Offshore Tug Hit in Latest Attack in Strait of Hormuz

Pirates Hijack Iranian Fishing Vessel off Somalia

Published Nov 1, 2026 10:39 PM by The Maritime Executive

Pirates have hijacked an Iranian fishing vessel at a position off the northeastern coast of Somalia, according to EUNAVFOR's Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO). At about 0900 hours UTC, armed pirates boarded the fishing vessel Azini at a position near 09°42'N 053°55'E, about 185 nautical miles to the east of Bandarbayla, Somalia. The crew's safety remains unknown, MSCIO reported. Azini matches the profile of vessels preferred by Somali pirates for use as mother ships - smaller vessels hijacked in...

RV Neil Armstrong (file image courtesy VesselFinder / Reinhard Vohwinkel)

WHOI Research Vessel Neil Armstrong Makes Rare Great Lakes Voyage

Published Nov 1, 2026 10:30 PM by The Maritime Executive

The oceanographic research vessel Neil Armstrong has set sail on an unusual science mission that will take it through the Great Lakes for the first time. Accustomed to operating in the open ocean, the vessel is undertaking a challenging journey through rivers, locks, and inland waterways. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) announced that Neil Armstrong is on its way to support the Experimental Neutrino Detector (END), a physics experiment that will try to detect neutrinos in Lake Superior. The...

The Falkland Islands seen from the International Space Station, 2018 (NASA)

Falklands: Argentina's New Legal Dispute Over the Sea Lion Oil Project

Published Nov 1, 2026 9:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

[By Donald R. Rothwell] The longstanding Argentina-United Kingdom Falkland Islands dispute is back in the global headlines. The UK endorsement of the offshore “Sea Lion” project in waters to the north of the islands has seen Argentina respond by commencing a legal challenge. The Sea Lion hydrocarbon exploitation licences have been granted to Navitas Petroleum operating in conjunction with Rockhopper Exploration in an area located approximately 107 nautical miles to the north of the islands, covering 541km2. Argentina’s legal challenge...

The ice-bound loading terminal at Russia's Yamal LNG port on the Gulf of Ob (Novatek file image)

Russia Advances New LNG Supply Pivot to Africa

Published Nov 1, 2026 7:47 PM by The Maritime Executive

As part of a wider scheme to diversify its LNG market, Russia is targeting Africa for gas exports, projecting rising demand for energy on the continent. Energy partnership was one of the major topics at the third Russia-Africa summit held in Moscow last week. The event hosted by President Vladimir Putin brought together leaders and delegates from 48 African countries including 22 heads of state. During the summit, Russian energy giant Novatek confirmed a new focus on the African market....

Shipping

Cyprus Coordinates Rescue of Crew from Vessel with Checkered History

The authorities in Cyprus are reporting the successful rescue of 10 crewmembers from a small cargo ship sinking to the west of the island in their SAR region. An MSC containership aided in the rescue, removing the crew from a small cargo ship with a very checkered past. The distress call was issued late on Friday night, October 30, while the vessel was approximately 90 nautical miles west of Cyprus. The rescue center reports it dispatched a SAR helicopter, a...

Tugs & Salvage

Saudi Forces Launch Airstrike on Port of Ras Isa, Yemen

Yemen's Houthi rebels have reported a Saudi airstrike on the port at Ras Isa, a petroleum product terminal located northwest of Hodeidah and a repeat target for retaliatory attacks by the Houthis' enemies. According to top Houthi health official Dr. Anees Alasbahi, four people were injured in a strike on the docks at Ras Isa. Three more were injured in a strike on a tank farm in the Bajil district, northeast of Hodeidah, Alasbahi said. "Attacks on oil facilities and...

Government

Swedish Forces Inspect Cargo Ship in the Baltic

Swedish media is reporting that a small dry cargo ship possibly linked to Russia was boarded overnight on Saturday, October 31, near the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic. Swedish authorities confirmed to the broadcaster TV4 that they had conducted the search without providing details. A police spokesperson termed it a “routine border check.” They said the crew’s “identities and travel documents” were checked during the visit. They said the vessel was not detained and continues to sail on...

Corporate News

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Signs Major Agreement with Asian Auto Manufacturer

[By Wallenius] Wallenius Wilhelmsen has entered a three-year shipping contract with a leading Asian auto manufacturer. “This agreement builds on a strong track record and the trust we have established with the customer across our services. The significant long-term commitment strengthens our position as a key logistics partner and gives us an even stronger foundation for providing end-to-end solutions across ocean, logistics, and supply chain services,” says John Felitto, Chief Customer Officer at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. The contract is valued at...

Cruise Ships

Hybrid-Electric Expedition Cruise Ship Built in Chile Set for Delivery

Chilean shipbuilder ASENAV (Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A.), the biggest shipyard in Chile, highlighted the departure of the innovative new exploration cruise ship Magellan Discoverer from its shipyard this week. The cruise ship, which took about 33 months to build and involved more than 500 employees, contractors, and suppliers, departed ASENAV’s shipyard in Corral for its final trials before delivery and entry into service in December. The 5,258 gross ton cruise ship is being hailed as the first hybrid-electric expedition...

Ports

Kenya Progresses With a Port Concession Plan Worth $1 Billion

Kenya is set to lease out key port assets after its National Treasury approved a feasibility study on the privatization plan. For over a decade now, the East African nation has been considering port privatization to improve efficiency and maintain regional competitiveness in logistics. The approved concession plan is expected to attract about $1.2 billion in private sector investments. The concession is scheduled in phases, each covering different assets in Mombasa and Lamu ports. The first batch of assets to...

Shipping

Cyprus Coordinates Rescue of Crew from Vessel with Checkered History

Tugs & Salvage

Saudi Forces Launch Airstrike on Port of Ras Isa, Yemen

Government

Swedish Forces Inspect Cargo Ship in the Baltic

Corporate News

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Signs Major Agreement with Asian Auto Manufacturer

Cruise Ships

Hybrid-Electric Expedition Cruise Ship Built in Chile Set for Delivery

Ports

Kenya Progresses With a Port Concession Plan Worth $1 Billion

Offshore

Falklands: Argentina's New Legal Dispute Over the Sea Lion Oil Project

Shipbuilding

Hanwha Philly Shipyard Selected by TOTE to Build First Medium Landing Ship

Hanwha Defense USA was officially named as the first shipbuilder selected by TOTE Services to build a Medium Landing Ship (LSM) for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps under TOTE Services' Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) contract. The selection marks Hanwha Defense USA's first contract to build ships for the U.S. Navy and a key step for Hanwha Group, which has aspired to win government contracts since buying the Philly Shipyard in December 2024. TOTE Services was awarded a $2.2 billion...

Environment

China concept floating island for marine research

China to Build Self-Propelled Floating Marine Research Island

The construction order was signed this week in China for what is being called the world’s first floating deep-sea island. Designed for ocean research, it will be a self-propelled vessel, a catamaran designed for long-term residence at sea with the ability to change positions. The ship will be built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao, which highlights that it will leverage its experience building the world’s largest sixth-generation 3,000-meter-deep-water semi-submersible drilling platform. The yard also highlights that China is the first shipbuilding nation...

Business

Russia Advances New LNG Supply Pivot to Africa

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

DATES	LOCATION	EVENTS
2026-11-09 - 2026-11-11	International Congress center Burgas, Port of Burgas, Bulgaria	Black Sea Marine Expo 2026
2026-11-18 - 2026-11-19	Marina Bay Sands, Singapore	Breakbulk Asia

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Offshore Tug Hit in Latest Attack in Strait of Hormuz

Pirates Hijack Iranian Fishing Vessel off Somalia

WHOI Research Vessel Neil Armstrong Makes Rare Great Lakes Voyage

Falklands: Argentina's New Legal Dispute Over the Sea Lion Oil Project

Russia Advances New LNG Supply Pivot to Africa

Cyprus Coordinates Rescue of Crew from Vessel with Checkered History

Saudi Forces Launch Airstrike on Port of Ras Isa, Yemen

Swedish Forces Inspect Cargo Ship in the Baltic

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Signs Major Agreement with Asian Auto Manufacturer

Hybrid-Electric Expedition Cruise Ship Built in Chile Set for Delivery

Kenya Progresses With a Port Concession Plan Worth $1 Billion

Americas Marine Fuel Market Moves from Ambition to Delivery

Maritime Procurement: Where the Cost is Really Set

How the Maritime Industry Will Unlock the Value of AI

Cyprus Coordinates Rescue of Crew from Vessel with Checkered History

Saudi Forces Launch Airstrike on Port of Ras Isa, Yemen

Swedish Forces Inspect Cargo Ship in the Baltic

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Signs Major Agreement with Asian Auto Manufacturer

Hybrid-Electric Expedition Cruise Ship Built in Chile Set for Delivery

Kenya Progresses With a Port Concession Plan Worth $1 Billion

Falklands: Argentina's New Legal Dispute Over the Sea Lion Oil Project

Hanwha Philly Shipyard Selected by TOTE to Build First Medium Landing Ship

China to Build Self-Propelled Floating Marine Research Island

Russia Advances New LNG Supply Pivot to Africa

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Maritime Industry Conferences and Events