U.S. Navy officials tour HD Hyundai's yard in Ulsan. Korean reports indicate that the firm is looking to phase out guest worker labor (USN file image)

In South Korea, a New Push to Phase Out Foreign Workers in Shipyards

A test launch of the YJ-12 supersonic antiship missile (PLA Navy)

Report: Iran Nears Deal to Buy Supersonic Antiship Missiles From China

Published Feb 24, 2026 10:52 PM by The Maritime Executive

Iran may be closing on a deal to buy supersonic antiship missiles from China, which would complicate planning for the U.S. Navy in waters of the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. According to Reuters, the Iranian government is close to a purchase of the Chinese CM-302 missile system, based on China's YJ-12. While not the most modern type in the swiftly-evolving Chinese inventory, it is considered a capable antiship cruise missile. The CM-302 is the export...

Iran Motivates Trump's Opposition to Transfer of Diego Garcia

Published Feb 24, 2026 9:31 PM by The Maritime Executive

In a further twist to the Diego Garcia saga, Trump has issued a clear and unambiguous statement on the United States’ attitude towards the proposed Mauritius-United Kingdom sovereignty transfer deal over the British Indian Ocean Territories (BIOT), and the US Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia in particular. In a recent post, President Trump says it would be a surrender to Chinese interests to transfer BIOT to Mauritius, which would not be able to fend off Chinese pressure to compromise...

China Blocks Exports to 20 Japanese Companies and Puts 20 on Concerns List

Published Feb 24, 2026 8:22 PM by The Maritime Executive

In the latest sign of rising tensions between China and Japan, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced export bans on 20 leading Japanese companies and placed an additional 20 companies on a “List of Concerns.” Japanese officials quickly responded, demanding a lifting of the restrictions, which it called “intolerable,” as it lodged a “strong protest” with Beijing. Tensions have been rising as China continues to expand its territorial claims, with spats between the two sides over uninhabited islands used as fishing...

Ukraine Damages Pipeline That Feeds Russia's Black Sea Ports

Published Feb 24, 2026 8:08 PM by The Maritime Executive

Ukraine has taken its attacks on Russian oil export infrastructure further upstream, hitting a major pipeline pumping station belonging to the Russian midstream giant Transneft. The company handles about 80 percent of Russian oil exports, and its pipeline network is essential for moving crude from far-flung oilfields to seaports for loading. On Monday morning, Russian officials confirmed a Ukrainian attack on the pumping station at Almetyevsk, Russia, about 700 miles from the Ukrainian front lines. According to Ukraine's military, more...

Shipping

Report: Maritime Cyberattacks Doubled in 2025

The prevalence of maritime cyberattacks doubled in 2025, according to Korean security firm Cytur, led by an explosion of malware and distributed denial of service (DDoS) incidents. Some of the most concerning examples involved a high-level penetration of the shoreside supply chain, giving the attackers useful information about systems (or even remote access) at a fleet level. Others extended to worst-case scenarios: destroyed equipment, hacked ECDIS chart systems, and remote control of ballast valves. Hackers are getting better at targeting...

Tugs & Salvage

Salvors Successfully Refloat Wrecked Barge at San Juan's Harbor Entrance

Salvors from Donjon-SMIT have successfully refloated and removed the fuel barge that went aground at the entrance to San Juan's harbor earlier this month, the Coast Guard reported Wednesday. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, as the tide was coming in, salvors pumped out the barge's tanks and prepared to tow it away using a large tug, the Lobo Grande. Just before high tide, the Defiant came free and floated off. The Coast Guard and the salvage team evaluated...

Government

Map showing Japan's placements relative to China and Taiwan

Japan Follows Up on Pledge to Strengthen Taiwan Posture

Japan has followed up on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's election promise to strengthen defense spending and to abandon Japan’s previous policy of strategic ambiguity regarding its response to any Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The Prime Minister said during the election that Japan will regard any Chinese intervention regarding Taiwan as a direct attack on Japanese maritime, economic, and security interests. On February 8, Japan held a parliamentary election, and returned the sitting prime minister, Sanae Takaichi and her Liberal Democratic...

Corporate News

DetentionTrackr Launches AI-Powered Global Detention Intelligence Platform

[By: DetentionTrackr] DetentionTrackr has officially launched, as a new maritime intelligence platform centralising global Port State Control (PSC) detention data, into real?time, actionable intelligence to drive greater efficiency and strategic decision-making across the industry. In February, 72 vessels were detained across global ports, with 164 detentions recorded since the beginning of 2026 globally. Despite consistent enforcement activity, detention information remains fragmented across regional authorities. “DetentionTrackr delivers a unified AI-driven view of active vessel detentions, enriched with detailed ownership and management...

Cruise Ships

Four Seasons I cruise ship under construction

Fincantieri Delivers First Ultra-Luxury Yacht Cruise Ship for Four Seasons

The delivery of the ultra-luxury Four Seasons I was completed at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard on February 25. The first of two cruise ships on order for the storied hotel and lifestyle brand, it is also seen as a pivotal moment in the already surging luxury segment of cruising. The cruise ship is 35,040 gross tons with just 95 luxury suites and accommodations for 222 people. The ship measures 207 meters (679 feet) in length. The joint owner/operator Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings...

Ports

Port of Balboa container terminal Panama

China and Hutchison Condemn “Illegal Takeover” of Port Terminals

The Hong Kong Government and CK Hutchison condemned the actions of the Government of Panama, saying they would seek legal recourse after Panama took possession of the terminals in Balboa and Cristobal and signed new operating contracts with Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Hutchison confirmed that its subsidiary, the Panama Ports Company, has ceased operations. Hutchison asserts that the representatives of Panama “made direct physical entry into the terminals,” saying they “arrived without invitation.” It further asserts that representatives...

Shipping

Report: Maritime Cyberattacks Doubled in 2025

Tugs & Salvage

Salvors Successfully Refloat Wrecked Barge at San Juan's Harbor Entrance

Government

Japan Follows Up on Pledge to Strengthen Taiwan Posture

Corporate News

DetentionTrackr Launches AI-Powered Global Detention Intelligence Platform

Cruise Ships

Fincantieri Delivers First Ultra-Luxury Yacht Cruise Ship for Four Seasons

Ports

China and Hutchison Condemn “Illegal Takeover” of Port Terminals

Offshore

DOJ Files Appeal on Court Blocking Trump’s Moratorium on Wind Energy

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment & Natural Resources Division filed notice with the district court in Massachusetts for an appeal on the court ruling blocking Donald Trump’s Executive Order from January 2025 establishing a moratorium on permitting, leasing, and other authorizations for wind energy projects. It is the latest step in the Trump administration's continuing battle against renewable wind energy. The filing came 45 days after District Judge Patti B. Saris had ruled in December 2025, calling the Executive...

Shipbuilding

OSVs under construction at Swan Defense India

India’s Swan Defense Shipyard Revives Old Projects as it Develops Yard

Efforts continue to show progress at reviving India’s shipbuilding industry at the yard in Pipavav, formerly operated by the Reliance Group. Relaunched as Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited, the yard reports it has received a contract to finish five ships ordered in 2009 and sitting idle for nearly a decade due to the collapse of the operations. It is the second deal recently announced by SDHI to revive old projects. SDHI reports it completed a deal to sell the...

Environment

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...

Business

Zim Employees Return to Work as Union Reports Tentative Agreements

The union representing Zim’s Israeli workers has reportedly reached terms on a tentative agreement regarding employment, severance payments, and compensation after staging a strike that stopped port activity and work at the company’s headquarters. The union said a tentative agreement would be finalized between ZIM CEO and Hapag-Lloyd, and according to the news outlet Calcalist, it has total trust in Eli Glickman to honor the agreement. The union had reacted to a lack of employment agreements and said it had...

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In South Korea, a New Push to Phase Out Foreign Workers in Shipyards

Report: Iran Nears Deal to Buy Supersonic Antiship Missiles From China

Iran Motivates Trump's Opposition to Transfer of Diego Garcia

China Blocks Exports to 20 Japanese Companies and Puts 20 on Concerns List

Ukraine Damages Pipeline That Feeds Russia's Black Sea Ports

Report: Maritime Cyberattacks Doubled in 2025

Salvors Successfully Refloat Wrecked Barge at San Juan's Harbor Entrance

Japan Follows Up on Pledge to Strengthen Taiwan Posture

DetentionTrackr Launches AI-Powered Global Detention Intelligence Platform

Fincantieri Delivers First Ultra-Luxury Yacht Cruise Ship for Four Seasons

China and Hutchison Condemn “Illegal Takeover” of Port Terminals

The Hybrid Adjustable Tip Propeller: Adaptability and Efficiency

Environmental Remediation at Aging Ports

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

Report: Maritime Cyberattacks Doubled in 2025

Salvors Successfully Refloat Wrecked Barge at San Juan's Harbor Entrance

Japan Follows Up on Pledge to Strengthen Taiwan Posture

DetentionTrackr Launches AI-Powered Global Detention Intelligence Platform

Fincantieri Delivers First Ultra-Luxury Yacht Cruise Ship for Four Seasons

China and Hutchison Condemn “Illegal Takeover” of Port Terminals

DOJ Files Appeal on Court Blocking Trump’s Moratorium on Wind Energy

India’s Swan Defense Shipyard Revives Old Projects as it Develops Yard

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

Zim Employees Return to Work as Union Reports Tentative Agreements

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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