MMO publishes guidance on seagrass protection and recovery
The Marine Management Organisation published guidance on 25 September 2026 covering the importance of seagrass, steps to avoid damage and the MMO’s support for recovery in England.
Maritime reporting archive
Every published Maritime Gazette report remains available here, organised in reverse chronological order across shipping, ports, vessels, trade, policy, safety and the wider maritime industry.
Published reporting
Reporting archive
MAIB publishes report and safety flyer on Argos Georgia foundering that cost 13 lives
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has issued a report and safety flyer, dated 25 September 2026, on the foundering of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia about 190 nautical miles east of Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, in which 13 people died.
MMO publishes provisional monthly sea fisheries statistics for August 2026
The UK Marine Management Organisation published a provisional Official Statistics release on 25 September 2026 setting out landings by UK and foreign vessels at UK ports and UK vessel landings abroad for August 2026.
Saudi oil surge pushes Gulf of Oman transfers to capacity
Ship-to-ship crude transfers in the Gulf of Oman are operating at full capacity after Saudi Arabia diverted exports from the Red Sea, according to industry sources and a MarineLink report dated 25 September 2026.
Freight surge in 2026 drives rapid repricing of VLCC fleet
The VLCC sector has seen a sharp revaluation in 2026, with the fastest acceleration since late July as strong freight earnings fed directly into secondhand values, sources indicated on 24 September 2026.
IUMI warns hull market faces mounting pressures despite premium growth
IUMI’s latest research, presented in Rotterdam on 24 September 2026, shows growth in the reported global hull premium base alongside signs of a softening market, delegates were told.
Chinese June crude slump offset by storage draws, Hellenic analysis finds
A reports analysis dated 24 September 2026 finds a 41.3% year‑on‑year drop in Chinese June crude imports was absorbed by inventory withdrawals while refinery runs remained above 12.4 mb/d.
Report: Colombia’s coal trade at an inflection point as policy and logistics tug Atlantic flows
A The report dated 24 September 2026 says Colombia’s position in the global coal market is shifting as robust exports and renewed market access meet persistent logistical disruption and operational risk.
BIMCO symposium warns of interconnected maritime security threats and calls for closer co-operation
Delegates at BIMCO’s Maritime Security Symposium 2026 warned that regional conflicts and sophisticated criminal networks have created interlinked threats to shipping and urged stronger preparedness, information sharing and co‑operation.
Insurers report multi‑billion losses while underwriting Hormuz energy flows, IUMI says
A senior International Union of Marine Insurance official told reports on 24 September 2026 that insurers have suffered multi‑billion‑dollar losses while providing war‑risk cover for energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, despite an uptick in headline premiums.
Lisbon conference calls for urgent overhaul of seafarer competence as fuels and technology change
Delegates at a Lisbon event in mid-September urged coordinated updates to seafarer training and certification to meet the demands of alternative fuels and advancing shipboard technologies.
Interferry says EU ETS proposal could unlock ferry electrification if shore power and grids are secured
The ferry trade association told reports the European Commission’s proposed revision of the EU Emissions Trading System could accelerate maritime decarbonisation, provided the final legislation secures shore power and reliable grid connections through Member State obligations.
Houston bunker availability tight; HSFO and LSMGO need six to eight days' notice, VLSFO about five, Hellenic report
Sources indicated on 24 September 2026 that bunker demand is strong at the Port of Houston and prompt availability across HSFO, LSMGO and VLSFO is tight, with specific notice periods cited. Conditions at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area were described as manageable.
India urged as candidate to become major shipbuilder within a decade, adviser says
An economic adviser to the Prime Minister told reports on 24 September 2026 that India, which presently builds less than one per cent of the world’s ships, has the basic strengths to expand to a top-four shipbuilding position over the next decade.
OceanEye alliance launched to shore up global ocean observation, more than 30 countries join
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the OceanEye International Alliance on 24 September 2026, with over 30 nations signing up to strengthen and sustain global ocean observation.
UAB-Online and Dropboard deepen integration to link berth planning with operations
Vendors UAB-Online and Dropboard have deepened their technical integration to surface berth planning inside operational planning systems, aiming to reduce reliance on spreadsheets and separate tools.
Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai remain locked in strike disputes amid shipbuilding boom
A The report on 24 September 2026 said the disputes at Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai persist as South Korea’s shipbuilding sector expands under a US–Korea cooperation project and stronger demand for high value vessels.
Accelleron secures projects for more than 100 ACCX300-L turbochargers
Accelleron reports that more than 100 of its ACCX300-L low‑speed turbochargers have been committed in projects during the four months after the platform’s April 2026 launch.
Puteri Kelantan LNG carrier delivered to joint venture led by K Line
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. announced the delivery of Puteri Kelantan, an LNG carrier built for Petronas LNG Ltd., which was handed over on 24 September 2026 at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China.
Nautical Institute updates evidence guide as electronic data reshapes casualty investigations
The Nautical Institute’s forthcoming second edition of Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence, Volume 2 focuses on identifying, recovering and preserving electronic evidence from onboard systems, sources indicated on 24 September 2026.
Global crude steel output slips 1.2% in August 2026, worldsteel figures show
World Steel Association figures reported put global crude steel output at 144.2 million tonnes in August 2026, a 1.2% fall from the year before, with divergent regional performances.
BPCL issues rare JKM-linked spot tender for November LNG
Sources indicated that India’s Bharat Petroleum issued a spot tender on 23 September 2026 for a November-delivery LNG cargo priced to the JKM, seeking 3.1–3.8 TBtu for delivery to Dahej.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group launches fourth Coastline Initiative for welding schools
Eastern Shipbuilding Group and the Bay County Artificial Reef Association have announced the fourth annual Coastline Initiative, a competition aimed at students from welding schools, according to MarineLink.
OCEAN marks 50 years with conference and reception in Brussels
OCEAN, ISSA’s European sub-committee, celebrated its fiftieth year at a conference and reception held at The Merode in Brussels on 17 September 2026.
Online bidding set for 15,835t bulk carrier XIE HAI 106 on 27 October
Sources indicated on 24 September 2026 that the 15,835t bulk carrier XIE HAI 106 will be offered at an online public bidding on Shipbid on 27 October 2026, between 10:00 and 10:30 Beijing Time.
Liberian Registry celebrates six innovation milestones at Gastech 2026
At Gastech 2026 in Bangkok the Liberian Registry’s Innovation & Energy Transition Team formalised three Approval in Principle recognitions and three Joint Development Project MoU signings with leading maritime partners, sources indicated on 24 September 2026.
Russia begins commercial exports of Vostok Oil
MarineLink reports that Russia has commenced commercial crude exports from Rosneft’s Vostok Oil project on 24 September 2026, a move Moscow expects to help restore production after years of delays and sanctions.
Italy launches $4.2bn DDX destroyer programme
Orizzonte Sistemi Navali has signed a contract with OCCAR worth approximately $4.2 billion for two next‑generation DDX destroyers destined for the Italian Navy, a MarineLink report says.
MAIB publishes vacancy for Inspector of Marine Accidents (Naval Architect)
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has placed a public notice, dated 24 September 2026, seeking an Inspector of Marine Accidents (Naval Architect) to join its Southampton office.
DfT records Maritime Coastguard Agency observance as Transport Secretary writes to IMO
The Department for Transport published a notice dated 24 September 2026 stating that the Maritime Coastguard Agency marked World Maritime Day and that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the International Maritime organisation.
50Hertz appoints ABL for Ostwind 4 marine assurance, report says
MarineLink reported on 24 September 2026 that ABL has been appointed by transmission system operator 50Hertz to provide marine warranty survey services for the 2 GW Ostwind 4 offshore grid connection in the German Baltic Sea.
World Maritime Day 2026: urgent call to turn rules into practice to protect shipping
A report published on 24 September 2026 says global maritime rules will only secure safer, more resilient shipping if they are implemented worldwide, noting attacks on merchant vessels from the Strait of Hormuz to the Black Sea.
Department for Transport publishes Road safety statistics: data tables
The UK Department for Transport has published data tables dated 24 September 2026 containing detailed statistics on reported personal injury road collisions in Great Britain and on the vehicles and casualties involved.
DfT publishes accredited factsheet on factors associated with fatal collisions
An accredited factsheet from the Department for Transport, dated 24 September 2026, provides a concise overview of factors associated with fatal road collisions, naming speed, alcohol and drugs and seatbelt non-wearing.
DfT publishes accredited factsheets on older and younger driver casualties
The UK Department for Transport has published two accredited factsheets, dated 24 September 2026, that provide an overview of casualties in collisions involving drivers aged 70 and over and drivers aged 17 to 24.
Ship recycling market retains strength, Best Oasis says
Sources indicated on 23 September 2026 that Best Oasis described the ship recycling market as retaining strength, citing positive buying sentiment and improved local steel prices.
LR study identifies 200,000m³ LNG carriers as viable next step for fleet renewal
Lloyd's Register, in work for GTT, finds 200,000m³ LNG carriers can boost cargo capacity and lower transport costs for the global LNG fleet while avoiding widespread terminal reconfiguration.
BIMCO: 2026 market propped up by disruptions and head‑haul growth, fleet expansion threatens 2027
BIMCO says disruption and strong head‑haul trades are sustaining container markets this year but warns that rapid fleet growth could unbalance supply and demand in 2027.
Baltic dry bulk index edges down but remains near mid-September highs
The Baltic Exchange dry bulk freight index fell 0.1% to 3,430 points on Wednesday, with capesize rates down 0.5% to 5,861 points, remaining close to levels seen since 14 September, according to reports.
reports questions cargo case for record VLCC rates
A The report dated 23 September 2026 says recent crude departure figures make cargo supply and demand an inadequate sole explanation for the extraordinary surge in dirty tanker freight.
July slump and rising Chinese share reshape seaborne steel flows
reports reports a 1% year‑on‑year decline in global steel shipments in July 2026 to 22.2 million tonnes, while China’s share of flows rose markedly on stronger exports.
After a WS 800 shock, Fujairah eastbound fixing cools, Fearnleys notes
Fearnleys A.S told reports that a recent fixing rush which drove Fujairah–GOO eastbound fixtures into the WS 800s has quietened, leaving the market in a calmer state.
Report: regulatory uncertainty raises risk to 2030 zero‑emission fuel target
The fifth annual assessment, published by reports and launched at New York Climate Week on 23 September 2026, finds that a year of policy uncertainty has materially increased the risk of missing the 2030 zero‑emission fuel goal, even as individual industry progress continues.
Baltic Handysize futures listed on SGX and EEX
Baltic Exchange has launched two Handysize freight forward agreement baskets, now listed on the Singapore Exchange and the European Energy Exchange to help manage Atlantic and Pacific exposure.
Indian shipyards face technical hurdles in bid to build VLCCs, report finds
A 23 September 2026 The report says building a Very Large Crude Carrier requires specific infrastructure and handling capacities that not all yards possess.
Saudi Arabia denies buying 25 tankers and rejects link to Iraqi shipping costs
Riyadh’s Ministry of Energy has denied claims it acquired 25 oil tankers and has rejected suggestions that any such purchases contributed to higher freight costs for Iraqi crude, a report on 23 September 2026 states.
NorthStandard to offer Members discounted access to PntGuard for GNSS signal authentication
NorthStandard has entered a partnership with SGM Technology to offer Members preferential access to the PntGuard platform, intended to detect GNSS jamming and spoofing, with a 15% discount, the report says.
Charity releases final films in ‘Smart Seafaring. A Safe Return’ campaign ahead of World Maritime Day
The Seafarers’ Charity has published the final films in its ‘Smart Seafaring. A Safe Return’ campaign on seafarer abandonment, released on 23 September 2026 ahead of World Maritime Day.