Saturday, March 21, 2026
Media Kit
English and Russian warships in English Channel

UK Tracks Russian Tanker as US Tightens the Rules on Oil to Cuba

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Panama

Panama Responds to Hutchison Calling Accusations “Scandalous”

Published Mar 20, 2026 7:27 PM by The Maritime Executive

The back-and-forth between China, Panama, and CK Hutchison heated up as Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, met the press on Thursday in his weekly session. He dismissed the accusations made by the Panama Ports Company (PPC) and CK Hutchison in the ongoing dispute resulting from Panama's annulment of the Chinese company’s long-standing concession to operate the port terminals in Balboa and Cristobal. PPC at the beginning of the week asserted that Panama had missed the filing deadline for its international...

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Chinese cruise ship float-out

China Floats Second Cruise Ship and Orders Ships for International Market

Published Mar 20, 2026 6:47 PM by The Maritime Executive

China marked the next milestone in its efforts at expanding the domestic cruise industry with the float-out of its second large domestically built cruise ship. Built for China’s Adora Cruises, the ship will enter service this year, and the company reported it intends to order two more cruise ships and take an option for a third newbuild. The second cruise ship, named Adora Flower City, is an enlarged version of the first domestically built ship, which was based on a...

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Donald Trump

Trump Calls NATO Allies “Cowards” for Not Supporting Opening Hormuz

Published Mar 20, 2026 5:44 PM by The Maritime Executive

There are many comments circulating after Donald Trump went on social media early on Friday, March 20, and called America’s NATO allies “cowards” for not supporting the efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It came after he had made comments during the week that the United States and Israel are achieving their military targets and did not need the help of the Europeans or others, and previously said the Allies would come together for a defensive force. Trump berated...

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strike of suspected drug smuggling speed boat

Video: One Survivor of Latest U.S. Strike on Suspected Drug Smuggling Boat

Published Mar 20, 2026 1:51 PM by The Maritime Executive

U.S. Southern Command is confirming a new strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat while saying it believed three individuals survived the strike. News of the latest strike came just a day after the Commander of the U.S. Southern Command, Marine General Francis Donovan, who is said to have directed yesterday’s strike, told a U.S. Senate hearing that they would be shifting tactics. The report said intelligence confirmed a low-profile vessel transiting along what were termed “known narco-trafficking routes.” Few...

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Offshore

OMSA

In the Know Podcast 77: Aaron Smith, President and CEO of OMSA

For the latest edition of In the Know, The Maritime Executive's podcast series, editor-in-chief Tony Munoz spoke with OMSA President and CEO Aaron Smith about the importance of Jones Act shipping in the offshore sector. OMSA - the Offshore Marine Service Association - is the voice of the U.S. offshore-vessel industry, and its primary mission is to protect the Jones Act's benefits for American mariners and shipowners. Smith, the organization's longtime leader, joins the podcast to talk about how loopholes...

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Shipbuilding

cruise ship launch

Fincantieri Floats for Viking "First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship"

Fincantieri marked another milestone in cruise ship development as it floated out the Viking Libra (54,300 gross tons), which is being billed as the “world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship.” It advanced the ambitions for zero-emission shipping and the long-held vision of Viking CEO Torstein Hagen to produce a hydrogen-powered ship. According to the companies, the project has been developed with strong attention to environmental aspects to ensure the ship will be capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, allowing...

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Environment

Thamesborg

Op-Ed: Ships Should Meet the Polar Code Before Entering Canadian Arctic

The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Polar Code in November 2014 to reduce loss of life at sea caused by inadequate preparedness for operations in polar regions, which are more isolated and challenging than lower-latitude waters. The Code entered into force on January 1, 2017 and initially applied to seagoing vessels of 500 gross tonnage (GT) and above, as well as certain vessel classes such as cruise ships. On January 1, 2026, the IMO expanded the categories...

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Business

Diana Shipping bulk carrier

Diana Vows Proxy Fight After Genco Again Rejects Merger Proposal

The takeover battle designed to consolidate the dry bulk shipping with the merger of Diana Shipping and Genco Shipping & Trading continues as both sides appear entrenched in their position. Genco’s board has twice rejected proposals from Diana, with the battle appearing to be headed to the shareholders after Diana put forward an alternate slate of directors for Genco. “Rather than constructively engage with Diana regarding our premium proposal, the Genco Board has for the second time dismissed it without...

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