Shipping Traffic Through Hormuz Still Largely Halted
Luojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Shipping Traffic Through Hormuz Still Largely Halted
Reuters
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April 21, 2026
LONDON, April 21 (Reuters) – Shipping traffic through the
Strait of Hormuz
remained broadly halted on Tuesday with only three ships passing the waterway in the past 24 hours, shipping data showed.
A U.S. blockade of Iranian ports has infuriated Tehran, prompting it to maintain its own restrictions on the strait, which had been typically handling roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
The Ean Spir products tanker, which had no known flag or known ownership, sailed through Hormuz on Tuesday after previously calling at an Iraqi port, ship tracking data on the MarineTraffic platform showed.
The Lian Star cargo ship, which had no known flag or known ownership, also sailed through the strai
Strait of Hormuz traffic falls off sharply as ceasefire wobbles
Strait of Hormuz traffic falls off sharply as ceasefire wobbles
in
International Shipping News
21/04/2026
Eight vessels transited the contested Strait of Hormuz April 19, a drop of roughly two-thirds from the day before, S&P Global Commodities At Sea(opens in a new tab) said in an April 20 report.
Many ships approaching the strait turned back April 19, CAS said, in response to shots being fired at multiple ships and Iranian insistence that the narrow waterway was closed to commercial traffic.
At least 39 vessels moved toward the Strait of Hormuz to make an exit before turning back April 18. That includes the Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav, two Indian-flagged tankers that were reportedly attacked by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps while attempting to exit the strait, the CAS report said.
“Some vessels reversed course near the Omani coast while others did so closer to Iran,” CAS said.
On April 18, 29 vessels had passed through the narrow waterway, including several LPG tankers, following c
Contship joins the Smart Freight Centre community: International Collaboration And Shared Standards To Accelerate The Climate Transition
Contship joins the Smart Freight Centre community: International Collaboration And Shared Standards To Accelerate The Climate Transition
in
International Shipping News
21/04/2026
Contship announces its membership in the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) community, an international organization committed to decarbonizing freight transport and promoting harmonized standards for measuring and reducing emissions across global supply chains.
This initiative represents a further milestone in the Group’s “Moves That Matter” sustainability journey, an agenda that guides Contship toward an increasingly efficient, low-emission logistics model, grounded in data, innovation, and shared responsibility across the entire value chain.
Joining the SFC community strengthens Contship’s commitment to decarbonization through international collaboration and harmonized reporting standards. These standards align with recognized frameworks such as the GLEC Framework and enhance transparency in emissions data. At the
Possible armed boarding, elevated piracy concern off Somalia
Possible armed boarding, elevated piracy concern off Somalia
in
International Shipping News
21/04/2026
A possible armed boarding of an oil products tanker was reported about 24.0 nm southeast of Xaafuun (Hafun), Somalia, at around 12:00 UTC on 21 April 2026. In the same wider area, a separate boarding of a Somali-flagged fishing vessel by eleven armed individuals was also reported yesterday, reinforcing concern that the incident fits an active piracy-related threat pattern.
Key Points:
• Initial reporting indicates a possible boarding by armed intruders onboard an oil products tanker at approximately 10°03’N 051°27’E, around 24.0 nm southeast of Xaafuun (Hafun), Somalia. Authorities are investigating and no public confirmation has yet emerged regarding vessel identity, crew status, or final outcome.
• A separate security incident was reported at approximately 19:12UTC on the previous day, when eleven armed individuals reportedly boarded and took control of a Somali-flagged fishing vess
AYK Energy says marine battery revolution ‘gathering pace’ with building of most powerful electric escort tug in the world
AYK Energy says marine battery revolution ‘gathering pace’ with building of most powerful electric escort tug in the world
in
International Shipping News
,
Shipping: Emission Possible
21/04/2026
Marine battery maker AYK Energy says a significant milestone is being made in the electric workboat sector with the completion of sea trials for the first battery-methanol harbour tug ever built.
AYK Energy said the Svitzer Balder built by the Uzmar shipyard in Türkiye sets a new standard as the most powerful electric escort tug in the world able to operate in near-open ocean as well as in harbour. The vessel is now set for delivery to the Port of Gothenburg in Sweden where it will conduct more than 90% of its towing and docking operations ‘zero-emission’ using its battery-electric powertrain. It will be the fifth Svitzer tug AYK has provided battery systems to.
AYK confirmed its team helped to manage sea trials on the vessel which it supplied with an ABS certified AriesA 6MWh battery system wi
Bidding Announcement of 6258t Oil Tanker “ZJ2026-0010”
Bidding Announcement of 6258t Oil Tanker “ZJ2026-0010”
in
International Shipping News
21/04/2026
Entrusted by the transferor (the Sellers), we have scheduled to hold a public bidding online (www.shipbid.net) from 10:00 to 10:30 (Beijing time) on May 13th, 2026.
1. Bidding Object:
MT”ZJ2026-0010″，Oil Tanker;
Class: CCS domestic;
Trading Area: A1+A2;
GRT:4796; NRT:2685；
LOA: 119m; MLB: 16.8m; MLD: 8.36m;
Full load Displacement: 9100t @6.37m draft;
DWT:6258t; Capacity: 8800m3
LDT:2530t；Pump：600m3/h×2；
M/E: Guangzhou Diesel Engine Factory Co., Ltd., 8320ZCd-8，2206kW@525r/min；
Built: April 21st, 2023;
Builder: Anrun Group Anhui Zhongrun Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.；
All the information and data refer to the bidding object provided in this Announcement as well as the attachments are for reference only. If there is any discrepancy, the class certificates, trading certificates and actual condition shall prevail.
2.
Singapore Maritime Week 2026 Opens, Celebrating 20 Years of Maritime Thought Leadership
Singapore Maritime Week 2026 Opens, Celebrating 20 Years of Maritime Thought Leadership
in
International Shipping News
21/04/2026
The Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2026 was officially launched today by Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance. This year marks SMW’s 20th edition – reflecting two decades of convening global maritime leaders, shaping ideas and advancing the industry.
Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the annual event is taking place from 20 to 24 April this year, and brings together more than 20,000 participants from close to 80 countries and regions, including Ministers, senior government officials, industry leaders and maritime professionals. Participants will exchange views on shared challenges and practical pathways forward for international shipping.
At the opening ceremony, Mr Siow announced the launch of OCEANS-X[1], a new data and Application Programming Interface (API) eXchange platform
Immersion Suit Rises To Challenge For Faster Protection
Immersion Suit Rises To Challenge For Faster Protection
gCaptain
Total Views: 0
April 21, 2026
Donning speed for emergency situations is a primary attraction of a new immersion suit from VIKING Life-Saving Equipment that is made to measure up to US-specific requirements.
Commercial shipping’s leading safety solutions provider has launched the VIKING YouSafe™ Crest (PS2016) immersion suit as a standardized solution to offer six hours of thermal protection in cold water conditions for fleets the come under US Coastguard jurisdiction.
Made out of durable and naturally buoyant neoprene, the new suit comes in three updated sizes to ensure watertight protection for the full range of body types involved in modern seafaring. Notable safety features include reinforced soles, inflatable buoyancy for better freedom of movement, high-vis reflective trim, and a yellow hood to attract attention in daylight or dark waters.
For users onboard ships flagged to the US or calling in US-administered ports,
UN’s Maritime Agency Prepares Hormuz Evacuation Plan for Hundreds of Ships
Tankers are seen off the coast of the Fujairah, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, March 3, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
UN’s Maritime Agency Prepares Hormuz Evacuation Plan for Hundreds of Ships
Bloomberg
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April 21, 2026
By Weilun Soon (Bloomberg) — The
International Maritime Organization
is working on an evacuation plan for hundreds of ships that have been stuck in the Persian Gulf since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began more than seven weeks ago, according to Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez.
The plan can only be put into action when there are clear signs of de-escalation, Dominguez said on the sidelines of Singapore Maritime Week on Tuesday. The United Nations agency would also need to ascertain if mines had been laid in the strait before sending ships through, he said.
“In order for us to do anything at all, we need to make sure that the conflict has come to an end, that there’s no
International Chamber of Shipping announces sixth edition of Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) – Strengthening safety standards for chemical tanker operations
International Chamber of Shipping announces sixth edition of Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) – Strengthening safety standards for chemical tanker operations
in
International Shipping News
22/04/2026
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced the launch of the sixth edition of its benchmark publication, the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals).
First published in 1971, the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) remains the primary industry reference for the safe operation of chemical tankers. This new edition provides up‑to‑date, practical guidance for those serving on board ships carrying hazardous and noxious liquid substances in bulk under MARPOL Annex II, supporting safe, compliant and pollution‑free operations.
The sixth edition incorporates substantial updates to reflect evolving industry practice, regulatory developments and the operational challenges faced by modern chemical tankers. Key new content includes:
New guidance on Annex I to Annex II cargo changeover, featuring a detai