Construction Starts for World’s First Fully Electric CSOV
Bibby Marine has laid the keel for its 6,700GT electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) at the Armon Shipyard in Spain, marking the start of construction for the first of its kind hybrid-powered vessel that will operate on zero-emissions.During the ceremony, Bibby Line Group CEO, Jonathan Lewis, welded a coin from 1807, the year of Bibby’s founding, into the keel plates, marking the start of the vessel construction.When commissioned in 2027…
Tidal Transit Holds Belated Christening for CTV Fresh off its Maiden Job
The latest addition to Tidal Transit’s fleet of purpose-built crew transfer vessels (CTVs), Imogen Rose, was officially christened at Equinor’s pontoon in Great Yarmouth.The ceremony formed part of a wider event, hosted by multinational energy company Equinor, to celebrate completion of an ongoing modification project at its 317 MW Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm.Imogen Rose is an Incat Crowther UK-designed WindFlex 27 model…
Strategic Marine-Built CTV Set for South Korea's Offshore Wind Ops
Singaporean shipbuilder Strategic Marine has delivered next-generation Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) to new client Yeosu Ocean for offshore wind farm operations in South Korea.The 27-meter-long CTV is based on the StratCat 27 design, developed in close collaboration with BMT, and is engineered to perform in the various conditions of offshore wind farm operations internationally.It features a distinctive hull form for improved seakeeping…
Van Oord to Bolster Fleet with Two New Subsea Rock Installation Vessels
Dutch offshore installation firm Van Oord has ordered two next-generation subsea rock installation vessels, which will built by Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore in China.Capable of operating on methanol and with a focus on innovation and automation, the vessels will strengthen Van Oord’s position in subsea rock installation and offshore energy infrastructure protection.The first vessel is expected to enter the market in 2028…
Dozens Dead After Tourist Boat Capsize in Vietnam
Dozens of rescuers were scrambling in Vietnam on Sunday to trace four missing people after retrieving the bodies of dozens killed when a thunderstorm capsized a boat in the top tourist destination of Halong Bay, authorities said.Despite a calm sea, rescuers, from police and border guards to divers and navy personnel, were battling limited visibility hours before the expected landfall in northern Vietnam of Typhoon Wipha…
Voluntary Carbon Insetting Schemes Pivotal to Decarbonization
New analysis by UCL Energy Institute, with the assistance of UMAS, analyzing voluntary carbon insetting schemes in the maritime sector suggests that they could play a vital role in catalyzing shipping's decarbonization during the critical period before regulation is the driving factor.Carbon insetting is a strategy that focuses on reducing carbon emissions within a company's own operations and supply chain…
Tow Collision: Fatigued Pilot Distracted by Phone
A tow pilot’s distraction caused by personal cellphone use resulted in a collision last year with moored barges on the lower Mississippi River, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.The towing vessel William B Klunk was pushing 22 loaded hopper barges on April 17, 2024, when the tow collided with moored barges at a fleeting area near Baton Rouge. Thirteen barges broke away from the William B Klunk tow and three barges broke away from the fleeting area…
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…
