The global shipping industry has been rocked by two deadly attacks this week in the Red Sea, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels launching their first campaign against merchant shipping of the year, sinking two bulk carriers, killing at least three seafarers, wounding others, and reportedly kidnapping crew.

A new Houthi policy of targeting any company that has called in Israel means approximately one in six ships of the global merchant fleet are now viewed as legitimate targets by the Houthis, according to data from Windward, a maritime analytics firm.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they targeted the Galaxy Leader, a car carrier seized by Houthi forces in late 2023, during a series of coordinated airstrikes on Yemeni ports and infrastructure early Monday.

P&O Maritime Logistics, a unit of ports and logistics heavyweight DP World, acquired a controlling stake in NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers (NACC), an operator of pneumatic cement carriers.

South Korea’s largest shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Group, inked a deal with India’s state-owned Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), marking a strategic step to grow its presence in emerging shipbuilding markets.

An explosion aboard the Greek-owned LPG carrier Eco Wizard at Russia’s Ust-Luga port triggered an ammonia leak, prompting the evacuation of the 23-person crew and an emergency response operation. The Russian Transportation Ministry confirmed the incident on Sunday, describing it as a “minor leak,” but reports indicate the blast was significant enough to halt port operations and raise concerns over vessel safety. The incident is the sixth explosion this year involving vessels linked to Russian trade.

Donald Trump, the American president, delayed tariff deadlines for most of the world from July 9 to August 1, while also threatening perceived rivals with higher levels of tariffs. “In an industry where the duration of the supply chain is measured in months, long-term planning is critical. Yet the regulatory uncertainty makes such planning de facto impossible presently,” analysts at Sea-Intelligence noted in their latest weekly report, adding: “In this unpredictable environment, US importers are likely to tread with caution.”

Dutch solar innovator Wattlab and German inland shipping giant HGK Shipping unveiled the world’s first inland vessel capable of using solar power for propulsion. The newly delivered Blue Marlin represents a major step forward in hybrid marine technology, showcasing how solar energy can be integrated not only for onboard systems but also for driving high-voltage propulsion.

To digest this week’s main news from the Red Sea in audio form, below is the third episode of the Splash Wrap podcast.