IMO PPR 13 Advances Biofouling Regulation Development
The IMO's Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response held its 13th session at IMO Headquarters in London from 9 to 13 February 2026.Outcomes include:Groundwork laid for future legally binding framework on biofoulingFollowing the decision of MEPC 83 to develop a legally binding framework on biofouling management to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, the Sub-Committee agreed some fundamental elements that will guide this work.
UK Marine Industry Salaries Not Keeping Up
Marine Resources has released the third edition of its UK Marine Industry Salary & Employment Survey, highlighting how employees are increasingly focused on salary.Managing Director and Founder, James Ward, says the survey highlights a clear shift in employee priorities since 2022. “For the first time since these surveys began, salary has shown as the single most important driver when looking for a new role.
Iran Plans Rocket Launches, Naval Drills with Russia
Iran issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) that it plans rocket launches in areas across its south on Thursday from 330 GMT to 1330 GMT, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration website showed on Wednesday.Iran conducted navy drills this week in the Hormuz Strait and plans to conduct a joint naval exercise with Russia on Thursday."Creating convergence and coordination in joint measures to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety (...) as well as combating maritime terrorism…
GTT Receives Tank Design Order for Two LNG Carriers
GTT announced that it has received an order from the shipyard Samsung Heavy Industries for the tank design of two new Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (LNGCs) in the first quarter of 2026.GTT will design the cryogenic tanks of the vessels, each with a capacity of 174,000 m³. The tanks will be fitted with GTT’s Mark III Flex membrane containment system.Delivery of the vessels is expected between the fourth quarter of 2028 and the first quarter 2029.
ACC, AWO Renew Marine Supply Chain Safety Agreement
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the American Waterways Operators (AWO) announced the renewal of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that reaffirms a shared commitment between the chemical industry and the U.S. tugboat, towboat, and barge industry to enhance safety, environmental protection, and security through Responsible Care and AWO’s Responsible Carrier Program (RCP).The agreement renews a…
Port of Virginia Recognized for Strengthened Safety Efforts
The Port of Virginia is using a layered approach to strengthen safety throughout its operation by identifying the most common critical risks at its terminals and offices, emphasize safety as a core value and creation of an internal safety brand that serves as a continual reminder for everyone on port property.The effort was recently recognized by Signal Mutual, the insurance carrier for The Port of Virginia…
CMA CGM Signs Vessel Order, Launches R&D Hub in India
At gathering in New Delhi in the presence of Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the CMA CGM Group’s Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé, the group reinforced its commitment to India. During the visit of its global leadership in India, CMA CGM signed the final Shipbuilding Contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for six LNG-powered containerships of 1700-teu capacity.Through CMA SHIPS…
Phillips 66, Citgo Look to Directly Buy Venezuelan Crude
U.S. refiners Phillips 66 and Citgo Petroleum are seeking to buy heavy crude directly from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA starting in April to maximize profits, rather than purchasing through trading houses and U.S. oil major Chevron, according to sources familiar with the efforts.Trading houses Trafigura and Vitol in January secured the first U.S. licenses to export Venezuelan oil as part of a $2 billion deal between Caracas and Washington.
Trinidad Hopeful for Offshore Gas Projects with Venezuela
Trinidad and Tobago's government is optimistic two flagship offshore gas projects with neighboring Venezuela to be operated by Shell, BP and Trinidad's National Gas Company will move forward amid political changes in the OPEC country, the energy minister of the twin-island nation said on Wednesday.The U.S. has been relaxing sanctions on Venezuela's energy industry as part of an ambitious $100 billion reconstruction plan since U.S. forces captured President Nicolas Maduro last month.
MOL Orders Alternative Oil to Supply Hungary, Slovakia Refineries
Hungary's MOL group has ordered tankers delivering Saudi, Norwegian, Kazakh, Libyan and Russian oil to supply its Hungarian and Slovak refineries and halted diesel supplies to Ukraine as it scrambles to overcome an outage of the Druzhba pipeline, officials said on Wednesday.MOL's refineries, the last in the EU to receive Russian oil through Druzhba, have struggled since a supply halt that Ukraine says was due to a Russian attack that damaged the pipeline infrastructure on January 27.The refineri
Argentinian Maritime Workers Begin Labor Reform Strike
Argentine maritime workers from the country's maritime workers federation FESIMAF launched a 48-hour strike on Wednesday, affecting cargo vessel operations, the group said in a statement.The strike action is a protest against President Javier Milei's proposed labor reform bill.The walkout is expected to disrupt cargo loading and unloading, pilot transfers and other services for commercial vessels, mainly in the port area of Rosario…
Wasalines Completes Sea Trials with RoPax Vessel Battery Upgrade
Wasaline has successfully completed sea trials following a major battery upgrade on board Aurora Botnia, which now features the largest battery capacity ever installed on a RoPax vessel worldwide.The vessel’s battery capacity has been expanded from 2.2 MWh to 12.6 MWh. The upgraded system has been approved for operation in traffic by DNV.The new batteries, supplied by marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy…
Marcura Expands Claims Management Capabilities with Shipdem Aqcuisition
Marcura has acquired Shipdem, a UK-based specialist in chemical tanker laytime and demurrage, from its parent company, Casper Shipping. Shipdem brings expertise in chemical tanker demurrage, where operational complexity and contractual nuance demand technical knowledge and disciplined claims handling process. The acquisition follows HubSE in 2025 and continues Marcura’s investment in claims management capabilities across all major cargo types.
Liebherr BOS 45000 Heavy-Lift Offshore Crane Acquired for South Korea Offshore Wind
The new Liebherr BOS 45000 crane has been acquired by Eunsung O&C Co., Ltd., known for its expertise in ground improvement, foundation engineering and complex onshore and offshore infrastructure projects. The BOS 45000 will equip a jack-up barge that will install offshore wind turbines and carry out maintenance work in Asian waters. With vessel engineering and a lifting capacity of up to 1,200 tons at a maximum reach of 22 meters…
Wärtsilä to Supply LNG Cargo, Fuel Systems for Bunker Ships
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions has secured a contract to supply LNG cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems for two 20,000 cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels under construction at Zhejiang XinLe Shipbuilding yard in China.The vessels will be owned by a Hong Kong-based shipowner. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2025.The contract covers the delivery of LNG cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems…
Marlink Announces Microsoft ExpressRoute Integration
Marlink, a leader in managed services for business-critical digital solutions will deliver faster, more secure global access to cloud services under the Microsoft ExpressRoute program.The integration enables customers to access Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 through dedicated, secure connectivity delivered as a fully managed service integrated with Marlink’s multi-orbit satellite networks.
Costamare Dry Bulk Spin-Off Spurs Solid Result
In its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release, the Monaco-based containership owner posted full-year 2025 adjusted net income from continuing operations of $375.6 million, or $3.12 per share. Net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders totaled $371.0 million, or $3.09 per share.For the fourth quarter, adjusted net income from continuing operations reached $71.8 million, or $0.60 per share…
Two Dead in Bulk Carrier Fire
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has reported notice of a fire in the engine room onboard the Singapore-registered bulk carrier Mandy off the coast of China. The incident occurred on February 17.The fire has been extinguished by the crew, but two of the 25 Myanmar crew members are reported dead. Another has been evacuated for medical treatment.There is no report of pollution, and the vessel is being towed to Yantai Port, China.MPA will investigate the incident.
In-Mar Commits to Expanding Product Lines to Support U.S. Navy
In-Mar Systems and In-Mar Solutions, Louisiana-based designers and suppliers of critical marine equipment, have announced a commitment to expand their product lines to support the evolving needs of the U.S. Navy and the broader U.S. maritime industrial base.Core offerings include marine off-board fire fighting by Fire Fighting Systems (FFS), and heavy-duty window wiper and wash systems by Wynn Marine and B. Hepworth.
Fuel Removed from Barge Grounded off San Juan Harbor
Salvors have removed the fuel from the barge grounded on the rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline in Puerto Rico. Approximately, 1,000 gallons of residual fuel and oily water have been removed from the Defiant barge which grounded at approximately noon, Feb. 9, just off the Port of San Juan harbor entrance.Salvage crews also brought in additional equipment to assess the extent of the barge damage and to test all tanks and voids for pressurization.
