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Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Maritime Blogs Asia

Bousso: Trump won't make Venezuela's OPEC member a battlefield.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 10, 2025

Venezuela will likely retain its seat within OPEC, even if U.S. president Donald Trump succeeds in forcing a government change in the oil-rich nation. The U.S. wants to bolster their alliance with the cartel while they?expand their own sphere of influences. The U.S.

Hanwha of South Korea and Vatn, a US-based defense startup, will build underwater drones

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 10, 2025

The South Korean shipping giant Hanwha Group and U.S. defense start-up Vatn Systems have teamed up to develop autonomous underwater drones (AUU) for the U.S. Navy. This is the latest bilateral effort by the two companies to counter China's expanding naval presence.

US supports Japan in dispute with China regarding radar incident

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 10, 2025

In the midst of escalating tensions, the United States criticised China for the first-time?for pointing radars at Japanese aircraft during a last week training exercise. The incident near Japan's Okinawa Islands comes after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi…

Jordanian traders report that the country has issued a tender for up to 120,000 tons of wheat.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 10, 2025

European traders said that Jordan's state grain buyer issued an international tender for the purchase of up to 120,000 metric tonnes of milling wheat. The origins can be optional, they added. The deadline to submit price proposals in the tender is December 16.

Bousso: Trump won't make Venezuela's OPEC member a battlefield.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 10, 2025

Venezuela will likely retain its seat in OPEC, even if U.S. president Donald Trump succeeds in forcing a change in government in the oil rich country. The U.S. wants to strengthen its alliance with the cartel while expanding its own sphere?of?influence. The U.S.

The risk of a turbulent region is increased by the southern power shift in Yemen

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 9, 2025

Separatists in Yemen's south have taken control of large areas in an apparent power shift that could rekindle a civil war dating back 10 years after a long hiatus. This raises new uncertainty in a nation near major sea routes. Separatist Southern Transitional Council…

Jordan purchases approximately 60,000 metric tonnes of wheat at tender, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 9, 2025

Jordan's state grain?buyer bought about 60,000 metric tonnes?of hard-milling wheat to?be sourced?from optional origins on Tuesday, according to traders. They said that it was purchased from the Bulgarian trading company?Buildcom for an estimated cost of $263 per ton and freight included (c&f)…

Descartes Systems reports that US container imports dropped 7.8% in November due to a slump in China's demand.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 9, 2025

According to a supply chain technology company, Descartes Systems Group, U.S. containers imports dropped 7.8% from November of last year due to a soft 'demand for goods coming from China' and one fewer day in the 'Thanksgiving holiday month.

South Korea's KFA purchases approximately 132,000 tons of corn, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 9, 2025

European traders reported that the Korea Feed Association in South Korea purchased an estimated 132,000 tons of animal feed corn at a?international auction on Tuesday, which sought up to 136,000 tonnes. The KFA Incheon Section purchased it in two consignments.

South Korea's KFA purchases approximately 132,000 tons of corn, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 9, 2025

In an international auction held on Tuesday, the Korea Feed Association (KFA), in South Korea, purchased approximately 132,000 metric tons of animal food - corn - at a price that was up to 136,000 tonnes. The KFA Incheon section purchased it in two consignments.

British SailGP team signs Bithell to 2026 reunion with Fletcher

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 9, 2025

The SailGP team in Britain has signed Stuart Bithell to be their wing trimmer. This will reunite him with Dylan Fletcher who was his Olympic gold medal-winning partner at the Tokyo Games for the?49er. Bithell is a veteran of 'four' SailGP seasons…

Last month, the New Zealand Navy encountered a Taiwan warship while transiting through the Strait.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 8, 2025

The New Zealand armed forces published a rare photo of the incident on Tuesday. New Zealand Defence Force previously stated that seven Chinese warships kept a safe, professional distance from the HMNZS Aotearoa as it sailed through the Taiwan Strait to North Asia on 5 November.

Putin approves Rosneft's and Shell's joint venture stake in Caspian Pipeline Consortium

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 8, 2025

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree clearing the way for 'potential deals' with Rosneft and Shell's joint venture stake in Caspian Pipeline Consortium which exports oil mostly from Kazakhstan. The decree stated that it "allowed" the transactions, which could?result?

After a hot streak, defense companies backed by Silicon Valley are experiencing growing pains

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 8, 2025

The share of Pentagon contracts held by U.S. Defense Technology companies has roughly doubled over the last year. However, they are still facing growing pains in their efforts to transform from startups to heavyweights that can build weapons at scale.

China's crude oil imports in November reached the highest level daily for 27 months

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 8, 2025

China's crude imports increased by 4.88% from a year ago, according to government data released Monday. Daily import volumes reached their highest level since August 20,23. According to the General Administration of Customs, the world's biggest…

The ban on Russian oil tankers by the G7 shows teeth but its bite is not certain: Bousso

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 7, 2025

The G7 plan to ban tankers from transporting Russian oil raises the stakes in the West-Moscow economic standoff, but whether governments ratchet sanctions up on those who skirt the sanctions will determine the final outcome. The West will need to move quickly…

Bulgaria rescues a sanctioned tanker which was struck by a Ukrainian drone

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 5, 2025

The transport ministry announced that the rescue operation was put on hold because of bad weather. The vessel has been identified as the sanctioned tanker Kairos. It was struck in the Black Sea by a Ukrainian drone last week in Turkey's Exclusive Economic Zone…

The ban on Russian oil tankers by the G7 shows teeth but its bite is not certain: Bousso

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 5, 2025

The G7 plan to ban tankers from transporting Russian oil raises the stakes in the West-Moscow economic standoff, but whether governments will increase punishments for those who skirt sanctions is the real question. The West will need to move quickly…

Russia claims that an attack by Ukraine caused fire in the Azov Sea Port of Temryuk

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 5, 2025

The local emergency centre reported on Friday that a Ukrainian drone attack was responsible for a fire in the Russian port of Temryuk at the Azov Sea. Temryuk is a company that deals with liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), oil and petrochemical products, grain and other bulk foods.

South Korea's nuclear sub gamble raises the prospect of an underwater arms race in Asia

Posted to Maritime Reporter on December 4, 2025

South Korea's pursuit for nuclear-powered subs has gained traction after President Donald Trump's approval. This ends decades of U.S. opposition in a move which could reshape Asia’s security landscape, and escalate an undersea arms race. Seoul…