Oil Prices Dip Slightly Amidst Continued Middle East Tensions
Oil prices edged lower on Thursday but held near the highest since mid-June as the Iran war escalated, with Tehran asking Yemen's Houthi movementto be prepared to close the Red Sea oil export route.Brent crude futures were down 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $84.76 a barrel by 11:25 a.m. EDT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $79.43 a barrel. At their session highs, both contracts were up more than 1%.On Wednesday…
US LNG Tanker Completes First Direct Sail to China Since Tariff Dispute
A vessel carrying U.S. liquefied natural gas has sailed directly from the U.S. to China for the first time since trade tensions between Washington and Beijing effectively halted direct shipments, vessel-tracking data showed.However, analysts say it may never enter China as the terminal's bonded storage facilities allow re-exports without import duties.Carrying a cargo loaded in early June from U.S.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges Sees Decline in Goods in H1 2026
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, and operational disruptions, context handled 133.9 million tons of maritime goods in the first half of 2026, a decrease of 2.4% compared to the same period last year. While RoRo grew (+5.9%) and bulk remained virtually stable (-1.3%), the decrease was primarily situated in the general cargo segment, with container handling being the main factor.
Wärtsilä to Supply Engine, Propulsion for Two New Gas Carriers
Wärtsilä will supply its Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia auxiliary engine, together with a NOx reducer (SCR) and gas valve unit (GVU), for two new 51,350 m3 capacity midsize LPG/liquid ammonia carrier vessels. The engine will support reduced emissions and operational efficiency, while helping the vessels meet evolving sustainability requirements. The ships are being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore &…
Bollinger Shipyards Opens Maritime Training Center in Mississippi
Bollinger Shipyards has opened a 7,200-square-foot workforce training center at its Gulfport, Mississippi, facility to expand skilled trades training for the U.S. shipbuilding industry.The facility was developed in partnership with the U.S. Navy's Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) Program Office and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. It will provide hands-on training in marine electrical, electronics and sheet metal trades…
Engineering Drivetrains Inside High-Productivity Dredgers
Modern dredging vessels can comfortably compete as being one of the most mechanically demanding ships in service today. Whether configured as cutter suction dredgers or trailing suction hopper dredgers, they are required to manage extreme torque fluctuations, high power transmission, and long operating hours in harsh marine environments – all while being expected to maintain their uptime and productivity without concern.Unlike conventional vessels…
ABB to Buy Rotork in $5.5B Automation Deal
ABB has agreed to acquire UK-based intelligent flow control solutions provider Rotork in a recommended all-cash deal valuing the company at about $5.5 billion, expanding its automation portfolio and strengthening its position in industrial automation.ABB said Rotork's flow control and instrumentation portfolio complements its existing automation business and will strengthen its position at the field…
Hormuz Crossings Decline as US Renews Iran Blockade
Fewer vessels travelled through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the first day after the U.S. reimposed its naval blockade on Iranian ports with both countries escalating strikes across the Gulf, shipping data showed.Nine vessels crossed the strait on Wednesday, mostly on the Iranian route, down from 13 the previous day, Kpler data showed.There were no Very Large Crude Carrier or liquefied natural gas tankers visibly passing through the strait on Wednesday.U.S.