Taihan Takes Delivery of Second Cable Laying Vessel
Taihan Cable & Solution has taken delivery of its second cable laying vessel (CLV) Skandi Connector, strengthening its offshore wind and subsea power cable installation capabilities.Skandi Connector CLV, delivered by DOF Group, joins Taihan’s existing offshore wind-dedicated cable-laying vessel PALOS, creating what the company described as a dual-track installation system for offshore wind, HVDC transmission and long-distance power interconnection projects.The 10…
US-Iran Attacks Escalation Chokes Hormuz Shipping
Just three commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, the fewest daily transits since May, shipping data showed, with most ships halting or making U-turns after recent Iranian attacks on vessels and the resumption of a U.S. blockade on Iran-related shipping.The re-escalation in fighting between the U.S. and Iran has once again largely stopped traffic through Hormuz, the world's most important shipping route for oil and gas…
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.
Ukraine to Protect Ports, Exports After Recent Russian Attacks
Ukraine will do everything possible to protect its seaports and guarantee grain exports at no less than last season's level,its deputy economy minister, Taras Vysotskiy, told Reuters on Wednesday.Russia has sharply stepped up attacks in recent weeks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports' infrastructure and on cargo vessels entering Odesa ports to export grain and other agricultural goods.Brokers say shipowners are refusing to enter Ukrainian ports because of sharply increased war risks…
Shipping Companies Turn Down US-Guided Military Transit Through Hormuz
Shipping companies are avoiding using a U.S. military-guided transit scheme through the Strait of Hormuz after a wave of Iranian attacks on vessels sparked safety concerns, seven maritime security and shipping industry sources said.For decades ships sailed into and out of the Gulf using a safe set of lanes down the middle of the strait established by the U.N.’s shipping agency in 1968 dubbed the Traffic Separation Scheme.Since the Iran war began on February 28…
By the Numbers: GAO Examines America's Mariner Training Pipeline
Report highlights expanding career opportunities—but says access to financial aid remains unevenThe United States has no shortage of maritime career opportunities. What it does have, according to a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), is a fragmented training and financial aid system that can make entering the profession more difficult than it should be.In its report issued earlier this year…
ECITB, GWO Launch Wind Turbine Maintenance Cross Skill Program
Following two successful pilots, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), in partnership with the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, have officially launched the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Cross Skill Program to support worker transferability between oil and gas and wind operations and maintenance.The six-week program gives existing Instrument and Controls…
Williams Grand Prix Technologies Launches Superyacht Battery System
Williams Grand Prix Technologies has entered the marine sector with the launch of the ES10M, a battery system developed for superyachts, support and explorer vessels, hybrid propulsion applications, and refit programs. The launch marks the company's first dedicated marine product.Based in Grove, Oxfordshire, alongside the Atlassian Williams F1 Team, Williams Grand Prix Technologies draws on its motorsport engineering performance experience.
Interferry2026 Holds Annual Conference in Bangkok
Interferry has unveiled its lineup of keynote speakers and ferry leaders for its upcoming annual conference. Running from October 31 to November 4, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, the event centers on the pivotal theme “Stronger than Ever… Together.” This year's focus highlights the industry's collective drive to tackle unprecedented operational and environmental shifts through global unity. The Interferry2026…
Wärtsilä Secures FSRU Service Agreement with Pardus Energy
Wärtsilä has signed a five-year lifecycle agreement with Ireland-based Pardus Energy to support the operation of the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) TURQUOISE P.The agreement includes contract management, maintenance planning and spare parts support for the vessel. Wärtsilä said the order was booked in the second quarter of 2026.The TURQUOISE P, commissioned in 2019, operates as a stationary FSRU at the ETKI LNG terminal in Aliaga…
Grain Shipments Strong, but Weakness on the Horizon
“Global grain shipments have increased 13% y/y so far this year, supported by strong wheat, maize and soya bean exports from the Americas and Europe. Improved harvests across most major exporters have boosted their export surpluses, driving higher shipments to Asia, the Middle East and North Africa,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.Grain shipments to China have jumped 15% y/y, supported by stronger soya bean, sorghum and barley imports.
SMD, Prysmian Advance Power Cable Installation with New Plough
SMD has delivered the first of two heavy-duty power cable ploughs to Prysmian for deployment on the company's new-generation cable laying vessels (CLVs).The second system is scheduled for delivery later this year. The ploughs will be mobilized on Prysmian Alessandro Volta and Prysmian Mona Lisa CLVs.The systems are designed to bury conventional multi-core power cables, bundled two-pole power cables…
Windcat, Ørsted Extend CTV Partnership
Windcat has secured long-term contracts with Ørsted to provide crew transfer vessel (CTV) services supporting the offshore wind developer's operations from Grimsby in northeast England.The agreements, which began in June, have a firm term of five years with options for extension.Under the contracts, Windcat will continue supplying seven crew transfer vessels that support Ørsted's Generation UK Hub…
