Maritime Trade & Economy

Pakistan Reviews Maritime Trade Strategy as Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry Highlights Shipping Opportunities

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to assess emerging logistical challenges facing Pakistan’s trade, particularly in the energy sector, amid evolving geopolitical tensions in the region.
The 11-member committee, constituted on the directives of the Prime Minister to formulate a comprehensive response strategy aimed at safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime trade interests, has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within two days.

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

IMO and Paris MoU Strengthen Port State Control Transparency with Updated Data-Exchange Agreement

In a significant move to enhance Port State Control (PSC) transparency and cooperation, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MoU) signed an updated data-exchange agreement at IMO Headquarters in London on 26 February.
The agreement, formalized by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and Paris MoU Secretary-General Luc Smulders, aims to strengthen global maritime cooperation and improve information sharing, making ship inspections more effective worldwide.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

UAE Tug Struck by Missiles While Assisting Abandoned Container Ship in Strait of Hormuz

A UAE-registered tugboat was reportedly struck by missiles while attempting to assist the abandoned container ship Safeen Prestige in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the death of all crew members on board.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), third-party reports confirmed that the tug was hit by unknown projectiles 6 nautical miles north of Oman. Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech confirmed that the UAE-flagged tug Mussafah 2 was struck by two missiles during rescue operations. All eight crew members on board the tug are believed to have perished in the attack 18 nautical miles off Khasab, Oman.

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

Climate Change in the Arctic Threatens Greenland Fishing Industry as Melting Sea Ice Forces Traditional Fishers toward Boat Fishing

Rapid climate change in the Arctic region is reshaping the traditional fishing industry in Greenland, as melting sea ice forces local fishers to abandon centuries-old ice fishing practices and move toward boat-based or commercial fishing methods.

Fisherman Helgi Áargil says fishing conditions in Greenland’s fjords have become increasingly unpredictable. Spending several days at sea with his dog while navigating the icy waters under the Northern Lights, Áargil says each trip can either bring a major catch worth around 100,000 Danish kroner (about €13,400) or result in no catch at all.

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Ports and Shipping

China’s COSCO Shipping Suspends Gulf Routes as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Disrupt Global Shipping and Oil Tanker Traffic

Chinese state-owned shipping giant COSCO Shipping, one of the world’s largest operators of oil tankers and container vessels, has announced the suspension of shipping services to and from several Gulf countries as security concerns continue to affect maritime traffic in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

Ukrainian Strike on Novorossiysk Damages Russian Warships and Oil Terminal, Escalating Black Sea Maritime Security Risks

A recent Ukrainian strike on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk has reportedly damaged both a major oil loading terminal and several vessels belonging to the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet, according to Ukrainian sources, highlighting growing maritime security risks in the Black Sea shipping corridor.

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Ports and Shipping

Scottish Government Plans Four-Ship Construction Contracts to Support Ferguson Marine Shipyard

The Scottish Government is moving forward with a plan to award four shipbuilding contracts to Ferguson Marine, aiming to support the financially troubled shipyard and secure the future of shipbuilding operations in Glasgow.

The shipyard entered administration before being taken over by the Scottish Government in 2019 in an effort to protect jobs and preserve the country’s historic maritime manufacturing sector. The proposed contracts are viewed as a key step toward stabilizing the yard’s operations and eventually transitioning the shipbuilder back to private ownership.

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Ports and Shipping

AD Ports Group Expects Cargo Volume Growth as Global Shipping Routes Shift Away from Strait of Hormuz

Global shipping routes are undergoing significant adjustments as geopolitical tensions and maritime security concerns influence vessel movements across key trade corridors. In response to these developments, AD Ports Group expects an increase in cargo volumes across its international maritime and logistics network as shipping companies reroute vessels away from traditional Gulf shipping lanes.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

US Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship off Sri Lanka, Dozens Rescued

A United States submarine has reportedly sunk an Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka, resulting in multiple casualties and prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. According to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the strike, carried out with a torpedo in international waters, marks the “first such attack on an enemy since World War II.”

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

Trinidad and Tobago Strengthens Marine Spill Response for Hazardous and Noxious Substances

Trinidad and Tobago has enhanced its national preparedness for hazardous and noxious substance (HNS) marine spills following a three-day national workshop held in Port of Spain from 23–25 February 2026. The initiative focused on building technical expertise, improving coordination, and sharing best practices for effective management of marine pollution incidents.

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Maritime Environment Policy and Law

New Emission Control Areas Introduced in Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea to Reduce Shipping Pollution

As of 1 March 2026, the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea officially became Emission Control Areas (ECAs) under MARPOL Annex VI, introducing stricter limits on sulphur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from ships. These new regulations aim to significantly reduce air pollution from maritime traffic in sensitive Arctic and Northern European waters.

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Ports and Shipping

Saudi Arabia Prepared for Shipping Route Shift to Jeddah Islamic Port amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions

Saudi Arabia has the full operational capacity to absorb any sudden surge in cargo volumes if Gulf shipping routes are redirected to the Kingdom’s western ports, particularly Jeddah Islamic Port, as a strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran, according to industry experts speaking to Al-Eqtisadiah.
With geopolitical tensions impacting maritime trade flows in the Gulf, logistics and supply chain specialists say Saudi Arabia’s advanced port infrastructure, integrated transport network, and digital logistics systems position the Kingdom as a strong regional hub capable of handling rerouted cargo.

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Ports and Shipping

Suez Canal Traffic Flowing Normally as Shipping Contract Talks Begin despite Iran War and Carrier Suspensions

Vessel traffic through the Suez Canal is continuing without disruption despite the widening Iran war and the withdrawal of some major container shipping lines from the key Middle East trade corridor.
Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), confirmed Tuesday that “traffic through the Canal is flowing normally in both directions,” underscoring that navigational services are operating around the clock.

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Maritime Safety , Security and Technology

U.S.-Flagged Stena Imperative Tanker Hit by Iranian Missiles during Bahrain Attack

A U.S.-flagged tanker participating in a U.S. military fuel supply program was struck by Iranian missiles early Monday, March 2, during renewed regional hostilities centered around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
The tanker, Stena Imperative (49,800 dwt), sustained damage while docked in Bahrain. The vessel’s crew was safely evacuated, but reports indicate that one shipyard worker was killed and two others were seriously injured in the attack.

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