Ports of Indiana Opens Bonded Facility at Mount Vernon
Ports of Indiana has launched a federally approved bonded storage facility at its Mount Vernon port, built in just six weeks to satisfy an urgent customer request. The new site handled its inaugural barge shipment of roughly 1,650 tons of aluminum, marking the port’s entry into high‑value metal logistics. Featuring a 20,000‑sq‑ft warehouse and a one‑acre outdoor yard, the facility enables duty‑deferred storage for up to five years. The development positions Mount Vernon as a strategic Midwest hub for metals, energy and technology cargoes.
NTSB: O-Ring Seal Failure Caused $5.5M Engine Room Fire
The NTSB determined that an O‑ring seal failure on the Lem Verbena’s boiler burner unit caused a fire in the engine room on Jan. 24, 2026. Misaligned fuel ports and a software setting that kept the fuel pump running pressurized diesel,...
Soybean Farmers Support Phase II Expansion of Port Milwaukee Export Facility
Soybean farmer leaders presented a ceremonial $200,000 check to support Phase II expansion of the DeLong Company’s Agriculture Maritime Export Facility at Port Milwaukee, completed on April 2, 2026. The expansion adds two grain silos, electrical upgrades, and handling equipment, increasing capacity to...
Ocean7 Ranger Is Burns Harbor’s First Ocean Vessel of the 2026 International Shipping Season
Ports of Indiana‑Burns Harbor kicked off the 2026 international shipping season with the arrival of the Ocean7 Ranger, a 10,500‑dwt Liberian‑flagged general cargo vessel operated by Germany’s Hammonia Reederei. After a 52‑day voyage from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the ship delivered a...
FTA: $657M in New Ferry Grants Available
The Federal Transit Administration has opened a Notice of Funding Opportunity offering $657 million in ferry grants. The package splits into $105 million for the FY 2026 Passenger Ferry Program, $98 million for an Electric or Low‑Emitting Ferry Pilot, and $454 million for the Rural...
Marine Group Boat Works Wins Contract to Build Multi-Deck Live Fire Training Simulator
Marine Group Boat Works (MGBW) secured a contract from the San Diego Unified Port District to design, fabricate, and install a multi‑deck live‑fire training simulator on the district’s LCM‑8 troop landing vessel. The simulator features two propane‑fuelled burn chambers and...
Fincantieri, Fraser, Donjon Form Great Lakes Shipbuilding Alliance
Fincantieri Marine Group, Fraser Shipyards and Donjon Marine have formed a Great Lakes shipbuilding alliance to pursue a U.S. Coast Guard contract for seven new light icebreakers. The partnership leverages Fincantieri’s three regional shipyards and invites additional Great Lakes firms...
Master Boat Builders Delivers RApport 2800 Tug for Gulf LNG Partnership
Master Boat Builders has delivered the tugboat Jill, the sixth vessel in its RApport 2800 series and the second built for Gulf LNG Tugs of Port Arthur. The 92‑foot, 40‑foot beam tug boasts over 85 metric‑ton bollard pull and ABS FFV1 firefighting...
Ship Repair USA Takes Shape Ahead of Jacksonville Debut
Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA conference will debut in Jacksonville, Florida on June 23‑24, 2026, reflecting the city’s expanding port and shipyard activity. The two‑day program targets small and medium‑sized repair yards with practical, operations‑driven sessions on predictive maintenance, automation...
Corps Awards Contract for Mississippi River Navigation Improvements
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul Engineer District awarded a $12.8 million contract to Kramer North America to upgrade traveling kevels at Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings and Lock and Dam 3 near Welch. Construction begins in November 2026 and will...
NSMV State of Maine Delivered to Maine Maritime Academy
The National Security Multi‑Mission Vessel (NSMV) *State of Maine* was formally delivered to Maine Maritime Academy on March 30, marking the third of five new training ships built for U.S. maritime academies. Constructed by Hanwha Philly Shipyard and managed by...
ABB Picked to Provide Propulsion and Automation Solutions for New DRBA Ferry
Senesco Marine has selected ABB to provide full propulsion and automation systems for a new 75‑car DRBA ferry replacing the 45‑year‑old Cape Henlopen. The diesel‑electric hybrid vessel, slated to begin construction in mid‑2026, will feature ABB’s onboard DC grid, PEMS...
Ann Fairchild Named President and CEO of Siemens USA
Siemens has appointed Ann Fairchild as the permanent president and CEO of Siemens USA, its largest global market. Fairchild, who has served as interim CEO since October 2025 and previously held the general counsel role, assumes the position effective immediately....
Autonomous Vessel Innovator Saronic Series D Round Raises $1.75BN
Austin‑based Saronic Technologies closed a $1.75 billion Series D round, valuing the autonomous‑vessel maker at $9.25 billion. The funding, led by Kleiner Perkins, adds Advent International, Bessemer, DFJ Growth and others to its investor base. Recent milestones include acquiring Gulf Craft’s shipyard, a...
Steerprop in Simulator-Based Training Agreement with Aboa Mare
Finnish marine propulsion specialist Steerprop has signed an agreement with Turku‑based training centre Aboa Mare to deliver customized simulator‑based training for vessels equipped with Steerprop’s azimuth propulsion systems. The partnership allows Steerprop to commission tailored courses that focus on vessel...
MARAD Invests $13.2M in U.S. Marine Highway Projects
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has allocated $13.2 million to 11 marine highway projects across seven states, supporting initiatives such as waste transport in Oregon and barge‑dock upgrades in Pennsylvania. The funding, part of the broader U.S. Marine Highway Program, aims...
The Bahamas Updates Its Maritime Regulatory Framework
The Bahamas will enact a comprehensive suite of Merchant Shipping Regulations on April 1, 2026, modernizing its maritime legal framework. The rules consolidate registration, fees, marine safety investigations, inspections, seafarer standards, and yacht regulations while aligning with IMO conventions. They...
J-ENG in Hydrogen-Fueled Two Stroke First
Japan Engine Corp (J‑ENG) has begun hydrogen co‑firing in all cylinders of its 6UEC35LSGH low‑speed two‑stroke engine, the world’s first full‑scale hydrogen engine slated for a 17,500‑DWT merchant vessel. The engine achieved over 95% hydrogen co‑firing at 100% load, confirming...
American Encore Riverboat Passes Sea Trials
American Cruise Lines announced that its new 180‑guest riverboat, American Encore, has successfully completed sea trials and is now transiting from Maryland to the Pacific Northwest via the Caribbean and Panama Canal. Built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding, the vessel features private‑balcony...
MOL and Hitachi Plan to Convert Used Ships Into Floating Data Centers
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Hitachi have signed an MOU to convert second‑hand vessels into floating data centers, with a target launch no earlier than 2027. The partnership will leverage MOL’s maritime conversion expertise and Hitachi’s data‑center operations in Japan,...
NOAA Ship Rainier to Map for Critical Mineral Deposits in U.S Pacific Waters
In early April NOAA’s hydrographic survey vessel Rainier will begin a two‑leg expedition to map more than 8,000 square nautical miles of federal waters around Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll. The first leg will deploy multibeam echo‑sounders to capture high‑resolution...
Colonna’s Shipyard Names Brian Waterfield CFO
Colonna’s Shipyard has appointed Brian Waterfield as chief financial officer, effective March 30, 2026. Waterfield joins after more than nine years at BDO, where he served as assurance director focusing on government contracts, nonprofits, and construction. He will oversee accounting and support...
Damen Delivers a Very Green Combi Freighter to Bernd Sibum
Reederei Bernd Sibum has taken delivery of the second of four Damen CF 3850 Combi Freighters, built at Damen’s Yichang shipyard and designed for ultra‑efficient operation. The vessels can run on 100% biofuel and are being equipped with hybrid PTO/PTI...
Thordon Bearings Makes Two Key Appointments
Thordon Bearings announced two strategic appointments: Anthony Hamilton as Vice President of Engineering and Product Development for the Thomson‑Gordon Group, and Martin Linder as Merchant Fleet Marine Business Development Manager for Northern Europe. Both hires aim to expand the company’s...
Magnet Defense Begins Production of First M48 USV
Magnet Defense, which acquired Metal Shark Boats, announced the start of production on its first M48 Unmanned Surface Vessel, moving the platform from prototype to a production model. The 157‑foot, $30 million USV boasts a 17,000‑nautical‑mile range and can self‑deploy from...
Accelleron Books Its 10,000th Order for A100-L/A200-L Turbocharger Series
Accelleron has recorded its 10,000th order for the A100-L/A200-L low‑speed turbocharger series, a line first launched in 2009 and expanded in 2013. The turbochargers power marine two‑stroke engines ranging from 3,000 kW to 28,000 kW, covering bulk carriers, tankers, LNG ships and...
Leo Martin Named COO at Vancouver Shipyards
Seaspan Shipyards announced that Leo Martin will become chief operating officer of Vancouver Shipyards on April 20, 2026. Martin, a senior leader since 2018, will oversee the full shipbuilding lifecycle from concept design to delivery. He brings roughly two decades...
Devall Diesel, FPT Launch Barge Power Pack
Devall Diesel Services of Sulphur, La., unveiled the Barge Power Pack, a fully mechanical, 150‑173 hp Tier 3 engine system designed for hazardous‑duty barge operations. Powered by FPT’s NEF67MNT, the unit eliminates electrical components, removing ignition sources in explosive atmospheres. Certified Class 1...
Mines Add to Escalating Threat Environment in Strait of Hormuz
Windward AI’s latest daily update warns that Iranian naval mines have been placed in the Strait of Hormuz, adding a covert, sub‑surface danger to an already constrained waterway. The mines, both moored and limpet‑style, use magnetic and acoustic sensors to...
Op-Ed: Singapore Cruise Centre Reimagines Passenger Operations with Real-Time Data
Singapore Cruise Centre (SCCPL) is entering the final stage of a five‑year digital transformation that centers on a real‑time data integration platform built on Solace’s event‑driven architecture. The platform unifies passenger, vessel, baggage, staff and resource data, enabling instant updates...
PPG Launches New PPG InsightsNav for Seastock Coatings
PPG has introduced InsightsNav, a cloud‑based analytics platform that consolidates seastock coating purchase data for shipowners and operators. The tool standardizes fragmented records into interactive dashboards, enabling real‑time spend visibility and predictive budgeting. By highlighting port‑level pricing and order‑consolidation opportunities,...
Op-Ed: Biofuels Move From Theory to Practice at Sea
Shipowners are turning to biofuels as the most practical near‑term tool to meet MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 28 and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) requirements. IMO guidance now permits up to 30% bio‑fuel blends without extra NOx assessments, and B100 can be...
NTSB: Pilot’s Orders to Tugs Led to Tanker Platanos’s Costly Contact with a California Pier
On October 24, 2024, the Bahamas‑flagged tanker Platanos struck the Martinez Refining Company Wharf in California while undocking, causing a hole above the waterline and $500,229 in damage. The NTSB investigation found the ship’s pilot mistakenly transposed the names and...
DOI Reimburses TotalEnergies $928.3M to Pivot From U.S. Offshore Wind to Oil and Gas
TotalEnergies has signed settlement agreements with the U.S. Department of the Interior to relinquish its Carolina Long Bay and New York Bight offshore wind leases, receiving a total reimbursement of $928.3 million. The company will reinvest the full amount in U.S....
Damen Delivers ASD Tug En Avant 19 to Muller Dordrecht
Damen Shipyards delivered the ASD Tug 2811, named En Avant 19, to Dutch operator Muller Dordrecht. Built in Vietnam and shipped to Rotterdam, the 28.57‑meter vessel offers 65 tonnes of bollard pull and can operate both offshore and inland. It features...
International Launches New Intergard 6788 Universal Primer for Newbuilds
AkzoNobel’s International brand has introduced Intergard 6788, an aluminum‑pigmented universal primer designed for new‑building vessels. The product leverages pure epoxy technology to deliver higher solids content and meet tightening VOC regulations. Launching in Asia, the primer will be first available...
Electric Propulsion Innovator Arc Raises $50M in New Funding
Arc, a Los Angeles‑based electric boat and powertrain firm, closed a $50 million Series C round led by investors such as a16z, Menlo Ventures, and Eclipse. The capital will be used to accelerate production of electric tugboat powertrains and to expand the...
C&C Marine Expands 24 Acres, Builds Automated Spool Shop
C&C Marine & Repair announced a 24‑acre expansion of its Belle Chasse facility and the construction of a fully automated spool shop, touted as the most advanced in the United States. The shop will house CNC bending, plasma cutting, blasting,...
Soo Locks to Open for 2026 Shipping Season
The Detroit Engineer District will open the Poe Lock at the Soo Locks on March 25, 2026, officially starting the Great Lakes shipping season. After a 10‑week winter shutdown, crews completed extensive repairs, including gate work and an experimental ice‑shedding...
OpenTug Debuts Signal Optimization for Marine Logistics
OpenTug introduced Signal Optimization, a new BargeOS feature that streamlines marine logistics planning by matching demand signals with the appropriate barge assets. The tool lets charterers, shippers and commercial teams capture inbound demand, evaluate equipment against operational and commercial constraints,...
Austal USA Contracts Master Boat to Fabricate T-ATS Modules
Austal USA has awarded Master Boat Builders a contract to fabricate two hull modules for the U.S. Navy’s Navajo‑class T‑ATS program. The agreement follows a 2025 memorandum of understanding and positions Master Boat as a key subcontractor in a distributed‑production...
Seatrium in New Agreement with Royal Caribbean Group
Singapore‑based Seatrium Limited has renewed its strategic partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, signing a multi‑year agreement for statutory inspections, repairs and upgrades of the cruise line’s global fleet across Seatrium’s Singapore yards. The deal, building on a relationship that began...
Silverback Marine Completes Sea Trials for OX Series Truckable Tug
Silverback Marine announced the successful sea trials and commissioning of its new OX series truckable tug, a twin‑Z‑Drive vessel delivering 14,300 lb of bollard pull. The tug features a 25‑by‑16‑foot hull, twin Cummins QSL9 diesel engines, and a 480 V Wintech towing...
BV Certifies Everllence’s PrimeServ Assist Digital Monitoring Solution
Everllence received Smartship Software Type Approval Certification and Smart Service Supplier recognition from Bureau Veritas for its PrimeServ Assist digital monitoring solution, satisfying the SMART(MH3) class notation criteria. The certification, covering about 80 % of the required verification, streamlines the path...
Horizon Air Freight: Time-Critical Logistics for Tug, Towboat & Barge Operations
Specialized logistics firm Horizon Air Freight announced its dedicated time‑critical freight services for tug, towboat and barge operations. The company integrates air, charter, inland and coastal freight with vessel schedules, providing urgent spare‑part, AOG and project cargo moves while maintaining...
Brian Dooley to Lead New Ports of Indiana International Trade Office
Ports of Indiana announced the launch of its first overseas trade office in Ireland, appointing maritime veteran Brian Dooley to lead the European Trade Office based in Cork and Kildare. The office aims to develop a direct Europe‑Indiana container service...
Seasats Quickfish USV Completes 8-Day Continuous Sea Trial
Seasats announced that its Quickfish autonomous surface vessel successfully completed an eight‑day continuous sea trial, demonstrating over‑35‑knot top speed and multi‑week on‑station endurance. The hybrid jet‑electric propulsion and a dedicated payload bay for UAV launch set it apart from other...
Port Houston Cargo Volumes up 4% in February
Port Houston reported a 4% rise in February cargo volumes, handling 4.38 million short tons and bringing the year‑to‑date total to 8.93 million short tons, a 5% increase. Container activity was flat in February with 326,799 TEU, leaving YTD container volumes up...
Maersk Offshore Wind Christens Its New WTIV Maersk Viridis
Maersk Offshore Wind officially christened its new 40,000‑ton wind turbine installation vessel, Maersk Viridis, on the ship’s main deck. The vessel features a Jones Act‑compliant feeder‑based installation system with stabilizing technology for high sea states. Maersk Viridis will sail to...
Chris Scott to Succeed John Lauer as Matson EVP and CCO
Matson Inc. announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer John Lauer will retire on July 1, 2026 after 19 years leading sales, marketing, pricing and customer service. Senior Vice President Chris Scott, who oversees Transpacific Service and corporate...