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Photo of The Week
A powerful “bomb cyclone” ravaged the Pacific Northwest on November 19, 2024, with a central pressure dropping to a staggering 950 millibars—equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane—matching the intensity of the infamous October 2021 cyclone that caused the ZIM Kingston cargo loss. This image shows the storm system at 1:50 p.m. Pacific Time (21:50 p.m. Universal Time) on November 19th.
Top Stories
Baltic Cable Cuts Spark Sabotage Fears in Europe
The Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 remains anchored in the Danish Straits, under close watch by the Danish Navy, amid suspicions it’s linked to the severing of two undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea. The ship, traveling from Russia’s Ust-Luga to Egypt’s Port Said, was near the Finnish-German and Swedish-Lithuanian cables when they were mysteriously severed within 24 hours of each other.
Yi Peng 3 passing under the Great Belt Bridge on November 19, 2024. (Source: Storebælt Bridge webcam)
Danish forces have confirmed their presence near the Yi Peng 3, but remain tight-lipped on whether they’ve boarded or arrested the vessel as the investigation into the incident continues. European leaders aren’t mincing words, with some officials already labeling the damage as sabotage, dismissing the “anchor mishap” theory, while others warn of further diplomatic fallout if Russian culpability is confirmed.
Moscow has firmly denied any involvement, dismissing the accusations as Western propaganda. The incident is reminiscent of of last year’s Balticonnector incident involving another Chinese ship, the NewNew Polar Bear, as concerns mount about the growing threat of hybrid warfare targeting critical subsea infrastructure.
Red Sea Crisis: One Year After Galaxy Leader Hijacking
One year after the M/V Galaxy Leader hijacking by Iranian-backed Houthi insurgents, the Red Sea remains a flashpoint for global shipping. The car carrier’s seizure near Hodeidah on November 19, 2023, marked the beginning of a crisis that has upended maritime trade and exposed critical vulnerabilities.
Since the attack, Houthi drone and missile strikes have surged, forcing operators to bypass the Suez Canal in favor of the Cape of Good Hope—a detour that has spiked shipping costs, reduced global capacity, and ramped up emissions. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Leader crew remains captive, their plight emblematic of the growing human toll, which now includes four casualties and numerous damaged vessels.
Despite military operations by the U.S., UK, and EU, advanced Iranian-supplied weaponry has kept the situation volatile. As the crisis deepens, industry leaders call for global action to secure shipping lanes, protect seafarers, and stabilize a region vital to world trade.
Iranian Shipping Line Sanctioned in EU and UK Crackdown
The EU and UK have tightened sanctions on Iran, targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) for its role in supplying weapons to Russia. The measures respond to Tehran’s transfer of ballistic missiles and drones fueling the conflict in Ukraine.
The UK imposed an asset freeze on IRISL and Iran Air, while the EU extended its sanctions framework to disrupt key shipping routes with ports like Amirabad and Anzali, vital for transferring Iranian UAVs and missiles, in the spotlight. Iran dismissed the actions as unjustified, but the coordinated Western response signals growing pressure on Tehran’s maritime sector. Global observers now await the sanctions’ impact on Iran’s military supply chain and regional influence.
Trump’s Head-Scratching Pick for Transportation Secretary
President-Elect Donald Trump has tapped former Congressman Sean Duffy as his pick for Secretary of Transportation, sparking some head-scratching across the transportation and maritime sectors. Duffy, whose resume includes Congress, Fox Business host, and a stint on MTV’s The Real World: Boston, is set to oversee key infrastructure initiatives, not to mention the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD).
While Duffy’s background in rural development and infrastructure advocacy has earned him praise, his lack of transportation experience raises critical questions. Industry leaders are keen to know how he plans to tackle port modernization and the aging U.S. fleet. With critical issues related to U.S. shipping and maritime infrastructure looming, Duffy’s tenure could redefine the course of America’s maritime strategy—or leave it adrift.
Container Shipping’s Big Comeback: $26.8 Billion in Q3 Profits
The container shipping industry has roared back to life, posting $26.8 billion in net income for Q3 2024—a jaw-dropping 164% jump from the previous quarter, according to analyst John McCown. This marks an 856% surge compared to the same period last year, fueled by tightened capacity in the Red Sea and strong global demand.
While industry-wide volumes hit a record 47.1 million TEUs, McCown credits pricing dynamics—driven by Red Sea disruptions—for the recovery. However, the gains aren’t evenly spread: European carriers have seen the most significant variance, highlighting market disparities among carriers.
Despite some carriers reporting slower year-over-year growth, container volumes rose 4.7%, capping off a strong quarter. As geopolitical tensions continue to influence pricing, the industry braces for what could be another volatile cycle ahead.
Adani Indicted: Bribery Scandal Rocks Indian Maritime Giant
Gautam Adani, chairman of India’s largest private port operator, Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ), faces federal indictment in the U.S. for allegedly masterminding a $250 million bribery scheme to secure lucrative solar energy contracts. Seven other senior executives have also been charged with securities and wire fraud.
The scandal threatens to destabilize APSEZ, which operates 13 ports across India and handles a significant portion of the nation’s cargo. U.S. prosecutors claim the scheme not only defrauded investors but also undermined transparency in India’s maritime sector, with potential ripple effects on global shipping.
While Adani denies the allegations, the maritime industry braces for fallout as legal proceedings cast a long shadow over India’s ambitious port and trade expansion plans. For now, the global shipping sector watches as the storm unfolds.
Navy Greenlights Overhaul of Military Sealift Command
Facing a workforce crisis, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has green-lit a plan to overhaul Military Sealift Command (MSC) amid mounting mariner recruitment and retention challenges. The initiative is set to include reassigning crews to priority vessels, placing up to 17 ships into extended maintenance by 2026, and improving work schedules to address overdue crew reliefs.
“This initiative will not only address operational logistics challenges we face now, it will ensure that Military Sealift Command has policies, programs and incentives it needs to recruit and retain future generations of civil service mariners,” stressed Del Toro.
The new initiative reflects a broader crisis in the U.S. merchant marine, where attracting qualified American mariners has grown increasingly difficult. For America’s maritime logistics backbone, the changes couldn’t come soon enough.
Out with the Old: UK Navy Trims Fleet for Future Readiness
UK Defence Secretary John Healey has unveiled plans to decommission several naval vessels as part of a sweeping defence reform strategy. HMS Northumberland, plagued by structural damage, and landing ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, which have been costly to maintain, top the list of retirements. Additional cuts include 46 Watchkeeper drones, 14 Chinook helicopters, and two Wave Class tankers.
The initiative, aimed at modernizing the Royal Navy and redirecting resources to advanced technologies, is projected to save £500 million over five years. As the UK commits to increased defence spending and pivots to advanced capabilities, Healey describes the reform as “the biggest in 50 years”—a bold shift for a Navy navigating a new era of global tensions.
Australia Cracks Down on Cargo Safety Violations
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has slapped a 180-day ban on the Netherlands-flagged Marsgracht, barring it from Australian ports after repeated violations of dangerous goods handling protocols. Operated by Spliethoff, the ship was detained twice in 2024, most recently on November 14, for breaching the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.
The Marsgracht’s operator, already flagged as a poor performer, has a troubling 12.6% detention rate, well above the global average. AMSA’s decisive action sends a clear message: safety violations won’t be tolerated in Australian waters. As global trade leans heavily on maritime transport, the ban underscores the critical need for operators to prioritize compliance with international safety standards.
As always, we’d love to hear your feedback. Email [email protected] with any questions, comments, tips, or concerns. Don’t forget to check out the Club Discord and gCaptain.com for the latest maritime news.
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Imports to the busiest U.S. seaport at Los Angeles dropped 9% year-on-year in May and could remain muted through the remainder of 2025, after companies responded to President Donald Trump's 145% tariffs on China by canceling or putting holds on shipments, according to port officials.
Equinor ASA expects its $5 billion wind project off New York — blocked then unblocked by the Trump administration — to proceed as planned, but said further investments in US offshore wind are likely off the table.
Commercial shipping in the Middle East may face a new threat after a wave of Israeli attacks against Iran’s military and nuclear leadership further destabilised the already volatile region, with concerns rising over a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
June 13, 2025
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