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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

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14 Jan 2026

Genco Rejects Diana Shipping Offer

Image copyright GT

Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has firmly pushed back on takeover interest from Diana Shipping Inc., with its board unanimously rejecting a non-binding $20.60-per-share cash proposal that it says "significantly undervalues" the company and carries unacceptable execution risk.In a statement released January 13, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited said its board, acting on the recommendation of an independent committee and advised by external financial and legal counsel, concluded…

13 Jan 2026

Blue Water Surpasses 1000 Hours of Ocean-Based Testing

Credit: Blue Water

This week, the Blue Water team reached a milestone in their journey: surpassing 1000 hours of ocean-based testing of their proprietary propulsion system designed for autonomous surface vessels. Achieving this milestone surpasses the Navy’s original 720-hour land-based test requirement while also including the addition of fuel polishing, electric power generation, and a full sensor suite.Meeting the Navy's VisionAs the Navy expands its fleet of uncrewed ships to execute transoceanic missions, vessels will need to remain at sea unmanned for months at a time.

12 Jan 2026

ASENAV, SAAM to Build Tugboat in Chile

© ASENAV

In a strategic step to consolidate the country's industrial and export capacity, the ASENAV shipyard and multinational towage services company SAAM signed their first shipbuilding contract.The agreement outlines the manufacturing of a tugboat in Valdivia, designed under the strictest international standards. Construction is expected to take approximately 15 months, with the vessel scheduled to join SAAM's fleet in Canada during the first half of 2027.The vessel, a RAstar 3200W model designed by Robert Allan, will be 32 meters long and have over 80 tons of bollard pull.

07 Jan 2026

ASRY Offshore Division Looks to 200th Project Milestone

© ASRY

The offshore division of Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) in Bahrain is on track to deliver its 200th project milestone in the first quarter of 2026. It will be a landmark achievement for ASRY since its Offshore Division was established in 2011 and reinforces ASRY’s expertise in drilling rig repair, upgrade, conversion, and refit work in the Gulf region.ASRY’s Offshore Division is currently carrying out a number of rig projects for a diverse spread of clients, including major offshore drilling companies Valaris…

29 Dec 2025

"No Find, No Fee" Search for MH370 to Commence

Copyright Greg Trauthwein

Nearly 12 years after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished with 239 people on board, the mystery remains unresolved. Later this month, a new seabed search is scheduled to begin in the southern Indian Ocean, renewing hopes that long-awaited answers may finally emerge.The Boeing 777 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The passengers included more than 150 Chinese nationals, around 50 Malaysians, and citizens from several other countries, including France, Australia, the United States, India, Canada and Ukraine.

18 Dec 2025

DOF Bags Multiple Vessel Deals with Petrobras in Brazil

(Credit: DOF Group)

Norwegian offshore supply vessel owner DOF Group has secured seven new contract extensions with Petrobras for its offshore support vessels (OSVs) in Brazil, valued over $160 million.Five of DOF's Brazilian-flagged anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels, all with ROVs on board, including Skandi Fluminense, Skandi Paraty, Skandi Angra, Skandi Urca and Skandi Iguaçu, have had their current contracts with Petrobras extended until the first quarter of 2027.The new four-year contracts…

15 Dec 2025

EU Imposes More Sanctions on Oil Traders

© Trevor Benbrook / Adobe Stock

The European Union adopted fresh sanctions against Russian oil interests on Monday, targeting traders Murtaza Lakhani and Etibar Eyyub for helping Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions on crude exports that help to fund Russia's war in Ukraine.The EU has imposed 19 packages of sanctions so far, but Moscow has managed to adapt to most measures and is still selling millions of barrels of oil to India and China, albeit at discounts to global prices. Much of this is transported using…

15 Dec 2025

Great Ships of 2025: R/V David Packard

R/V David Packard.
Credit: Freire Shipyard

In 2010, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) began the process of replacing its research vessel, R/V Western Flyer. With Glosten at their side as vessel designer, MBARI considered three types of ships for their new project. The Western Flyer was a small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH), but the parties agreed on a monohull design for the new vessel. In 2021, Freire Shipyard won the bid to build the vessel, and R/V David Packard came to life.There is no “I” in TeamWill Moon…

12 Dec 2025

Boston's Cathleen Stone Island Ferry Undergoes Refit

© Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding

Boston Harbor's MV Outward Bound has returned to Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation for a mid-life refit. Redelivery is planned for spring 2026. Purpose-designed by JW Gilbert Associates and built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 1995, the 64-foot, 140-passenger steel vessel carries visitors and supplies seasonally to Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound, which offers experiential outdoor programs for youth and adults on the island in Boston Harbor.Along with installing a new shaft and propeller…

10 Dec 2025

Death at Sea Film Illuminates Plight of Fisheries Observers

© Shawntai / Adobe Stock

In March 2020, Tekarara Kabangaki would receive news that would change the course of her life forever: her husband, Eritara Aati Kaierua, was found dead aboard the fishing vessel he was working on.Now, more than five years on, questions remain concerning his death and the subsequent investigation.Death at Sea is a short documentary film directed by Sara Pipernos (Human Rights at Sea) that chronicles the life and death of Eritara Aati Kaierua through the eyes of the family he left behind.

09 Dec 2025

U.S. Coast Guard Authenticates Keel for Offshore Patrol Cutter

© US Coast Guard

The Coast Guard authenticated the keel for the future Coast Guard Cutter Pickering during a ceremony Monday in Mobile, Alabama. Keel authentication is a time-honored shipbuilding tradition marking the formal start of a vessel’s construction. During the ceremony, the sponsor’s initials are applied to a ceremonial keel plate that will be installed on the cutter, symbolically indicating the keel is “truly and fairly laid.” Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, attended the event along with Rep.

09 Dec 2025

U.S. Oil Production Still has Growth Potential

© Vladimir / Adobe Stock

Crude oil production in the United States is booming, reports Poten & Partners in its weekly opinion.According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Field Production of Crude Oil reached 13.8 Million barrels per day (Mb/d) in September 2025, a remarkable recovery since bottoming out in 2008 below 5 Mb/d.The shale oil boom was primarily responsible for this turnaround. The decision to allow crude oil exports from the U.S. at the end of 2015 also contributed, because it made U.S. crude accessible to the international market. This export access converged U.S.

02 Dec 2025

Hull Cleaning Robotics: Army Beats Navy – the Hegseth Way!

Image courtesy Colonel Rachael Hoagland

Sticking to legacy tactics won't beat China — adopt Secretary Hegseth's and the Army initiatives or surrender the edge.In a recent address, Admiral Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, underscored the urgent need for a robotic hull-cleaning system to enable anytime maintenance, reduce drag, boost speed, and minimize fuel consumption for naval vessels. Hearing this, I immediately recognized an opportunity for the U.S. Army to step up and drive maritime innovation forward—at wartime speed.

19 Nov 2025

COWI Supports Landsvirkjun in Delivering Iceland’s First Large-Scale Wind Farm

© COWI

COWI’s supervision and advisory role in the Vaðölduver project marks the first integration of wind energy into Iceland’s electricity generation portfolio. The 120 MWwind farm, led by Landsvirkjun, is the country’s first commercial-scale wind development. The project represents a significant step forward for Iceland’s renewable energy sector, introducing wind power as a new and complementary source alongside the nation’s well-established hydropower and geothermal systems.The Vaðölduver wind farm…

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.

13 Nov 2025

Echandia Selected to Supply New Battery System for Long-Range Electric Ferry

© Echandia

Echandia has been selected to deliver a new battery system for E/F Ellen, operated by Ærøfærgerne in Denmark. Echandia will supply a 3.2 MWh LTO battery system to replace the previous 4.3 MWh NMC system. The new system is designed for a 15-year lifetime and features multiple daily fast-charging cycles at high efficiency.Echandia’s LTO (Lithium-Titanate Oxide) technology is well-suited for high-frequency, fast-charging RoPax ferry operations, where reliability is critical. The system supports very high C-rates, enabling over 20,000 charge cycles and charging in around 25 minutes.

07 Nov 2025

Maritime Partners Repowers M/V John Austin with Mitsubishi S12R-Y3

© Laborde Products

Maritime Partners has repowered the pushboat M/V John Austin, replacing its Cummins QSK38 (1300 hp @ 1800 rpm) with a Mitsubishi S12R-Y3 engine rated at 1260 hp @ 1600 rpm. After 28,000 hours on the previous platform, the decision to repower was driven by the need for reliability, reduced downtime, and a smarter long-term investment.The repower installation leveraged the vessel’s existing systems while making minor modifications. The S12R-Y3 fit within the original rail centers and paired with the Reintjes WAF 665 gearbox via adapter plate.

05 Nov 2025

WinGD, Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions Cooperate on Engine Service

Left to right: Georgios Moutzourogeorgos, Chief Commercial & Business Development Officer, Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions; Rudolf Holtbecker, WinGD Director of Global Service and Benny Hilström, Vice President of Market Development, WinGD. © WinGD

WinGD has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions, a leading shipbuilder and repair yard, to expand engine aftercare and technical services in the Middle East. The partnership, agreed upon during Nor-Shipping in June, will strengthen delivery of WinGD’s new lifecycle services offer, Global Service by WinGD, to Middle Eastern ship operators by enhancing regional capabilities in engine maintenance, repair, overhaul, and retrofitting.The collaboration will leverage Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions’ strategic location and quality infrastructure…

03 Nov 2025

Wallem Group Celebrates a Century Headquartered in Hong Kong

© Wallem Group

Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters to Hong Kong.The celebrations will be marked by a special event on November 12, 2025 in the presence of Guest of Honour Hong Kong Finance Secretary, commemorating 100 years since the relocation—22 years after Norwegian shipbroker and agent Haakon Wallem formed Wallem & Co. in 1903.By 1925, Haakon had earned the nickname "Typhoon Wallem," reflecting his energy and business acumen and his deployment of both to support Chinese shipowners.In the 100 years since…

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

The Cost of Caution in 2-Stroke Cylinder Lubrication

More than 90% of global freight is transported by over 33,000 merchant marine vessels powered by two stroke crosshead engines as their main source of propulsion; the two-stroke diesel engine has been the backbone of global trade and globalization for well over half a century. Among one of the key factors supporting the reliability and uptime of these engines, keeping trade moving, is the effective performance of cylinder oil. Often referred to as the lifeblood of the engine, these oils provide critical protection to avoid abrasive…

21 Oct 2025

Second Edition of Ship to Ship Transfer Guide Published

© CDI, ICS, OCIMF, and SIGTTO

The Chemical Distribution Institute (CDI), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) have released the second edition of ‘Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied Gases’.Originally published by OCIMF in 1975, the STS Transfer Guide was consolidated in 2013 through the combined expertise of CDI, ICS, OCIMF and SIGTTO. Recognized globally by the tanker industry and IMO Member States as the definitive reference for safe and effective STS operations…

21 Oct 2025

Navigating the Limits: Columbia River Pilots Confront Big Ships, Tight Channels

Image credit Anthony Roberts

Columbia River Pilots is an association of independent pilots, a unique organization that uses a network of pilots and independent boats to manage a long stretch of river in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Capt. Jeremy Nielsen serves as President, Columbia River Pilots, and in addressing the challenges his organization faces, leading the list are the maritime megatrend that sees vessel size outpacing infrastructure along the river, from bridge clearance to dockage; as well as the maritime industry's legislated drive for decarbonization…

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