Maritime News
Shippers Cautious on Hormuz Passage, Seek Clarifications
Shippers on Wednesday said they needed more clarity on the terms of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire before resuming transit through the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran said the waterway remained closed to vessels sailing without a permit.The six‑week conflict had brought traffic through the strait - a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments - close to a standstill, pushing…
Four Dead After Migrant Boat Sinks Off French Coast
Four people died after a small boat carrying migrants seeking to reach Britain sank in the Channel and a search and rescue operation was underway, French local authorities said on Thursday."A taxi-boat sinking occurred today. The situation is still being assessed and remains subject to change," local French authorities in Calais said in a press statement.In the past year, traffickers have taken to…
Glencore, Taiwan’s CPC Charter Tankers as Hormuz Reopens
Commodities trader Glencore and Taiwan's state refiner CPC have chartered a tanker each to load Middle Eastern crude for Asia, while vessels in the Gulf are preparing to exit via the Strait of Hormuz, a day after the ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran war.The two-week truce hinges on letting ships pass through the strait, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments brought to a near standstill by the six-week conflict…
Hapag-Lloyd Estimates Up to $60M Weekly Costs Rise from Hormuz Crisis
Hapag-Lloyd voiced cautious optimism on Wednesday on the prospect of resuming shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after a two-week ceasefire agreed between the U.S. and Iran, but said that resuming normal traffic throughout its network would take at least 6-8 weeks.Speaking in a call to customers, CEO Rolf Habben Jansen echoed guarded remarks by peer container shipping group Maersk, saying that more security assurances were needed.
Maersk Maintains Caution on Hormuz Shipping Despite Ceasefire
Maersk said on Wednesday the two-week ceasefire agreed between the U.S.
US Coast Guard Rescues Stranded Family After Seven Days at Sea
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has rescued a family of three who had been missing for seven days in waters off the Federated States of Micronesia.The crew of the USCGC Midgett located the family on April 6 after authorities reported the vessel overdue following its departure from Fananu Island on March 30.The 23-foot skiff, carrying two men and one woman, had suffered an engine failure during what was intended to be a short journey to Murillo Island…
SDHI Books Order for Four Ammonia Dual-Fuel Bulk Carriers
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has secured an order from Energy ONE Limited to build four ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers, marking the first such vessels to be constructed in India.The contract covers four 92,500-deadweight tonne bulk carriers, which will be among the largest commercial ships built at an Indian yard, the company said.The vessels will measure about 229.5 meters in length with a beam of 37 meters and will be equipped with ammonia-fueled propulsion systems.
RINA, Hanwha Team Up to Develop Battery-Hybrid Propulsion Systems
RINA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Hanwha Group to promote the adoption of battery-hybrid propulsion systems in the maritime sector.The agreement involves Hanwha affiliates Hanwha Power Systems, Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Engine, and targets the development of hybrid propulsion solutions for both newbuild vessels and retrofits, with a focus on the roll-on/roll-off…
KR Adds AI Tools to Maritime Compliance Platform
Korean Register (KR) has launched an upgraded version of its maritime conventions database, adding artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features to help shipowners navigate increasing regulatory complexity.The organization said Version 24 of its KR-CON platform introduces enhanced search functionality and a restructured classification system, aimed at improving access to international maritime regulations.The…
ABL Signs Marine Services Deal with Tidewater in Egypt
ABL Group has signed a one-year master service agreement with offshore vessel operator Tidewater to provide marine assurance and dynamic positioning consultancy services.The agreement, entered into by ABL’s Egypt unit and Tidewater Marine Egypt, covers offshore support vessels operating in the Egyptian Mediterranean, as well as the Black Sea and wider European region.ABL said the scope includes support for vessel safety…
World Fuel, West Coast Clean Fuels Launch US Methanol Bunkering Service
World Fuel Services and West Coast Clean Fuels have established a methanol bunkering capability for vessels across U.S. ports, following a pilot fuel delivery in South Florida.The companies said the over-the-water methanol bunkering operation demonstrated a scalable and regulatory-compliant solution that is now ready for wider deployment.The capability includes U.S. Coast Guard-approved procedures…
China Inland Waterways Set for Zero-Carbon Push Under New Partnership
Wah Kwong NatPower and Huzhou Wuxing Ruituo Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop zero-carbon inland shipping corridors, focusing on electrification infrastructure across key waterways in China.The partnership will establish a network of electric vessel charging and battery-swapping facilities, integrating energy supply, digital systems and operational services into a unified platform.The initial phase will focus on the Hangzhou–Jiaxing–Huzhou region in Zhejiang province…
Iran Assures Safe Hormuz Transit for Philippine Vessels
The Philippines has received an assurance from Iran that it will allow the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, fuel and Filipino seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz, Manila's foreign ministry said on Thursday.The assurance came after Philippine foreign minister Ma.
Bahrain Push for Hormuz Shipping Resolution Hits Hurdles at UN
Bahrain's effort to secure a U.N. resolution to authorise "all necessary means" to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz ran into new obstacles on Wednesday, underscoring divisions over how to deal with Iran's effective closure of the waterway that has resulted in the worst energy-supply disruption ever.Bahrain, which took over the presidency of the 15-member U.N. Security Council for the month of April…
Drone Strike on Kuwaiti Oil Tanker off Dubai Signals Further Escalation in Gulf
Tehran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai on Tuesday, despite a threat by President Donald Trump that the U.S. will obliterate Iran's energy plants if it does not agree to a peace deal and open the Strait of Hormuz.Authorities in Dubai said the fire on the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi had been brought under control following a drone attack, with no oil leak and no injuries to the crew.
MTF Issues Safety Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Ships
The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published new guidelines to support the safe operation of ships using wind-assisted propulsion systems, as the shipping industry increasingly adopts technologies aimed at reducing fuel use and emissions.The guidelines provide recommendations for developing and implementing safety management systems tailored to vessels equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS)…
Chiyoda, NYK, KNCC Target Global CCS Value Chain Development
Chiyoda Corporation, NYK Line and Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers (KNCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects globally.Under the agreement, the companies will work together to expand CCS business opportunities in Japan and overseas, including optimizing transportation methods for liquefied carbon dioxide.The collaboration will cover multiple stages of project development…
Japanese Firms Advance Hydrogen-Fueled Engine with Full-Scale Trial
Japan’s Japan Engine Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have begun hydrogen co-firing operations on a full-scale main engine designed for large commercial vessels, marking a step toward the development of hydrogen-powered shipping.The work forms part of a government-backed project under New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, with participation from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)…
MOL, Hitachi to Develop Floating Data Centers from Used Ships
Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Hitachi and Hitachi Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop floating data centers by converting second-hand vessels, aiming to meet growing demand driven by artificial intelligence.Under the agreement, the companies will conduct feasibility studies, including demand verification, technical specifications and operational procedures, with a view to starting operations from 2027 or later.The initiative targets Japan as the primary market…
Shipping Faces Investment Strain as Decarbonization Rules Tighten, Wärtsilä Finds
Shipping companies are facing mounting pressure on investment decisions as decarbonization regulations translate emissions targets into direct operating costs, according to a survey commissioned by Wärtsilä.The study, based on responses from 225 senior maritime executives, found that more than 90% of respondents remain confident in their ability to navigate the energy transition, despite growing complexity in decision making.Uncertainty around technology pathways…
