Van Oord Names Next-Generation Fallpipe Vessel Pair
Van Oord has named its two next-generation flexible fallpipe vessels Vindnes and Vestnes, with the 35,000-tonne-capacity ships scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.The purpose-built vessels, currently under construction at Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore in China, will expand Van Oord's subsea rock installation capacity for offshore wind, interconnector and other energy infrastructure projects.Unlike converted vessels…
Dong Fang Offshore Orders Another CSOV from Vard
Fincantieri's Norwegian subsidiary Vard has signed a contract, worth between $76 million and $86 million, to build a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for Dong Fang Offshore, marking the fifth vessel ordered by the Taiwan-based marine contractor from the shipbuilder.The vessel will be based on VARD 4 39 design and adapted for subsea operations, offshore wind installation and maintenance…
Crowley Appoints Brea Schmidt as CFO
U.S.-based provider of logistics, marine and energy solutions Crowley has appointed Brea Schmidt as chief financial officer, putting her in charge of financial strategy and capital allocation across the company's logistics, shipping, government and energy businesses.Schmidt, who joined Crowley in 2025 as vice president of finance, will oversee fiscal planning, capital allocation and governance, including financial oversight of investments in vessels, terminals and technology.
50Hertz Taps ABL for Ostwind 4 Marine Assurance
ABL has been appointed by German transmission system operator 50Hertz to provide marine warranty survey services for the 2 GW Ostwind 4 offshore grid connection project in the German Baltic Sea.The consultancy will provide marine assurance for transportation and installation operations covering subsea cables and offshore infrastructure, including the installation of the project's converter platform…
Petronas’ Fleet Expands with New China-Built LNG Carrier
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line), has taken delivery of the 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier Puteri Kelantan, the third vessel of its type delivered for Petronas LNG in 2026.The vessel, owned by a joint venture company led by “K” Line, was delivered on September 24 by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) in China.Puteri Kelantan follows two vessels of the same type delivered for Petronas LNG in May and June this year.
Hormuz Shipping Traffic Remains Well Below Recent Average
Ten commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, up from seven a day earlier and below the 10-day moving average of about 17, preliminary shipping data showed on Thursday.Nine vessels entered the strait, including Supramax ships carrying metals, grain and other dry bulk cargoes, as well as an empty very large gas carrier.
Zelenskiy: Ukraine Ready for Maritime Truce
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told leaders at the United Nations on Wednesday that Ukraine was ready for a maritime truce in the Black Sea based on proposals by Egypt, India and Turkey and said it was now up to Russia to respond.Zelenskiy spoke at Ukraine's Crimean Platform summit on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly gathering of world leaders and ahead of a Security Council meeting on Russia's war in Ukraine…
Guidance, Safety Considerations for Retractable Pilot Houses on Towing Vessels
In 2019, an investigation of a marine casualty aboard a towing vessel led to the publication of Marine Safety Alert 13-19 titled An Important Safety Consideration - Hazards of Retractable Pilot Houses on Towboats. Since its release, further clarification has been necessary regarding safety regulations to prevent similar future incidents, specifically as it applies to Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations…
USCG Offers Insight on Gangway Inspection, Maintenance, and Operational Safety
A tragic marine casualty involving an inspected passenger vessel serves as a critical warning that even routine embarkation equipment can become deadly if it is not properly maintained, inspected, and secured. During a recent passenger disembarkation, the gangway’s connection point on a vessel suffered a catastrophic failure. As a result, the gangway separated from the vessel and fell, causing severe injuries to several passengers and a tragic loss of life.
SGX, European Energy Exchange Offer Baltic Handysize Futures Contracts
Baltic Exchange announced that both SGX and European Energy Exchange (EEX) are now offering new Baltic Handysize futures contracts, providing market participants with dedicated tools to manage their exposure to the Atlantic and Pacific Handysize basin.The new freight forward agreements (FFAs) are two baskets of Baltic Exchange's handysize timecharter averages made from four Atlantic routes and three Pacific routes, providing forward contracts specific to the basin.
LR Study Identifies 200,000m³ LNG Carriers as Viable Step For Fleet Renewal
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has identified 200,000m³ LNG carriers as a credible next step for global LNG fleet renewal, with new analysis showing that larger vessels could increase cargo capacity and reduce transportation costs without requiring major disruption to existing terminal infrastructure. The findings, published in LR Advisory’s terminal compatibility and commercial evaluation report for GTT that was presented at Gastech 2026…
Nord Gas Solutions Receives Contract for Eight VLGC Vessels
Nord Gas Solutions has been contracted to supply the Cargo Handling System (CHS) and LPG Fuel Supply System (LFSS) for eight new 90,000 m³ Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) vessels ordered by BW LPG. The vessels will be constructed at HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HD HM), marking the first time that VLGC vessels will be built at this yard within HD. The contract was signed in August 2026.Nord Gas Solutions has maintained a close partnership with BW LPG throughout the years…
Batavia Replica Arrives arrives at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam for Preservation
On September 19, the Batavia, a 56-meter replica of the original 17th-century vessel of the same name, arrived at Damen Shiprepair, Amsterdam (DSAm). In the coming days, the vessel will be positioned in the yard's Dock 4 and lowered into a cradle, purpose-built by DSAm's, sister company, Niron Staal, in which she will be displayed at the Museum Batavialand in Lelystad.Keeping tradition aliveThe vessel was constructed between 1985 and 1995 by Willem Vos…
Designing the Future of the American Icebreaking
Inside Seaspan Shipyards' efforts to help accelerate the U.S. Coast Guard's Arctic Security Cutter programFor decades, conversations about rebuilding the United States Coast Guard icebreaker fleet have largely centered on budgets, politics and the strategic necessity of maintaining a credible presence in the Arctic. Less frequently discussed is perhaps the most critical ingredient of all: engineering…
Stena Line Orders Two Hybrid RoPax Ferries from China
Stena Line has ordered two hybrid E-Flexer RoPax ferries from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard for delivery in 2030, with the vessels intended for its Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route between Sweden and Denmark.Each 214.5-metre vessel will accommodate 1,500 passengers and provide 2,750 lane metres of freight capacity across three vehicle decks, comprising one deck for passenger vehicles and two…
Fugro Nets Australian Subsea Asset Integrity Contract
Fugro has secured a marine asset integrity contract in Australia covering the replacement of critical subsea infrastructure and survey and inspection work, with offshore operations expected to start towards the end of 2027.The contract, awarded by an undisclosed client, combines subsea intervention with survey and inspection services using Fugro's remote operations capabilities.Fugro will provide engineering…
Stillstrom Picks Semco for Offshore Charging Equipment
Stillstrom by Maersk has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Semco Maritime to manufacture and deliver a key part of its offshore vessel charging system, moving the technology into manufacturing following completion of its design phase.Semco Maritime will manufacture the local equipment room, or local equipment room (LER), which controls power, communications and safety functions across Stillstrom's…
Saipem Taps Subsea Cable Assets for $20M Cable Campaign
Subsea Cable Assets (SCA) has secured its first contract, a roughly $20 million award from Saipem Contracting Netherlands for cable transportation and handling work supporting a major offshore energy project in the Caspian region.The scope covers engineering, equipment fabrication, installation and operation, demobilization and reinstatement, with SCA managing the campaign from equipment supply through to deployment.SCA will provide five cable transport carousels…
Supply Pressurei in Container Vessel Sector
"Disruptions and strong growth in head-haul trades continue to support the container shipping market in 2026, but accelerating fleet growth could weaken the supply/demand balance in 2027,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.BIMCO continues to forecast two scenarios. The “SoH Closed” scenario assumes that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed throughout 2026 and 2027, while the “SoH Open” scenario assumes normal transit conditions throughout 2027.
ABL Joins Allseas for Record Heavy-Lift Offshore Decom Op
ABL has been appointed by Allseas as marine warranty surveyor for the single-lift removal of the Statfjord A topside in the North Sea, an operation set to use an upgraded 60,000-tonne lifting system aboard Pioneering Spirit.Allseas is carrying out the engineering, preparation, removal and disposal of the Statfjord A platform, a concrete gravity-base production facility on the Equinor-operated Statfjord…