Italian Coast Guard Rescues Disabled Livestock Carrier Being Drive Ashore

Ukraine Catches Russian Mole Inside of its Sea Drone Program

Published Jan 29, 2026 3:13 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Security Service of Ukraine, the nation's main counterintelligence division, has arrested a servicemember who was allegedly planning to pass information on Ukrainian sea drone operating locations to Russia for use in targeting. Ukraine's drone forces have played a major role in the war, securing maritime lines of communication in the Black Sea by driving Russian naval assets out of range. Facing a real risk of damage or loss, the subs and surface combatants of the Russian Black Sea Fleet...

Italian Officers to Go On Trial for Migrant Shipwreck that Killed 94

Published Jan 29, 2026 10:41 AM by The Maritime Executive

A case that is bound to have far-reaching ramifications on how European countries respond to search and rescue operations of migrants taking risky voyages in the Central Mediterranean Sea is set to open in Crotone, southern Italy. Human rights groups have been critical of government efforts and policies that they contend impede the rescue operations. On January 30, an Italian court will commence the trial of six officers who are accused of delayed rescue operations after a migrant boat sank...

US Navy destroyer USS John Finn patrols near Scarborough Shoal with Philippine forces (USN)

U.S. Navy Destroyer Joins Philippine Navy Near Contested S. China Sea Shoal

Published Jan 28, 2026 11:20 PM by The Maritime Executive

Last weekend, a U.S. Navy destroyer conducted a joint drill with Philippine forces near Scarborough Shoal, a Chinese-occupied reef that has become a frequent flash point in the South China Sea. The "maritime cooperative activity" drill involved the U.S. Navy destroyer USS John Finn, joined by the Philippine Coast Guard cutter BRP Gabriela Silang, the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna and fighter jets from the Philippine Air Force. BRP Antonio Luna - named for a general who led Philippine...

Cetus Narwhal (file image courtesy Tony Roberts / VesselFinder)

Bosun Killed in Fall Aboard Handysize Bulker off Colombia

Published Jan 28, 2026 10:24 PM by The Maritime Executive

Colombia's maritime authority has reported a fatal fall aboard a bulker off the coast of Buenaventura, which prompted a rapid medevac attempt. The geared bulker Cetus Narwhal was operating about 30 nautical miles from the sea buoy for Buenaventura when the ship's bosun suffered a fall in one of the cargo holds. The Buenaventura VTS center received a report of the casualty and notified the Colombian Navy and coast guard. The surface conditions on scene were too rough to carry...

Shipping

Containership Demolition Hits 20-Year Low as Orderbook Continues to Grow

The disposal of container ships during 2025 remained at record low levels as the industry sought to maintain capacity in part due to the continued diversion from the Red Sea. In a new report, Alphaliner highlights that demolitions are now at 20-year lows. “The healthy container shipping market, with a high demand for tonnage and robust charter rates throughout the year have explained in great part shipowners' reluctance to dispose of their older tonnage, preferring instead to make the most...

Tugs & Salvage

Russians Rescue Iranian Cargo Ship After Distress Call in the Caspian Sea

Officials in the Caspian Sea port of Makhachkala are reporting that the crew of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship has been saved after the vessel issued a distress call. It was the second incident this month involving an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Shiva (3,344 dwt) was built in 1986 and, since July 2024, has been sailing under the Iranian flag. It started its life in the Soviet era as a Russian-flagged ship and later sailed under flags...

Government

Report: UK Chases “Suspicious” Russian Cargo Ship from Bristol Channel

British media is abuzz with reports that a “suspicious” Russian cargo ship was chased out of the Bristol Channel. The ship had reportedly anchored close to critical undersea telecom cables running to the U.S., Canada, Spain, and Portugal, drawing the attention of the authorities. The cargo ship named Sinegorsk (12,798 dwt) reportedly told HM Coastguard that it was making “essential safety repairs.” It entered the busy Bristol Channel Tuesday night, January 27, and it is reported to have dropped anchor...

Corporate News

BMT and Sea-Changers Partner to Launch the BMT Next Wave Fund

[By: BMT] BMT, a leading maritime design and technical consulting services organisation rooted in over four decades of industry expertise, has partnered with UK marine conservation charity Sea-Changers to launch the BMT Next Wave Fund, a new grant programme dedicated to giving children and young adults (aged 5-18) the chance to connect with the ocean through conservation-led experiences. The initiative follows BMT’s 40th year of operation in the UK, marking a new chapter in its longstanding commitment to the maritime...

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

Renewed Clash Between China and Australia Over Port of Darwin

China’s Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, renewed the public debate over control of the Port of Darwin during his New Year Media Briefing and Gathering. The issue had emerged during the 2025 elections in Australia, with both parties vowing to regain control of the port from a Chinese company, which prompted the Ambassador to say it could jeopardize China’s strong investments in Australia. Ambassador Xiao alleged Australia’s interest in retaking control of the port only came after a Chinese company,...

Shipping

Containership Demolition Hits 20-Year Low as Orderbook Continues to Grow

Tugs & Salvage

Russians Rescue Iranian Cargo Ship After Distress Call in the Caspian Sea

Government

Report: UK Chases “Suspicious” Russian Cargo Ship from Bristol Channel

Corporate News

BMT and Sea-Changers Partner to Launch the BMT Next Wave Fund

Cruise Ships

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Ports

Renewed Clash Between China and Australia Over Port of Darwin

Offshore

Vineyard Wind Gets Fourth Preliminary Injunction Against Stop-Work Order

A U.S. District Court Judge in Massachusetts became the fourth to award a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s stop-work orders on the offshore wind energy industry. Vineyard Wind 1 had gone to court in mid-January following Dominion Energy, Ørsted, and Equinor, each of which also received preliminary injunctions in their cases, leaving only Sunrise Wind to still be heard by the courts. Vineyard Wind 1, which is located approximately 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts, is...

Shipbuilding

China Launches Largest Car Carrier for HMM-Hyundai Glovis Partnership

China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International last week floated out the largest car carrier in the world. The massive vessel surpasses the 10,000 unit mark, becoming the largest built in China after the yards turned out 9,500 unit vessels last year as part of the coming surge in the sector. The new vessel is also the first vehicle carrier built for South Korea’s HMM as part of its diversification strategy. HMM entered into long-term agreements with Hyundai Glovis, which will operate the...

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

MSC Assessed $22.67M in Civil Penalties by FMC for Shipping Act Violations

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company was fined a total of $22.67 million in civil penalties for a series of Shipping Act violations, the Federal Maritime Commission reported. It is part of the FMC’s increased efforts at enforcement and a wave of new complaints it has received after the surge in shipping volumes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Shipping Act was updated by the U.S. Congress. The Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance (BEIC), through its Offices of...

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Italian Coast Guard Rescues Disabled Livestock Carrier Being Drive Ashore

Ukraine Catches Russian Mole Inside of its Sea Drone Program

Italian Officers to Go On Trial for Migrant Shipwreck that Killed 94

U.S. Navy Destroyer Joins Philippine Navy Near Contested S. China Sea Shoal

Bosun Killed in Fall Aboard Handysize Bulker off Colombia

Containership Demolition Hits 20-Year Low as Orderbook Continues to Grow

Russians Rescue Iranian Cargo Ship After Distress Call in the Caspian Sea

Report: UK Chases “Suspicious” Russian Cargo Ship from Bristol Channel

BMT and Sea-Changers Partner to Launch the BMT Next Wave Fund

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Renewed Clash Between China and Australia Over Port of Darwin

Beyond Sanctions Lists: Navigating Fragmented Enforcement in Maritime Trade

The Modular Pivot: Repurposing Containers as Strategic Infrastructure

Navigating Port Funding Uncertainty: Adaptation Unlocks Opportunities

Containership Demolition Hits 20-Year Low as Orderbook Continues to Grow

Russians Rescue Iranian Cargo Ship After Distress Call in the Caspian Sea

Report: UK Chases “Suspicious” Russian Cargo Ship from Bristol Channel

BMT and Sea-Changers Partner to Launch the BMT Next Wave Fund

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Renewed Clash Between China and Australia Over Port of Darwin

Vineyard Wind Gets Fourth Preliminary Injunction Against Stop-Work Order

China Launches Largest Car Carrier for HMM-Hyundai Glovis Partnership

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

MSC Assessed $22.67M in Civil Penalties by FMC for Shipping Act Violations

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Maritime Industry Conferences and Events