Iran’s IRGC Retaliates by Seizing Two Boxships Linked to MSC

New Lobbying Group Joins Effort to Push Legislative Agenda on Shipbuilding

Published Apr 22, 2026 5:56 PM by The Maritime Executive

Despite the recognition of the importance of revitalizing the American shipbuilding and maritime industry, and Congressional proposals and a plan from the Trump administration, the efforts have yet to move forward in Congress and reach the president’s desk. While hearings are underway in Congress, a new coalition formed by a lobbying group has also appeared, aiming to “spur Congress to advance legislation” supporting the shipbuilding industry and specifically the SHIPS Act. A bipartisan group of congressmen led by Arizona Senator...

The JARI "Orca" unmanned combatant vessel (via Chinese social media)

Report: The Race is On to Bring Unmanned Combatants to Life

Published Apr 22, 2026 5:48 PM by The Maritime Executive

American defense tech consultancy Janus has just published a major review of autonomous naval systems in all global markets. After Ukraine's success with USVs in the Black Sea, interest in unmanned naval warfare is taking off - notably in the United States, with real backing from the U.S. Navy. But America is not alone in seeking an unmanned edge: China is moving towards development of "larger, more capable unmanned surface vessels" with long endurance and heavier payloads - "beyond anything...

HD Hyundai Finalizes Its First International Contract for an Icebreaker

Published Apr 22, 2026 5:17 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Swedish Maritime Authority and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries completed the contract for the construction of a new icebreaker to support operations in the Baltic. The vessel, which is critical for modernizing Sweden’s fleet, also marks the entry of South Korea’s shipbuilders into this segment of the international market. HD Hyundai reports the contract is valued at $348.9 million for one icebreaker due for delivery in 2029. The vessel, which will be 126 meters (413 feet) in length, will be...

YJ-12 / CM-302 antiship cruise missiles, an item reportedly under discussion for export from China to Iran (PLA)

Helping Iran, China is a Party in the War

Published Apr 22, 2026 4:24 PM by The Strategist

[By Raji Rajagopalan] China may claim neutrality and call for peace in the Middle East, but it is heavily invested in the Iran conflict. Perhaps because of its dependence on Iran for energy security, it is transferring dual-use technologies as well as military items, as has been reported in the media. China has an arms-supply relationship with Iran that goes back decades and includes evasion of UN sanctions, including getting oil in return for weapons. And, along with Russia and...

Shipping

Body Recovered from Capsized Cargo Ship as USCG Looks for Missing Raft

The US Coast Guard reported that the search efforts are intensifying after the loss of the U.S.-flagged cargo ship Mariana as Super Typhoon Sinlaku overtook the Northern Mariana Islands. Teams were able to recover the body of one seafarer from the capsized vessel while efforts continue at the wreck as well as across the region. The wreck of the 145-foot offshore support vessel, which had been outfitted for cargo operations, was located on Saturday, April 18. The ship had reported...

Tugs & Salvage

Two Ships Report Iranian Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

On Wednesday morning, two ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling Iran's willingness to use force after recent U.S. interdictions of Iranian tonnage. UK Maritime Trade Operations said ds that it is "aware of high levels of activity in the SoH area and encourages vessels to report any suspicious activity." In the first incident, at a position about 15 nm off the Musandam Peninsula, the master of a boxship reported that one IRGC gunboat approached without making contact...

Government

Secretary Phelan and family during his Senate confirmation hearing last year (CSPAN)

Navy Secretary John Phelan Departs Abruptly

The Pentagon has announced the departure of Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, an investor and prominent art collector who had served in the role since March 2025. No explanation was provided; Reuters reports that he was fired. "Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately. . . . We are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy," said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a statement....

Corporate News

Port of Baltimore Gets New Grain Facility

A new grain transloading facility at the Port of Baltimore Seagirt Marine Terminal will make it easier for Maryland farmers to get their products to the Port for export worldwide. The facility will encompass four acres, include three grain silos, and be used to facilitate the export of soybeans, corn, wheat, and other agricultural commodities around the world. The project is a partnership agreement between Ports America Chesapeake and Frey Commodities and is expected to be open and operational in...

Cruise Ships

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

Oceania Cruises announced plans to convert one of the line’s oldest cruise ships as the platform for long, luxury cruises. The brand has been working to move more upscale in its offerings while also pursuing a strong expansion program that will add five new, larger cruise ships. The brand was launched in 2002 using two small cruise ships, Regatta and Insignia, as a reincarnation of the failed Renaissance Cruises. The original company was building six 30,000 gross ton cruise ships...

Ports

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

The maritime industry has evolved to integrate renewable energy, emissions reduction strategies, and eco-efficiency within every aspect of its operations. From cruise efforts to create an inviting and welcoming environment to streamlining cargo and trade operations with modern technologies and sustainable systems, the Port of San Diego’s latest shore power efforts and milestones serve as a prime example of how small shifts within daily operations can make a huge impact on delivering cleaner air and streamlined logistic processes. Shore Power...

Shipping

Body Recovered from Capsized Cargo Ship as USCG Looks for Missing Raft

Tugs & Salvage

Two Ships Report Iranian Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Government

Navy Secretary John Phelan Departs Abruptly

Corporate News

Port of Baltimore Gets New Grain Facility

Cruise Ships

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

Ports

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

Offshore

U.S. is Negotiating to Cancel More Offshore Wind Leases

Executives at the French company Engie confirmed today that they are in discussions with U.S. officials about possibly canceling their offshore wind farm leases. Last month, the administration agreed to reimburse TotalEnergies for its offshore wind leases and hinted it might use the same technique with others, although advocates and lawmakers are questioning the legal authority. The Trump administration said in March that it had agreed to reimburse TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion it had paid to acquire a large lease...

Shipbuilding

USS Zumwalt on her initial sea trials (USN file image)

Report: Three Injured in Fire Aboard USS Zumwalt

A fire aboard the first-in-class destroyer USS Zumwalt has injured three sailors, according to the U.S. Navy. Zumwalt is currently at shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi to undergo modifications needed to launch the service's next-generation hypersonic missile. Launch tubes and equipment have replaced both of the Zumwalt's iconic deck guns, which were designed to deliver high velocity, high tech shore bombardment from a stealthy platform. According to USNI and Naval Surface Forces, a fire was reported aboard Zumwalt at about 2145...

Environment

Riding the LNG Wave

The age of global LNG is upon us. In the latter half of 2025, the global supply increased nearly seven percent. This came largely from North America, which frankly has LNG down to a science. It's abundant here. We know how to extract it in an environmentally conscious manner, and we have the infrastructure to process, store and move it. New U.S. LNG projects reaching final investment decisions in 2025 included Louisiana LNG, Corpus Christi Trains 8 & 9, CP2...

Business

Bourbon’s New Shareholders Drive Rapid Expansion in Offshore Operations

France’s Bourbon is highlighting the rapid expansion of its fleet and efforts to consolidate its position in the offshore market since the start of the year. The group completed a series of steps in 2025, which restructured its financial and capital structure, and with the emergence of new majority shareholders, who said they would contribute to new growth. Since the start of 2026, the group reports it has added 13 offshore support vessels to its fleet. They said it represents...

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Iran’s IRGC Retaliates by Seizing Two Boxships Linked to MSC

New Lobbying Group Joins Effort to Push Legislative Agenda on Shipbuilding

Report: The Race is On to Bring Unmanned Combatants to Life

HD Hyundai Finalizes Its First International Contract for an Icebreaker

Helping Iran, China is a Party in the War

Body Recovered from Capsized Cargo Ship as USCG Looks for Missing Raft

Two Ships Report Iranian Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Navy Secretary John Phelan Departs Abruptly

Port of Baltimore Gets New Grain Facility

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

From Local to Global: Genoa Maritime Forum to Bring the Industry Together

Estonian Solutions Support Cruise Industry’s Green Transition

Body Recovered from Capsized Cargo Ship as USCG Looks for Missing Raft

Two Ships Report Iranian Attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Navy Secretary John Phelan Departs Abruptly

Port of Baltimore Gets New Grain Facility

Oceania Cruises to Convert Older Ship for Luxury, Long Cruises

From Fossil Fuels to Shore Power With the Port of San Diego

U.S. is Negotiating to Cancel More Offshore Wind Leases

Report: Three Injured in Fire Aboard USS Zumwalt

Riding the LNG Wave

Bourbon’s New Shareholders Drive Rapid Expansion in Offshore Operations

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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