seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

Tanker trade freezes as Maduro arrest deepens Venezuela oil paralysis
Sam Chambers January 5, 2026 https://splash247.com/tanker-trade-freezes-as-maduro-arrest-deepens-vene...

US is making plans to intercept Venezuela-linked oil tanker that Russia has claimed jurisdiction over, sources say
Natasha Bertrand, Alayna Treene, Kylie Atwood, Zachary Cohen, Avery Schmitz 5 January 2026 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/05/politics/us-plans-intercept-oil-tanker

Venezuela impact on tanker markets may be limited in the near-term
Gary Howard January 5, 2026 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/tankers/venezuela-impact-on-tanker-mar...

Crude grades, infrastructure neglect, and Russia long-haul trades dampen Venezuela raid freight market ripples.

Guess who’s invited to dinner: Industry leaders reveal their shipping heroes
Eric Priante Martin and TradeWinds staff 5 January 2026 https://www.tradewindsnews.com/special-reports/guess-who-s-invited-to-di...

Nigeria arrests 22 Indian ship crew members in cocaine seizure
Ajaypal Choudhary Jan 04, 2026 https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-arrests-22-indian-ship-crew-member...

(excerpts)

Nigeria's drug enforcement agency Sunday (Jan 04) said it had arrested 22 Indian crew members of a merchant ship after 31.5 kilogrammes of cocaine was found on the vessel at Lagos's main port.

US Navy ship, crew rescued Filipino fishermen in WPS — Phl Navy
Lade Jean Kabagani 03 Jan 2026 https://tribune.net.ph/2026/01/03/us-navy-ship-crew-rescued-filipino-fis...

The Philippine Navy on Saturday expressed its appreciation to the United States Navy for the humanitarian assistance provided to three Filipino fishermen rescued by the crew of USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14) in the West Philippine Sea.

Baltic Shadow Games: Finland Detains Cargo Ship in Suspected Hybrid Attack
Paul Morgan January 2, 2026 https://gcaptain.com/baltic-shadow-games-finland-detains-cargo-ship-in-s...

Panama-flagged cargo ship refloated off Hualien without oil spill
01/04/2026 https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202601040010

Hualien, Jan. 4 (CNA) A Panama-flagged bulk carrier that ran aground off Hualien County on New Year's Day was successfully refloated on Saturday and towed into Hualien Port, with no oil pollution detected, authorities said Sunday.

Is China quietly preparing cargo ships to transform into military vessels in case of war?
Yuanyue Dang in Beijing and William Zheng in Hong Kong 26 Dec 2025

Containers bear the words ‘plan for the maritime revival of the Chinese nation and the community of shared future for mankind in the ocean’

Images of a cargo ship in Shanghai carrying containerised vertical launchers, sensors and self-defence systems have spread online and prompted discussion for apparently showing China’s capacity to convert civilian cargo vessels to military purposes.

Chinese Cargo Ship Converted To Launch Advanced Combat Drones Emerges (Updated)
Tyler Rogoway Jan 2, 2026

Close ups show the original configuration of the weaponized cargo ship, including its large radar and its 30mm CIWS, both of which remain, and its countermeasure launchers, which are now gone from the starboard side. (Chinese internet)