ABS Addresses Operational Solutions for Shipping Challenges at Annual Hellenic Committee Meeting
At the ABS Hellenic Committee meeting, Chairman John McDonald warned that shipping complexity is outpacing absorption, with rising costs and shorter decision cycles widening the gap between technical possibilities and operational viability. He unveiled the ABS SeaTech Innovation Exchange, two technology centers in Athens and Houston designed to apply AI, robotics and advanced simulation to routing, maintenance and decision‑making at speed and scale. The Exchange expands ABS’s growing Greek footprint, which already includes a Global Gas Department, Operations Center, Technology Center and Ship Safety Center. ABS now oversees a fleet of 314 million gross tons, the largest order‑book share among Greek owners.
SAAM Takes Full Control of Intertug’s Ops in Colombia and Mexico
SAAM completed purchase of the remaining 30% stake in Intertug’s Colombian and Mexican operations for $30.5 million, gaining full ownership. The deal follows its 2021 acquisition of a 70% stake, cementing SAAM’s presence in Latin America. SAAM Towage now controls a...
Mitsui Eyes New LNG Investments to Power Data Center Growth
Japanese trading house Mitsui is planning to invest in liquefied natural gas projects in the Middle East, the United States and Australia to secure power for the fast‑growing data‑center sector. The firm will consider equity stakes or long‑term supply contracts,...
Oil Prices Fall Amid Signs of US-Iran Ceasefire Extension Deal
Oil futures slipped more than 1% on Friday, with Brent crude falling to $92.47 a barrel and WTI to $87.52, marking the steepest weekly decline since early April. The drop follows reports that the United States and Iran have reached...
Yiulian Dockyard Hong Kong Offers Digital Twin Piping Fabrication
Yiulian Dockyard Hong Kong has reopened after a major upgrade, adding a workforce expansion and on‑site digital‑twin pipe fabrication in partnership with Irwin Limited. The dockyard uniquely allows vessels to dock alongside laden, eliminating cargo discharge and reducing off‑hire costs....
Ernst Russ Reports Growing Charter Backlog
Ernst Russ AG posted Q1 2026 revenue of €37.8 million (~$41 million) and EBIT of €13.2 million (~$14 million), while its charter backlog surged to €620.9 million (~$677 million) with an average remaining duration of 34.3 months. The Hamburg shipowner added two 7‑year charter multipurpose vessels and announced...
US Carries Out New Strikes on Iran
The United States conducted overnight strikes in Iran, hitting a military site deemed a threat to U.S. forces and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In the same operation, U.S. forces shot down several Iranian drones. The attacks came...
Davie and Kraken Team Up on Autonomous Vessels
Québec‑based Davie Shipbuilding and UK‑based Kraken Technology Group announced a strategic partnership to produce, integrate and develop Kraken’s autonomous surface vessels in Canada. Davie will leverage its large‑scale shipyard capacity while Kraken supplies its AI‑enabled maritime systems. The collaboration supports...
Oil From US Emergency Reserve Heads to California
For the first time since its inception, oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was shipped to California. About 460,000 barrels of Bayou Choctaw Sweet crude arrived at Chevron’s Richmond refinery, with an additional 50,000 barrels at the El Segundo plant....
Marlink, Metis Partner to Expand IoT Capabilities
Marlink and Metis have signed a memorandum of understanding to fuse Marlink's global maritime digital infrastructure with Metis' end‑to‑end data acquisition and AI‑powered analytics. The partnership will embed Metis' IoT and analytics platform into Marlink's Possibility solutions portfolio and its...
Jake Minmer Announced as VP of Operations at Gulf of America
Gulf of America Logistics (GoAL), a fully Louisiana‑owned capital‑projects specialist, announced Jake Minner as Vice President of Operations for Specialized Transport and Trucking. Minner brings 17 years of heavy‑haul experience and will lead the asset‑based heavy‑haul division from a new...
Trump Domestic Shipping Waiver Fails to Drastically Reduce Gas Prices
President Trump’s March waiver of the Jones Act allowed foreign‑flagged vessels to transport oil and fuel between U.S. ports, but Reuters finds it has barely moved gasoline prices. In the first two months, refiners used the exemption about 50 times,...
Kai Schulte-Schrepping Appointed as Head of Liability Global Risk at HDI Global
HDI Global announced that Kai Schulte‑Schrepping will become Head of Liability Global Risk on July 1, succeeding Daniel Maurer who is transitioning toward retirement. Schulte‑Schrepping brings over a decade of technical underwriting experience at HDI and will oversee the worldwide liability...
IMO Speaks Out on Resurgence of Piracy
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued a stark warning about a resurgence of piracy in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. It highlighted the ongoing detention of the Palau‑flagged tanker MT Honour 25 since April 24, 2026, with 17 crew members...
Fincantieri Delivers "Viking Mira" Cruise Ship
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the 54,300‑gross‑ton cruise ship Viking Mira to Viking at its Ancona yard. The vessel offers 499 staterooms and can accommodate up to 998 passengers, targeting the small‑ship market in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Its construction continues...