South Korean shipyard unions ramp up action as Chuseok approaches
Sources indicated on 18 September 2026 that unions have intensified industrial action at South Korean shipyards, with Hanwha Ocean stopping all Goliath cranes on 18 September.
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Georgia Ports thanks drivers with on-gate giveaways during appreciation week
On 18 September 2026, Georgia Ports Authority staff handed out breakfast and cooling items to drivers at terminal gates across its facilities, including Savannah and Brunswick, in recognition of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
EIA: US natural gas storage rose by 44 bcf but missed forecasts
The EIA reported a 44 billion cubic feet rise in US natural gas storage in its latest weekly release, published by reports on 18 September 2026, a result below forecasts that points to stronger demand.
Five-day slide in dry bulk market followed by late-week recovery, Lion Shipbrokers reports
Lion Shipbrokers told reports that the dry cargo market declined for five consecutive sessions before recovering towards the end of week 38, 2026; the Baltic Dry Index was cited.
Aramco halts October crude deliveries to at least two European refiners after pipeline attack
MarineLink reported on 18 September 2026 that Saudi Aramco told at least two European refining customers they would receive no crude in October after an attack on a pipeline to the Red Sea.
Italian defence minister urges stronger naval protection in the Red Sea
MarineLink reported on 18 September 2026 that Italy's defence minister urged a stronger naval presence in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait faces heightened risk.
Sanmar Delivers NICO, Seventh Tug for H. Schramm Towage
Sanmar Shipyards has handed over NICO, a versatile tug for harbour ship-handling and towing, to Germany’s H. Schramm Towage, the yard's seventh tug for the operator.
Aesen unveils Aesen 116H next-generation hybrid crew boat
Aesen has introduced the Aesen 116H, a next-generation hybrid crew boat the builder says is designed for offshore personnel transfer and infield logistics, MarineLink reported on 18 September 2026.
Green Yard Kleven unveils 100-m KLEVEN KY100 Polar Class expedition yacht
Norwegian shipbuilder Green Yard Kleven has introduced the KLEVEN KY100, a 100-metre Polar Class expedition yacht developed with Opalinski Design House and HAV Design, marking a strategic shift into proprietary yacht design.
Exmar concept for converting membrane LNG carrier into FLNG secures AiP from Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas has granted Approval in Principle for Exmar’s concept to convert a membrane-type LNG carrier into a floating liquefied natural gas unit, the industry report says.
OCEANUS 1 arrives in Taiwan as new cable laying vessel for regional subsea work
ATE Energy and Synergy Marine have confirmed the arrival in Taiwan of OCEANUS 1, a new cable laying vessel built in Vietnam for subsea infrastructure and offshore energy projects across the Taiwan Strait and the wider region.
Consortium completes world’s first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering to ammonia-fuelled vessel
NYK Line and four Japanese partners completed the first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering to an ammonia-fuelled vessel on 17 September 2026, a reported step in developing fuel supply arrangements for ammonia-powered shipping.
Baltic Dry Index rises to 3,370 after 34-point gain
The London-based Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight benchmark climbed 34 points to 3,370 on 18 September 2026, sources indicated.
Yangzijiang Maritime places 24‑ship order with Chinese yards for 2028–2030 delivery
Yangzijiang Maritime Development has contracted 24 vessels from Chinese shipyards, expanding its newbuild programme across bulk and tanker segments with deliveries scheduled from 2028 to 2030, MarineLink reported on 18 September 2026.
US authorities boarded two US‑bound foreign‑flagged ships after suspected network intrusions, report says
The US Coast Guard and FBI boarded two foreign‑flagged commercial vessels in the Gulf of Mexico after indications that hackers had breached onboard computer networks, a MarineLink report says.
Heidmar CEO warns freight will lag refining margins as Gulf flows collapse
Heidmar’s chief executive says a collapse in Persian Gulf product exports and a potential 30% fleet expansion risk keeping product tanker freight below refining margins.
Bangladesh advances plans for first hazardous-waste TSDF backed by IMO study
Government ministers have welcomed plans for Bangladesh’s first Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility for hazardous waste, planned for the Mirsarai Economic Zone and supported by a feasibility study led by the IMO’s SENSREC Project, sources indicated on 18 September 2026.
Tanker struck by unknown projectile in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a company security officer reported an unknown projectile struck a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on 18 September 2026, causing a fire that was later extinguished.
Analysis finds forecasts that list wave height alone can miss roll‑inducing sea states
Sofar Ocean’s analysis, reported on 18 September 2026, says wave height alone can conceal wave period and direction hazards that lead to severe vessel rolling and cargo losses.
What port calls reveal about the operator now serving Tarifa
A The report published on 18 September 2026 argues that port call records can show an operator’s practical footprint more clearly than corporate filings and vessel registrations.
EPI and ESI to operate jointly under IAPH from January 2027, report says
An agreement reported on 18 September 2026 will see the Environmental Port Index and OceanScore’s Environmental Ship Index operate as complementary modules under IAPH from January 2027, aiming to present a more coherent system for measuring and rewarding cleaner shipping.
Closure of western Suurhoffbrug curtails road access to the port of Rotterdam
A closure of the western Suurhoffbrug (A15) that took effect at 5pm on Wednesday has major consequences for access to the port of Rotterdam, with road users, companies, employees and residents facing serious disruption.
China’s refiners favour crude cost control as high freight reshapes buying
Sources indicated on 18 September 2026 that, after Beijing removed transportation fuel export restrictions in late June, Chinese refiners are shifting toward revenue recovery and tighter crude cost control amid elevated freight.
Soybean futures hold near three-year highs ahead of Trump‑Xi talks
Futures traded above $13.1 per bushel and remained close to multi-year highs as China’s purchases and the prospect of further buying ahead of US‑China talks supported the market, a The report said on 18 September 2026.
Equinor aims for 10–15 million tonnes of LNG supply by early 2030s
Equinor has told industry sources it intends to expand its liquefied natural gas supply to between 10 and 15 million metric tonnes per year in the early 2030s, with a second Asian supply deal anticipated in the week of 18 September 2026.
Asian refiners favour Oman crude as delivery security drives buying decisions
A report dated 18 September 2026 says Asian refiners are prioritising supply security and selecting Oman Export Blend for its lower exposure to shipping risks through the Strait of Hormuz.
European gas prices rebound above €77/MWh as storage concerns mount
European natural gas climbed back above €77/MWh on 18 September 2026, driven by thin reserves and continued LNG shipment disruptions as the region prepares for winter.
Supertanker orders surge as US-Iran war reshapes oil trade
Data reported by MarineLink and compiled by Signal Group show shipowners have placed over twice the number of supertanker orders this year compared with 2025, in a buying spree worth more than $20 billion and the largest in at least 25 years as a US‑Iran war alters oil trade.
Chinese yards dominate as newbuilding orders retain strong momentum
A weekly note from shipbroker Banchero Costa, reported on 17 September 2026, records continued strength in newbuilding orders, with Chinese yards taking most contracts and tanker owners adding VLCC and Suezmax tonnage.
Bulker transits through Panama Canal fall 22% as tankers press for slots
A 22% year-on-year decline in bulker Panama Canal transits since July 2026 reflects rising competition from tankers and potential restrictions from El Niño-driven lower water levels, a report says.
Shipyard engine choices now will determine which fuels are feasible in 2050
A 17 September 2026 report warns that engine selections on newbuildings across the coming decade will establish much of shipping’s fuel capacity in 2050, yet economics will decide which fuels are actually used.
Tight prompt bunker supply reported as Houston demand remains firm
A trader told ENGINE that prompt bunker stocks were tight across much of the Americas and lead times for major fuel grades were running at five to seven days, The report says.
Riyadh silent as reports of Saudi oil delivery cancellations to Europe leave scale uncertain
reports reports that a pipeline shutdown and regional tension have increased pressure on Saudi crude supplies to Europe, while Riyadh has not confirmed reports of shipment cancellations or delays.
IFCHOR GALBRAITHS launches Bauxite 360 as seaborne bauxite trade peaks
IFCHOR GALBRAITHS has introduced Bauxite 360, a specialist research and advisory service for the global bauxite market, amid rising seaborne volumes and concentration of trade around Guinea and China.
Report highlights heavy repair and downtime costs after auxiliary engine overspeed
A review reported on 17 September 2026 found that auxiliary engine overspeed incidents average roughly USD 250,000 in direct repair costs, with downtime frequently adding greater economic loss.
Analysts: Houthi offensive severs Saudi export lifeline, sends Brent sharply higher
Analysts say strikes by Yemen’s Houthi militants on coastal oil infrastructure have cut a vital Saudi export route through the Red Sea, triggering a spike in Brent and forcing a reassessment of shipping and market risk.
Kaiko Systems analysis finds tougher self-inspection improves SIRE 2.0 results
An analysis by Kaiko Systems, reported on 17 September 2026, links more rigorous self-inspection by tanker crews to improved SIRE 2.0 results.
Performance Shipping completes sale and delivery of M/T P. Aliki
Performance Shipping Inc. has completed the previously announced sale and delivery of the 2010-built Aframax tanker M/T P. Aliki, the company confirmed in a notice reported on 17 September 2026.
Transito launches Total Freight to tackle Rhine low-water disruption
Dutch charterer Transito has unveiled Total Freight, an integrated sea-and-inland service under a single contract designed to ease cargo movements between European seaports and the hinterland as low-water conditions persist.
Report underscores support as essential to ballast‑water system reliability
reports reports that a ballast‑water management system’s value lies as much in the support behind it as in the hardware itself, with service arrangements central to reducing downtime and preserving compliance over the system’s life.
Suez Canal records first transit of mega-ship OOCL PORTUGAL as tonnage rises
The Suez Canal Authority announced the first transit of the mega container ship OOCL PORTUGAL among the north convoy and reported container-ship net tonnage of 72.1 million tons for the first eight months of 2026, with COSCO’s return also recorded.
Ring Power named exclusive North American distributor for Cox Marine diesel outboards
MarineLink reported on 17 September 2026 that Ring Power Corporation will act as the exclusive distributor in North America for the UK firm's diesel outboard line, under an expanded partnership.
US–Iran conflict drives largest supertanker ordering spree in 25 years, report says
Shipowners have placed more than twice the number of supertanker orders this year compared with 2025, in a buying spree valued at over $20bn and described by MarineLink as the largest in at least 25 years, citing Signal Group data.
Oil eases about 2% as reports of Saudi cargoes via Oman ease supply fears
Reports that additional Saudi crude was being shipped through Oman helped push oil lower by roughly 2% to a one‑week low on 17 September 2026, but a risk premium above $100 persisted because of fears the conflict could widen.
Israel plans to raise gas output to bolster competition and exports, ministry says
An inter-ministerial committee led by the Energy Ministry has issued final recommendations to raise natural gas output in order to meet domestic needs and enable greater exports, MarineLink reported on 17 September 2026.
Italy prepares navy to protect merchant shipping amid Bab el‑Mandeb tensions
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy is organising naval preparations to safeguard its merchant vessels if the security situation in the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait worsens, MarineLink reported on 17 September 2026.
Shipping Technology unveils ST Sailing Pro, adding propulsion control to track pilot
Shipping Technology has released ST Sailing Pro, an update to its track-pilot system that adds automated propulsion control for conventionally powered inland vessels, a move the company presents as a step towards autonomous sailing.
House approves resolution overturning California’s Commercial Harbor Craft waiver
The House of Representatives approved House Joint Resolution 213 on 17 September 2026, voting 214–208 to overturn a California waiver for Commercial Harbor Craft, sources indicated.