Hapag-Lloyd took home gold at Hellmann's 2025 Carrier of the Year Awards on December 5. Additionally, eight dual fuel methanol container ships were ordered as well as an announcement regarding Hanseatic Global Terminal's greenfield terminal investment in Brazil via Hanseatic Global Terminals as proof of their sustainability and expansion goals for an eventful year.
Securewest recorded 17 maritime security events between 23-29 December 2025, including tanker hijacking off Iran, port attacks in Ukraine, major drug interdictions and multiple migrant interceptions - each verifiable event showing persistent risks to vessels, crews and trade routes worldwide.
Russias Sea Rescue Service unveiled the multipurpose support vessel Kerch Strait on December 24, 2025 - further augmenting Northern Sea Route operations and simultaneously with IMO adopting SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 with new safety requirements for onboard lifting appliances effective January 1 2026 which affected vessel certifications and retrofits - to demonstrate their advancements in maritime support and regulatory compliance. These developments exemplify advancements in maritime support services as well as regulatory compliance advancements.
Fincantieri finished 2025 strong by approving its 2026-2030 business plan which seeks to achieve 40% revenue growth and EUR500M net profit by 2030. They secured major torpedo contracts from Indian Navy, launched first Saudi MMSC in Wisconsin state, delivered Italian Navy LSS Atlante ship, formed joint venture for subsea telecom acquisition as well as extended a Virgin Cruises loan loan agreement.
Orsted is considering all options, including possible legal action, after receiving a stop-work order on its Sunrise Wind and Revolution Wind projects from the Trump administration on December 22. This halt has an adverse impact on multiple developers with Dominion Energy already suing in response. Orsted hopes to resolve the matter efficiently through dialogue with regulators like BOEM.
Major container ports around the world experienced severe operational disruptions in late December 2025 due to severe weather conditions and capacity restrictions, with European and UK ports dealing with fog and wind effects while Asian and North American gateways had to manage congestion ahead of Chinese New Year peak season.
As December 2025 progressed, notable events included PHMSA approving Sable Offshores pipeline restart despite lawsuits, CPC Black Sea terminal halting exports due to storm and drone damage at their terminal, an oil spill in Germany and the BP Olympic Pipeline leak affecting US fuel supplies; all incidents which demonstrate ongoing challenges associated with global pipeline networks.
Hanwha Ocean of South Korea secured a $1.8 billion offshore wind engineering contract for the 390-MW Shinan Ui project in December 2025 while also positioning itself to take part in expanded U.S. Navy warship construction under President Trump's Golden Fleet initiative.
December 2025 saw significant FPSO developments such as Drydocks World's completion of an EMEM conversion for Nigeria's Okwok field, Finder Energy's acquisition of Petrojarl I for Timor-Leste, production issues at Balder's Jotun FPSO and Petrobras P-69 production issues, alongside Petrobras postponing two units and Shell expanding stakes in Brazilian fields - events which highlighted sector resilience amid operational hurdles.[65 words]
Digital Edge Subsea, a leader in offshore digital video recording systems, continues to strengthen its market position with over 500 EdgeDVR systems deployed globally. Their inspection platform and ROVTools RTK-01 toolkit support critical operations across offshore energy production, subsea infrastructure inspection, marine asset inspection and more.
Maersk and CMA CGM resumed transits of the Suez Canal with key vessels in late December 2025, signaling their return toward normal traffic levels by mid-2026. Egypt and Japan signed an agreement for an emergency diving support vessel grant of $22 million; Chairman Osama Rabie of SCA acknowledged these as results of intensive marketing efforts under rising stability conditions.
Roper Resources Ltd was present at the First International Dialogue on Underwater Munitions, giving a presentation about using Gavia AUV systems to locate and document sea-dumped munitions. They also signed the Deep-Sea Mining Declaration opposing such practices alongside civil society and governments by July 2025 - both initiatives emphasizing their role in maritime environmental and remediation technologies.
Roper Resources Ltd. of Victoria, Canada - an underwater ROV and AUV solutions provider - has made significant strides toward combatting sea-dumped munitions and deep-sea mining risks internationally. Recent involvement includes participation at the First International Dialogue on Underwater Munitions as well as signing the Deep-Sea Mining Declaration which highlights its role in maritime environmental and security challenges up until July 2025.
C-MAX Ltd, a specialist in marine survey equipment, recently unveiled two groundbreaking innovations: an industry first portable underway profiling winch and hydrodynamic wing depressor for their CM2 digital sidescan sonar. Both products will enhance hydrographic survey capabilities for safer and more effective marine operations.
Since December 10, 2024, both the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have seen over one month without confirmed Houthi attacks on merchant vessels since December 10th; analysts credit reduced targets, US and UK airstrikes, and Houthi focus on land targets amid potential Gaza ceasefire ceasefire for this peaceful trend; although risks still exist.
Sharandy Of The Seas was a 47-meter pinisi sailing vessel moored to Serangan Harbor in Bali that capsized due to a strong storm squall with winds exceeding 45 km/h on December 27, 2025, due to an unstable anchor. All 13 crew members were safely rescued by local responders and no injuries were reported.
Nautilus Marine Service GmbH, a German manufacturer of deep-sea VITROVEX glass pressure housings, has been chosen by Dutch firm Stema Systems as their distributor in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for hydrographic and geophysical products. This partnership strengthens maritime surveys as it adds expertise in subsea technologies with which Nautilus already excels.
On December 22, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled the Trump-class battleships as the centerpiece of his Golden Fleet initiative to expand naval power with initial construction of two vessels that is projected to increase to 20-25 over time. This initiative puts pressure on defense contractors over delays while increasing shipyard activity nationwide amid worries over China's shipbuilding pace. Navy Secretary John Phelan provided details regarding advanced weapons including nuclear-armed missiles.
Russian forces recently carried out multiple strikes against Ukrainian Black Sea ports such as Odesa and Pivdennyi, striking multiple strikes against Turkish and Lebanese vessels, causing vegetable oil spills, targeting infrastructure, as well as heightening maritime risks; no confirmed sinkings of warships occurred during that period; these events demonstrate persistent threats to commercial shipping in the region.
On December 27, 2025, local authorities in Arraijan unlawfully demolished a Chinese monument near the Panama Canal entrance, prompting outrage from President Jose Raul Mulino, Chinas Embassy, and Beijing. Mulino strongly condemned this action and ordered its restoration while China lodged formal protests about this action; all this took place amidst US-China rivalry over canal ports.