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Browse the archiveIraq signals interest in buying tankers to boost crude exports, minister says
Oil Minister Bassim Khudair told reports that Iraq needs to step up plans to buy tankers to lift crude exports and revenues; the ministry is considering 10 supertankers at an estimated $2 billion and is reviewing financing.

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Iraq signals interest in buying tankers to boost crude exports, minister says
Oil Minister Bassim Khudair told reports that Iraq needs to step up plans to buy tankers to lift crude exports and revenues; the ministry is considering 10 supertankers at an estimated $2 billion and is reviewing financing.
Wirana warns shipowners to act as Bangladesh recycling offers surge
Wirana Shipping cautions that an unexpected rise in offers from Bangladeshi breakers may be fleeting, driven by competition for limited tonnage rather than a recovery in the local steel market.
ClassNK seminar maps operational questions around wind-assisted propulsion
A ClassNK seminar on 23 October brought operators and technical specialists together to assess the practical operation and deployment challenges of wind-assisted propulsion systems, with major Japanese shipping groups among the sponsors.
Broker note warns US–Russian energy shift could be a turning point for product tankers
A reports summary of Xclusiv Shipbrokers' weekly bulletin dated 26 October 2026 says recent developments in US–Russian energy relations could have material consequences for the product tanker market.
EU rules presented as a regional route to support the IMO’s Net‑Zero Framework
Sources report that EU regional maritime regulation can complement the IMO’s Net‑Zero Framework, the global plan agreed in April 2025 to steer shipping to net‑zero by 2050.
Testing specialist warns off‑spec bunkers risk engine damage and costly repairs
German testing specialist CMT has warned shipowners to increase fuel-quality checks after off‑spec bunker alerts at major hubs, saying contaminated or unstable fuel risks engine damage and costly downtime.
Seafarer happiness falls for third quarter as camaraderie offsets weak shore‑side support
The Seafarers Happiness Index fell for a third straight quarter to 6.81/10 in Q3 2026, with six of ten measures down and crew camaraderie highlighted as a bulwark against weakening shore‑side support.

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Luke Smout
Founder and Editor, The Maritime Gazette
Luke Smout is a maritime journalist, PR and communications specialist. He leads the Gazette’s editorial direction across shipping, ports, vessels, maritime business and public policy.
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