The IWH Group Launches Blue Future to Help Maritime SMEs Repair Digital Readiness Gap
The IWH Group has launched Blue Future, a new service designed to help marine and offshore organizations assess their digital preparedness, define a realistic target operating model, and build a roadmap from legacy, manual ways of working to more resilient, scalable digital operations. The offer is aimed at organizations including ship owners, ship operators, charterers, port agents, ship management companies…
Port Tampa Bay Welcomes Container Vessel with Largest Carrying Capacity
Port Tampa Bay welcomed a container vessel Thursday that set a new record for carrying capacity at the port. The ZIM Canada docked with 11,900 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), nearly 2,000 more than any vessel previously handled at the port. The arrival underscores the port’s growing role in handling larger, high-capacity container ships and highlights the importance of ongoing infrastructure investments.The ship…
US Considers Extending Russian Oil Waiver as Prices Spike During Iran Conflict
President Donald Trump's administration is likely to extend as soon as Friday a waiver allowing countries to buy some sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.The U.S.
Pakistan Navy Evacuates Merchant Ship Crew
Pakistan said its navy had rescued and evacuated 18 crew members of a merchant vessel operating in the North Arabian sea after a distress call.The rescued crew members of the vessel, GOLD AUTUMN, who included nationals of China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia, were safely transported to Karachi for medical care and repatriation, a statement from Pakistan's military said.(Reuters)
USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Prepares for April 9 Commissioning
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. (DDG 124) will be commissioned on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. EST in Norfolk.DDG 124 is the latest destroyer built in the Flight IIA configuration.The commissioning ceremony will live stream on the Defense Video Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) at www.dvidshub.net/webcast/37421. The live stream will begin at 9:50 a.m. EST, and the ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. EST on April 11.
Saturn Launched, First in New RAL Rapport 3000 Escort Tug Series
Master Boat Builders launched Saturn, the first vessel in the new H500 series of Rapport 3000 escort tugs built for Suderman & Young Towing Company, marking Master…
Vale, Shandong Shipping Sign Deal for Ethanol-Powered Carriers
Brazilian mining firm Vale has signed an agreement with China's Shandong Shipping Corporation to build the world’s first ocean-going vessels powered primarily by ethanol, as part of efforts to cut emissions in maritime transport.The agreement covers the construction of two Guaibamax bulk carriers under 25-year contracts, with delivery scheduled from 2029 and options for additional vessels.The ships will be capable of running on ethanol…
Oil Spill Forces Partial Shipping Halt at Port of Antwerp
Shipping traffic around Belgium's Port of Antwerp has been partially halted because of an oil spill that has spread from one of the port's docks into the river Scheldt.Antwerp harbour typically handles 60 to 80 ships daily. A port spokesperson could not immediately say how long traffic will remain halted or how many ships would be affected."An oil spill occurred during a bunkering operation in the Deurganckdock.
UK Sent Military to Counter Russian Submarine Activity Near Cables
Britain deployed military vessels to prevent any attacks on cables and pipelines by Russian submarines that spent more than a month in and around British waters earlier this year, Defence Minister John Healey said on Thursday.Britain accused Russia of using the distraction of events in the Middle East to try to conduct the covert operation in the High North maritime region, home to key shipping routes…
Middle East Producers Gear Up for Hormuz Export Restart
Producers in the Middle East have asked Asian refiners to submit crude oil loading programmes for April and May in preparation for the eventual resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.A two-week ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran announced on Wednesday lifted hopes for a reopening of the Strait, through which about 20% of global oil…
Pacific Nations Face Commercial Roadblock for Wind Propulsion
The Republic of the Marshall Islands took delivery of the sailing cargo vessel Juren Ae in October 2024, and it marked a new era in wind-propelled transport in Oceania.The vessel’s name refers to the “steering paddle” on a Marshallese canoe, and its construction was the result of the efforts of the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership, co-chaired by Fiji and the Marshall Islands. The partnership includes other nations such as Kiribati…
The Politics of a Subsea Data Cable Link to Antarctica
Antarctica is the only continent without a fiber-optic connection.The technology required to get one there is available, but the creation of such infrastructure raises geopolitical questions, including its potential military use, say researchers from Germany.The US National Science Foundation has plans to build a subsea data cable link from New Zealand or Australia to its McMurdo research base in Antarctica.
Starmer, Trump Discuss Opening Strait of Hormuz
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday about the need for a plan to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz "as quickly as possible," following a U.S. ceasefire with Iran, Downing Street said.Starmer discussed with Trump the UK's efforts to convene partners to agree to a "viable plan" on restoring freedom of navigation in the waterway."They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait…
Boreal Orders 20 Electric Hydrofoil Ferries
Norwegian ferry operator Boreal has ordered 20 electric hydrofoil vessels from Swedish Candela Technology.Norway has long been a world leader in electrification of the car fleet and battery-powered ferries on short routes. However, express ferries – the fast passenger vessels that connect coastal communities over long distances – have been a challenge.The Candela P12 is the first electric vessel to combine 25 knots cruising speed and around 40 nautical miles range…
Van Oord Completes Low-Noise Monopile Installation
Van Oord has installed three monopile foundations using GBM Works' jetting solution in combination with CAPE’s vibro lifting tool for the first time at commercial scale, a milestone in silent offshore installation.Designed to reduce underwater noise and minimise impact on marine life, the method was deployed at Ecowende's Hollandse Kust West wind farm using Van Oord's new offshore wind installation…
AMSA Bans Vessel for Seafarer Exploitation
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is warning maritime employers that failure to meet minimum standards for seafarers’ living and working conditions may result in serious consequences.Employers are required to provide the timely payment of wages, safe accommodation, adequate rest and access to support, in line with their obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).Earlier this week…
Port Tampa Bay Receives $10m Federal Investment to Strengthen Supply Chain, Regional Economy
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor joined Port Tampa Bay leadership to announce $10 million in federal funding to support the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, an investment that will enhance navigation safety, expand cargo capacity and strengthen supply chains across Florida.The funding included $3 million secured by Rep. Castor through Fiscal Year 2026 community project funding requests to advance Phase 1 planning, engineering and design. In addition, Rep.
George Whittier Returns to CEO Role at Fairbanks Morse Defense
Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) announced that George Whittier is returning to lead FMD as its Chief Executive Officer. Across the defense and industrial sectors, Whittier is recognized as a trusted and highly respected leader. Having spent more than a decade at FMD, including six years as its CEO, Whittier is situated to lead the company through this pivotal period as he brings a deep understanding of the business and its critical role within the defense industrial base.
Orsted: Middle East Energy Crunch Rejuvenates Europe Offshore Wind Push
The Middle East war is giving fresh momentum to Europe's push for energy independence andbolstering the case for offshore wind farm developments, the CEO of Denmark's Orsted said on Thursday.Europe, a major importer of fossil fuels, has seen energy prices soar in recent weeks as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, and Teheran's blockage of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, led to a worldwide scramble for oil and natural gas."There is a major task for Europe...
Hormuz Shipping Traffic Remains Below Normal Volumes Despite Ceasefire
Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz stood at well below 10% of normal volumes on Thursday despite a U.S.-Iran ceasefire as Tehran asserted its control by warning ships to keep to its territorial waters while doing so.Hundreds of tankers and other ships have been stuck inside the Gulf since the Iran war began on Feb 28, cutting global oil supply by 20% in the world's biggest-ever supply disruption.
