In this episode of What the Ship, we look at the top 5 maritime stories as of February 9, 2026. These stories include the seizure of tankers by the United States, the Dutch, Indians, and in the Baltic; Russia's oil exports and LNG production; issues with the Panama Canal in terms of water, control of terminals at each end of the canal, and how China is reacting to it; the US staying in the IMO and fighting the Net Zero Framework with new allies; and the container sector with Maersk reporting falling profits and layoffs, while contracting over $1.5 billion to build new ships when it has excess capacity.

#supplychain #tankers #russia #panama #panamacanal #IMO #netzero #containers #maersk

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00:00 Introduction

00:28 1. Tanker Seizures
U.S. Seizes Shadow Fleet Tanker Aquila II in Indian Ocean After 10,000-Mile Pursuit
https://gcaptain.com/u-s-seizes-shadow-fleet-tanker-aquila-ii-in-indian-ocean-after-10000-mile-pursuit/

U.S. Forces Seize Sanctioned Tanker ‘Sagitta’ in Caribbean, Marking Seventh Vessel Captured
https://gcaptain.com/u-s-forces-seize-sanctioned-tanker-sagitta-in-caribbean-marking-seventh-vessel-captured/

Two Venezuela-Linked Tankers Detained in Dutch Caribbean Islands
https://maritime-executive.com/article/two-venezuela-linked-tankers-detained-in-dutch-caribbean-islands

Indian Coast Guard Busts Three Iran-Linked Shadow Fleet Tankers
https://maritime-executive.com/article/indian-coast-guard-busts-three-iran-linked-shadow-fleet-tankers

False flag Baltic transits almost quadruple throughout 2025
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156288/False-flag-Baltic-transits-almost-quadruple-throughout-2025

Washington warns US-flag ships to avoid Iranian waters
https://www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/washington-warns-us-flag-ships-to-avoid-iranian-waters/2-1-1941064

2026-001-Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman-Iranian Illegal Boarding / Detention / Seizure
https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci/2026-001-persian-gulf-strait-hormuz-and-gulf-oman-iranian-illegal-boarding-detention-seizure

08:17 2. Russian Oil u0026 LNG
Russia’s Crude Output Shrinks as US Raises Energy Pressure
https://gcaptain.com/russias-crude-output-shrinks-as-us-raises-energy-pressure/

Confidence in LNG carriers rises as US-Greek plans to supply Europe move forward
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156291/Confidence-in-LNG-carriers-rises-as-US-Greek-plans-to-supply-Europe-move-forward

11:28 3. Panama
Panama Canal Opens Floodgates as Gatun Lake Reservoir Hits Maximum Capacity
https://gcaptain.com/panama-canal-opens-floodgates-as-gatun-lake-reservoir-hits-maximum-capacity/

Hong Kong Says It Strongly Disagrees With Panama Ruling On Ports
https://gcaptain.com/hong-kong-says-it-strongly-disagrees-with-panama-ruling-on-ports/

Hutchison Asserts Panama has Breached Contract and Starts Arbitration
https://maritime-executive.com/article/hutchison-asserts-panama-has-breached-contract-and-starts-arbitration

China gathers Panama flag data amid escalating rhetoric over port ruling
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156284/China-gathers-Panama-flag-data-amid-escalating-rhetoric-over-port-ruling

17:42 4. IMO Net Zero Framework
U.S. Will Stick With the IMO, But Aims to Defeat the Net Zero Framework
https://maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-will-stick-with-the-imo-but-aims-to-defeat-the-net-zero-framework

Med revolt leaves Brussels in climate bind at IMO
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156298/Med-revolt-leaves-Brussels-in-climate-bind-at-IMO

21:25 5. Containers and Maersk
Container lines’ Red Sea mixed messages confuse shippers
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/containers/container-lines-red-sea-mixed-messages-confuse-shippers

MPV carriers emphatic on no resumption of Suez transits under current conditions
https://www.joc.com/article/mpv-carriers-emphatic-on-no-resumption-of-suez-transits-under-current-conditions-6166634

Maersk Predicts Difficult Times for Industry After a Strong Performance
https://maritime-executive.com/article/maersk-predicts-difficult-times-for-industry-after-a-strong-performance-in

Maersk posts Q4 pre-tax loss, will cut 1,000 jobs
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/maersk-posts-q4-loss-on-weaker-container-rates

Maersk confirms New Times deal for eight newbuilds
https://splash247.com/maersk-confirms-new-times-deal-for-eight-newbuilds/