Teqplay Acquired by Ofiniti to Extend Operational Intelligence Across Global Bunkering
Ofiniti, the Oslo‑based digital platform for marine fuel operations, has acquired Dutch maritime‑intelligence firm Teqplay. The deal adds real‑time vessel and cargo digital twins covering 490 ports in 90 countries, expanding Ofiniti’s services from scheduling and documentation to operational intelligence. In 2025 the platform handled over 25,000 bunker transactions and 500,000 metric tonnes of alternative fuels, and holds roughly 40% of Singapore’s digital bunkering market. The acquisition triples Ofiniti’s customer base, creates a Netherlands office, and brings a U.S. client anchored by the Port of Corpus Christi.
Iran's Continued Control of Hormuz Intensifies Seafarer Misery
Iran has issued a new map asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz, effectively extending its blockade of the waterway. The move leaves more than 20,000 sailors on roughly 2,000 vessels trapped in the Gulf, many without adequate food, water,...
Third Qatari LNG Tanker Transits Hormuz to China
A third Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker, the Al Sahla, began transiting the Strait of Hormuz en route to China’s Tianjin terminal, marking the latest cargo to cross the waterway since February’s U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. The vessel left Ras Laffan with a 211,842‑cubic‑metre...
France Drafts UN Security Council Resolution on Restoring Hormuz Movement
France has drafted a U.N. Security Council resolution to launch an international mission that would restore free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The draft can be submitted when conditions are favourable, offering an alternative to the stalled U.S.–Bahraini text...
CMA CGM Q1 Resilient, but Shipping Margins Tighten Amid Geopolitical Turbulence
CMA CGM posted a resilient first‑quarter with revenue of $13.23 billion, essentially flat year‑over‑year, while EBITDA fell 31.6% to $2.11 billion and net income dropped to $250 million. Shipping volumes rose modestly 1.5% to 5.93 million TEU, yet maritime revenue slipped 8.5% as average revenue...
Incat Crowther Designed Passenger Ferry Sets Sail in the US Virgin Islands
Incat Crowther’s 104‑foot, EPA Tier 4‑compliant passenger ferry Spirit of 1733 has entered service for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, operating between St. Thomas and St. John. The vessel, built by Gulf Craft in Louisiana, can transport up to 300 passengers...
GTT to Design LNG Carrier Tank for Hanwha Ocean
French engineering firm GTT secured a contract with South Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean to design the cryogenic tanks for a new ultra‑large LNG carrier on behalf of a European ship‑owner. The vessel will hold 174,000 cubic meters of LNG and...
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Remains Eager to Invest in Italian Offshore Wind
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is pressing the Italian government to schedule offshore wind auctions that were promised by 2028, after a 2024 law created incentives for developers. Italy still relies on natural gas for nearly half of its electricity, driving...
Mitsubishi S12R Engines Used to Repower M/V Hallie M. Merrick
Canal Barge Company has repowered its 75‑foot towboat M/V Hallie M. Merrick with two Mitsubishi S12R Tier 3 engines delivering 1,100 hp each. The upgrade, completed at Sterling Shipyard with Laborde Products, replaces the older Cummins KTA38 units and brings the vessel...
Industry, Government Leaders Convene for Innovation Café on Small Modular Reactors
The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation, together with the Maritime Administration and the American Bureau of Shipping, hosted an Innovation Café to explore Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology for maritime propulsion. The Washington, D.C. gathering brought together startups, shipyards, ports,...
DRIFT's Energy-Harvesting Vessel Concept Earns AIP
DRIFT Energy received an Approval in Principle from classification society RINA for its pioneering energy‑harvesting vessel, which aims to generate and store clean power while sailing. The design integrates hull‑mounted hydro‑kinetic turbines with onboard electrolysis to produce green hydrogen, turning...
Northern Lights CCS Fleet Grows with First Bernard Schulte's LCO2 Carrier
Bernhard Schulte has christened its first liquefied CO₂ carrier, Northern Purpose, at Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore in China. The 7,500 cubic‑meter vessel will be long‑term chartered to transport captured CO₂ from industrial sites in Northwest Europe to the Northern Lights storage hub...
UK Eases Russian Fuel Sanctions to Safeguard Diesel and Jet Supply
Britain announced a carve‑out to its Russia sanctions, allowing diesel and jet fuel refined abroad from Russian crude to be imported. The policy, championed by junior treasury minister Dan Tomlinson, aims to protect domestic supply as Brent crude hovers near...
Two Chinese VLCCs Exit Strait of Hormuz
Two Chinese very large crude carriers (VLCCs) carrying a total of four million barrels of Middle East oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after more than two months of waiting in the Gulf. The Yuan Gui Yang, chartered by Sinopec’s...
NextEra CEO Positive About Dominion Offshore Wind Project
NextEra Energy’s chief executive John Ketchum told investors that the company feels confident about Dominion Energy’s offshore wind project, even though NextEra has previously criticized the technology. The comment came during a call about NextEra’s $66.8 billion bid to acquire Dominion,...
BATTERIES: FleetZero Aims to Help Rewrite the Rules of Marine Power
FleetZero, founded by USMMA alumni Mike Carter and Steven Henderson, has moved from concept to commercial production of modular, containerized marine batteries. The Houston‑based startup has raised roughly $60 million, employs about 40 staff, and aims to manufacture 300 MWh of batteries...
Revenue for Russian LNG Exports Decreases as Shift to Asia Doubles Costs
Russia’s LNG revenue is set to fall as it redirects shipments from Europe to Asia, where logistics costs are at least twice as high. The EU will fully phase out Russian LNG by 2027, prompting Moscow to seek long‑term contracts...
Caturus Takes FID on Commonwealth LNG Project in Louisiana
Caturus announced a final investment decision for its Commonwealth LNG export project in Louisiana after securing $9.75 billion in project financing. The total capital commitments now stand at $21.25 billion for a 9.5 million‑tonne‑per‑annum facility slated to start operations in 2030. Long‑term offtake...
Wide Barge Could Reduce Crane Needs for Turbine Foundation Installation
Researchers from Aker Solutions, Sarens, BOA and SINTEF tested an extra‑wide barge that could transport and install two offshore wind turbine foundations without the need for ultra‑large crane vessels. The 166‑meter‑long, 73‑meter‑wide barge can submerge its deck 22.5 meters below the...
Australia Shortlists Renewable Hydrogen Projects for Funding Support
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has shortlisted a group of large‑scale renewable hydrogen projects for Round 2 of its Hydrogen Headstart Program, covering ammonia, alternative fuels and other end‑uses across several states. The federal budget for the program was cut...
Malaysia Seeks Compensation From Scrapped Norwegian Defense Deal
Malaysia's defence minister announced the government will seek compensation and may pursue legal action after Norway revoked export licences for a €124 million (≈$145 million) naval strike missile system. Malaysia had already paid nearly 95% of the contract value and had a...
FMC Opens Applications for New NSAC Members
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has opened applications for the National Shipper Advisory Committee (NSAC), a 24‑member federal advisory panel. The committee will consist of an equal split of exporters and importers, representing a broad cross‑section of the ocean freight...
South Korea Weighs Phased Role in Hormuz Mission
South Korea’s defense minister announced a review of a phased contribution to Strait of Hormuz security, emphasizing non‑combat support rather than troop deployment. Options under consideration include political backing, personnel dispatches, intelligence sharing, and provision of military assets. The stance...
NZ Marine Signals Cautious Confidence Amid Economic Pressures
Former Coastguard New Zealand CEO Callum Gillespie was appointed executive director of the New Zealand Marine Industry Association in late April. He highlighted the sector’s resilience despite rising fuel costs and softer consumer demand, noting that 40% of Kiwis boat each year...
China and US Agree on Opposing Hormuz Tolls, State Department Says
Senior U.S. and Chinese officials agreed that no nation may impose shipping tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a rare point of convergence amid rising tensions over Iran’s blockade. The agreement was disclosed by the State Department after a...
PD Ports Expands Operations with Third Electric Liebherr LPS 550
PD Ports has received a third Liebherr LPS 550 electric crane at Teesport, boosting its bulk‑cargo handling capacity. The 144‑ton crane’s long outreach reduces repositioning and supports heavier lifts, complementing two sister cranes added in 2023. Powered exclusively by shore electricity,...
Tech Talk: A Sea Change in Workboat Crew Comms
David Clark Company’s Series 9100 Digital System is reshaping crew communications on high‑speed workboats operating in noisy, corrosive marine environments. The solution combines a Master Station, versatile headsets and SMARTVOX noise‑cancelling VOX to deliver clear, hands‑free speech even at 55‑60 knots. Designed...
Vesselindex Report Shows Fewer Listed Dry Bulk Owners Beat Market in 2025
Vesselindex released its 2025 Performance Report covering 19 listed dry‑bulk owners (≈825 vessels). Adjusted Time Charter Equivalent earnings fell to 1.7 % in 2025 from 5.3 % in 2024, indicating a softer, more normalized market. A small group of firms still outperformed,...
SeaBot Maritime MASS Remote Operator Training Course Recognized by Maritime and Coastguard Agency
SeaBot Maritime’s MASS Remote Operator Training Course has been formally assessed and recognized by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) against the latest MGN 703 guidance. The recognition, granted after a delivery at the University of Plymouth’s Marine Station, builds...
H&K Services B.V. Acquired by Svanehoj
Svanehoj, the Danish marine pump specialist, acquired Dutch firm H&K Services B.V. on May 1, 2026, expanding its marine service and aftersales footprint in the Benelux region. H&K will operate under the Svanehoj EPS brand from its Stellendam workshop, located near the...
Vicinay Marine, Tecnalia Develop Remote Offshore Mooring Corrosion Sensor
Vicinay Marine and Spain’s research centre Tecnalia have co‑created a sensor that remotely tracks corrosion on offshore mooring lines using electrical resistance measurements. The device provides real‑time section‑loss data, models degradation trends and predicts remaining service life. Validation took place...
Berg Propulsion to Supply Systems for India’s Green Tug Pair
Berg Propulsion won a contract to supply electric propulsion and integration technology for two all‑electric harbor tugs built under India’s Green Tug Transition Program. The 33.55‑meter vessels, slated for delivery in Q4 2027, will provide 60 tonnes of bollard pull and rely...
Shell Selects New Wave Offshore for Orca Project in Santos Basin
Shell has appointed New Wave Offshore Energy to deliver marine warranty survey services for its Orca project in Brazil's pre‑salt Santos Basin. The Orca development is estimated to hold roughly 370 million barrels of recoverable resources. New Wave’s contract covers vessel...
Fuel for Thought: How Three Fifty Markets Secured Its Maritime Lien
In February 2026 the Fifth Circuit affirmed a maritime lien for UK bunker trader Three Fifty Markets after it supplied 800 metric tons of very low‑sulphur fuel oil to the M/V ARGOS M and never received payment. The court held that the...
Rescued by the Welder’s Whip and Anchored by the Painter’s Spray Gun
Amtech highlights a looming surge in U.S. shipbuilding demand as the 2027 Maritime budget earmarks $1.5 trillion for national security, including $65.8 billion for Navy shipbuilding. Rising gasoline and chemical prices, driven by Persian Gulf disruptions, are inflating construction costs—one vessel saw...
American Waterways, Global Volatility: Making the Right Policy Choices
The Biden administration extended a 60‑day Jones Act waiver for an additional 90 days, permitting foreign‑flagged vessels to move oil, natural gas, coal and fertilizer between U.S. ports. The waiver has not lowered domestic gasoline prices but creates a competitive...
We Work the Waterways Provides Workforce Development Efforts to Maritime Consortium
We Work the Waterways (WWW) has been appointed the workforce development and engagement partner for the newly launched Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, a multi‑state collaboration spanning Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri. The consortium...
US Representative Salud Carbajal Recognized by International Propeller Club
U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D‑CA‑24) was honored with the International Propeller Club’s Frank Courtenay “Salute to Congress” Award for his leadership on maritime legislation. He has shepherded key bills such as the Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act, the Small Passenger Vessel...
Oil Prices Rise As US-Iran Fighting Continues
Brent crude jumped to $101.47 a barrel and WTI to $95.71 after the United States and Iran exchanged air strikes, reigniting fears over the Strait of Hormuz and the cease‑fire. Traders priced in potential supply disruptions, pushing prices up as...
Suspected Oil Spill Visible on Satellite Images Near Kharg Island Export Hub
Satellite imagery from Copernicus’s Sentinel fleet shows a grey‑white slick covering about 45 sq km of water west of Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil‑export hub. Researchers confirm the visual pattern matches crude oil, potentially the largest spill since the U.S.–Israel...
Hantavirus-Infected Cruise Ship Part of Antarctic Tourism Trend
A deadly hantavirus strain infected passengers on the Dutch‑flagged cruise ship *Hondius*, killing three and confirming five cases as the vessel traversed the South Atlantic toward Antarctica. Tourist arrivals to the Antarctic Peninsula have surged, climbing from 37,000 in 2015...
Fishermen Find Ukrainian-Made Naval Drone in Greek Island Cave
Greek authorities are probing a Ukrainian‑made MAGURA V3 unmanned surface vehicle discovered by fishermen in a cave on Lefkada. Preliminary analysis shows the drone carried three detonators and may have been loaded with explosives. Investigators are assessing whether the device...
First Person: Exploring the Nile River
Traveling the Nile on a traditional dhahabiya, the author reflects on the river’s 5,000‑year legacy of supporting Egypt’s civilization. Historically, the Nile’s reliable floods and safe lower valley enabled agricultural surpluses and the rise of a centralized state. Today, the...
ABS, HD KSOE Collaborate for Digital Shipbuilding, Vessel Intelligence
ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop digital technologies that enhance safety and performance across the vessel value chain. The partnership will create Digital Threads for secure data flow, explore 3‑D...
TSS Cruiser CSOV Ready to Support Taiwan's Offshore Wind Projects
Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM), a joint venture of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Taiwan’s Ta Tong Marine, has taken delivery of the TSS Cruiser, a new commissioning service operation vessel built by Damen in Vietnam. The vessel expands crew capacity to...
Australian Quantum Technology to Support National Defence Strategy
Australia’s QuantX Labs has launched TEMPO, a quantum clock that delivers up to ten times the precision of conventional GNSS timing systems, now operating in orbit. The technology promises more resilient communications, accurate navigation and robust satellite‑ground synchronization, especially when...
South Korea Could Be Asia’s Green Ammonia Hub
South Korea’s Lotte Fine Chemical completed the world’s first commercial cross‑border import of green ammonia, sourced from Envision’s Chifeng Net Zero Industrial Park in Inner Mongolia. The ammonia was stored at Ulsan’s largest terminal and used in the first ammonia...
US Says It Carried Out Retaliatory Strikes Against Iran
The U.S. Central Command announced retaliatory strikes against Iran on Thursday, hitting missile‑launch sites, drone facilities, and command‑and‑control nodes it said were responsible for attacks on three U.S. destroyers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had earlier fired missiles, drones...
Captain Rick Iuliucci Retires From Vane Brothers
Vane Brothers announced that Captain Rick Iuliucci, its Vice President of Operations, will retire effective July 1, with a Change of Command ceremony on June 1. The company named Brendan MacGillivray as its new Chief Operating Officer, supported by Brian Rau as Vice...
ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries to Advance Autonomous Surface Vessels
ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop autonomous surface vessels. The agreement creates an end‑to‑end pipeline covering ship design, construction, AI‑driven autonomy and classification certification. ABS will provide classification and technical advisory services,...