Stay on top of port closures, security incidents, congestion events and freight rate movements impacting global shipping. Updated continuously from verified industry sources.
India's coal imports fell nearly 13% year-on-year in April 2026 to 21.13 million tonnes, with power sector imports dropping 25%, driven by increased domestic coal production and reduced blending needs. This sustained decline in import volumes signals reduced bulk carrier demand and lower traffic at Indian coal import terminals, particularly for thermal coal shipments.
Heavy swell and rough sea conditions at Paradip, India have led to the suspension of inward and outward vessel movements as of July 6, 2026. Cargo operations for vessels already alongside berths continue normally.
On July 5–6, 2026, 36 AIS-visible transits were recorded through the Strait of Hormuz, with all 16 outbound vessels transmitting AIS in a post-MoU trend, while Kharg Island's crude terminals were reoccupied by dark VLCC-class tankers signaling a new loading cycle. The operational-risk environment across the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and northern Arabian Gulf remains High, driven by IRGC corridor enforcement, dark tanker staging, and an unresolved IMO evacuation framework.
Sand dredging operations are set to begin at Schnapper Point, which may temporarily affect vessel traffic and navigation in the area. Local maritime traffic should expect potential slowdowns or restrictions near the dredging zone.
PSA Vietnam and LHF will jointly develop and operate four deep-sea container berths at Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong, Vietnam, with a capacity of 4.5 million TEUs. This major port development will strengthen Hai Phong's role as a deep-sea hub in global trade, potentially increasing vessel traffic and cargo throughput in the region.
A cargo ship loaded with scrap metal caught fire at Gdansk Port, Poland, with firefighting operations ongoing and access to the blaze hampered by the deep, densely packed cargo hold. The incident may cause localized disruptions to port operations at the affected berth while emergency response continues.
Karaikal Port in India has imposed maximum permissible draft restrictions on its channel and Berths 1–4 at high water, effective until August 31, 2026. Additionally, fender replacement works are reported at Black Point Power Station, potentially affecting vessel operations in the area.
China's seaborne coal imports declined by 14.0% year-on-year to 126.2 million tonnes in Jan-May 2026, with notable drops from key suppliers including Russia (-18.3%), Australia (-17.1%), Canada (-38.1%), and the USA (-70.4%), signaling a sustained reduction in dry bulk shipping demand on major coal trade routes. Key Chinese discharge ports such as Machong, Qinzhou, Fangcheng, and Gaolan are experiencing significantly reduced coal import volumes, reflecting potential slowdowns in dry bulk vessel activity across these terminals.
A dredging plan for Searsport Harbor is under consideration, which could lead to temporary disruptions in port operations and vessel traffic during the dredging period. Details on the scope and timeline of the project remain limited based on available content.
Sweden's largest-ever dredging project, Malmporten, is set to begin in summer 2027 at the Port of Luleå, involving the dredging of approximately 40 km of fairway and the harbour basin through August 2030. The project will temporarily affect maritime operations at Luleå but aims to accommodate larger vessels to support northern Sweden's growing industrial and mining sectors.
DP World has commenced a US$800 million modernisation programme at the Port of Tartous, Syria, with the first of three new Mobile Harbour Cranes arriving on 29 June 2026, expected to increase cargo-handling capacity by 40%. The upgrades will enable the port to accommodate larger vessels, reduce turnaround times, and handle higher volumes of containers, bulk and breakbulk cargo.
PSA Vietnam has signed an agreement to develop four deepsea container berths at Lach Huyen Port in Haiphong, with a total annual capacity of 4.5 million TEU upon full completion. The first two berths are set to begin development in late 2026 and are expected to be operational by 2028, with full project completion targeted by 2035, significantly expanding northern Vietnam's deepsea shipping gateway capacity.
Canada has announced a new Pacific Coast pipeline from Bruderheim, Alberta, to southern British Columbia, potentially adding over 1 million barrels per day of tanker-loading capacity and significantly expanding Aframax and Suezmax crude tanker trade routes to Asia. This builds on the existing Trans Mountain Expansion corridor, which already generates an average of 23 vessel departures per month from the Westridge marine terminal.
Sweden's largest dredging project, Malmporten, is set to begin full-scale construction at the Port of Luleå in 2027, with works running through August 2030, involving the dredging of approximately 40 kilometres of fairway and the harbour basin. This major infrastructure project aims to enable larger vessels and more efficient maritime transport, but may cause temporary disruptions to port operations and vessel traffic during the dredging period.
Viking Marine is preparing to conduct dredging operations at St. Joseph Harbor, which may cause temporary disruptions to vessel traffic and port operations in the area. Dredging activities typically result in navigation restrictions or slowdowns within the affected harbor zone.
Jan De Nul has secured a dredging contract for the Martín García channel, a key waterway on the Argentina-Uruguay border used for river navigation. Dredging operations may cause temporary slowdowns or traffic management measures for vessels transiting the area.
A Peruvian court ruled that the Chinese-operated port of Chancay, near Lima, falls under the oversight of Peru's infrastructure regulator Ositran, overturning a previous exemption — a decision that could affect port operations and governance at this key transpacific hub. The ruling, which can still be appealed, introduces regulatory uncertainty for COSCO Shipping Ports and may impact the port's operations connecting Latin America and Asia.
A Peruvian court has ruled that the Chinese-owned COSCO Shipping Ports-operated Chancay port near Lima is subject to oversight by Peru's infrastructure regulator Ositran, overturning a previous exemption. This regulatory development may affect port operations and investor confidence at Chancay, a key hub designed to reduce shipping times between Latin America and Asia, though the ruling can still be appealed.
Bunker fuel availability is tight across multiple European and African ports, with lead times ranging from 5 to 15 days required for HSFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO deliveries, indicating significant supply constraints. Rough winds and seas forecast around Gibraltar Strait (July 1-4) have suspended bunkering operations for vessels not berthed alongside or within breakwaters.
DOF has secured a contract from TotalEnergies to disconnect the existing FSO Unity and connect a replacement unit offshore Nigeria, with offshore execution planned for Q4 2027 and Q1 2028. The operation involves mooring disconnection and subsea construction activities, which may temporarily disrupt crude oil storage and transhipment operations in the Amenam-Kpono and associated fields area.
Rohde Nielsen has completed capital dredging works at Fisherman Islands, marking the conclusion of port infrastructure improvement activities in the area. The completion of dredging operations may enhance navigational depth and vessel access capacity at the port.
A sulfuric acid spill at BWC Terminals in Channelview, Texas on December 27, 2025 resulted in approximately 1 million gallons of the chemical being released, with some entering the Houston Ship Channel. While the incident occurred in late 2025, the ongoing regulatory and cleanup proceedings highlight a past disruption risk to one of the busiest waterways in the U.S.
Nord Gas Solutions has been contracted to supply an LNG regasification system for an Exmar FSRU conversion that will support the expansion of the EemsEnergyTerminal in Eemshaven, Netherlands. This development is set to boost LNG import capacity at the Dutch terminal, enhancing maritime LNG traffic in the region.
A COSCO Shipping Ports-led consortium has been awarded a new multipurpose terminal concession at the Port of Tarragona, Spain, covering over 510,000 sq m and capable of handling containers, RoRo, vehicles, and rail-borne cargo. The project, valued at €144.6m, is still subject to final regulatory approvals and concession agreement execution, with no confirmed start date yet.