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Friday, August 1, 2025

Maritime Blogs Central America

US sanctions on Iranian shipping network are major

Posted to Maritime Reporter on July 30, 2025

On Wednesday, the U.S. Treasury Department issued new sanctions against over 115 Iran linked individuals, entities, and vessels. This is an indication that the Trump administration has intensified its "maximum-pressure" campaign following June's bombing of Tehran's nuclear sites.

CK Hutchison eyes Chinese bidding partner for $22.8 billion port sale

Posted to Maritime Reporter on July 27, 2025

CK Hutchison announced on Monday that it is looking for a large strategic Chinese investor to join its consortium bidders in the $22.8 billion port business. This follows media reports that the state-owned China COSCO Shipping Corp. may be joining the group.

Russia is ready to provide LNG to Mexico

Posted to Maritime Reporter on June 21, 2025

The Russian Embassy in Mexico announced on Saturday that it was ready to share its energy technologies and supply Mexico with liquefied gas. "We already work with Mexico." "We have excellent LNG technology, and we're ready to share this technology and supply LNG too…

Ambrey Security says that the hijack call made by a ship near Iran was a false alarm

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 21, 2025

Ambrey, a British maritime security company, said that a hijack signal sent by a Panamanian flagged petroleum products tanker near Iran was a false alert. Ambrey reported the incident on Tuesday, south of the busy Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes without naming "UAE-linked vessel".

Hong Kong's CK Hutchison ensures legal compliance in port deal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 12, 2025

Hong Kong's CK Hutchison announced on Monday that the closely monitored port deal it has negotiated will adhere strictly to all compliance standards. In March, the Hong Kong-based conglomerate controlled by tycoon Li Kashing agreed to sell the bulk of its global ports business worth $22.8 billion…

Officials from Mexico's Pemex have said that the company plans to export less crude as a new refinery is built.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 12, 2025

A company director stated on Monday that the trading arm of Mexico’s state company Pemex (PMI) anticipates a decrease in crude oil exported this year, as more will go to local refineries and especially the new Olmeca Refinery. Margarita Perez…

Trump's new ambassador in Panama casts China as a threat to frayed alliance

Posted to Maritime Reporter on May 8, 2025

The new US ambassador in Panama, who was appointed on Thursday, pledged to further strengthen the ties between the Central American nation and the United States while highlighting China as a threat to all. "My first priority will be to enhance…

Estonia releases a tanker bound for Russia

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 28, 2025

Estonia released the oil tanker Kiwala that was detained for not having a valid flag. The Estonian Navy detained the tanker bound for Russia and boarded it on April 11, 2019. The tanker is believed to be a part of the so-called “shadow fleet”…

Profits for Miner Grupo Mexico jump 17% on higher metal prices

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 25, 2025

The mining and transport conglomerate Grupo Mexico announced a 17% increase in its first-quarter profit on Friday. This was primarily due to higher metal prices. The miner's net profit jumped to $1.09bn, far exceeding the $816m estimate of analysts polled at LSEG.

Panama: US acknowledges Panama's sovereign right over the canal

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 9, 2025

Panama announced on Wednesday that the United States recognizes its sovereignty over the Panama Canal despite the harsh rhetoric of Washington. The two nations also announced an agreement to intensify U.S. Military Training in Central America. In the first Pentagon visit to Panama for decades, U.S.

Pentagon chief: US will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters in Panama on Tuesday that the United States would retake the Panama Canal back from Chinese influence. Hegseth promised to intensify security cooperation with Panamanian forces after talks with the government of Panama.

USTR Greer: Not all Chinese shipping fees will be implemented

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the proposed multimillion dollar fees for Chinese-built vessels docking at U.S. port may not be implemented in full and they might not be cumulative. Greer said at a…

Hegseth, a Pentagon official, will visit the Panama Canal following Trump's threats to withdraw it

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 8, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will get a closer look at the Panama Canal as he begins a rare trip to Central America, a nation that is still uneasy about President Donald Trump’s threats to take the canal back. Hegseth is the first U.S. Defense Secretary to visit Panama in decades.

Hegseth, US Defense Secretary to Visit Panama Next Week

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 4, 2025

Pentagon announced on Friday that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would travel to Panama early next week, where he would participate in the annual Central American Security Conference. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that Hegseth will hold bilateral meetings during the conference.

Volkswagen to charge 'import fees' on cars affected by tariffs, WSJ reports

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 2, 2025

The Wall Street Journal reported that Volkswagen would introduce an "import charge" on affected vehicles by the 25% tariffs levied by U.S. president Donald Trump. Reports citing an internal memo sent to retailers said that the German automaker had temporarily stopped rail shipments from Mexico…

Taiwan Coast Guard warns China of launching war games under a 'pretext.'

Posted to Maritime Reporter on April 1, 2025

A senior Taiwan coastguard official has said that China may find a "pretext", such as sensitive dates like the anniversary of President Lai Ching Te's first year in office, which falls on May, to hold new wargames around Taiwan. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory…

New Zealand leads SailGP Los Angeles on the first day

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 15, 2025

Peter Burling, the skipper of New Zealand's SailGP team, took two victories out of four races in the sunny and breezy conditions of Los Angeles Harbour on Saturday. New Zealand, which won the first race in Dubai, took the top spot on the final day with 31 points.

Panama Canal Fees This Year 15% Below 2024, Authority Says

Posted to Maritime Reporter on March 12, 2025

The Panama Canal Authority's Ricaurte Vaquez said in a Wednesday video conference that the fees for vessels passing through the canal this year were 15% lower than last year, as the waterway has more capacity. A severe drought that will occur…

State Department says US government ships can now pass through the Panama Canal without paying fees

Posted to Maritime Reporter on February 5, 2025

The U.S. Department of State announced on Wednesday that American government vessels will be able to transit the Panama Canal free of charge. The Department of Transportation posted on X that "the government of Panama has agreed not to charge fees to U.S. The agreement is expected to save the U.S.

Rubio to Panama: China is threatening canal and changes are needed.

Posted to Maritime Reporter on February 2, 2025

A spokesperson for the State Department said that U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio informed Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino during talks on Sunday that Donald Trump had determined that China's influence threatened the Panama Canal, and that urgent changes were required or the U.S. might act.