Heilongjiang Lighthouse International Logistics Co., Ltd.

On July 31, 2025, the United States imposed its largest package of sanctions to date against Iran, which also affected some vessels operating on international routes. Part of the fleet of the Chinese shipping company VUXX Shipping, including several container ships serving foreign trade routes to Russia, has come under these restrictions.

The sanctions list includes 15 container ships operated by Marvise SMC DMCC and 7 container ships operated by REEL Shipping L.L.C. Until October 1, 2025, only a limited range of operations is allowed with these vessels: safe berthing, anchorage, and departure from ports (excluding ports in Iran, Russia, or under their control), ensuring crew health and safety, emergency repairs, environmental measures, unloading of cargo loaded before July 30, 2025, as well as services such as vessel management, insurance, and bunkering. New commercial contracts with blocked persons and any operations not specified in the license, including transactions with Iranian or Russian organizations, are prohibited.

Some VUXX Shipping vessels affected by the restrictions will be replaced by other ships. The company is preparing operational solutions to avoid disruptions in container deliveries to customers. Checks of all voyages and schedules are already underway to minimize delays and reassign cargo to alternative vessels.

The sanctions have had a significant impact on the carrier’s operations: VUXX Shipping has had to give up chartering 16 vessels, reducing its operating capacity and causing a drop in its global ranking among container operators by fleet capacity. Industry experts expect temporary instability in shipping schedules, especially on routes linked to Russia, in the near future.

On Sunday, the second of three oceangoing tugs dispatched by salvage company Resolve Marine has arrived on scene to assist the burned-out car carrier Morning Midas, which is adrift in the Pacific south of Adak.

The Morning Midas was abandoned on June 3 after an uncontrollable fire broke out on board. In comparatively calm conditions for the North Pacific, the crew abandoned ship and were safely rescued by a passing merchant ship.

The vessel, which is managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, is reported to be carrying a total of 3,048 vehicles, including 70 fully electric vehicles and 681 gas-electric hybrids. It was heading from China to Lázaro Cárdenas under charter to China’s SAIC Anji Logistics.

The first responders arrived on scene aboard tug Gretchen Dunlap on June 9. Gretchen Dunlap managed to establish a towline to Morning Midas on the 11th, and the tug has been holding the stricken vessel in position ever since. Garth Foss has now arrived and taken over the tow.

The third and final tug scheduled to assist - the first one powerful enough to tow Morning Midas away - is still one week out, a reminder of the sheer remoteness of the Aleutian Islands. With this vessel's current estimated ETA, it is on track to arrive roughly three weeks after the fire began.

Luckily, salvors aboard Garth Foss report that thermal scans show no remaining signs of active fire onboard the car carrier. There are no signs of pollution in the water, and the vessel’s watertight integrity remains intact. Pollution control plans have been prepared as a precautionary measure.

"Zodiac Maritime and Resolve Marine continue to be grateful for the ongoing close cooperation and support from the United States Coast Guard," operator Zodiac said in a statement.

The French carrier is developing its logistics and terminal operations, including in the Mediterranean, where it recently announced the modernization of the Syrian port of Latakia and entered into a long-term agreement for the reconstruction of the port of Beirut.

CMA CGM has shown interest in modernizing the ports of Oran and Djen-Jen. This will help relieve the port of Algiers, which is currently experiencing delay problems, with waiting times for ships exceeding seven days.

In Oran, CMA CGM reportedly wants to lease a container terminal through its subsidiary CMA Terminals. The aim is to increase the terminal's capacity to one million TEU per year.

To improve intra-media connections, CMA CGM is also considering a feeder shipping line between Marseille and Oran, which would reduce transit times to less than 48 hours. This line would be operated by La Méridionale, a subsidiary acquired in 2023.