Crowley Confirms US-Flagged CS Anthem Safely Transited Strait of Hormuz
Photo courtesy Crowley
Crowley Confirms US-Flagged CS Anthem Safely Transited Strait of Hormuz
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 0
May 5, 2026
Crowley has confirmed that one of its managed vessels has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, providing more visibility into the limited number of U.S.-flagged ships that have exited the Persian Gulf since the conflict began.
In a statement, Crowley Maritime said the Crowley-managed vessel
CS Anthem
“has safely completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”
“The safety of our crews and vessel, and the continuity of service for our customers, remain our top priorities,” the company said, while also recognizing “the professionalism of U.S. Navy and government partners who work globally to support maritime safety.”
Crowley declined to provide further operational details, noting that “as a matter of policy, we do not discuss details of vessel routing or security arrangements.”
The
CS Anthem
is now one of two U.S.-flagged commercial vessels co
U.S. Blockade and Hormuz Gridlock: Analyzing April’s Oil Market Disruption
Blockade and Hormuz Gridlock: Analyzing April’s Oil Market Disruption
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International Shipping News
06/05/2026
A chaotic April ended with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed for a second consecutive month, cascading oil shortages across Asia and a U.S. blockade choking off Iranian tankers and oil exports.
Iran’s oil exports collapsed 43% over two months, according to data from Vortexa. forces had redirected 44 blockade-busting Iranian vessels across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, adding to economic pressure.
A 12-day ceasefire that began on April 8 was extended but failed to restore commercial transits or freedom of navigation through the Strait, with traffic down 93%.
Is there a ceiling to VLGC freight rates?
Is there a ceiling to VLGC freight rates?
in
International Shipping News
06/05/2026
D
uring the last two months that the Middle East Gulf conflict has been going on, we have seen record repositioning of the mainstream VLGC fleet toward the US Gulf Coast, peaking at 150 vessels mid-March.
As of April 30, the count of ballast VLGCs en-route to the USGC has returned to the January 2026 average, as US LPG exports reached a dataset high this April, at 2.8mbd.
Despite large swings in vessel availability, BLPG3 (USGC-to-Chiba) freight rates still continue to widen and the question now becomes whether there is a limit to this upside.
Pull from Asia strengthens, Panama congestion rises
US LPG exports to Asia reached a dataset record this April at 1.7mbd, rising 21% m-o-m. Continued tightness in MEG volumes has structurally strengthened US market share across Asia into June, as we highlighted previously.
Notably, US LPG exports pointed to Northeast Asia (NEA) strengthened by 23% m-o-m, setting a
OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary: May 2026
OceanScore Pool-Price Index Market Commentary: May 2026
in
International Shipping News
,
Monthly OceanScore Pool-Price Index
06/05/2026
With the pooling window for 2025 compliance balances now closed, attention has moved to 2026.
The OceanScore Pool-Price Index (OPX) increased to €225 per ton of CO₂e in May, up from €196 in April.
The pattern resembles what we saw one year ago. The year starts with a wide spread of offers, reaching up to €300, reflected in the higher OPX level. At the same time, market activity remains low.
Most offers currently sit between €170 and €210.
Athens-based Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre welcomes Cargill as newest member
Athens-based Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre welcomes Cargill as newest member
in
Hellenic Shipping News
06/05/2026
Cargill’s membership underlines MERC’s expanding international reach and highlights the increasing influence of commercial operators in driving emissions reduction.
The Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre (MERC) has welcomed Cargill as its newest member, broadening the industry collaboration working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the existing global shipping fleet.
Cargill’s membership strengthens MERC by adding the perspective of a major charterer to the Centre’s work. This addition reflects the growing role that commercial operators can play in helping identify, assess and scale practical emissions-reduction measures for ships already in service.
Together with Drydocks World, who joined MERC earlier this year, the expanded membership strengthens the MERC’s role as a collaborative industry platform to pursue practical emissions reduction measures.
MERC is an
Why are 110 certified Indian ship recycling yards frozen out by Brussels?
Why are 110 certified Indian ship recycling yards frozen out by Brussels?
in
International Shipping News
06/05/2026
In February, the European Commission adopted the 15th edition of the European List of Ship Recycling Facilities. The list now contains 41 facilities of which 30 are in the European Union (EU), Norway and the UK, 10 are in Türkiye and one is in the United States.
Once again, the EU member states have voted to support the Commission’s recommendation to not add any recycling facilities in South Asia despite a significant transformation at many yards in the region.
Today, over 110 Indian recycling yards hold a Hong Kong Convention (HKC) Statement of Compliance, issued by International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) members. In addition, 23 yards in Bangladesh have been authorised to conduct ship recycling by their national authorities as per HKC requirements.
Greek Owners Invest Over $10 Billion in Newbuildings
Greek Owners Invest Over $10 Billion in Newbuildings
in
Hellenic Shipping News
06/05/2026
G
reek owners have placed newbuilding orders worth over $10 billion during the first quarter of the year, with interest across all major shipping markets. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Xclusiv said that “Greek newbuilding activity reached an exceptional threshold in the first quarter of 2026, with orders placed across all four sectors totalling 102 vessels at a combined value of approximately $10.1 billion — a 3.6-fold increase in volume versus the 28 vessels ordered in Q1 2025, and the most capital-intensive quarter on record in this dataset. The tanker sector was the unambiguous driver, but the breadth of the commitment — spanning large crude, LNG, dry bulk, and smaller containers — reflects a strategic repositioning by Greek principals at a pace and scale not seen in recent cycles”.
Source: Xclusiv
According to Xclusiv, “the tanker sector accounts for both the volume and the financial
IACS publishes results of Concentrated Inspection Campaign on onboard Emergency Power Supply
IACS publishes results of Concentrated Inspection Campaign on onboard Emergency Power Supply
in
International Shipping News
06/05/2026
Inspections conducted on over 36,000 ships during 2025, and recommendations made to improve emergency power supply tests
5th May 2026 – IACS, the membership organisation for the world’s leading classification societies, has published the results of its Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Emergency Power Supply Tests on ships, conducted during 2025, and made a number of recommendations that will improve compliance with SOLAS requirements.
The campaign was launched in response to concerns raised by the Tokyo MoU over risks in the testing procedures, following observations raised by Port State Control officers over the reliability of ‘simulated blackout’ tests as demonstrating SOLAS compliance.
The Concentrated Inspection Campaign commenced on 1 January 2025 and ended on 31 December 2025. During this 12-month period, emergency power supply inspections were
U.S. Shifts to Shipping Protection as Trump Administration Declares ‘Epic Fury’ Over
The Malta-flagged tanker Agios Fanourios I, an oil tanker that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, arrives in Iraq’s territorial waters off Basra,Iraq April 17, 2026. Shifts to Shipping Protection as Trump Administration Declares ‘Epic Fury’ Over
Bloomberg
Total Views: 0
May 5, 2026
By Eric Martin, Josh Wingrove and Eltaf Najafizada (Bloomberg) — The US said offensive operations against Iran are over as it shifts to protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but the targeting of another cargo vessel after a day of strikes signaled that the conflict is dragging on.
“Operation Epic Fury is concluded,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at the White House Tuesday, 66 days after the US and Israel began bombing Iran. “We achieved the objectives of that operation.”
While the US now seems intent on trying to deescalate the conflict, which has killed thousands in Iran and roiled global energy markets, the pathway to a deal that reopens the strait remains distant.
Rubio Calls U.N. Vote ‘Test’ as U.S. Pushes Iran Shipping Crackdown
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 5, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
Rubio Calls U.N.