Sara Fuentes Named as President of Transportation Institute
The Transportation Institute (TI), representing U.S.-flag American shipping companies, announced the appointment of Sara Fuentes as President of the organization. Fuentes previously served as the organization’s Vice President for Government Affairs and will lead TI’s continued work to advance a strong U.S.-flag merchant marine and a resilient American maritime workforce.“I am honored by the confidence of the board and grateful for Jim Henry’s extraordinary leadership.
U.S. Coast Guard Counters Maritime Threats With New Special Missions Command
The Coast Guard is standing up the Special Missions Command to oversee its deployable specialized forces. The command will enhance the operational effectiveness of the Coast Guard in responding to a wide range of national emergencies and events as the demand for deployable specialized forces capabilities increase. The Coast Guard selected the existing Coast Guard C5I Service Center facility in Kearneysville, West Virginia, as the future site of the Coast Guard’s Special Missions Command (SMC).
Equinor Sees Increased Energy Export Requests Since Start of Iran War
Equinor has seen a surge in interest for energy exports out of Norway from customers as far afield as Australia after the Iran war curbed exports of petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gulf, the energy group said on Wednesday.The conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for energy exports from producers in the Gulf, especially affecting clients in Asia.The…
Rheinmetall Seeks 12 Billion Euros From Germany to Save Frigate Program
Rheinmetall could sign a contract to take over Germany'sdelayed F126 frigate programme in the second quarter, CEO Armin Papperger said on Thursday, further highlighting the company's growing focus on the naval sector."The biggest contract will be for sure F126, where we expect that in Q2 there could be a signing," Papperger said on a conference call after first-quarter results.His comments appear to…
Canary Islands Residents Worry About Arrival of Cruise Ship Infected with Hantavirus
The arrival this weekend of a cruise ship hit by an outbreak of hantavirus is reviving memories for residents of Spain's Canary Islands of the quarantines they experienced during the Covid pandemic.The MV Hondius, carrying 150 people, is expected to reach Tenerife on Saturday, where it will dock after Spain agreed to requests from the World Health Organization to receive it despite protests from the…
Cruise Ship Impacted by Hantavirus Headed to Canary Islands
A luxury cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak and marooned since Sunday off the coast of Cape Verde was set to leave for Spain on Wednesday after three people, two of them seriously ill, were evacuated.The MV Hondius, with nearly 150 people on board, is expected to dock in Spain's Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, within three days, Spain's health minister said, adding that those still on board were not presenting any symptoms of the disease.Once in Tenerife…
UAE Ports Become Country's Lifeline as Gulf Trade Remains Fragile
At the UAE port of Fujairah, conveyor belts offloaded grain from bulk carriers on Wednesday, while crude oil flowed through pipes and onto tankers berthed along its quay.Dozens of loaded trucks lined up near the port and others parked outside waiting their turn, while offshore, vessels labelled Cosco, Gardenia and other shipping lines lay at anchor, service boats weaving between them.Fujairah and Khor Fakkan…
France Deploys Aircraft Carrier to Red Sea Ahead of Possible Hormuz Mission
France on Wednesday deployed its carrier strike group to the Red Sea as part of planning for a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, urging Washington and Tehran to consider the proposal given the global economic impact of their competing blockades.Fresh exchanges of fire on Monday underscored the stakes as the U.S. and Iran struggle for control of the narrow waterway, a vital artery for global energy and trade…
Kongsberg Maritime to Supply Technology Package for Svitzer’s New Electric Tugs
Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract from Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL) to deliver a fully integrated equipment and technology package for Svitzer’s next generation of full‑electric TRAnsverse tugs. The contract covers four vessels, with options for four additional units, and represents a step in Svitzer’s strategy to advance efficient, zero‑emission harbor and terminal towage.Kongsberg Maritime’s scope extends across the full electrical and automation architecture…
Limestone Shipments from US Ports Down 27.5% in April
Limestone shipments from U.S. ports decreased 27.5 percent compared to April 2025 to 1.1 million net tons. Loadings were also below the month’s 5-year average by 35.4 percent. Year-to-date, the U.S. limestone trade stands at 1.2 million tons, a decrease of 26.6 percent from last year and 31.9 percent below the 5-year average.As of April 2026, Canadian ports are no longer supplying information regarding…
At the Helm: How the U.S. Coast Guard is Shaping the Future of Maritime Nuclear Power
Introduction. Looking back at history one could argue that it was French author Jules Verne in his book “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, published in 1869, who was speculating about a new power source much in the same out of the box thinking that H.G. Wells employed when he wrote about inter-planetary flight in “War of the World’s. Verne was writing about “electricity” from batteries using seawater…
VPS: Abrasive Catfines Can Damage Marine Engines
A common concern of maritime chief engineers, regarding vessel engine damages, is the presence of highly abrasive “catfines” within marine fuel. To fully understand the seriousness of this issue, we first need to understand the source of the problem.Oil refineries use catalysts in their Fluid Catalytic Cracking Units (FCCU) or “Cat Plants” to process crude oils in the production of numerous products from the source crude.
EcoNavis Appoints Neil Logan as Executive Chair
Ship technology pioneer EcoNavis Solutions has appointed Neil Logan as Executive Chair, formalizing a more hands-on leadership role as the company prepares to scale up operations and expand across global maritime markets.Logan has been involved with EcoNavis since the company’s formal University spinout in August 2025. His initial advisory role has now transitioned into an executive position, reflecting…
Zeabuz to Deploy Docking Assist Across Brim Explorer Fleet
Zeabuz has entered a partnership with Brim Explorer to deploy ZeaWatch Docking Assist across Brim Explorer’s fleet, starting with MS Bre later this year. Set to be installed in Q3 2026, the system will increase docking precision through advanced situational awareness, contributing to predictable, safe and cost-efficient operations. Following this initial deployment, the solution will be expanded across Brim Explorer’s fleet, including vessels currently on order.
Express Global Expands Asia Presence with New Singapore Office
Express Global announces the opening of its new office in Singapore, marking a step forward in the continued expansion of the Cosulich Logistics brand across the Asia Pacific region.The new branch strengthens Express Global’s presence in one of the world’s most strategic logistics hubs, enhancing the company’s ability to support customers, partners and stakeholders across Southeast Asia. The Singapore…
Baleària Dual-Fuel Fast Ferry Newbuild Aces Sea Trials
Baleària’s new dual-fuel Ro-Pax fast ferry Mercedes Pinto achieved a top speed of 38 knots during sea trials ahead of its planned deployment in the Canary Islands, ship designer Incat Crowther informed.The 123-metre vessel, built by Spain’s Astilleros Armon shipyard in Gijon, is the third Incat Crowther-designed Ro-Pax fast ferry delivered to the Spanish operator.Mercedes Pinto can carry up to 1,200…
Europe's Offshore Wind Turbine Prices Jump 40-45% as Supply Tightens
Europe's offshore wind expansion is running into a structural supply constraint where the turbine market is becoming increasingly concentrated. GE Vernova, Siemens Gamesa and Vestas have historically anchored Western offshore turbine supply, but with GE Vernova having paused new offshore wind orders following a series of technical and operational setbacks, Siemens Gamesa and Vestas now account for virtually all turbines available to European developers.
DNV’s Insight: 38 New Orders for Alternative-Fueled Vessels in April
According to the latest figures from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, 38 new orders for alternative-fueled vessels were placed in April 2026.The majority of these orders (20) were for LNG-fueled vessels. Eight of these were for vessels in the car carrier segment, six for container vessels, four for crude oil tankers, and two for cruise vessels.A further 14 orders were placed for LPG/ethane…
Kongsberg to Supply Propulsion Systems for US Coast Guard Cutter Fleet
Kongsberg Maritime has won a contract from Austal USA to supply propulsion systems for the next four vessels in the United States Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter Heritage Class program.The contract covers delivery of Kongsberg Maritime’s Promas propulsion system, as well as steering gear, rudders, fin stabilisers and tunnel thrusters for the vessels.The Offshore Patrol Cutter program is expected…
GTT Books Five LNG Carriers Tank Design Order
French engineering firm GTT has secured an order from the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding shipyard for the tank design of five new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers on behalf of MISC, the ship-owner.GTT will design the cryogenic tanks of the vessels, which will each offer a total capacity of 174,000 m3.The tanks will be fitted with the NO96 Super+ membrane containment system developed by GTT.Delivery of the vessels is expected between 2029 and 2030.
