Libya Attaches Towline to Drifting Russian-Flagged Gas Carrier

A station closed due to fuel shortages during the 1973 oil shock (David Falconer / public domain)

IEA Chief: Gulf Energy Crisis is More Severe Than 1970s Oil Shocks

Published Mar 23, 2026 8:55 PM by The Maritime Executive

Benchmark Brent and WTI oil futures eased on Monday in response to the White House's claims of new peace talks with Iran, but the near-term energy outlook remains challenging, according to some of the world's leading authorities. IEA chief Fatih Birol told a press conference in Australia on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz shutdown is the equivalent of both 1970s oil shocks and the Ukraine-Russia natural gas shock of 2022, all rolled into one. "This crisis, as things stand,...

Coast Guard Investigates Fatal Confined-Space Accident on Alaskan Barge

Published Mar 23, 2026 8:11 PM by The Maritime Executive

The U.S. Coast Guard has named two tugboat crewmembers who passed away in a confined-space incident aboard a barge near Ketchikan earlier this month. On March 15, the tug Chukchi Sea was operating about 25 miles to the northwest of Ketchikan with the barge Waynehoe, a deck barge with landing ramps and a crawler crane. At about 0915 hours that morning, the Coast Guard's Sector Southeast Alaska command center received a mayday call reporting that the tug crew had lost...

Maersk’s APM Becomes Minority Shareholder in North Vietnam Terminal

Published Mar 23, 2026 7:40 PM by The Maritime Executive

Maersk’s APM Terminals is taking a 49 percent minority shareholder and operating partner position in the Hai Phong International Container Terminal in North Vietnam. The company notes the strategic location of the operation and its rapid growth while announcing it has also been chosen as part of the Gemini Cooperation’s East-West network. The terminal is located within the Lach Huyen port in Haiphong City, in the north of Vietnam. It is close to Hanoi and has strong access to the...

A small craft for deploying floating mines (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)

Report: Two Types of Iranian Mines Detected in Strait of Hormuz

Published Mar 23, 2026 7:20 PM by The Maritime Executive

Reports of Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz have circulated for weeks, but the most detailed signal yet comes from CBS, which now reports that U.S. intelligence has detected at least a dozen advanced mines of two types in the waterway. U.S. officials who are familiar with the latest intelligence told CBS that there are two types of Iranian mines emplaced in the strait. The first is an update on a familiar but deadly design: the buoyant, moored, high-explosive...

Shipping

LPG tanker Gas Lucky (red, center) heads for Iran's checkpoint, broadcasting "China_Owner." Bulker Selen is just behind, broadcasting "Food for Pakistan." (Pole Star Global)

Iran's Strait of Hormuz Checkpoint is Key Factor in Diplomatic Talks

As Iran's Gulf neighbors hunt for a negotiated solution to the ongoing Gulf conflict, hoping to find a deal that could appease both Tehran and Washington, one item is a likely sticking point. Through threats and coercion, along with a likely deployment of sea mines, Iran has set up a transit corridor allowing it to direct and profit from passages through the Strait of Hormuz - and it will not want to let go. Lloyd's List has identified two ships...

Tugs & Salvage

Libya Attaches Towline to Drifting Russian-Flagged Gas Carrier

Libyan officials on Tuesday, March 24, posted pictures showing a towline secured to the burnt-out gas carrier Arctic Metagaz. Multiple agencies in Libya reported they are monitoring the operation as they worked to quell fears, but it is unclear what the plan is for the vessel. Some reports indicate that one of the tugs from the oil platforms reached the vessel and put a towline to the hulk, while others said that one of the local factions intervened with its...

Government

Little Change at Strait of Hormuz After Trump's 48-Hour Threat

President Donald Trump has given the Iranian government until Monday evening to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which he has previously said that the U.S. does not need. If Iran does not reopen the strait, Trump said, the U.S. will "obliterate" Iran's electrical power plants. For its part, Iran claims that the strait is already open - for the right ships. A trickle of tonnage is getting past, according to tracking services, most of it using an Iranian-controlled lane past...

Corporate News

Updates to Guidelines on the Application of ILO Maritime Labour Convention

[By: International Chamber of Shipping] The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the fifth edition of its Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, urging the global shipping industry to take note of the latest amendments ahead of their entry into force and to ensure vessels are fully prepared to remain compliant, safe, and fit to trade internationally. This new edition provides the most up?to?date and practical guidance on the mandatory and recommended employment standards set...

Cruise Ships

China Floats Second Cruise Ship and Orders Ships for International Market

China marked the next milestone in its efforts at expanding the domestic cruise industry with the float-out of its second large domestically built cruise ship. Built for China’s Adora Cruises, the ship will enter service this year, and the company reported it intends to order two more cruise ships and take an option for a third newbuild. The second cruise ship, named Adora Flower City, is an enlarged version of the first domestically built ship, which was based on a...

Ports

Could Earlier Warning Systems be the Answer to Risk Reduction in Terminals?

The container terminal is one of the most complex operational environments on earth. Running around the clock, 365 days a year, with little room for downtime or disruption. It is also one of the most exposed to risk. Security breaches. Hazardous goods handling. Occupational safety. Cargo spoilage. These are everyday realities that operators must carefully manage, yet many of the processes involved remain reactive. Continuous reefer monitoring to become the norm Container terminals occupy an interesting position in the supply...

Shipping

Iran's Strait of Hormuz Checkpoint is Key Factor in Diplomatic Talks

Tugs & Salvage

Libya Attaches Towline to Drifting Russian-Flagged Gas Carrier

Government

Little Change at Strait of Hormuz After Trump's 48-Hour Threat

Corporate News

Updates to Guidelines on the Application of ILO Maritime Labour Convention

Cruise Ships

China Floats Second Cruise Ship and Orders Ships for International Market

Ports

Could Earlier Warning Systems be the Answer to Risk Reduction in Terminals?

Offshore

Blast Shakes Valero's Port Arthur Refinery

On Monday, an explosion and fire hit the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, rattling windows and startling nearby residents. The refinery is one of the 10 largest in the United States, and any outage could have an effect on refined product prices during a period of peak global demand. The blast was reported at about 1700 hours at a processing unit inside of the plant, followed by flame and heavy smoke. The City of Port Arthur issued a shelter-in-place...

Shipbuilding

HD Hyundai Moving Forward with Humanoid Welding Robot for Shipyards

HD Hyundai has been working on several projects to develop technology that would support the use of humanoid robots to undertake precision tasks at its shipyard. The company announced on March 23 that it had completed a positive evaluation and is now moving to the next phase of the project. The parent company said HD Kore Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the intermediary holding company for its shipyards, will be partnering with HD Hyundai Robotics and a U.S.-based industrial humanoid robotics...

Environment

Mexico Seeks ID of Tanker Responsible for Oil Discharge as Cleanup Proceeds

Mexican authorities reported over the weekend that cleanup efforts have intensified for an oil spill that it has been battling along the Gulf coast since nearly the beginning of the month. At the same time, they have said they suspect an unnamed tanker for the release and that they will continue the efforts to identify the vessel and take action under the environmental legislation. The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, told reporters in her weekly press conference that they have...

Business

Improve Fleet Value With Digital Optimization of Cruise Ship Hotel Areas

As maritime operators navigate an era defined by rapid technological development, tightening regulations, and growing sustainability demands, a few clear trends are shaping the industry outlook for 2026 and beyond. Lifecycle optimization, digitalization, and data-driven decision-making are becoming essential tools for achieving operational excellence, resilience, and long-term fleet value. “We see owners and operators making strategic, long-term decisions to ensure their fleets are optimized and future ready. At ALMACO, our commitment is to support this transformation by delivering solutions that...

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Libya Attaches Towline to Drifting Russian-Flagged Gas Carrier

IEA Chief: Gulf Energy Crisis is More Severe Than 1970s Oil Shocks

Coast Guard Investigates Fatal Confined-Space Accident on Alaskan Barge

Maersk’s APM Becomes Minority Shareholder in North Vietnam Terminal

Report: Two Types of Iranian Mines Detected in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Strait of Hormuz Checkpoint is Key Factor in Diplomatic Talks

Libya Attaches Towline to Drifting Russian-Flagged Gas Carrier

Little Change at Strait of Hormuz After Trump's 48-Hour Threat

Updates to Guidelines on the Application of ILO Maritime Labour Convention

China Floats Second Cruise Ship and Orders Ships for International Market

Could Earlier Warning Systems be the Answer to Risk Reduction in Terminals?

Improve Fleet Value With Digital Optimization of Cruise Ship Hotel Areas

Port Everglades: A Diversified Cargo Gateway Built for Performance

One Net Unifies Four Maritime Tech Brands Under One Umbrella

Iran's Strait of Hormuz Checkpoint is Key Factor in Diplomatic Talks

Libya Attaches Towline to Drifting Russian-Flagged Gas Carrier

Little Change at Strait of Hormuz After Trump's 48-Hour Threat

Updates to Guidelines on the Application of ILO Maritime Labour Convention

China Floats Second Cruise Ship and Orders Ships for International Market

Could Earlier Warning Systems be the Answer to Risk Reduction in Terminals?

Blast Shakes Valero's Port Arthur Refinery

HD Hyundai Moving Forward with Humanoid Welding Robot for Shipyards

Mexico Seeks ID of Tanker Responsible for Oil Discharge as Cleanup Proceeds

Improve Fleet Value With Digital Optimization of Cruise Ship Hotel Areas

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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