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.
Government officials and maritime experts from several Asian coastal states gathered in Singapore for the inaugural IMO workshop on ships’ routeing and reporting systems. The event aimed to enhance navigational safety and familiarize participants with IMO procedures, focusing on effective implementation amid rising maritime traffic in the region. Key discussions included evaluating existing measures and analyzing traffic patterns.
Yanmar Power Solutions has secured a testing site in Amagasaki City, Japan, for marine hydrogen engines. This strategic move aims to advance powertrains compatible with hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia. Operations are set to begin in March 2029, reinforcing Yanmar’s commitment to sustainable marine technology and innovation in eco-friendly power solutions.
Kongsberg Maritime plans to unify its digital applications under the brand Digital Ocean ahead of its stock listing as an independent company. This restructuring will consolidate legacy systems into a cohesive platform, enhancing maritime operations with tools like KM Performance, aimed at optimizing the entire voyage cycle for safer and smarter navigation.
Major container shipping companies, including CMA CGM, Cosco Shipping Lines, and Regional Container Lines, are revamping their networks in Myanmar to enhance Southeast Asia’s feeder operations. This includes consolidating services and adjusting port calls, significantly impacting trade routes between India and Myanmar, particularly amid changing regional demands.
Marine fuel sales in Singapore, the largest bunker hub, surged in January 2026, reaching 5.23 million metric tons—a 16.5% year-on-year increase. Despite a slight dip from December’s record, strong demand and rising price premiums fueled the market, with vessel calls for bunkering rising by 1.5% to 3,778.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) successfully intercepted two foreign fishing vessels in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait, preventing illegal fishing activities. Operation BROADSTAFF, launched last week, aims to disrupt such activities. Community involvement proved crucial, with local reports aiding in monitoring suspicious actions in the region. The operation continues.
Hapag-Lloyd has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire ZIM, Israel’s national shipping company, for over $4 billion. This merger will create the fourth-largest container freight company, surpassing COSCO. Hapag-Lloyd plans to manage ZIM’s international operations while FIMI retains critical shipping capacity within Israel, ensuring strategic control remains intact.
Russia’s Black Sea port of Taman sustained significant damage from a Ukrainian drone attack, injuring two and affecting oil storage and terminal facilities. Over 100 personnel were deployed to manage fires. This incident marks a renewed focus on Russian energy infrastructure as tensions escalate amid ongoing military actions.
U.S. forces have intercepted the sanctioned oil tanker VERONICA III in the Indian Ocean, intensifying efforts against the shadow fleet transporting illicit Venezuelan oil. This marks the ninth vessel seized in a campaign extending from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific, highlighting a significant commitment to enforcing maritime sanctions globally.
Transit shipping through the Dardanelles Strait has been temporarily halted due to severe weather, as announced by authorities in Türkiye’s Canakkale province. The Turkish Strait Vessel Traffic Services informed captains that navigation is suspended for safety. Local ferry services also faced cancellations, affecting connections to Aegean islands amid the storm.
On October 24, 2023, the cargo vessel Verity sank after colliding with the bulk carrier Polesie in the German Bight. An investigation revealed critical watchkeeping failures on both vessels and a delayed response from German vessel traffic services. The collision, occurring in darkness, resulted in Verity’s rapid sinking within minutes.
Recent publications by environmental organizations urge the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to prohibit ammonia-powered vessels from discharging toxic waste into oceans. As the shipping industry seeks zero-emission fuels, the coalition emphasizes protecting marine ecosystems. They advocate for mandatory onboard retention of ammonia waste, highlighting the need for long-term ecological safeguards.
