One event. world of maritime. this Feb, Copenhagen is the place to be
The highly anticipated World Maritime Forum 2026 is set to become one of the most influential gatherings in the global shipping and ocean-tech community. Scheduled to take place at the exceptional Bella Sky Convention Center in Copenhagen, the event is poised to deliver a world-class experience that blends strategic insight, innovation, and high-level networking. Appropriately dubbed “One Event. World Of Maritime,” the forum captures the full scope of the industry’s current challenges and future opportunities.
Bringing together 800 attendees, 50 international exhibitors, and an impressive lineup of global maritime stakeholders, the 2026 forum aims to be a cornerstone event for shipowners, port authorities, technology providers, classification societies, regulators, and sustainability leaders.
Sweden confirms armed guards in military uniforms
Sweden’s Navy has confirmed that armed personnel in military uniforms are aboard oil tankers belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet operating in the Baltic Sea, according to a report by SVT Nyheter, Sweden’s public-service news organization.
The confirmation marks the first official acknowledgment by a NATO-adjacent military that Russia is conducting an active naval operation to protect the aging tankers it uses to circumvent Western sanctions on crude oil exports.
IMO chief condemns black sea attacks
International Maritime Organization leader calls for protection of seafarers as Russia and Ukraine target merchant vessels in escalating conflict.
The head of the UN’s International Maritime Organization has called on Russia and Ukraine to stop targeting civilian seafarers and merchant ships as attacks in the Black Sea intensify, putting crews and the environment at risk.
Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued the statement after a Turkish-flagged vessel carrying sunflower oil was struck by a Russian drone in international waters over the weekend, the latest in a series of attacks on commercial shipping that have sent war insurance rates soaring.
California protects blue whales and blue skies
In October, California Assembly Bill 14, “Coastal resources: Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program” (AB-14) was signed into law, making California the first state in the country to strengthen a longstanding voluntary effort to reduce air pollution and risks to endangered whale populations off California’s coast by reducing speeds of large ocean-going vessels.
Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health, linked both to increased risk of chronic diseases and mortality. In California, due to a combination of factors, many cities and counties rank among the United States’ worst for air quality, and emissions from ships are a significant contributor.
Iran stops stateless tanker
Iranian officials announced that they have seized yet another vessel they are accusing of smuggling diesel fuel. It is part of an increased effort to break the smuggling rings that Iran reports are working in the region and threatening its economy.
Few details were released on the latest seizure, other than that their forces were working under a judicial order. They report that when they inspected the vessel in the Gulf of Oman, it was operating without “valid maritime travel documents or a cargo manifest for its fuel shipment.” They report there was a total of six million liters of diesel fuel aboard the vessel.
Mariners vs. mortgage underwriters
Imagine a vessel arriving in port, the gangway down, suitcase in hand and instead of excited anticipation about vacation plans, your mind turns to mortgage pre-approval, debt-to-income ratios, and the looming reality of “what if I don’t get approved” or “what if I’m on a hitch when I want to close on a home?”
For mariners, especially union seafarers whose income structure is anything but 9-to-5, those mental waves crash hard.
Over 11 mn barrels of venezuelan oil stuck at sea after u.s. tanker seizure
Venezuela’s state-run company PDVSA is dealing with stuck oil cargoes, rising price discounts and demands from customers to change terms of spot contracts following the U.S. seizure of a ship carrying the OPEC country’s crude, traders and sources said.
As Washington’s pressure on President Nicolas Maduro grows, the U.S. Coast Guard last week intercepted the vessel Skipper nearVenezuela’s coast, its first seizure of an oil tanker or cargo from the South American country. The U.S. also imposed sanctions against six ships and their linked companies.
Russia deploys all eight nuclear icebreakers
Russia has, for the first time, deployed its entire fleet of eight nuclear-powered icebreakers simultaneously to maintain winter shipping lanes in the Gulf of Ob and the Yenisei Gulf, underscoring the strategic importance of Arctic energy exports.
The unprecedented deployment is focused on ensuring the flow of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and mineral cargoes from Russia’s Arctic production regions, including the Arctic Gate oil terminal, Yamal LNG, and Norilsk Nickel.
Tankers u-turn after U.S. seizure vessel
Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA and at least four supertankers due to pick up crude cargoes in Venezuela have made u-turns after the U.S. seized a vessel carrying Venezuelan crude, ship monitoring data showed on Monday.
The U.S. Coast Guard last week intercepted and seized a very large crude carrier (VLCC) carrying some 1.85 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy oil sold by PDVSA, a sign of increasing friction between Venezuela and the U.S., which has ramped up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.