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Gulf markets fall amid Middle East conflict escalation; Saudi edge higher

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 30, 2026

The Gulf stock markets fell in early trading on Monday after Yemen's Houthis attacked Israel?overnight, further escalating U.S. and Israel conflict with Iran -and its proxies - in the Middle East. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that…

Norway increases its long-term defense plan by $12 billion

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 27, 2026

The government announced on Friday that Norway will increase its defence expenditures by 115 billion crowns (about 11.87 billion dollars) between now and 2036 to compensate for the rising costs of military equipment. According to the government…

China stations jets-turned-drones at bases near Taiwan Strait, report says

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 27, 2026

According to a recent report from the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, China has deployed obsolete supersonic aircraft converted into attack drones at six air bases near the Taiwan Strait. Satellite images of these airfields, taken from "China Airpower Tracker" in February…

Ferretti, the Italian yacht manufacturer, is offered a sweetened offer by KKCG Maritime for a stake increase.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 26, 2026

KKCG Maritime, a Czech 'investment firm', raised on 'Friday its voluntary offer - to increase its % stake in Italian yacht maker Ferretti up to 203.35 million euros (234.55 millions). The revised offer, which is 3.90 euros per share, values Ferretti at 1,32 billion euros.

French Navy chief held recent talks with foreign counterparts about Middle East

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 26, 2026

Admiral Nicolas Vaujour said that he has recently held talks with various naval counterparts, including those from Britain, Germany Italy, India, and Japan, about the current situation in Middle East. He wrote in a letter to X on Friday that…

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

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 25, 2026

European traders reported that Taiwan's MFIG buying group?bought 65,000 metric tonnes of?animal?feed corn expected to be sourced _from the United States?in an international tender held on Wednesday. The yellow corn purchased was at a premium estimated to be 199.95?U.S.

Sources: India's Reliance purchases 5 million barrels Iranian oil after US waiver

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 24, 2026

Reliance Industries in India, the operator of the largest refining facility in the world, has purchased 5,000,000 barrels of Iranian oil days after the U.S. lifted temporary sanctions on the oil. Two sources confirmed that the Indian refiner purchased the oil from National Iranian Oil Co.

Japan's oil refiners are looking to North America as a crude supply source

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 23, 2026

Japan Petroleum Association President Shunichi Kito said on Monday that North America was a potential source of alternative crude oil for Japanese refiners. Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico were also considered as options. Oil buyers around the…

Treasury's Bessent: US has "plenty" of funds to wage war on Iran

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 23, 2026

The?U.S. The?U.S. Bessent also ruled out any calls for tax increases in the "Meet the Press'" program on NBC News. Congress is sceptical about the U.S. government's request to spend $200 billion more on the Iran war after spending large amounts of money for defense last year.

Japan not planning Hormuz escort mission, PM Takaichi says

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 16, 2026

Sanae Takaichi, the Prime Minister of Japan, said on Monday that Japan has no plans to send naval vessels to escort vessels around the Middle East. Donald Trump has called on allies in the Middle East to help protect tankers that are traversing the Strait of Hormuz.

Takaichi, the PM of Japan, says that Japan has not yet planned an escort mission to Hormuz.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 15, 2026

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's Prime Minister, said that the country does not plan to send naval vessels to escort ships in a?Middle East? after Donald Trump asked allies to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz. "We have not taken any decision about dispatching escort vessels." Takaichi…

Operator says that the Greek tanker, which was hit by an unidentified object, suffered minor damage.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 14, 2026

The manager of Maran Tankers, said that a Greek-flagged vessel, the Maran Homer was struck by an unidentified object on 'Saturday as it waited for orders to enter Caspian Pipeline Consortium Terminal (CPC) at Novorossiysk. The vessel was struck…

South Korean milling company buys around 50,000 tons wheat from US traders, traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 13, 2026

European traders reported that a group of 'South Korean flour mills' bought an estimated 50,000 metric tons of'milling wheat? to be sourced from United States at an international auction on Friday. The purchase included several different types of wheat and all were purchased on a FOB basis.

Ferretti Group yacht manufacturer Ferretti Group acquired a 3.4% stake from Biglari Holdings

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 12, 2026

The U.S. investment firm Biglari 'Holdings announced on 'Thursday that it had purchased a 3,4% stake in the?Ferretti -Group. KKCG, a Czech investment group, is preparing to make a partial offer for the Italian yacht manufacturer. Biglari Holdings…

Asia LNG scramble pulls European cargoes; one US shipment changes destination to China

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 12, 2026

Asia's scramble to get LNG to replace the output that was cut off by the war in the Middle East has drawn a slew of cargoes from Europe. At least one U.S. shipment is now destined for China. This would end a year long halt on?such _imports because of tariffs.

Bousso: The release of historic oil reserves is a temporary bandage on the looming supply crisis.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 11, 2026

The International Energy Agency plan to release 400,000,000 barrels of oil reserves to the world is unprecedented and urgently needed to counter the devastating supply shock caused by the Iran War. But it will only offer limited relief so long as energy exports to the Middle East are blocked.

Bousso: The release of historic oil reserves is just a bandage on an erupting supply shock.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 11, 2026

The plan of the International Energy Agency to release 400,000,000 barrels of oil is unprecedented and urgently needed to counter the supply shock caused by the Iran War. It will only offer limited relief so long as energy exports to the Middle East are blocked.

South Korean milling groups buys around 32,000 tons of wheat from the US traders claim

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 11, 2026

European traders reported on Wednesday that a group of South Korean flour mills purchased?an estimated?32,000 metric tonne of?milling?wheat to be sourced in the U.S. The purchase involved several wheat types and was made on a FOB basis. They said the tender requested shipment between July 15-31.

US Navy aircraft transit the Taiwan Strait before Trump's planned China trip

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 11, 2026

The U.S. Navy 'P-8A Poseidon' aircraft flew over the strait of Taiwan in international airspace, a move that the U.S. Washington and Beijing are looking to improve their ties, which have been damaged by issues such as Taiwan, trade disputes, and technology restrictions.

Taiwan bids on estimated 105.020 tons of wheat from the US

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 11, 2026

European traders reported on Wednesday that the Taiwan Flour 'Millers Association' has issued a?international?tender for the purchase of?an estimated?105,020?metric tons?of grade 1 milling?wheat to be sourced in the United States. The deadline to submit price offers for the tender is March 19.