Carriers are still moving closer to seizing the resurfaced opportunities in Iran after most of the sanctions on the country have now been lifted.

CMA CGM lands deal with top Iranian container carrier

This man holds the key to Iranian shipping

And Iran is not the only factor that did not develop quite as the Danish conglomerate might have wished.

Drewry: Hapag-Lloyd is in peak financial condition

Rotterdam union threatens legal action against APM Terminals

Though A.P. Moeller-Maersk is under pressure on some fronts, the week also brought more upbeat news:

Maersk Line invests big-time in its reefer fleet

The Norwegian oil woes are still raging in full force.

Nordea: Fredriksen's Seadrill needs USD 2.5 billion

Wood Mackenzie: Oil price makes half of all future projects unprofitable

Tanker keeps Stolt-Nielsen's 2015 result afloat

Farstad announces new cost reductions

Farstad sells offshore vessel at USD 5.6 million loss

But some Norwegians are still willing to launch new business ventures.

Arctic Securities and Fredriksen in new joint venture

Arctic CEO looking to cover entire sector with new broker venture

The dry bulk sector also continues its slide to hitherto unknown depths as the Baltic Dry Index slid to a new low at 317 points.

Drewry: Half of the older Capesize ships must go

Wonsild Dry: Worrying dry bulk sector consolidates industry

The dry bulk crisis has helped scale back investors' appetite for shipping, a fact noted with grievance by the CEOs of three major tanker playes.

Tanker CEOs: Investors not rewarding us deservedly

Further reading:

DSV kicks off in-depth UTI integration process

Desmi appeals US rejection 

Belgium is Achilles' heel for carriers after OW collapse 

Ruling in oil disaster could lead to huge compensation claims