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Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Maritime Blogs

Venezuela faces big oil discounts, pressure for contract changes after tanker seizure

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 16, 2025

Traders and sources claim that Venezuela's PDVSA, the state-run oil company, is facing stuck cargoes, increasing price discounts, and customer demands to change the terms of spot contracts after the U.S. seized a ship transporting the OPEC nation's crude. The U.S.

Turkey claims to have shot down an uncontrolled drone in the Black sea

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 16, 2025

The defence ministry said that Turkey shot down a drone which was approaching its airspace above the Black Sea. The?ministry issued a statement saying that Turkish and NATO F-16 jets had been put on alert after the 'detection' of the drone.

Philippines denounces China’s 'dangerous and inhumane' actions towards Filipino fishermen

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 15, 2025

Gilberto Teodoro, Philippine Defense Secretary, denounced on Tuesday what he called "dangerous" & "inhumane' actions of Chinese maritime forces towards Filipino fishermen in a disputed South China Sea Shoal last week. Manila's Coast Guard said…

Venezuela's PDVSA suffers cyberattack as tankers make u-turns

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 15, 2025

Venezuela's PDVSA suffered a cyberattack, which it blamed on the United States. The state-run oil firm said that none of its operations had been affected, despite four sources claiming that the systems were still down and oil cargo deliveries had been suspended. The tensions between the U.S.

EU sanctions companies and individuals who move Russian oil

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 15, 2025

According to a EU official and its Official Journal, the 'European Union' has adopted sanctions against companies and individuals accused of operating Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers in order to circumvent Western sanctions. The sanctions are aimed at nine "enablers" of the shadow fleet.

MSC Cruises places order for Meyer Werft worth 10 billion Euros

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 15, 2025

The German Economy Minister announced on Monday that the state-rescued German shipbuilder Meyer Werft had secured a major order worth up to ten billion euros ($11.7?billion) with Swiss cruise operator?MSC Cruises. This will ensure capacity utilization through the mid-2030s.

Blake Horvath is the Navy's sneaky by Army.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 13, 2025

Blake Horvath's 8-yard touchdown to Eli Heidenreich helped Navy to a 17-16 win over Army on Saturday, in Baltimore. Horvath completed a comeback from nine-point deficit in the second-half with a clutch pass on fourth-and goal. Coach Brian Newberry said, "What a great game." "Hats off to Army.

Philippines: China damaged boats and injured fishermen in South China Sea

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 13, 2025

On Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard said that two fishing boats suffered "significant" damage and three Filipino fishermen were 'wounded' when Chinese coast -guard ships fired water cannon on a disputed South China Sea shoal. Manila's Coast Guard said that on Friday…

Documents in court show that the US seized a tanker near Venezuela as soon as the warrant was about to expire.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

According to a document that was unveiled on Friday, the U.S. Government seized the M/T Skipper on Wednesday as a warrant signed by a judge was about to expire. The warrant was signed on November 26 by U.S. Magistrate Zia Faruqui, and gave the Trump Administration until December 10…

Sources say that the Supertanker Skipper, seized by US near Venezuela and headed to Houston.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

Two sources confirmed on Friday that the oil'supertanker Skipper', which was seized this week by the U.S. near Venezuela as part of a pressure campaign against President Nicolas Maduro is headed to Houston. According to?TankerTrackers.com's analysis of satellite images…

Hundreds of migrants brought to Malta following boat capsize

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

The boat that brought 60 African migrants to Malta capsized near the Mediterranean island on Friday, bringing one of the largest groups to arrive in recent times. The group was "rescued" by Maltese military boats and landed at Bugibba 10 miles north-east of Valletta.

Google will build subsea cable in Papua New Guinea as part of the Australia Defence Treaty

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

Papua New Guinea announced on Friday that Alphabet, through Google, will build three submarine cables funded by Australia, under a?mutual defence treaty. This upgrade is a major step in upgrading the digital 'backbone' of the largest Pacific Island nation.

Weather and security concerns cause delays for oil tankers to jump from 12 days to 12.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

Winter storms, increased'security' risks and shorter daylight hours have caused delays for oil tankers traveling through the Turkish Straits. According to traders, the congestion is worsened due to increased security checks after recent attacks against tankers transporting Russian oil…

Data shows that Russia's fuel exports by sea fell slightly in November.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

Data from industry sources showed that Russia's seaborne exports of oil products in November fell by 0.8% compared to October, at 7,494 million metric tons. The impact of drone strikes?on the energy infrastructure has been offset by a certain…

Australia approves Hanwha’s greater stake in Austal, but with strict conditions

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 12, 2025

Australia announced on Friday that it would not oppose Hanwha's proposal to nearly double the stake of Austal in Australia, but there will be strict conditions regarding data access and security. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated that the decision…

Tunisia purchases soft wheat, durum, and feed barley at tender, traders report

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 11, 2025

European traders reported that Tunisia's grain agency purchased approximately 125,000 metric tonnes of soft wheat and about 100,000 tons durum in an international bid for the same amount on Thursday. The purchases were all made on a per ton basis, including freight.

Tunisia purchases soft wheat, durum, and feed barley at tender, traders report

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 11, 2025

European traders said that Tunisia’s state grains agency allegedly purchased 125,000 metric tons of soft wheat, 100,000 tons durum, and 125,000 tons animal feed barley at an international tender on Thursday. Soft wheat?was believed to have been purchased at the lowest price of $255.77 per ton…

Tunisia receives offers for 125,000 tons of soft wheat tender, traders report

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 11, 2025

Initial assessments by European traders suggest that the lowest price offered at Thursday's international tender for 125,000 metric tonnes of soft?wheat from Tunisia was $255.77 per ton, including freight and cost. They said that the lowest wheat offer…

Norway approves two consortiums to proceed in floating wind tender

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 11, 2025

The energy ministry announced on Thursday that Norway has approved the two initial applications received for its 'first commercial floating offshore-wind tender. This will allow the two consortiums to refine their plans and take part in a subsequent subsidy auction.

Taiwan's MFIG purchases about 65,000 tonnes corn from US traders, say

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 11, 2025

European traders reported that Taiwan's MFIG buying group purchased about 65,000 metric tonnes?of animal feeding corn, which was expected to come from?the United States?in an international tender?on a Thursday. They said that the yellow corn was bought at a premium estimated to be 202.79 U.S.