Sunday, September 27, 2026

US Adds Large Vehicle Carrier to Support Maritime Security Program

US flagged vehicle carrier — ARC Freedom enters the US registry and supports MARAD'as Maritime Security Program (ARC Group)

Florida-based American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC Group) is highlighting its recent addition of a large vehicle carrier to its U.S.-flagged fleet. The ship, which moved from the Swedish flag, will support commercial and government customers while adding further capacity to the Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Program.

Built in 2011 at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea, the vessel had been operating for Wallenius Marine as the Figaro. Data show her ownership was transferred to ARC Group in June, and she entered the American register. ARC, which is a subsidiary of Norway’s Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group, supports the U.S. Government with a fleet of 10 vessels.

The addition of the new vehicle carrier, which was renamed ARC Freedom, expands the company’s capacity and adds a large new carrier. The ship is 231 meters (757 feet) and 31,143 dwt with a capacity of nearly 8,000 units. It has 13 vehicle decks, including five hoistable decks that will provide flexibility for various sizes and configurations of cargo.

ARC’s president and CEO Eric Ebeling said the name ARC Freedom was a fitting name for a vessel carrying the U.S. flag as America marked its 250th anniversary.

Large stern ramp gives the vessel good flexibility for cargo including helicopters (ARC Group)

“Adding the ARC Freedom to the U.S.-flag fleet is a major win for America’s national security,” said Captain Stephen M. Carmel, Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the U.S. Department of Transportation. “As a member of the Maritime Security Program, this vessel will deliver the rapid response our military depends on to keep America safe.”

The Maritime Security Program (MSP) maintains a fleet of commercially viable, militarily useful merchant ships active in international trade. The MSP fleet is available to support U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) sealift requirements, with MARAD currently authorized to have a total of 60 vessels in the program. Its authorization currently runs through September 30, 2035.

AMO provides manning for all the licensed positions on the ARC fleet (ARC Group)

ARC highlights that the ship features a 6.5-meter-high (21-foot) main deck/door and a stern ramp capable of handling rolling loads of up to 320 metric tons. It says the vessel has the capability to transport a broad range of cargo, from automobiles and commercial equipment to heavy industrial cargo and military equipment, including the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and the CH-47 helicopter.

The American Marine Officers union celebrated the addition of the vessel, highlighting the placement of the master, deck, and engine officers from the union. The ARC U.S. flag fleet is manned in all licensed positions by AMO, and the fleet is managed by Tote Services. ARC has two other large, nearly 8,000-unit vessels in service, as well as others in the 6,350 to 6,736 unit range.

Port Canaveral and GT USA Sign Lease Agreement to Expand Cargo Operations

Agreement expands the footprint of longtime Canaveral Cargo Terminal Operator GT USA to accommodate more breakbulk and general cargo

[By Canaveral Port Authority]

Port Canaveral announced today that it has executed an agreement with longtime Canaveral Cargo Terminal operator GT USA for a new lease of up to 25 years for an additional 10 acres of land adjacent to their existing 20-acre operation at the Port’s North Cargo Berth 6.

“Today’s announcement strengthens our position as a global gateway for commerce to ensure supply chain stability for a range of materials essential to our growing region,” said Capt. John W. Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “GT USA and Port Canaveral have been partners since 2014. This expanded commitment to our Port builds on our shared responsibility to be an economic engine and job creator that will pay dividends for generations to come.”

The new agreement takes effect immediately. The additional 10-acre parcel will include GT USA’s improvements of no less than 15 hurricane-resistant warehouses totaling nearly 170,000 square feet to handle, store and process breakbulk and general cargo such as lumber, steel and project cargo.

“The approval of GT USA’s expansion at Port Canaveral is an important milestone after significant hard work and collaboration. We are grateful for the Canaveral Port Authority’s continued support and excited to bring this project to life,” said Luke Richards, Managing Director of GT USA. “The larger footprint will give us the capacity to pursue new commodities, attract additional cargo, and better serve customers — driving further growth for GT USA and economic activity through the port.”

Today’s announcement continues GT USA’s diversification of cargo operations at the Port that includes the recent launch of a new bi-monthly international container service that connects Central Florida with key markets in Mexico and the U.S. Northeast.

Port Canaveral’s total cargo throughput includes more than 6 million tons in FY2026 with $25 million in earned revenues from operations, including liquid and dry bulk, breakbulk, project cargo and petroleum operations while promoting economic growth throughout Central Florida.

With 11 multi-purpose deep water cargo berths, state-of-the-art facilities and efficient services, Port Canaveral serves as Central Florida’s gateway to global markets with fast and reliable operations for containerized goods, bulk commodities, and specialized shipments.

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

India’s Cochin Shipyard to Work With Synergy Marine to Grow Commercial Work

Indian Cochin Shipyard — Cochin looks to use partnerships as it grows its commercial portfolio (Cochin Shipyard)

As the latest step in the efforts to expand India’s role in commercial shipbuilding and repair, the state-owned Cochin Shipyard, which is the largest builder in India, signed an agreement with global ship manager Synergy Marine. The companies look to share expertise to support the growth of the business for both newbuilds as well as vessel engineering and conversion projects.

Synergy Marine Group and Cochin Shipyard Limited signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue shipbuilding, repair and conversion projects in India. The MoU covers joint business development in ship repair, conversion, newbuilding, module fabrication, and oil and gas projects. It also provides for mutually agreed technical and strategic advisory support to CSL’s newbuilding activities, including project planning, execution, and quality assurance.

The MoU provides a framework to combine CSL’s industrial capacity with Synergy’s experience in owners’ representation, engineering, project management and long-term technical management across shipbuilding and ship repair.

Jesper Kristensen, Group CEO of Synergy Marine Group, highlights the group’s experience in working with shipowners’ requirements for engineering and project execution. “Combining that experience with CSL’s industrial capabilities gives us a practical basis to develop shipbuilding and conversion opportunities in India, with decisions guided by safety, reliability and total cost of ownership.”

Synergy reports it has supported the delivery of more than 250 newbuilding projects, and its current portfolio of newbuilding assignments covers more than 150 vessels under construction at 20 shipyards across six countries. The group also has experience in converting LNG carriers into floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), alongside engineering studies for floating storage and LNG bunkering applications. Its conversion experience includes feasibility studies and engineering design, equipment procurement, site supervision and commissioning, supported by preparation for safe operations and subsequent technical management.

Cochin Shipyard, which was launched in 1972, is a shipbuilding and ship repair company based in Kochi. It has been using its capacity for defense projects for India but is now expanding its commercial projects for customers in India and overseas.

The agreement with Synergy Marine follows a series of other steps, including an agreement with Singapore’s Seatrium for offshore projects and a recent joint venture agreement with DP World’s Drydocks World.

The yard signed an agreement in February 2026 with the French CMA CGM Group, which committed to build six feeder-sized vessels, each with a capacity of 1,700 TEU. The vessels, which will be LNG-powered, will be the first India has built for an international shipping company. Cochin has also been exploring opportunities with Maersk, which is likely to start with ship maintenance while the government has been courting more international investment and assignments for its shipbuilding sector.

The Indian government has declared a goal of being among the top ten global shipbuilding nations by 2030. By 2047, it wants to be among the top five shipbuilding nations.

Report: Saudi Aramco Achieves Partial Restart on Strategic Red Sea Pipeline

Saudi Aramco has achieved the technical means for a partial restart on its strategic East-West Pipeline, which was significantly damaged in a drone attack on September 11, according to multiple outlets. The pipeline is now operating at reduced capacity or will be soon, industry sources confirmed to Reuters, Bloomberg and the FT.

The interim objective is to achieve a pipeline transfer rate of about four million barrels per day - enough to supply Saudi Arabia's own refineries along the Red Sea, plus a small amount more. One crude export loading has already been scheduled at the key export hub at Yanbu, Reuters reports.

Fully regaining the pipeline's nameplate capacity of seven million barrels per day could take as long as six weeks because three damaged pumping stations will have to be restored. The remaining eight stations are enough to move crude at a reduced rate with reconnected temporary line sections.

For now, the resumption of flow on the line has been enough to bring global benchmark oil prices down - in combination with increasing loading volumes at Ras Tanura, the appearance of a weakening Iranian blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, and the possibility of new diplomatic talks to resolve the Iran conflict. After spiking to $108 per barrel last week, the Brent crude benchmark receded to just $98 on Tuesday, reflecting trader expectations of a better-supplied global energy market.

Chinese Ports Had Busiest Week Ever for Containers, Says Bloomberg

Shanghai container port — Volumes moving through China's ports continue at peak levels above 2025 (SIPC)

Export levels from China, especially to the United States, have been defying all the predictions, and now comes news of a further boom. Citing data from China’s Ministry of Transport, Bloomberg reports that Chinese ports had their busiest week in history.

The data shows a record 7.3 million containers passed through Chinese terminals in the seven days through September 20, reports Bloomberg. It says this represents a nine percent increase in volume versus the same period of 2025. The gains were accelerating from the six percent increases in each of the first two weeks of September, with Bloomberg saying it is “evidence of another month of rapid gains in exports and imports.” Citing a report from Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg reports that the volume of cargo leaving China's 20 major ports continues above 2025 levels.

The data aligns with the observations from the U.S.’s major ports, which also cite strong increases in import volumes. The Port of Los Angeles, for example, reported it handled 955,907 TEU in August, six percent above its five-year average and capping the busiest three consecutive months in port history. Between June and August, the Port of Los Angeles handled more than 2.9 million TEUs. Similarly, the neighboring Port of Long Beach highlighted its busiest August on record and the fifth-strongest month in the port’s 115-year history as it moved 919,992 TEUs.

Bloomberg speculates that it is “extending a boom in shipments abroad in a possible sign exporters were rushing goods out of the country as uncertainty hovered over tariffs.” Bloomberg News had previously reported that the Trump administration intended to release a report on alleged excess trade capacity that would recommend a 7.5 percent tariff on Chinese goods.

China’s largest ports have been reporting increased congestion and backlogs, in part due to the impact of two typhoons that caused Shanghai and other ports to suspend operations. Linerlytica's port congestion tables show Shanghai/Ningbo had more than 1.2 million TEU at anchor as of September 19, with Qingdao also among the Top 5 congested ports, with others including Shenzhen lower on the list.

In addition, trying to beat possible new tariffs and restrictions, shippers also appear to be rushing shipments ahead of China’s pending Mid?Autumn Festival (September 25?27), closely followed by Golden Week (October 1?7). Carriers have been announcing blank sailings from their schedules due to the pending holidays.

The future direction of the tariffs and restrictions on trade are likely to emerge after the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. Xi arrived in Washington, D.C. on September 23, and Trump has said they had a good first meeting as part of the state visit running until September 25.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Thursday that the United States and China agreed to extend their current standstill on tariffs and trade that was due to expire on November 10. He said it was extended for two months as they work on a potential “bigger deal.”

The retail trade association, NRF, at the beginning of September said that peak season imports were continuing. It forecasted that September could be the busiest month of 2026, but it predicted that retail import volumes would fall back to levels similar to 2025 during the fourth quarter. After expecting a year of soft volumes, the NRF is now projecting a one percent gain in U.S. import volumes for the full year 2026.

Exclusive: Salvage Operation Under Way at Tanker Wreck Site Off Oman

Salvor at work on the oily, inclined deck of the Caroline Bezengi (supplied) — Salvor at work on the oily, inclined deck of the Caroline Bezengi (Credit TME / supplied)

Pictures obtained by the Maritime Executive show that the salvage operation to recover the cargo of crude still on board the Caroline Bezengi, stranded on rocks off the southwest tip of Jazirat Al Qibliyyah, is well underway.

Al Qibliyyah is the easternmost of the Hallaniyat Islands off the Omani coast of Dhofar. The operation appears to have commenced within the last few days, as recent satellite imagery of the wreck showed no other vessels in the vicinity.

Pictures show that the high winds and rough seas common during the Khareef period in this area off the southern coast of Oman have now abated, allowing the salvage operation to proceed.

Credit TME / supplied

Featuring prominently in the operations underway is the Multi-Purpose Offshore Vessel EDT Kennedy (IMO 9671400), which has the logo of its owners EDT Offshore on its bow. EDT Offshore normally provisions offshore support vessels for the oil and gas industry, and is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus.

AIS tracking service VesselFinder also shows the offshore supply tug Astro Sculptor (IMO 1091599) off Al Qibliyyah as well, a vessel associated with Mola Marine Services LLC, an Omani diving and underwater services based in Shinas. Both vessels are likely to be involved in the salvage operation.

A salvor can be seen operating on the deck of the Caroline Bezengi, which has a pronounced list to starboard, with the salvor having to work on the deck of the ship whilst being washed with waves (top).

Pump machinery is being winched by helicopter off the EDT Kennedy and onto Caroline Bezengi's stern, which is well out of the water (left, Credit TME / supplied).

Also shown is floating heavy gauge rubber pipe being hauled from the EDT Kennedy towards the Caroline Bezengi, in line with the original salvage plan to run a 1,000-meter line to a tanker moored in the island's sheltered northwestern lee.

No tanker for receiving the oil can yet be seen in the area. The salvor’s main initial priority may be to move oil from one tank to another on board the ship to stabilize it, protect the hull and prevent further listing.

Floating hose being towed off the EDT Kennedy (Credit TME / supplied)

An NH90 provided by the Royal Air Force of Oman is assisting with the lift of pumps from the EDT Kennedy onto the Caroline Bezengi, and there is possibly a second civilian helicopter assisting with operations as well.

Although there originally had been an intention to establish a forward operating base on the small port and airfield of the main Halliniyat Island which lies 25 nautical miles to the west of Al Qibliyyah, the mainland port of Duqm now appears to be the principal base for the operation ashore, based on vessel movements.

Weather at the end of the Khareef monsoon season can be variable, and the operation could be delayed if squalls comes in, but the forecast for the next week shows that average wind speeds will rarely exceed 20 knots - an improvement over the rough conditions on scene during the past month.

Sentinel-2A pass over the wreck site shows reduced sheening, Sept. 21 (Copernicus / Sentinel-2)

Two salvage vessels are visible in high-resolution satellite imagery (CJRC)

In other good news, imagery of the oil plume leaking from the Caroline Bezengi over the last week appears to show a reduced flow of oil (above), suggesting that previously breached tanks are now leaking at a lower rate.

The operation is not yet over, but appears to have been an endorsement of the Omani National Center for Emergency Management’s patient approach, plus a tribute to the resourcefulness of the salvage partners involved.

Russian Military Cargo Ship Heads for Turkey from Tobruk

A Russian-flagged cargo ship with a history of ties to weapons shipments and sanctioned military cargo vessels has broken away from a convoy that had a naval escort into the port of Tobruk in Libya. It has headed north through the Dardanelles towards the Bosporus and the Black Sea.

The Yuriy Arshenevskiy (IMO 8406705) was sailing with the US-sanctioned cargo vessel Anastasiia (IMO 9349291), with an escort provided by the Ropucha Class landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin (L110) when it left the Baltiysk naval base in the Kaliningrad headquarters of Russia’s Baltic Fleet, transited the Strait of Gibraltar in early September, then arrived in the port of Tobruk. Ural trucks and armored vehicles were seen on the quayside in Baltiysk being loaded onto the two cargo vessels. At the other end in Tobruk, social media postings showed tarpaulin-covered military vehicles, including what appeared to be 8-wheeled armored personnel carriers and multiple-barreled rocket launchers, being moved out of the port on low loaders.

The Yuriy Arshenevskiy makes its way north through the Dardanelles, September 24 (VesselFinder)

It is not clear when the Anastasiia and the landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin (L110) left Tobruk. From low-resolution imagery, it appears that the Anastasiia was on the quayside still on September 21, but on September 25 she was cruising westwards between Sicily and Malta. The Yuriy Arshenevskiy left sometime beforehand, and was seen passing through the Dardanelles with its AIS system switched on late on September 24. It was approaching the Bosporus early on September 25, but now appears to have switched course and is heading for the anchorage or port at Tuzla. It was previously incorrectly reported that the Yuriy Arshenevskiy was sanctioned, but this is not the case – not that sanctioned status would have been a bar to transit of the Bosporus, as Turkey – unlike Iran – strictly applies UNCLOS rules regarding innocent passage through narrow channels.

The military equipment was unloaded in Tobruk, which is controlled by Field Marshal Haftar’s Libyan National Army, while the Turkish government supports the other side in the Libyan civil war, the UN-recognized government based in Tripoli.

A convoy of low-loaders moves military equipment out of Tobruk docks (Screen grab from Tanasuh TV)

If the Yuriy Arshenevskiy resumes its journey northwards and heads through the Bosporus, it will become vulnerable to similar attacks that Ukraine has mounted previously on Russian-flagged vessels in the Black Sea, particularly as the vessel has an association with the movement of arms and military equipment. While the vessel was still in the Mediterranean, it appears to have escaped the attention of the Ukrainian drone unit, which is believed to be based in Misrata – midway between Tripoli and Tobruk – and which is believed to have carried out several attacks against sanctioned and Russian dark fleet vessels. But whether the Yuriy Arshenevskiy resumes its journey northwards, or turns round and heads back into the Mediterranean, whichever way, it will be vulnerable to Ukrainian attack.

Top photo by Aart van Bezooijen - courtesy of VesselFinder

New Standoff Between China and Philippines Near Second Thomas Shoal

grounded Philippine warship — Yesterday's incident took place as the Philippine forces were attempting to resupply BRP Sierra Madre

The Philippine Coast Guard is reporting a new standoff between two of its vessels on a resupply mission in the Spratly Islands. While it is part of the long-running dispute over the presence of Filipino forces on a purposefully grounded warship, it is the first time since July that the sides squared off in the area. It also follows another recent bumping incident between a Chinese and Philippine vessel.

The Philippines asserts it sent two vessels, BRP Malabrigo and BRP Cabra, on September 24 as part of the regular Rotation and Resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, which has been grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal since 1999. The vessel, built by the United States in the 1940s and operated from the late 1970s until 1999 as an amphibious transport by the Philippine Navy, was grounded to establish a Philippine presence in the Spratly Islands. The Philippines maintains a small crew aboard the ship.

During the recent incident, the Philippines asserts there was a large presence of Chinese vessels in the area and that they were "continuously shadowing" its vessels.

Chat posted by the Philippine Coast Guard showing the Chinese vessels is says are around the disputed shoal (PCG)

“The mission was temporarily suspended after a CCG vessel carried out dangerous maneuvers against M/V Lapu-Lapu that threatened a collision, although no one was injured,” said Jay Tarriela, the spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Chinese responded today, calling the incident a “provocation” and saying the Philippines was “attempting to deliver supplies to an illegally ‘grounded’ warship.” Further, they say it happened during a Chinese holiday and that the Filipinos "hyped up" the incident. The statement called on the Philippines to “stop provocations and troublemaking,” asserting that the Philippines is "reneging on its commitments” and disregarding Chinese warnings. It said the Philippines "willfully" dispatched the supply mission.

“The real troublemakers are China’s warships and coast guard vessels that ganged up on an unarmed resupply boat at night and put Filipino lives at risk,” responded Tarriela.

He asserts the China Coast Guard vessels conducted dangerous maneuvers that threatened a collision. He said it happened “after a PLA Navy warship warned it would take ‘compulsory measures’.”

The Philippines asserts the area is part of its EEZ and that it does not require permission to support the Sierra Madre. Further, it claims a 2024 provisional arrangement with China does not require Beijing’s permission for the resupply missions.

The Philippine Coast Guard asserted in July that the China Coast Guard used its water cannon on the resupply mission vessels. It also claimed a navy crewmember was struck by the Chinese using a wooden baton. Just a week ago, Chinese and Filipino forces clashed in another region during a supply mission to the Philippines’ fishermen. Media reports said the Chinese vessel caused more than US$22,000 in damage after it destroyed railings and equipment on the vessel. China asserted the Philippine vessel maneuvered in front of the Chinese ship, causing the collision.

Japanese Naval Strengthening Steals Limelight at U.S.-China Talks

The Japanese southern islands worrying China (Google Earth/CJRC)

Chinese criticism of Japan’s growing defense budget appears to have been one of the most consequential developments coming out of the days President Xi Jinping spent in Washington for his state visit, which otherwise seems to have done little to move forward Sino-US relations. In advance of the meeting, Chinese Ambassador to Washington Xie Feng had warned that President Xi should not be challenged over Taiwan, democracy and human rights, nor restrictions to China’s growing development influence in the world, so the agenda between the two presidents was limited.

Japan’s Sanae Takaichi was in New York at the same time to make her first appearance as Prime Minister at the UN General Assembly, and held bilateral meetings with President Trump in New York. Chinese state media chose the moment of the Sino-US summit to launch a stinging attack on Prime Minister Takaichi’s radical plans to increase Japanese defense spending, and in particular to strengthen naval and air defense forces defending Japan’s isolated southern islands, specifically the Nansei Chain islands of Miyako, Ishigaki and Yonaguni.

Japan’s possession of these islands, and others to the east and north-east of Taiwan, would prove an obstacle to any Chinese plan to invade Taiwan. If long-range anti-aircraft and anti-shipping missiles are stationed on these islands, they would be able to disrupt the deployment of the PLA Navy to encircle Taiwan and cut it off from external reinforcement.

Prime Minister Takaichi has already made it clear that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a causus belli for Japan, and a strategic threat to Japan’s national security. Her approach has been endorsed in this year’s general election in Japan, which gave her an unprecedented supermajority in the Japanese Diet, sufficient to change the constitution and to support a doubling of the percentage of GDP devoted to defense.

Besides a significant expansion of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, in particular enhancements to its Mogami Class frigates and submarine fleet, the Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Minister Koizumi has already announced that infrastructure to support a permanent presence of Chu-SAM (Type-03) medium-range air defense missiles on the Japanese island of Yonaguni will be in place by 2030. Field-deployed Chu-SAM systems are probably there already, with sufficient range to cover the eastern approaches to Taiwan.

These systems will thicken up air defense cover for the Okinawa-based 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, which is tasked alongside the JGSDF with defending Japan’s outlying islands, and which has recently been re-equipped with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction Systems (NMESIS) and Marine Air Defense Integrated Systems (MADIS). Mobile Japanese Type 88 coastal defense anti-ship missile systems can also be expected to be deployed to the islands, and all these systems have ranges which cover Taiwan’s eastern flank and coastal areas.

The Chinese diplomatic assault on Japan was headlined in the Chinese Military Bugle newspaper, which told its readers that China had rights over Japan, because Japan is still defined by the United Nations - as it has been since 1945 - as an ‘enemy country’, entitling China to take unilateral action if it feels threatened. The same paper criticized Japan for its Free and Open Indo-Pacific project, which looks very similar to the Chinese Belt and Road outreach program combining security and economic development objectives. The Chinese defense spokesperson upbraided Japan for supporting Filipino protests over aggressive Chinese coastguard actions off the Spratly Islands, over which the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines had said it was "gravely concerned". The Xi-Trump talks attracted one story in the Chinese Military Bugle, whilst China’s criticism of Japan was covered in four stories.

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

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