Ferry Engine Failure Raises Concern About Emergency Response Capabilities
New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has issued its report on the blackout and loss of propulsion on Interislander ferry Kaitaki. A degraded rubber expansion joint in the engine cooling system failed and triggered an automatic shutdown. The part had exceeded its service life. TAIC found six safety issues, including: lifetime management of safety-critical components; engineering decision support…
Two Tankers Exit Strait of Hormuz
Two more tankers laden with crude exited the Strait of Hormuz last week with trackers switched off to avoid Iranian attacks, Kpler shipping data showed, underscoring a rising trend to sustain Middle East oil exports.The very large crude carrier (VLCC) Basrah Energy loaded 2 million barrels of Upper Zakum crude from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co's (ADNOC's) Zirku terminal on May 1 and exited the Strait of Hormuz on May 6…
Fuel for Thought: How Three Fifty Markets Secured Its Maritime Lien
In February 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a major decision that caught the attention of shipowners, bunker suppliers, charterers, and maritime lawyers around the world. The case – Three Fifty Markets, Ltd. v. M/V ARGOS M, et al. – is a masterclass in how maritime liens, bunker supply chains, and “no lien” clauses collide in modern shipping commerce, often in disputes where fuel is delivered…
Tech Focus: Thrusters Aid the Advance of Autonomous Nav Systems
![Photo of MT Andaman, [IMO number 9807968] a 30m Indian Navy tug. Converted in 2024 for full uncrewed, remote piloting operation approved by the Indian Register of Shipping.
Image courtesy MDL.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-of-mt-andaman-imo-170467.jpg)
The demand for “thrusters” on recreational and commercial vessels has increased rapidly in recent years, providing vessels with enhanced capabilities.Increasing a vessel’s manoeuvrability, making its steering more precise, to accurately control course and position offers greater versatility. New markets are opening to take advantage of new horizons with commercial opportunities.Thruster operation may be manual by the helmsman or part of a Propulsion Management System (PMS).
Rescued by the Welder’s Whip and Anchored by the Painter’s Spray Gun
As a vessel construction manager with extended building experience in both the U.S. and South Korea, more than several opportunities have landed on our desks as Private Equity and Venture Capital analyze tanker tonnage and construction in the domestic trades. With the understanding these requests are based upon the current Persian Gulf and Venezuela issues driving that market we should also pay attention…
American Waterways, Global Volatility: Making the Right Policy Choices
Today’s headlines bring constant news of international shipping hubs across the global supply chain experiencing major volatility and disruption – from Iran sending shockwaves through global energy markets by forcefully obstructing vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz; to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen signaling intent to restart attacks on shipping in the Red Sea; to China detaining Panama-flagged vessels in an escalation of ongoing disputes over the Panama Canal…
We Work the Waterways Provides Workforce Development Efforts to Maritime Consortium
We Work the Waterways (WWW) is serving as a workforce development and engagement partner in the launch of the Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, a multi-state collaboration focused on strengthening the inland maritimeworkforce pipeline across America’s river system.Bringing together ports, industry leaders, and an initial network of higher education institutions…
US Representative Salud Carbajal Recognized by International Propeller Club
This week, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) was recognized by the International Propeller Club and received the Frank Courtenay “Salute to Congress” Award for championing legislation to support the American maritime industry. The Salute to Congress Award recognizes members of the U.S. Congress for their leadership and support of the American maritime industry.“I am honored to receive this recognition from the International Propeller Club…
Oil Prices Rise As US-Iran Fighting Continues
Brent crude futures jumped as much as 3% on Friday, a day after the U.S. and Iran traded air strikes, with traders fretting over the future of the cease-fire and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures was at $101.47 a barrel, up $1.41 or 1.41% by 10:51 CDT (1551 GMT), after rising as much as 3% earlier in the session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures was at $95.71 a barrel, up 90 cents…
Suspected Oil Spill Visible on Satellite Images Near Kharg Island Export Hub
A suspected oil spill covering dozens of square kilometres of sea near Iran's main oil hub of Kharg Island has been seen on satellite imagery this week.The likely spill - appearing on images as a grey and white slick - covered waters to the west of the 8-kilometre (5-mile) long island, pictures from Copernicus’s Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellites showed on May 6-8.“The slick appears visually consistent with oil…
Hantavirus-Infected Cruise Ship Part of Antarctic Tourism Trend
Tourism in the Antarctic Peninsula is a niche but booming industry powered by deep-pocketed adventure-seekers travelling thousands of miles to marvel at penguin colonies and take "polar plunges" in sight of icebergs.But growing numbers of visitors bring risks including disease, invasive species and pollution to the delicate ecosystems of Antarctica and the remote sub-Antarctic islands that teem with bird life…
Fishermen Find Ukrainian-Made Naval Drone in Greek Island Cave
Greek authorities are investigating a drone boat found by fishermen in a cave on the Ionian island of Lefkada, police and coast guard sources said on Friday.It was not clear how the Ukrainian-made unmanned surface vehicle (USV) reached Greek waters. Fishermen located it late on Thursday.Preliminary findings indicate the MAGURA V3-type sea drone was fitted with three detonators, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.One source said the vessel was loaded with explosives…
First Person: Exploring the Nile River
The guidebooks and river cruise itinerary for the Nile River cruise were studied and neatly packed for my trip, but nothing really preparedme for what surely is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to savor firsthand and physically close some of the most striking and memorable scenery andhistory anywhere in the world.As I write this, I’m traveling down the Nile in a flat bottomed, two masted houseboat, a dhahabiya (الدهبية) in Arabic…
CSI Announces 2026 Schedule of Content
Cruise Ship Interiors Expo America has announced its 2026 schedule of content, set to take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 9 - 10 June, 2026. The packed schedule, in partnership with NEWH, is IDCEC-accredited and tightly curated to be the most relevant conference for US-based cruise ship interiors professionals to attend all year.The speaker line-up features industry experts from across Royal Caribbean Cruise Line…
ABS, HD KSOE Collaborate for Digital Shipbuilding, Vessel Intelligence
ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on digital technologies to strengthen safety and performance in shipbuilding.The agreement establishes a framework for the organizations to collaborate on Digital Threads, secure and integrated flows of data, across the entire vessel value chain. Areas of focus will include digital engineering…
Lloyd’s Register Approves Wison’s Internal Turret FPSO Concept
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Wison New Energies for a harsh-environment floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) design featuring an internal turret mooring system.The FPSO concept is aimed at offshore developments in demanding metocean conditions, where internal turret systems are commonly used but involve complex integration between hull, mooring, risers…
TSS Cruiser CSOV Ready to Support Taiwan's Offshore Wind Projects
Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM), a joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Taiwan’s Ta Tong Marine, has taken delivery of a new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), the TSS Cruiser, which is now ready to support offshore wind farm operations in Taiwan.Built by Damen Shipyards in Ha Long in Vietnam, the TSS Cruiser is the second service operation vessel operated by TSSM following the delivery of the TSS Pioneer in 2022…
UTC Overseas, Transoceanic Launch US Gulf Coast Logistics Joint Venture
UTC Overseas and Transoceanic Development have launched UTC Transoceanic (UTC Transo), a joint venture aimed at supporting the growing logistics needs of energy, power and industrial infrastructure projects along the U.S. Gulf Coast.Headquartered in New Orleans, the venture combines UTC Overseas’ project logistics and customs brokerage operations with Transoceanic Development’s regional infrastructure…
US Container Imports Fall 3.2% in April, Descartes Reports
Descartes Systems Group has released its May Global Shipping Report which found that U.S. container imports decreased by 3.2% in April 2025, as trade uncertainty and geopolitical risks persist.In April 2026, U.S. container import volumes decreased by 3.2% over March to 2,277,965 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). China-origin imports decreased 4.3% month-over-month and 15.3% year-over-year, according…
MISC Names LNG Carrier Vessel Pair
MISC Group (MISC) named two new generation Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers, Seri Dian and Seri Dayang, on May 7, 2026. The addition of these vessels further strengthens its long-standing partnership with SeaRiver Maritime LLC (SRM), a wholly owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil.Constructed by Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd., the 174,000 CBM LNG carriers are equipped with smart and energy-efficient technologies…
