Maritime news

Headlines aggregated from the maritime press. Links go straight to the source — Seafarer Index does not reproduce full articles.

• US vessel seizures – the prize law’s return?
  Seatrade Maritime · 10/19/2026

  US court prepares to revive dormant maritime seizure powers as Middle East conflicts drag on.

• Is Russia Probing NATO Weakness in the Black Sea?
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• The Blockade on Iran Is Now Hitting Home
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• Omani Government to End Maersk-Linked Concession in Salalah Port
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• Jones Walker Legal Maritime Team Featured in Chambers and Legal 500
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• AI, Robotics and Nuclear Top the Agenda at ABS N. America Regional Meeting
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• IRClass Grants Type Approval to Medha Energy's Lithium-Ion Batteries
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• Two Protesters Arrested for Boarding Offshore Gas Platform off Australia
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• Greenpeace activists charged after disrupting Woodside offshore gas project
  Splash247 · 10/19/2026

  Two Greenpeace activists have been charged after a weekend occupation of Woodside Energy’s Scarborough floating production unit off Western Australia forced the company to suspend pre-commissioning activities. Four activists, who arrived on Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior vessel on Saturday morning, scaled the 70,000-tonn

• Ukraine Talks with Turkey, India, Egypt Over Grain Corridor
  gCaptain · 10/19/2026

  By Daryna Krasnolutska, Volodymyr Verbianyi and Olesia Safronova Oct 18, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Ukraine is in talks with Turkey, Egypt and India on the possibility of opening up Black Sea civil navigation,...

• Havila adds six vessel-years of firm North Sea work
  Splash247 · 10/19/2026

  Norwegian offshore vessel operator Havila Shipping has signed contracts with Neo Next + Energy’s UK arm for two of its platform supply vessels (PSVs). The contracts were awarded to the 2010-built Havila Fanø and the 2009-built Havila Herøy. Each contract is firm for three years until September 2029, with three optional

• Equinor extends Eidesvik PSV contract through 2027
  Splash247 · 10/19/2026

  Norwegian offshore vessel owner Eidesvik Offshore has received a contract extension from compatriot energy giant Equinor for the 5,700 dwt platform supply vessel Viking Avant. The contract extension runs directly from the current contract, extending the firm period to the end of 2027, with an option for further extensi

• BV China and Pacific Gas ink strategic cooperation
  Seatrade Maritime · 10/19/2026

  The partnership aims to deliver technical consultancy services for liquefied gas carriers

• World’s Rarest Porpoise Battles Extinction As Mexico Shrinks Protected Area
  gCaptain · 10/19/2026

  By Ana Isabel Martinez and Sarah Morland MEXICO CITY, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Mexico’s president said on Thursday a drastic reduction in the protected area for the near-extinct vaquita marina, the world’s...

• Ukraine Hits Petroleum Terminal on St. Petersburg's Waterfront
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• ABS Helps Industry Put Augmented Reality to the Test
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• Romania Shoots Down Two Suspected Russian Drones in NATO Airspace
  The Maritime Executive · 10/19/2026
• UKMTO struggling to accurately report Hormuz attacks
  Seatrade Maritime · 10/18/2026

  Four attacks reported over the weekend as “majority” of attacked vessels refuse to report to UKMTO.

• Turkey Will Get Some Diesel From US-Russia Supply Deal
  gCaptain · 10/18/2026

  ANKARA, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Turkey will take some of the diesel Russia is supplying to global markets under its agreement with US President Donald Trump, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on...

• Tanker Operator Transpetro's Fleet Expansion Creates Local Jobs in Brazil
  The Maritime Executive · 10/18/2026
• The Price is Right: Secondhand Tanker Prices Soar Alongside Day Rates
  The Maritime Executive · 10/18/2026
• Tankers: Is a Clean Slate Coming for 15% of the Tanker Fleet?
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  A sudden boost of tanker supply could emerge, should the US proceed with a waiver of sanctioned tankers. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Gibson said that “the US is weighing a waiver that would let tankers sanctioned for links to Russia, Iran or Venezuela carry non-sanctioned oil, or be sold to mainstream owner

• Dry Bulk Market: Capesizes Declined Slightly Last Week
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Capesize The market endured a sustained and broad-based decline through the week, with the BCI 182 5TC falling from $37,618 at Monday’s close to $29,464 by Friday. Persistent selling pressure across both basins drove rates lower, with sentiment deteriorating as the week progressed. The Pacific remained under pressure t

• VLCC Tanker Rates Retreated Last Week
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Clean LR2 The TC1 75kt MEG/Japan index climbed by 47 points this week to WS986, with the corresponding Baltic round-trip TCE gaining $14,800 to $285,400/day. For the TC20 90kt MEG/UK-Continent run, the index rose by $2.73 million to $21.24 million, corresponding to $332,000/day on Baltic round trip. The TC15 80kt Medit

• Faster Ballast, Slower Laden: VLCC Supply Signals Diverge
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  This week’s Tanker Market Monitor examines divergence in VLCC sailing speeds, regional vessel supply, and freight earnings. In the Arabian Gulf, ballast vessels are accelerating while laden ships are slowing, with no clear improvement in overall voyage turnaround. Meanwhile, the western VLCC ballast surplus has narrowe

• nOn Cyber Extortion Incident Involving 38 Maritime Companies Likely traces Back to a Single Vendor
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  On 12 October 2026, the cyber extortion group n0n listed a batch of 38 maritime organizations on its dark web leak site. The targets include shipping companies, port terminal operators, container operation companies, logistics companies, ship managers and agents, and other maritime-related companies in 18 countries. Th

• Asia-US container rates mixed as extended peak season demand wanes; tanker rates stable
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Rates for shipping containers from east Asia and China to the US were mixed this week while rates for liquid chemical tankers ex-US Gulf were largely stable. CONTAINER RATES Container rates were mixed this week to both US coasts. Rates to the West Coast are between $7,475-8,300/FEU (40-foot equivalent unit) while rates

• Japan to provide P&I, compensate cargo, hull cover for crude, oil products, LNG transport
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Japan is set to provide protection and indemnity cover and partially compensate cargo and hull insurance payments for the transportation of crude oil, oil products and LNG, as part of a bill approved by the Cabinet on Oct. 13, a senior official at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. The bill is one ...

• Biofuel Bunker Snapshot: Rotterdam’s B30-VLSFO premium over VLSFO narrows
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Europe Rotterdam’s B30-VLSFO (POMEME) price has gained $36/mt in the past week, while the Dutch port’s conventional VLSFO price has jumped $54/mt over the same period. This has narrowed Rotterdam’s B30-VLSFO price premium over conventional VLSFO by $17/mt, to $174/mt. Dutch suppliers can generate ZRE A tickets for sell

• One Singapore ship was sunk, but here’s why others are still transiting the Strait of Hormuz
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Vessels transit the Hormuz Strait off the coast of Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on September 7, 2026. Commercial vessels are likely to continue navigating the perilous Strait of Hormuz despite the sinking of a Singapore-flagged container ship this week, as strong demand for Middle Eastern energy and lucrat

• Trade Data vs. Maritime Intelligence: What Customs Agencies Actually Need
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Trade Data Was Built for Commercial Visibility Cargo manifests, customs declarations, shipping records, and import and export filings exist to describe commerce. They do that well. How much crude moved through Yanbu last month? Which companies are shipping dry bulk into Rotterdam? What do the dominant trade flows look

• Drewry: Intra Asia Container Index Down 3% Last Week
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) eased 3% to $1,453 per 40ft container. Freight rates declined, particularly from Shanghai to Busan, Ho Chi Minh City and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, as congestion eased at these ports. See detailed commentary below. IACI eases as port congestion improves • The Drewry Intra-Asia Con

• Iran war: Saudi helicopter crash kills two as tanker attacks threaten Hormuz
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Two Saudi military personnel were killed in a helicopter crash near Yemen on Sunday, as regional fighting intensified and tanker attacks threatened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Saudi-led coalition said an AH-6i reconnaissance helicopter crashed in Najran due to a technical malfunction, killing both crew m

• Singapore fuel oil stocks fall 7% despite rise in net imports
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 7% lower so far in October than across September, Enterprise Singapore’s latest data shows. Changes in monthly average Singapore stocks from September to October (so far): Residual fuel oil stocks down 1.39 million bbls to 18.36 million bbls Middle distillate stocks up

• BIMCO: Where are the whales? Useful tools you can use to help protect them
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  As whales migrate into critical habitats, many authorities are activating seasonal and dynamic measures that can affect how should ships transit certain areas. We recommend you check if any of your ships are travelling through areas with mandatory and voluntary whale strike reduction measures and if you can use any dig

• AI, Robotics and Nuclear Energy Lead Discussion at ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  “Rapid technology innovation and autonomous systems are transforming shipping into a highly connected, data-driven industry.” That was a key message from John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO, to maritime industry leaders at the ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting in New York City. He said that shift is being dr

• AMS Barging christens 9,000 m³ methanol-ready tanker Felicitas as fleet continues to grow
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Dutch inland shipping company AMS Barging has christened its new diesel-electric tanker Felicitas at Noordereiland in Rotterdam. Liv and Julie, daughters of AMS Barging co-owner Igor Jansen, performed the naming ceremony. The 135-metre tanker was designed by RensenDriessen Shipbuilding and fitted out by Den Breejen Shi

• Singapore bio-bunker sales surged in September, while LNG sales declined
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Singapore sold approximately 2,700 mt/day of bio-bunkers in September, up from around 1,800 mt/day in August, according to preliminary data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Changes in Singapore alternative fuel sales from August to September: Bio-VLSFO sales up from 48,000 mt to 76,000 mt Bio-HSFO sal

• China state buyers purchase up to 13 US soybean cargoes
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Chinese state-owned trading firms purchased 10 to 13 Panamax cargoes of US soybeans on Wednesday, marking the second substantial round of purchases since US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in September, Reuters reported on Thursday. The cargoes are scheduled for shipment between December and

• Konecranes launches AI assistant for Konecranes Portal, helping customers identify equipment and service needs
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Konecranes Portal AI Assistant is now available globally to Industrial Service & Equipment customers. Konecranes Portal is a one-stop shop for crane maintenance information, asset data, spare parts and more. With the addition of Portal AI Assistant, customers can quickly find and connect equipment and service informati

• Singapore Sept petrochemical exports fall anew; feedstock risks weigh on outlook
  Hellenic Shipping News · 10/18/2026

  Singapore’s petrochemical exports in September declined by 8.3% year on year to Singapore dollar (S$) 808.7 million ($632 million), with future production facing risks amid prolonged shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. • Feedstock uncertainty, weak margins threaten Singapore petrochemical sector recovery • Se

• Oman Signs EU No-Tolls Pledge on Freedom of Navigation
  The Maritime Executive · 10/18/2026
• As CM Ports Exits Colombo Project, US Invests $17M in Port's Digitalization
  The Maritime Executive · 10/18/2026
• China's Unconventional Naval Warfare Capabilities are Evolving
  The Maritime Executive · 10/18/2026
• Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect Faces German War Crime Charge
  gCaptain · 10/18/2026

  By Karin Matussek Oct 18, 2026 (Bloomberg) –A Ukrainian army officer suspected of being a protagonist in the sabotage of Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 stood trial in Hamburg accused...

• Union Leader Launches Crane Sit-in at Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan Yard
  The Maritime Executive · 10/18/2026
• Iran Urges US To Accept Proposal To Reopen Strait Of Hormuz
  gCaptain · 10/18/2026

  DUBAI, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Iran’s offer to the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days is still on the table, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Iranian media...

• Fifteen-year-old VLCCs worth more than a newbuild ordered today
  Seatrade Maritime · 10/18/2026

  Unprecedented day rates have resulted in rocketing secondhand tanker prices, with even relatively old vessels worth more than a new order placed today.

• Natural Gas Project Paused After Greenpeace Protest Off Western Australia
  gCaptain · 10/18/2026

  SYDNEY, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Woodside WDS.AX said operations remained paused on Sunday at a floating production unit, part of its $12.5 ?billion Scarborough natural gas project off the coast ?of Western Australia, due...

• World’s largest ethanol bunkering on Maersk ship in Singapore
  Seatrade Maritime · 10/18/2026

  The refuelling was carried at berth in PSA during container handling operations on the vessel