The brief · Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Hormuz tanker attacks mount as major liners prepare to return to Suez
- 01Safety & incidents
Attacks on shipping around Hormuz intensify
A VLCC's engine room was hit in Omani waters, the fifth confirmed attack in November's first three days. An Indian seafarer died in a strike on a dhow off Oman. Iran has doubled its 'non-compliant' vessel list, and US strikes on Qeshm Island lifted European gas prices. Hormuz crossings still reached a three-month high in October.
- Seatrade Maritime (opens the original article: VLCC engine room struck in latest Hormuz attack)
- Seatrade Maritime (opens the original article: Indian seafarer killed in Hormuz Dhow strike)
- The Maritime Executive (opens the original article: Iran Increases Pressure on Shipping Doubling “Non-Compliant” List)
- Hellenic Shipping News (opens the original article: European gas surges as U.S. strikes Iran’s Qeshm Island)
- Hellenic Shipping News (opens the original article: Hormuz Oct crossings at 3-month high despite attacks, Red Sea traffic also rises)
- 02Safety & incidents
Black Sea strikes prompt NATO reinforcement
Following seven strikes on cargo ships near Romania and Bulgaria last month, NATO says it will deploy maritime patrol aircraft, radars and drones to the region. The Bulgarian Navy rescued 14 Filipino crew after a drone sank their container ship. Bulgaria also reports containers washing ashore from the sunken Contship Jet.
- gCaptain (opens the original article: War Widens in the Black Sea in a Test of NATO Red Lines)
- Marine Insight (opens the original article: Bulgarian Navy Rescues 14 Filipino Crew Members After Drone Sinks Container Ship In Black Sea)
- The Maritime Executive (opens the original article: Bulgaria Warns of Containers Washing Ashore from Contship Jet)
- Cyprus Mail (opens the original article: War widens in the Black Sea in a test of NATO red lines)
- 03Markets & finance
Mainline carriers set to resume Suez routings
The Loadstar reports that all mainline operators look set to resume Suez Canal transits on Asia-North Europe and Asia-Mediterranean services. Gemini partners will move their India-North Europe loop, operated entirely by Hapag-Lloyd vessels, to Suez. Observers see this as a shift in Hapag-Lloyd's view of Red Sea risk.
- The Loadstar (opens the original article: Major liners set to resume all Asia-Europe services through Suez)
- Journal of Commerce (opens the original article: Gemini partners say will shift India-North Europe service to Suez routing)
- Container News (opens the original article: Gemini’s Suez return puts network flexibility to the test)
- 04Cyprus & East Med
Eastern Mediterranean: Piraeus, Cyprus and a Syros scare
Container throughput at Piraeus Pier I grew again in the third quarter, although weaker traffic hit the port's nine-month results. Greek authorities checked an Israel-bound cruise ship at Syros after a bomb threat. Cyprus's defence minister highlighted maritime security at Euronaval, and Limassol will seek private investment for a €1.3bn waterfront regeneration plan.
- Container News (opens the original article: Piraeus container throughput returns to growth in third quarter)
- Baird Maritime (opens the original article: Weaker ship traffic drags down Piraeus Port's nine-month results)
- Cyprus Mail (opens the original article: Bomb threat prompts checks on Israel-bound cruise ship in Greek port)
- Cyprus Mail (opens the original article: Palmas highlights Cyprus’ maritime security priorities)
- Cyprus Mail (opens the original article: Private investment sought for Limassol’s €1.3bn regeneration plan)
- 05Markets & finance
Baltic Dry Index slips to a two-week low
The Baltic Dry Index fell 58 points, or 2.2%, to 2,590 on Tuesday, its second daily decline and lowest level since 19 October, with every segment lower. IFCHOR Galbraiths says shifting grain trade hurt Panamaxes in the third quarter while Supramaxes and Handysizes benefited.
- Hellenic Shipping News (opens the original article: Baltic Dry Index at Over 2-Week Low)
- Baird Maritime (opens the original article: Baltic dry bulk index sinks to lowest level in weeks as every segment tumbles)
- Hellenic Shipping News (opens the original article: Baltic Dry Index falls to 2590 down 58 points)
- Hellenic Shipping News (opens the original article: Panamax vessels lose out in Q3 as shifting grain trade boosts smaller bulk carriers)
- 06Fuel & energy
Ammonia bunkering reaches dry bulk and gas carriers
Fortescue's Mineral Europa took on green ammonia via ship-to-ship transfer at Port Hedland, described as an Australian first. MOL held a joint naming ceremony for three ammonia-fuelled capesizes it calls the world's first. Envision also supplied green ammonia to EPS's dual-fuel VLAC Terra Clove.
- Bunkerspot (opens the original article: Australia’s ‘first’ green ammonia ship-to-ship bunkering takes place at Port of Hedland)
- The Maritime Executive (opens the original article: Fortescue's First "Green" Bulker Bunkers Ammonia at Port Hedland)
- Cyprus Shipping News (opens the original article: MOL holds joint naming ceremony for world’s 1st 3 ammonia-fueled capesize bulk carriers)
- Bunkerspot (opens the original article: Envision supplies green ammonia for world’s first VLAC)
- Hellenic Shipping News (opens the original article: Australia first as green ammonia is bunkered to ammonia-powered bulk carrier at the Port of Port Hedland)
- 07Safety & incidents
Espirito Santo Express cargo largely lost after fire
The fire on the 11,923 TEU Espirito Santo Express is now under control. Hapag-Lloyd and ONE have told customers that most of the cargo is likely to be severely damaged or a total loss.
Written by Maritime AI at 06:30 Cyprus time from 250 headlines and their outlets’ own summaries. It can get things wrong — read the original articles before you rely on anything here.