China Rejects US Shipbuilding Investigation as Protectionist
China’s Ministry of Commerce criticizes US investigation into the country’s shipbuilding industry citing “unilateralism and protectionism.”
The Americas
Guyana-Flagged Tanker Detained by Venezuela for False Entry
Jan 13th: Guyana has reported that Venezuelan authorities seized the tanker Four Plus for entering Venezuelan waters without authorization.
Cargo Ship Incident Closes St. Mary’s River Channel, Michigan
The St. Mary’s River channel was shut down after a 497-foot cargo vessel, Harvest Spirit, ran aground due to mechanical malfunction on January 12
Cunard Announces 2026 Alaska Cruise Program
Cunard has revealed its Alaska 2026 itinerary, featuring the Queen Elizabeth embarking on 23 roundtrip sailings from Seattle, USA in 2026.
MSC Cruises to Debut Star-Studded Ad During Super Bowl
MSC Cruises announced plans to air a 60-second commercial during the Super Bowl. The ad features two celebrities, whose identities remain a mystery
ILA & USMX Reach Tentative Six-Year Contract Agreement
The International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance reach a tentative agreement on a new six-year master contract.
COSCO Downplays Inclusion on US Pentagon Military List
COSCO tries to minimize concerns following its addition to a US Department of Defense list of companies with alleged ties to China’s PLA.
Brazil Prepares for Greener Fuels in Cruise Industry
Brazilian authorities and suppliers are gearing up to embrace the cruise industry’s newest green technologies and sustainable fuels.
MSC Orchestra Marks First Cruise Ship Visit to Salvador in 2025
The MSC Orchestra became the first cruise ship to dock at Salvador in 2025, arriving on January 2 as part of a New Year’s cruise itinerary.
COSCO & Other Chinese Firms Added to US Pentagon Blacklist
COSCO has been included in a list of companies the US Department of Defense identifies as having ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
BOEM Seeks Input on Offshore Wind Leasing Near Guam
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a call for information and nominations regarding potential wind energy leasing off the coast of Guam.
Critical Dockworker Talks Resume to Avert January Strike
Negotiations are to restart between employers and dockworker unions on the US East and Gulf coasts in an attempt to prevent a January 15 strike.
Costa Deliziosa Celebrates NY in Rio During World Cruise
The Costa Deliziosa recently docked at Rio de Janeiro’s Pier Mauá Cruise Terminal as part of its 2024-2025 world cruise with Costa Cruises.
Equinor Secures $3B Funding for Empire Wind 1 in the US
Norwegian energy leader Equinor has secured a $3 billion financing package to support its Empire Wind 1 project in the United States.
Carnival Cruise Line Rings in New Year Honoring Military Heroes
For the fourth year running Carnival celebrated New Year in New York’s Times Square, reaffirming its commitment to honoring military service members.
Hapag-Lloyd Announces Rate Hike for India-Middle East to US
Hapag-Lloyd has announced a GRI / GRA for container shipments moving from the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East to North America.
Port of Oakland Secures $10.5M Grant for Zero-Emission Shift
The Port of Oakland has been awarded $10.5 million from the EPA as a part of the agency’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle grant program.
Biden Unveils Plan for Net-Zero Emissions in Maritime Sector
On December 11th, U.S. President Joe Biden introduced the U.S. Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan, aimed at decarbonizing the maritime industry
Atlantic Canada Sets Cruise Passenger Record with 1M Visitors
The Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA) has reported a historic milestone for the region, surpassing 1 million cruise passengers in 2024.
Tanker Rescues Skipper from Burning Yacht Near Puerto Rico
On December 6, the crew of the tanker Orange Ocean rescued a skipper from a burning yacht, approximately 420 miles north of Puerto Rico.