In this Week 18 recap of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, Sal Mercogliano breaks down a week of “red cards,” maritime disruptions, and unravelling propaganda. From the July 4th shipping halt to the debunking of Iranian claims about the grounded ship Arista, we look at why the global shipping market is sitting on a dangerous precipice.
Key highlights in this episode:
⚓The “Red Card” Mystery: President Trump talks FIFA and Iran, while underscoring the real-world tensions in the Strait…and on the pitch.
⚓July 4th Disruption: Analysis of the aborted convoy attempt and why traffic suddenly turned around on Independence Day.
⚓Propaganda Debunked: Step-by-step proof that the Iranian story regarding the grounded ship Arista is complete BS.
⚓Global Energy Impact: Why record-low oil storage levels mean even a small “wrench in the works” could cause a massive price spike.
⚓The Human Cost: An update on the 8,000 seafarers still stranded and the resurgence of piracy off the coast of Yemen.
00:00 – Introduction: The “Red Card” & President’s Press Conference
02:19 – Week 18 Overview: June 28th to July 5th Recap
04:02 – Navy Updates: Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) Advisory
06:07 – Oil Market Data: Middle East Loading Trends (March – June)
09:48 – Week 18 Story recap from gCaptain
09:59 – Global Impact: LNG Shortages in Underdeveloped Nations
11:13 – Jones Act Update: Chinese Tankers & Waiver Debates
15:15 – Debunking Propaganda: The Case of the Grounded “Arista”
19:19 – Russia-India Trade: Shortages & Laundering Refined Products
20:20 – Peace Talks: The 60-Day Window & Section 4/5 Fees
21:54 – Piracy Resurgence: Attacks off the Coast of Yemen
23:59 – China’s Stance: Navigating Maritime Passages & Chokepoints
25:18 – US Oil Politics: Pump Prices & Capacity Concerns
26:14 – Japan’s Strategy: Strategic Reserves & “Ghost Armada” in SE Asia
29:27 – Ship Scrapping: Damage Report on CMA CGM San Antonio
30:40 – Seafarer Crisis: 8,000 Mariners Still Stranded
33:05 – The IMO Agenda: Global Strait Security & Free Passage
34:23 – Final Thoughts: Fragility of Global Shipping & Future Outlook
36:49 – Outro & Channel Announcements
Contact What’s Going on With Shipping via:
Patreon: www.patreon.com/wgowshipping
Twitter: @mercoglianos
Bluesky: @mercoglianos.bsky.social
Facebook: @wgowshipping
Email: mercoglianosal@gmail.com
Marine Traffic
www.marinetraffic.com
gCaptain
www.gcaptain.com
UKMTO JMIC Advisories
https://www.ukmto.org/partner-products/jmic-products/jmic-advisories/2026
UANI Blog
https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/analysis
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