Mia Summer II (VesselFinder / F. Ybancos)

Toxic Spill Shuts Down Two Container Terminals at Port of Antwerp

China Again Refutes US Claims of Maritime Coercion Against Panama

Published Jul 15, 2026 11:13 AM by The Maritime Executive

The war of words continues between Chinese and U.S. officials who claim that China is using its maritime and economic strengths to coerce Panama and other nations. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson cited statistics and data to refute the U.S. claims that ships flying the flag of Panama are being targeted and coerced with Port State inspections and detentions after Panama canceled CK Hutchison’s port concession. U.S. officials continue to assert that China is targeting Panama-flagged ships in what the U.S....

Historic WWII Submarine Arrives at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for Repairs

Published Jul 14, 2026 10:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

The historic WWII submarine USS Silversides has arrived at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for a much-needed drydocking. The sub's last yard period happened during the Cold War, and she needs preservation in order to continue in service as a museum ship. For the first time in 50 years, this decorated icon of the Pacific Theater will come out of the water for steel renewal, sandblasting and painting. Silversides is a Gato-class diesel-electric attack submarine commissioned on December 15, 1941. The boat...

Iran Threatens to Close Off All Oil and Gas Export Routes From Gulf Region

Published Jul 14, 2026 10:21 PM by The Maritime Executive

Repeated exchanges of fire with U.S. forces appear to be prompting Iranian leaders to contemplate further escalation. Late Tuesday, official news channel IRIB issued a statement claiming that Iran will close down all oil and gas export routes out of the Mideast if the U.S. keeps up its newly-reimposed blockade on Iran's seaports. If achievable, closing off all of the alternative export options would take another nine million barrels per day offline, nearly a tenth of the total global oil...

Royal Navy Drops a Drone Boat Out of a Plane

Published Jul 14, 2026 8:36 PM by The Maritime Executive

As naval forces begin to get used to the idea of unmanned surface vessels and put together a concept of operations for how to use them, some unusual experiments were bound to crop up - and inevitably, someone would end up dropping them out of an aircraft. The Royal Navy recently air-dropped a 28-foot surveillance boat from an A400 transport aircraft into the waters of the North Sea, and did it four times in a row to make sure it...

Shipping

China Again Refutes US Claims of Maritime Coercion Against Panama

Tugs & Salvage

Toxic Spill Shuts Down Two Container Terminals at Port of Antwerp

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges shut down several terminals Wednesday in response to a highly toxic acid spill from a shipping container, including the DP World Antwerp Gateway terminal. Initial reports indicated that a container aboard the boxship Mia Summer II began leaking hydrofluoric acid. The ship was alongside the pier at the Deurganck Dock area of Antwerp, a busy district, and more than 150 people were potentially exposed to HF fumes. 28 people developed more serious symptoms of HF inhalation...

Government

USNS Cape Horn offloads a container of supplies for U.S. Marine Corps units at the HHI Subic Bay shipyard in the Philippines, 2026. Military logistics and sustainment would be decisive in a Pacific conflict (U.S. Army photo)

U.S. Navy Outperforms in Mideast, But a Pacific War Would Test Endurance

[By Captains Al Collins and Kevin Eyer] Recent naval operations in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz have demonstrated that the United States Navy remains extraordinarily capable in combat. Precision strike operations, integrated air and missile defense, continuous maritime presence, and sophisticated joint operations have reinforced the credibility of American naval power. By nearly any operational measure, the force has performed at a very high level under demanding conditions. That success should not be mistaken for proof of...

Corporate News

Damen Signs with Seaspan for Two ASD Tugs 2813 at ITS

[By: Damen Shipyards Group] Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Seaspan ULC for the delivery of two ASD Tugs 2813. The signing took place on 19 May, at the International Tug and Salvage (ITS) Convention in Gothenburg, Sweden. Continued collaboration The ASD Tugs 2813 will be the first Damen Tugs to enter the Seaspan fleet. The two companies, however, have a long-standing relationship. This includes Damen’s delivery of two hybrid-LNG ferries to Seaspan Ferries in 2021. The new...

Cruise Ships

Steel Cut for Carnival Cruise Line’s Next Mega Ship, Carnival Destiny

Fincantieri and Carnival Cruise Line celebrated the first steel cut for the line’s new cruise ship, which will be the largest built by Fincantieri and the largest built in Italy as the line becomes the next to jump the 200,000 gross tons milestone. Expected to be approximately 25 percent larger than Carnival’s current largest cruise ship, the line is harkening back to another revolutionary ship, announcing the new ship will be named Carnival Destiny. Scheduled for delivery in the summer...

Ports

A Russian tank landing ship at Tartus (Russian MOD)

Syrians Outline Future Russian Port Presence in Tartus

After months of struggling to maintain a naval presence in the Mediterranean, and speculation surrounding the future of Russia's tenancy of its long-standing Station 720 naval base in Tartus, Syrian commercial sources have outlined the prospective shape of Russia's presence in the port. Executives from the Syrian company Rus Line have said that of the two pierheads which made up the old Russian naval base, one will be retained by the Russian navy and the other – Pier 4 –...

Shipping

China Again Refutes US Claims of Maritime Coercion Against Panama

Tugs & Salvage

Toxic Spill Shuts Down Two Container Terminals at Port of Antwerp

Government

U.S. Navy Outperforms in Mideast, But a Pacific War Would Test Endurance

Corporate News

Damen Signs with Seaspan for Two ASD Tugs 2813 at ITS

Cruise Ships

Steel Cut for Carnival Cruise Line’s Next Mega Ship, Carnival Destiny

Ports

Syrians Outline Future Russian Port Presence in Tartus

Offshore

Kuwait Reports Attack on Offshore Oil Platform as US and Iran Trade Fire

Kuwait's ministry of defense has reported a drone attack on an offshore drilling platform operated by the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Company near Shuwaikh Port, causing substantial damage to the rig and injuring one worker. In a statement, the ministry called the strike a "criminal" act. The platform strike - a likely but unconfirmed operation by Iranian forces - is among the first attacks on energy infrastructure in the GCC states since the ceasefire began. The recent Iranian missile and drone...

Shipbuilding

Growing the Legacy

"It's been an honor to move up within the company and ultimately get chosen to succeed my father and carry on the legacy," says Joey D'Isernia, Chairman & CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG). The sixth of founder Brian D'Isernia's 10 children, he assumed his current position three years ago when his father retired and became Chairman Emeritus. He enjoys the challenge. "I always tell our customers and especially our bankers that I'm the boring one," D'Isernia quips. "My father...

Environment

Korean icebreaker Araon (Gary Houston / public domain)

South Korea Launches Arctic Expedition With Focus on Safety of Navigation

In the last two years, South Korea has made a big bet on Arctic shipping, rolling out massive investments in its port sector for future Arctic logistics. The recent move in this planning phase is launch of a research campaign, which will see South Korean scientists collect additional data to support safe navigation in the Arctic. This will be the focus of South Korea’s 17th Arctic Ocean expedition, flagged off on Saturday at Gwangyang Port in South Jeolla. The 83-day...

Business

Diana Gives Genco Shareholders Two More Weeks on the Tender Offer

Diana Shipping is continuing its battle to acquire Genco despite having been rebuffed by Genco’s board and losing in its attempt to put new directors on the board of directors. The company reports that nearly 30 percent of Genco’s shares have been tendered, and it has now extended the tender deadline from July 10 to July 24. “We are pleased that additional shareholders have tendered their shares, but this transaction cannot move forward through a tender offer alone,” commented Semiramis...

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Toxic Spill Shuts Down Two Container Terminals at Port of Antwerp

China Again Refutes US Claims of Maritime Coercion Against Panama

Historic WWII Submarine Arrives at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for Repairs

Iran Threatens to Close Off All Oil and Gas Export Routes From Gulf Region

Royal Navy Drops a Drone Boat Out of a Plane

China Again Refutes US Claims of Maritime Coercion Against Panama

Toxic Spill Shuts Down Two Container Terminals at Port of Antwerp

U.S. Navy Outperforms in Mideast, But a Pacific War Would Test Endurance

Damen Signs with Seaspan for Two ASD Tugs 2813 at ITS

Steel Cut for Carnival Cruise Line’s Next Mega Ship, Carnival Destiny

Syrians Outline Future Russian Port Presence in Tartus

The Hidden Operational Value in Your Emissions Data

New Reality of Tanker Ops: Why Onboard Blending and Cargo Control Matter

New Digital Platform Connects Shipowners Directly With Seafarers

China Again Refutes US Claims of Maritime Coercion Against Panama

Toxic Spill Shuts Down Two Container Terminals at Port of Antwerp

U.S. Navy Outperforms in Mideast, But a Pacific War Would Test Endurance

Damen Signs with Seaspan for Two ASD Tugs 2813 at ITS

Steel Cut for Carnival Cruise Line’s Next Mega Ship, Carnival Destiny

Syrians Outline Future Russian Port Presence in Tartus

Kuwait Reports Attack on Offshore Oil Platform as US and Iran Trade Fire

Growing the Legacy

South Korea Launches Arctic Expedition With Focus on Safety of Navigation

Diana Gives Genco Shareholders Two More Weeks on the Tender Offer

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Maritime Industry Conferences and Events