US forces seized the VLCC Skipper off Venezuela as the battle between Washington and Caracas intensified with the Trump administration suggesting other vessels could be hijacked, too. 

China’s state-run shipping COSCO, the world’s largest shipowner, placed a massive order for 87 newbuildings worth more than $7bn with yards under China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), sealing the largest single domestic shipbuilding contract ever awarded in the country.

Ukraine’s drone campaign continued with strikes on the suezmax Dashan in the Black Sea, as well as an offshore platform in the Caspian and assorted strikes on Russian port infrastructure. 

HD Hyundai readied a $2bn giant yard in southern India, signing a partnership with the Tamil Nadu state government.

This week’s big Maritime CEO interview was with Berg Propulsion CEO Stefan Sedersten, who argued that owners’ mindsets have changed and they are now willing to spend to save.

Two very famous shipping brands are set to fade from view. Dubai-based ports and logistics player DP World is drawing its core marine services units under one global identity, retiring the long-standing Unifeeder, P&O Ferrymasters and P&O Maritime Logistics brands. The three businesses will now operate as Shipping Solutions, Multimodal Solutions and Maritime Solutions. 

Two reports from Splash this week highlighted how global trading patterns have been completely shaken up in year one of Trump 2.0. This week’s Splash Wrap podcast (carried below) gives a big picture look at 2025’s rewiring of global trade.