Strait of Hormuz reopening delayed
Strait of Hormuz reopening delayed
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
The latest joke about the Strait of Hormuz is that it is Schrödinger’s waterway: it is simultaneously open and closed, until you try to sail through it and find out for certain which it is. Over the weekend, several vessels put that question to the test and were given their answer: the strait is still mostly closed.
Despite recent encouraging signs of a possible end to the conflict in the Middle East, the US and Iran remain some distance apart on terms for a lasting peace agreement. The threat of prolonged disruption to energy and chemicals exports from the Gulf has grown.
Hopes of an end to the war had been rising.
Russian oil flow to Slovakia via Druzhba pipeline resumes
Russian oil flow to Slovakia via Druzhba pipeline resumes
in
General Energy News
23/04/2026
Bratislava confirmed that the country started receiving crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline early on Thursday, after a three-month halt.
The flow of Russian oil to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline that crosses Ukraine has resumed, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková said on Thursday morning.
The Economy Ministry informs that today at 2 am the reception of oil to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline was resumed,” Saková said in a ministry statement.
This confirmation puts an end to a months-long standoff between Ukraine, the EU and Hungary and Slovakia when the transit of Russian cheap oil stopped after a Russian strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure at the end of January.
The confirmation is set to unblock the €90-billion loan for Ukraine, which has been vetoed by Hungary and Slovakia since February, despite being initially agreed upon in December.
The disbursement is scheduled
U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Rise Slightly, Exceeding Forecasts
Initial Jobless Claims Rise Slightly, Exceeding Forecasts
in
World Economy News
23/04/2026
In a closely watched economic indicator, the latest report on U.S. Initial Jobless Claims revealed a slight uptick, with 214,000 individuals filing for unemployment insurance for the first time last week. This figure surpassed the forecasted 211,000 claims, indicating a modest increase in the number of people seeking unemployment assistance.
The Initial Jobless Claims report is a critical barometer of labor market health, providing insight into the number of individuals who are newly unemployed.
QatarEnergy marks first LNG export from Golden Pass project
QatarEnergy marks first LNG export from Golden Pass project
in
Freight News
23/04/2026
QatarEnergy has celebrated the first LNG export cargo from the Golden Pass LNG project in Sabine Pass, Texas, in the US– a joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil.
Marking an important step towards the project’s commencement of full commercial and export operations, the project’s historic LNG cargo was safely and successfully loaded onboard QatarEnergy’s Al-Qaiyyah LNG carrier, recently built in Korea with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters.
Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: “This is a significant industry milestone that marks a new chapter in QatarEnergy’s global efforts to meet rising LNG demand and ensure reliable supplies to international markets.”
Minister Al-Kaabi added: “The Golden Pass LNG project is one of the single largest investment decisions in the history of the US LNG sector, affirming QatarEnergy’s position an
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Renews Partnership with Shanghai Maritime University to Strengthen Maritime Development
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Renews Partnership with Shanghai Maritime University to Strengthen Maritime Development
in
Port News
23/04/2026
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen cooperation in maritime talent development and knowledge exchange. The MOU was signed by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Professor Chu Beiping, President of SMU.
Started in 2020, this partnership supports exchanges of students and maritime professionals and facilitates participation in high-level seminars and knowledge sharing platforms. These efforts provide valuable opportunities for participants to gain insights into development in maritime safety, digitalisation and decarbonisation in both countries.
Since 2023, MPA and SMU have enhanced collaboration through mutual participation in maritime leadership programmes, and by contributing expert speakers to high-level forums th
ABS, Marinteknik, Seatech, and VINSSEN Launch Hydrogen Fuel Cell Harbor Craft Pilot Study in Singapore
ABS, Marinteknik, Seatech, and VINSSEN Launch Hydrogen Fuel Cell Harbor Craft Pilot Study in Singapore
in
International Shipping News
23/04/2026
In an important step to lowering emissions in one of the world’s busiest ports, ABS, Marinteknik Shipbuilders (S) Pte. Ltd., SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte. Ltd., and VINSSEN Co., Ltd., signed a research collaboration agreement to advance the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered harbor craft in Singapore.
The agreement brings together complementary expertise across vessel ownership, ship design, fuel cell propulsion and marine technology to advance hydrogen as a viable marine fuel for harbor operations.
“ABS is uniquely positioned to support this promising pilot.
Wärtsilä and Erik Thun Group partnership to enhance reliability, sustainability and performance throughout the fleet
Wärtsilä and Erik Thun Group partnership to enhance reliability, sustainability and performance throughout the fleet
in
International Shipping News
23/04/2026
Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a new long-term overhaul frame agreement with Swedish operator Erik Thun Group. The agreement has been developed jointly with longstanding fleet management partner MF Shipping Group, and includes comprehensive overhaul services, technical services, field services, workshops support, and parts supplies. The aim is to ensure the longevity and performance of the 4-stroke medium-speed engines, propulsion machinery, and shaft line equipment installed throughout the Erik Thun Group fleet.
CMA Launches CMA TRAINING CENTER to Strengthen Technical Capability Across Marine and Industrial Sectors
CMA Launches CMA TRAINING CENTER to Strengthen Technical Capability Across Marine and Industrial Sectors
in
Hellenic Shipping News
23/04/2026
CMA D. announces the launch of the CMA TRAINING CENTER, a dedicated training and applied engineering facility designed to support the continuous development of technical professionals across the marine, industrial, and energy sectors.
The CMA TRAINING CENTER combines structured theoretical learning with hands-on experience on real systems, allowing participants not only to understand technologies in depth but also to interact with them in realistic operational scenarios.
Our current training categories include:
Main engine maneuvering systems
MAN B&W – Sulzer – Electronic Engines
Temperature / Pressure Controllers & Valve Positioners
Operation, Calibration & Troubleshooting
Boiler Automation Systems
Control, Safety and Alarm Systems & Troubleshooting
Alarm, Monitoring & Safety Systems ( AMS )
Operation, Control Logic & Troubleshooting
Thermograph
Iran Ship Seizures Show ‘Weaponization of Trade’ in Hormuz, Xeneta Warns
A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Iran Ship Seizures Show ‘Weaponization of Trade’ in Hormuz, Xeneta Warns
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 0
April 22, 2026
Iran’s reported seizure of two MSC containerships in the
Strait of Hormuz
is the latest sign the crisis in the strategic waterway has evolved beyond a shipping disruption into what one analyst is calling the “weaponization of trade.”
Hours after President Donald Trump
extended the U.S.-Iran ceasefire
while maintaining a naval blockade, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was reported to have seized the 11,660-TEU
MSC Francesca
and the 6,690-TEU
MSC Epaminondas
, escalating concerns over retaliation against commercial shipping.
“This is the weaponization of trade,” said Peter Sand of Xeneta.
“The extended ceasefire can be seen as a
Congress Confronts U.S. Shipbuilding Crisis as Maritime Buildout Meets Reality Check
National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) under construction at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. Photo courtesy Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Congress Confronts U.S. Shipbuilding Crisis as Maritime Buildout Meets Reality Check
Mike Schuler
Total Views: 1
April 22, 2026
A rare joint House hearing on Wednesday laid bare both the ambition and the friction behind Washington’s growing push to revive American shipbuilding, as administration officials promoted an expansive maritime buildout while congressional watchdogs warned chronic delays, rising costs and industrial bottlenecks continue to undermine the effort.
The
joint hearing
, “Revitalizing Shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base,” brought together the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, underscoring how commercial shipbuilding, naval readiness and industrial policy are increasingly converging in Washingt