Maritime

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the operationalisation of 20 new National Waterways over the next five years, starting with the Rs 12,204-crore National Waterway 5 in Odisha. This project aims to connect mineral-rich areas to major ports, easing logistics and boosting the state's maritime potential. Officials highlight its role in reducing transport costs and emissions.

January 30, 2026 Reported by AI

A fishing vessel named Lily Jean went missing off the Massachusetts coast, carrying seven people, prompting a Coast Guard search and rescue operation. Authorities located debris and recovered one unresponsive body from the water.

U.S. forces said they boarded and apprehended the motor tanker Olina in international waters in the Caribbean Sea during a pre-dawn operation on January 9, 2026, describing it as part of a “ghost fleet” suspected of moving embargoed oil after departing Venezuela.

January 06, 2026 Reported by AI

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Philippine Coast Guard to inspect dredgers in Manila Bay following a report on a vessel changing identities. The dredger Kang Ling 539 was found using multiple flags while operating. This ties into broader controversies over reclamation projects in the area.

Two men were found in the water in Oxelösund's archipelago after a major rescue operation on Christmas evening. They had set out in a fishing boat in the morning and were reported missing by relatives. The men were taken care of by ambulance, but their condition is unknown.

December 24, 2025 Reported by AI

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, alongside the National Inland Waterways Authority, has trained 75 boat operators from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states in navigation and safety skills. This three-day programme, held from December 22 to 24, 2025, aims to reduce accidents and boost professionalism on Nigeria's inland waterways. Officials emphasized practical training and ongoing safety measures to prevent mishaps caused by limited operator knowledge.