Amphib USS Boxer, February 2026 (USN file image)

Amphib USS Boxer Deploys to Join Naval Buildup in Mideast

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...

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...

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...

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

Published Mar 19, 2026 6:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

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...

Shipping

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

Tugs & Salvage

Aftermath of a drug boat strike, February 2026 (Southern Command)

U.S. Southern Command Says Drug Boat Strikes "Aren't the Answer"

In a Senate hearing Thursday, U.S. Southern Command's top officer told lawmakers that the high-profile airstrikes on drug boats that the Pentagon has championed "aren't the answer" to cocaine smuggling in the Americas. SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan (USMC) told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the military is pivoting to a comprehensive campaign to target and dismantle drug trafficking organizations, rather than individual boats. Since the start of enhanced operations in September, the U.S. military has conducted 45...

Government

Amphib USS Boxer Deploys to Join Naval Buildup in Mideast

The U.S. Navy is dispatching the amphibious assault vessel USS Boxer and her escorts from California to the Mideast, where they will be on hand for ongoing hostilities with Iran. Boxer will be the second "big deck" amphib to arrive in the region, following the USS Tripoli, which is currently under way in the eastern Indian Ocean. Boxer and Tripoli bring a combination of capabilities to the fight. As "big-deck" amphibs, they can carry the Marine Corps' F-35B fighter, the...

Corporate News

All American Marine Begins Construction on Univ. of Texas Research Vessel

All American Marine (AAM) has begun construction on a next-gen 78’ x 26.7’ aluminum catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI). The vessel is being built on Teknicraft Design’s proven multi-purpose research platform and is designed to support scientific research, survey, and teaching missions throughout the Gulf of Mexico, including offshore operations up to 150 nautical miles from shore. Purpose-built for multi-mission flexibility, the twin-engine, propeller driven vessel will support a broad range of scientific...

Cruise Ships

World’s Largest Sail Yacht Cruise Ship Sets New Mark on Trials

The sail-powered cruise ship Orient Express Corinthian recently completed its propulsion tests, and builder Chantiers de l’Atlantique reports the ship achieved a speed first for a sailing ship of its size. The ship is preparing for its delivery and entry into service in May 2026 as Accor Group launches its first cruise offering. The Orient Express Corinthian is a 25,200 gross ton cruise ship that will have 54 suites with a capacity for 110 passengers. The ship measures 220 meters...

Ports

Saudi Arabia Loses Patience as Red Sea Terminal and Refinery are Targeted

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry spoke out on Thursday, March 19, saying that any “trust with Tehran has been shattered” after reporting that the capital of Riyadh, along with the critical Yanbu oil terminal on the Red Sea and the neighboring refinery, had all been targeted. The state-owned oil company Aramco has been rushing to increase exports from Yanbu to offset its lost capacity on the Persian Gulf. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that a drone “crashed in the SAMREF refinery.”...

Shipping

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

Tugs & Salvage

U.S. Southern Command Says Drug Boat Strikes "Aren't the Answer"

Government

Amphib USS Boxer Deploys to Join Naval Buildup in Mideast

Corporate News

All American Marine Begins Construction on Univ. of Texas Research Vessel

Cruise Ships

World’s Largest Sail Yacht Cruise Ship Sets New Mark on Trials

Ports

Saudi Arabia Loses Patience as Red Sea Terminal and Refinery are Targeted

Offshore

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...

Shipbuilding

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

Environment

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...

Business

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

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

Select any month to view events: March April May June July August September October November December January February

Amphib USS Boxer Deploys to Join Naval Buildup in Mideast

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

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

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

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

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

U.S. Southern Command Says Drug Boat Strikes "Aren't the Answer"

Amphib USS Boxer Deploys to Join Naval Buildup in Mideast

All American Marine Begins Construction on Univ. of Texas Research Vessel

World’s Largest Sail Yacht Cruise Ship Sets New Mark on Trials

Saudi Arabia Loses Patience as Red Sea Terminal and Refinery are Targeted

Port Everglades: A Diversified Cargo Gateway Built for Performance

One Net Unifies Four Maritime Tech Brands Under One Umbrella

Could Earlier Warning Systems be the Answer to Risk Reduction in Terminals?

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

U.S. Southern Command Says Drug Boat Strikes "Aren't the Answer"

Amphib USS Boxer Deploys to Join Naval Buildup in Mideast

All American Marine Begins Construction on Univ. of Texas Research Vessel

World’s Largest Sail Yacht Cruise Ship Sets New Mark on Trials

Saudi Arabia Loses Patience as Red Sea Terminal and Refinery are Targeted

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

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

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

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

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

Join the conversation.

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events