announcement of year-end data highlights that London Gateway port achieved a more than 52 percent growth in its container throughput in...

Shipping

International Maritime Bureau Reports Increase in Piracy and Maritime Crime

Tugs & Salvage

Video: Container Feeder Damaged in Drone Attack in the Black Sea

Government

DC Court Dismisses High-Profile Legal Challenge to the Jones Act

Corporate News

Bay Area Diesel Repowers M/V Launch Runner with Quad Scania DI13s

Cruise Ships

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Ports

London Gateway Posts Strong Growth and Is Poised to Be UK’s Largest Port

Offshore

Vattenfall Finalizes Investment for Germany’s Largest Offshore Wind Project

Offshore wind energy developer Vattenfall confirmed that it is moving forward with the Nordlicht offshore wind cluster. With construction due to start later this year, the two-phase project will become the largest wind project for Germany and a key contributor as the country struggles to accelerate development in the offshore wind energy sector. The permit issued by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has become irrevocable, making the final step to move forward with the project. Vattenfall had announced...

Shipbuilding

AD Ports Buys Spanish Shipyard Astilleros Balenciaga

Environment

HMM and HD KSOE Start Demonstration and Testing of Wing Sail on Tanker

South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and HMM are starting a demonstration and test period for Korea’s first domestically developed wing sail for wind-assisted propulsion. The shipbuilder has been developing its version of the technology as part of its efforts to advance value-added, green ship designs and technology. The wing sail was recently installed on the product tanker Oriental Aquamarine (50,000 dwt). The vessel was built in 2020 and has been owned by HMM since 2023. Registered in...

Business

Knut Orbeck-Nilssen Fills Top Role at DNV During Remi Eriksen's Absence

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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U.S. Seizes Seventh Crude Oil Tanker Linked to Venezuelan Trade

AD Ports Buys Spanish Shipyard Astilleros Balenciaga

Sanctioned Russian Military Cargo Ship Shows Up in Libya

India Says Iran has Not Permitted Contact with Crew of Seized Tanker

Knut Orbeck-Nilssen Fills Top Role at DNV During Remi Eriksen's Absence

International Maritime Bureau Reports Increase in Piracy and Maritime Crime

Video: Container Feeder Damaged in Drone Attack in the Black Sea

DC Court Dismisses High-Profile Legal Challenge to the Jones Act

Bay Area Diesel Repowers M/V Launch Runner with Quad Scania DI13s

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

London Gateway Posts Strong Growth and Is Poised to Be UK’s Largest Port

Navigating Port Funding Uncertainty: Adaptation Unlocks Opportunities

California Protects Blue Whales and Blue Skies With Historic State Law

One Event. World Of Maritime. This February, Copenhagen is the Place to Be

International Maritime Bureau Reports Increase in Piracy and Maritime Crime

Video: Container Feeder Damaged in Drone Attack in the Black Sea

DC Court Dismisses High-Profile Legal Challenge to the Jones Act

Bay Area Diesel Repowers M/V Launch Runner with Quad Scania DI13s

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

London Gateway Posts Strong Growth and Is Poised to Be UK’s Largest Port

Vattenfall Finalizes Investment for Germany’s Largest Offshore Wind Project

AD Ports Buys Spanish Shipyard Astilleros Balenciaga

HMM and HD KSOE Start Demonstration and Testing of Wing Sail on Tanker

Knut Orbeck-Nilssen Fills Top Role at DNV During Remi Eriksen's Absence

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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