Royal Caribbean Cruise Slash Annual Profit Forecast as Fuel Costs Surge
Royal Caribbean cut its annual earnings forecast on Thursday, even after reporting a better-than-expected quarterly profit, as surging fuel costs linked to the Iran war weighed on the cruise operator.Still, its shares jumped 6% as demand for its vacation destinations remained resilient. Bookings for high-margin Mediterranean itineraries, which had softened due to geopolitical tensions, have now rebounded and are running at a higher pace than the same time last year, the company said.Royal Caribbean's efforts of investing in diverse offerings such as private islands and new cruise itineraries…
Cruise Operators Face Higher Costs as Oil Prices Rise
Cruise operators face choppy waters as rising oil prices lift fuel costs, with analysts warning Carnival Corp could take the biggest hit to its 2026 profit as it is the only major U.S. cruise line that does not hedge fuel.Oil prices have risen more than 35% since the beginning of the conflict in Iran, as attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East and disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about global supply.Brent futures crossed $100 per barrel on Friday, compared with $72.48 before the conflict began.
Bio-Methanol Gaining Traction as Alternative Fuel
This week, CMA CGM and SIPG Energy successfully completed the bunkering of 3,643 tons of bio-methanol for the CMA CGM Osmium at Yangshan Port in Shanghai. This operation marks CMA CGM’s first bio-methanol bunkering worldwide and sets a new national record for the largest single bio-methanol bunkering operation carried out at a Chinese port.As part of its commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050, the CMA CGM Group is preparing to operate around 200 dual‑fuel container vessels by 2031…
NYK Invests in XFuel to Advance Low-Carbon Marine Fuels
Japanese shipping company NYK has invested in XFuel, a company developing technology to refine waste-derived liquid hydrocarbons into low-carbon fuel for marine applications.The investment is aimed at advancing collaboration with XFuel, including the recycling of fuel sludge generated from NYK’s operating vessels, to support the development of decarbonization technologies that utilize existing fuels.XFuel has developed proprietary Chemical Liquid Refining (CLR) technology capable of converting waste-derived hydrocarbon liquids into high-purity, low-carbon fuels suitable for marine use.
Study: Biodiesel Significantly Reduces Black Carbon Emissions
Experts from the EU CLEANSHIP project have documented that the use of biodiesel of the type B100 FAME in real sailing can reduce black carbon emissions by up to 81 percent at low engine load and up to 61 percent at high engine load compared to traditional marine gas oil, MGO.The measurements with 100 percent biofuel were made during a three-day voyage on the vessel Falstria Swan from Uni-Tankers. The collected data has been analyzed and compared with baseline measurements made with conventional diesel on the same vessel.An advanced…
W2W Vessl Acta Pegasus Delivered
Acta Pegasus was delivered to Acta Marine, its fourth Walk-to-Work (W2W) vessel, a DP2 Construction Service Operation Vessel (CSOV).Acta Pegasus is one of four newbuild vessels currently under construction for Acta Marine at Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. The vessel can accommodate up to 135 persons and is equipped with advanced offshore access and lifting systems, including a 3D motion-compensated SMST gangway and a 3D-compensated crane. In line with Acta Marine’s sustainability ambitions…
DNV: Methanol Emerging as Scalable Marine Fuel but Economics Still Limit Uptake
Methanol is emerging as a practical alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping as engines and technical systems reach high readiness levels, but high costs and limited supply continue to constrain wider adoption, classification society DNV said in a new report.As the industry explores multiple decarbonization pathways, methanol is gaining attention as a practical and scalable alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping, supported by over 450 methanol-capable vessels in operation and on order and technical solutions now available for all major ship types.DNV’s latest white paper…
Hybrid Lubricants Bunkering Vessel Debuts in Fujaira
TotalEnergies Marketing Middle East, a fully owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies based in Dubai, has time chartered a first-of-its-type 750 cubic meter hybrid lubricants bunkering barge from Tristar Group to supplement its Lubmarine division’s ship-to-ship operations in the port of Fujairah, UAE as of October 1st. The Tristar Eco Voyager, featuring a hybrid engine design that combines electric and biofuel power, coupled with an advanced powertrain, is designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel propulsion barges.
Repsol Deploys Bunker Tanker Thomas B to Double Operational Capacity in Peru
Repsol has strengthened their bunkering operations in Peru with the deployment of the Bunker Tanker Thomas B (20,000 DWT). In addition to the Bunker Tanker Adrian (16,000 DWT) already operating in the Port of Callao, Repsol has more than doubled its total operational capacity in Peru.With these two high-capacity tankers in service, Repsol now offers 24/7 bunker delivery, and the product portfolio diversification is further strengthened:HSFO 3.5%s (High Sulfur Fuel Oil)VLSFO 0.5%s (Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil)LSMGO 0.1%s (Low Sulfur Marine Gas Oil)Bio-Bunker (B24 up to B100)Looking ahead…
Lloyd’s Register Report Highlights Biofuels as Superyachting’s Next Step for Decarbonization
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released the latest edition of its Fuel for Thought series, highlighting the role of biofuels in the superyacht sector’s energy transition. Fuel for Thought: Biofuels for Yachts, launched during the Monaco Yacht Show, positions hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a practical, drop-in alternative to conventional marine fuels. With mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particulate matter and sulphur oxides, HVO is emerging as a leading drop-in solution.
Tanker and Bulk Carrier Collide in Malaysia
Singapore-registered tanker Marine Dynamo and a Malta-registered bulk carrier Flag Gangos have collided south of Tanah Merah in Malaysia.Both vessels are stable, following the incident that occurred in the early hours of September 1, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) informed.Light oil sheens have been sighted in the vicinity of Marine Dynamo. The Master of Marine Dynamo reported that Marine Gas Oil (MGO) used for vessel’s propulsion stored in the service tank above the waterline…
DNV, RSI Complete Study on Decarbonizing the Short Sea Dry Bulk Fleet
Amid increasing pressure on shipping to achieve the IMO 2050 decarbonization targets, the Responsible Shipping Initiative (RSI) and DNV have completed a new study: "Decarbonization of the short sea dry bulk fleet", co-funded by the Swedish Transport Administration. The study finds that while Swedish cargo owners and charterers are committed to greener practices, a lack of regulatory and economic incentives for smaller tonnage is hindering their progress.Europe’s short sea general cargo fleet is ageing rapidly…
Morning Midas Finally Sinks
The car carrier Morning Midas sank on June 23 following the fire that broke out on board on June 3.The fire was no longer active, but the vessel sank while awaiting the arrival of a tug with long-distance towing capability.“Damage caused by the fire, compounded by heavy weather and subsequent water ingress, caused the Morning Midas to sink at around 16.35 local time zone (UTC -9) on 23 June, in waters approximately 5,000 meters deep and 360 nautical miles from land,” said ship manager Zodiac Maritime.The vessel reportedly had 350 metric tons of marine gas oil and 1…
Study: IMO’s Net Zero Framework Favorable for Ammonia
A study shows that under the parameters principally agreed within the IMO Net Zero Framework, ammonia dual-fueled ships have a clear competitive advantage from the mid-term (mid-2030's), while the near-term landscape remains less certain.The study was released by UMAS and UCL Energy Institute Shipping and Oceans Research Group and undertaken for Global Maritime Forum.The report uses a Total Cost of Operation (TCO) modelling approach to assess the relative competitiveness of various fuel and ship technology options.
“Mein Schiff Flow” Dual-Fuel Vessel Launched at Monfalcone Shipyard
Fincantieri and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, celebrated the launch of “Mein Schiff Flow” at the Monfalcone shipyard. The vessel is the second of two next-generation InTUItion class cruise ships, designed for dual-fuel operation (Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, and Marine Gas Oil, MGO). A sister ship to “Mein Schiff Relax," delivered in February, the new unit is scheduled to enter service in mid-2026.With approximately 160,000 gross tons…
VPS: Are Distillate Fuels The “Trouble-Free” Marine Fuel?
With the recent implementation on May 1, 2025, of a new Emission Control Area (ECA) in the Mediterranean Sea, the question arises regarding an increase in demand for marine gas oils/distillates.VPS's article looks to address current marine distillate quality and the test parameters which can be employed to assist in determining fuel quality and the relevant fuel management considerations, required to mitigate any associated risks through the following:DensityViscosityFlash PointCold…
AD Ports Group: First Ship-to-Ship LNG Bunkering at Khalifa Port
AD Ports Group, a global enabler of trade, transport, industry, and logistics, recently hosted its first ship-to-ship (STS) liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at its flagship deep-water Khalifa Port.The STS bunkering was part of a simultaneous operation, in which the container vessel MSC Thais, berthed at Abu Dhabi Terminals, received LNG fuel from the dedicated LNG bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge, supplied by marine fuels provider Monjasa. The operation demonstrated the concurrent transfer of LNG and cargo…
N-O-S Takes Delivery of World’s First Biomethanol CTV
Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S) has taken delivery of the world’s first 100% biomethanol-powered crew transfer vessel (CTV), chartered by Vestas.M/V Transporter, designed, developed and provided by N-O-S, is a conversion from A-Class to T-class.The vessel is a 25-meter, high-speed catamaran with an updated and improved hull design, 24 pax seating, specially designed for fast and reliable transfer of technicians and light cargo.The initiative is in collaboration with Vestas…
Fincantieri Lines Up Two Cruise Ships Construction Order
Fincantieri and TUI AG have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the design and construction of two new cruise ships for the Marella Cruises brand.The value of this agreement, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered as very important, which for Fincantieri represents the value of over $2.1 billion.The agreement represents a major step for Marella Cruises, which is venturing into newbuilding for the first time and has chosen Fincantieri as its strategic partner for this transformation.At the same time…
Well-to-Wake: Scrubbers Beat HFO on Environmental Performance
Researchers from MIT and Georgia Tech have concluded that burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers in the open ocean can match or surpass using low-sulfur fuels when a wide variety of environmental factors is considered.The scientists combined data on the production and operation of scrubbers and fuels with emissions measurements taken onboard a bulk carrier owned by Oldendorff Carriers. Gaseous and particulate matter (PM) emissions data were collected while the bulk carrier was burning 3%S HFO…
Techano Oceanlift to Deliver Crane for Dual-Fuel Hybrid CSV Newbuild
Techano Oceanlift has secured a contract by Sefine Shipyard to deliver an offshore crane to a newbuild construction support vessel (CSV) that the Turkish shipyard is building for a strategic partnership between Agalas, Eidesvik and Reach Subsea.Techano Oceanlift, subsdidiary of Oslo-listed Nekkar, will supply a 150-tonnes capacity crane capable of performing subsea construction work and topside lifting operations. The company’s scope of work includes engineering, manufacturing…
Svitzer Steadily Builds a Maritime Behemoth
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.
Eidesvik, Agalas and Reach Subsea Order New Dual-Fuel Hybrid CSV
Eidesvik Offshore, Agalas, and Reach Subsea have partnered up to build a new construction support vessel (CSV) for subsea and offshore renewables operations.The new CSV will have similar specifications as the vessel Eidesvik currently has under construction together with Agalas at the Sefine Shipyard in Turkey.The vessel will also be built at the Sefine Shipyard, with delivery scheduled for spring 2027.It will be specifically equipped to perform inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) work.Upon delivery…