🚨This video was filmed at sea, hence the different video and audio quality. I will be posting the Week 20 video on the Strait or Hormuz tomorrow...if the internet, cooperates. 🚨 In this episode of What The Ship we look at the top five maritime stories as of July 20, 2026. The five topics include how geopolitics are impacting the situation in the Strait or Hormuz between the U.S. and Iran; the Black Sea between Ukraine and Russia; and the reappearance of Somali piracy. The second topic looks at low water levels in Europe, particularly with regard to the Danube River. The third subject discusses the Chinese decision to establish container service via the Northern Sea Route. The fourth story details the United Kingdom's case against the master of a Dark Fleet tanker. Finally, we cover a series of stories dealing with the U.S. merchant marine and shipbuilding. 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 00:00 Introduction & Voyage Update from the Irish Sea 01:00 Story 1: Geopolitics & Shipping (Strait of Hormuz & Black Sea Escalation) 04:04 The Rise of Piracy: Second Tanker Seized by Somali Pirates 04:22 Story 2: Low Water Crisis in Europe (The Danube & Rhine Rivers) 06:17 Story 3: China's "Polar Silk Road" (Northern Sea Route Developments) 08:20 Story 4: UK Seizes Russian Dark Fleet Vessel & Captain Charged 10:53 Story 5: US Merchant Marine Updates (New Training Ships & Recognition) 11:42 Accountability in the Merchant Marine: Legal Updates 13:23 Summary & Looking Ahead: Low Water in Panama & Global Trends 15:36 Final Thoughts & New Video Series Announcement