MSC Container Fleet Tops 7.2m TEU

LNG is no longer a theoretical bridge fuel but a central pillar of shipping’s energy transition, writes Peter Keller, Chairman of Sea-LNG, in an author’s column published by Maritime Executive. For CEOs navigating decarbonization, LNG now represents scale, compliance certainty, and commercial flexibility.

Seafarer abandonment climbed to an unprecedented level in 2025, leaving 6,223 crew members stranded aboard 410 vessels worldwide, as reported by The Maritime Telegraph. The figures confirm that the problem is no longer episodic, but a persistent and worsening feature of global shipping.

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.

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.

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 Splash 247, London-based shipping company Zodiac Maritime has initiated a major fleet renewal worth around $1.6 bn, placing fresh orders for large tankers and containerships in China.