Maritime News
VARD Forms Research and Innovation Partnership with NORCE
VARD has recently signed an agreement (MoU) with the major Norwegian research institute NORCE, establishing a strategic partnership to cooperate on research and innovation.The agreement encompasses topics such as design, construction, on board and underwater maintenance and drone technology for ships and subsea technology, with particular focus on the planned standardized vessels of the Norwegian Navy.
The Top 8: What Shipowners Should Watch in 2026
According to Veson Nautical’s 2025 End-of-Year Market Report, a report which breaks down prevailing trends in all major oceangoing shipping sectors globally, these are the prevailing trends shipowners should watch in 2026.1. Routing Normalization vs. Geopolitical RealityMuch of 2025’s earnings strength—especially in containers, crude tankers and dry bulk—was driven by longer voyages around the Cape of Good Hope.
AYK Energy Signs Second Chemical Tanker Battery Deal with Spain’s Mureloil
Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has signed a second contract with Spanish ship owner Mureloil, extending the use of battery-supported diesel-electric propulsion into the chemical tanker segment.The agreement follows the installation of a battery system on Mureloil’s 8,000-deadweight-tonne tanker Bahía Candela and will see AYK supply an identical 4.2 MWh Aries+ battery system for its sister vessel Bahía Beatriz…
Western Bulk Buys Into Bulker Ownership Alongside Nordic Partners
Oslo-based dry bulk operator Western Bulk has re-entered ship ownership after acquiring a minority stake in a Kamsarmax vessel alongside a group of Norwegian partners, the company said on Tuesday.Western Bulk, together with A/S J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, NRP Asset Management-managed Premium Maritime Fund 2024, and Pactum, has acquired the dry bulk carrier CSSC Shi Jia Zhuang, which will be renamed Western Egda.The 2020-built…
Union Maritime’s Chemical Tanker Newbuilds to Sport Anemoi’s Rotor Sails
Anemoi Marine Technologies, the U.K.-based designer of Rotor Sails for wind-assisted ship propulsion, has signed a deal to install its Rotor Sails on two newbuild chemical tankers under construction for Union Maritime.The 18,500 DWT vessels, to be built by Wuhu Shipyard Co in China, will feature a combination of technologies and retrofit readiness to safeguard cost-effective decarbonization across…
MPCC Places Order for Six New Container Ships to Chinese Shipyard
MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has entered into contracts with Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering in China for the construction of six 3,700 TEU container vessels scheduled for first delivery in second half of 2028.Each vessel will operate under a 10-year time charter, with extension options, to a top five liner company.The vessels are based on the newest design, which optimizes speed and fuel consumption for regional and feeder trades…
ABB, HDF Energy Target Maritime Decarbonization with Fuel Cells
ABB and HDF Energy have signed a joint-development agreement (JDA) to develop a high-power fuel cell unit for marine applications.The agreement builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ABB and HDF Energy in 2020, envisaging the collaboration.Foreseeing pilot installations in 2028 - 2029 and serial production from 2030, the agreement initiates a significant step forward…
Shipping Majors to Study Methanol Fuel Supply Chain on US Gulf Coast
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Japan’s ENEOS, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and SEACOR Holdings have launched a joint study to develop a commercial methanol marine fuel supply network along the U.S. Gulf Coast.The study aims to establish the first large-scale ship-to-ship methanol bunkering operations in the United States, as the global shipping industry looks for practical pathways…
Cochin Shipyard to Build Electric TRAnsverse Tugs for Svitzer
Svitzer has signed a shipbuilding agreement with Cochin Shipyard (CSL) for the construction of four battery-electric TRAnsverse 2600e tugs, marking the first contracted series of the next-generation design to be built in India.CSL will build at least four vessels under the contract, with options for up to four additional units. The 26-meter electric tugs will be constructed to Svitzer’s specifications…
ADNOC L&S Expands Fleet with Fourth Next-Generation LNG Carrier
ADNOC Logistics & Services (L&S) said it has taken delivery of Al Sadaf, the fourth of six new-build LNG carriers ordered from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard, as the company accelerates a major fleet expansion and modernization program to support growing global demand for lower-carbon energy transport.The 175,000-cubic-metre vessel, which is more than 25% larger than earlier ADNOC LNG carrier models, was…
NYK Orders Car Carrier Equipped with Next-Gen Marine DX Systems
Japan’s NYK has ordered a next-generation car carrier equipped with advanced marine digital-transformation (DX) systems aimed at improving navigational safety, reducing crew workload and enhancing operational efficiency.The vessel, which will measure 199.95 meters in length with a beam of 38 meters, is scheduled for delivery on March 31, 2026, from Shinkai Toyohashi Shipbuilding.NYK said the newbuild will feature an autonomous navigation system…
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Bags $500M for Shipping Services Extensions
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has extended two key strategic contracts for shipping services with an estimated additional value of close to $500 million.The first contract is with a premium European auto manufacturer and is extended by three additional years, with the new contract now ending in 2030.The contract is estimated to have a total value of $580 million, with the extension value being $384 million based on expected volumes. The contract extension includes additional volumes and trade lanes.
Incident off Yemen as Vessel Reports Fire Exchange with Multiple Small Boats
A vessel located 15 nautical miles west of Yemen reported an exchange of fire after sighting about 15 small craft at a range of 1–2 cables, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Friday.The vessel said the craft later left the area and that it remains on high alert.The ship's master reported the crew was safe and that it is continuing to its next port of call.(Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Tala Ramadan; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Alexandra Hudson)
DNV Approves CMES-Tech’s Tilting Rotorsail Design
DNV has granted a Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) to CSSC Shanghai Marine Energy Saving Technology (CMES-Tech) for its new 35-meter tilting type wind assisted rotor system.This is the first domestically developed rotor sail system in China to achieve this recognition under DNV’s WAPS rules (ST-0511). With this certification, the system is confirmed ready for installation on DNV classed commercial…
Fincantieri, ASRY Agree to Explore Gulf Shipbuilding Projects
Italy’s Fincantieri and Bahrain’s Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard (ASRY) signed an industrial cooperation agreement to explore joint opportunities in naval and offshore vessel construction and maintenance.Under the agreement, the two companies will assess cooperation on designing and building surface military vessels up to 80 meters for the Bahrain Navy and Coast Guard, and offshore vessels of similar size.
Wärtsilä Flags Key Trends Set to Shape Global Shipping in 2026
Wärtsilä has identified four key trends it expects to shape the global shipping industry in 2026, citing accelerating digitalization, rising decarbonization pressures and growing uncertainty over regulatory trajectories.The company highlighted lifecycle optimization as a major theme, with vessel owners increasingly moving from short-term fixes to long-term strategies that account for environmental impact, operational efficiency and economic performance from vessel design to end-of-life.
DNV Greenlights Next-Gen 21,700 TEU Ammonia-Fueled Container Ship
DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to the joint consortium of MSC, Zhoushan Changhong International, and CIMC ORIC for a new 21,700 TEU ammonia-dual fueled ultra-large container ship design.The AiP is another milestone in the development of next-generation, zero-carbon mainline container shipping.The proposed 21,700 TEU container ship integrates the latest-generation of ammonia dual-fuel main engines alongside oversized C-type ammonia tanks.The hull design…
Miros, Marine Tech Agree to Develop Next-Gen Marine Sensing Systems
Miros and Marine Technologies (MT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on integrating advanced marine sensing technologies with MT’s vessel control and smart-ship systems, the companies said on Wednesday.The agreement, which involves no financial commitments, outlines the companies’ intent to combine Miros’ real-time ocean sensing, wave and current monitoring, and oil spill…
New $60m U.S. Defense Shipbuilding Facility Set to Open in 2027
Facility will include 150,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space optimized for serial productionNew yard will support 200 new jobs and expands shipbuilding capacity Master Boat Builders announced plans to build a new $60 million, 150,000 sq ft manufacturing facility dedicated exclusively to government and defense shipbuilding programs. The new 20-acre site is located directly across Bayou Coden…
UK Backs Development of 145-ft Uncrewed Offshore Support Vessel
A consortium led by UK unmanned vessel developer ACUA Ocean has secured government support to develop a new 145-foot uncrewed offshore support vessel, aiming to scale up autonomous operations for offshore energy, logistics and surveillance.The Project MROS consortium, which includes Houlder, Ad Hoc Marine Designs, Trident Marine and the University of Southampton, received funding earlier this year under the UK Department for Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.
