1. Asia moves quickly to replace sanctioned Russian crude oil. Asia’s crude oil markets are adjusting rapidly to new sanctions against top supplier Russia, sucking up cargoes while they can and moving to alternatives for deliveries in coming months.
The top-oil importing continent, Asia is on track to receive about 3.23 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in February, according to data compiled by LSEG Oil Research.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/19/asia-moves-quickly-to-replace-sanctioned-russian-crude-oil/
2. US targets Iranian oil transshipment to further disrupt cargo flows to China. Iran’s oil logistics face further disruptions with more intermediaries targeted
Crude exports from Iran have trouble reaching end-users in China
US could threaten Malaysian entities with sanctions in later enforcement.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/19/us-targets-iranian-oil-transshipment-to-further-disrupt-cargo-flows-to-china/
3. IBIA supports Port of Ceuta’s move to implement mandatory Mass Flow Meters for bunkering operations. IBIA – The International Bunker Industry Association welcomes the Port of Ceuta’s decision to become the first Mediterranean port to implement the mandatory use of ISO 22192 certified Coriolis Mass Flow Meters (MFMs) for marine fuel supply. This initiative is a positive step towards modernising the marine fuel supply industry and improving transparency.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/19/ibia-supports-port-of-ceutas-move-to-implement-mandatory-mass-flow-meters-for-bunkering-operations/
4. UK Chamber statement on Net Zero and UK Shipping. The UK Chamber has responded to the publication of the Government’s response to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) Report on Net Zero and UK Shipping, echoing calls by the Chair of the EAC, Toby Perkins MP, for the Government to release their decarbonisation strategy without delay.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/19/uk-chamber-statement-on-net-zero-and-uk-shipping/
5. EU extends Red Sea naval operation into 2026. The European Union has announced it is extending the mandate of its maritime security operation, EUNAVFOR Aspides, for an additional year, reinforcing efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region. The operation will now continue until February 28, 2026, with a budget of over €17m ($17.8m) allocated for its extended period.
https://splash247.com/eu-extends-red-sea-naval-operation-into-2026/
6. Dark fleet casts long shadow over latest flag state charts. The dark fleet casts its shadow over the International Chamber of Shipping’s (ICS) latest annual flag state performance table with four new countries – familiar homes to Russia’s fleet – added to the list.Cambodia, Eswatini, Gabon and Guinea-Bissau have been added to the survey, which charts the best and worst performing major flag states, while the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica and Uruguay have been removed due to their relatively small fleet sizes.
https://splash247.com/dark-fleet-casts-long-shadow-over-latest-flag-state-charts/
7. Grimaldi fleet hit by sixth fire since 2019. A conro Grande Brasile caught fire in the English Channel yesterday, adding to a series of five similar incidents on ships operated by Italy’s Grimaldi Group over the past few years.
The 2000-built 26,200 dwt vessel issued a distress call while transiting the Dover Strait, about 15 nautical miles off the coast of Ramsgate, UK.
https://splash247.com/grimaldi-fleet-hit-by-sixth-fire-since-2019/
8. Canadian Coast Guard Monitoring ‘MSC III’ Grounding in Newfoundland. The Canadian Coast Guard continues to monitor the grounded cargo vessel MSC Baltic III off Newfoundland’s coast, with the CCGS Ann Harvey arriving on scene Monday to conduct initial assessments.The incident began Saturday morning, February 15, when the vessel issued a MAYDAY call after losing power approximately 12 nautical miles from Bay of Islands, NL. Unable to anchor due to unfavorable weather conditions, the ship ran aground in Wild Cove west of Lark Harbour.
https://gcaptain.com/canadian-coast-guard-monitoring-msc-baltic-iii-grounding-in-newfoundland/
9. EU Extends Red Sea Maritime Security Operation Through 2026, Expands Intelligence Sharing. The European Union has extended its maritime security operation in the Red Sea region until February 28, 2026, allocating over €17 million to safeguard freedom of navigation amid ongoing regional tensions.
https://gcaptain.com/eu-extends-red-sea-maritime-security-operation-through-2026-expands-intelligence-sharing/
10. UK Ship Master Gets Suspended Sentence, Company Fined £180,000 in Fatal Baltic Sea Collision. A UK ship master and management company have received sentences at Southampton Crown Court for a fatal 2021 collision that claimed two lives off Sweden’s coast, highlighting systemic failures in maritime safety protocols.Sam Farrow, 33, of London, received an eight-month suspended jail sentence and £25,000 in costs, while Intrada Ships Management Ltd was fined £180,000 with £500,000 in costs for the December 13, 2021, incident.
https://gcaptain.com/uk-ship-master-gets-suspended-sentence-company-fined-180000-in-fatal-baltic-sea-collision/