European News
Oil Prices Rise 3%, Iran Remains Undecided About Attending US Peace Talks
Oil prices pared gains on Tuesday after briefly climbing above $100 a barrel following an announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump that he was extending a ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal.Brent crude futures were volatile, settling up about 3% on Tuesday and then climbing further to rise more than 5% to a session high of $101.15 after reports that U.S. Vice President JD Vance had called off his trip to Islamabad for peace talks with Iran.Prices later retreated…
Hyke Electric Ferry Pilot Sees Success in Norwegian Public Transport
After 14 months in daily public transport service in Fredrikstad, Hyke’s fully electric F-15 Shuttle has demonstrated low energy consumption, strong passenger demand, and a compelling case for electric ferries as a cost-effective urban mobility solution.Traffic jams plague cities worldwide, yet their waterways remain underused. After successful public transport, Norwegian tech company Hyke has shown there’s a better alternative to building bridges or tunnels by unlocking the potential of water and existing urban infrastructure.Between April 2024 and July 2025…
France and Greece to Renew Defense Pact
French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Greece next week to renew a security pact between the two countries against the backdrop of the war in Iran, a Greek government official said on Sunday.France and Greece, long-standing NATO allies, signed a security and defense agreement in 2021, which required them to come to each other's aid if attacked and included the purchase of three French-made frigates and around 24 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets by Athens.Macron's visit to Greece on April 24-25 will renew the agreement for a further five years, with an automatic renewal thereafter, th
US Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship, Tehran Vows Retaliation
Concerns grew on Monday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran might not hold after the U.S. said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade and Iran vowed to retaliate.Efforts to build a more lasting peace in the region likewise appeared to be on shaky ground, as Iran said it would not participate in a second round of negotiations that the U.S. had hoped to kick off before the ceasefire expires on Tuesday.The U.S. has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports…
Europe Can Help Clear Mines in Strait of Hormuz, France Says
European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and France have mine clearance capacity which could help secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin told French TV station TF1 on Friday."There are capabilities to provide fully supported escort services – that is to say, in no way offensive, of course – for ships to ensure safe passage through the strait; that is what will be debated today in Paris," she added.France and Britain are set to chair on Friday a meeting of around 40 countries aimed at signalling to the United States that some of its clo
ABS, UNITED WATERWAYS Collaborate on Coastal, Inland Maritime Training
ABS and UNITED WATERWAYS (UW) have signed a letter of intent to establish a joint venture with River Academy, UW’s training and education subsidiary, to support crew competence and qualification across the European inland barge, river cruise and coastal vessel sectors.The collaboration will enhance workforce readiness as European operators navigate evolving safety and decarbonization requirements in cruise, freight, and ferry shipping. Training programs align with recognized regional and national standards and continue to support consistent…
US-Sanctioned Russian LNG Makes Its Way to India
A cargo of liquefied natural gas from Russia's Portovaya plant on the Baltic Sea that is under U.S. sanctions is on its way to India, LSEG shipping data showed on Wednesday.If it reaches its destination, it would be the first such delivery to India since U.S. President Donald Trump last year said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would stop buying Russian energy.India has never publicly confirmed any such pledge and has said its buying decisions are guided by price, supply security and consumer interests.
Cruise Shipbuilding Keeps European Yards Busy to mid-2030s
A flourishing cruise market and European shipbuilders’ unerring contractual success in the sector has taken orderbooks into the middle of the next decade, ensuring production continuity and underpinning fresh capital expenditure and R&D commitments by the continent’s foremost players.Just how important the segment is to the industry and supply chain may be gauged from the fact that at least three-quarters of the value of European yards’ commercial orderbooks is attributable to…
European Industrial Leaders Aim to Accelerate Clean Hydrogen
The European Resilience Alliance for Clean Hydrogen & Derivatives (ERA) was officially launched at the European Parliament in Brussels on April 14.ERA is a pan-European, CEO-led initiative uniting leading industrial companies across the clean hydrogen value chain to address Europe's energy challenges, enhance industrial competitiveness, and secure strategic autonomy in the face of rapidly changing geopolitical and industrial pressures.ERA’s founding members include ENAGÁS, FLUXYS…
Germany Plans For $1.9 billion of Fuel Price Relief Amidst Global Energy Crisis
Germany's coalition government has agreed fuel price relief for consumers and businesses worth 1.6 billion euros ($1.9 billion), ending a dispute over how to respond to an oil price surge triggered by the Iran war.The energy tax on diesel and petrol will be cut by about 0.17 euros per litre for two months, the conservative CDU party and its centre-left SPD coalition partners said on Monday.The Iran war has caused the biggest disruption to global energy supplies on record, with plans for a U.S.
Amtech Issues RFP for Microcontainer Feeder Vessels
Alternative Marine Technologies has issued a RFP to three major U.S. Shipbuilding companies for a 2+2 series build of a 230 TEU Microcontainer Feeder. The project is based upon the Conoship CIP230TEU design currently operating in Europe. The design is complete through production drawings, 3D modeled and available with the availability of a virtual “walkthrough” of the vessel. Short sea operator Vega Reederei has joined the project team handling commercial operations. The vessels in Europe operate successfully with a 9-man crew, similar to U.S. ATB manning.
Meyer Turku: Cruise Vessel Demand Drives Strong Orderbook
In the world of large cruise ship construction, few yards operate at the level of Meyer Turku, which recently unveiled its 2025 results which serve as a turning point, not just in financial recovery, but in long-term strategic positioning.The numbers, at first glance, tell a familiar post-pandemic story. Turnover climbed to €2.14 billion, up more than 17% year-on-year, while adjusted EBIT reached €105.1 million, marking a continued recovery from losses just two years prior. But beneath the financials lies a more consequential shift: a yard restructuring itself for independence…
Wallenius Lines Acquires Wallenius SOL, Becomes Sole Owner
Wallenius Lines has entered into an agreement to acquire SOL Group’s shares in Wallenius SOL, becoming the sole owner of the company. The new ownership structure creates long-term stability, clarity and continuity for the continued development of Wallenius SOL as an enabler of sustainable, sea-based infrastructure in Northern Europe.Wallenius SOL plays a central role in building and maintaining logistical and industrial infrastructure in the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
Oil Surges Over 7% to Above $102 Ahead of US Hormuz Blockade
Oil prices surged on Monday as the U.S. moved to impose a blockade on Iranian shipping after the collapse of weekend peace talks, while the dollar rose and stocks and bonds fell.The U.S. move, aimed at putting pressure on Tehran, leaves a fragile ceasefire hanging in the balance and no end in sight to the choke on Middle East energy exports - though the mood on trading floors leaned toward hoping for a resolution.Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 7% at $102 a barrel - a gain of more than 40% since the war shut navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.
EU Emissions Trading System Sustains Downward Trend in Emissions
The European Commission has published the verified EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) emissions data for 2025 showing a -1.3% reduction in ETS emissions, compared to 2024 levels.This reduction continues the steady downward trend of emissions. Since the ETS was launched in 2005, the system has halved emissions in the sectors it covers. It remains on track to achieve the 2030 target of a 62% reduction.For maritime, the reported data so far shows that emissions from the sector fell by around 3%.Emissions from power generation through combustion of fossil fuels continued their downward trend…
US Considers Extending Russian Oil Waiver as Prices Spike During Iran Conflict
President Donald Trump's administration is likely to extend as soon as Friday a waiver allowing countries to buy some sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.The U.S.
UK Sent Military to Counter Russian Submarine Activity Near Cables
Britain deployed military vessels to prevent any attacks on cables and pipelines by Russian submarines that spent more than a month in and around British waters earlier this year, Defence Minister John Healey said on Thursday.Britain accused Russia of using the distraction of events in the Middle East to try to conduct the covert operation in the High North maritime region, home to key shipping routes and critical infrastructure such as undersea cables.Healey said British forces and allies including Norway tracked and deterred malign activity by the Russian vessels…
Orsted: Middle East Energy Crunch Rejuvenates Europe Offshore Wind Push
The Middle East war is giving fresh momentum to Europe's push for energy independence andbolstering the case for offshore wind farm developments, the CEO of Denmark's Orsted said on Thursday.Europe, a major importer of fossil fuels, has seen energy prices soar in recent weeks as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, and Teheran's blockage of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, led to a worldwide scramble for oil and natural gas."There is a major task for Europe... in ensuring the necessary energy security…
UK Deploys Military to Deter Russian Submarine Attacks on Subsea Cables
Britain deployed military vessels to prevent any attacks on cables and pipelines by Russian submarines which spent more than a month in and around British waters earlier this year, its defence minister John Healey said on Thursday.Britain accused Russia of using the distraction of events in the Middle East to try to conduct the covert operation in the High North maritime region, home to key shipping routes and critical infrastructure such as undersea cables.Healey said British forces and allies including Norway tracked and deterred malign activity by the Russian vessels…
Damen, IOM, Turkish Coast Guard, EU Hold Meeting for SAR Vessel Order
Damen Shipyards Antalya hosted a kick-off meeting attended by delegations from the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Turkish Coast Guard (TURCG) Command, Presidency of Migration Management (PMM), the European Union Delegation, the Netherlands Embassy in Türkiye, and Damen Shipyards Group. The meeting marks the recent contract signing between Damen and the IOM for the delivery of thirteen Search and Rescue (SAR) 1906 vessels to be operated by the Turkish Coast Guard…
Meyer Werft's "Vision": A Battery-Electric Cruise Ship Concept
German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has introduced a concept for what it says would be the world’s first fully battery-electric cruise ship exceeding 80,000 gross tons, signaling a bold step forward in the industry’s push toward decarbonization.The concept, dubbed “Vision,” was unveiled at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami. According to the yard, the 275-meter vessel would accommodate 1,856 passengers and deliver up to a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional cruise ships.The design leans heavily on existing battery technology rather than speculative future solutions.
SCA Secures First 50Hertz Contract for Cable Carousel Systems
Subsea Cable Assets (SCA) has secured its first framework contract with 50Hertz to deliver cable storage and handling systems for power grid projects in Germany.The contract, awarded through a European tender process, covers the engineering, manufacturing, delivery, installation and commissioning of four cable carousel systems, including associated loading equipment.SCA said the systems are designed to support both offshore and onshore grid infrastructure, ensuring reliable transmission…
Oil Tumbles, Stocks Surge on Middle East Ceasefire
Oil prices dived, stocks surged and the dollar was knocked back on Wednesday as a two-week Middle East ceasefire sparked a relief rally, fuelled by hopes that oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz could resume.The news capped weeks of market volatility and geopolitical upheaval after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran at the end of February pushed tensions to the brink, with Tehran effectively choking off the strategic waterway that typically carries about 20% of the world’s oil and gas.U.S.