Drones Hit Greek Tankers Waiting to Load Oil in Kazakhstan

Norway Renews Commitment to Offshore Oil & Gas With 57 New E&P Leases

Published Jan 13, 2026 6:44 PM by The Maritime Executive

Though Norway may be known best for leadership in green solutions like electric ferries and carbon sequestration, it remains firmly committed to oil and gas E&P, its energy minister reaffirmed this week. The ministry has just approved 57 new offshore energy licenses in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Bering Sea, which will help to extend the time horizon of its regional leadership in energy production. "Norway is Europe’s most important energy supplier, but in a few years production will...

Maersk Tests Red Sea Transit with US-Flagged Vessel

Published Jan 13, 2026 6:24 PM by The Maritime Executive

Maersk continues to carefully inch back toward a return to routes using the Red Sea and Suez Canal as it this week completes the second transit through the region. The carrier, however, remains non-committal to timing for a further return to the route, instead emphasizing security concerns. The containership Maersk Denver (84,771 dwt) made the transit of the Bab al-Mandeb on January 11 to 12, reaching the Red Sea northbound without incident. It is notable as the vessel built in...

A Starlink satellite launch (SpaceX handout image)

China Begins Enforcing its Ban on Shipboard Starlink

Published Jan 13, 2026 5:39 PM by The Maritime Executive

China does not allow the use of Starlink internet connectivity in its waters, and prefers to route all traffic through networks that are subject to its own licensing process. The restriction is unpopular with seafarers, who like Starlink's high speeds and low latency for video calls and general-purpose browsing - but Chinese authorities are beginning to enforce their rules more rigorously. P&I correspondent Oasis reports that the first known Chinese investigation related to shipboard Starlink usage was launched in December,...

Iran Releases Greek Tanker Seized Two Years Ago

Published Jan 13, 2026 5:20 PM by The Maritime Executive

A Greek-owned tanker that was caught in a series of back-and-forth maneuvers between the United States and Iran in 2023 and 2024 has quietly been released two years after the Iranians seized the ship and said they were taking its oil cargo. The move comes as Iran appears to be making moves to ease tensions with the West, as the regime is also facing widespread unrest inside the country. The tracking service TankerTrackers.com broke the news on Monday, reporting on...

Shipping

South Africa Rescues 21 Fishermen from a Burning Fishing Trawler

South Africa is reporting one of its most dramatic rescue operations in recent years, saving the lives of 21 fishermen who were forced to abandon ship after their trawler went up in flames Monday evening. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) reports that multiple rescue teams were activated after it received a distress mayday call from the crew of the fishing vessel Silver Dorado. The crew said they were preparing to abandon ship as the fire overtook their vessel. The...

Tugs & Salvage

U.S. Coast Guard and Local Volunteers Save Crew of Grounded Crab Boat

A combined Coast Guard and volunteer response effort resulted in the rescue of two people and two dogs from a crab boat that washed ashore at Port Orford, Oregon on Sunday, according to local accounts. On Sunday morning, the Coos Bay-based fishing vessel Texas Lady drifted aground on a sandy beach at Paradise Point, northwest of Port Orford. The Coast Guard responded to the scene, along with the local fire department and a volunteer search and rescue squad. In challenging...

Government

Two Men Linked to Russian Military Were Aboard Shadow-Fleet Tanker Qendil

Suspicious men with military bearing have been spotted on shadow-fleet tankers many times in the Baltic, giving Western security experts the impression that the Russian government is directing operations of the underinsured, anonymously-owned fleet that carries most of Russia's oil. It is widely suspected that some of these vessels have been used as launching points for Russian "hybrid warfare" harassment and espionage efforts in European waters, like the drone incidents over Denmark in September 2025. That concerning pattern continues: according...

Corporate News

Lockheed Martin and Saildrone: Accelerating Maritime Readiness at Scale

[By: Lockheed Martin] With a $50 million investment in Saildrone, Lockheed Martin is forging a strategic collaboration to rapidly scale unmanned maritime defense capability. Together, the companies will pair Saildrone’s proven unmanned surface vessel (USV) platforms with Lockheed Martin’s combat-tested defense tech and mission integration expertise —delivering powerful, defense-ready USVs to the fleet faster. Anticipating Needs. Accelerating Capability Saildrone’s USVs are built for endurance and autonomy. Their long-established track record includes more than a decade operating in remote, open-ocean environments,...

Cruise Ships

Appeals Court Suspends Hawaii’s “Green Fee” for Cruise Ships Pending Appeal

Hawaii’s hotly contested and closely followed “Green Fee,” a new tax on hotels, short-stay rentals, and cruises, suffered a setback just hours before it was due to go into effect. It is the first tax of its kind imposed on tourists to contribute to the state’s costs of addressing environmental issues. Two judges on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court granted on New Year’s Eve (December 31) a last-minute request for an injunction in a suit brought by the cruise industry...

Ports

Shanghai Exceeds 55 Million TEU in Container Throughput for 2025

The Shanghai International Port Group is highlighting that its port operation has remained the world’s busiest container port for the 16th consecutive year. They also report completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan as it looks toward the future by taking more steps to build its role as a global container transshipment hub. Releasing its final tally for 2025, SIPG says the Shanghai port overall handled 55.06 million TEU, which was a 6.9 percent increase in throughput. Over volume, however, lagged...

Shipping

South Africa Rescues 21 Fishermen from a Burning Fishing Trawler

Tugs & Salvage

U.S. Coast Guard and Local Volunteers Save Crew of Grounded Crab Boat

Government

Two Men Linked to Russian Military Were Aboard Shadow-Fleet Tanker Qendil

Corporate News

Lockheed Martin and Saildrone: Accelerating Maritime Readiness at Scale

Cruise Ships

Appeals Court Suspends Hawaii’s “Green Fee” for Cruise Ships Pending Appeal

Ports

Shanghai Exceeds 55 Million TEU in Container Throughput for 2025

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

A new P-17A class frigate, Mahendragiri, at launch at Mazagon Dock (Gov't of India)

Report: India Wants to Ramp Up its Warship Exports

India is reportedly working to expand warship exports as part of the ongoing push to revamp its shipbuilding industry. The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has already issued directives to the state-owned shipyards, instructing the facilities to build their capacities for export orders. According to a report by the defense news site Indian Defense Research Wing, the MOD’s directive covers expansion of docking and manufacturing infrastructure in the shipyards. In addition, the shipyards are expected to customize their blueprints for naval...

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

China Begins Enforcing its Ban on Shipboard Starlink

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Drones Hit Greek Tankers Waiting to Load Oil in Kazakhstan

Norway Renews Commitment to Offshore Oil & Gas With 57 New E&P Leases

Maersk Tests Red Sea Transit with US-Flagged Vessel

China Begins Enforcing its Ban on Shipboard Starlink

Iran Releases Greek Tanker Seized Two Years Ago

South Africa Rescues 21 Fishermen from a Burning Fishing Trawler

U.S. Coast Guard and Local Volunteers Save Crew of Grounded Crab Boat

Two Men Linked to Russian Military Were Aboard Shadow-Fleet Tanker Qendil

Lockheed Martin and Saildrone: Accelerating Maritime Readiness at Scale

Appeals Court Suspends Hawaii’s “Green Fee” for Cruise Ships Pending Appeal

Shanghai Exceeds 55 Million TEU in Container Throughput for 2025

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

South Africa Rescues 21 Fishermen from a Burning Fishing Trawler

U.S. Coast Guard and Local Volunteers Save Crew of Grounded Crab Boat

Two Men Linked to Russian Military Were Aboard Shadow-Fleet Tanker Qendil

Lockheed Martin and Saildrone: Accelerating Maritime Readiness at Scale

Appeals Court Suspends Hawaii’s “Green Fee” for Cruise Ships Pending Appeal

Shanghai Exceeds 55 Million TEU in Container Throughput for 2025

Vattenfall Finalizes Investment for Germany’s Largest Offshore Wind Project

Report: India Wants to Ramp Up its Warship Exports

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

China Begins Enforcing its Ban on Shipboard Starlink

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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