CEO @gCaptain | US Merchant Marine | Ship Captain | Pentagon Press | Author: Fire on the Horizon | Shipbuilder | Blacklisted by Wikipedia | K5HIP 🇺🇸
Articles by John Konrad
The Cathedral, The Bazaar And The Hormuz Catastrophe That Never Came
For years we have waited for artificial intelligence to unlock vast new efficiencies in global trade. When the Strait of Hormuz closed, it may finally have done so. But the savings did not lower your prices. They were soaked up by geopolitics and spent as leverage. That tells us something the markets have not priced: the question is no longer whether AI creates the efficiency, but who gets to keep it.
Stop Calling Saronic a Shipbuilder: The Dangerous Lie Behind Naval Drones
By Captain John Konrad (gCaptain op-ed) Let me start where I want to finish: Saronic’s Marauder, a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) designed for the US Navy, is a real accomplishment. The company built something the Department of War genuinely needs, I’m a fan, and I want Congress to fund it aggressively. Hold onto that, because what follows is going to read like an attack and it isn’t. It’s a plea to tell the truth because the truth is a better story anyway.
USS Ford CSG Earns Presidential Unit Citation After Historic Cruise
USS Ford CSG Earns Presidential Unit Citation After Historic Cruise America’s newest commissioned aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) tied up at Pier 11 this morning after 326 days at sea, completing one of the longest deployment by a U.S. warship since the Vietnam War Read Full Article »
USS Ford Strike Group Earns Presidential Unit Citation After Historic Cruise
NORFOLK, Va. — America’s newest commissioned aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) tied up at Pier 11 this morning after 326 days at sea, completing one of the longest deployment by a U.S. warship since the Vietnam War. Thousands of families crowded the pier. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was waiting pierside with a rare commendation for the entire strike group, Presidential Unit Citation, the first PUC of the Iran War, and a decoration the Navy doesn’t handed out lightly Rear Adm.
Welcome Home USS Gerald Ford!
The USS Gerald R Ford is finally home after the longest operational deployment by a carrier since the end of the Vietnam War! From the capture of Maduro to the defeat of Iran’s Navy. These sailors return from a combat deployment they will never forget. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mJBJCzCk3U — John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) May 16, 2026
The Great Battleship Debate | Zack Cooper vs John Konrad
Is the battleship making a comeback, or is this the dawn of a new class of “Large Surface Combatant”? In this episode, we dive into the recent announcement regarding the construction of the Trump-class battleships, starting with the USS Defiant. Host Sal Mercogliano, along with Zack Cooper of AEI and John Konrad of gCaptain, breaks down the specs, the strategy, and the terminology that has the maritime world talking.
The Pentagon Blob’s Hostage Strategy: Let Hegseth Help the Warfighter, Then Bury Real Reform in a Paperwork Graveyard
Y’all don’t know the half of it. I met with the recently fired Secretary of the Navy before his confirmation, and I had repeated contact with his staff. The reforms they planned were revolutionary. The day before he was fired, he held a press conference. I was deliberately excluded. The owner of the most-read maritime and Navy website in the world, and his most vocal supporter, frozen out. And not just from his remarks. His staff pushed me out of everything.
The United States Did Not Just Outsource Shipbuilding. It Outsourced Demand.
Why America’s Cargo Demand Is Building Maritime Capacity Everywhere but at Home By Bruce Kimbrell (Policy Op-Ed) I spent last week at the Sea-Air-Space Conference at the Gaylord in Maryland listening to discussions about American shipbuilding. Across panels, the focus was consistent: improving efficiency and throughput. McKinsey & Company also released a shipbuilding report during the event, reinforcing the emphasis on extracting more from the yards we already have—cost, output, and performance.
India Acknowledges Iranian Oil Purchases
By Rakesh Sharma and Mihir Mishra Apr 4, 2026 (Bloomberg) —India is buying crude from Iran among other countries in order to navigate the current energy crisis, the country’s oil ministry said, denying payment hurdles were impeding those purchases.
Ship In Azov Sea Hit By Kyiv As Sides Swap Attacks
Russia and Ukraine have intensified attacks on each other in recent weeks. Hopes for a diplomatic solution to end hostilities triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have been set back, with the war in Iran consuming the attention of the US President Donald Trump and his negotiators. Russia’s defenses repelled 85 Ukrainian drones in about a dozen regions overnight, Moscow’s defense ministry said.
Controlled Passage: First Ships Edge Through Hormuz as Crisis Redefines Global Shipping
A small number of merchant vessels have begun edging back through the Strait of Hormuz, offering the first visible signs of movement after weeks of disruption. But far from signalling recovery, these carefully managed transits are exposing a deeper and more unsettling shift: one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes is no longer operating under normal commercial rules.
U.S. Intel Warns Iran Has No Incentive to Reopen Hormuz as Oil Leverage Grows
By Jonathan Landay, Erin Banco and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, April 3 (Reuters) – Recent U.S. intelligence reports warn that Iran is unlikely to open the Strait of Hormuz any time soon because its grip on the world’s most vital oil artery provides the only real leverage it has over the United States, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
U.S. Doubles Hormuz Insurance Backstop to $40B in Hopes of Luring Ships Back
The Trump administration has doubled its maritime insurance backstop to $40 billion, expanding a flagship effort to restart commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—even as shipowners continue to largely stay away.
Trump Administration Moves to Reunify Offshore Regulators Split After Deepwater Horizon Disaster
The U.S. Department of the Interior has begun a phased effort to consolidate offshore energy oversight under a newly created Marine Minerals Administration, signaling a significant structural shift in how the United States regulates offshore oil, gas, and emerging mineral development.
Trump Says US Can Take Strait of Hormuz With More Time
April 3 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump on Friday said the U.S. can open the Strait of Hormuz with a little more time, as pressure mounts for his administration to find a quick resolution to a war against Iran. “With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL,& MAKE A FORTUNE,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
French and Japanese-Owned Ships Make First Hormuz Crossings
By Weilun Soon and Samy Adghirni (Bloomberg) — A French container ship and a Japanese-owned tanker have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, in what appear to be the first such transits since the war in Iran shuttered the crucial waterway. The CMA CGM Kribi container ship exited the strait on Friday, according to ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg and two people familiar with the situation.
Container Rates Stall as Capacity Glut Offsets Hormuz Shock
By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – Container spot freight rates on the main east-west trades largely flatlined this week as excess capacity and uneven demand failed to further spur recent pricing increases by carriers. This week’s World Container Index (WCI) from Drewry showed spot rates on the transpacific and Asia-Europe trades appeared to have largely stabilised after recovering from the shock of conflict in the Middle East.
Trump’s 2027 War Department Budget Plan Could Exceed $1.5 Trillion
By Erik Wasson and Gregory Korte (Bloomberg) President Donald Trump is preparing to release a fiscal year 2027 budget plan on Friday that will frame his party’s midterm election message around a massive defense buildup, partially paid for by cuts to domestic agencies. A governing vision that directs tax dollars to the Pentagon amid an unpopular Iran war represents a political risk for the White House, especially against a backdrop of spiking gasoline prices.
First Japanese LNG Carrier Passes Through Hormuz Since Iran Conflict Began
A Japanese-linked liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such passage by a Japan-affiliated vessel since the waterway was effectively shut by conflict in the region, its operator said on Friday. The Panama-flagged Sohar LNG, co-owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, completed the crossing with all crew safe, the company confirmed, declining to provide details on the timing of the transit or whether any negotiations were required. ?
Iran Strikes Gulf Energy Sites as Trump Warns of Further Attacks
By Patrick Sykes and Arsalan Shahla Apr 3, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Iran targeted more sites in Arab Gulf states overnight and into Friday, hours after US President Donald Trump issued fresh threats against Iranian infrastructure to pressure Tehran to start peace negotiations. Abu Dhabi suspended operations at its largest natural gas processing facility, after a fire broke out due to debris from a projectile interception.
Sweden Seizes Sanctioned Oil Tanker Suspected of Being Source of Spill
STOCKHOLM, April 3 (Reuters) – The Swedish Coast Guard said on Friday it had seized an oil tanker in the Baltic Sea that is believed to be part of the Russian shadow fleet and suspected to be the source of a 12 km oil spill off the island of Gotland. The Swedish Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to stop vessels connected with Russia in recent months. The tanker, Flora 1, was seized off Sweden’s southern coast, it said.
South Korea, France Agree to Deepen Defense Cooperation Amid Middle East Conflict
By Heejin Kim and Joyce Lee SEOUL, April 3 (Reuters) – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday they planned to boost defense cooperation and work together to address the economic and energy crises triggered by the war in Iran. Macron arrived in South Korea on Thursday for a two-day state visit after also visiting Japan, and held a summit in Seoul on Friday.
French-Owned Container Ship Exits Hormuz in First Since Iran War
By Weilun Soon and Samy Adghirni Apr 3, 2026 (Bloomberg) –A container ship signaling French ownership has exited the Strait of Hormuz, in what appears to be the first known transit by a vessel linked to Western Europe since the war all but shuttered the vital waterway. The CMA CGM Kribi sailed from waters off Dubai toward Iran on Thursday afternoon local time, signaling that its owner was French, according to ship-tracking data.
China’s detentions of Panama-flagged vessels raise concerns, Rubio says
By Katharine Jackson and Michael Martina WASHINGTON, April 2 (Reuters) – Detentions of Panama-flagged vessels by China that followed a Panamanian court ruling raise serious concerns about efforts to undermine rule of law in the Latin American country, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday.
US Trade Deficit Widens in February As Imports Offset Record Exports
WASHINGTON, April 2 (Reuters) – The U.S. trade deficit widened in February as a rebound in imports offset strong growth in exports, which increased to a record high, potentially keeping trade on track to subtract from economic growth in the first quarter. The trade gap increased 4.9% to $57.3 billion, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau said on Thursday.
Libya Confirms ‘Arctic Metagaz’ Salvage Has Failed and Vessel Out of Control at Sea Near Malta SAR Zone
The liquefied natural gas carrier Arctic Metagaz is “completely out of control at sea” in the Mediterranean after a towing attempt collapsed at around 0400 local time on April 2 due to severe weather, according to an urgent notice issued by Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority. Earlier AIS data had already suggested that tug boats were heading back to port, once again leaving Arctic Metagaz adrift.
Trump Stirs Market, Political Angst With Vague Timeline for Iran
By Catherine Lucey Apr 2, 2026 (Bloomberg) –President Donald Trump finally tried to sell the American public on his Iran war. But his primetime address five weeks into the messy conflict instead underscored the US president’s growing defensive posture, as pressure mounts on global shipping routes, gas prices and his political party. Trump said the US operation was close to completion, in an attempt to reassure a skeptical public.
UK to Host Talks With 35 Countries on Reopening Strait of Hormuz
By Andrew MacAskill and Muvija M LONDON, April 2 (Reuters) – Britain will host talks on Thursday aimed at forming a coalition of countries to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. President Donald Trump said securing the vital waterway was a problem for other nations to resolve.
Hormuz Shutdown Sends Global Shockwaves as UN Warns of Inflation Surge and Slowing Growth
The Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints—remains effectively closed, sending shockwaves through global trade, energy markets, and financial systems, according to a new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Under normal conditions, the narrow waterway carries a significant share of global oil and gas supplies, forming the backbone of the global economy.
Iran’s ‘Tollbooth’ Tightens Grip on Hormuz as Ships Offered Safe Passage—For a Price
By Salma El Wardany, Alex Longley, Weilun Soon and Serene Cheong (Bloomberg) — In recent days, the operator of an oil tanker stuck in the Persian Gulf received a compelling proposal. After weeks at anchor with missiles and drones passing overhead, it could finally sail safely out through the Strait of Hormuz and into the open ocean — escorted by the Iranian Navy.
U.S. Offshore Oil Hits Record 714M Barrels as Gulf Deepwater Leads Surge
U.S. offshore oil production surged to a record 714 million barrels in 2025, marking a new high for output from the Outer Continental Shelf and underscoring the growing role of deepwater projects in the nation’s energy mix. The milestone, highlighted this week by the Department of the Interior and its offshore regulators, reflects years of investment, planning, and project development—much of it concentrated in the U.S. Gulf, where large-scale deepwater fields continue to ramp up production.
US LNG Exports Break Record High as Middle East War Disrupts Global Supply
By Curtis Williams HOUSTON, April 1 (Reuters) – U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas rose to an all?time high in March as plants ran above nameplate capacity and new units started up, preliminary data from financial firm LSEG showed.
Libya Abandons ‘Arctic Metagaz’ Salvage At Edge of Malta SAR Zone
Libyan authorities have effectively halted efforts to secure the stricken LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz, towing the vessel far offshore and leaving it adrift near the edge of Malta’s search and rescue (SAR) zone, according to maritime tracking data, regional media, and OSINT reporting. The vessel now sits roughly 105 nautical miles north-northeast of Misrata, close to the boundary of Malta’s SAR zone, after being towed past the Libyan port without stopping.
Panama-Flagged Ships Dominate China Detentions in Sudden March Spike
By Gavin van Marle (The Loadstar) – The number of Panama-flagged ships detained by China’s Port State Control soared in March, compared with February and January, according to The Loadstar’s analysis of the Tokyo MOU detention list. The Tokyo MOU, formally known as the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region, comprises 22 maritime authorities in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as 17 observers, and publishes the most complete dataset of detentions in the area.
Turkey in Talks With Iran for Ships’ Passage Through Hormuz
By Selcan Hacaoglu and Firat Kozok Apr 1, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Turkey is seeking permission from Iranian authorities for 11 Turkish-owned ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s transportation minister said on Wednesday. A total of 14 Turkish-owned ships remain in the strait, Abdulkadir Uraloglu told reporters in Ankara, adding that three are there for ongoing operations, including power generation, and are not asking to leave.
IEA Warns Middle East Oil Disruptions Set to Hit Europe in April
OSLO, April 1 (Reuters) – Oil supply disruptions from the Middle East will rise in April and begin to impact Europe’s economy as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz severely curbs supplies, International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol said on Wednesday. More than 12 million barrels of oil have been lost since the start of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran due to Tehran’s on energy assets in the region and restrictions on shipping through the Strait, he added.
Trump Says U.S. May Exit Iran War Soon and Threatens to Quit NATO, as Oil Crisis Escalates
By Nandita Bose, Steven Scheer and Yomna Ehab WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM/CAIRO, April 1 (Reuters) – Global oil supplies are expected to be hit twice as hard this month as in March, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, underlining the urgent need to resolve the conflict over Iran that U.S. President Donald Trump said could end soon.
Asia LNG Imports Drop Most Since 2022 as Iran War Upends Supply
By Stephen Stapczynski and Sing Yee Ong Apr 1, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Asian liquefied natural gas imports fell the most in more than three years last month as the conflict in the Middle East choked supply and sent prices higher. LNG deliveries to the region declined 8.6% in March from a year earlier to about 20.6 million tons, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. That is the biggest drop since December 2022.
Tanker Hit Off Qatar in Renewed Wave of Gulf Attacks After 9-Day Lull
A fuel oil tanker chartered by QatarEnergy has been struck by a missile in waters off Qatar, marking a sharp escalation in maritime attacks and pushing the threat envelope closer to one of the world’s most critical LNG export hubs. QatarEnergy confirmed that the tanker Aqua 1 was hit in the early hours of April 1 while operating in northern Qatari territorial waters. The company said no crew members were injured and no pollution has been reported.
Iranian Missile Hit Oil Tanker in Qatari Waters, Qatar Says
April 1 (Reuters) – An oil tanker leased to state-owned QatarEnergy was hit by an Iranian cruise missile on Wednesday in Qatari waters, the defense ministry said. Qatar was targeted by three cruise missiles coming from Iran, two were intercepted while the third hit the Aqua 1 fuel oil tanker, but caused no casualties.
China, Pakistan Propose Middle East Ceasefire Plan, Urge Swift Talks
China and Pakistan on Tuesday jointly proposed a five-point peace initiative calling for an immediate ceasefire and the rapid launch of negotiations to end escalating conflict in the Middle East, as both countries stepped up diplomatic efforts to defuse a widening regional crisis.
US Removes Sanctions on Three Russian Vessels, Says Move Not Policy Shift
The United States has removed sanctions on three Russian-flagged vessels, including container ships Fesco Moneron and Fesco Magadan and the cargo ship Sv Nikolay, the Treasury Department said on Tuesday, in a move officials described as routine and not indicative of a broader change in Russia policy. The ships were taken off the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list following what officials said was a standard review process. ?
Russian Oil Tanker Begins Discharging Cargo in Cuba’s Matanzas Terminal
By Ayose Naranjo MATANZAS, Cuba, March 31 (Reuters) – A Russian-flagged tanker carrying some 700,000 barrels of crude docked in Cuba’s Matanzas oil terminal on Tuesday, shipping data showed, marking the first significant oil delivery to the island since President Donald Trump’s administration cut off its fuel supply.
‘Arctic Metagaz’ Towing Operation Heads Toward Maltese Waters As Plans for Cargo Removal Unclear
The fate of the damaged tanker Arctic Metagaz remained uncertain as a Libyan-led towing operation pushed the vessel farther into the central Mediterranean, raising fresh questions about salvage plans, jurisdiction, and mounting weather risks. The Russian-linked tanker, which has been adrift since early March following a reported blast, had been taken under tow by Libyan authorities in recent days after weeks of drifting near the coast.
Pakistan Weighs Hormuz Options After Iran Clears 20 Ships
By Bilal Hussain, Yongchang Chin and Weilun Soon Mar 31, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Pakistan is considering options that include allowing other ships to ferry vital cargoes under its flag, after Iran said it would allow 20 of the nation’s vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — more than it currently has in the area.
Another Greek Oil Tanker Exits Hormuz Despite Iran’s Blockade
By Prejula Prem Mar 31, 2026 (Bloomberg) –Another Greek-controlled oil tanker has crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the fourth such voyage since hostilities in the Middle East began. The Suezmax Pola, which switched off its tracking system in the Persian Gulf on March 10, was detected again on Monday by the Automatic Identification System.
Industry Groups Urge Gulf States to Act as 20,000 Seafarers Remain Stranded by Hormuz Crisis
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have held urgent talks with Gulf State representatives as the maritime crisis in the Strait of Hormuz enters its fifth week, with thousands of seafarers still stranded in high-risk conditions.
China Confirms Three Ships Passed Through Strait of Hormuz
By Jonathan Saul LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) – Three Chinese ships recently sailed through the Strait of Hormuz after coordination with relevant parties, a foreign ministry spokesperson told a regular daily press briefing on Tuesday, while calling for peace and stability in the Gulf Region. The critical waterway has effectively been shut since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.
EU Tells Members to Prepare for ‘Prolonged Disruption’ to Energy Markets From Iran War
By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, March 31 (Reuters) – European Union governments should prepare for a “prolonged disruption” to energy markets as a result of the Iran war, the bloc’s energy chief has told countries’ ministers ahead of an emergency meeting on Tuesday. In a letter to energy ministers, dated March 30 and seen by Reuters, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said governments were “encouraged to make timely preparations in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption”.
U.S. Oil Closes Above $100 for First Time Since 2022 on Iran War
By Mia Gindis and Charles Gorrivan (Bloomberg) — US oil prices ended Monday’s session above $100 a barrel for the first time since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran as President Donald Trump threatens further escalation of attacks, including on critical energy infrastructure. West Texas Intermediate futures rose more than 3% to settle just below $103 a barrel, the highest since July 2022. The $100 price level is a key threshold closely watched by traders and other market participants.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with John
Contact John, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack