Friday, March 20, 2026
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French troops boarding tanker

French Navy Stops Sanctioned Shadow Fleet Tanker Sailing Under False Flag

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NITC

Bessent: U.S. May Allow Iran to Sell Oil in Order to Increase Supply

Published Mar 19, 2026 8:03 PM by The Maritime Executive

The U.S. government may soon release additional barrels from its strategic reserves to calm oil markets amidst the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and might even relax its "maximum pressure" sanctions on Iranian oil in order to free up more barrels on the water, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said Thursday. The turnaround on Iranian oil sanctions would be a reversal, and a swift one. Just three weeks ago, U.S. forces boarded and seized a shadow fleet tanker...

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cruise ship launch

Fincantieri Floats for Viking "First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship"

Published Mar 19, 2026 7:52 PM by The Maritime Executive

Fincantieri marked another milestone in cruise ship development as it floated out the Viking Libra (54,300 gross tons), which is being billed as the “world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship.” It advanced the ambitions for zero-emission shipping and the long-held vision of Viking CEO Torstein Hagen to produce a hydrogen-powered ship. According to the companies, the project has been developed with strong attention to environmental aspects to ensure the ship will be capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, allowing...

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Hapag-Lloyd containership

Hapag and India Plan Cooperation for Reflagging Ships, Recycling, and Ports

Published Mar 19, 2026 7:04 PM by The Maritime Executive

Hapag-Lloyd has become the latest among the largest carriers to map out a strategy of cooperation and expansion with India. The liner company reports it already has six dedicated services that include India and that it aims to grow volumes handled in the India area to around 3 million TEU by 2030. India has been anxious to attract the major carriers as part of its strategy to expand its maritime related industries. It hopes to attract the lines to build...

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alt

As U.S. Applies Force in Hormuz, European Powers Support Post-War Security

Published Mar 19, 2026 6:32 PM by The Maritime Executive

On Thursday, following a broad rejection of the White House's appeal for help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a coalition of six allied nations released a statement supporting action to protect shipping in the contested waterway - leading to immediate confusion. "I have read completely erroneous interpretations of the document approved today by some European and non-European nations, including Italy," said Italian defense minister Guido Crosetto, referring to a joint release approving action in Hormuz. The miscommunication may have...

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Offshore

OMSA

In the Know Podcast 77: Aaron Smith, President and CEO of OMSA

For the latest edition of In the Know, The Maritime Executive's podcast series, editor-in-chief Tony Munoz spoke with OMSA President and CEO Aaron Smith about the importance of Jones Act shipping in the offshore sector. OMSA - the Offshore Marine Service Association - is the voice of the U.S. offshore-vessel industry, and its primary mission is to protect the Jones Act's benefits for American mariners and shipowners. Smith, the organization's longtime leader, joins the podcast to talk about how loopholes...

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Shipbuilding

cruise ship launch

Fincantieri Floats for Viking "First Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship"

Fincantieri marked another milestone in cruise ship development as it floated out the Viking Libra (54,300 gross tons), which is being billed as the “world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship.” It advanced the ambitions for zero-emission shipping and the long-held vision of Viking CEO Torstein Hagen to produce a hydrogen-powered ship. According to the companies, the project has been developed with strong attention to environmental aspects to ensure the ship will be capable of navigating and operating with zero emissions, allowing...

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Environment

Thamesborg

Op-Ed: Ships Should Meet the Polar Code Before Entering Canadian Arctic

The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Polar Code in November 2014 to reduce loss of life at sea caused by inadequate preparedness for operations in polar regions, which are more isolated and challenging than lower-latitude waters. The Code entered into force on January 1, 2017 and initially applied to seagoing vessels of 500 gross tonnage (GT) and above, as well as certain vessel classes such as cruise ships. On January 1, 2026, the IMO expanded the categories...

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Business

dry bulk carrier

Genco Rejects Diana’s Revised Offer Citing Value and “Fire Sale” of Ships

The battle to further consolidate the dry bulk segment continues with Genco Shipping & Trading announcing that its board unanimously rejected the revised, non-binding indicative proposal from Diana Shipping to acquire the company. Two weeks ago, Diana had increased its offer while detailing financial commitments and saying that after closing, it would sell 16 Genco vessels to Star Bulk. “Our board reviewed and rejected Diana’s revised proposal and determined that it is substantially below Genco’s intrinsic value and fails to...

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