Report: US Treasury Allows Demolition Sale for Four Sanctioned Ships

Drug packages within an apparent cylinder bore (AFP)

Australian Police Intercept a Diesel Generator Filled With Multiple Drugs

Published May 21, 2026 9:32 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Australian Federal Police are calling on diesel repair specialists to help with a rare technical problem: the agency has confiscated a used diesel generator that someone packed full with nearly every kind of illegal stimulant on the market, and it needs to find the people responsible for the shipment. Early this year, Australian Border Force inspectors at Port Botany were conducting routine X-ray inspections of imported cargoes when they noticed something off about a heavy-duty diesel generator, which had...

Baleària Canary Island ferry acquisition

Baleària Completes Canary Islands Acquisition from Armas Trasmediterránea

Published May 21, 2026 8:45 PM by The Maritime Executive

Baleària, Spain’s leading maritime passenger and freight transport company, has completed the first phase of the planned acquisition of Armas Trasmediterránea, taking control of the assets in the Canary Islands. It includes both inter-island routes and connections between the mainland and the island and, according to the company, consolidates Baleària’s position as Spain’s leading operator of scheduled maritime transport while also establishing it as one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, in terms of both scale and quality. The agreement for...

Estonian Contracts to Design and Build Its First Fully Electric Ferry

Published May 21, 2026 8:09 PM by The Maritime Executive

Estonian State Fleet signed a design and shipbuilding contract with the Polish shipyard CRIST for the construction of its first fully electric passenger ferry. Designed to operate primarily on shore-charged green electricity and for year-round service in demanding Nordic conditions, including winter ice operations, Estonia State Fleet reports the ferry will mark a major step in the decarbonization of ferry transport in the Baltic Sea region. “Ferry connections are vital for Estonia and especially for our island communities,” said Estonian...

Panama Canal Names First Female Administrator as Challenges Grow

Published May 21, 2026 7:36 PM by The Maritime Executive

The President of Panama, Jose Mulino, announced on Thursday the decision of the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority to appoint its first-ever female administrator for the vital waterway. An engineer and the current deputy administrator, Ilya Espino de Marotta, will officially assume the leadership position on October 1, taking the reins at a critical time as the operation is seeing increased traffic and potential impacts from a brewing El Niño weather pattern and the lingering pressure from...

Shipping

Iran Continues to Assert Hormuz Transits Are Increasing Under Its Control

Iran continues to make unsubstantiated claims that under its control, transits are increasing in the Strait of Hormuz. It cites the “coordination and security provided by the IRGC Navy.” “The Revolutionary Guard Navy has established a safe route for the continuity of international trade,” the public relations office of the IRGC said in a statement posted by media channels linked to the command. It is part of its ongoing effort to claim that it is providing stability as Iran also...

Tugs & Salvage

Report: US Treasury Allows Demolition Sale for Four Sanctioned Ships

The U.S. Treasury has authorized a demolition sale for four sanctioned vessels linked to the Shamkhani shipping network, a large-scale smuggling organization that has moved millions of barrels of Iranian oil to market. The anonymous owners of these four ships will receive millions of dollars in payment for the scrap value, cash buyer GMS confirmed to the Wall Street Journal, under special approval from the Trump administration. According to the Treasury, the ships belonged to the network of Iranian "shadow...

Government

IMO Passes Non-Mandatory Safety Code for Autonomous Ships

The IMO has taken a new step forward towards comprehensive regulation of unmanned shipping, building upon years of debate and detailed development work. At the latest meeting of the Marine Safety Committee, delegates approved a final text for the non-mandatory Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships code (MASS code), which codifies a set of safety standards for unmanned vessels in international trade. While the code is only a guideline for now, it is on track to become mandatory as early as 2028,...

Corporate News

Wesgarde Highlights the Optifuse 641, 642, and 643 Mid-Amp Circuit Breakers

[By: Wesgarde] Wesgarde, a national leader in the distribution of electromechanical and electronic power components, is proud to highlight the Optifuse 641, 642, and 643 Mid-Amp Circuit Breakers. Engineered for rugged performance and compact versatility, the 641, 642, and 643 Mid-Amp Circuit Breakers deliver reliable, marine-rated protection with automatic and manual reset options, ensuring safe and consistent operation across marine electrical systems on boats, yachts, and commercial vessels. Designed for environments where performance and safety are essential, the 641, 642,...

Cruise Ships

China’s Second Domestically Built Cruise Ship Starts Trials

The Adora Flora City, China’s second, large, domestically built cruise ship, began sea trials over the weekend. It comes as China State Shipbuilding Corp. (CSSC) highlights that it is advancing its expertise in cruise ship construction, the most complex of the shipbuilding projects, and its operator, Adora Cruises, continues to refine its product offering. The new 141,900 gross ton cruise ship is based on the design of China’s first cruise ship, which was originally developed by Carnival Corporation and Fincantieri....

Ports

Nigerian Ports Blocked by Collision Between Maersk Feeder and Small Tanker

A feeder containership operated by Maersk was involved in an incident in Nigeria’s Bonny Channel, which has left the ship aground. According to media reports, the Maersk Valparaiso is blocking access to the channel and preventing ship movements at Port Harcourt and the Onne port, where it was headed. The 23,359-dwt feeder has a capacity of 1,740 TEU and operates on a route linking Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire. Built in 2010, the feeder is 175 meters (574 feet)...

Shipping

Iran Continues to Assert Hormuz Transits Are Increasing Under Its Control

Tugs & Salvage

Report: US Treasury Allows Demolition Sale for Four Sanctioned Ships

Government

IMO Passes Non-Mandatory Safety Code for Autonomous Ships

Corporate News

Wesgarde Highlights the Optifuse 641, 642, and 643 Mid-Amp Circuit Breakers

Cruise Ships

China’s Second Domestically Built Cruise Ship Starts Trials

Ports

Nigerian Ports Blocked by Collision Between Maersk Feeder and Small Tanker

Offshore

An image of the missing grating where rig worker Jason Thomas is believed to have disappeared (UK HSE)

Valaris Fined for Rig Worker's Fatal Fall Through Hole in Deck Grating

A court in Aberdeen, Scotland has fined rig operator Valaris a total of $385,000 for the death of a worker who fell through a hole left by a missing deck grating. On January 22, 2023, the rig Valaris 121 was under tow towards Dundee, Scotland in worsening weather and 15-foot waves. Jason Thomas, 50, was the deck supervisor during the day shift. At about 1430 hours he was seen in the staff lounge on break, departing about half an hour...

Shipbuilding

Estonian Contracts to Design and Build Its First Fully Electric Ferry

Environment

EU Funds Pilot to Demonstrate Offshore Power Zones to Charge Vessels

The European Union’s flagship Horizon Europe research and innovation program is providing a €5 million ($5.8 million) grant to an international consortium led by Stillstrom, a Maersk company, to develop and demonstrate offshore charging infrastructure for stationary vessels at anchor with their engines running. The project is due to kick off next month, June, and is expected to run for 36 months, demonstrating the concept and also assessing commercial viability and regulatory pathways to support wider adoption of offshore charging....

Business

Maersk Center Downsizes Amidst Uncertainty on Path to Decarbonization

Amidst uncertainty about the form and timing of shipping's green transition, the A.P. Moller Foundation's Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has quietly reduced its headcount by about 30 percent. Chief technology officer Torben Nørgaard has also confirmed that he is departing to join a commercial venture. "Far from retreating, the Center is adapting so that we can continue to deliver on our mission, together with our partners and the wider maritime ecosystem," said CEO Bo Cerup-Simonsen in...

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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

Report: US Treasury Allows Demolition Sale for Four Sanctioned Ships

Australian Police Intercept a Diesel Generator Filled With Multiple Drugs

Baleària Completes Canary Islands Acquisition from Armas Trasmediterránea

Estonian Contracts to Design and Build Its First Fully Electric Ferry

Panama Canal Names First Female Administrator as Challenges Grow

Iran Continues to Assert Hormuz Transits Are Increasing Under Its Control

Report: US Treasury Allows Demolition Sale for Four Sanctioned Ships

IMO Passes Non-Mandatory Safety Code for Autonomous Ships

Wesgarde Highlights the Optifuse 641, 642, and 643 Mid-Amp Circuit Breakers

China’s Second Domestically Built Cruise Ship Starts Trials

Nigerian Ports Blocked by Collision Between Maersk Feeder and Small Tanker

An answer to many questions: Damen Fuel Flexible Tugs

SNAME: The Quiet Engine Behind Shipbuilding

How Port Everglades is Meeting the Travel Momentum Moment

Iran Continues to Assert Hormuz Transits Are Increasing Under Its Control

Report: US Treasury Allows Demolition Sale for Four Sanctioned Ships

IMO Passes Non-Mandatory Safety Code for Autonomous Ships

Wesgarde Highlights the Optifuse 641, 642, and 643 Mid-Amp Circuit Breakers

China’s Second Domestically Built Cruise Ship Starts Trials

Nigerian Ports Blocked by Collision Between Maersk Feeder and Small Tanker

Valaris Fined for Rig Worker's Fatal Fall Through Hole in Deck Grating

Estonian Contracts to Design and Build Its First Fully Electric Ferry

EU Funds Pilot to Demonstrate Offshore Power Zones to Charge Vessels

Maersk Center Downsizes Amidst Uncertainty on Path to Decarbonization

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

Join the conversation.

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events