As the incoming Trump administration sets the stage for its foreign policy agenda, the maritime industry is bracing for the potential ripple effects of renewed U.S.-Iran tensions. President-elect Donald Trump’s…
Defense
Taiwan Navy Shows Off Its Steel With Simulated Attack Exercise
Taiwan’s navy simulated on Thursday an effort to see off enemy ships as it wrapped up three days of New Year drills, sending two of its newest and most advanced warships to lead a flotilla into the Taiwan Strait.
https://gcaptain.com/taiwan-navy-shows-off-its-steel-with-simulated-attack-exercise/
Royal Fleet Auxiliary Officers Accept Historic Pay Deal
Trade union Nautilus International has announced that Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) officers in the UK have voted to accept an above-inflation pay offer for 2024/25, marking a significant step towards…
https://gcaptain.com/royal-fleet-auxiliary-officers-accept-historic-pay-deal/
CBO Warns Navy’s Ambitious 2025 Shipbuilding Plan Faces Major Hurdles
The U.S. Navy’s 2025 shipbuilding plan aims to expand its fleet to 390 battle force ships by 2054, but achieving this vision comes with a hefty price tag, according to…
https://gcaptain.com/cbo-warns-navys-ambitious-2025-shipbuilding-plan-faces-major-hurdles/
Anchor Suspected of Causing Estlink2 Cable Damage Recovered from Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities have recovered an anchor from the Gulf of Finland that they suspect belongs to the Russian tanker Eagle S, which is suspected of damaging the Estlink2 undersea cable…
https://gcaptain.com/anchor-suspected-of-causing-estlink2-cable-damage-recovered-from-baltic-sea/
UK Launches AI-Powered Maritime Surveillance System to Counter Russian Shadow Fleet in Baltic
In response to recent damage to critical undersea infrastructure, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated an advanced AI-powered surveillance system to monitor potential maritime threats and track Russia’s…
Icebreaker ‘Storis’ Officially Joins U.S. Coast Guard Fleet
The Biden administration plans to impose more sanctions on Russia over its war on Ukraine, taking aim at its oil revenues with action against tankers carrying Russian crude, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.
https://gcaptain.com/icebreaker-storis-officially-joins-u-s-coast-guard-fleet/
USCGC Polar Star Departs Sydney on Antarctic Resupply Mission
The U.S. Coast Guard’s only heavy icebreaker, USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), has departed Sydney to begin its Antarctic mission supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2025. The departure marks the vessel’s…
https://gcaptain.com/uscgc-polar-star-departs-sydney-on-antarctic-resupply-mission/
U.S. Department of Defense Sounds Alarm Bells About China’s Growing Presence in Arctic
By Malte Humpert (gCaptain) – China’s Arctic activities feature prominently in a new DoD report to Congress about the country’s military and security developments. In the decade since gaining observer status…
U.S. Forces Strike Houthi Weapons Facilities and Radar Sites in Yemen Amid Red Sea Tensions
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen on December 30 and 31, targeting key military infrastructure and weapons facilities. The strikes, carried out by…