Shipping companies are receiving fraudulent messages from scammers posing as Iranian authorities, demanding cryptocurrency in exchange for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. At least one vessel reportedly paid the fee.
An analysis highlights the difficulties and implications of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, noting the sparse details and resulting unease among shipping companies and crews amidst recent regional conflicts and ceasefires.
A coalition of 27 shipping companies has collectively called for a re-evaluation of the Net Zero Emissions Framework (NZF). They advocate for a review of the current regulations concerning zero emissions in the maritime industry.
Iran is reportedly requiring shipping companies to pay tolls in Bitcoin to circumvent US dollar sanctions, potentially earning millions during the ongoing ceasefire.
Nigerian shipping companies are reportedly considering shutting down operations, potentially leading to job losses, following a tariff crisis stemming from an approved increase in shipping charges by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Czech customs officials dismantled an international drug smuggling group that used shipping companies and hidden compartments in cosmetic products to traffic large quantities of drugs. They seized 115 kilograms of ketamine intended for Canada.
Some shipping companies, including FedEx, are willing to help their customers obtain IEEPA tariff refunds.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
If you made an overseas purchase in 2025, the government may owe you…
A second oil tanker operated by Dynacom has successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, even as many other shipping companies are hesitant to send their vessels through the critical waterway.
Due to the intensifying situation in Iran, concerns are rising about the stable supply of crude oil and its price increase. Shipping companies and farmers are expressing their worries. In light of this, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced that the release of private oil reserves will begin on the 16th of this month.
Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, addressed the issue of ferry ticket prices, emphasizing that citizen protection remains the primary priority, citing a statement from the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies president.
Beyond geopolitical tensions, shipping companies and insurers are wary of the Strait of Hormuz due to the massive risk of an environmental catastrophe in the region's commercial and resort areas.
Increasing tensions in the Persian Gulf are impacting international shipping, with Greek shipping companies adjusting their routes and several Greek-owned tankers withdrawing from the area as attacks multiply.
The ongoing conflict in Iran, particularly attacks from Yemen, is once again threatening container ship traffic in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, but paradoxically, this situation is securing profits for shipping companies.
Though the conflict is centered on the Persian Gulf, shipping companies fear that the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen could resume attacks on vessels in the Red Sea hundreds of miles to the west.
Major global shipping companies have already announced the suspension of using the Strait of Hormuz. One-fifth of the world's oil production could be at stake.
Two major shipping companies on Saturday suspended navigation through the Gulf as conflict flared between the U.S., Israel and Iran, resulting in a growing maritime slowdown in the...
Shares of Greek shipping companies are experiencing a significant surge in the US market, driven by robust global tanker freight rates that are boosting cash flows and valuations.
WorldReutersdr-dkberlingske+5Times of Indiastraits-timescyprus-mailRapplerexpress-tribune4h ago8 sources
A security firm issued a warning to shipping companies about fraudulent messages offering safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. These scam messages attempt to solicit payments for non-existent protection services.
Quantitative analysis is being applied to dry bulk shipping companies, as the strength of the Baltic Dry Index positively influences market sentiment for the sector.
In the coming days, France and the United Kingdom will organise a conference with countries wishing to participate in a peaceful multinational mission to restore freedom of navigation in the…
The Norwegian Shipowners' Association states that Norwegian shipping companies will not resume sailing in the Strait of Hormuz until real security is established, warning that the situation remains unclear and unpredictable.
Electric vehicles have introduced a new type of fire hazard on ships, prompting passenger shipping companies operating in the Baltic Sea to improve car deck safety in various ways due to the absence of international guidelines.
The Nigerian Shippers Council has ordered an immediate suspension of the recent shipping tariff hike, citing stakeholder concerns and an ongoing review, following a directive from the Federal Government to all shipping lines. This action addresses industry stakeholder concerns and follows previous disputes over tariff increases.
Danish shipping companies express skepticism about Donald Trump's proposal for military escorts in the Strait of Hormuz, doubting its effectiveness given Iran's closure of the waterway, as European allies continue to reject immediate military action.
Asian container shipping companies are experiencing a turnaround in their fortunes, largely due to the continued closure of the Red Sea, which is impacting global shipping routes and freight rates.
German shipping companies are criticizing the defense minister's decision not to send warships to the Gulf to protect the fleet, despite a G7 call and a recent attack on a German vessel.
China previously asked its shipping companies to consider rerouting cargo through ports outside of Panama if it didn’t result in a significant extra cost.
Cypriot shipping companies with vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman due to Iranian threats in the Strait of Hormuz have so far reported no direct hits, casualties or crew…
More than 25 German-flagged vessels, including two cruise ships with 7,000 passengers, are reportedly trapped in the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing crisis in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz region faces heightened security risks after U.S.-Israeli strikes triggered maritime incidents, prompting shipping companies to reroute vessels.
Dozens of ships sailing under the Dutch flag or owned by Dutch shipping companies are struggling to leave the Persian Gulf amid escalating tensions with Iran, a near standstill in traffic through t
Major shipping companies have suspended navigation through the Gulf, citing the constantly changing security situation in the Middle East, The Guardian reports.
BIMCO, representing global shipping companies, is examining new clauses to clarify the regulatory framework for biofuels and the application of the European Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Wall Street-listed shipping companies, particularly those operating tankers, are reporting very high returns in the first quarter of 2026, likely due to geopolitical blockades affecting shipping routes.
China has reportedly instructed major shipping companies Maersk and MSC to withdraw their operations from a port in Panama, according to media reports.
Shipping companies operating tankers are being urged to refuse any levies demanded by Iran for safe passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Experts warn that loneliness among maritime crew members, particularly during holidays like Easter, is associated with increased sleep loss and heart strain, urging shipping companies to provide support.
Approximately 20,000 sailors in the Persian Gulf are concerned for their safety amidst geopolitical tensions, with shipping companies offering high-risk bonuses and rationing provisions as global logistics costs increase with each day of conflict.
A high-level delegation from HELMEPA, comprising 15 Greek shipping companies, traveled to Washington for its annual meeting with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
Shipping companies owned by Andreas Martinos, including Minerva Marine, are providing significant and ongoing donations to support the Kalymnos Hospital.
Ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are forcing airlines and shipping companies to reroute, leading to longer journeys and increased congestion in global air and maritime spaces due to airspace closures.
The Navigator Assembly 2026 conference was successfully held, bringing together over 300 representatives from shipping companies, maritime service providers, embassies, and maritime organizations to discuss global challenges facing the shipping industry.
By Godwin Oritse Shipping companies, freight forwarders and other port users have raised concerns over the potential impact of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East on cargo throughput into Nigerian…
The Norwegian government's proposal to extend state support to foreign-flagged ships has ignited an unusual protest from both shipping companies and trade unions.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says achieving 24-hour operations at the nation’s seaports requires full cooperation from all stakeholders, including banks, shipping companies, and terminal operators.
The post NCS seeks stakeholder collaboration to achieve 24-hour port operations appeared first on Vanguard News.
An attack on an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, reportedly by a naval drone, killed a crew member and caused oil prices to rise, leading leading shipping companies to suspend traffic and reduce passage by 70%.
Crisis meetings at German shipping companies after attack on Iran +++ OPEC apparently wants to expand oil production more strongly +++ Rosneft Germany remains under federal trusteeship +++ News…
Two major shipping groups suspended navigation through the Gulf as conflict flared between the United States, Israel and Iran, piling onto a growing maritime slowdown in the region.
Ship Orders From South Korea Are Surging Thanks To U.S. Fees On Chinese-Made Ships
South Korea is tightening the race with China in global shipbuilding after U.S. plans to curb Chinese-built vessels disrupted order flows and redirected demand , according to Nikkei.
Worldwide new orders fell 27% in 2025 to 56.42 million compensated gross tonnage (CGT) — the first annual drop in two years — according to U.K.-based Clarksons Research.
China remained No. 1 but saw orders tumble 35% to 35.36 million CGT, shrinking its share to 62.7%. South Korea, ranked second, moved the other way: orders climbed 8% to 11.59 million CGT, lifting its share to 20.6%. Japan, in third, recorded a 53% plunge to 2.77 million CGT, with its slice slipping to 4.9%.
The shift followed a U.S. announcement last April outlining fees on Chinese-built ships entering American ports starting in October 2025. Although the policy was delayed for a year after a U.S.-China summit in late October, uncertainty had already prompted global shipping companies to hesitate on new Chinese orders.
A unit of China State Shipbuilding Corp. said it was disadvantaged in contract talks last summer, opening the door for South Korean yards to win more large container ship deals. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering cited weaker demand for Chinese shipyards as a key reason for its recent surge in orders.
Nikkei writes that the company posted record results for the year ended December: revenue rose 17% to roughly 29 trillion won ($20.1 billion), while net profit doubled to about 3 trillion won.
Government-backed workforce initiatives have also supported the industry. Seoul opened a training center in Indonesia in 2024 to prepare skilled workers, including Korean language instruction, before dispatching them to local yards. Shipbuilders have raised wages and introduced AI tools to ease labor strain.
Foreign employment in South Korea’s shipbuilding sector hit a record 22,824 at the end of 2024 — about four times the level five years earlier — with foreigners making up more than 20% of the workforce.
Japan, meanwhile, has struggled to capture orders shifting away from China. Data from the Japan Ship Exporters' Association show export contracts in 2025 fell 20% to 8.93 million gross tons, marking a fourth straight year of decline. Limited yard capacity, slipways booked through around 2029, and labor shortages have constrained growth and pushed up costs.
Looking ahead, global demand is expected to rebound in 2026 as stricter environmental rules accelerate orders for vessels powered by next-generation fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has set a 2026 order target of $23.3 billion, up 26% from this year, citing steady demand for new builds and fleet replacements.
China is working to regain momentum. In December, Cosco Group placed 50 billion yuan ($7.23 billion) in orders with China State Shipbuilding Corp., underscoring coordinated support among state-owned enterprises.
Japan is also attempting a reset. Imabari Shipbuilding recently completed its acquisition of Japan Marine United to streamline operations. The government aims to double domestic shipbuilding capacity to 18 million gross tons by 2035, seeking to narrow the wide gap with South Korea and China.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:00