This month, India detained three oil tankers suspected of indirect ties to Iran, prompting increased maritime surveillance. The Iranian National Oil Company denied connections to the vessels. The situation highlights the complexities of enforcing sanctions and the need for stringent monitoring to prevent illicit activities in regional waters.
India’s port sector has the potential to save up to Rs 20,000 crore annually in cargo handling costs by implementing artificial intelligence (AI). Gourav Vallabh from the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council emphasized the necessity for technological upgrades to reduce inefficiencies and enhance operational speeds in major ports, including Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Chennai.
The 2026 Union Budget aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, enhancing India’s inland waterways for sustainability and reduced logistics costs. The operationalization of 20 new National Waterways, especially NW-5 in Odisha, aims to connect resource-rich areas to ports, promoting maritime freight from 6% to 12% by 2047.
Salvors have successfully extracted approximately 1,000 gallons of residual fuel and oily water from the Defiant barge, grounded near San Felipe del Morro Castle in Puerto Rico. Additional equipment is being used to assess the barge’s condition, while a removal plan awaits approval. The situation is being closely monitored to protect the environment.
A UK maritime agency has reclassified an incident involving a vessel and small boats near Yemen’s Aden port as “suspicious activity.” Initially reported as an exchange of gunfire, it was clarified that only warning shots were fired. Vessels in the area are advised to exercise caution amid ongoing investigations.
On February 26, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended a Bangladeshi fishing boat with 28 crew members in the Bay of Bengal for illegal fishing within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The vessel was found operating without valid permits, leading to its detention and the crew’s escort to Frazerganj for legal proceedings.
On February 14, the cargo vessel Diezeborg faced an engine room fire while navigating the Baltic Sea, prompting the Swedish Coast Guard to intervene. The crew extinguished the flames, and no injuries were reported. A tugboat was scheduled to assist, as the ship’s power loss created grounding concerns near Gotska Sandön.
French authorities have allowed the oil tanker GRINCH to leave after the owning company paid a significant fine. This measure aims to enforce sanctions against Russia, preventing it from financing military activities. The GRINCH, suspected of facilitating oil exports, had been detained in the Mediterranean near Marseille.
India is positioning itself to meet the global demand for large ships, such as VLCCs and container vessels, under a ₹25,000 crore shipbuilding scheme. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted partnerships with South Korean firms and a ₹70,000-crore maritime development package to enhance shipbuilding capabilities and port infrastructure.
In a significant move to strengthen India’s maritime regulatory framework, the government has initiated a comprehensive rule-making exercise. This includes the establishment of 14 Technical Committees to draft regulations under the new Coastal Shipping Act, Merchant Shipping Act, and Indian Ports Act, ensuring stakeholder engagement and transparency throughout the process.
Captain Vladimir Motin received a six-year sentence for “gross negligence manslaughter” following the Solong’s collision with the Stena Immaculate in March 2025. Justice Andrew Baker emphasized Motin’s complacency led to the tragedy. In contrast, Chief Mate Ali Albokhari, imprisoned for drug smuggling, received a harsh sentence without direct evidence, highlighting judicial inconsistencies.
ClassNK has launched a pilot test with ten Japanese companies for its NK-PASS drawing approval system and the ClassNK 3DViewer, ahead of the 3D Model-Based Approval (3DMBA) debut in spring 2026. This innovative shift from 2D to 3D models enhances visualization, accuracy, and expedites design error identification.
When a ship management company earns recognition for its cybersecurity efforts, the real value lies in daily risk management practices. Anglo-Eastern’s rise to Diamond status highlights a cultural shift in the shipping industry, emphasizing staff awareness as essential for cyber resilience, proving that people are as crucial as technology in mitigating risks.
Last year’s Concentrated Inspection Campaign on ballast water management revealed a shift in compliance failures towards the technical aspects of treatment systems. Charlène Ceresola from BIO-UV Group noted that 46% of detainable deficiencies were linked to these systems, highlighting the need for better maintenance and crew training to avoid costly detentions.
In 2025, Arctic shipping reached a record 1,812 unique vessels, a 40% increase since 2013, driven by declining sea ice. Fishing vessels comprised 40% of this traffic, while crude oil tankers surged by 396%. Key projects like the Mary River Mine and Yamal LNG significantly boosted shipping volumes.
