French commandos interrogate the crew of the Grinch (French Joint Staff)

Seized Shadow Fleet Tanker's Master Detained by French Authorities

Petrobras Taps Domestic Yards for Gas Tanker Newbuild Program

Published Jan 25, 2026 8:05 PM by The Maritime Executive

Brazilian state oil company Petrobras is planning to reduce dependence on charters in gas transportation and has awarded contracts for the building of a new generation of tankers, part of a fleet expansion program that is designed to boost domestic shipbuilding. The company is announcing that after an open and international bidding process, it has signed contracts worth $520 million with Brazilian yards for the construction of five liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers, 18 barges and 18 pushboats. Brazil President...

Op-Ed: Chinese Drills Near Taiwan Aren't a Signal - They're a Rehearsal

Published Jan 25, 2026 6:37 PM by The Maritime Executive

[By Nathan Attrill] Analyzing China’s military activity around Taiwan often invites a simple question: what triggered it? Analysts tend to assume that spikes in aircraft sorties, naval deployments or coast guard operations must be a reaction to something political in Taiwan, US actions in the region or other international events. But a close examination of 2025 data complicates this assumption. Domestic rhythms inside China—holiday cycles, political security priorities, command availability—shape operational tempo more reliably than events in Taipei or Washington....

Wreck of 19th Century Schooner Resurfaces on New Jersey's Shores

Published Jan 25, 2026 5:43 PM by The Maritime Executive

The shipwreck of a 19th century schooner has been uncovered by stormy weather on the beaches of New Jersey, a rare occurrence that rekindles the memories of trade between the U.S. and Latin America over a century ago. New Jersey State Parks reports that the remnants of the Lawrence N. McKenzie schooner have become exposed and visible at Island Beach after weeks of rough surf and persistent wind and wave action. Historical records at the New Jersey Maritime Museum indicate...

Vice Admiral Wang Zhongcai in happier times in a visit to the Philippines (PLA Navy)

President Xi Continues His Purge of Senior Chinese Officers

Published Jan 25, 2026 3:17 PM by The Maritime Executive

President X Jinping appears to have completed his purge of senior officer in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with a disproportionate number coming from the PLA Navy (PLAN). In what appears to be a culmination of a series of dismissals over the last 12 months, General Zhang Youxia, as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) its most senior serving officer, was placed under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law violations”. This phraseology is a common euphemism...

Shipping

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

In the first week of January 2026, US and UK forces seized a Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic. Finland detained a freighter suspected of cable sabotage. Sweden held a sanctioned cargo vessel in the Baltic. Three separate seizures, three different jurisdictions, all within days of each other. The message from regulators is clear. The era of warnings has ended. Twelve months ago, I was advising to prepare for uncertainty. Now I'm telling them to prepare for enforcement at an...

Tugs & Salvage

Survivors from the sinking come ashore (PCG)

At Least 15 Dead, 28 Missing in Philippine Ferry Sinking

On Monday morning, an interisland ferry sank off Basilan Province in the Philippines, killing at least 15 people and prompting a large-scale search and rescue response. The ferry Trisha Kerstin 3 departed Zamboanga City on Sunday night with 332 passengers and 27 crewmembers aboard, headed for Jolo, Sulu. It is believed that the vessel was operating within rated capacity for cargo and passengers, and she passed the Philippine Coast Guard pre-departure safety check (a regulatory practice unique to the Philippines)....

Government

Seized Shadow Fleet Tanker's Master Detained by French Authorities

French prosecutors have ordered the detention of the captain of the shadow fleet tanker Grinch, which was boarded and captured by French commandos last week. Grinch departed Murmansk earlier this month with a cargo of Russian oil, declaring her flag state as the Comoros Islands. Her Equasis record suggests that this is false. The vessel's Indian master has been detained in connection with the investigation, which centers on "the validity of the flag used by the tanker." International law permits...

Corporate News

Damen and PVE Equipment USA Sign Reseller Agreement

[By: Damen Shipyards Group] Damen Shipyards Group announced a reseller agreement with PVE Equipment USA (PVE USA) that appoints PVE as authorised partner and official supplier for the sales, service, and parts supply of Damen’s DOP submersible dredge pumps across the US. Under the agreement, PVE USA will leverage its nationwide network in piling, vibro, and foundation equipment to expand US access to DOP pumps, while providing local stock and service, trained technicians, and quick access to parts to minimize...

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

Port of LA Displays Resilience, Achieving Third Best Year in 2025

The busiest port in the U.S., Los Angeles, is feeling the pressures of a redrawn global trade map due to shifting policies. While recording flat growth in container throughput in 2025, a year the port contends was characterized by uncertainty and volatility, it still achieved its third-best year in history in its 118-year history. Despite maintaining its position as the top U.S. port for the 26th consecutive year and the only North American port to exceed 10 million TEU in...

Shipping

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

Tugs & Salvage

At Least 15 Dead, 28 Missing in Philippine Ferry Sinking

Government

Seized Shadow Fleet Tanker's Master Detained by French Authorities

Corporate News

Damen and PVE Equipment USA Sign Reseller Agreement

Cruise Ships

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Ports

Port of LA Displays Resilience, Achieving Third Best Year in 2025

Offshore

China Installs First 20 MW Offshore Wind Turbine

China continues to build its global lead in offshore wind energy. In the latest development, a national research and development project has successfully installed the first 20 MW offshore wind turbine. The massive turbine was recently installed in the southern Fujian Province, which is located north of Hong Kong and borders the Taiwan Strait. The turbine was installed on water depth of 130 feet (40 km) at a position approximately 18 miles (30 km) offshore. The turbine, built by Goldwind,...

Shipbuilding

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) along with Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) and Republic of Korea Navy guided-missile destroyer ROKS Sejong The Great (DDG 991)

Op-Ed: Congress Should Let Foreign Shipbuilders Help Strengthen U.S. Navy

[By CDR Chase E. Harding, USN] The balance of power in the Indo-Pacific is shifting rapidly as China's shipbuilding hegemony endures. With the U.S. shipbuilding base in decline, the United States must take bold action to remain a credible maritime power and uphold the rules-based order that has underpinned peace and prosperity in Asia for decades. This order could be strengthened by a trilateral collaboration that unites the United States, Japan, and South Korea in co-developing and mass-producing a new...

Environment

Interferry Demands Pause for EU ETS Due to Inequities and Use of Funds

Interferry, the global trade association for the ferry industry, is calling for an immediate halt to the further phasing-in of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for the maritime sector. The group is citing inequities and a severe competitive disadvantage as road transport remains exempt from the program. Further, it alleges that a lack of a funding scheme for e-fuels and investments such as electrification means the monies are instead being diverted to national member state budgets. The trade group...

Business

CMA CGM on Track for Growth as it Puts 400th Owned Ship in Service

French carrier CMA CGM highlights that it will be putting its 400th owned ship (in a fleet of over 650 vessels) into service as it continues its growth strategy. The company highlighted its status as the first vessel in a new series of methanol dual-fuel vessels, and as it continues on track to surpass Maersk as the second-largest global container carrier. CMA CGM reports that its operations serve more than 420 ports across five continents, and in 2024, it transported...

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Seized Shadow Fleet Tanker's Master Detained by French Authorities

Petrobras Taps Domestic Yards for Gas Tanker Newbuild Program

Op-Ed: Chinese Drills Near Taiwan Aren't a Signal - They're a Rehearsal

Wreck of 19th Century Schooner Resurfaces on New Jersey's Shores

President Xi Continues His Purge of Senior Chinese Officers

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

At Least 15 Dead, 28 Missing in Philippine Ferry Sinking

Seized Shadow Fleet Tanker's Master Detained by French Authorities

Damen and PVE Equipment USA Sign Reseller Agreement

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Port of LA Displays Resilience, Achieving Third Best Year in 2025

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

The Modular Pivot: Repurposing Containers as Strategic Infrastructure

Navigating Port Funding Uncertainty: Adaptation Unlocks Opportunities

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

At Least 15 Dead, 28 Missing in Philippine Ferry Sinking

Seized Shadow Fleet Tanker's Master Detained by French Authorities

Damen and PVE Equipment USA Sign Reseller Agreement

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Port of LA Displays Resilience, Achieving Third Best Year in 2025

China Installs First 20 MW Offshore Wind Turbine

Op-Ed: Congress Should Let Foreign Shipbuilders Help Strengthen U.S. Navy

Interferry Demands Pause for EU ETS Due to Inequities and Use of Funds

CMA CGM on Track for Growth as it Puts 400th Owned Ship in Service

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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