US Unions Urge Lawmakers to Pass SHIPS Act to Secure Domestic Shipbuilding Funding
Five U.S. unions are calling on lawmakers to pass legislation that would help secure long-term funding to revive domestic shipbuilding, an effort championed by President Donald Trump and boosted by new port fees on Chinese ships.The United States on October 14 is slated to begin collecting fees on China-linked vessels that visit the nation's seaports. While final rules from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are pending…
ASRY Celebrates End of its 2025 Summer Internship Program
The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) has brought its annual summer internship program to a close for a group of university students from across the Kingdom. The occasion was marked during a ceremony held at the company's headquarters in Hidd, attended by the Vice-President for Corporate Support, Shaikh Duaij bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.The program lasted for two months, during which a number…
Seatrium Divests US AmFELS Yard for $50.7M
Seatrium has divested its AmFELS Yard located at Brownsville in Texas, in the United States, for a consideration of $50.7 million (S$65 million).The accretive divestment will allow Seatrium to enhance capital and operational efficiencies, while unlocking value from one of its surplus facilities.The asset sale is being executed through Seatrium’s subsidiary, Seatrium AmFELS, which has entered into a binding agreement with Karpower Valley…
Sallaum Lines Launches its First Dual-Fuel LNG PCTC
Sallaum Lines has launched its first LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) newbuilding, the Ocean Breeze, with a landmark ceremony in the port of Antwerp.The Ocean Breeze has capacity for 7,500 CEU and is powered by dual-fuel LNG engines. The vessel delivers substantial reductions in CO2, NOx, and particulate emissions compared to conventional tonnage.An optimized hull design and energy-saving devices further increase efficiency…
Third Incat Crowther-Designed Dual-Fuel Ro-Pax Ferry Hits Water in Spain
Mercedes Pinto, the third 123-meter dual-fuel Ro-Pax fast ferry Incat Crowther designed for Spanish operator Baleària, has been launched by shipbuilder Astilleros Armon Gijon in Spain.Work on the vessel’s internal fit-out will now continue before sea trials in early 2026. The new vessel comes after the success of its twin vessels Eleanor Roosevelt and Margarita Salas, also built by Astilleros Armon Gijon.Capable of transporting 1…
NextGeo Signs Eight-Year Deal with 50Hertz for Seabed Survey Services
Italian offshore services provider Next Geosolutions (NextGeo) has signed an eight-year framework agreement with German transmission system operator (TSO) 50Hertz to deliver geotechnical seabed survey services for offshore substations (OSS) projects.Part of the Elia Group, 50Hertz is responsible for the development and operation of the high-voltage power grid across Northern and Eastern Germany.As a result of this agreement…
Asso.subsea Places Order for Next-Gen Trenching Support Vessel
Subsea cable services company Asso.subsea has ordered a next-generation trenching support vessel (TSV) from China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) Shenzhen Shipyard, scheduled for delivery at the end of 2027.The vessel, named Avra, is the second new building vessel announced in just a few months by Asso.subsea, following the recent revealing of its newest cable laying vessel (CLV) Althea, underscoring…
MDL Secures Cable Laying Job in Asia Pacific
Maritime Developments (MDL) has secured a subsea installation project in the Asia-Pacific region, covering the lay of two cables and two umbilicals.The work will be done in water depths between 800 and 1,200 meters.For the 60-day campaign, scheduled to mobilize from Singapore in 2026, MDL will provide a complete flex-lay spread, including one of the company’s Horizontal Lay Systems – a compact integrated…
Hanwha Appoints Former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor to C-Suite
South Korean defense, shipbuilding and energy solutions provider Hanwha Group has appointed Alex Wong as Global Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) to lead the company's strategic initiatives in international markets.In this newly created role based in Washington, D.C., Wong will spearhead Hanwha's efforts to deepen partnerships, build defense capabilities, and accelerate reindustrialization in key markets…
Westar Marine Services Appoints New Leadership
Westar Marine Services, a cornerstone of the Bay Area maritime community since 1976, has officially entered a new chapter of leadership. After more than four decades at the helm, co-owners Mary McMillan and Wendy Morrow—pioneering women in the maritime industry—are setting sail into a well-earned retirement.McMillan and Morrow built Westar into a trusted name in marine transportation and support services…
International Association of Maritime Clusters Launched
The new International Association of Maritime Clusters (IAMC) was launched during London International Shipping Week 2025 after a panel discussion: “Why collaboration is essential for maritime to grow.”IAMC fielded questions such as: Is there really a need for another trade association?From the tone of the debate, this elicited a very strong confirmation that maritime clusters are missing the all-important global interaction.The panel consisted of Captain Lee Clarke…
US Federal Judge Grants Go Ahead for Orsted Offshore Wind Project
Danish offshore wind developer Orsted can restart work on the nearly finished Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island, a federal judge ruled on Monday, after President Donald Trump's administration halted the project last month.The ruling is a legal setback for Trump, who has sought to block expansion of offshore wind in U.S. waters. It is a palpable victory for Orsted, which has been…
In Memoriam: Captain Charles Robert MacVean, USN, (Ret.), PhD
In Memoriam: Captain Charles Robert MacVean, USN, (Ret.), PhDMarch 22, 1937 – September 10, 2025The book, Blind Man’s Bluff, describes the secret USN submarine operations known as “The Projects.” It begins with the opening line, “There was something about Commander Charles R. MacVean that had a way of inspiring legend.” Authors Sontag and Drew narrowed that “something” down to “his sense of humor and humanity.” Even in the toughest of situations…
IMAS Technology Mitigates Risks for USVs
Once a niche technology, Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) are at the center of a transformation in the maritime industry. From offshore surveying and environmental monitoring to defense operations, USVs offer compelling advantages in efficiency, cost reduction, and human safety. However, as these autonomous and remotely operated vessels become more prevalent in our oceans and waterways, they bring unique…
Sperry Marine to Equip Samskip’s Autonomous-Ready Green Vessels
Sperry Marine has been selected to deliver its Integrated Bridge Systems (IBS) for two hydrogen-powered, autonomous-ready container vessels ordered by Samskip Group.The ships, under construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited in India, will be the first in the world to combine zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells with navigation systems prepared for future autonomous operation.Scheduled for delivery in 2027…
UK to Launch Maritime Innovation Hub in April 2026
The U.K. will launch a Maritime Innovation Hub in April 2026, aimed at accelerating the development of new technologies across the shipping sector while maintaining safety standards.The initiative, hosted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will support vessel operators, shipbuilders, start-ups and technology developers in bringing novel ideas into real-world operations.Plans for the hub were…
Exmar Orders Four Suezmax Tankers from South Korean Shipyard
Belgian shipowner Exmar has placed an order for four newbuild Suezmax tankers to a shipyard in South Korea.The order has an option for four additional vessels. The tankers will be built by Daehan Shipbuilding, at their Mokpo shipyard, in South Korea.The vessels will have a deadweight of 157,200 ton, capable of transporting about 1 million of barrels of oil and fitted with a scrubber.The order is placed in view of the strong prospects for the Suezmax market…
Chevron Eyes LNG Growth in Europe with Regasification Terminals
U.S. oil major Chevron is in early-stage talks to explore opportunities in European regasification terminals, as part of its strategy to expand its global presence in the liquefied natural gas market, a senior executive told Reuters.The U.S. has become Europe's top LNG supplier since the continent sharply reduced its imports of Russian gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Chevron, which is contracted to export 7 million tons per annum of LNG from the U.S.
Ship Recycling Market Stabilizes
After what seemed like months of unstoppable volatility, a modicum of stability seemed to enter the global trading markets this week as oil climbed marginally (0.17%) before the week ended, yet this remains a near 1.4% drop just this month and a 10.8% overall decline from the same time last year, reports cash buyer GMS.“On the flip side, trading markets continue to edge on as they surged another 3.6% this week…
AI-based Car Carrier Allocation System Launched
NYK, MTI, and Grid Co. have jointly developed an AI-based system that automates and optimizes the allocation plan of car carriers.Full-scale operations of the system were launched at NYK in July.NYK operates more than 100 car carriers, the largest fleet in the world. Historically, ship allocation planning has been an extremely complex and labor-intensive process, requiring the comprehensive evaluation…
