Vellis Family in for Pair of LR2s at Hyundai Philippines
Greek shipping group Delia, backed by the Vellis family, has placed an order for two new LR2 product carriers at Hyundai’s Subic shipyard in the Philippines. The 115,000‑dwt vessels are valued at roughly $76 million each, with deliveries slated for 2028 and 2029. Although neither party has confirmed the contract, the deal signals Delia’s continued expansion of its tanker portfolio, which already includes two Aframaxes and an MR2. The order underscores growing new‑build activity in Asian yards as global tanker demand recovers.
Subsea7 Bags Chevron Job Offshore Equatorial Guinea
Subsea7 has been awarded a substantial subsea installation contract by Noble Energy, a Chevron affiliate, for the Aseng gas monetisation project offshore Equatorial Guinea. The contract, valued between $150 million and $300 million, covers a single‑well tie‑back that will connect the Aseng...
BRS Exposes the Scale of the Challenge Facing Trump’s Maritime Ambitions
BRS Group’s annual shipping markets review finds the United States controls less than 1% of the global commercial shipbuilding market and scores just 46 out of 100, tying with Vietnam and far behind China’s 96. US new‑build prices are three...
Geneva Dry Dialogues: Veson Nautical
Russ Hubbard, chief commercial officer of Veson Nautical, warns that generic large language models lack the depth required for maritime operations and advocates purpose‑built AI solutions. Veson is embedding specialized AI into its commercial management platform, emphasizing verified, secure data...
Hapag-Lloyd Raises Baxi Stake to 50%
Hapag‑Lloyd has raised its equity in Indian logistics group JM Baxi to a 50 percent stake, confirming the move in its 2025 annual report. The carrier now controls the newly created JM Baxi Container Holdings through a board majority, while retaining...
MPC Capital and Wilhelmsen Launch Vessel IT Venture
German asset manager MPC Capital and Wilhelmsen Ship Management have launched Waterway IT, a standalone venture delivering fully managed onboard IT services. The joint venture went live on April 1, consolidating the IT operations of both firms onto a single global...
Singapore Launches Red Flag Guide to Help Shipping Industry Detect Wildlife Trafficking in Containers
Singapore has unveiled a Red Flag Compendium to help maritime supply‑chain actors spot illegal wildlife trafficking in containerised cargo. Developed by the National Parks Board, TRAFFIC, WWF and the World Shipping Council, the guide translates global best practices into Singapore‑specific...
The Rise of Hydrogen in Short Sea Shipping
Hydrogen fuel‑cell technology is moving from demo projects to early commercial use in short‑sea shipping, where vessels like ferries and workboats need flexible, low‑emission power. Operators are adopting on‑demand hydrogen generation to avoid large storage tanks and under‑developed bunkering infrastructure....
Venergy Lifts MR Options at K Shipbuilding
Greek owner Venergy Maritime has firmed up options for two additional 50,000‑dwt MR product tankers at South Korea’s K Shipbuilding. The options raise its total MR orderbook at the yard to eight vessels, with the new pair slated for delivery...
Pan Ocean Adds VLCC Newbuild to Growing Tanker Play
South Korea’s Pan Ocean announced a $121.8 million order for a new VLCC, slated for delivery in December 2029, with the option to convert the vessel to run on ammonia. The deal follows earlier 2025 purchases of two VLCCs at roughly $127 million...
Sweden’s Top Port Lines up Next Phase of Expansion
Sweden’s Port of Gothenburg has secured a SEK 684 million ($71.5 million) land deal with property firm Platzer, unlocking up to 210,000 sq m of new terminal space. The acquisition includes office buildings and water areas and dovetails with the ongoing westward expansion and Stena...
Navigating the Rise of Subjective Injury Claims in the Maritime Industry
Shipowners are facing a surge in subjective injury claims, especially for pain and suffering, with some verdicts exceeding $10 million. Courts see more nuclear verdicts driven by emotional narratives and per‑minute suffering calculations. Traumatic brain injury cases are particularly complex, relying...
Chiyoda and NYK Chase Carbon Capture Business Around the World
Japanese engineering giant Chiyoda Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding with shipping leader Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and its subsidiary Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers (KNCC) to pursue carbon capture and storage projects worldwide. The trio previously completed a 2024...
Erasmus Lines up Kamsarmax Series at New Hantong
Athens‑based Erasmus Shipinvest has placed an order for up to eight kamsarmax newbuilds at China’s Jiangsu New Hantong Ship Heavy Industry, breaking its long‑standing reliance on Japanese yards. The firm order includes four 82,000 dwt vessels priced at about $37 million each,...
Schoeller Books More MPP Tonnage in China
Cyprus‑based Schoeller Holdings has placed a new order for two 32,000‑dwt multipurpose heavylift vessels with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding in Guangzhou. The ships are slated for delivery in 2029, continuing Schoeller’s ordering streak that began in 2008 and has already...
Why Crew Feedback Is the Missing Link in Maritime Operations
Modern maritime vessels generate abundant telemetry, yet crew experience remains invisible, creating "fleet blindness"—a disconnect between shore‑based data and onboard reality. Anonymous feedback mechanisms, such as VIKAND’s crew‑intelligence solution, capture frontline insights on fatigue, workload, and safety culture before incidents...
Seacon Lifts Four MPP Newbuilds in $44m Fleet Play
Seacon Shipping, listed in Hong Kong, has taken over contracts for four 5,200‑dwt multipurpose dry‑cargo vessels, a deal valued at $44.4 million. The ships are being built by Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry, a subsidiary of Shenzhen‑listed Bestway Marine, with deliveries scheduled...
SITC Exercises Options for Six Boxships at Yangzijiang
SITC International exercised options for six 1,100‑TEU feeder vessels, a $137 million deal with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. The ships, priced at roughly $22.8 million each, are slated for delivery between March and August 2028. This move expands SITC’s owned fleet, which already includes about...
Splash Wrap: Iran Stalemate Weighs Heavily on Bunkers
The Hormuz shipping crisis has stalled vessel traffic, raising global bunker shortages. Ukraine’s drone attacks have crippled about 40% of Russia’s oil export capacity, tightening crude markets. Korean‑owned Sinokor is buying three 10‑year‑old suezmaxes at roughly $82 million each, expanding its...
Norsepower and COSCO Team up to Mass-Produce Rotor Sails
Finnish wind‑propulsion firm Norsepower has signed a long‑term agreement with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Equipment (CHIC) to mass‑produce its rotor‑sail technology. The partnership expands beyond an initial MOU to include manufacturing, sales, installation, service, and joint engineering development. Norsepower supplies...
Norden Moves Into Ice-Class with LKAB Deal and Newbuild Order
Denmark‑based shipping group Norden is entering the ice‑class market by securing a long‑term cargo contract with Swedish miner LKAB and ordering two new multipurpose vessels. The 10‑year contract covers bentonite shipments from Greece to northern Sweden, prompting Norden to commission...
EU Vessel Sanctions and the Politics of Administrative Overreach
The EU has expanded its vessel sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet to almost 600 ships in less than a year, turning a targeted measure into a broad programme. Listings are based largely on limited data sources such as Equasis, AIS...
Maran Gas Doubles Down with Fresh LNG Carrier Order
Greek carrier Maran Gas Maritime has placed an order with South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean for two new LNG carriers, each with a capacity of 174,000 cubic metres. The contract, valued at roughly $505 million, targets delivery in May 2029. This order...
BW and Scorpio Back Cadeler’s Fresh Capital Raise for Fleet Growth
Cadeler, the Copenhagen‑based offshore wind vessel operator, secured roughly $203 million in fresh equity, with BW Altor contributing $70 million and Scorpio $40 million. The capital will fund two T‑class wind foundation installation vessels and a possible scour‑protection vessel conversion. Existing investors now...
Alba Tankers Gets New Owners
Denmark‑based shipping firm Alba Tankers has been acquired by Zeaside Capital Partners, which partnered with Danish and international investors to take control. The transaction adds Alba’s nine sub‑20,000 dwt vessels and its Gothenburg‑based commercial platform to Zeaside’s portfolio, giving the newly‑formed...
FLNG Specialist Golar Reviews Future Path
Golar LNG has launched a formal strategic review, hiring Goldman Sachs as financial advisor to explore options such as a sale, merger, asset divestiture or corporate restructuring. The review will assess the company’s entire platform, including its two operating FLNG...
Gulf Tensions Force Arabian Drilling to Suspend Ops on some Offshore Rigs
Saudi Arabia’s largest drilling contractor, Arabian Drilling, announced the suspension of several offshore rigs in the Gulf due to heightened regional tensions, while its on‑shore fleet of 39 rigs remains fully operational. The move follows a similar short‑term shutdown by...
COSCO Resumes Gulf Bookings
China’s state‑backed COSCO Shipping Lines announced it will resume new bookings for standard freight containers from the Far East to the Gulf, covering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq. The decision reverses a March 4 suspension triggered by...
The World Is Watching Shipping — Now What?
The Maritime Attention Index (MAI) shows five spikes in public interest over the past five years, with two occurring in early 2026 due to sanctioned tanker seizures and the Hormuz closure. The index, which aggregates Google searches, Wikipedia views, social...
Registration Opens for Splash Singapore
Registration opened for Splash Singapore, the first edition of an Asia‑focused shipowner conference slated for September 24 at Singapore’s Fairmont Hotel. The event, built on eight Maritime CEO Forum editions, promises a slide‑free, sales‑free format featuring senior CEOs from Performance Shipping,...
Gulf Energy Maritime in for MR Tanker Series at HD Hyundai
Dubai‑based Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) has placed a $300 million order for six 50,000‑dwt medium‑range product tankers, split evenly between HD Hyundai’s Korean and Vietnamese shipyards. The vessels are slated for delivery between 2027 and 2029, expanding GEM’s fleet beyond ten...
Restis Family Backs Fresh Tanker Order in Korea
Greek tanker owner Golden Energy Management, controlled by the Restis family, has placed a new 157,000‑dwt suezmax order with South Korea’s DH Shipbuilding for approximately $89.5 million, with delivery slated for 2029. This contract brings the company's total Korean‑built suezmax orders...
UK Chamber of Shipping Names Shell Executive as New President
The UK Chamber of Shipping elected Shell executive Karrie Trauth as its new president, succeeding JB Rae Smith after a turbulent two‑year term. Trauth brings over three decades of experience in ship design, digitalisation, decarbonisation and maritime safety, having joined Shell’s senior...
Ukraine Targets Ust-Luga
Ukraine’s armed forces escalated their campaign against Russian energy infrastructure by launching drone strikes on the Baltic Sea port of Ust‑Luga. The attack sparked a large fire and video footage released by the Leningrad region governor shows significant damage to...
HD Hyundai to Export Know-How in Pivot From Building Ships to Building Shipyards
HD Hyundai announced a strategic shift to commercialize its shipyard expertise, adding digital engineering and manufacturing platforms to its corporate purpose. The company will offer end‑to‑end shipyard construction services and smart‑factory solutions, including AI‑driven design tools, real‑time monitoring, and robotic...
Celsius Linked to Fresh LNG Carrier Order at Samsung Heavy
Denmark’s Celsius Tankers has secured a new order for two 180,000 m³ LNG carriers from Samsung Heavy Industries, valued at roughly KRW 770 billion ($514 million). The vessels are scheduled for delivery through September 2028, adding to Celsius’s existing portfolio of about 24...
Zhejiang Shipping Group Expands Capesize Fleet with Second Acquisition
Zhejiang Shipping Group has acquired its second capesize bulk carrier, the 2012‑built Densa Shark renamed ZH Hangzhou, adding a 179,200 dwt vessel to its fleet. The deal, valued at $32.5 million and including a six‑month time charter, was priced below the vessel’s...
Sea Cargo Charter Leaders Warn Against Decarbonisation Slowdown
Shipping leaders warned that scaling back decarbonisation amid IMO regulatory delays would jeopardise long‑term competitiveness. The Sea Cargo Charter, now with 33 charterers and operators, provides a voluntary framework to measure and disclose emissions. Signatories are reporting more than 90%...
2000-Built VLCC Sold for Further Trading
The 26‑year‑old Hitachi‑built VLCC Kin A, a 298,000 dwt tanker, has been sold to undisclosed interests and renamed Helga. The vessel, flagged in Comoros, is now unclassed after its Bureau Veritas class was withdrawn and is anchored in southern China. No...
Conflicting Hormuz Claims Leave Shipping in Limbo and Markets Swinging
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a five‑day pause on military strikes against Iranian energy assets, claiming productive talks toward ending the Middle East conflict, while Iran refuted any negotiations. Analysts say the Strait of Hormuz remains only partially open, with...
New Footage Exposes Conditions on Livestock Ship Stuck for Weeks
Fresh video from the livestock carrier Spiridon II reveals dire conditions after the ship spent weeks stranded off Turkey with nearly 3,000 cattle. Documentation disputes left about 500 animals missing from official lists, forcing a prolonged offshore wait. The footage shows...
Russia Builds LNG Dark Fleet
Russia is expanding its clandestine LNG shipping network by acquiring three 20‑year‑old carriers that have been transferred to a newly created Turkish company and reflagged under Sierra Leone. The vessels are currently idle, sailing in ballast around the Cape of...
ONE Buys Into Busan Terminal Owned by HMM Suitor
Ocean Network Express (ONE) has secured an indirect equity stake in Dongwon Global Terminal Busan, cementing a long‑term partnership with South Korea’s Dongwon Group. The deal gives ONE direct access to Busan, the country’s premier transshipment hub, and aligns it...
TS Lines Expands Boxship Orderbook with $168m Mawei Deal
Taiwanese carrier TS Lines has placed a $168.6 million order for four 2,900 TEU containerships from Fujian Mawei Shipyard, with delivery expected by May 2029. The contract brings the total number of 2,900 TEU vessels ordered from Mawei to six, adding to a pair...
Fredriksen Back in Dry Bulk Newbuilds with up to Eight Newcastlemaxes
John Fredriksen’s Seatankers Management has placed a firm order for four 210,000‑dwt Newcastlemax vessels, with options for four more, at China’s Panjin Dajin Offshore. The ships are priced at roughly $73.5 million each, bringing the confirmed contract value to just under...
Bruton Bolsters VLCC Pipeline with Four-Ship Order at CIMC Raffles
Tor Olav Trøim‑backed Bruton has placed an order for four new VLCCs at Yantai’s CIMC Raffles. The vessels, based on the MARIC 319,000 dwt design with open‑loop scrubbers, are slated for delivery between January and July 2028 at $124.75 million each, totaling just...
Purus Adds to Samsung Heavy LNG Series
Singapore‑based gas owner Purus has exercised an option for an additional LNG carrier with Samsung Heavy Industries, pricing the contract at KRW 377.9 bn (about $252 m) and targeting delivery in Q2 2029. The newbuild follows a prior $503 m order for two 174,000‑cu m vessels...
BW Trims Navigator Gas Stake in $140m Share Sale
Singapore’s BW Group has off‑loaded more than half of its Navigator Gas holding, selling 8 million shares for roughly $140 million at $17.50 each, representing about 12.3% of the float. Navigator repurchased 3.5 million of those shares through a cash‑backed buyback. The transaction...
Will It Be Onwards and Upwards for the Dry Bulk Market in 2026?
Dry bulk freight surged in Q1 2026, with the Baltic Dry Index hitting 1,906 points—more than double the same period in 2025. Strong Chinese iron‑ore imports, record‑high Pilbara throughput, and a seasonal bauxite peak lifted capesize demand, while limited new...
Cadeler Arm Wins Offshore Wind O&M Deals in Japan and Taiwan
Cadeler’s service arm Nexra has landed two firm offshore wind operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts in Japan and Taiwan. The Japan contract, slated to begin in spring 2026, will run for one to two months and be executed by the...
