World’s Largest Battery-Electric Ship Launched
Incat Hull 096 – the world’s largest battery-electric ship – has been officially launched in Tasmania, Australia.Built for South American ferry operator Buquebus, the 130-meter ferry will enter enters service between Buenos Aires and Uruguay, operating entirely on battery-electric power, carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles across the River Plate.The ship is the ninth Incat-built vessel…
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Finalizes Acquisition of Armacup
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has acquired the remaining shares in Armacup, bringing the shareholding percentage from 65 to 100%.Armacup is a New Zealand-headquartered shipping company that has pioneered the Japanese used car trade since the 1980s. Armacup has since then expanded its position in the Asia-Oceania trade, servicing leading and emerging OEMs in Japan, China and South Korea.Wallenius Wilhelmsen says the acquisition will further enhance the synergies between Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Armacup.
NGO in Talks with Malta to Repair Gaza-Bound Aid Ship
An international NGO that intends to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea said on Sunday it was in talks with Malta's government about allowing the vessel to enter Maltese waters to repair damage caused by a drone attack.The ship "Conscience" run by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition suffered damage to its front section including a loss of power when hit by two drones just outside Maltese territorial waters in the central Mediterranean early on Friday…
What's New in the Reintroduced SHIPS for America Act?
On April 30, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), together with several original co-sponsors, reintroduced the SHIPS for America Act in the U.S. Senate, first introduced in December 2024, divided into two bills. Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA). This is a major, historic effort to revitalize the U.S. merchant marine. The legislation had to be reintroduced to be considered by the new U.S.
Rig Retirements Set to Rise as Utilization Falls to Lowest Level Since 2021
The offshore rig market recovery appears to have taken a pause, with demand tapering off and marketed utilization hitting the lowest levels recorded since recovery began in 2021. A variety of factors have contributed to this – including Saudi Aramco’s suspension of over 30 jackup contracts by up to one year, the entry of newbuild rigs into the market without work to go to, and the deferment of several…
How FLNG Tech Supports Energy Transition
Fast-growing energy demand is driving the need for technical support and guidance in new locations, writes Terrance Roberts, Manager, Global Business Development, ABS.Surging appetite for natural gas is accelerating the development of global and regional supply chains, with established producers seeking new markets and emerging suppliers looking to meet demand from local consumers.Long-tabled export…
Australian Border Force: Ten Illegal Fishers Found Guilty
Ten Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters in separate cases at Darwin Local Court on April 29 and 30, 2025. The first case arose from an incident on April 3, 2025, when Australian authorities identified, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel fishing illegally near Parry Harbor, Western Australia. Authorities seized 420 kg of sea cucumber, 300 kg of salt used to process and preserve catch…
Humanitarian Aid Ship Hit by Drones While En Route to Gaza
A Gaza-bound ship carrying humanitarian aid and activists was, according to its organizers, bombed by drones in international waters early on Friday morning.Organizers, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, have alleged that Israel is to blame.This video, verified by Reuters and filmed by those on board as well as from the ship’s CCTV, purports to show the moment the Conscience was struck off the Maltese…
Argentinian Southern Energy Project, Golar LNG Agree on Second LNG Liquefaction Vessel
Argentina's Southern Energy Project said on Friday it has agreed with Golar LNG a contract for a second liquefaction vessel with a capacity of 3.5 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year, a vessel which should arrive in the country in 2028.Under Southern Energy, state oil producer YPF and other oil firms are planning to start up Argentina's first liquefaction vessel by 2027."One of the world's largest floating LNG projects in Argentina has been confirmed…
Lloyd's Register OneOcean: Optimization Technology Adopted by TotalEnergies to Reduce Fuel Emissions
Lloyd's Register OneOcean (LR OneOcean) has collaborated with TotalEnergies to deploy advanced route optimization technology across its shipping operations.TotalEnergies has adopted LR OneOcean's Route Optimization solution, which combines master mariner oversight with machine learning fuel modeling and hull analysis capabilities.The Route Optimization solution harnesses the power of both the Lloyd’s…
NOC and Royal Navy Renew MOU on Underwater Systems
The UK's National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has renewed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Royal Navy, reinforcing a long-standing partnership in marine science and technology. The MOU, which includes collaboration with the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Ministry of Defense (MOD)’s science and technology organization, underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation…
SolarDuck Achieves ISO 9001 Certification
SolarDuck, who specializes in offshore floating solar energy solutions, announced that it has achieved ISO 9001 certification, the world’s leading standard for quality management systems. The ISO 9001 certification awarded by Bureau Veritas is another step in SolarDuck’s ongoing journey of aiming for operational excellence. It follows the company’s recent recognition through the EcoVadis certification…
Coast Guard to Begin Production Activities for Polar Security and Waterways Cutters
The Department of Homeland Security approved full production of the first U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter (PSC), April 30, 2025. The Service also received approval for low-rate initial production of the the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC). This is a milestone for the Nation, as it brings the Coast Guard closer to renewing and enhancing operational capabilities in both the American heartland and the polar regions.Approval for full production enables the Coast Guard and U.S.
PD Ports Outlines Plans to Develop UK Offshore Wind Hub
U.K.-based PD Ports has outlined its plans to develop one of the U.K.’s largest offshore wind manufacturing and installation hubs - the Teesport Offshore Gateway.The proposed project could unlock 180 acres of development potential for a range of offshore manufacturers, assembly, marshalling and supply chain support services.Representing a multi-million-dollar investment in the River Tees, the Teesport Offshore Gateway would include an up to 1 km long deep-water riverside quay…
The Future of Long-Idle Drillships: Cold-Stacked or Dead-Stacked?
Noble Corporation’s recent decision to sell the Pacific Meltem and Pacific Scirocco for non-drilling purposes highlights a key issue in the drillship market: What happens to cold-stacked rigs that are unlikely to return to work? With the floater market showing signs of weakness and contract opportunities becoming scarcer, reactivating these units is proving even more challenging.Esgian Rig Values has adjusted its valuations since early 2025 to reflect these conditions…
Blowing in the Wind: Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Plows Forward on Offshore Fleet Renewal
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, a 170-year-old French family-owned company operating across a broad swath of maritime and offshore energy, recently announced a shipbuilding order and fleet expansion with the order for a series of three next generation SOVs, a series that will lean on five years of experience operating some of the first Hybrid-Electric SOVs. Gaël Cailleaux, Renewables General Manager, LDA takes a deep dive into the company…
DEME Concludes Havfram Acquisition
Belgium-based offshore installation services company DEME has completed the acquisition Havfram, an offshore wind installation contractor based in Norway, in a deal valued at approximately $1.02 billion (€900 million).The transaction, first announced in April 2025, has passed all customary closing conditions.DEME Offshore Holding, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DEME Group, has acquired all of the shares…
Danish Shipping Welcomes Activation of War Insurance Move
A new legislative proposal on war insurance will ensure that the Danish merchant fleet can remain insured and continue sailing in the event of war.In the extraordinary situation where Denmark and Danish shipping are severely impacted by war – and the commercial insurance market has collapsed – there is a need for a war insurance scheme that guarantees the Danish merchant fleet remains insured and operational.
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The Biggest Conservation Commitment in the World
At COP 15 in December 2022, over 190 countries adopted a framework for action in support of the Convention on Biological Diversity.The framework includes 23 targets aimed at reversing habitat and species loss. Target 3, known as “30x30”, calls for the effective protection and management of 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland water and coastal and marine areas by the year 2030.Put simply, says the Nature Conservancy…
