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Sunday, February 1, 2026

Michael News

29 Jan 2026

US Hoists Names Michael Cetta as Chief Operating Officer

Michael Cetta. © US Hoists

US Hoists Corp has announced the appointment of Michael Cetta as Chief Operating Officer.A Center Moriches native, Cetta earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Farmingdale State College and brings an educational foundation and a proven record of leadership to his new role.With experience spanning business ownership, sales leadership, and project management, Cetta has demonstrated versatility across both small and large organizations. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer at A1 Roofing…

27 Jan 2026

Captain of Seized Tanker Now Aboard US Vessel

© Faraways / Adobe Stock

The captain of a Venezuela-linked crude oil tanker seized by the U.S. this month has been taken from British territorial waters and is now aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, a lawyer for the captain's wife said on Tuesday.The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. military special forces, bearing a judicial seizure warrant, apprehended the Russian-flagged Marinera in the Atlantic near Iceland on January 7 after pursuing it for more than two weeks as part of Washington's efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports.After its capture…

21 Jan 2026

HII Completes Builder’s Sea Trials for USS Zumwalt

Source: HII

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has successfully completed builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).The Ingalls and Navy team conducted a comprehensive series of at-sea tests following an extensive modernization availability as the Navy’s first Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) platform.USS Zumwalt, the lead ship of the Zumwalt-class destroyers, arrived at the Pascagoula shipyard in August 2023 for modernization. Shortly after arrival, the ship was moved onto land where the Ingalls team completed major technology upgrades.

14 Jan 2026

ABS and Fleetzero Partner on Marine Battery Containers

(L to R): Rosevelt Fernandez, ABS Vice President, North America Regional Business Development, and Steven Henderson, CEO and Co-founder of Fleetzero

ABS and Fleetzero have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the technical requirements for containerized marine battery systems.The MoU establishes a framework for both organizations to consider designs and arrangements as well as develop testing mechanisms and quality control procedures to help ensure safety with new commercial approaches.“ABS provides industry‑leading guidance to support the adoption of marine battery systems. The next step is overcoming key barriers to deployment…

12 Jan 2026

Joint Project Aims to Enhance Maritime Battery Safety

Image courtesy ABS

ABS and Siemens Energy have signed a joint development project (JDP) to advance the understanding of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries through modeling and simulation, supporting safer and more reliable energy storage systems for the marine and offshore industries.The JDP brings together ABS’s technical expertise in classification, verification, and standards development with leadership from Siemens Energy in digital simulation and industrial technology innovation. The collaboration aims to create new insights into how lithium-ion battery systems behave under extreme conditions…

08 Jan 2026

Hanwha and HavocAI Partner on USV Development

Source: social media

Hanwha Defense USA (HDUSA), Hanwha Systems Co (HSC), and U.S.-based collaborative autonomy company HavocAI announced they will jointly develop 200-foot autonomous surface vessels (ASV).Hanwha is currently the only shipbuilder with an operational shipyard in the United States to enter into a joint agreement with an autonomous vessels company. Hanwha Philly Shipyard is under consideration to produce the 200-foot autonomous ASV.HavocAI recently closed a $85m funding round, publicly confirmed the sale of dozens of vessels to the U.S.

29 Dec 2025

Shipbuilding a Bright Spot for German Industry in 2026

Copyright Ninel/AdobeStock

A majority of German business associations expect job cuts in 2026 as the country's economic crisis persists, with industry hit hardest by global protectionism and weak exports, a survey by the German Economic Institute IW showed on Monday.Of 46 business associations surveyed, 22 anticipate workforce reductions next year. Only nine expect to increase hiring and 15 foresee stable employment levels.The automotive, paper and textile industries are among those expecting production declines.

09 Dec 2025

US Judge Overturns Trump’s Freeze on Wind Energy Permits

© creativenature.nl / Adobe Stock

A federal judge on Monday struck down an order by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to halt all federal approvals for new wind energy projects, saying that agencies' efforts to implement his directive were unlawful and arbitrary.Agencies including the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency have been implementing a directive to halt all new approvals needed for both onshore and offshore wind projects pending a review of leasing and permitting practices.Siding with a group of 17 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, U.S.

04 Dec 2025

China Massing Military Ships in East Asia

© zapper / Adobe Stock

China is deploying a large number of naval and coast guard vessels across East Asian waters, at one point more than 100, in the largest maritime show of force to date, according to four sources and intelligence reports reviewed by Reuters.China is in the middle of what is traditionally a busy season for military exercises, though the People's Liberation Army has not made any announcements of large-scale officially named drills.Still, the rise in activity is happening as China…

30 Nov 2025

Protesters Disrupt Coal Shipment in Australia

Rising Tide / Lee Illfield

One of Australia's biggest coal export ports will resume operations on Monday, the port operator said, after climate-change protesters disrupted shipping at the Port of Newcastle for a second day on Sunday.Climate activist group Rising Tide, which claimed responsibility for the latest protest, said hundreds of activists paddled kayaks into the shipping lane of Newcastle Harbour on Sunday morning, violating an exclusion zone.The port, 170 km (110 miles) north of New South Wales state capital Sydney…

17 Nov 2025

ICS Convenes Global Leaders to Address Geopolitical, Trade Challenges

© International Chamber of Shipping

In this moment of heightened trade tensions, the International Chamber of Shipping co-hosted a second Global Maritime Trade Summit in Hong Kong to explore geopolitics and trade realignment, building resilient supply chains, and financing a dynamic and robust maritime economy. The summit was co-hosted by the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong, SAR and the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.The theme of this year’s summit was Building Resilience, Driving Growth and Investment.“The maritime industry is at a pivotal moment.

14 Nov 2025

Made in America: The U.S. Dredging Market, a Strategic Jones Act Industry

GLDD's recently delivered Amelia Island. Image courtesy GLDD

The United States dredging industry stands as one of the most competitive, efficient, and strategically vital sectors of the maritime economy. As part of the Jones Act fleet—the original Build America, Buy America industry — it not only strengthens our ports and waterways but also anchors thousands of middle-class jobs, spurs shipbuilding across the Gulf and East Coasts, and delivers exceptional value for taxpayers.The last several years have ushered in a quiet renaissance. Dredging firms large and small are modernizing their fleets, expanding capacity, and deepening critical U.S.

03 Nov 2025

Pakistan Eyes 2026 Launch for First Chinese Submarine

© noraismail / Adobe Stock

The Pakistan Navy expects its first Chinese-designed submarine to enter active service next year, the country's top admiral told Chinese state media, bolstering Beijing's bid to counter regional rival India and project power toward the Middle East.A deal under which Islamabad will take delivery of eight Hangor-class submarines by 2028 is "progressing smoothly," Admiral Naveed Ashraf told the Global Times in an interview published on Sunday, adding the submarines would boost Pakistan's…

28 Oct 2025

Obituary: Iconic Maritime, Shipbuilding Leader Fred Harris Passes

Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO

Frederick Joseph Harris of Mystic CT, passed peacefully at 5:47PM on 10/24/2025, with his family by his side. “Fred” was born on 11/25/1944 at Framingham Union Hospital to Frederick Everett and MaryRosa Camilla Harris.Fred was a proud patriot who loved his country. Fred received his bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy (with Honors) in 1967. Upon graduation, Fred was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve with the obligation of sailing in the U.S. Merchant Marine. In the Merchant Marine, Fred sailed on various U.S.

28 Oct 2025

Everllence and Partners Complete S90 Methanol Engine Retrofit

Source: Everllence

Everllence has announced the world’s first conversion of an Everllence B&W S90 two-stroke engine to dual-fuel methanol running following the successful sea-trials of COSCO Shipping Lines’ 20,000+ TEU container vessel, COSCO Shipping Libra.The vessel’s 11S90ME-C engine was retrofitted to an 11S90ME-LGIM (-Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) unit.Everllence PrimeServ – Everllence’s after-sales division – partnered with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry from concept to execution in delivering the world’s first S90 methanol engine retrofit…

28 Oct 2025

Royal Caribbean Q4 Profit Forecasted Below Expectations

© ymgerman - stock.adobe.com

Royal Caribbean forecast fourth-quarter profit below expectations on Tuesday, as the cruise operator faces higher costs, sending its shares down about 8% in early trading.The company raised its forecast for annual profit but that too fell short of expectations, tempering a strong year that saw shares rise about 38%.Increased fuel costs amid escalating global tensions and expenses related to drydocking, ship deliveries and maintenance have hit the company.Royal Caribbean forecast fourth-quarter adjusted profit per share to be in the range of $2.74 to $2.79…

26 Oct 2025

Report: Mexican Bootleg Fuel and Money Laundering Cartel has Global Reach

© Vladimir / Adobe Stock

On the afternoon of March 8, a petroleum tanker named Torm Agnes entered the Port of Ensenada on Mexico’s Pacific coast carrying almost 120,000 barrels of diesel.Such a vessel was a rare sight in that port, which mainly hosts cruise liners, luxury yachts and container ships. Ensenada lacks the infrastructure needed to unload cargos of flammable hydrocarbons safely – making what happened later that day odder still.Waves of fuel-hauling trucks rolled up to the dock to cart away much of the Torm Agnes’ load.

24 Oct 2025

Ransomwar Tops Maritime Cyber Risks, Role-based Training a Priority

Michael DeVolld, Senior Director of Maritime Cybersecurity for ABS Consulting. © ABS Consulting

Maritime operations run on tight schedules and thin margins, and as ships, terminals and supply chains connect systems for visibility and efficiency, attackers gain paths to entry. Cyber risk has become an operational reliability and safety concern, not just an IT issue. “Whether we are looking at this challenge through an operational or organizational safety lens, cyber risk is a critical business risk. An incident will impact everyone,” says Michael DeVolld, Senior Director…

06 Oct 2025

Blue Water Autonomy Appoints Advisory Board

© Adrian / Adobe Stock

Boston-based Blue Water Autonomy, a company designing and producing unmanned ships for the U.S. Navy, has formed an Advisory Board whose members include:• RADM (ret.) Tom Anderson, former Program Executive Officer, Ships (PEO Ships)• Stephen Rodriguez, Chairman of Blue Forge Alliance & dual-use investor• Michael Stewart, former Director, Navy Disruptive Capabilities Office and Unmanned Task Force• VADM (ret.) Roy Kitchener, former Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific"As we enter the next phase of growth…

02 Oct 2025

Israel Intercepts and Stops 14 Gaza Aid Boats

(Credit: Screenshot / Video by Global Sumud Flotilla)

Israeli forces stopped 14 boats carrying foreign activists and aid bound for Gaza, flotilla organisers said on Thursday, but 23 boats are continuing to sail towards the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave, according to the flotilla's tracking system.A video from the Israeli foreign ministry verified by Reuters showed the most prominent of the flotilla's passengers, Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers."Several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port…

01 Oct 2025

PhilaPort Buys Coveted Mustin Yard in Expansion Push

(Credit: Supplied by PhilaPort)

The Port of Philadelphia - PhilaPort has acquired the Mustin Yard from Norfolk Southern Corporation, deemed as one of the critical assets for the port’s future growth.Located adjacent to PhilaPort’s SouthPort Marine Terminal, the 152-acre Mustin Yard represents the last available land at the nexus of deep water, rail, and highway access.The acquisition of Mustin Yard, which was originally part of the former Philadelphia Navy Yard, will allow PhilaPort to significantly expand its cargo handling capacity…

24 Sep 2025

US Unions Urge Lawmakers to Pass SHIPS Act to Secure Domestic Shipbuilding Funding

© Adobe Stock/ferkelraggae

Five U.S. unions are calling on lawmakers to pass legislation that would help secure long-term funding to revive domestic shipbuilding, an effort championed by President Donald Trump and boosted by new port fees on Chinese ships.The United States on October 14 is slated to begin collecting fees on China-linked vessels that visit the nation's seaports. While final rules from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are pending, HSBC analysts recently said China's COSCO Shipping is…

18 Sep 2025

ITG, ZES and Nedcargo Launch Emission-Free Inland Container Transport

© Inland Terminals Group

Inland Terminals Group (ITG), Zero Emission Services (ZES) and Nedcargo are launching fully emission-free container transport on inland waterways. From today, the inland vessel MS Den Bosch Max Groen will sail with exchangeable battery containers on board. With this electric propulsion system, no CO2, nitrogen or particulate matter is emitted.ZES offers a solution for making inland shipping more sustainable through mobile, swappable battery containers (Zespacks). These large-scale batteries provide inland vessels with clean energy without long charging times.