Steel Cutting News

On January 22, 2026, Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) and partners, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Royal IHC, held a keel laying ceremony for the ongoing construction of the Dredge DONNELLY at Eastern’s Allanton Facility.The DONNELLY is a Medium Class Hopper Dredge that has been under construction since April 2025. The vessel will replace the Dredge McFARLAND and will play a critical role in enabling USACE to continue to deliver its navigation mission.The keel laying…

On Monday, January 19, 2026, production of the fifth vessel in the Icon Class began at the Meyer Turku shipyard. The ceremonial event held in the steel hall was attended by representatives of the ship’s owner Royal Caribbean Group, the Meyer Turku organization, and the classification society.The traditional steel-cutting ceremony marked the start of more than two years of construction and outfitting work, involving thousands of professionals across different fields. Once completed…

For Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), the year has had a strong start. Today, a significant milestone was reached in the Squadron 2020 project with the start of production of the fourth multi-purpose corvette and the keel-laying of the third one. This also means that all four multi-purpose corvettes of Pohjanmaa class -- ships that measure 117 x 16.5m with a 5m draft and a crew of 70 -- are now simultaneously under construction at the RMC shipyard. Moreover, preparations are in…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group launched the vehicle-passenger ferry FALCON, being constructed for the Fisher Island Community Association (FICA).The  ferry is designed to meet the unique needs of the Fisher Island route, combining enhanced vehicle capacity and passenger comfort with ESG’s proven vessel-construction expertise. FALCON is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2026 and is being constructed at ESG’s Allanton facility in Panama City, Florida.“Completing the launch ahead of schedule speaks volumes about the talent and commitment of our workforce.

The next generation offshore patrol vessel (OPV), featuring hybrid propulsion and wind sails, has started taking shape as the first steel is cut for the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) vessel, designed by the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium.On September 18, 2025, the steel cutting ceremony was held for the New Generation Maritime Affairs Patrol Vessel (PAM) with wind-assisted propulsion.The transition from the design to construction phase follows the tender win by the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium in December 2024…

Yara Clean Ammonia, together with Yara International, CMB.TECH and North Sea Container Line, has marked the official start of construction on Yara Eyde, the world’s first container ship powered by renewable ammonia.The steel cutting ceremony, held earlier in September, represents a major milestone in efforts to decarbonize short-sea shipping and demonstrate the viability of ammonia as a low-emission fuel.Set to operate on the Oslo–Porsgrunn–Bremerhaven–Rotterdam route, the 1,200 TEU vessel will connect industrial clusters in Northern Europe with sustainable logistics solutions.

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has conducted a steel cutting ceremony for a 115,000-ton product tanker at the HD Hyundai Philippines Shipyard in Subic Bay, Philippines.The vessel is the first ship built by HD Hyundai Philippines and is the first in a series of four vessels ordered from an Asian shipping company in December last year.Last May, HD KSOE signed a lease agreement with Cerberus Capital for a portion of the Philippine shipyard site, marking the…

Davie shipyard has officially begun construction of the Polar Max icebreaker, a vessel that, once delivered by 2030, is expected to redefine Canada’s Arctic capabilities.The Polar Max is a production-ready heavy icebreaker designed to operate in some of the world’s harshest conditions. The vessel will support Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, critical scientific missions, environmental protection efforts, and maritime security.Uniquely, Polar Max will be constructed through an innovative industrial collaboration between Canadian-controlled facilities in Helsinki, Finland and Lévis, Canada.

The First Steel Cutting ceremony took place at Saipem’s Karimun fabrication yard, marking the official start of construction activities for the Tangguh UCC project, awarded by bp Indonesia.The event was attended by representatives of the client, local and national government bodies, together with key members of Saipem’s management team gathered to celebrate this significant milestone achievement.The Tangguh UCC project, located in Papua Barat province, Indonesia, is a national strategic project that includes the development of the Ubadari gas field…

BAR Technologies confirmed an order for its WindWings propulsion system to be installed on a pair of new LR2 dual-fuel tankers, marking one of the first confirmed large-scale wind propulsion deployments on this vessel class, building on the integration of WindWings aboard the UML-operated Brands Hatch.The new 250-m-long tankers, Suzuka and Long Beach, will each be equipped with two 37.5m WindWings. The ships are being designed by SDARI and constructed by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry (XSI)…

Today, at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, three ceremonies took place for Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group: the launching of Explora III, the coin ceremony for Explora IV, and the steel-cutting for Explora V.Comprised of a total of six vessels—with the first two, Explora I and Explora II, already in service—the luxury brand’s fleet, entirely built by Fincantieri, will be fully operational within three years. Explora III will be christened next year…

The official steel cutting ceremony for the third commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) Vard is building for Rem Offshore has been held in Vietnam earlier in July, marking the start of construction for the vessel set for delivery in late 2026.The first steel for the vessel was cut on July 1 at Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam.The vessel NB 983 is the sister vessel to the NB 948 vessel, named REM Wind, that was delivered to REM Offshore in April 2024, which followed the delivery of REM Power vessel a year earlier.The CSOV is tailored to provide services during the construction…

Qatar Gas Transport Company Q.P.S.C. (Nakilat) announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, ending March 31. The Company achieved a net profit of QAR 433 million, marking a 3.2% increase from USD$115 million (QAR 420 million) recorded in the same period of 2024. Key Financial Highlights for Q1 2025:Net Profit: USD$118 million (QAR 433 million), up 3.2% year-on-year.Incurred total expenses of USD$184 million (QAR 673 million), reflecting a decrease of 5.7%.This sustained growth is attributed to Nakilat’s strategic fleet expansion…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has officially begun construction on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) new medium class hopper dredger with a ceremonial steel-cutting event.The vessel is being built at ESG's Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities and is scheduled for delivery in 2027.ESG is collaborating with Royal IHC on the design.USACE's new hopper dredger will be able to load up to 15% more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact, with an ECO Control Package that includes high-end controls for trail speed…

Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) has marked the start of construction of six new gas carriers at HD Hyundai Samho (HSHI) shipyard in South Korea.The steel cutting ceremony was attended by senior officials from Nakilat, HD Hyundai Samho and guests, who witnessed the official start of construction for two LNG carriers and four LPG/ammonia gas carriers. The LNG carriers, each with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, and the LPG carriers, with a substantial capacity of 88,000 cubic meters each…

A steel cutting ceremony has been held for a new RAsalvor 6500 at Rizhao GANGDA Shipbuilding (Shandong Port) in Shandong Province, China.Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. for Smit Lamnalco, Australia, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the new emergency towing vessel will provide first response capability in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait – some of the most precious marine environments in the world.The vessel is also intended to provide aids to navigation services and other marine services in the region.

Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) has held a steel cutting ceremony for eight of its new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers at Hanwha Ocean shipyard in the Republic of Korea.These vessels are part of Qatar’s historic LNG fleet expansion project, aimed at meeting the maritime transport needs of the LNG sector.In February 2024, Nakilat signed agreements with QatarEnergy to charter and operate 25 conventional-size LNG carriers, making Nakilat both the owner and operator of the vessels…

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has marked the start of construction of Island Offshore’s hybrid power ocean energy construction vessel (OECV) at its shipyard in Romania.Vard secured the order for the vessel, named Island Evolution, from Island Offshore back in May 2024, which also included an option for two additional vessels. Island Offshore placed the order for the second vessel, to be named Island Explorer, in August.Roy Viggo Fjørtoft, Project Manager from Island Offshore, had…

North Star and its shipbuilding partner Cochin Shipyard have cut first steel on EnBW’s new hybrid-electric service operations vessel (SOV), which is on decade-long minimum charter to service the He Dreiht wind farm off the coast of Germany from the end of 2026.The steel cutting milestone was marked February 25, 2025 at Cochin Shipyard in India, where the planning, engineering design and construction work are being carried out.The newbuild will provide accommodation in field for up to 34 wind technicians as they maintain the development’s 64 wind turbines…

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is participating in major new construction projects for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.Recently, steel-cutting for vessels classified by the Indian Register of Shipping include the second ‘Fleet Support Ship’ at L&T Shipbuilding, the first ‘Next Generation Missile Vessel’ at Cochin Shipyard, the second ‘Next Generation Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel’ and first Coast Guard ‘Fast Patrol Vessels’ at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, and the…

A ceremony attended by dignitaries has marked the official ‘birth date’ for the two new ships which will serve the Penzance to Isles of Scilly route for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG).The keel laying is a milestone in the build process, recognized for centuries as the ‘birth’ of a new ship and an important point for the Scillonian IV passenger ferry and the cargo vessel, Menawethan.Guests attended Piriou’s shipyard in Vietnam on November 6.,2024 to officially mark the moment, while dignitaries from Britain and France were all present.

James Fisher and Sons has ordered four new LNG dual-fuel tankers from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) Dingheng as part of its ‘fleet of the future’ business strategy.The new tankers, which will carry oil products and IMO Class II chemicals, will have LNG dual-fuel propulsion capability, expected to help to reduce operational CO2 emissions and associated environmental impact over the long-term.A number of features that will add to the overall sustainability of the new builds have been carried over from recent additions to the company’s fleet…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) reached an exciting milestone today, initiating steel cutting for the first of four advanced escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine at its Allanton Facility. Attending the ceremony were key members of Saltchuk's leadership team. These high-performance vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2026."Our team is excited to begin construction on these state-of-the-art escort tugs for Saltchuk," said Joey D’Isernia, Chairman and CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.