Port of Oakland Celebrates Expansion of Free Water Shuttle Between Oakland and Alameda
The Port of Oakland is celebrating the expansion of the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle, a free pilot program initiated by the City of Alameda, offering public water transit between Oakland’s Jack London Square and Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, at the foot of 5th Street in Alameda. As of July 8th, the service now includes Tuesdays and extended weekend hours—increasing total weekly trips by 35%.Initiated by the City of Alameda and partially funded by the Port…
Greek-Managed Tankers Divert Around Africa to Avoid Red Sea Attacks
Several Greek-managed tankers transporting Russian oil to Asia are increasingly avoiding the Red Sea, opting instead for the longer route around Africa, due to escalating security threats from Houthi attacks, three oil traders and LSEG shipping data show.The rerouting follows a deadly drone and speedboat assault earlier this month on a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier off Yemen, which killed four seafarers.
Barcelona to Scale Back Cruise Capacity Amidst Overtourism Concerns
The port of Barcelona, Europe's busiest for cruise ships, will scale back its passenger terminal capacity by 2030 as the city tries to put the brakes on surging arrivals and address concerns about overtourism.The city hall and port authority agreed on Thursday to reduce the number of terminals to five from seven, lowering the port's capacity for simultaneously handling cruise ship passengers to 31…
Vard Books Construction Order for CSOV Pair
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract for the design and construction of two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) for an undisclosed international customer.The agreement, valued between $115 million and $230 million, also has an option for one additional vessel Vard said.The two CSOVs are of VARD 4 19 design developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway. The design is upgraded,…
Cadeler Adds Wind Keeper WTIV to Fleet, Locking in Long-Term Vestas Deal
Cadeler has taken delivery of its latest acquisition, a newly-constructed jack-up wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Wind Keeper, securing also a long-term contract for its maiden job with Vestas.Cadeler announced its agreement to purchase the Wind Keeper from Shanghai Boqiang Heavy Industry Group in May 2025, and the vessel has now officially been delivered to the company.Wind Keeper has become the eighth vessel in Cadeler’s growing fleet…
Global Shipping's Q3 Outlook Centers on Geopolitical Instability (again)
Current global economic and geopolitical landscapes are shaped by several key uncertainties. Tensions between Israel and Iran, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz, pose risks to regional stability and energy supply routes. Similarly, Houthi activity in the Red Sea threatens shipping through the Suez Canal. Oil sanctions continue to disrupt global energy markets, while evolving U.S. import tariffs add further complexity to international trade dynamics.
Chevron Emerges as Winner in ExxonMobil Dispute Over Guyana Oil Field
Chevron will proceed with its $53 billion acquisition of Hess, after it prevailed in a landmark legal battle against larger rival Exxon Mobil to gain access to the largest oil discovery in decades.Shares of Chevron were up 3.6% in premarket trading, with Hess gaining nearly 7.4%. Exxon shares were up 0.3%.CNBC first reported the arbitration outcome. An Exxon Mobil spokesperson confirmed to Reuters…
China's First 'Ocean-level Intelligent Research Vessel' Delievered
China's first ocean-level intelligent scientific research vessel was delivered in Shanghai on Sunday, purportedly to enhance the marine research capabilities of China's universities.The vessel dubbed Tongji was built by China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company Limited for Shanghai-based Tongji University.Construction of the vessel started in April 2024, and it completed comprehensive sea trials in May.Tongji will be used for scientific research voyages…
China Rolls Out 17MW Floating Wind Turbine Prototype
The world’s most powerful direct-drive floating offshore wind turbine, rated at 17 MW and co-developed by Dongfang Electric Corporation and China Huaneng, has been rolled out in China.With the highest single-unit capacity and the largest rotor diameter globally, the milestone marks a new breakthrough in China’s offshore wind power equipment manufacturing and provides vital technological support for…
Germany’s Maritime Sector: Steady Growth Amid Global Headwinds
Order intake, exports, and green technology demand fuel confidence for 2025Germany’s maritime equipment and offshore supply industry is posting steady growth in 2024 and setting an optimistic course for 2025, according to new figures released by the VDMA Marine Equipment and Systems Association.With an average turnover increase of 5.5% in 2024, German maritime suppliers are proving resilient in the face of global supply chain volatility…
ICS Concerned About Potential Complexity of IMO’s Net-Zero Framework
In April, the IMO member states took a historic step by agreeing to the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) – the world’s first global emissions price for an entire industry.The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) fully supports the framework but says that shipowners are concerned about how complicated the new rules could become, especially smaller to medium sized companies, who may struggle with compliance costs.So far…
The True Color of the Endurance
On July 16, Kathy A. Smith released her latest Fascinated by Shipwrecks Podcast where she speaks to Brenden St John, Head of Ocean Science at Voyis Imaging Inc, about the wreck of the Endurance.Endurance was the three-masted barquentine that Sir Ernest Shackleton sailed to the Antarctic in 1914. The ship became trapped in pack ice and finally sank in the Weddell Sea off Antarctica on November 21, 1915.The wreck was discovered on March 5…
Amon Maritime, Navigator Holdings Partner for the Construction of Two Ammonia Gas Carriers
Amon Maritime has entered into a joint venture with Navigator Holdings Ltd., the owner and operator of the world’s largest fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers.Pursuant to the Joint Venture, Navigator will acquire approximately 80% of the joint venture company, Navigator Amon Shipping AS, of Norway, with Amon Maritime holding approximately 20%, subject to the investment terms and conditions. The Joint Venture intends to construct two new 51…
UK Transport Sector Falling Behind on Gender Equity
A new national report from Women in Transport warns that the UK's transport industry is not only failing to make progress on gender equity, but it is now actively losing ground. The 2025 Women in Transport Equity Index, based on the organization's second sector-wide survey, reveals that key indicators of inclusion, pay equality and leadership progression have stagnated or worsened since the inaugural…
China Threatens to Block Ports Sale Unless National Shipping Company Cosco Receives Stake
China is threatening to block the sale of more than 40 ports, owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, to BlackRock and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) if Chinese shipping company Cosco does not get a stake, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources.Reuters could not immediately verify the WSJ report.CK Hutchison, MSC, BlackRock and Cosco did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for a comment…
BIO-UV Group Introduces Compliancy Solution for BIO-SEA Ballast Water Treatment Systems
Water treatment specialist BIO-UV Group has introduced a new Compliancy & Performance Agreement (C&P Agreement) solution for shipmanagers looking to ensure their BIO-SEA ballast water treatment systems remain regulatory compliant and operationally tip-top.The new service agreement aims to address the challenges ship operators face maintaining regulatory compliance amid increasingly stringent ballast…
Lloyd’s Register Secures In-Service Submarine Contract to Support UK MOD
Lloyd's Register (LR) has announced a milestone in its naval assurance services, having secured a 12-month in-service submarine support contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) through the Aurora Framework.Under the new contract, LR will provide experienced surveyors to His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, providing expert support to the Royal Navy’s submarines. In parallel, LR will offer technical consultancy from MOD Abbey Wood, delivering strategic advice.
MOL Enters the [Maritime to] Space Race with Offshore Rocket Launch/Recovery Vessel
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is moving toward commercializing an offshore rocket launch and recovery vessel through a partnership agreement with Innovative Space Carrier (ISC) and Tsuneishi Solutions TokyoBay Co. (formerly company name: Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd).This project originated from the MOL Group's new business proposal program, the 'MOL Incubation Bridge', designed to encourage employees to foster ideas for new businesses.
Gladding-Hearn Wins Shipbuilding Contract from Delta Launch Services
Delta Launch Services, a launch company operating on the Mississippi River, ordered a pair of new class of pilot boats from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. The Venice Class launches follow a long history of six larger pilot boats built for the Delta Launch Services by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard. Delivery is scheduled for 2027.The custom 44-footer is based on the shipyard’s Resilient class; the design is optimized for performing launch services on the Mississippi River.
Maritime Tactical Systems Selected for U.S. Joint Staff J7’s Warfighting Lab Incentive Fund FY26 Projects
Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC), a leader in unmanned surface vehicle (USV) technology, has announced its selection as one of ten winners of the U.S. Joint Staff J7 Warfighting Lab Incentive Fund (WLIF) for Fiscal Year 2026. Out of more than 150 submissions, MARTAC was chosen for its forward-thinking capabilities and significant contributions to future warfighting concepts.This recognition…
