China and Philippines Rush to Save Seafarers After "K" Line Bulker Sinks

US Treasury Sanctions Tankers in the Name of Helping Iranian Protestors

Published Jan 23, 2026 2:58 PM by The Maritime Executive

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Friday, January 23, that it is increasing pressure on Iran by sanctioning nine additional tankers and their respective owners. In announcing the action, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was going after Iran’s funding to increase pressure as the regime is killing peaceful protestors. The announcement said the actions were to support the protestors, citing the crackdown by the Iranian regime and the shutdown of the...

Shipbuilder Sues Owner of Lost Superyacht Bayesian

Published Jan 22, 2026 10:44 PM by The Maritime Executive

The builder of the lost superyacht Bayesian has filed a $500 million lawsuit against a company held by Angela Bacares, widow of tech billionaire Mike Lynch, who owned the vessel and was killed in the sinking. The shipbuilder alleges that the crew of the vessel caused the sinking through negligence, thereby damaging the builder's reputation and causing the loss of valuable business relationships. Bayesian capsized and sank at anchor in a sudden squall at Porticello, Sicily on August 19, 2024....

Tech-Sector Developer Has Grand Plans for a Bay Area Shipyard

Published Jan 22, 2026 10:41 PM by The Maritime Executive

A well-financed real estate development company in California has ambitions to build a new West Coast shipyard, comparable in size and scale to the largest in China. California Forever, a mega-scale property developer backed by some of the biggest names in tech, is known for its plans to build a vast manufacturing park northeast of San Francisco. The 2,100-acre Solano Foundry would be a place for high-tech manufacturers to set up shop, just an hour north from the engineering expertise...

CMA CGM on Track with Growth as it Puts 400th Owned Ship in Service

Published Jan 22, 2026 8:29 PM by The Maritime Executive

French carrier CMA CGM highlights that it will be putting its 400th owned ship (in a fleet of over 650 vessels) into service as it continues its growth strategy. The company highlighted its status as the first vessel in a new series of methanol dual-fuel vessels, and as it continues on track to surpass Maersk as the second-largest global container carrier. CMA CGM reports that its operations serve more than 420 ports across five continents, and in 2024, it transported...

Shipping

Seafarer Abandonment is in Crisis Says ITF, Calling it a Disgrace

Seafarer abandonment hit a record level in 2025, marking the sixth year in a row the number of vessels abandoned broke the record, and the fourth year in a row for seafarer abandonment. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which plans to present that data to the International Maritime Organization, is calling the situation a “disgrace,” while it has become a systemic issue in the industry. “In 2025, we’ve yet again seen the worst year on record for seafarer abandonment....

Tugs & Salvage

China and Philippines Rush to Save Seafarers After "K" Line Bulker Sinks

A Search and Rescue operation was underway in the South China Sea near one of the most disputed regions in the world after a Singapore-flagged bulker went down overnight. Both China and the Philippines dispatched ships and planes to the area, with the elements of political rivalry between the countries playing into the reporting of the incident. The dry bulk carrier Devon Bay (56,000 dwt) issued a distress call late on January 22, reporting the vessel was listing. No details...

Government

icebreaker freeing cruise ship in Antarctica

USCG Polar Star Marks 50 Years by Freeing Cruise Ship Caught in Pack Ice

USCG Cutter Polar Star marked 50 years since her commissioning with a special achievement, freeing a luxury expedition cruise ship that had been beset by pack ice. The United States’ only active heavy icebreaker is on her 29th deployment to Antarctica in support of the annual resupply and tactical mission named Operation Deep Freeze. Commissioned on January 17, 1976, Polar Star is 13,500 tons and, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, remains the world’s most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker. The vessel,...

Corporate News

Future-Ready Wärtsilä 31 Engine Chosen for Allseas Fleet Expansion Newbuild

[By: Wärtsilä] Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the engines for a new purpose-built semi-submersible Heavy Transport Vessel (HTV) which is designed to minimise exhaust emissions and maximise fuel efficiency. The ship is being built for Switzerland-based offshore contractor Allseas Group at the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) facilities in China. The engine order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2025. The future-proof Wärtsilä 31 engine was selected because of its modular design, which enables a significant reduction in maintenance requirements and...

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

Report: Hutchison Explores New Structure to Sell Port Terminals

CK Hutchison is reported to be exploring a new path to structure the deal for the company to sell its interest in terminal operations at 43 ports in 23 countries, including the controversial terminals at each terminus of the Panama Canal. The company announced in March 2025 that it had reached terms to sell the terminal portfolio in a deal valued at $22.8 billion, but it slowly unraveled as China said the company owned by billionaire Li Ka-shing was betraying...

Shipping

Seafarer Abandonment is in Crisis Says ITF, Calling it a Disgrace

Tugs & Salvage

China and Philippines Rush to Save Seafarers After "K" Line Bulker Sinks

Government

USCG Polar Star Marks 50 Years by Freeing Cruise Ship Caught in Pack Ice

Corporate News

Future-Ready Wärtsilä 31 Engine Chosen for Allseas Fleet Expansion Newbuild

Cruise Ships

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Ports

Report: Hutchison Explores New Structure to Sell Port Terminals

Offshore

First Towers and Turbines Installing for Virginia Offshore Wind Farm

Just days after a U.S. District Court judge agreed to issue a temporary injunction to let work resume on Virginia’s offshore wind farm, work is underway with the first towers and wind turbines being installed. Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind is the largest project in the United States and is using the only U.S.-built wind turbine installation vessel. Virginia’s Senator Tim Kaine reported the process on January 21 after having toured the Portsmouth Marine Terminal and received an update...

Shipbuilding

Indonesian Frigate Order Reflects SE Asian Naval Modernization

During a visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to the United Kingdom last week, a Letter of Intent was signed by the Indonesians with David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock, for licenses to build two further general purpose frigates drawing on the Arrowhead 140 design. The Arrowhead 140 design forms the basis of the Babcock Type 31 frigates ordered by the Royal Navy and by Poland, and which are also in contention for orders from Denmark and Sweden. The first two...

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

CMA CGM on Track with Growth as it Puts 400th Owned Ship in Service

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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China and Philippines Rush to Save Seafarers After "K" Line Bulker Sinks

US Treasury Sanctions Tankers in the Name of Helping Iranian Protestors

Shipbuilder Sues Owner of Lost Superyacht Bayesian

Tech-Sector Developer Has Grand Plans for a Bay Area Shipyard

CMA CGM on Track with Growth as it Puts 400th Owned Ship in Service

Seafarer Abandonment is in Crisis Says ITF, Calling it a Disgrace

China and Philippines Rush to Save Seafarers After "K" Line Bulker Sinks

USCG Polar Star Marks 50 Years by Freeing Cruise Ship Caught in Pack Ice

Future-Ready Wärtsilä 31 Engine Chosen for Allseas Fleet Expansion Newbuild

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Report: Hutchison Explores New Structure to Sell Port Terminals

The Modular Pivot: Repurposing Containers as Strategic Infrastructure

Navigating Port Funding Uncertainty: Adaptation Unlocks Opportunities

California Protects Blue Whales and Blue Skies With Historic State Law

Seafarer Abandonment is in Crisis Says ITF, Calling it a Disgrace

China and Philippines Rush to Save Seafarers After "K" Line Bulker Sinks

USCG Polar Star Marks 50 Years by Freeing Cruise Ship Caught in Pack Ice

Future-Ready Wärtsilä 31 Engine Chosen for Allseas Fleet Expansion Newbuild

Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship Will Feature Sails for Sustainable Cruising

Report: Hutchison Explores New Structure to Sell Port Terminals

First Towers and Turbines Installing for Virginia Offshore Wind Farm

Indonesian Frigate Order Reflects SE Asian Naval Modernization

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

CMA CGM on Track with Growth as it Puts 400th Owned Ship in Service

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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