Global Operations News

U.S. sanctions are dismantling what remains of Lukoil's Litasco, once Russia's biggest oil trader and a rival to top Swiss houses and oil majors, five sources told Reuters.The measures, which also target state-owned Rosneft, took effect on Friday as Washington seeks to choke off Moscow’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine. They have thrown Lukoil’s global operations into limbo, from oilfields in the Middle East to fuel pumps and refineries across Europe.Cut off from the global financial system…

Financially, 2024 was a positive year for Damen Shipyards Group. Revenue remained just above USD$3.47 billion (3 billion euros). Net profit rose from USD$49.8 million (43 million euros) to USD$67.1 million (58 million euros). The order book was filled with a record USD$6.83 billion (5.9 billion euros) in new orders, rising to USD$12 billion (10.4 billion euros). In 2024, Damen delivered no fewer than 146 new vessels to clients. This included the Volta 1 and the Bu Tinah. The former is Europe's first fully electric tug, which has been put into service by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium.

Maritime publishing and digital training group Witherbys has unveiled plans to introduce a new oceanographic research vessel, the MV Sea Ranger, from 2026 to support its technical development, real-world navigational studies and maritime training programs.The MV Sea Ranger will support Witherbys’ mission to enhance maritime knowledge and safety through research directly linked to shipboard operations.It will strengthen the delivery of computer-based training programs, both via Witherbys’ eBook Reader Witherby Connect…

AEGIR-Marine has been certified as a B Corporation (B Corp). With this certification, AEGIR-Marine joins other businesses that meet standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.AEGIR-Marine pursued this certification to strengthen its commitment to sustainability and to demonstrate that responsible business practices can go hand in hand with long-term success in the maritime industry.All 12 of AEGIR-Marine’s offices worldwide are included in the certification…

dship Carriers from Hamburg has selected Liebherr’s LS 250 heavy-duty cranes to equip at least four of the ships in its fleet.The LS 250 cranes are designed to comply with the requirements of the St. Lawrence Regulations. These regulations apply to ships navigating the St. Lawrence Seaway and connecting the Great Lakes in Canada with the Atlantic Ocean.Manufactured at Liebherr’s Rostock site at the German Baltic coast, the eight cranes will be delivered to a Chinese shipyard in 2026.

RightBridge Ventures Group has announced a proposed reverse acquisition of Swemar, which has entered into an agreement to acquire an offshore oil service company with operations across the Middle East, India, and South-East Asia.The company to be acquired by Swemar operates a fleet comprising Anchor Handler Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels and crew transportation vessels. It owns three vessels outright and operates an additional five to ten vessels under charter or management agreements.The acquisition marks a strategic first step toward establishing a strong maritime presence in Asia.

Denmark-based chemical and product tanker operator Uni-Tankers reported solid financial performance for the 2024/25 fiscal year, posting a net profit of $39.5 million and a 24.4% increase in revenue, bolstered by fleet expansion, strong contract performance, and continued investment in digitalization and decarbonization.CEO Per Ekmann called the results a confirmation that the company’s long-term strategy is delivering consistent value. “It has been four years since we completed our turnaround, and for the past three years we’ve reported steady profits.

AAL Shipping (AAL), a project cargo carrier, released its 2024 Sustainability Report, revealing the company has met 95% of its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives across global operations. The report, developed in alignment with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, reflects AAL’s deepening commitment to sustainable maritime logistics.A key highlight is AAL’s progress in environmental stewardship. Despite expanding its fleet and workforce, AAL reduced overall greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2021.

Flex-lay specialist Maritime Developments Ltd (MDL) has appointed David Hunt to the Board, into the newly created role of Technical Director.David brings with him over 20 years of offshore project delivery leadership across global Contractor and Operator roles, including CNOOC, Neptune Energy, Bibby Offshore and Acergy.At MDL, he will be responsible for growing the company’s engineering capability as the organization continues to scale and diversify its global operations. He will provide technical leadership across MDL’s installation and design engineering teams…

Svitzer has signed a global EcoTow agreement with the Wallenius Wilhelmsen group. The agreement marks a step in Svitzer’s decarbonization journey and supports Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s ambition to reduce Scope 3 emissions across Svitzer’s global operations.The agreement covers tug jobs across key markets such as Australia, the UK, and Scandinavia. By applying the mass balance principle, Svitzer can use biofuels across its network and bank the resulting CO₂ savings in its emissions ledger.

Four Seasons Yachts reports the appointment of Kate McCue as the inaugural Captain of Four Seasons l, the first ultra-luxury yacht in the highly anticipated fleet. A graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Captain Kate brings nearly three decades of maritime expertise, combining technical precision with a passion for hospitality to create a truly transformative yachting experience. A pioneer in the industry, she made history in 2015 as the first American female captain of…

Operating one of the world’s largest marine fleets of any kind, it is Svitzer’s local footprint that speaks volumes for its diverse and far-flung workforce and assets. Strengthened by a multi-national team, providing value in more than three dozen countries, Svitzer stands out every day. On 30 April 2024, Svitzer was listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (SVITZR) as a result of the previously announced separation from its former parent company, A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S. Danish national Kasper Karlsen has been Global Chief Operating Officer of the Svitzer Group since December 2022.

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, is advancing greater fuel efficiency for propulsion through hull designs and new hardware and technology, along with underwater drone inspection and cleaning trials.This work is done through complementary strategies focused on maximizing hydrodynamic performance and enhancing ongoing hull maintenance, which reduces a ship’s underwater drag. Here's a synopsis of the CCL strategy:Hull Designs: When selecting the optimal hull design…

Ocean services provider DeepOcean has cemented its subsea offering with the extension of its charter agreements with Østensjø Rederi for three vessels.DeepOcean’s most advanced subsea vessel, Edda Freya, will remain part of the fleet through 2026, with additional options available.DeepOcean and Østensjø Rederi have agreed to extend the existing contracts for Edda Freya and Edda Flora through 2026, and Edda Fauna through 2027, with additional options available for all three vessels.Østensjø Rederi has been a partner of DeepOcean since its inception.

Sanmar has signed a contract with major towage and marine services provider Svitzer to build a fully electric tug to be deployed in Scandinavia to provide services between Denmark and Sweden.The Denmark-headquartered global operator has ordered a new ASD, 1,818 kWh, 70-ton bollard pull, tugboat based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2500-SX design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd.Measuring 25.4m LOA, with a 5.6m draft and 12.86m beam, the tug will be able to operate safely and efficiently on electrical power only.

Svitzer, a global towage and marine services provider, today announced it has ordered another battery-powered tug to add to its fleet.The tug will be used in the Øresund Strait between Denmark and Sweden. It will also contribute to achieving the ambitious targets Svitzer has set for decarbonising its global operations, to benefit its customers and communities.The new ASD electric tug is based on the design of naval architect Robert Allan Ltd. It is 25 meters long and has a 70-ton bollard pull (BP).

The U.S. Department of Defense released on the Federal Register on January 7, 2025 a "Notice of Chinese military companies operating in the United States." A trio of prominent maritime companies Cosco Shipping Holdings Co.; China State Shipbuilding Corp. and China Shipbuilding Trading Co. made the list, as "the Deputy Secretary of Defense has determined that the entities listed ... qualify as “Chinese military companies” in accordance with the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National…

Abu Dhabi's Al Seer Marine, a subsidiary of International Holding Company (IHC), has taken delivery of two new Medium Range (MR) tankers, M.T. Saiph and her sister ship from K Shipbuilding Korea.Each vessel is equipped with an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) and engineered to accommodate alternative fuels such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), ammonia, and methanol.With a deadweight of 49,757 MT each, the two modern vessels are IMO II/III oil and chemical tankers carefully engineered…

Tugdock and Sarens have secured funding from Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator for a joint project to develop a heavy lift operations and maintenance (O&M) hub at ABP’s port of Port Talbot in Wales to support floating wind projects in the region.With key support from major industry players such as ABP and RWE, and other partnerships, the vision for the facility is to provide support for heavy lift equipment used in floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.Port Talbot's strategic location near the Celtic Sea makes it an optimal hub for supporting floating offshore wind projects…

Each year, as we prepare for the largest U.S. based maritime industry conference in New Orleans, we tend to look back on the state of the industry and initiatives that were announced from the conference that took place the year before. 2023 provided us with plenty to talk about. In September of 2023, while the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the global shipbuilding industry were fixated on “emissions” and alternative fuels, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro held the opening meeting of the Government Shipbuilders Council.

ECOsubsea launched its Ultra High Efficiency Hull Cleaning Service (UHEHCS) in Singapore, introducing its new ROV. According to the company, tests showed the ROV operates 10 times faster than conventional cleaning methods. "We cleaned a fully laden capesize vessel, with an 18-m draft, in just four hours," said ECOsubsea CEO Tor Østervold.Golden Ocean’s Head of Global Operations, Tord Brath, said: "ECOsubsea’s ROV demonstrated impressive speeds and enhanced safety with minimal human intervention.

In 2023, the Ministry of Defence of the UK awarded Team Resolute (Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff and BMT) the contract to deliver three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The first major project milestone, the preliminary design review, has now been completed. The review confirmed the robustness and maturity of the vessel design and leads on to the detailed design. Construction is expected to commence next year.The main task of the advanced FSS ships will be the underway replenishment of dry stores for Royal Navy vessels.

Mr. Marine announced it has appointed Charles Laarhuis as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 15. Laarhuis succeeds Karel Peters in leading the global operations of the testing, inspection and certification (TIC)organization.With a robust background in the maritime and oil & gas sectors, Laarhuis brings a wealth of experience to Mr. Marine. After several years at sea as a marine engineer, Laarhuis transitioned to shore-based leadership roles in the TIC and classification fields, overseeing operations across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.