Rising tensions following air raids in Iran and the wider Middle East have created serious uncertainty for global shipping, particularly along the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. The situation poses growing risks to international trade, especially the transport of oil and essential goods.
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Algoma Central, one of the largest dry and liquid bulk carriers in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region, has announced the acquisition of three Canadian operating companies and six Canadian-flagged Lakers from Mainstay Maritime (formerly Rand Logistics). The transaction strengthens Algoma’s presence in the Great Lakes while allowing Mainstay Maritime to focus on its U.S. Jones Act fleet.
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Seatrium has successfully delivered its next-generation wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) to Maersk Offshore Wind, marking a major milestone for both companies in the offshore wind sector. The delivery, completed on February 26 at Seatrium’s Tuas Boulevard Yard in Singapore following sea trials and final readiness checks, represents a significant step toward building a future-ready offshore wind fleet.
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The former United States Coast Guard cutter Decisive has departed Baltimore, Maryland, for Sri Lanka, marking the beginning of a historic 14,775-nautical-mile journey that will become the longest distance voyage ever undertaken by the Sri Lankan Navy and its first transit of the Panama Canal.
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Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has signed a contract with National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) to install a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), reinforcing maritime safety, surveillance and operational efficiency at Port Qasim.
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China’s military said it carried out a routine patrol in the South China Sea from February 23 to 26, while accusing the Philippines of “disrupting” peace and stability in the region by organizing joint patrols with countries outside the area.
In a statement, the Southern Theatre Command of the Chinese military said it remains committed to safeguarding China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and to firmly upholding regional peace and stability.
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The navies of the Philippines, Japan and the United States conducted joint military exercises in the South China Sea this week, strengthening cooperation among the three allies, the Philippine Armed Forces said on Friday.
According to the Philippine military, the joint activity underscores the sustained commitment of partner forces to enhance interoperability, reinforce maritime security, and improve Maritime Domain Awareness across the region.
Visit Qatar has announced the launch of Al Ruwais – Maritime Heritage Festival, a new cultural activation scheduled to take place from March 18 to April 4, 2026, along Qatar’s northern shoreline.
The festival forms part of Qatar’s northern tourism development strategy and has been designed as a culturally authentic, community-driven, and environmentally conscious experience celebrating the nation’s rich maritime heritage and coastal traditions.
California Imports through the Port of Long Beach declined 13 percent in January compared with the same month last year, reflecting the ongoing turbulence caused by escalating trade tensions and tariff policies.
The drop follows a surge in shipments a year earlier, when importers rushed to move freight ahead of tariff measures introduced under former President Donald Trump.
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The Dutch Port of Rotterdam reported a total throughput of 428.4 million tonnes in 2025, reflecting a 1.7 percent decline compared to 2024.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority highlighted that the dry bulk segment experienced the sharpest decrease, falling 6.5 percent, while liquid bulk throughput dropped by 1.5 percent. In contrast, container traffic grew by 3.1 percent in TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) terms, reaching 14.2 million TEU.
Saudi Arabia has posted its highest quarterly non-oil exports since 2017, signaling a major shift in the Kingdom’s trade structure during the fourth quarter of 2025.
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the merchandise trade surplus jumped 26.3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, fueled by strong non-oil export growth, which is increasingly contributing to Saudi Arabia’s external balance.
Kongsberg Maritime has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT PAL Indonesia, the country’s largest state-owned shipyard, to advance energy efficiency and decarbonisation in the maritime sector. The signing ceremony was held at PT PAL’s headquarters in Surabaya on February 26, 2026, and attended by representatives from both companies and the Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rut Krüger Giverin.
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Lloyd’s Register (LR) has announced Approval in Principle (AiP) for a hybrid nuclear-ready power concept developed in collaboration with Australian ship design group Seatransport Pty Ltd, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of low-emission maritime propulsion.
The innovative design enables nuclear Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs) to operate alongside conventional diesel-electric systems for 73-metre and 90-metre amphibious stern landing vessel (SLV) platforms. The AiP follows several years of close technical cooperation between LR and Seatransport aimed at ensuring regulatory compliance, operational safety and practical feasibility.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) convened its 2026 Hellenic Advisory Committee in Athens on 19 February, bringing together more than 30 leading Greek shipowners and senior executives to discuss the strategic priorities shaping the global maritime industry.
The high-level meeting was co-hosted by Nick Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd’s Register, and Elina Papageorgiou, Senior Vice President Greece & Cyprus. The session reinforced the Committee’s role as a senior advisory platform linking one of the world’s most influential shipping communities with LR’s global leadership team.
Dubai, UAE –DP World has strengthened trade connectivity between India and the Middle East following the acquisition of a 5,000+ TEU container vessel, DP World Chennai, under its Marine Services arm, Shipping Solutions.
The vessel has been integrated into the company’s Red Sea–Gulf–India service, reinforcing schedule reliability and enhancing regional supply chain performance. Its maiden call at Jebel Ali Port marks Shipping Solutions’ owned capacity exceeding 6 million TEU, further consolidating DP World’s operational footprint across key markets.
