Operations

The FMC is examining China’s detention of Panamanian-flagged vessels, with potential enforcement actions that could disrupt U.S. shipping supply chains and draw broader attention from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

BMT’s ROC-Sim platform enables commercial and defence operators to train crews for remote and autonomous vessel operations in immersive simulations, improving safety and efficiency without removing ships from active service.

OFAC’s General License X allows a temporary wind-down of Iranian petroleum trade. This update outlines key compliance deadlines, enforcement risks, and implications for shipping stakeholders as U.S. sanctions tighten.

Overview of freight shipping to Africa, highlighting key trends, operational challenges, and emerging opportunities shaping trade flows, logistics infrastructure, and market growth across the continent.

Overview of LNG as a marine fuel, highlighting its properties, risks, and key considerations for spill response, safety measures, and emergency preparedness in maritime operations.

India introduces DGS Circular 19/2026, setting new requirements for transporting plastic pellets (nurdles) in containers, targeting pollution risks from spills as environmental concerns over maritime nurdle contamination continue to grow.

BIMCO outlines updates to Safety Management Systems for methanol-fuelled ships, highlighting operational risks, regulatory considerations, and practical guidance to support safe adoption of alternative fuels across the maritime industry.

Insight into how over-reliance on AIS can contribute to maritime collisions, highlighting human factors, misinterpretation risks, and the need for vigilant navigation practices alongside electronic aids.

An overview of ship emergency power systems, examining whether they function reliably during blackouts, key regulatory requirements, common failure risks, and practical considerations for ensuring backup power readiness when main systems fail at sea.

As Maritime Autonomous Systems move toward real-world deployment, the biggest hurdle isn’t technology but a growing skills gap. Industry and defence must adapt workforce capabilities to unlock autonomy’s full operational, safety, and efficiency benefits.

OFAC has revoked the June 17, 2026 sanctions waiver on Iranian oil and petrochemical products, ending temporary relief previously noted on June 30. Maritime stakeholders should reassess compliance and exposure to Iran-related trade.

The UK has extended its Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime from 1 July 2026, covering domestic voyages and port emissions, raising compliance, cost allocation, and operational questions alongside existing EU ETS obligations.

Steamship Mutual examines Fuel Oil Non-Availability Reports (FONARs), explaining when they are valid, common pitfalls, and how improper use can expose shipowners to compliance risks under IMO sulphur regulations.

Steamship Mutual outlines key FAQs on war risks cover, explaining scope, exclusions, premiums, and claims considerations to help shipowners and operators understand how protection applies in conflict-affected regions.

Steamship Mutual outlines key sanctions risks for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting compliance challenges, evolving geopolitical tensions, and the need for careful due diligence when operating in this high-risk region.

Steamship Mutual examines how geopolitical tensions influence maritime casualty response, highlighting operational, legal, and insurance challenges faced by shipowners and insurers when incidents occur in conflict-affected regions.

Offshore wind’s rapid growth is driving higher salaries, shifting rotation expectations, and intensifying retention challenges, prompting a move toward more strategic, long-term crewing models across the maritime sector.

MSC outlines how cargo ships have evolved in size and capacity, highlighting technological advances, efficiency gains, and the impact of larger vessels on global trade and modern shipping logistics.

US accelerates Cuba-related sanctions as EO 14404 takes effect, ending the wind-down period and expanding exposure for non-US entities, with heightened compliance risks for maritime operators and global trade participants.

Fishery-related claims are increasing in South Korean waters, highlighting growing risks for vessels operating in the region and raising concerns over enforcement, liability, and navigational challenges, according to Gard.

IMO confirms the 2010 HNS Convention will enter into force on 29 November 2027, outlining liability and compensation rules for hazardous and noxious substances at sea, with key implications for shipowners and insurers.

At MSC 111 in London on 22 May 2026, the IMO adopted a new international safety code for autonomous shipping, marking a significant step toward regulating and enabling the safe operation of maritime autonomous surface ships.

Somali piracy is resurging after years of decline, raising risks for shipping. The Swedish Club outlines current threat levels, contributing factors, and how marine insurance cover responds to piracy-related incidents.

Overview of general average principles, focusing on managing claims processes, coordinating stakeholders, and safeguarding recovery, with practical guidance for shipowners, cargo interests, and insurers handling complex maritime casualty situations.

Court of Appeal ruling in The Eternal Bliss clarifies a longstanding shipping law debate on demurrage and risk allocation, confirming when shipowners can claim damages beyond demurrage for losses caused by delay.

ICS Publications offers resources on safety, operations, training, and environment, including the sixth edition of “Shipping and the Environment,” a guide to maritime environmental compliance and regulatory best practices.

Overview of cargo ship evolution, from bulk carriers to ultra-large container vessels, highlighting growing capacity and their transformative impact on global trade, logistics efficiency, and modern supply chains.

The U.S. has issued General Licence X, easing certain sanctions on Iranian petroleum trade. The move clarifies permitted transactions and has implications for shipping, insurers, and compliance risks across the maritime sector.

Panagiotis Kasionis examines why coal cargoes, though routine, pose significant risks, outlining key hazards, evolving regulations, and practical strategies for managing exposure across the maritime supply chain.

Steamship Mutual outlines the UK Emissions Trading Scheme’s entry into force, highlighting new compliance requirements for maritime operators, including emissions monitoring, reporting obligations, and the need to hold allowances for greenhouse gas emissions.

Explains VOYWAR 1993 provisions on alternative voyage orders and contractual frustration, outlining owners’ and charterers’ rights when war risks disrupt voyages and how liability and performance obligations are affected.

A forecast Super El Niño in late 2026 could disrupt Amazon waterways, triggering drought, reduced draught, shipping delays, and potential defence implications as extreme weather impacts regional trade and logistics.

Anglo-Eastern participated in IMO’s HTW 12 session and ISWG-STCW 2, contributing to discussions shaping global seafarer training standards and advancing human element, training, and watchkeeping developments within the maritime industry.

Update on the June 2026 Islamabad MoU between the US and Iran, OFAC’s General License X, and implications for shipping and risk conditions in the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Swedish Club.

Insight into China’s new Maritime Code highlighting key cargo-related risks and obligations for carriers, including liability changes, cargo handling rules, and potential impacts on shipping operations and claims exposure.

MSC explains port operations, detailing key roles from vessel arrival to terminal logistics, and how coordinated processes keep global ports running efficiently.

IMO discussions focus on maritime security risks around the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting threats to shipping, potential disruptions to global trade, and the need for coordinated international measures to safeguard vessel transit and crew safety.

Steamship Mutual examines how the BIMCO Hull Fouling Clause allocates responsibility for hull cleaning costs, highlighting key considerations for owners and charterers when fouling occurs due to trading patterns and port-related delays.

Explores shipowners’ rights to intercept sub-freight and sub-hire when time charterers default on hire payments, reviewing key cases and legal principles affecting cash flow protection and enforcement under charterparty arrangements.

An analysis of the ITLOS ruling in the Heroic Idun case, highlighting key legal takeaways on detention, jurisdiction, and state authority, and what it means for shipowners, operators, and future maritime disputes.

The ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2025–2026 highlights current industry sentiment, key risks, and emerging challenges in global shipping, offering insight into economic pressures, regulatory shifts, and future outlook across the maritime sector.

Canada’s Arctic is regaining strategic and economic importance, opening new shipping opportunities while increasing operational, legal, and Indigenous engagement challenges for maritime stakeholders.

From 20 February 2026, all 12 International Group P&I Clubs require members to preserve rights of recourse, warning shipowners that waiving these rights could jeopardize insurance cover and recovery of losses.

A concise overview of COLREGs, highlighting their role in preventing collisions at sea and emphasizing how failures to follow these international rules remain a leading cause of maritime incidents.

An overview of Venezuela’s reopening maritime market, highlighting regulatory complexities, sanctions risks, and operational challenges for shipowners as trade opportunities re-emerge in the oil-rich nation.

A US–Iran ceasefire agreement promises safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but uncertainty remains as the shipping industry awaits details on how traffic will fully and safely resume, according to BIMCO experts.

A medium-sized container vessel suffered a catastrophic engine room fire after smoke was detected from the shaft generator during voyage, triggering alarms and resulting in serious injury, highlights a Swedish Club case study on onboard fire risks.

IG Circular highlights rising nickel ore exports from the Philippines and Solomon Islands since 2024, emphasizing ongoing liquefaction risks and urging strict compliance with safe carriage, testing, and certification requirements for vessels operating in the south-west Pacific.

BMT highlights how advanced 3D scanning delivers high‑fidelity spatial data in complex, secure environments, enabling accurate inspection, digital modelling, and asset management while reducing downtime and supporting faster, data‑driven decisions.

Cargo fires at sea are rising in frequency and severity, posing complex risks to crews, vessels, and cargo. This article explores evolving causes, challenges in firefighting, and the need for improved prevention, regulation, and industry awareness.

BIMCO outlines recent developments related to MACS, highlighting key regulatory, operational, and industry implications for the shipping sector, with a focus on compliance, safety, and evolving maritime practices.

BIMCO, ITS Norway and DYNAPORT hosted a Copenhagen workshop with 45 maritime stakeholders to advance harmonised digital interfaces, focusing on achieving scalable, practical interoperability between ship and shore systems across the industry.

From 1 July 2026, shipping will be included in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, aligning it more closely with the EU ETS and extending carbon pricing requirements to maritime operators in UK waters.

BIMCO’s Ship Recycling Alliance marks progress a year after the Hong Kong Convention took effect, promoting safer, environmentally responsible ship recycling through coordinated industry action and global standards.

English Commercial Court clarifies when laytime begins without a valid notice of readiness in Trans Trade RK SA v Sebat Shipping, addressing how and when laytime can commence despite deficiencies in formal notice requirements.

CO2TIME 2026 introduces a standard contract framework for the emerging CO₂ shipping market, supporting the growth of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) by addressing key commercial and legal considerations in this developing sector.

UK P&I outlines safety considerations for “liquid light” fuels, covering properties, handling, storage, and emergency response, highlighting risks to crews and vessels and practical mitigation measures for maritime operations.

Circular 11/26 highlights rising nickel ore exports from the Philippines and Solomon Islands since 2024, outlining safety risks and guidance for the safe carriage of cargoes in the south-western Pacific.

Global shipping bodies, including BIMCO and ICS, condemn escalating attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, where the IMO reports 46 incidents and 14 seafarer deaths since late February 2026.

Kenya revives enforcement of mandatory local marine cargo insurance for imports via a new digital platform, addressing past technical failures while creating opportunities and challenges for the domestic insurance industry.

Iran’s IRGC claims it has closed the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping, including oil tankers, following renewed US strikes, raising serious concerns over global trade disruption and maritime security.

Steamship Mutual answers key questions on vessel speed and performance, explaining how speed affects fuel consumption, charterparty obligations, emissions, and claims risk, while offering practical guidance for owners and operators navigating operational and legal considerations.

Guidance for seafarers on building friendships onboard, highlighting the role of clear communication, active listening, and mutual support in maintaining wellbeing and positive relationships in confined, high-pressure maritime environments.

Bangladeshi crew aboard MV Banglar Samriddhi were stranded in Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion and struck by a missile on 2 March, killing one seafarer, as recalled by Chief Engineer Mohammad Omor Faruk.

BIMCO releases a new biofuel clause to support contractual clarity in shipping, addressing fuel standards, liabilities, and compliance as the industry accelerates its transition toward lower-emission alternatives.

Peel Ports Group enhances operational safety and efficiency by using StormGeo’s verified marine weather forecasts, improving decision-making, pilot boarding confidence, and overall trust in weather-critical port operations.

Somali piracy is resurging in 2026, with seven hijackings reported and three vessels held for ransom, as reduced naval presence in key waterways weakens deterrence amid shifting military priorities linked to the Iran conflict.

CO2TIME, released 30 April 2026, is the first standard time charterparty tailored for liquefied CO2 transport, addressing growing industry demand and providing a contractual framework for this emerging segment.

BIMCO invites members to a 2 July 2026 IMO consultation on vessel activity in the Sargasso Sea, focusing on industry input toward potential voluntary measures; the event will be held in London and online.

The IMO has approved the world’s largest Emission Control Area, expanding stricter limits on ship emissions to reduce air pollution and environmental impact across a vast maritime region.

Anglo-Eastern’s Swapnodeep Mondal outlines practical, fleet-wide innovations focused on timely, effective solutions, highlighting how targeted technologies and operational strategies are being evaluated to address current maritime challenges and improve future performance.

Guide for administrators on conducting ECDIS training assessments, outlining best practices, key evaluation criteria, and compliance considerations to ensure effective crew competency and alignment with regulatory standards.

CINS outlines key risks in shipping cocoa butter in containers, highlighting overheating concerns due to non-insulated units and offering guidance to help prevent cargo damage during transit.

RINA highlights the importance of comprehensive rig certification beyond the mast, explaining how thorough inspection and verification of rigging systems are essential to ensure vessel safety, performance, and regulatory compliance in modern sailing operations.

Article explores how much exercise is needed for long-term health, highlighting challenges seafarers face maintaining physical activity amid demanding schedules and life at sea.

At Posidonia in Athens, BIMCO hosted a seminar examining how to attract, support and protect the world’s 2 million seafarers, with industry leaders sharing key challenges and priorities for the future maritime workforce.

Explores how cargo becomes distressed and outlines key legal, logistical, and risk management challenges, focusing on strategies to mitigate liability and support efficient recovery in maritime operations.

Reed Smith reports on a landmark ruling strengthening protections for ships and crews against wrongful seizure, offering greater legal clarity and reinforcing safeguards for maritime operators in international disputes.

ITLOS’s Special Chamber issues a landmark ruling in the M/T “Heroic Idun” (No. 2) case, clarifying freedom of navigation, reinforcing exclusive flag state jurisdiction, and defining limits on states’ anti-piracy enforcement powers.

The U.S. has tightened Cuba sanctions under Executive Order 14404, impacting shipping operations, compliance, and risk exposure. Maritime stakeholders must reassess voyages, counterparties, and insurance implications amid stricter enforcement.

China will implement new rules on electronic documents from 1 September 2026, clarifying legal validity, usage, and compliance requirements—potentially impacting shipping documentation, digital trade processes, and cross-border maritime operations.

The EU has broadened its Iran sanctions regime to address threats to freedom of navigation, enabling new measures against individuals and entities involved in maritime security risks and destabilising activities affecting international shipping.

ABB highlights AI’s growing role in maritime operations, while stressing the continued importance of human expertise to guide how and when data-driven solutions deliver value for shipping customers.

Crew health guidance highlights the benefits of quitting smoking, including improved physical and mental wellbeing and financial savings, offering practical advice to help seafarers successfully stop smoking.

MSC outlines why container fumigation is vital for safety, compliance, and cargo protection, highlighting key benefits and five essential tips shippers should know before transporting goods internationally.

Industry bodies including ICS, BIMCO and OCIMF have issued joint guidance on safely managing vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz, addressing operational risks and security considerations for shipowners and crews.

The European Commission issued new FAQs clarifying EU Russia sanctions for the maritime sector, focusing on targeted vessels and tanker sales, providing updated guidance to industry stakeholders on compliance and enforcement.

An overview of bulk carriers, explaining their structure, types, and historical development, and highlighting their essential role in Japan’s economy and global trade.

A new Loss Prevention bulletin on tanker tank cleanliness verification has been released, alongside an animated video explaining wash water analysis to support safer and more effective tank cleaning practices.

Swedish Club reports an engine room fire on a 12-year-old product tanker, traced to a cracked fuel oil pipe during routine ballast passage, highlighting maintenance risks and fire hazards linked to fuel system failures.

FAQ guide explaining the ECDIS Training Assessment (ETA), covering purpose, requirements, and implications for seafarers and ship operators, helping ensure compliance with navigation training standards and improving safe use of ECDIS systems.

ABB highlights growing adoption of weather routing and voyage optimisation in APAC, driven by fuel efficiency, emissions reduction and digitalisation, while regional challenges include data quality, regulatory differences and varying levels of technological maturity.

NYK Group leads the Nippon Foundation’s MEGURI2040 program, advancing fully autonomous ship technology to address labor shortages and safety challenges in Japan’s coastal shipping sector through cutting-edge maritime innovation.

Hypertension is the second leading cause of PEME failure, accounting for 8% of unfit decisions. UK P&I highlights risks, screening importance, and management to help seafarers maintain fitness for duty.

One year on, this analysis reviews key maritime chokepoints, assessing ongoing disruptions, geopolitical risks, and their impact on global shipping, trade flows, and supply chain resilience, with insights into evolving threats and industry responses.

StormGeo’s 2026 Northwest Pacific typhoon outlook highlights expected storm activity, key high-risk regions, and underlying climate drivers shaping the upcoming season.

Analysis of recurring injuries and fatalities during vehicle deck operations highlights how routine tasks can become hazardous, stressing the need for vigilance, adherence to procedures, and stronger safety practices across maritime operations.

Marine insurers assess the impact of uncrewed vessels as autonomous technology enters commercial use, with Shipowners’ P&I Club highlighting how such ships could reduce risk, improve safety, and reshape future maritime insurance frameworks.

World Maritime University releases a practical handbook guiding maritime organizations on gender mainstreaming, helping them review policies and practices through a gender and diversity lens.

Review of the Global Onboard Training Programme highlights seafarer shortages, training barriers, and limited female participation, while assessing efforts to meet STCW requirements and ensure sustainable officer supply through expanded onboard training initiatives.