U.S. Dredging Policy: Jones Act Waiver(s), Outdated Environmental Restrictions Hamper an Industry
The American maritime industry depends on policy that supports economic growth and investment and protects national security; however, recent policy decisions have too often relied on broad administrative actions and outdated assumptions rather than modern, data-driven approaches. The extension of the Jones Act waiver and the continued use of rigid seasonal dredging windows illustrate this trend. Though distinct issues…
U.S. Dredging: A Cornerstone of Maritime Commerce and National Defense
There are several major dredging opportunities emerging across the United States that extend well beyond traditional maintenance dredging, channel deepenings, or harbor expansions. Increasingly, the American dredging industry is becoming a strategic tool for addressing some of the nation's most pressing challenges, including water security, agricultural sustainability, coastal resilience, maritime industrial revitalization, and national defense.
Saudi Oil Tankers Cross Red Sea as Hormuz Traffic Slows
Two tankers laden with Saudi oil crossed the Bab el-Mandeb strait over the weekend, while traffic in the Strait of Hormuz slowed following reports of vessel attacks, shipping data showed on Monday.The number of commodity vessels that passed through the Bab el-Mandeb strait fell to 18 on Sunday, from 27 on Saturday and 28 on Friday, the Kpler data showed.The Iran-aligned Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20, opening a new front against the U.S.
GasLog LNG Tanker Safe Following Strait of Hormuz Incident
A liquefied natural gas vessel controlled by Greek shipping company GasLog was stable after an incident while exiting the Strait of Hormuz, with everyone on board safe and accounted for, the company said.An "incident" had occurred on its Gaslog Shanghai LNG vessel on July 31, said GasLog in a statement. It did not provide details about the incident or whether the ship or its cargo had sustained any damage."GasLog LNG Services immediately activated their emergency plan…
Rebuilding U.S. Shipbuilding One Weld at a Time
The dearth of welding talent for shipyards – for all manufacturing operations – transcends the ‘finding the next generation’ discussion and fall squarely into a conversation about rebuilding U.S. shipbuilding capacity and national defense. Technology companies – specifically AI and robotics – continue to infiltrate nearly every maritime sector, and Path Robotics has taken an early lead in the development and supply or humanoid welding robots…
Low Water Levels in European Rivers Warn of Economic Impact
Record low water levels in Europe's major rivers have curtailed the transport of goods, reduced electricity output and shrunk company earnings, stoking fears about the economic impact of searing heat and erratic rainfall.As Europe experiences the fastest warming of any continent and record-breaking heatwaves, drought has exposed the need to reconsider business practices.From the bustling port of Rotterdam to hydropower plants in Serbia…
Russian Grain Lobby Warns Black Sea Attacks Threaten Grain Security
Russia's main grain lobby group warned on Friday that Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian ships and ports could shut down grain exports via the Black Sea in the near future, pushing up prices and causing hunger in Africa and the Middle East.Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, and Ukraine, also a major agricultural exporter, have been attacking each other's agricultural export facilities and…
China Refuses Philippine "Baselines" Around Disputed Scarborough Shoal
China's foreign ministry on Friday said it firmly opposed and would never accept the Philippines' establishment of "baselines" around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, calling the move "illegal and invalid" and a serious violation of China's territorial sovereignty.Scarborough Shoal, known in China as Huangyan Dao and in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc, is claimed by both countries.Manila…
Crude Oil Spills From Shadow Fleet Tanker Off Oman
A sanctions-hit tanker is leaking oil off the coast of Oman and the spill has spread in recent days, increasing concern about possible environmental damage to coastal areas, according to an analysis of satellite imagery and shipping specialists.The Caroline Bezengi took Russian oil on board at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk before leaving for its most recent voyage, ship tracking data shows.It first reported difficulties on June 8 off the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla…
France Selects Five Ports for $300M Floating Wind Investment
France has selected five ports to receive nearly $300 million (€260 million) in funding under the France 2030 investment program to support infrastructure upgrades for the country's floating offshore wind industry.The projects, located at the ports of Cherbourg, Brest, Nantes-Saint-Nazaire, Port-la-Nouvelle and Marseille-Fos, were chosen under a 2024 call for projects aimed at adapting French port infrastructure for the manufacture…
Petrobras Extends Contracts for DOF-TechnipFMC PLSV Duo
DOF Group has secured long-term contract extensions with Petrobras for the Skandi Buzios and Skandi Recife pipelay support vessels (PLSVs), extending both contracts into January 2028.Following negotiations with Petrobras, Skandi Buzios was awarded a 516-day extension, while Skandi Recife secured a 550-day extension, DOF said.The contracts had previously been due to expire in the third quarter of 2026.Both vessels are owned by a joint venture between DOF and TechnipFMC…
Two Oil Supertankers Exit Hormuz as Traffic Remains Sparse
The two very large crude carriers (VLCC) carrying oil loaded from the Gulf exited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, with traffic through the waterway remaining thin, according to Kpler ship-tracking data.The Spain B vessel is carrying crude oil loaded from the Saudi Arabian port of Ras Tanura on July 12, and is currently anchored off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile Noble, which loaded Iraqi Basrah crude on July 25…
MarAd's Carmel: Great Lakes are Central to America's Maritime Revival
CHICAGO — July 30, 2026 — The United States cannot rebuild its maritime strength by focusing solely on its ocean coasts. Instead, the nation's industrial resurgence depends on recognizing the Great Lakes as one of America's five maritime coastlines and leveraging the region's unmatched manufacturing ecosystem, according to U.S. Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel.Speaking at the American Great Lakes Ports Association's annual meeting in Chicago today…
Security Concerns About Suez Oil Rise After Tanker Drone Strike in Egypt
A drone strike that damaged two gas tankers in Egyptian waters has renewed energy security concerns about the nearby Suez Canal and a related pipeline, a vital export route for Saudi Arabian oil since the beginning of the Iran war.Even as Iran and its Houthi allies have fired on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, Egypt's Suez Canal and Sumed pipeline continued to offer safe…
Gulf Markets Ease as US, Iran Hostilities Resume
Major Gulf bourses ended lower on Thursday as investor sentiment weakened amid mounting concern over escalating hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. military said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran, including military command centres and drone facilities, in a two-hour operation launched after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East.On Wednesday…
Saudi Arabia Launches Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Plans
Saudi Arabia on Thursday unveiled plans for a multinational maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting international shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea region after attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis disrupted one of the world's busiest trade corridors.The Saudi defence ministry said representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended an international meeting that discussed the proposed coalition…
DOF Group Awarded Two AHTS Vessel Contracts
DOF Group ASA has been awarded firm contracts with a duration of more than 1 year and expected commencement in Q1 of 2027 for two of its AHTS vessels. The expected value of each contract is Significant, which DOF defines as contracts with value between USD$15 and 25 million.
Seanergy Maritime Shares Q2, H1 Financial Results
Seanergy Maritime shared their second quarter and first half 2026 financial results. Highlights include: Financial Performance & Consistent Shareholder Returns — $108.4 Million Returned Since Program InceptionRecord Q2 and H1 profit of $26.2 million and $35.9 million, respectively, up from $2.9 million net income and $4.0 million loss in the prior-year periodsQuarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share, the Company’s 19th consecutive cash dividend; payout of approx.
Resolve Marine Announces New Tacoma, Washington Facility
Resolve Marine, a provider of marine solutions, has moved its Pacific Northwest (PNW) facility to a new location on the Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington. The new waterfront facility address is 700 E D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421. This location provides operational advantages, including dedicated dock space, expanded yard capacity, and upgraded equipment to support a growing range of marine services…
Travis Niederhauser Appointed Company President at Phoenix
Phoenix International Holdings (Phoenix) announced the appointment of Travis Niederhauser to the position of company President effective August 1, 2026. Travis is replacing Patrick Keenan who is joining the company's board of directors after having served as President for ten years.Travis received a BA in Geography (Concentration in GIS, Cartography, and Remote Sensing) from the University of Hawaii…
