Brazil Gets HMS Bulwark for a Bargain Price

Senate Confirms FMC and MARAD Appointments

Published Dec 19, 2025 3:35 PM by The Maritime Executive

Among a broad range of nominees confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday were the new head for the U.S. Maritime Administration and the first of two nominees to fill vacancies on the Federal Maritime Commission. Their confirmation comes at a critical time as the Trump administration and Congress discuss the expansion of the U.S. merchant marine and as global trade policies impact the shipping industry. The Maritime Administration has been without a permanent leader since the beginning of the...

South Africa’s Historic Polar Research Vessel Set for Auction

Published Dec 19, 2025 2:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

A South African court has ordered the auction of the country’s historic polar research vessel S.A. Agulhas. The vessel had served as South Africa’s research base for 35 years before its retirement and a sale, which had promised to revitalize the vessel. After completing two scientific charters in the first half of this year, S.A. Agulhas, however, came under judicial arrest in the Port of Durban. The vessel had been facing financial difficulties, which led financial creditors to take legal...

SECNAV Unveils New U.S. Frigate Program Based on USCG Cutter

Published Dec 19, 2025 12:40 PM by The Maritime Executive

Three weeks after announcing that they were canceling the Constellation-class frigate program, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced a new program designed to quickly get ships into service cost-effectively. The new FF(X) small combatant Phelan announced would be based on the Legend-Class National Security Cutter, and he predicted the first hull would be in the water in 2028. In a video statement posted online, Phelan called the cutter a proven design that is already protecting America. He cited the...

Maersk Makes First Red Sea Transit Since December 2023

Published Dec 19, 2025 10:58 AM by The Maritime Executive

Maersk confirmed that one of its smaller containerships has successfully completed the company’s first transit through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb in two years. The company is calling it a trial, and it comes after the Suez Canal Authority had been strongly lobbying for the return to the route. The Maersk Sebarok (108,215 dwt) completed the transit between December 18 and 19. The vessel, which is owned by Maersk and registered in Singapore, was built in 2007 and...

Shipping

The Maritime Executive's Global Workboat Edition is Available Online

SATCOM RULES This edition's cover story features Ben Palmer, a man of many hats who helped negotiate Inmarsat's landmark merger vith Viasat two years ago and today, as the newly appointed President of Viasat Commercial, is leading the brand to new heights. Inmarsat's latest offering, NexusWave, is selling like hotcakes, combining LEO download speed with the reliability of its geostationary fleet. Find out what comes next in our exclusive Case Study and Executive Interview profile, both authored by News Editor...

Tugs & Salvage

UK Investigators Say Banana Incident was Due to Unsecured Containers

Investigators from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have begun an investigation into how thousands of bananas ended up on beaches near Southampton, and why shipping was disrupted after 16 reefer boxes went overboard. They are looking into the events that led to the accident, saying initial findings showed the containers were not properly secured. “The investigation will focus on the practice of removing cargo securing arrangements while vessels are underway before entering port, and the impact of the...

Government

U.S. Sanctions 29 Shadow Tankers to Further Pressure Iran and Venezuela

The Trump administration is exerting more pressure on Iran after adding a total of 29 shadow fleet tankers to its sanction list. They asserted that the move is expected to deprive Tehran of petroleum revenue that is being used to fund its military and weapons programs. The exports are also being sent to Venezuela to help maintain its oil production. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) asserts that the Iranian regime has increasingly been depending on shadow fleet...

Corporate News

America’s Tall Ship, USCG Eagle, Announces 2026 Sail Training Schedule

U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle (WIX 327) announced its 2026 schedule of port calls Friday. The selected port calls include the five Sail250 ports of New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York City, and Boston. Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships and military ships to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. It will offer crews, cadets and visitors from all over the world an unforgettable experience and a world-class maritime celebration. “It is an immense...

Cruise Ships

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

[By Maikel Arts] As the cruise industry embraces LNG, the focus has shifted from proving feasibility to tackling methane slip. New engine technology, independent validation, and how the cruise sector is operating high-profile vessels such as MSC’s World Europa, Princess Cruises’ Princess Sun and Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas are showing how LNG is maturing into a credible, scalable fuel solution for passenger shipping. All of these ships use the latest advanced Wärtsilä engines, demonstrating how technology and operational...

Ports

FMC Seeks Input on Spain’s Unfavorable Port Policies and Possible Penalties

The Federal Maritime Commission has completed its first phase of an investigation into possible unfavorable actions by Spain against U.S. shipping and is now seeking further input from the shipping community. It is considering what remedial actions, including fines on Spanish vessels, might be appropriate to retaliate against the policies that it believes hinder U.S. trade. The investigation was launched a year ago into the regulations or practices imposed by Spain related to port access. The Commission cited a report...

Shipping

The Maritime Executive's Global Workboat Edition is Available Online

Tugs & Salvage

UK Investigators Say Banana Incident was Due to Unsecured Containers

Government

U.S. Sanctions 29 Shadow Tankers to Further Pressure Iran and Venezuela

Corporate News

America’s Tall Ship, USCG Eagle, Announces 2026 Sail Training Schedule

Cruise Ships

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

Ports

FMC Seeks Input on Spain’s Unfavorable Port Policies and Possible Penalties

Offshore

Court Denies Motion for Injunction of BOEM’s Review of Maryland COP

A federal court judge in Maryland has denied a request by offshore wind developer US Wind for a preliminary injunction against the federal government in its ongoing fight to save its planned offshore wind project off Ocean City, Maryland. It is the latest twist in the ongoing court battle over Maryland’s first offshore wind project and the broader battle against the Trump administration’s efforts to derail the industry and revoke existing permits. US Wind, which is a partnership between investment...

Shipbuilding

Austal Defense Finalized $680M First Government Contract

Austal announced on Thursday, December 18, that the contract for the Australian Army’s new Landing Craft Medium has been officially awarded, valued at over A$1 billion (US$680 million). The LCM, along with the planned Landing Craft Heavy assignment, is the cornerstone of the expansion of shipbuilding in Western Australia and the company’s selection as strategic shipbuilder for Australia. The LCM Design and Build Tasking statement contract announced today appoints Austal subsidiary, Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia, to complete the detailed design...

Environment

Norway Grants Over $120M for Hydrogen and Ammonia Ships and Bunkering

Norway announced a new round of financing grants valued at more than $120 million as it continues to support the conversion to zero—emissions fuels in shipping and other segments. Providing the support through Enova, a state enterprise owned by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway seeks to build new industry and develop leadership in the new segments of the economy while reaching its goals for decarbonization. The new round focuses on seven ships, which it views as pioneers in...

Business

Shaping Class for the Future

This has been a significant year for ClassNK and for Hayato Suga, who stepped up to the role of President & CEO in March. Drawing on 40 years of ClassNK experience, the new CEO suggests shipping needs additional support from classification societies at a time when "boundaries between industries are becoming increasingly blurred due to environmental challenges and digital transformation." "It is our responsibility to work with customers to provide certification and related services in a timely manner that meet...

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Brazil Gets HMS Bulwark for a Bargain Price

Senate Confirms FMC and MARAD Appointments

South Africa’s Historic Polar Research Vessel Set for Auction

SECNAV Unveils New U.S. Frigate Program Based on USCG Cutter

Maersk Makes First Red Sea Transit Since December 2023

The Maritime Executive's Global Workboat Edition is Available Online

UK Investigators Say Banana Incident was Due to Unsecured Containers

U.S. Sanctions 29 Shadow Tankers to Further Pressure Iran and Venezuela

America’s Tall Ship, USCG Eagle, Announces 2026 Sail Training Schedule

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

FMC Seeks Input on Spain’s Unfavorable Port Policies and Possible Penalties

California Protects Blue Whales and Blue Skies With Historic State Law

One Event. World Of Maritime. This February, Copenhagen is the Place to Be

Drew Marine Insights Tour: Connecting Expertise with Shipboard Challenges

The Maritime Executive's Global Workboat Edition is Available Online

UK Investigators Say Banana Incident was Due to Unsecured Containers

U.S. Sanctions 29 Shadow Tankers to Further Pressure Iran and Venezuela

America’s Tall Ship, USCG Eagle, Announces 2026 Sail Training Schedule

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

FMC Seeks Input on Spain’s Unfavorable Port Policies and Possible Penalties

Court Denies Motion for Injunction of BOEM’s Review of Maryland COP

Austal Defense Finalized $680M First Government Contract

Norway Grants Over $120M for Hydrogen and Ammonia Ships and Bunkering

Shaping Class for the Future

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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