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.
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.
A historic tugboat that sank and leaked oil into Washington waters has now been successfully raised by salvors, according to Maritime Executive. Authorities moved quickly to contain environmental damage and remove the wreck, ending days of response operations in the affected area.
Taiwan is stepping up its campaign to block “high-risk” or poorly regulated vessels from its waters, Splash 247 reports. The government is updating its Law of Ships to allow fines of up to NT$10 million for operators whose vessels fail to provide accurate identification or transmit proper AIS signals. The move is part of a broader push to strengthen maritime security.
According to Splash 247, Greece’s Top Ships is considering a major move into Dubai’s property market through a potential acquisition tied to its CEO and main shareholder, Evangelos Pistiolis.
The tanker owner has signed a letter of intent to potentially purchase part or all of a residential real estate portfolio in Dubai controlled by a Pistiolis-related company. The assets are valued at more than $200 million.
