Eastern Shipbuilding Group Launches Fourth Artificial Reef Competition for Welding Schools
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) announced the launch of the fourth annual Eastern Shipbuilding Group Coastline Initiative. In partnership with the Bay County Artificial Reef Association (BCARA), the competition challenges students from local welding schools to design and construct artificial reefs that support coastal restoration and marine habitat preservation.Originally launched in Fall 2022, the initiative has built a strong legacy of community impact.
US, Iran Explore Phased Deal to Reopen Hormuz, End Blockade
US and Iranian negotiators in New York are exploring a phased path out of war that would involve Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Washington lifting its economic blockade of Iran, sources close to the talks said.The strait has become the central bargaining chip in efforts to end the nearly seven-month US-Iran conflict, with Iran seeking relief from the US blockade that is choking its economy…
Russia to Raise $2.35b for Arctic Icebreaker Construction
Russia plans to raise more than 200 billion roubles ($2.35 billion) from exporters to finance the construction of icebreakers for its Arctic sea route, according to a draft government decree published this week.Russia is seeking additional sources to finance the development of transport infrastructure as it grapples with a budget deficit and rising war costs. Here are some details about the plan, which…
Eight Suicide Attempts Recorded During USS Abraham Lincoln Extended Mission
There were eight suicide attempts among US sailors on board the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group during its extended 286 consecutive-day deployment at sea, the Pentagon told a lawmaker in a written response to questions.The nuclear-powered Lincoln, with roughly 5,000 personnel, was involved in the US naval blockade and combat operations in the war with Iran and — according to Democratic lawmakers — set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
US Senate Nears Completion of Energy Infrastructure Reform Bill
The US Senate is nearing a deal to reform laws to speed up permitting of large infrastructure projects after the White House compromised on how renewable energy is treated, though a vote is uncertain before the midterm elections, a top Senate Democrat said on Thursday.Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the environment committee, and fellow Democrat Martin Heinrich have negotiated permitting legislation with Republican counterparts for months, after the talks had been cut off in Dec
Oil Tanker Insurance Triples Amidst Global Shipping Tensions
The cost of insuring an oil tanker loaded from Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea port has tripled in recent weeks, industry sources told Reuters, adding to the major crude producer's struggles to find a viable channel for its exports.Saudi Arabia used its East-West pipeline to divert around 4 million barrels per day - 4% of global supply - to the Red Sea after Iran constrained Gulf exports via the Strait…
80 Countries Demand Hormuz Reopening at UN
Some 80 countries demanded the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies for attacks in the region and disruption to international trade and energy security."Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security and navigational rights and freedoms," said a joint statement read out by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the United Nations."We also strongly condemn the Houthis' decision to r
Dijvler Expands Winch Solutions Into Sea-Going Vessel Market
Dijvler, a Dutch specialist in anchor and mooring winches, is expanding into the sea-going vessel segment. The company has acquired the rights, designs, drawings, and certifications of C-Nautical and has developed a new, standardized program of anchor- and mooring winches for cargo vessels and offshore support vessels. The first orders are expected to be delivered in 2027.Market gap following supplier exitsSeveral European suppliers…
Interferry Supports Proposed Revision of EU ETS
Interferry, the global trade association representing the ferry industry, has welcomed the European Commission’s proposed revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The association says the proposal has significant potential to accelerate maritime decarbonization, provided the final text secures accessible onshore power infrastructure and reliable grid connections through Member State obligations and more robust funding mechanisms.
Coast Guard R&D Center Honored for Technology, Innovation Work
The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) in New London, Conn., received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation for work spanning emerging technologies, unmanned systems, communications and search and rescue.The award recognizes the RDC’s service from June 2023 through February 2026, a period in which its 82 military and civilian personnel executed 189 high-priority research projects and…
Russia Begins Commercial Exports of Vostok Oil
Russia has begun commercial oil exports from Rosneft's Vostok Oil, its vast Arctic development that Moscow is counting on to lift crude production following years of delays and sanctions.The launch comes as Russia looks for new sources of production growth after the US shale boom helped propel the US past Russia to become the world's largest crude producer.State-controlled Rosneft started loading crude…
Italy Launches $4.2B DDX Destroyer Vessel Program
Italy has formally launched its next-generation destroyer program, with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) signing a contract valued at approximately $4.2 billion with OCCAR for two new DDX destroyers for the Italian Navy.OSN, the joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), said the contract includes approximately $1.48 billion in options and covers development, production, logistics studies…
Van Oord Names Next-Generation Fallpipe Vessel Pair
Van Oord has named its two next-generation flexible fallpipe vessels Vindnes and Vestnes, with the 35,000-tonne-capacity ships scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.The purpose-built vessels, currently under construction at Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore in China, will expand Van Oord's subsea rock installation capacity for offshore wind, interconnector and other energy infrastructure projects.Unlike converted vessels…
Dong Fang Offshore Orders Another CSOV from Vard
Fincantieri's Norwegian subsidiary Vard has signed a contract, worth between $76 million and $86 million, to build a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for Dong Fang Offshore, marking the fifth vessel ordered by the Taiwan-based marine contractor from the shipbuilder.The vessel will be based on VARD 4 39 design and adapted for subsea operations, offshore wind installation and maintenance…
Crowley Appoints Brea Schmidt as CFO
U.S.-based provider of logistics, marine and energy solutions Crowley has appointed Brea Schmidt as chief financial officer, putting her in charge of financial strategy and capital allocation across the company's logistics, shipping, government and energy businesses.Schmidt, who joined Crowley in 2025 as vice president of finance, will oversee fiscal planning, capital allocation and governance, including financial oversight of investments in vessels, terminals and technology.
50Hertz Taps ABL for Ostwind 4 Marine Assurance
ABL has been appointed by German transmission system operator 50Hertz to provide marine warranty survey services for the 2 GW Ostwind 4 offshore grid connection project in the German Baltic Sea.The consultancy will provide marine assurance for transportation and installation operations covering subsea cables and offshore infrastructure, including the installation of the project's converter platform…
Petronas’ Fleet Expands with New China-Built LNG Carrier
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line), has taken delivery of the 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier Puteri Kelantan, the third vessel of its type delivered for Petronas LNG in 2026.The vessel, owned by a joint venture company led by “K” Line, was delivered on September 24 by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) in China.Puteri Kelantan follows two vessels of the same type delivered for Petronas LNG in May and June this year.
Hormuz Shipping Traffic Remains Well Below Recent Average
Ten commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, up from seven a day earlier and below the 10-day moving average of about 17, preliminary shipping data showed on Thursday.Nine vessels entered the strait, including Supramax ships carrying metals, grain and other dry bulk cargoes, as well as an empty very large gas carrier.
