UKMTO issued a warning on 1 October after receiving a third-party report of a tanker strike and fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Crew safety was reported, but damage and environmental effects were unknown.
The International Maritime Pilots’ Association said deregulation and competition in maritime pilotage increase costs, weaken safety and efficiency, and create avoidable risks for the public and the shipping industry.
A Panama-flagged bulk carrier and a harbour tug both ended up aground off Hualien on 1 January 2026 after an engine failure and a fouled tow line in rough monsoon seas, underlining towage risks in heavy weather.
A Dutch-flagged general cargo ship, Minervagracht, was struck by an explosive device in the Gulf of Aden, causing a fire onboard and forcing the crew to evacuate. Two seafarers were injured, raising renewed concerns over maritime safety in the region.
