Gearing up for MEPC 84
Shipping industry bodies including BIMCO, CLIA and INTERTANKO reiterated their commitment to the IMO’s 2023 GHG reduction strategy, despite the October 2025 postponement of new IMO emissions regulations following U.S. pressure. They have collectively invested billions in alternative‑fuel trials and technology, but the delay has cast doubt on the timeline for achieving net‑zero by 2050. Everllence announced a successful factory acceptance test of its first ammonia‑burning engine built by Hyundai Heavy Industries’ licensee in South Korea, highlighting ongoing innovation. Meanwhile, Pacific Island leaders warned that powerful states are attempting to sabotage shipping decarbonisation ahead of the MEPC 84 meeting.
Chris-Marine Introduces Engine Insights Digitalization Solution for Cylinder Condition
Chris-Marine AB launched Engine Insights, a digital platform that transforms raw cylinder condition measurements into instant, standardized reports. Technicians can upload data from tools like LDM, LCC, CTM and Replica Test, generating reports in minutes instead of the typical 4–6...
Kongsberg Maritime Begins Trading on the Oslo Stock Exchange
Kongsberg Maritime ASA, the maritime‑technology arm of Kongsberg Gruppen, started trading on the Euronext Oslo exchange on April 23 under the ticker KMAR. The spin‑off gives the company a standalone public market profile while retaining its global footprint of 35 countries...
Senator Todd Young Receives Legislator of the Year Award for Great Lakes Advocacy
Senator Todd Young received the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force Legislator of the Year award on April 22, 2026, recognizing his advocacy for the Great Lakes navigation system and maritime revitalization. He has pushed for a second U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker to...
Iranian Swarms of Fast Boats Used to Seize Container Ships Add to Shipping Threats
Iran has revived swarms of fast‑attack boats to seize two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz, challenging U.S. claims that its navy has been neutralized. The small craft, armed with machine guns, rockets and occasional anti‑ship missiles, are now...
Wärtsilä, Erik Thun Agree Overhaul Partnership for Fleet Support
Wärtsilä has signed a long‑term overhaul agreement with Sweden’s Erik Thun Group, covering maintenance, field services, workshop support and spare‑parts supply for the operator’s 50‑vessel fleet. The deal, developed with MF Shipping Group, targets engines, propulsion systems and shaft line...
US Navy Secretary Phelan Fired
U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired on Wednesday, the latest senior Pentagon dismissal under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Officials say his removal stemmed from slow progress on shipbuilding reforms and deteriorating relationships with senior defense leaders. Acting Navy secretary...
MOL Secures Approval for Wind-Assisted LCO2 Carrier Design
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has secured an approval in principle from ClassNK for a new liquefied CO₂ carrier equipped with wind‑assisted propulsion. Developed with Samsung Heavy Industries, the vessel features three Wind Challenger rigid sails and a cargo capacity of...
Bound4blue Installs Wind Propulsion System on KCC’s Vessel Newbuild
Wind propulsion specialist bound4blue has finished fitting two 24‑metre eSAIL suction sails on the newbuild MV Baltazar for Klaveness Combination Carriers. The installation, carried out at New Yangzi Shipbuilding in China, is the first time the company’s locally manufactured suction sails...
Bureau Veritas Expands Offshore Services with New Asia Hub
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has opened an Offshore Center of Excellence in the Asia‑Pacific region, uniting teams in Singapore, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur with its global technical network. The hub will deliver classification, certification, verification and advisory services for...
Fincantieri to Upgrade PPA Vessels with Combat Systems
Italy’s shipbuilder Fincantieri has secured a contract with European procurement agency OCCAR to upgrade the PPA‑class multipurpose combat ships to a full combat system configuration. The deal, part of a temporary consortium with Leonardo, allocates roughly $73 million (about €62 million) to...
Light Structures Launches Virtual Monitoring System for Vessel Integrity
Norway’s Light Structures has introduced ARGUS‑VM, a virtual structural health monitoring system that eliminates the need for onboard sensors. The platform integrates vessel tracking, wave models and digital twins to estimate hull loads and fatigue, delivering near‑real‑time health indicators via...
NYK Launches Oil Analysis Service for Ammonia-Fueled Engines
Japan’s NYK Group has introduced a lubricating oil analysis service tailored for ammonia‑fueled marine engines. Developed by its subsidiary Nippon Yuka Kogyo, the service uses oil samples to spot early signs of wear and abnormal conditions, enhancing engine reliability. The...
Bourbon Expands Fleet with 13 Vessels Worth over $180M
Bourbon has added 13 offshore vessels valued at over $180 million since the start of 2026, boosting its fleet for oil, gas and wind projects. Ten of the ships are already under contract, reflecting robust demand for offshore support vessels. The...
Golden Pass Texas Facility Ready for Inaugural LNG Export
Golden Pass LNG in Texas received its first export cargo as the Al Qaiyyah tanker, owned by QatarEnergy, docked on Monday. The plant, which began production earlier this year after years of delays and cost overruns, processed 400 million cubic feet of...
Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach Renew Green Corridor Agreement
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, together with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, has renewed its three‑year memorandum of understanding to advance a green and digital shipping corridor across the trans‑Pacific trade lane. Since the corridor’s...
Everllence Ammonia Engine Passes Factory Acceptance Test
Everllence announced the successful factory acceptance test of its first dual‑fuel ammonia‑burning engine, the B&W 6G60ME‑LGIA, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries' licensee in South Korea. The engine will power a vessel for Singapore‑based Eastern Pacific Shipping, slated for delivery in October 2026,...
Rio Tinto Charters Two Methanol-Capable Newcastlemax Bulk Carriers
Rio Tinto has signed a charter agreement with Japanese shipowner NS United Kaiun Kaisha to lease two dual‑fuel Newcastlemax bulk carriers equipped for methanol operation, with deliveries slated for 2028 onward. The contract is part of Rio Tinto’s broader strategy...
Chile to US Fruit Trade Down
Cool Carriers, the world’s largest reefer vessel operator, posted strong results for the 2025/26 summer season despite a sharp decline in Chilean fruit export demand to the United States. The subsidiary moved 260,000 pallets of cherries, blueberries, grapes and stone...
Shipping Industry Reaffirms Support for IMO-Led GHG Pathway
Leading maritime trade groups—including BIMCO, CLIA, and INTERTANKO—issued a joint statement backing the International Maritime Organization’s greenhouse‑gas (GHG) pathway ahead of the MEPC 84 meeting. The associations reaffirm commitment to the 2023 IMO strategy, citing billions of dollars already spent on...
Iraq Reopens Rabia Border Crossing with Syria to Support Fuel Exports
Iraq has reopened the Rabia border crossing with Syria after more than a decade, reviving overland fuel‑oil exports. The move aims to alleviate backlogs at the al‑Waleed crossing and offset Gulf shipping disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure....
US Coast Guard Continues to Provide Technical Support for Nigeria Port Security Compliance
The U.S. Coast Guard sent a delegation led by Chief Bryan Ullmer on a five‑day assessment of five major Lagos ports to gauge compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The team praised Nigeria’s progress while...
Ships Sailing Through Hormuz Need Prior Coordination with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorps
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that all commercial vessels must obtain prior coordination before transiting the Strait of Hormuz, though the waterway remains technically open. The coordination includes approval from the IRGC and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, with...
PSA Marine Receives 16th Z-Tech 6000 Tug
In 2024 Cheoy Lee Shipyards delivered the first Robert Allan Z‑Tech 6000 tug, PSA Gemini, to Singapore’s PSA Marine. The 16th and final unit, PSA Nebula, has now left the Hong Kong yard, completing the contract. The Z‑Tech series now serves PSA’s...
Fincantieri, NCL Launch Cruise Ship Newbuild Ahead of 2027 Delivery
Italy’s Fincantieri and Norwegian Cruise Line have launched the 170,000‑tonne Norwegian Aura at the Monfalcone yard, kicking off its final outfitting ahead of a spring 2027 delivery. The ship, 344 m long, is about 10% larger than earlier Prima Plus‑class vessels and carries 1,976...
Astro Offshore Expands Subsea Capability with New MPSV
Astro Offshore has bolstered its subsea fleet with the addition of the Energy Savannah, to be renamed Astro Atlas, a 97‑metre DP2 multi‑purpose support vessel. The ship features a 150‑tonne active heave‑compensated crane, a secondary 25‑tonne crane, a moonpool and...
Europe Can Help Clear Mines in Strait of Hormuz, France Says
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin announced that Belgium, the Netherlands and France have mine‑clearance assets that could escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The capability is defensive, not offensive, and will be discussed at a Paris meeting of...
North Star Bolsters Leadership Team to Support Offshore Wind Growth
North Star, the UK‑based shipowner and offshore wind service provider, has added three senior executives: Duncan Palmer as its first Chief Human Resources Officer, Joanna Lang as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, and Kenneth Coughlan as Chief Technology Officer. The appointments are...
Perdana Petroleum Wins AHTS Vessel Contracts From Petronas
Perdana Petroleum’s wholly owned unit, Perdana Nautika, received work orders on April 8 to supply two anchor handling tug and supply (AHTS) vessels to Petronas Carigali. The charters span 303 days and 224 days, each with an optional 40‑day extension, and...
How the MV Estonia Disaster Reshaped Passenger Ship Safety
The 1994 sinking of the ro‑ro ferry MV Estonia, which claimed 852 of the 989 people aboard, exposed critical flaws in passenger‑ship stability assessments. The tragedy sparked a continent‑wide research effort and resulted in the Stockholm Agreement, obligating ferries to...
Holland America Line to Upgrade Six Ships
Holland America Line announced Holland America Evolution, a multiyear $500 million program to overhaul six vessels – the four Vista‑class ships and two Signature‑class ships. The upgrades will add new dining venues, expanded stateroom and suite categories, and a total of...
Seaspan Marine Sells Chip and Hog Fuel Barge Division
Seaspan Marine has agreed to sell its legacy chip and hog fuel barge division and remaining forestry‑industry transportation assets to Hodder Tugboat. The deal includes the workforce, coastal and river tugs, barges, and maintenance facilities. Customers relying on the service...
ZIM CEO Glickman Announces Departure
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services announced that President and CEO Eli Glickman will step down, remaining in the role for a six‑month transition period. The board will begin a search for his successor within weeks. Glickman highlighted the company’s dramatic turnaround...
Evolving Cyber Risk Driven by User Credentials and Human Error
Marlink’s Cyber Intelligence Report for Remote Operations 2026 reveals a decisive shift toward identity‑based cyber threats across maritime, energy, enterprise and critical‑infrastructure sectors. The study, based on continuous SOC monitoring and over 200 security assessments, finds that 69% of observed risks...
European Industrial Leaders Aim to Accelerate Clean Hydrogen
The European Resilience Alliance for Clean Hydrogen & Derivatives (ERA) was launched in the European Parliament on April 14, bringing together 11 leading industrial CEOs to coordinate Europe’s clean‑hydrogen strategy. ERA will act as a unified voice to policymakers and align...
Zelim’s ZOE Man-Overboard Detection System Becomes First Fully Certified Solution
Zelim’s AI‑enabled ZOE man‑overboard detection system earned ISO 21195:2020 certification from Lloyd’s Register after a 90‑day sea trial on Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition vessel. The system logged a 97% detection rate in simulated tests, surpassing the standard’s minimum requirement. ZOE is...
New Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Transported to Stockholm by Sea
A new 230‑metre pedestrian and cycle bridge for Stockholm’s Slussen district arrived by sea from Poland on April 12. The structure was delivered in six sections, the largest weighing 152 tons, using the Commander 1 vessel towing the Carrier 17 barge. After being lifted...
DNV Paper Finds That Existing LNG Infrastructure Can Ease Transition to Low‑GHG Methane
Demand for low‑GHG methane is rising as the LNG‑fuelled fleet faces tighter emissions rules. With about 800 LNG‑capable vessels already operating and 600 more on order, the sector has a mature technical base and global bunkering network. DNV’s white paper...
Amtech Issues RFP for Microcontainer Feeder Vessels
Alternative Marine Technologies (Amtech) has issued a request for proposals to three major U.S. shipbuilders for a 2+2 series of 230‑TEU microcontainer feeder vessels. The ships will be built to the Conoship CIP230TEU design, which is already in service in...
Shipbuilding: Changing Shipyard Dynamics in Japan
Japan’s shipbuilding sector has seen its global market share plunge from roughly 40% in the 1990s to about 10% today, as China and South Korea dominate new‑build orders. A new government‑backed Shipbuilding Industry Revitalization Roadmap aims to double annual construction...
Meyer Turku: Cruise Vessel Demand Drives Strong Orderbook
Meyer Turku posted a 17% revenue jump to €2.14 bn (about $2.3 bn) and adjusted EBIT of €105.1 m ($115 m) in 2025, signaling a solid post‑pandemic rebound. The yard delivered *Star of the Seas*, the second Icon‑class cruise ship for Royal Caribbean, and...
Anschütz SYNAPSIS Nav Tech for New Multipurpose Vessel
Anschütz has secured a contract to provide Integrated Navigation and Bridge Systems (INBS) for three multipurpose vessels built for Germany’s Waterways and Shipping Administration at the Abeking & Rasmussen shipyard. The first vessel, Scharhörn, has completed sea trials and is...
Wallenius Lines Acquires Wallenius SOL, Becomes Sole Owner
Wallenius Lines has agreed to purchase SOL Group’s stake in joint venture Wallenius SOL, making it the sole owner. The deal secures long‑term stability and continuity for the company, which builds and maintains sea‑based logistics infrastructure across the Gulf of...
Iran-Linked Tankers Sail Through Hormuz Before US Blockade
Two tankers tied to Iran slipped through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, exiting the Gulf just before the United States initiates a blockade of Iranian ports and coastal facilities. The vessel Auroura was loaded with Iranian oil products, while...
The IWH Group Launches Blue Future to Help Maritime SMEs Repair Digital Readiness Gap
The IWH Group has introduced Blue Future, a consulting service aimed at marine and offshore SMEs that need to bridge a widening digital readiness gap. The offering evaluates existing workflows, legacy systems and reporting structures, then crafts a realistic target...
Port Tampa Bay Welcomes Container Vessel with Largest Carrying Capacity
Port Tampa Bay received the ZIM Canada, a 1,083‑foot container ship carrying 11,900 TEUs, marking the largest vessel ever handled at the facility. The arrival highlights the port’s shift toward accommodating ultra‑large container ships. Federal officials announced $10 million for the...
US Considers Extending Russian Oil Waiver as Prices Spike During Iran Conflict
The Trump administration is poised to extend a 30‑day waiver that lets countries purchase sanctioned Russian oil at sea, a measure that currently expires on April 11. The waiver would free roughly 100 million barrels—about one day of global output—as oil prices...
Pakistan Navy Evacuates Merchant Ship Crew
Pakistan’s navy responded to a distress call in the North Arabian Sea, rescuing 18 crew members from the merchant vessel GOLD AUTUMN. The rescued sailors, hailing from China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia, were airlifted to Karachi. Upon arrival they...
USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Prepares for April 9 Commissioning
The U.S. Navy will commission the Arleigh Burke‑class destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) on April 11, 2026, at Naval Station Norfolk. The ship is the latest Flight IIA‑configuration destroyer, representing the newest batch of guided‑missile platforms. The ceremony will be livestreamed via DVIDS, with senior...
Saturn Launched, First in New RAL Rapport 3000 Escort Tug Series
Master Boat Builders launched Saturn, the first H500 vessel in the Rapport 3000 escort tug series for Suderman & Young Towing. The 98‑foot tug delivers over 90 metric tons of bollard pull with 7,000 hp, cruising around 13 knots and carrying 44,342...