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Mostafa Zahed Hossain (26E) is...
Mostafa Zahed Hossain (26E) is currently serving as the Managing Director of Wärtsilä Bangladesh Mostafa Zahed Hossain (26E) is...
India Reveals Unreported Incident of...
Indian officials, during an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday, revealed the details of an incident over the weekend during which...
U.S. Navy Destroyer Suffers Serious...
U.S. officials have confirmed that a fire seriously damaged a guided missile destroyer operating in the Indo-Pacific Command area...
Iranian Trader Boats are Still...
For decades, probably much longer, traders based in Iran have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, bringing goods to Oman’s...
Hormuz Traffic Ticks Up With More Vessels Outbound...
posted on: May 4, 2026
Traffic is picking up again in the Strait of Hormuz, despite dueling blockades by U.S. and Iranian forces, according to maritime security consultancy Windward. 19 vessels made the transit throught the waterway on April 25, most outbound and all of them broadcasting AIS – a possible sign of recovery, at least for one day. The number would have been higher if Iranian shipping interests had been unimpeded, but the U.S. Navy is working on making its naval cordon more efficient, with some success. The most noteworthy crossing was the megayacht Nord, linked to Russia’s wealthiest businessman, the sanctioned steel and mining magnate Alexey Mordashov. Iran has a friendly relationship with Moscow, based on defense ties, and has an incentive to allow Russian traffic to use the strait. Nord is immediately recognizable: she is an iconic Lurssen yacht, ranking among the largest in the world, and has a distinctive and imposing appearance designed...
Yemen reports hijacked oil tanker headed for Somalia...
posted on: May 4, 2026
Yemen’s Coast Guard has said that it is attempting to recover an oil tanker that was hijacked off the coast and is now heading towards Somalia. The “M/T Eureka” was seized off Yemen’s southeastern Shabwa province as armed assailants boarded and took control of the vessel, the coastguard said in a statement on Saturday. The hijackers then steered the tanker to the Gulf of Aden towards the Somali coast. The attack is at least the fourth to take place near Somalia in recent weeks, with pirate activity in the area on the rise in an apparent reaction to the war in Iran. Officials say pirates have become emboldened as naval forces patrolling the Red Sea area are distracted by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and civilian maritime routes diverted. The coastguard said that it was working with international partners and relevant authorities in the Gulf of Aden to...
Trump Vows to Maintain Pressure on Iran Through Naval Blockade...
posted on: May 3, 2026
By Patrick Sykes and Eltaf Najafizada May 1, 2026 (Bloomberg) –US President Donald Trump vowed to maintain a naval blockade on Iran and was briefed by commanders on further military options, according to a report, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire between the warring countries. Trump reiterated that the blockade of Iranian ports is depriving the Islamic Republic of much-needed oil revenue, claiming the pressure would force Tehran back to the negotiating table. Video Paused “Good luck blockading a country with those borders,” Iran’s speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on X, referring to his country’s large size. He and other Iranian officials say the blockade, which they insist must be lifted for the sides to go to new talks and for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, will further push up oil prices. Brent was up 1.3% to around $112 a barrel on Friday, extending this week’s gain...
Building a new kind of shipmanager in a changing world...
posted on: May 3, 2026
Julian Panter, CEO of Noatum CSM, explores whether today’s shipmanagement models, including tech-led solutions and fast-scaling joint ventures, are truly equipped to deliver consistency across increasingly complex operating environments, and how they will define the next phase of shipmanagement in the Middle East. Shipping in the Gulf is once again drawing renewed attention, highlighting the region’s vital role in global trade. Recent incidents have underscored the operational challenges facing the shipping sector, and how disruption in such a key hub can quickly impact supply chains worldwide. For those of us operating here, the lesson is not new, but it is becoming harder to ignore. The threshold for what constitutes acceptable ship management has shifted. It is no longer enough to run vessels efficiently in stable conditions. The expectation now is that operators can maintain safety, continuity and discipline in environments that are anything but predictable. That has implications not...
U.S. Targets Iran–China Oil Pipeline in Dual Sanctions Move on Shipping and Finance...
posted on: May 3, 2026
The United States escalated its pressure campaign on Iran Friday, pairing maritime sanctions with a parallel strike on the financial channels that convert oil sales into cash, in what officials described as a coordinated effort to tighten the entire Iran–China energy trade chain. The State Department confirmed sanctions on China-based Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co., Ltd., accusing the operator of importing “tens of millions of barrels” of Iranian crude since early 2025 and facilitating billions of dollars in revenue flows to Tehran through ship-to-ship transfers and other deceptive shipping practices. Officials said the terminal accepted cargoes linked to sanctioned vessels engaged in covert transfers, reinforcing long-standing U.S. concerns about Singapore-area STS hubs and the broader “dark fleet” ecosystem moving Iranian oil. The action also designated an individual tied to the terminal, along with a tanker and vessel management companies previously identified as part of Iran’s export network. While State focused...
The “Safe Bubble”: Integrating security and health for seafarers’ welfare in high-risk zones...
posted on: May 3, 2026
During his presentation at the 2026 SAFETY4SEA Limassol Forum, Angelo Lazaridis, Chief Commercial Officer at Diaplous Group, used a hypothetical scenario set in the Middle East Conflict Zone, to illustrate the critical challenges seafarers face during medical evacuations. In hybrid war zones, where traditional medevac may be impossible due to drone threats and GPS jamming, he stressed the importance of investing in predictive security measures and advanced onboard healthcare capabilities. The maritime landscape has dramatically changed over the last decade. As a risk manager at Diaplous Group, operating since 2010 at the intersection of geopolitical tension and maritime operations, I have witnessed firsthand how risk is no longer confined to hull integrity or cargo protection. Today, the real challenge lies deeper, within the human element. We often speak about protecting the vessel, the cargo, and the commercial mission. But increasingly, I believe we must shift our focus beyond steel and structure, toward...
Orca AI and Samsung Heavy team up to speed autonomous shipping push...
posted on: May 3, 2026
Orca AI has entered a strategic partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries aimed at accelerating the deployment of autonomous vessel technology across both newbuilds and existing fleets. Under the agreement, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) will integrate Orca AI’s situational awareness platform into vessels equipped with its Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) system, while Orca AI will incorporate SHI technologies such as its SVISION berthing assistance and autonomous speed control systems into its own platform. The companies plan to jointly develop integrated autonomous navigation, berthing and speed optimisation packages covering retrofit projects as well as new construction. “Bringing together SHI’s deep expertise in vessel design and integration with our AI-driven situational awareness platform creates a practical path to scaling autonomous capabilities,” said Orca AI chief executive Yarden Gross. The collaboration also includes joint research and operational data sharing designed to improve real-time decision-making, adaptive navigation and fuel optimisation through large-scale fleet learning....
Mizan Al Kabir (30E), CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST: A Distinguished Voice in Global Marine Engineering...
posted on: May 3, 2026
Mizan Al Kabir (30E), CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST: A Distinguished Voice in Global Marine Engineering In the modern maritime world shaped by technological innovation, environmental transition, and increasingly complex regulatory frameworks, the role of the professional marine engineer has never been more important. Among the respected figures contributing to this evolving profession is Mizan Al Kabir, CEng, CMarEng, FIMarEST, whose internationally recognized credentials reflect both technical expertise and a professional commitment to advancing marine engineering. Although not widely featured in popular maritime media, his chartered recognitions and fellowship status place him among a select group of engineers whose influence extends beyond individual assignments to the broader professional community. His career represents the quiet but essential leadership that sustains the technical backbone of global shipping. Chartered Recognition and Professional Standing The professional distinctions following Mizan Al Kabir’s name, Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered Marine Engineer (CMarEng), are marks of high achievement...
Empty Tankers Are Extending Iran’s Ability to Wait Out the U.S. Blockade...
posted on: May 2, 2026
The U.S. Navy’s blockade may be preventing Iran from moving much crude to market, but a small number of tankers in ballast have been leaking through, and the extra empty tank capacity appears to be extending the timeline before Iranian producers run out of storage. Previous independent estimates suggest that the full-storage date could come as early as this week, but the specialists at TankerTrackers.com believe that Iran has enough loitering tanker tonnage to keep pumping until mid-June – using floating storage alone. “Empty tankers have been entering the perimeter. Depending on loading rate, Iran could handle another 4-6 weeks in tanker loadings provided no additional empty tankers arrive. Add to that, vacant storage capacity on shore,” the consultancy said. The estimate is far longer than other independent assessments. Kpler puts the timeline (combining all storage sources) towards late May. The Foundation for Defense of Democracy (FDD), an anti-regime...
First laden LNG carrier appears to transit Strait of Hormuz since war outbreak; Japanese VLCC follows...
posted on: May 2, 2026
The first laden LNG carrier since the war in the Middle East broke out on 28 February appears to have transited the Strait of Hormuz Meanwhile, a Japanese-owned VLCC has also reportedly made the passage, a development that analysts say is notable for regional shipping risk sentiment. Market intelligence provider ICIS LNG ship-tracking data shows that 1996-built Mubaraz, linked to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC), is now off the coast of southern India. “We had no signals from the ship for several weeks, but it reappeared on tracking systems on 27 April,” ICIS senior LNG analyst Alex Froley told Riviera. ADNOC has not officially confirmed the transit, telling Bloomberg that it does not comment on the position, movements or routeing of its vessels. “It looks like the ship must have crossed through the Strait of Hormuz with its signal turned off,” Mr Froley said. Mubaraz would be the first...
Inmarsat Gains High-Speed Pacific Coverage With Final Viasat-3 Launch...
posted on: May 2, 2026
Inmarsat’s high-end broadband service is fast, but its recent tie-up with U.S. satcom giant Viasat promises to make it even faster. Inmarsat’s multi-orbit hybrid network is designed to integrate bandwidth from ViaSat’s next-generation satellite constellation, ViaSat-3. First launched in May 2023 for service over the Americas, the VS3 satellite series should bring high speed broadband over Europe and Asia as well – and it is now one big step closer to full deployment. On April 29, the third and final ViaSat-3 satellite took flight on a SpaceX rocket, and it successfully reached orbit. ViaSat-3 has been years in the making. The first satellite had challenges with antenna deployment, and has not been able to attain its full data throughput rate. It serves the Americas, and is currently capable of about one-tenth of its rated one-terabit capacity. ViaSat has filed a claim with its insurers for $420 million in connection...
Why fire safety training at sea must go further...
posted on: May 2, 2026
In an industry where crews operate hundreds of miles from shore, often with limited external support, safety cannot be built on minimum standards alone. Nowhere is this more evident than in fire safety. The maritime sector has long relied on global training frameworks to ensure seafarers are prepared to deal with emergencies. Yet when a fire breaks out at sea, compliance with the minimum training requirement is not what determines the outcome. What matters is how prepared the crew truly is in the moment, how well they can react under pressure, how confidently they can assess the situation, and how effectively they can work together to contain the threat. We have seen recent reports of fires breaking out onboard sparking discussion on how effective standards of training really are. The industry must recognise a simple truth: minimum standards are a starting point, not the finish line. The global benchmark...
Featured Post
Industry on alert over scam messages offering ships “safe passage” on Hormuz Credit: Shutterstock Fraudulent messages offering safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been circulated to shipping companies with vessels stranded west of the waterway, according to MARISKS. In an alert issued on 20 April, MARISKS cautioned that unknown actors posing as Iranian authorities had contacted […]
The ‘Cadet Gridlock’ in Bangladesh’s Maritime Sector: A Sorrowful Story of Wasted Potential The ‘Cadet Gridlock’ in Bangladesh’s Maritime Sector: A Sorrowful Story of Wasted Potential By Minar Rashid 21E On 15 November, the BMCS Gala Night 2025 was held at Singapore’s Orchid Country Club. With the vibrant participation of hundreds of Bangladeshi mariners and their families, the event became a remarkable reunion […]
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