Gecko Robotics' USN Contract Expands to $300m
The U.S. Navy and General Services Administration (GSA) have increased the ceiling value of Gecko Robotics' maintenance and inspection contract to $300 million, more than quadrupling the original $71 million award just six months after its announcement.The expanded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract will support broader deployment of Gecko's robotic inspection and artificial intelligence technologies across the Navy fleet, with the objective of reducing maintenance costs and improving vessel availability.According to Gecko…
Union Vega Offshore Orders Two Breeze-Designed PSVs, Options Four More
Union Vega Offshore has ordered two battery-hybrid platform supply vessels (PSVs) from Fujian Mawei Shipyard, with options for four additional vessels, under a design contract awarded to Breeze Ship Design.The vessels will be based on Breeze Ship Design's next-generation Z 4409 PSV design, with delivery of the first vessel scheduled for 2028.Each vessel will measure 84 meters in length and feature 900 square meters of deck space, battery-hybrid propulsion, a moonpool and accommodation…
MHI to Invest $660M in Japan Shipbuilding Expansion
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has signed an agreement with Shimonoseki City in Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture to acquire industrial land on the artificial island of Choshu Dejima, supporting a major expansion of its shipbuilding capacity.The project, undertaken by MHI subsidiary Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, is expected to involve an investment of approximately 100 billion yen ($660 million), with up to 40 billion yen ($264 million) potentially covered by Japanese government subsidies.Mitsubishi…
Tug Venture Delivered to Crowley
Crowley has accepted delivery of Venture, a new chartered tug that will provide ship assist and escort operations in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The addition of the vessel expands Crowley’s capability to serve customers calling on the Southern California gateway, where harbor tugs play a critical role in the safe movement of vessels transporting cargo through the ports. Purpose-built at Diversified Marine, Inc. for ship assist and escort operations, the 82-ft., Jones Act compliant Venture is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516 EPA Tier IV-compliant engines generating more than 6…
Fincantieri CEO Folgiero Honored
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri, received the National Italian American Foundation's (NIAF) Dea Roma Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership in Maritime Industry during the organization's 51st Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.The award marks the first time NIAF has recognized an executive specifically for leadership and achievements in the international maritime industry.NIAF cited Folgiero's role in strengthening…
Rheinmetall, MSC Take Over Romania’s Mangalia Shipyard in $155M Deal
German defense contractor Rheinmetall and Swiss shipping company MSC have won an auction to acquire Romania's Mangalia shipyard for approximately $155 million (€138 million), with plans to develop the facility for both commercial and military shipbuilding.The acquisition, expected to be completed within a few weeks, will be jointly funded by the two companies, Rheinmetall said.The shipyard, located south of Constanța, will be developed into a dual-use facility serving domestic and international markets…
Tampa Bay Pilots Orders New 56-ft. Vessel
Rozema Boat Works, Inc., of Mount Vernon, Washington, won a contract for the construction of a 56-ft. pilot transfer vessel for the Tampa Bay Pilots Association, based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Designed by Camarc Design, the all-aluminum vessel features a refined double-chine hull optimized for efficient, reliable performance and safe pilot transfer operations in a wide range of operating conditions.The vessel will be powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 diesel engines rated at 715 horsepower at 2100rpm.
All American Marine Build Report: October 2026
All American Marine recently launched M/V North Star, the second high-speed, long-range eco-tour vessel built for Phillips Cruises & Tours. Like her sistership, Chugach Express, North Star will operate from Whittier, Alaska, carrying passengers through the tidewater glaciers and wildlife-filled waters of Prince William Sound.The 84.5-foot, hydrofoil-assisted aluminum catamaran features a Teknicraft Design semi-displacement hull and is certified to USCG Subchapter T standards for up to 150 passengers.
Incat Crowther to Build Fourth Fast Support Intervention Vessel
Zamil Offshore commissioned Incat Crowther and Singaporean shipbuilder Lita Ocean to design, build and deliver a fourth 60-m ABS-classed monohull Fast Support Intervention Vessel (FSIV). The project follows the delivery of the third vessel in the original fleet with the performance of the fleet leading to the order of a fourth vessel.The FSIV fleet is assisting Zamil Offshore with the efficient and safe transport of cargo, heavy maintenance equipment and personnel for Saudi Aramco’s operations in the Arabian Sea.
Estonia's First Electric Ferry Takes Shape in Poland
Steerprop was selected to supply its next-generation contra-rotating propeller (CRP) technology for Estonia's first fully electric passenger ferry, currently under construction at Poland's CRIST SA shipyard.The 95-meter ferry, designed by LMG Marin for the Estonian State Fleet, will feature two Steerprop SP 25 CRP units equipped with permanent magnet motors. The propulsion system is designed to deliver high thrust and improved efficiency in both open water and ice conditions.Steerprop's CRP configuration uses two contra-rotating propellers on a single shaftline…
Anglo-Eastern: World-First Ammonia-Powered Bulk Carrier Enters Service
Anglo-Eastern has detailed its role in developing and preparing CMB.TECH's Mineral Europa, the world's first ammonia-powered dry bulk carrier, which recently embarked on its maiden voyage.The 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax, built by CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, features a WinGD dual-fuel ammonia engine and a Sun Rui Ammonia Fuel Supply System. The vessel can operate on ammonia or conventional marine fuel, providing flexibility as ammonia bunkering infrastructure develops.Anglo-Eastern's involvement dates to 2018…
The Markets Impacting the Revival of US Naval & Commercial Shipbuilding
The U.S. Maritime Industry is sifting through a nearly two-year decision process after Executive Order 14269 announcements of “Maritime Dominance” of April 9th 2025. Initially reported as the strongest federal support in decades, longer periods of delays have also occurred as congress debates the Ships for America Act which has been passed from committee to committee in Congress. Legislation proposed to support American shipbuilding and the US flag commercial fleet and to date…
Keel Laid for Canada's Largest Polar Icebreaker
The 158-meter CCGS Imnaryuaq will feature 47 MW of installed power, diesel-electric propulsion and Polar Class 2 icebreaking capability, extending the Canadian Coast Guard's operational reach into the High Arctic.Seaspan Shipyards marked a major construction milestone for the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) future flagship polar icebreaker, CCGS Imnaryuaq, with a ceremonial keel laying at its Vancouver Shipyards facility in North Vancouver on October 14, 2026.Designed for year-round operations in Canada's High Arctic…
LD Armateurs Installs Six Rotor Sails on Airbus RoRo Carrier
LD Armateurs and Norsepower completed installation of six rotor sails aboard Spirit of Toulouse, the first of three low-emission RoRo vessels being built to transport aircraft components for Airbus between Europe and North America.The installation, completed by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group at an outfitting facility in Shanghai, makes Spirit of Toulouse the world's largest RoRo vessel equipped with wind-assisted propulsion and, according to the companies, the vessel carrying…
Shipyard of the Future will be Built on Robotics, AI
Fincantieri is accelerating the integration of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across its global shipyard network, moving from technology experimentation toward industrial-scale deployment under its BOOST² – The Shipyard of the Future initiative.Launched three years ago, BOOST² has engaged more than 450 employees across 13 Fincantieri shipyards, including facilities in Italy, Romania and the United States. The program aims to improve productivity, workplace…
Partnership Aims to Advance Bio-LNG as Marine Fuel
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), CMA CGM Group and Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the supply and use of liquefied bio-methane, or bio-LNG, as a marine fuel, leveraging Singapore’s existing LNG infrastructure to support shipping decarbonization.The agreement brings together MPA’s regulatory expertise, CMA CGM’s shipping operations and SLNG’s LNG infrastructure capabilities to develop practical pathways for supplying…
NYK-Led Consortium Develops Floating Data Center Concept for Ports
A Japanese consortium led by shipping giant NYK Line has developed a new port-based floating data center concept designed to accelerate the commercialization of offshore data centers while addressing growing constraints on land availability, electrical power and construction timelines.The consortium, comprising Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), NTT FACILITIES, Eurus Energy Holdings and MUFG Bank, envisions floating data centers moored alongside existing port quays, leveraging…
Op-Ed: The Scripps Award Sets a Precedent Small U.S. Shipyards Cannot Survive
Scripps Institution of Oceanography is building its next coastal research vessel in Chile. If that award stands as the model for how publicly funded institutions replace their fleets, the small American shipyards that build this country’s research vessels lose a market they cannot survive without.MarineLink.com reported the award in August: a 124-foot vessel for Scripps, part of the University of California San Diego, going to ASENAV in Valdivia, Chile. Qualified U.S. yards competed for it and came in under the project’s publicly stated budget. The work is leaving the country anyway.
OMS Group Celebrates Keel-Laying of CS Resilience
Construction of OMS Group’s next-generation cable-laying vessel, CS Resilience, has reached a milestone with the laying of its keel at CRIST Shipyard in Gdynia, Poland, on September 17, 2026.The keel laying marks the start of hull assembly for the first of two vessels being built to the ULSTEIN SX252 design for OMS Group’s GREAT-Class fleet. Purpose-built for increasingly complex subsea projects, the 130-meter CS Resilience is designed to provide greater cable capacity and operational efficiency…
Sanmar Shipyards, NEMECA Sign BOÄžAÇAY Tug Contract
Sanmar Shipyards has signed a contract with Greek towage operator NEMECA for the construction of a new BOÄžAÇAY Class tugboat. The agreement for BOÄžAÇAY XCVII was signed in Piraeus, Greece on October 6, 2026, marking a milestone in NEMECA's strategic expansion and fleet modernization in the Mediterranean region.This latest order builds on the strong working relationship established between the two maritime leaders following Sanmar's delivery of GAIA, a RAstar 2900SX Class 82 tons bollard pull escort tug…
OCM Delivers RHIB to Hopewell Fire & EMS
Ocean Craft Marine (OCM) delivered a 31-ft. (9.5-m) rigid hull inflatable boat to Hopewell Fire & EMS in Hopewell, Va.The vessel serves a dual role: fire and rescue operations for the fire department, and patrol, boarding, and port security missions for the Hopewell Police DepartmentThe boat will also operate as a designated asset of the Maritime Incident Response Team (MIRT) for the Port of Virginia. It adds fire suppression, search and rescue, dive support, and waterborne law enforcement capability to the regional team that protects one of the largest commercial ports on the U.S.
GMI Orders PowerCell Systems for Two More Hydrogen-Electric Bulk Carriers
PowerCell Group has received a follow-up order worth $2.7 million (SEK 27 million) from GMI Group for fuel cell systems and engineering services for two additional hydrogen-electric bulk carriers, expanding the collaboration from two to four vessels.The order covers 10 Marine System 225 fuel cell units, providing more than 2 MW of power, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028.The agreement follows an initial order placed in September 2025 and brings PowerCell's total supply across the four vessels to 24 Marine System 225 units…
Bibby Marine’s Battery-First eCSOV Hits Water in Spain
Bibby Marine has launched its new battery-first electric commissioning service operation vessel (eCSOV) at Armon Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, ahead of its planned delivery in 2027.The vessel, which will carry the name Staffordshire, entered the water on October 10 and will undergo further outfitting at the shipyard over the coming months, including the installation of its battery systems.Unlike conventional hybrid-assist designs, the eCSOV is designed to use its energy storage system…
Green Yard Kleven Receives Hull Construction Contract
Green Yard Kleven will build hull modules for a vessel for Salthammer Båtbyggeri. Together, the two shipyards will deliver a complete vessel built in Norway. The modules will be constructed at the shipyard in Ulsteinvik and delivered to Salthammer Båtbyggeri in Vestnes.“We are very pleased to have secured this contract,” said Hans Jørgen Fedog, CEO of Green Yard. “Equally important is preserving our expertise. The skilled workers building hulls today are the same people who will build and maintain Norwegian vessels in the future.
NMDC Expands Fleet with Heavy-Duty Dredger Newbuild
Abu Dhabi-based NMDC Group has inaugurated its new Abu Al Bakhoush heavy-duty cutter suction dredger in Nantong, China, expanding its fleet of more than 170 vessels and strengthening its capacity for offshore and marine infrastructure projects.Built by Jiangsu Haixin Shipping Heavy Industry, the self-propelled vessel measures 148 meters in length and has a maximum dredging depth of 38 meters.The dredger is equipped with a 7.8 MW cutter and total installed power of 30,040 kW, enabling it to undertake heavy-duty rock cutting and dredging operations for offshore trenches…
MSC's Mariner Math: Rebuilding the Workforce Behind the Fleet
The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command is a critical part of the United States’ national security equation, as any navy only goes as far as its supply chain allows. RADM Benjamin Nicholson, Commander, U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command, visited with Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, for a deep discussion on MSC, including changes in mariner pay and benefits that will enable it to attract and retain the seafarers it wants and needs.Military Sealift Command occupies an unusual position in the U.S. Navy enterprise.
Bollinger Shipyards Remains on Track for US Arctic Security Cutter Program
Bollinger Shipyards this week welcomed Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russ Vought, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Kevin Lunday, and senior Coast Guard and Administration officials to its Houma and LaShip facilities for a firsthand look at progress on the Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program.During the visit, Bollinger leadership provided updates on construction readiness, workforce development and infrastructure investments supporting the Coast Guard's next generation fleet of medium polar icebreakers.
LR taps Edris for Middle East Post
Lloyd’s Register (LR) appointed Hossam Edris as Naval Business Director for the Middle East.Based in Dubai, Edris will lead LR's naval and defence business development activities across the region, working closely with government and industry stakeholders as they modernise fleets, strengthen sovereign defence capabilities and adopt advanced maritime technologies.Edris brings more than 20 years of international experience across the aerospace, defence, aviation and technology sectors.
US Navy, Anduril Unveil $6.6B Shipyard Plan for Submarine Parts Production
Anduril Industries plans to invest $3.7 billion in a new Maryland shipyard to manufacture Virginia-class submarine components and other subsea systems, alongside a U.S. Navy contract worth up to $2.9 billion tied to production targets.The Arsenal-2 facility will be built at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point, Baltimore County, with permitting and site preparation beginning immediately and initial operations expected in 2030.The combined public and private investment totals $6.6 billion, with Anduril set to build and operate the site. The U.S.
How Does the Public Really Feel about Small Modular Reactors?
In a spare few minutes I took a quick look at the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation Report: Small Modular Reactor Technologies for Maritime Applications of May 19, 2026.As near as I can figure, it focuses on two major concerns with regard to the use of SMRs in commercial ships:1. Insurance obstacles and2. Possible adverse reactions by the public to nuclear commercial ships.That is weird to me, since my major concern would be that it is taking way too long to simply build a commercial ship with an SMR as its power source.
Germany Plans to Buy Four More TKMS Frigates
Germany plans to buy four more Meko A-200 frigates from shipyard TKMS for about €5.6 billion ($6.3 billion), a finance ministry document seen by Reuters showed on Tuesday, with parliamentary budget committee approval expected on Thursday.The purchase follows a decision by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius to scrap the rival F126 frigate project with Dutch shipbuilder Damen over delays and cost overruns.Here are more details from the document, which was prepared for the budget committee of the lower house of parliament:Second tranche follows four ships of same type already on order…
MISC Names First of Three LNG Carriers for QatarEnergy
MISC has named Th’ailib, the first of three new 174,000-cubic-metre liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers secured under long-term charter agreements with QatarEnergy, at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in South Korea.Th’ailib will enter a firm 15-year charter with QatarEnergy starting in 2026, with two additional vessels scheduled for delivery as part of MISC's participation in the energy company's LNG fleet expansion programme.The three vessels form part of the second phase of the program.
FAIRPLAY Orders Six Tugs from Sanmar Shipyards
Sanmar Shipyards will build six new tugs for FAIRPLAY Towage Group under a fleet expansion program covering vessels for harbor, escort and offshore operations, with deliveries scheduled throughout 2027 and 2028.The order comprises three Robert Allan-designed vessel classes with bollard pulls ranging from 80 to 120 tonnes. All six will feature IMO Tier III-compliant main engines, Ice Class notation and FiFi 1 firefighting capability.The largest vessel will be a RAmpage 4200 offshore tug with 120 tonnes of bollard pull…
Disney Believe Comes to Life with a Touch of Tinker Bell Magic
Meyer Werft has laid the keel for Disney Cruise Line's new Disney Believe, placing a specially minted Tinker Bell coin beneath it as construction of the 144,000-GT cruise ship advances in Papenburg in Germany.The traditional ceremony marked the start of assembly of the vessel's second gigablock. Its first gigablock left Meyer Werft's more than 500-metre-long covered building dock in September and is now at the shipyard's outfitting quay.The coin placed beneath the keel features a portrait of Tinker Bell, who will also adorn the bow of Disney Believe.
ADNOC L&S Orders Three VLGCs for $324M
ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) has ordered three 90,000-cubic-meter Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) for a total investment of $324 million.The three newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2029, ADNOC L&S said.Upon delivery, the VLGCs will be deployed under seven-year contracts with ADNOC Global Trading.The investment is also valued at $324 million (AED 1.19 billion), according to ADNOC L&S.
Liberty Global Logistics, Hyundai Glovis Study Nuclear-Powered PCTCs
Liberty Global Logistics (LGL) and Hyundai Glovis signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evaluate the feasibility of developing and operating a small modular reactor (SMR)-powered Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), initially targeting service between the United States and South Korea.The MoU moves the nuclear-powered ship project beyond conceptual design toward examining the regulatory, infrastructure, technical and commercial hurdles required for actual operation. LGL will evaluate the U.S.
Reefer Ships: Resilient Link in the Cold Chain
Ongoing fleet renewal by niche player Cool Carriers indicates continuing competitiveness at scale of the specialized, pallet-optimized reefership.Not so long ago, it seemed that the unrelenting march of containerization and ever-widening influence of the powerful ocean container line entities would finally usurp the conventional, breakbulk refrigerated cargo vessel. However, Limassol, Cyprus-headquartered Cool Carriers, the largest operator in the sector, displays remarkable resilience…
SFL Corporation Places $216M VLAC Pair Order
SFL Corporation has ordered two 93,000-cubic-metre Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs) for about $216 million and secured long-term time charters for the newbuilds with an unnamed oil major.The vessels are scheduled for delivery from the second quarter of 2028 and will mark SFL's entry into the gas carrier segment.The associated charters will add a minimum of about $162 million to SFL's fixed-rate charter backlog. The initial charter duration will be determined within the next six months…
Saronic Breaks Ground on $3B Shipyard 'Port Alpha'
Saronic has broken ground on Port Alpha, a new U.S. shipyard at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, representing a private capital investment of more than $3 billion and a potentially significant addition to U.S. shipbuilding capacity.Situated on 835 acres with an option to expand to nearly 4,400 acres, Port Alpha is being designed to build autonomous, autonomy-capable and manned vessels. Saronic said the project could eventually support up to 10,000 direct jobs.At opening, the yard is planned to provide 150…
IWS Places $300M Order for Four New Skywalker-Class CSOVs
Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS) subsidiary IWS Fleet has ordered four Skywalker-class commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) for a combined firm yard price of around $301 million (€260 million), expanding its owned fleet from six to 10 CSOVs.The four vessels, priced at around $75 million (€65 million) each, will be built by Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment and delivered in 2029 and 2030 under fixed-price turnkey contracts.IWS Fleet has also secured options for another four vessels at the same firm prices…
Metal Shark to Build 13 Patrol Boats for Vietnam
Louisiana-based boatbuilder Metal Shark has been awarded a U.S. Government contract to build 13 patrol boats for Vietnam, with options for additional vessels.The contract expands Metal Shark's presence in Asia and builds on the company's successful delivery of 24 purpose-built 45 Defiant military patrol boats to the Vietnam Coast Guard between 2017 and 2020. The 45-foot welded-aluminum vessels enhanced Vietnam's maritime security and law-enforcement capabilities while supporting…
2,600 HP Towboat Delivered to Southern Devall
C&C Marine and Repair delivered M/V Capt. Pete Ciaramitaro, a 2,600-horsepower inland towboat, to Southern Devall. The vessel is the first delivery from C&C Marine’s six-vessel spec towboat program and was delivered just over two months after the contract was signed on July 20, 2026. The five remaining vessels are available, with deliveries scheduled to begin in November and continue at approximately two-month intervals.“We value the opportunity to work with Southern Devall and are pleased to deliver the Capt. Pete Ciaramitaro,” said Tony Cibilich, owner and president of C&C Marine and Repair.
Samsung Heavy Industries Books $226M VLGC Pair Order
Samsung Heavy Industries has signed a $226 million (KRW 307.4 billion) contract to build two very large gas carriers (VLGCs) for an undisclosed shipowner in Bermuda, according to a Korean stock exchange regulatory filing.The contract was signed on September 29 and runs through February 28, 2030, with the end date based on the vessels' delivery date.Payments will be made according to construction progress, with the contract including an advance payment.The order represents 2.9%…
Chile's First IMO Tier III Tugboat Christened
SAAM Towage christened SAAM Petrel in Arica, the first tugboat in SAAM Towage’s Chilean fleet to achieve IMO Tier III certification.The tug is named after the petrel, a seabird native to the local coastline. Designed by Robert Allan and built by the Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey, the vessel is part of SAAM Towage’s regional fleet renewal program.
Jianglong Shipbuilding Signs $40M Vessel Construction Deal
Chinese workboat and specialist vessel builder Jianglong Shipbuilding Technology has signed contracts worth $40 million to build two 78-meter multi-purpose offshore supply vessels for an undisclosed customer, with deliveries scheduled for 2028.The first vessel is due to be delivered on or before June 19, 2028, followed by the second on or before August 18, 2028. Payments will be made in installments as construction progresses.The contract value, which excludes owner-supplied items…
Cruise Vessel American Ranger Christened
American Cruise Lines christened American Ranger on the Hudson River last week. American Ranger is the third new ship the company has launched this year and the fourth new Patriot Class ship. The christening celebration took place on September 24 when the ship was docked at Historic Catskill Point, Catskill, New York. Inaugural cruise guests, company executives, and crew members celebrated on the top deck with a festive cookout and the ceremonial bottle smash. Susan Renner, American’s longtime Treasurer and Board Chair, did the honors serving as the ship’s godmother.
Master Boat Builders Launches Titan Tugboat
Master Boat Builders, Inc. announced the successful launch of Titan (H502). Built by Master Boat for Suderman & Young Towing Company, Titan is the third RApport 3000-class escort tug in a four-tug series.The RApport 3000-class escort tug series is designed to support demanding harbor, ship-assist and escort operations. With an overall length of 98 feet, a moulded beam of 43 feet, and a bollard pull capacity of more than 90 metric tons, Titan is powered by two engines producing a combined 7,000 horsepower and is capable of approximately 13 knots.
Washburn & Doughty Delivers Tug to McAllister
McAllister Towing received the tug Mary McAllister from Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. in Maine. Mary McAllister is the sixth in a seven-tug series of American Bureau of Shipping-classed and certified 84-metric-ton bollard pull, low-emission tractor tugs. Mary McAllister is powered by CAT Tier IV engines producing 6,770 horsepower. She is classed with the following certifications and endorsements from ABS: +A-1 Towing, +AMS, Fire Fighting (FiFi 1), Escort, Low Emissions Vessel.
New LNG Vessel for Diamond Global Energy Named
On September 18, NYK held a naming ceremony for a newly built liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier at HD Hyundai Samho Co., Ltd. in the Republic of Korea. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests and stakeholders, including Tetsuro Wada, CEO of Diamond Global Energy Pte. Ltd. (DGE), and Ryutaro Okuzawa, Executive Officer of NYK. During the ceremony, Mr. Wada named the vessel DIAMOND GAS NEXUS.The vessel is chartered to DGE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation based in Singapore, under a long-term time-charter contract.
PaxOcean to Build Ulstein-Designed SOV for NYK Line
NYK Line has ordered a new service operation vessel (SOV) from PaxOcean Group for offshore wind projects in Taiwan and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with delivery planned around 2029.PaxOcean will build the vessel at its Graha yard in Batam, Indonesia, while Ulstein Design & Solutions will provide the design and engineering package based on its SX222 platform.The 89.6-metre-long, 19.2-metre-wide vessel will accommodate up to 120 people and support offshore wind construction, operations and maintenance…
Russia to Raise $2.35b for Arctic Icebreaker Construction
Russia plans to raise more than 200 billion roubles ($2.35 billion) from exporters to finance the construction of icebreakers for its Arctic sea route, according to a draft government decree published this week.Russia is seeking additional sources to finance the development of transport infrastructure as it grapples with a budget deficit and rising war costs. Here are some details about the plan, which was drawn up by the Transport Ministry.A shipbuilding fee of 20.07 roubles…
Italy Launches $4.2B DDX Destroyer Vessel Program
Italy has formally launched its next-generation destroyer program, with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) signing a contract valued at approximately $4.2 billion with OCCAR for two new DDX destroyers for the Italian Navy.OSN, the joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), said the contract includes approximately $1.48 billion in options and covers development, production, logistics studies and Initial In-Service Support.Fincantieri and Leonardo are expected to receive subcontracts valued at approximately $2.05 billion and $1.93 billion…
Van Oord Names Next-Generation Fallpipe Vessel Pair
Van Oord has named its two next-generation flexible fallpipe vessels Vindnes and Vestnes, with the 35,000-tonne-capacity ships scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.The purpose-built vessels, currently under construction at Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore in China, will expand Van Oord's subsea rock installation capacity for offshore wind, interconnector and other energy infrastructure projects.Unlike converted vessels, Vindnes and Vestnes have been designed specifically for subsea rock installation…
Dong Fang Offshore Orders Another CSOV from Vard
Fincantieri's Norwegian subsidiary Vard has signed a contract, worth between $76 million and $86 million, to build a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for Dong Fang Offshore, marking the fifth vessel ordered by the Taiwan-based marine contractor from the shipbuilder.The vessel will be based on VARD 4 39 design and adapted for subsea operations, offshore wind installation and maintenance, as well as cable laying and repair work.Measuring about 102.5 meters long and 19.5 meters wide…
Petronas’ Fleet Expands with New China-Built LNG Carrier
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line), has taken delivery of the 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier Puteri Kelantan, the third vessel of its type delivered for Petronas LNG in 2026.The vessel, owned by a joint venture company led by “K” Line, was delivered on September 24 by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) in China.Puteri Kelantan follows two vessels of the same type delivered for Petronas LNG in May and June this year. A fourth sister vessel, Puteri Negeri Sembilan, is scheduled for delivery in November.The new LNG carrier is about 299 meters long and 46.4 meters wide…
Designing the Future of the American Icebreaking
Inside Seaspan Shipyards' efforts to help accelerate the U.S. Coast Guard's Arctic Security Cutter programFor decades, conversations about rebuilding the United States Coast Guard icebreaker fleet have largely centered on budgets, politics and the strategic necessity of maintaining a credible presence in the Arctic. Less frequently discussed is perhaps the most critical ingredient of all: engineering maturity.Building a modern heavy icebreaker is among the most technically demanding challenges in commercial or naval shipbuilding.
Stena Line Orders Two Hybrid RoPax Ferries from China
Stena Line has ordered two hybrid E-Flexer RoPax ferries from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard for delivery in 2030, with the vessels intended for its Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route between Sweden and Denmark.Each 214.5-metre vessel will accommodate 1,500 passengers and provide 2,750 lane metres of freight capacity across three vehicle decks, comprising one deck for passenger vehicles and two for freight.The day ferries will use hybrid propulsion allowing operation on…
CSL OWL Launches First Subsea Rock Installation Vessel (Video)
CSL OWL has launched the first of two purpose-built subsea rock installation vessels designed for offshore wind construction and maintenance projects.The vessel, named Rock Star, is the first in CSL OWL's two-ship newbuilding program and is designed to carry up to 17,500 tonnes of rock and install material at rates of up to 2,000 tonnes per hour in water depths of up to 100 metres.Measuring 166.8 meters long and 40 meters wide, the vessel has a deadweight of about 21,000 tonnes…
Synergy Marine Group, Cochin Shipyard Sign MoU to Initiate Collaboration
Synergy Marine Group and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue shipbuilding, repair and conversion projects in India. The MoU was signed by Ajay Chaudhry, Co-CEO Ship Management of Synergy Marine Group, and Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Director (Technical) of CSL, in the presence of Jesper Kristensen, Group CEO of Synergy Marine Group, and Jose V J, Chairman and Managing Director of CSL.The MoU provides a framework to combine CSL’s industrial capacity with Synergy’s experience in owners’ representation…
Jan De Nul Orders Second Subsea Trenching Vessel
Jan De Nul has ordered a second trenching support vessel designed to bury subsea energy cables as it expands its fleet for cable installation and protection.The new vessel will be an exact sister ship to the Isambard K. Brunel, which Jan De Nul ordered in March, and will carry a subsea trencher capable of burying cables as deep as five metres into the seabed.The latest order takes the number of new vessels Jan De Nul has under construction for subsea cable installation and protection to five…
Dong Fang Takes Delivery of Newbuild SOV, Orders Another from Vard
Vard has delivered Dong Fang Offshore's first newbuild, the Orient Inspirer service operation vessel (SOV), two months ahead of schedule, while the company has approved an order for another vessel from the Norwegian shipbuilder valued at up to $86 million.The Orient Inspirer, previously known as newbuild NB 987, was delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam following a ceremony on September 16 and is expected to arrive in Taiwan by the end of September.The vessel will be reflagged…
Jinhui Shipping Orders Two Bulk Carrier Newbuilds
Hong Kong-based Jinhui Shipping and Transportation has ordered two 64,500-dwt bulk carriers from Jiangmen Nanyang Ship Engineering for a combined $71.4 million as part of a fleet renewal and expansion program.Two wholly owned Jinhui subsidiaries signed separate shipbuilding contracts on September 21, each valued at $35.7 million.The first vessel is scheduled for delivery by August 31, 2029, followed by the second by September 30, 2029. Both ships will be built to the same specifications.Jinhui…
Sanmar Shipyards Delivers Seventh Tug to H. Schramm Towage
Sanmar Shipyards has delivered NICO, a powerful and versatile new tug designed for both harbour ship-handling and towing operations, to German operator H. Schramm Towage.The latest delivery is the seventh SANMAR-built tug to join the H. Schramm Towage fleet, continuing a relationship between the two companies that dates back to 2005.Known as DELICAY XVIII during construction in Türkiye, the tug has been renamed NICO by H. Schramm Towage and will join the company’s tug fleet, supporting…
Aesen Debuts Next-Gen Hybrid Crew Boat
Aesen introduced the Aesen 116H, a next-generation hybrid crew boat developed to support the evolving operational requirements of offshore personnel transportation and infield logistics operations. This vessel combines hybrid propulsion technology, intelligent energy management and enhanced operational resilience to support safer, more efficient and lower-emission offshore operations.By integrating hybrid propulsion and energy storage systems, Aesen 116H is engineered to optimise engine loading and power utilization…
Green Yard Unveils 100-m Polar Expedition Yacht
Norway’s Green Yard has unveiled the KLEVEN KY100, a 100-meter Polar Class expedition yacht that marks the shipbuilder’s move into developing and owning its own yacht designs.Developed by Green Yard Kleven in cooperation with Opalinski Design House and HAV Design, KY100 combines the yard’s offshore and polar vessel experience with contemporary superyacht design. The PC5 vessel is designed for worldwide operations, including polar waters, with a cruising speed of 18 knots and range of approximately 10…
World First: Ship-to-Ship Ammonia Bunkering
NYK Line, with Japan Marine United Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., and Kokuka Sangyo Co., Ltd., completed the world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering operation to an ammonia-fueled vessel on September 17. At a quay within Japan Marine United Corporation’s Ariake Shipyard, ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier Shoei Maru via the STS method to an ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) scheduled for delivery in November 2026.
Yangzijiang Maritime Orders 24 New Ships from Chinese Shipyards
Yangzijiang Maritime Development has ordered 24 vessels from various Chinese shipyards for delivery between 2028 and 2030, expanding its newbuild portfolio across bulk carriers, chemical and product tankers and large oil tankers.The new orders comprise six 64,500-dwt bulk carriers, six 49,800-dwt product oil and chemical tankers, four 28,000-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers, four 29,000-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers and four 319,000-dwt oil tankers.The bulk carriers and 319…
Supertanker Orders Surge as US-Iran War Reshapes Oil Trade
Shipowners have already ordered more than twice as many supertankers this year as in all of 2025, a buying spree worth over $20 billion that is the biggest for at least 25 years, as the US-Iran war redraws trade routes and boosts demand for long-haul crude shipments.Data from Signal Group, a shipping analytics platform, show 217 Very Large Crude Carriers ordered so far in 2026, against 93 last year. Allied Shipbroking recorded 164 VLCC orders, up from 83. A VLCC carries about…
An Update on Plans for the U.S.’s Icebreaking Fleet
The U.S. is expanding its icebreaking fleet to strengthen Arctic and domestic access, and support commercial shipping, seabed resources, subsea cables and fisheries. Current plans include 1–3 heavy Polar Security Cutters (PSCs), 11 medium Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), seven Homeland Security Cutter (HSC) HSC-L (light) icebreakers, 11 HSC-Ms (medium) and one additional heavy HSC-H (heavy). But as delays and cost overruns on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) Program shows, while major opportunities exist for the U.S.
K Shipbuilding, Sejin and ClassNK to Develop Eco LPG Carrier
K Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Sejin Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and ClassNK have signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) regarding the joint development of a new generation Eco LPG carrier that complies with the IGC Code amendment. The signing ceremony was held at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.An amendment to the IGC Code, an international code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk, is scheduled to be adopted at MSC 112 (to be held in December this year) and to enter into force on July 1…
Lloyd’s Register Backs Fore-Accommodation Wind-Powered LNG Carrier Design
Lloyd's Register has granted Design Appraisal to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' fore-accommodation LNG carrier design featuring Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' Wind Challenger hard-sail system, advancing the concept towards potential commercial deployment.The appraisal confirms that the design complies with LR's Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems notation requirements and follows Approval in Principle granted at Gastech 2025.The partners describe the vessel as the world's first fore-accommodation LNG carrier equipped with the Wind Challenger system.
Netherlands Coastguard Receives Patrol Vessel
Multraship, on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat, delivered the new patrol vessel ENFORCER to the Netherlands Coastguard, a 53-metre-long modern patrol vessel for surveillance work, providing assistance and contributing to safety in the North Sea. ENFORCER was built by Damen Shipyards in Gorinchem. It is owned by Multraship from Terneuzen, which will therefore also be responsible for the vessel’s crew and maintenance. The Netherlands Coastguard will have operational command. To carry out the duties in the North Sea…
How Physical AI Will Rebuild America's Maritime Industrial Base
The first thing that stands out when you walk through a modern shipyard isn't the technology – it's the sheer scale of the work and the size of the parts going into these massive ships the size of city blocks. I recently visited a Korean shipyard watching teams of workers join two 50-foot-tall, 100,000-pound hull sections into place. This particular shipyard does this every day, building up to 40 ships a year.Seeing that kind of scale firsthand puts into perspective just how much coordination, labor, and industrial capacity it takes to keep a yard operating at full speed.
MARTAC, SĹŚLACE Boats Partner to Scale USV Production
Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC) announced a manufacturing partnership with fellow Florida-based boatbuilder SĹŚLACE Boats, a partnership designed to enable MARTAC to scale production of its Devil Ray USV platforms by 100 vessels per year, meeting increasing demand signals from U.S. and allied-nation governments as well as supporting national security operations. SĹŚLACE Boats has an established reputation for designing and building high-performance and high-strength boats.
Markets: Ascendant China Boosts Vehicle Carrier Trades
An unprecedented level of investment in multi-deck vehicle carriers is being driven by tonnage replacement and scale economy strategies, but emphatically also by explosive growth in China’s automotive exports.Global deep-sea automotive shipments, excluding the Russian trade, were estimated at some 15.6 million units in 2025, up 5 percent on 2024, maintaining recent years’ trajectory. China’s inexorable rise as a producer and exporter is the conspicuous influence on traffic development.Notwithstanding the impacts of sometimes fraught political relations between the USA and China…
GONDAN Launches Its Largest-Ever Vessel Built for Østensjø Rederi
Spanish shipyard GONDAN Shipbuilders has launched a 120-metre Ocean Energy Support Vessel (OESV) for Østensjø Rederi, the largest vessel built by the shipyard to date.The C513 OESV was launched at GONDAN's Figueras facility and will now undergo final outfitting and sea trials ahead of scheduled delivery in late 2027.Designed by Salt Ship Design, the vessel has a beam of 23 meters and is intended for operations including walk-to-work personnel transfers, commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) support for offshore wind…
Deadly Cargo Ship Fire Kills 25 at China Shipyard
Twenty-five people died in a fire aboard a foreign cargo vessel undergoing repairs at a state-owned shipyard in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao on Thursday, state media reported.The fire broke out at about 11:15 a.m. (0315 GMT) at the Qingdao Beihai shipyard during repair and inspection works, state-run Xinhua said. Of the 42 people onboard, 12 were evacuated safely and five were injured and hospitalised.The blaze was extinguished by early afternoon, state media said.A picture of the scene released by Xinhua showed the vessel involved to be the Ocean Melody.
New Pacific Launches Shipbuilding Program With Two Tugboats for American Marine Corporation
New Pacific Industrial (NP) has launched its first shipbuilding program with the construction of two 122-foot American Class tugboats for American Marine Corporation (AMC) at its Vancouver, Washington waterfront facility. Designed by naval architecture and marine engineering firm Glosten, the vessels also represent American Marine's first new tugboat construction as the company marks 50 years in business.Glosten is providing the vessel design and engineering package based on its CT-120, an oceangoing line-haul tug concept developed for long-distance towing and demanding offshore operations.
Windward Offshore Completes Four-Vessel Vard-Built CSOV Fleet (Video)
Windward Offshore has taken delivery of the Windward Hamburg, completing its four-vessel series of purpose-built commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) ordered from shipbuilder Vard.The delivery brings the Windward Hamburg into the fleet alongside sister vessels Windward Athens, Windward Paris and Windward Munich, providing capacity to support offshore wind projects during construction, commissioning and long-term operations.Based on VARD's 4 19 design, the Windward Hamburg is 87.5 meters long and 19.5 meters wide and can accommodate up to 120 people.
Indian Recycling Yards Pushed Towards Highly Speculative Bids
Indian ship recyclers are increasingly prepared to bid at levels that could result in substantial losses based on current prices as competition for a limited number of end-of-life vessels intensifies, according to Wirana Shipping, one of the world’s oldest and largest cash buyers of vessels for recycling.Indian ship recycling offers have climbed by as much as USD 30/LT LDT in three weeks as competition for limited vessel supply intensifies, Wirana Shipping has reported in its latest weekly market report.
Fraser Shipyards: 138 Years In, Building for What Comes Next
Part of a group of companies that make up Fraser Industries, Fraser Shipyard is a 138-year-old on Lake Superior, an organization which makes equal revenue from newbuild and ship repair, able to work in both steel and aluminum. Recently it signed a collaboration agreement with HD Hyundai to help migrate process and technology from one of the world’s biggest and best shipyard to the shores of Lake Superior. Patrick Kelly, CEO, Fraser Shipyard, discussed the importance of this agreement…
By the Numbers: Container Fleet Capacity to Top 34 Million TEU
"When the world’s shipyards deliver just a few more container ships, the global fleet capacity will for the first time reach 34 million TEU. At that time, the fleet will have grown by 10 million TEU - or 42% - in just five and a half years,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.At the beginning of September, global container fleet capacity was just 8,000 TEU below the 34 million TEU mark. The milestone will therefore be reached after only a few of the 46 ships (totalling 286…
Nuclear Power Considered for Transatlantic Container Route
Lloyd’s Register, A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) and the ports of Charleston and Felixstowe will examine the security and safeguarding requirements for the theoretical deployment of a nuclear-powered container ship route between the UK and US.Centered on a conceptual nuclear-powered container ship, the Pink Corridor will examine the requirements for theoretical port access on the specified route. Key areas of focus will include ship security, safeguards, cyber resilience, emergency response…
Auramarine: Flexibility Not Fuel Choice will Determine Transition Success
Fuel supply systems expert Auramarine believes shipping's energy transition is entering a phase where flexibility, not fuel choice, will determine which operators adapt successfully.With fuel price volatility, inconsistent alternative availability and tightening environmental regulation at different speeds across regions, Auramarine argues that the right approach to fuel supply infrastructure is now as strategically important as the fuel itself.“The industry has spent years asking which fuel will win,” says John Bergman, CEO, Auramarine. “That may be the wrong question.
Kongsberg Maritime Expands Pod Range
Kongsberg Maritime is expanding its Elegance Pod propulsion range with the launch of five new sizes delivering up to 22MW, enabling the company to address the requirements of the world’s largest cruise vessels.The new units are being developed to support both today’s and future vessel architectures, including hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems, providing shipowners with greater flexibility as the cruise sector continues its transition towards more sustainable operations.The Elegance Pod’s compact permanent magnet motor enables a smaller pod diameter…