A potential 25 percent US tariff on Chinese goods has emerged as a key tool in Washington’s effort to increase pressure on Tehran, reports Maritime Executive. The move would target all countries maintaining trade ties with Iran, but China stands at the center of the policy due to its dominant role in Iranian commerce.
A Hong Kong court has sentenced the captain of an oil tanker to 14 months in prison following a deadly collision with a local fishing boat, a case that has once again exposed serious navigational safety risks in busy coastal waters. The court ruling and key details of the proceedings were reported by NextShip.
A routine attempt to refloat a grounded bulk carrier off Taiwan’s east coast escalated into a wider maritime emergency when one of the assisting tugs also ran aground, prompting a helicopter evacuation, The Maritime Telegraph reports.
A sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker has run aground in the Aegean Sea near Turkey, highlighting ongoing safety and compliance risks linked to Russia-related oil transportation. According to NextShip, the oil tanker Qendil, previously damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, grounded close to the island of Bozcaada and prompted an emergency response by Turkish authorities.
A collision between two Nile river cruise vessels near Egypt’s Esna Lock on December 21 resulted in the death of a passenger, raising fresh concerns over safety on the busy Nile route between Luxor and Aswan. According to The Maritime Telegraph, the accident occurred in a narrow and heavily regulated stretch of the river used daily by multiple cruise ships.
Eastern Pacific Shipping has expanded its newbuilding programme by adding another capesize bulker order, strengthening its presence at Chinese shipyards amid continued demand for large dry bulk tonnage, as reported by Splash 247.
According to NextShip, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to develop a new Trump-class battleship, which he described as the future flagship of a renewed U.S. Navy fleet. The administration is considering large-scale orders and aims to accelerate construction timelines.
According to The Maritime Telegraph, Maersk has completed its first Red Sea transit in nearly two years, cautiously testing conditions along the Suez Canal corridor after a prolonged absence.
In the early hours of December 19, the Singapore-flagged Maersk Sebarok, a 2007-built containership with a capacity of 6,500 teu, sailed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and entered the Red Sea. The vessel is operating on Maersk’s MECL service.
NextShip.net reports that in 2026 shipping will focus on practical decisions rather than bold decarbonisation targets. After 2025, the industry still struggles with high climate goals, limited fuel supply, and uneven rules. Shipowners will need to manage short-term compliance, costs, and fragmented policies. IMO’s net-zero plans remain, but timelines are slipping.
According to The Maritime Telegraph, a ferry crossing the Strait of Gibraltar was forced to return to port after Storm Emilia generated violent seas, causing extensive vehicle damage onboard. The ro/ro ferry Ciudad de Mahon departed Algeciras late Saturday night for Ceuta, encountering far harsher conditions than expected.
The Portugal-flagged LPG carrier CGas Saturn was attacked by pirates off Equatorial Guinea, with at least nine crew members reportedly kidnapped, according to Splash 247. Some early reports suggested up to 12 kidnapped seafarers, but this figure has not been confirmed by the operator. The vessel was sailing toward Malabo when armed men boarded it. Four crew remained onboard, and one is believed to be injured.
A major cargo ship fire in Manila left three crew members injured, according to The Maritime Telegraph. The Philippine-flagged vessel Meridian Dos caught fire at Manila North Harbor on December 3 while preparing to depart with container cargo. Dense smoke reportedly rose from the lower decks shortly after 6:00 a.m., forcing authorities to initiate an urgent response.
