Usa News

Gulf hostilities flared again on Wednesday as Iranian attacks on Kuwait damaged its airport and injured dozens while the U.S. military carried out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, with diplomacy to halt the war showing little sign of progress.The attacks are the latest to test a shaky ceasefire, sending oil prices up nearly 2%, as the strait remains largely closed more than three months after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran.Flights at Kuwait International Airport were suspended after an Iranian drone and missile attack damaged airport facilities and diplomatic missions…

Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC), a provider of fully autonomous unmanned surface vessels (USVs), announced the opening of the MARTAC Innovation Center West in San Diego, California. The new facility marks a milestone in the company’s expansion, strengthening its ability to serve defense, security and commercial customers across the West Coast and Pacific regions.The MARTAC Innovation Center West will serve as a hub for research, development, testing and customer engagement, complementing MARTAC’s headquarters in Melbourne, Florida. San Diego’s deep ties to the U.S.

Logistic Services Inc. (LSI) announced the acquisition of substantially all assets of Five Rivers Distribution, LLC (Five Rivers), strengthening LSI’s inland waterways operations and expanding its presence on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.Five Rivers operates two strategically located multimodal terminals at the ports of Van Buren and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The terminals provide barge, rail, and truck connectivity for a diversified mix of agricultural, industrial, and bulk commodities.

Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC), a provider of autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and Mystic Power boats, a leader in high-performance composite vessel construction, announced a co-production partnership to increase MARTAC’s domestic production capacity to meet growing requirements from U.S. and allied customers.MARTAC’s partnership with Mystic is the first of several pending domestic co-production partnerships the company is finalizing that will support a expansion of its co-production framework.

Inchcape Shipping Services announced the launch of its new Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) service in the United States. The launch follows the company's receipt of an Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), authorizing Inchcape Shipping Services to operate as a licensed NVOCC for cargo moving to and from the US. The new service marks an expansion of Inchcape Shipping Services' capabilities, allowing the company to act as a contractual carrier on behalf of its customers.

Oil futures fell more than 2% on Friday, closing out their steepest weekly decline since early April as traders awaited word that the U.S., Israel and Iran had reached agreement on a ceasefire.Brent crude futures for July, which expired on Friday, settled at $92.05 a barrel, down $1.66, or 1.8%. WTI U.S. oil futures Reutersfinished at $87.36 a barrel, down $1.54 or 1.7%."Obviously, the market thinks the ceasefire will be all easy-peasy and is done and dusted," said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital.The three-month war between the U.S.

Gulf of America Logistics (GoAL), the 100% Louisiana-owned capital projects specialist, has announced the appointment of Jake Minner as Vice President of Operations - Specialized Transport and Trucking, and the opening of a new Baton Rouge office, bringing its statewide network to four locations.Minner brings 17 years of heavy-haul experience from a major industrial carrier, with expertise in Louisiana's energy and petrochemical corridor. He will lead GoAL’s asset-based heavy…

The Port of Albany-Rensselaer, NY hosted a half-day Maritime Summit that featured internationally renowned port, economics, infrastructure, and transportation leaders who addressed the issues, opportunities, and trends facing the transportation/maritime industry here in the Capital Region, across New York State, and around the United States.The Summit showcased the beneficial role that the Port of Albany-Rensselaer and other ports throughout the United States play in everyday life…

Nearly 500 maritime and transportation industry leaders gathered on the evening of Wednesday, May 20, at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers for the sold-out 32nd International Maritime Hall of Fame Awards dinner hosted by the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey (MAPONY/NJ). The annual event celebrated four distinguished leaders whose careers and contributions have helped shape the future of the maritime industry.This year's International Maritime Hall of Fame Lookout Award recipients included:Robert P. Burke, Chief Executive Officer, Ridgebury TankersJames A.

Oil prices were up 3% on Thursday after Reuters reported that Iran's Supreme Leader has issued a directive that the country's near-weapons-grade uranium should not be sent abroad, denting hopes for a swift resolution to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.The report, citing two senior Iranian sources, signaled that Tehran is hardening its stance on a key U.S. demand. The directive from Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei could further complicate negotiations and frustrate U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker an end to the war.Brent crude futures gained $3.07…

The U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (USCMI), with the Maritime Administration and facilitated by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), convened maritime, energy, and public-sector leaders for its Innovation Café focused on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies for maritime applications, advancing dialogue on next-generation propulsion and energy solutions for the U.S. maritime sector.As Secretariat of USCMI, ABS plays a central role in leading and facilitating industry dialogue to advance maritime innovation.

British maritime technology company SubSea Craft has announced plans to expand its operations to Virginia Beach. The company’s expansion into Virginia Beach represents a step in growing its U.S. footprint, while strengthening collaboration opportunities within one of the world’s most concentrated maritime and defense ecosystems. As part of its expansion, the company anticipates hiring for a range of positions spanning leadership, operations, field engineering, and technicians.Founded in the United Kingdom…

U.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes lost a total of 1,953 hours or 82 ship days due to inadequate icebreaking, about a third of the shipping season on the Great Lakes.It took 96 hours after the Soo locks opened for the year for the first vessel loaded with iron ore to finally clear the St. Marys River the critical connection point between Lake Superior and the lower lakes. At one point, 19 vessels were stopped for multiple days in the ice, waiting for icebreakers to clear the way to either get their loads or deliver them.The ice season dragged on well into April…

American Cruise Lines has announced that new riverboat American Encore was christened in Lewiston, Idaho on May 12th. The boat’s inaugural 9-Day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise departed from Stevenson, Washington on May 6th with guests also enjoying an included hotel stay in Portland, Oregon on May 5th.Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington and the Snake River in Congress for twenty years, was named American Encore’s Godmother. Ms. Rodgers was joined on the ship’s top deck for the ceremonial blessing and bottle smash by cruise guests…

Four liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels were sailing to China from the U.S. and expected to arrive in June, according to data from financial firm LSEG, marking the first U.S. LNG cargoes to leave the U.S. and go directly to China during U.S. President Donald Trump's second term in office.Last week, Trump went to Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the trip, Trump told Fox News on May 14 that China wants to buy oil, LNG and other goods from the United States.In years past…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair industry, today announced its annual member safety awards for the 2025 calendar year. This year, 21 shipyards across Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin are receiving awards for their achievements in safety.The following shipyards and repair facilities…

Oil prices gained more than 3% on Friday, climbing more than $3 a barrel, after comments by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister further dented hopes of a deal to end ship attacks and seizures around the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures gained $3.35, or 3.17%, to $109.07 a barrel by 12:34 p.m. CDT (1734 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were up $3.85, or 3.81%, at $105.02.Over the week, Brent has climbed 7.72% and WTI 10.11% on uncertainty over the shaky ceasefire in the Iran war."The tone between the U.S.

The Federal Maritime Commission is seeking applications for new members for the National Shipper Advisory Committee (NSAC).NSAC is a federal advisory committee that provides information, insight, and expertise pertaining to conditions in the ocean freight delivery system to the Commission. The Committee advises the FMC on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity, and fairness of the supply chain.NSAC is composed of 24 professionals from across the ocean…

Dealmaking in the U.S. upstream oil and gas sector jumped to $38 billion in the first quarter of this year, marking the highest quarterly total in two years, analytics firm Enverus said on Wednesday.Shale producer Devon and smaller rival Coterra closed on their merger last week after announcing plans to combine in February.

Hopes for a peace deal with Iran dwindled on Tuesday after Donald Trump said a ceasefire was "on life support" as Tehran rejected a U.S. proposal to end the conflict and stuck to a list of demands the U.S. president described as "garbage".Iran has called for an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, where U.S. ally Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Tehran also emphasised its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, demanded compensation for war damage, and an end to the U.S.

The U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday a grand jury indicted two foreign operators and a shoreside superintendent in the March 2024 collision of the 984-foot cargo ship Dali that destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and killed six construction workers.The Justice Department said the collision caused at least $5 billion in damage and significant environmental damage. The National Transportation Safety Board found a single loose wire in the electrical system caused a breaker to unexpectedly open…

We Work the Waterways (WWW) is serving as a workforce development and engagement partner in the launch of the Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, a multi-state collaboration focused on strengthening the inland maritimeworkforce pipeline across America’s river system.Bringing together ports, industry leaders, and an initial network of higher education institutions, including community and technical colleges across four states (Iowa, Illinois…

This week, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) was recognized by the International Propeller Club and received the Frank Courtenay “Salute to Congress” Award for championing legislation to support the American maritime industry. The Salute to Congress Award recognizes members of the U.S. Congress for their leadership and support of the American maritime industry.“I am honored to receive this recognition from the International Propeller Club, an organization that understands the importance of investing in our maritime industry,” said Rep. Carbajal.