Months after war broke out, thousands of merchant sailors are still stranded. Security threats, skyrocketing insurance costs, and geopolitical standoffs continue to block a return to normal shipping. Anchored in the Persian Gulf, crude oil tanker captain Abhijit Chopra learned of the U.S.–Iran peace deal through a flurry of texts from family and friends. Yet, he kept his excitement in check. Around him, neighboring vessels remained quiet, and no ships were rushing toward the Strait of Hormuz. Chopra and his 21-strong crew have been trapped since the outbreak of war…
Category: Maritime
Hormuz U-Turn: Tankers Pivot Toward Iranian Routes
The wave of sudden U-turns in the Strait of Hormuz has underscored Iran’s intensifying grip on the world’s most critical maritime chokepoint. Between Friday and Saturday, at least eight vessels sailing along the Omani coast aborted their exits from the Persian Gulf. To bypass the disruption, several ships adapted by rerouting directly into Iranian-controlled waters. Maritime tracking data revealed a mix of oil tankers, bulk carriers, and vehicle transports making sharp reversals, some after reaching the tip of the Musandam Peninsula. While eight ships initially aborted their approaches, four of…
ADR Triumph: Shippers’ Council Saves Maritime Stakeholders Over ₦90bn in Demurrage and Other Losses —Akutah
Driving trade efficiency through its regulatory mandate, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has blocked over ₦86.06 billion in unjustified demurrage charges since November 2023. Through robust Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and strategic market interventions, the Council also secured an additional ₦4.54 billion and $1.348 million in direct savings for local shippers. Revealing these milestones, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, presented his administration’s performance scorecard during a media luncheon with maritime journalists in Lagos on Saturday, July 4. He…
Next-Gen Containerships Debut as CMA CGM, OOCL, and ONE Level Up
Amid a historic expansion of the global container vessel orderbook, a new generation of technology-integrated ships is entering service. Maritime leaders CMA CGM, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) have each achieved significant milestones with their most recent fleet deliveries. Recently, CMA CGM christened its newest vessel, the CMA CGM Notre Dame, in Le Havre, France, after its maiden voyage from Asia. This historic ship is the world’s largest LNG-powered containership and the largest vessel flying the French flag. Measuring 399 meters (1,309 feet) long, the…
Logistics & Votes: Freight Forwarders Unite for Dr. Basil Nwolisa’s 2027 Apapa know Bid
In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, key freight forwarding groups and maritime stakeholders at the PTML/Grimaldi Command on Tuesday officially threw their weight behind Dr. Basil Nwolisa for the Apapa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. The stakeholders announced a strategic coalition to deploy full logistics assets, financial resources, and grassroots voter mobilization to secure victory for the maritime chief, prolific writer, and anti-corruption advocate. Dr. Nwolisa’s endorsement came during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting at the PTML/Grimaldi axis. Returning to familiar professional terrain,…
World Shipping Council: Containers lost at sea nearly triple to over 1,400 in 2025
A shipper has a better chance of catching a home run ball at a major league baseball game than losing a container to the open ocean, a new report finds. According to the World Shipping Council’s (WSC) latest annual study released recently revealed that an estimated 1,478 containers were lost at sea last year out of approximately 280 million transported globally [WSC2026]. While that total nearly tripled from the 576 losses recorded in 2024 due to severe winter weather and a major vessel disaster, the WSC noted that lost cargo…
Akutah Charges Maritime Journalists to Deliver Ethical, Accurate Reportage
In a bid to drive informative and truthful industry coverage, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Chief, Dr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT. has called on maritime media practitioners to maintain strict professional ethics, emphasizing that responsible journalism remains a vital pillar for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s maritime sector. According to a statement by the Council’s Head of Public Relations, Rebecca Adamu, Dr. Akutah made the call during a courtesy visit by the newly inaugurated executives of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), led by their president, Mr. Yinka…
NDLEA Secures 6.7-Ton ‘Loud’ Seizure; Marwa Hails Synergy With Customs, Others, Vows to Crush Cartels
In a massive blow to transnational drug cartels, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has taken custody of 6.7 tons of ‘Canadian Loud.’ The high-grade cannabis strain was intercepted during a joint inspection by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies at the Apapa Port in Lagos. This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, July 1, by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi. Speaking at the formal handover ceremony at the Apapa Port, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA,…
Container Ship Grounds After Straying Into Non-Designated Hormuz Path
A foreign-flagged container vessel has grounded in the Strait of Hormuz after entering shallow waters outside the transit route designated by Iranian authorities, state media confirmed. Iranian state media reports on Wednesday, July 1, echoed the IRGC’s directive restricting all transit to the corridor south of Larak Island, designating it as the exclusive entry-and-exit lane for the Strait of Hormuz. This maritime bottleneck comes as renewed hostilities disrupt the fragile traffic recovery originally set in motion by the U.S.-Iran interim ceasefire agreement.
Oman Blocks Iran-Backed Tolls on Strait of Hormuz Shipping
Amidst escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi reiterated Muscat’s steadfast commitment to international maritime law and unhindered transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on Monday, the minister emphasized that any prospective navigation agreements with Tehran must guarantee safe and unconditioned passage. Oman is pushing back against proposed shipping fees in the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi reaffirmed Muscat’s commitment to securing safe, unhindered passage through the vital waterway amid spiking U.S.-Iran friction. Though Oman is collaborating with Iran to shape future transit rules,…