Maritime Current News

Insights, Updates, and Maritime Intelligence

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Maritime Current News

Insights, Updates, and Maritime Intelligence

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Author: Maritime Current News

China’s Russian Crude Oil Imports Surge to Record Levels in February amid India’s Cutbacks
Maritime Trade & Economy
Maritime Current News

China’s Russian Crude Oil Imports Surge to Record Levels in February amid India’s Cutbacks

China’s imports of Russian crude oil are set to reach a new record high in February 2026, marking rising Chinese demand even as India scales back its purchases of Russian oil, according to traders and ship-tracking data. China’s Russian oil imports are estimated at around 2.07 to 2.083 million barrels per day in February, up sharply from January’s estimated 1.7 million bpd, driven largely by independent Chinese refiners snapping up heavily discounted cargoes amid shifting global trade patterns.

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Pakistan’s Aquaculture Sector Advances with Launch of PakRos All-Male Prawn Hatchery
Fisheries & SeafoodPakistan Maritime News
Maritime Current News

Pakistan’s Aquaculture Sector Advances with Launch of PakRos All-Male Prawn Hatchery

Gharo – Pakistan’s aquaculture sector marked a significant milestone as the Giant Freshwater Prawn Farmers’ Day & Technical Roadshow, themed “Unlocking Pakistan’s Aquaculture Export Potential through High-Value Species,” was successfully held at Pak Gharo Agri & Livestock Farms (PGA&LF) in Gharo in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) under the leadership of Director General Mr. Athar Khokhar. The event spotlighted new strategies to enhance fisheries exports, promote high-value aquaculture, and strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.

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International Seminar Highlights Biofuels’ Role in Maritime Decarbonization
Maritime Trade & Economy
Maritime Current News

International Seminar Highlights Biofuels’ Role in Maritime Decarbonization

An international seminar organized by the IMO Future Fuels and Technology Project explored the latest developments in biofuels for the maritime sector, addressing both opportunities and challenges in using plant-based, waste oil, or agricultural residue fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. The seminar, held at IMO headquarters in London on 12 February, aimed to provide information and insights to policymakers and industry stakeholders on alternative fuels and emerging technologies, without engaging in formal policy negotiations.

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Hapag-Lloyd Acquires ZIM, Creating World’s Fourth-Largest Container Shipping Company
Ports and Shipping
Maritime Current News

Hapag-Lloyd Acquires ZIM, Creating World’s Fourth-Largest Container Shipping Company

Global container shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has agreed to acquire ZIM, Israel’s de facto national shipping line, in a landmark deal valued at over $4 billion. The heads of agreement have been reached, and ZIM’s board approved the transaction, which will see the company delisted from the New York Stock Exchange after Hapag-Lloyd purchases all issued shares.

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China to invest $800 Million in Pakistan’s Sea-to-Steel Maritime Project at Port Qasim
Pakistan Maritime News
Maritime Current News

China to invest $800 Million in Pakistan’s Sea-to-Steel Maritime Project at Port Qasim

A Chinese firm is set to invest $800 million in Pakistan to implement the Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex (IMIC) project, which includes a comprehensive sea-to-steel initiative at Port Qasim, along with shipbreaking and maintenance facilities. The investment aims to modernize Pakistan’s maritime and industrial infrastructure, reviving Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and the Iron Ore and Coal Berth, which has been abandoned for over 12 years.

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Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Acquires Modern MR-II Clean Product Tanker MT. Quetta
Pakistan Maritime News
Maritime Current News

Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Acquires Modern MR-II Clean Product Tanker MT. Quetta

Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), the national flag carrier of Pakistan, has announced the successful induction of a modern MR-II clean product tanker, formerly known as MT. Stavanger Poseidon (DWT 49,999, built in 2020),into its managed fleet. The vessel has been renamed MT. Quetta.
This strategic addition reflects PNSC’s ongoing commitment to fleet expansion, portfolio diversification, and strengthening its presence in the international shipping market. MT. Quetta is a technologically advanced vessel, constructed to meet high standards of safety, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance.

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Bio-LNG and Biomethane: Driving Maritime Decarbonisation under EU Regulations
Maritime Trade & Economy
Maritime Current News

Bio-LNG and Biomethane: Driving Maritime Decarbonisation under EU Regulations

The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Net Zero Framework (NZF) adjournment has increased the relative importance of European Union regulations, including FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Shipowners with liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines are financially incentivized under these rules to transition to Bio-LNG, also known as biomethane, to meet decarbonisation targets. FuelEU Maritime strongly favors Bio-LNG because of its low to negative life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and compatibility with existing LNG engines, offering a seamless pathway for operators to reduce emissions without extensive retrofitting.

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Cyberattacks Surge in Maritime Sector, Persistent Vessel Tracking Becomes Critical
Maritime Safety , Security and Technology
Maritime Current News

Cyberattacks Surge in Maritime Sector, Persistent Vessel Tracking Becomes Critical

Cyberattacks are escalating across industries, and the shipping and maritime sectors are no exception. According to research by law firm HFW, reported by the BBC, the cost of addressing cyberattacks in the shipping sector doubled from 2022 to 2023, averaging $550,000 per incident. As attacks grow more sophisticated, maritime operators and ports face increasing financial and operational risks.

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Asia-US Container Rates Ease amid Low Volume and Rising Blank Sailings, Panama Ports Dispute Escalates
Ports and Shipping
Maritime Current News

Asia-US Container Rates Ease amid Low Volume and Rising Blank Sailings, Panama Ports Dispute Escalates

Container shipping rates from East Asia and China to the US edged lower this week as cargo volumes remain soft, despite carriers increasing the number of blank sailings. Supply chain advisory firm Drewry reported that spot rates from Shanghai to major US ports declined slightly due to subdued demand. Ahead of factory closures for the Lunar New Year, carriers announced 57 blank sailings over the next two weeks on transpacific East and West Coast trade lanes, significantly higher than in previous years. Analysts expect spot rates to continue a modest decline in the coming weeks.

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Pakistan Secures $3 Million GEF Funding to Boost Marine Biodiversity and Sustainable Fisheries
Pakistan Maritime News
Maritime Current News

Pakistan Secures $3 Million GEF Funding to Boost Marine Biodiversity and Sustainable Fisheries

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced that Pakistan has secured $3 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to conserve marine biodiversity and accelerate a shift toward sustainable and regenerative fisheries management.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the maritime minister said the project titled “Conserving marine biodiversity by accelerating transition to sustainable and regenerative fisheries management practices”, will be executed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

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Trump Administration Unveils Maritime Action Plan to Revive US Shipbuilding and Counter China’s Dominance
Ports and Shipping
Maritime Current News

Trump Administration Unveils Maritime Action Plan to Revive US Shipbuilding and Counter China’s Dominance

The Trump administration has released a comprehensive Maritime Action Plan aimed at rebuilding the United States shipbuilding industry and strengthening the broader maritime sector, funded in part through port fees on cargo arriving aboard China-built vessels. The levies, introduced under Section 301 following a U.S. investigation into China’s alleged unfair shipping practices, were expected to generate an estimated $3.2 billion annually before both countries agreed to pause the measures for 12 months amid escalating trade tensions.

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Seascale Energy Marks Strong Growth Nine Months After Launch as Marine Fuel Procurement Platform
Ports and Shipping
Maritime Current News

Seascale Energy Marks Strong Growth Nine Months After Launch as Marine Fuel Procurement Platform

Nine months into operations, Seascale Energy has gained significant momentum as a marine fuel procurement platform focused on scale, transparency, and efficiency in the bunker industry. Launched in May 2025 as a joint venture between Cargill’s Pure Marine Fuels (PMF) and the Hafnia Bunker Alliance, Seascale Energy was created to offer a future-ready approach to marine fuel procurement.

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