Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Media Kit
Iranian speedboats

Reports of Closure in the Straits of Hormuz Overstated

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Russia

Top Putin Aide Threatens EU Ships in Response to Shadow Fleet Boardings

Published Feb 17, 2026 9:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

As Europe contemplates stiffer measures against the lightly-regulated, underinsured "shadow fleet" of tankers that carry most of Russia's oil, Russia is threatening to counterpunch. In an interview with outlet Argumenty i Fakty, Kremlin insider Nikolai Patrushev called Western tanker boardings "pirate attacks," and predicted a future in which Europe takes an active, regular role in interdicting Russia-linked tanker traffic. He intimated that Russia's navy is working on ways to "cool the ardor of Western corsairs" who "want to paralyze" the...

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seized shadow fleet tanker

U.S. Indicts Captain from Fugitive Shadow Tanker Reports NY Times

Published Feb 17, 2026 8:42 PM by The Maritime Executive

The captain of the tanker Marinera (Bella 1) has reportedly been officially indicted in the United States, according to a report from The New York Times. The paper writes on February 17 that an indictment was filed last week on February 12, although the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment to the reporters from The New York Times. Avtandil Kalandadze, a Georgian citizen, the Times writes, is being brought up on two charges, but it...

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Bilfinger

Union Calls Off Strike at 19 UK North Sea Offshore Platforms

Published Feb 17, 2026 8:23 PM by The Maritime Executive

UK industrial union Unite has called off a brief offshore strike action at rig services provider Bilfinger, which would have affected up to 19 oil fields in the North Sea at the end of this week. Bilfinger UK is an engineering and maintenance contractor for the oil, gas, petchem, utility and pharma sectors, among others. Its offshore division supports some of the largest oil companies in the North Sea oil trade, including BP. During contract negotiations, the two sides had...

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iStock`

Understanding the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Cybersecurity Framework

Published Feb 17, 2026 8:23 PM by Kelly Malynn

Cyber incidents in the marine sector are no longer theoretical - they’re a real and accelerating risk. To address and mitigate this growing threat, the U.S. Coast Guard recently updated its maritime security regulations by passing the Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System regulation, which went into effect in July 2025. This rule establishes minimum cybersecurity and reporting requirements for U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities, and facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 regulations. This regulation...

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Offshore

Bilfinger

Union Calls Off Strike at 19 UK North Sea Offshore Platforms

UK industrial union Unite has called off a brief offshore strike action at rig services provider Bilfinger, which would have affected up to 19 oil fields in the North Sea at the end of this week. Bilfinger UK is an engineering and maintenance contractor for the oil, gas, petchem, utility and pharma sectors, among others. Its offshore division supports some of the largest oil companies in the North Sea oil trade, including BP. During contract negotiations, the two sides had...

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Shipbuilding

rendering of Indian-built containership

CMA CGM Signs India’s First Shipbuilder Order for Containerships

France’s CMA CGM Group and India’s Cochin Shipyard finalized a contract for the construction of containerships, which is being called a defining moment for the Indian shipbuilding industry and the country’s aspirations to become a world-class shipbuilder. The contract signing came as part of a larger state visit led by French President Emmanuel Macron, his fourth trip to India since 2017. The companies signed a letter of intent for the ships in October 2025 and report they spent the past...

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Environment

Ship

Navigating the Deadlock: Accelleron’s Daniel Bischofberger on Green Fuels

Accelleron, a leading provider of turbocharging, fuel injection, and digital solutions for marine engines and ships, recently released a study on the multifaceted, multi-industry challenges slowing shipping's transition to carbon-neutral fuels. TME recently spoke with CEO Daniel Bischofberger about the current state of marine decarbonization, regional developments in Asia-Pacific, and the path forward for the industry. Can you describe the current state of shipping's transition to carbon-neutral fuels? The ships are ready, but the fuel is not. The technology exists...

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Business

iStock`

Understanding the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Cybersecurity Framework

Cyber incidents in the marine sector are no longer theoretical - they’re a real and accelerating risk. To address and mitigate this growing threat, the U.S. Coast Guard recently updated its maritime security regulations by passing the Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System regulation, which went into effect in July 2025. This rule establishes minimum cybersecurity and reporting requirements for U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf facilities, and facilities subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 regulations. This regulation...

Continue Reading...