DFC, Chubb Announce Additional Partners and Maritime Reinsurance Coverage
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Chubb have announced six additional American insurance partners that will provide reinsurance for DFC's Maritime Reinsurance plan: Travelers, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Berkshire Hathaway, AIG, Starr, and CNA.On top of DFCâs $20 billion in rolling coverage, Chubb and these new partners will provide an additional $20 billion, bringing the total Maritime Reinsurance facility to $40 billion. The plan is designed to deliver on President Trumpâs directive to help restore maritime trade through the Strait of HormuzâŠ
Sarens Helps Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal Undergo Adaptation as Hub for Offshore Wind
Located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, the Atlantic Canada Bulk Terminal (ACBT) has undergone a transformation to adapt its facilities to the evolving needs of the offshore wind industry. This evolution is vital for future Canadian Offshore Wind developments, such as Nova Scotia Wind West. Consequently, the terminal has shifted from a facility dedicated exclusively to the steel industry and material storage to become one of the most important strategic hubs in the North Atlantic.SarensâŠ
Iran Grants Malaysian Vessels Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday he had spoken to the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Turkey and other regional countries and said Malaysian vessels were now being allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.Anwar in a televised address thanked Iran's president for allowing the passage of Malaysian ships."We are now in the process of releasing the Malaysian oil tankers and the workers involved so that they may continue their journey home," he said.Anwar said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to facilitate peace in the Middle East."But it is not easy, a
Mark Offshore Adds Research Vessel Mintis to Support Offshore Renewables
Mark Offshore has agreed with KlaipÄda University to operate the research vessel Mintis, expanding its fleet and strengthening its position in offshore renewables and subsea support services.Under the agreement, the Lithuanian university has appointed Mark Offshore as commercial and operational manager for the vesselâs activities within the renewables and energy sectors.The addition of Mintis is aimed at supporting offshore wind, marine survey and nearshore energy projects, asâŠ
Onboard Fuel Reforming System Pilot Planned for Multi-Fuel Engines
lomarlabs has entered a collaboration with Blaze Energy to pilot a third-generation, compact, engine-integrated fuel reformer designed to accelerate the practical adoption of alternative fuels in commercial shipping.The collaboration will culminate in a pilot installation onboard a Lomar vessel, enabling Blaze Energy to validate its multi-fuel reforming system, under real marine operating conditions. The Flex-Fuel Reformer converts ammonia, methanol, or LNG into hydrogen directly onboard the shipâŠ
Breaking the Ice: How a Space-Based Initiative is Solving a Maritime Challenge
This winter, ice on the Great Lakes is expected to impact a maritime economy valued at $35 billion. The wealth of data provided by space-based assets offers a potential lifeline for navigating these frozen waters. However, data alone is not a solution. Without the means to translate raw satellite feeds into actionable intelligence, it remains an untapped resource, a digital haystack without a needle.In response, and in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Michigan recently turned to an unexpected source of innovation: a generation of digital natives.
The Impact of U.S.-Venezuela Relations on Ocean Shipping
U.S.âVenezuela relations have entered a consequential phase for ocean transportation, energy markets, and trade compliance. Sanctions targeting Venezuelaâs oil sector and maritime networks now combine escalated enforcement, including tanker seizures, vessel interdictions, and intensified scrutiny of shipping structures, with narrowly-tailored licenses permitting specific oil exports, diluent shipments, and related maritime services. This has blurred traditional lines between operational risk, trade compliance, and risk transfer strategies.
New ISO Vessel Hull Cleaning Standard Published
Yesterday, a new ISO standard was published to help port authorities, shipowners and operators navigate rules on how ships should be cleaned in an environmentally sound way. Hull cleaning is gaining traction among shipowners, while countries are increasingly introducing regulationsâbut many ports still lack practical guidance on how to manage it. âBiofouling on shipsâ hulls can spread invasive aquatic species and damage ecosystems. It also increases drag, reducing a vesselâs efficiency and leading to higher fuel consumption and increased greenhouse gas emissionsâŠ
Container Ship Order Book Hits New Record High
Despite increasing trade policy uncertainty and falling freight rates, the container ship order book has continued to expand. It now totals more than 1,350 ships with a combined capacity of 11.8m TEU, says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.In 2025, global average container freight rates fell an estimated 13% year-on-year while US import tariff increases raised concerns about increasing trade protectionism. Despite this, global container volumes grew 4.7% year-on-yearâŠ
Container vessel Orderbook Hits Record High
"Despite increasing trade policy uncertainty and falling freight rates, the container ship order book has continued to expand. It now totals more than 1,350 ships with a combined capacity of 11.8m TEU,â says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.In 2025, global average container freight rates fell an estimated 13% year-on-year while US import tariff increases raised concerns about increasing trade protectionism. Despite this, global container volumes grew 4.7% year-on-yearâŠ
GMS Calls on EU to Include Indian Recycling Yards on List
GMS, the worldâs largest buyer of ships for recycling, has called on the European Commission to approve qualified Indian ship recycling facilities for inclusion on the European List under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR).Despite more than 110 Indian yards holding Hong Kong Convention (HKC) Statements of Compliance issued by IACS member classification societies, over 35 formal applications submitted, and at least 10 Commission-led inspections and audits, not a single Indian yard has been approved in more than a decade.âThis is not a failure of standards.
Clean-Up of Louisiana Oil Spill Underway
A Unified Command, consisting of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinatorâs Office (LOSCO) and the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), continues its recovery and cleanup efforts after a crude oil discharge reported near the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port on February 26, 2026.The Unified Command was officially established on February 27, 2026, to manage the spill's environmental impact. Multiple contractors have been engaged to assist in the cleanup effort.As of March 7âŠ
Designing the Quiet Vessel: Attention Noise and Vibration on Day One
Owning and operating a quiet boat offers many benefits, from crew comfort and retention to efficient, safe operations. While the benefits are clear, itâs generally not the first line of design and concern for most vessel owners.Noise is a funny thing in the marine world: itâs invisible, it sneaks up on you, and itâs usually not the headline item on a newbuild spec sheet, until youâre standing in the pilothouse, trying to talk over the machinery, thinking, âoh my gosh, I canât stand this thing.âThatâs the moment Jesse SpenceâŠ
Korean Register Upgrades SeaTrust Software Hub
Korean Register (KR) has launched an upgraded version of its technical software platform, "SeaTrust Software Hub," introducing an AI-integrated system designed to enhance user accessibility and strengthen customer support.SeaTrust Software Hub provides a more intuitive and structured interface for KRâs suite of technical software. It also enables users to manage the entire workflow, from software downloads and technical inquiries to feedback submission and improvement requestsâŠ
Fincantieri, Navantia to Form JV for European Patrol Corvette Program
Italyâs Fincantieri and Spainâs Navantia have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly coordinate and execute the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) program, strengthening industrial cooperation under one of Europeâs most ambitious defense initiatives.The two shipbuilders plan to create a joint venture to manage and execute the program. The vehicle will be open to participation from other project partners, with incorporation subject to the finalization of transaction documentsâŠ
CK Hutchison Concessions Annulled for Two Ports Along the Panama Canal
Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said on Tuesday Panama authorities had threatened its employees with criminal prosecution if they defied orders to leave two strategic canal ports at the centre of a legal battle that has embroiled Beijing and Washington.CK Hutchison said Panama's decision to cancel key port contracts and grant temporary licences to Maersk and the Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) was 'unlawful' as it considers national and international legal action against theâŠ
Marcura Expands Claims Management Capabilities with Shipdem Aqcuisition
Marcura has acquired Shipdem, a UK-based specialist in chemical tanker laytime and demurrage, from its parent company, Casper Shipping. Shipdem brings expertise in chemical tanker demurrage, where operational complexity and contractual nuance demand technical knowledge and disciplined claims handling process. The acquisition follows HubSE in 2025 and continues Marcuraâs investment in claims management capabilities across all major cargo types. HubSEâs self-service technology for tanker demurrage complements Shipdemâs fully managed service capabilityâŠ
In-Mar Commits to Expanding Product Lines to Support U.S. Navy
In-Mar Systems and In-Mar Solutions, Louisiana-based designers and suppliers of critical marine equipment, have announced a commitment to expand their product lines to support the evolving needs of the U.S. Navy and the broader U.S. maritime industrial base.Core offerings include marine off-board fire fighting by Fire Fighting Systems (FFS), and heavy-duty window wiper and wash systems by Wynn Marine and B. Hepworth. This equipment plays a vital role in ship safety, damage controlâŠ
Digital Threatscape is Rapidly Evolving for Global Energy Systems
Recent discussions with industrial teams have underscored how rapidly the digital âthreatscapeâ is evolving across global energy systems, from oil and gas to chemicals, specialty gases, power generation, and transmission and distribution networks, says ABS Consulting Technical Director, Global Energy, Marco Ayala.The petrochemical sector must manage cyber risk amid supply chain and cyber vulnerabilities.Facing volatile energy prices, margin compression, supply chain disruptions and evolving regulatory requirementsâŠ
SIT, Seatrium Launch Offshore and Marine Digital Learning Lab
The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and offshore and marine engineering group Seatrium have launched an Offshore & Marine Digital Learning Lab at SITâs Punggol Campus, aimed at accelerating maritime digitalization and supporting the energy transition.The lab builds on a 2024 memorandum of understanding between the two organizations and is supported by cash investments from Seatrium. It is designed as a joint industry-academia platform for applied learning, workforce development and industry-driven innovation in shipyard and offshore operations.Over the next three yearsâŠ
Coast Guard Conducts Icebreaking in New York Harbor and Hudson River
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively conducting icebreaking operations in New York Harbor and the Hudson River in response to worsening ice conditions caused by prolonged extreme cold and Winter Storm Fern. Ice conditions have developed and expanded quickly across New York Harbor and the Hudson River, with significant ice formation now affecting the waterway from New York Harbor north through the Hudson Valley. Shore and drift ice are present throughout the area, and forecasts indicate continued ice growth over the coming days as cold temperatures persist.
Clarus Networks to Deliver Maritime Connectivity for CalMac Ferries
Clarus Networks has been awarded a 12-month contract to provide satellite connectivity, technical support, and centralized fleet network management for CalMac Ferries, the UKâs largest ferry operator.The contract, awarded via Public Contracts Scotland, will see Clarus deliver a pooled Starlink data service across CalMacâs operational fleet, offering high-speed, low-latency connectivity designed to enhance operational performance, crew welfare, and passenger experience on board.Operating 29 routes to more than 50 destinations across 200 miles of Scotlandâs west coastâŠ
Lloydâs Register Enhances CAP Thickness Analysis for Tankers
Lloydâs Register (LR) has introduced significant enhancements to its Condition Assessment Program (CAP) Thickness Measurement Analysis process, designed to improve consistency, transparency and predictability in the assessment of tankers built to Common Structural Rules (CSR).The updated methodology addresses concerns regarding variability in CAP outcomes for CSR vessels. By aligning thickness measurement analysis directly with the vesselâs original CSR design requirements, LR has moved away from percentage-based acceptance criteria and adopted fixed, clearly defined thickness values.