US Commerce Disorganization Stalls Thousands of Export Approvals
Thousands of license applications by U.S. companies to export goods and technology around the globe, including to China, are in limbo because turmoil at the agency in charge of approving them has left it nearly paralyzed, two sources said.While U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has become a familiar face touting President Donald Trump's tariff and trade deals, sources said the export bureau under Lutnick's command has failed to issue expected new rules…
Mediterranean Leaders Discuss Migration Route
The migration route from Libya across the Mediterranean, used by thousands seeking a way to get to Europe, was a top issue at a meeting on Friday between the leaders of Turkey, Italy and Libya in Istanbul, Turkey's presidency said.President Tayyip Erdogan met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah to discuss migration and other potential cooperation areas."Erdogan…
Indian Register of Shipping Provides Quality Assurance During HSL Submarine Refit
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has provided Quality Assurance (QA) services during Hindustan Shipyard Limited’s (HSL) fastest-ever “normal refit” of an EKM‑class submarine, which was successfully completed on July 21, 2025. A national benchmark was set in achieving the shortest ever turnaround time and ensuring technical excellence.Under a strategic partnership formed as part of India’s push for self-reliance in national defense…
Eco Marine Power Launches Evaluation of Solar Technologies Onboard Ship
Eco Marine Power Co., Ltd. announced that it has commenced evaluation trials of its updated solar power system known as Aquarius Marine Solar Power, and the first of several photovoltaic (PV) module technologies. The trials, planned to run for 12 to 18 months, aim to demonstrate the practicality and performance of the updated solar power system in real maritime conditions, supporting the shipping industry’s…
Fugro: H1 2025 Impacted by Weak Markets, Recovery Expected in H2
Fugro’s results in the first half year were significantly impacted by geopolitical and economic uncertainties. For the second half of 2025, the company expects a strong recovery resulting in a full-year EBIT margin of 8-11%, underpinned by revenue growth in H2 of around 20% versus H1.The macro(economic) uncertainties experienced in Q1 persisted, contributing to industry-wide project delays and scope reductions, especially in the offshore wind market.
MacGregor Appoints New CEO
The board of directors of MacGregor Group AB has appointed Jonas Gustavsson Chief Executive Officer of MacGregor as of August 1, 2025. He succeeds Leif Byström, who is retiring.Jonas Gustavsson joined MacGregor in March 2025 as Deputy President. Prior to that he served as the CEO of AFRY AB from 2017 until early 2025. His earlier positions include 23 years of leadership experience with various senior roles at Sandvik, Rotax, Bombardier and ABB.
DOF Scoops Over $220M for AHTS Vessel Contracts with Petrobras
Norwegian offshore supply vessel owner DOF Group has secured a contract with Petrobras for two of its anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels.The two contracts, with a combined value of more than $220 million, are for Skandi Fluminense, a 2007 Brazilian-built AHTS vessel with 211t bollard pull, and Skandi Lifter, a foreign-flagged 250t AHTS built in 2009.The contracts for both vessels will run for…
Alternative-Fueled Vessel Orders Continue Steady Upward Pace
The orders for the new alternative-fueled vessels have continued to grow in July 2025, in line with the steady pace of activity seen in the first half of the year, according to the latest figures from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform.A total of 28 new orders for alternative-fueled vessels were placed in July 2025, AFI’s latest report has revealed.LNG remains the dominant fuel choice, accounting for 22 of the 28 orders.
Bath Iron Works Wins DDG 51 Destroyer Shipbuilding Contract
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), said that the U.S. Navy has exercised an option to add an additional DDG 51 destroyer to the multi-year contract awarded in 2023.Bath Iron Works currently has under construction the Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) as well as the Flight III configuration destroyers Louis H. Wilson Jr.
Triton Completes MacGregor Acquisition
Triton, a European mid-market investment company, has completed the acquisition of MacGregor from previous owner Hiab, formerly Cargotec.The transaction between Triton and Hiab, first announced in November 2024, was closed on July 31, 2025.MacGregor will continue to serve its maritime and offshore customers with its wide portfolio of cargo and load handling equipment under the ownership of Triton.“We at Triton are very pleased and excited about being the new owner of MacGregor.
AI Agents: Like Owning a Pet Tiger
Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI, has compared developing AI agents to owning a pet tiger.Speaking this week at the World AI Conference (WAIC 2025) in Shanghai, Yicai Global reported him saying: "Our current situation is like someone keeping a tiger as a pet. A tiger cub can indeed be a cute pet, but if you continue to keep it, you must ensure that it does not kill you when it grows up.”He says there are two choices: either train it so that it doesn't attack you or eliminate it.“For AI…
Panama Communities Challenge Canal Expansion Project in Supreme Court
Communities in Panama that would have to relocate under the Panama Canal's plan to build a $1.6 billion reservoir filed a Supreme Court challenge on Thursday, saying the project intended to enable more vessel transits is unconstitutional.Some 2,500 people would be affected by construction of the Rio Indio reservoir, according to figures from the canal's authority, which has said it needs to secure…
Surface Navy Association Names New President
The Surface Navy Association (SNA) announced the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ron Boxall as its new President, succeeding retired Vice Admiral Rick Hunt, who has served in the role since 2019. Admiral Boxall will make his first official appearance as SNA President at the upcoming Waterfront West Symposium, taking place September 10–11, 2025, in San Diego.Admiral Boxall’s career highlights include three tours with the Joint Chiefs of Staff…
SAAM Towage Strengthens Fleet With New Tugs for Chile and Peru
SAAM Towage, the largest towage operator in the Americas, has added two new units to its fleet: the SAAM Petrel and the SAAM Charrán. These modern ships, designed by the firm Robert Allan and built at the Sanmar shipyard in Turkey.Their names—SAAM Petrel and SAAM Charrán—pay homage to seabirds native to the coasts of Chile and Peru, following a SAAM Towage tradition dating back 60 years to the company's founding.SAAM Petrel.
Chinese Naval Vessels Arrive in Vladivostok Port For Joint Drills With Russia
Chinese naval vessels steamed into Russia's far eastern port of Vladivostok on Thursday ahead of joint drills scheduled from August 1 to August 5.Video footage from Russia's Defence Ministry showed the vessels, including a submarine, entering the harbour under grey skies.Chinese seamen were greeted by cheering residents waving the national flags of both countries and women in traditional costume offered an officer a traditional bread and salt welcome.Russian news agencies quoted a statement from
U.S. Shipbuilding Plots the Path Ahead
The military and Coast Guard budgets are established that will benefit the U.S. ship building and repair sector, but what will stimulate the commercial yards?This author has been scratching his head of late, after a thrilling dive into July’s U.S. Big Beautiful Bill Act, and has asked several colleagues where the funding for support commercial shipbuilding can be found? To answer that, we need to look…
Two CK Hutchison-Operated Ports Near Panama Could See State Partnerships Take Over
Public-private partnerships could take over two key ports near the Panama Canal if courts invalidate a contract with Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's to operate them, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino said on Thursday.CK Hutchison holds a 90% stake in the local Panama Ports Company, which had a 25-year concession to operate the Balboa and Cristobal ports, located at both ends of the canal, renewed in 2021.The contract has been at the center of a dispute since U.S.
Norwegian Cruise Maintains Profit Forecast, Bookings Rebound
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings signaled a demand rebound for its cruise vacations and maintained its annual profit target, sending its shares up 12% on Thursday.The company had earlier warned that geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty around tariffs had weakened consumer spending on its premium vacations, particularly for its longer itineraries in Europe.The 12-month forward booked position was ahead of historical levels in recent months after having softened in early April, while on-bo
Fincantieri Launches “Viking Mira” Cruise Ship
The “Viking Mira," a new cruise ship under construction for Viking, was launched at the Ancona shipyard. The ship is scheduled to debut in spring 2026, offering itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.The ceremony, which marks the ship’s transition to the final outfitting phase, was attended by Gilberto Tobaldi, Director of the Ancona Shipyard, and Gastone Lazzari, New Building Site Team Manager for Viking.With a gross tonnage of approximately 54…
Shipbuilding Played An Important Role in 15% Tariff onSouth Korea
South Korea's shipbuilding industry played "the most important role" in securing an agreement with the U.S. on tariffs, an analyst said on Thursday (July 31).President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (July 30) the U.S. will charge a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea, down from a threatened 25%, as part of a deal that eases tensions with a top-10 trading partner and key Asian ally.“The shipbuilding sector is exactly the area where South Korea and the U.S.
