Steel Cargo News

New U.S.-Flag coastwise registered tonnage was delivered into service April 18, 2026 by Alternative Marine Technologies (AMTECH) as Vessel Construction Managers. The ATB MAM 141 & Tug Battery Park departed Gulf Marine Repair of Tampa, Florida after completing a major conversion and reconstruction to chemical and petroleum service. The barge was refitted with a full stainless steel cargo system and cargo tanks coated with Advanced Polymer Coatings Marine Line 784. The coating application was reportedly the first job with the polymer completed in the United States…

We are well into the discussions advising shipbuilders and operators how the U.S. will create a renaissance of the maritime industry. Federal Legislation, Executive Orders, and new foreign partnerships driving the promise of commercial competitiveness with the leading global shipbuilders. Most of the shipbuilding rhetoric indicates the domestic markets will be left to survive on their own. This despite the fact the domestic operators and builders have proven to be the strongest…

NYK Stolt Tankers, a joint venture between NYK and Stolt Tankers, has signed a contract with Nantong Xiangyu Shipyard in China to build two parcel chemical tankers.Scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029, the vessels will join the chemical tanker pool operated by Stolt Tankers.This order brings the total number of chemical tankers under construction to eight, including the six vessels ordered from the same shipyard in 2024.Parcel tankers are multi-purpose chemical tankers that can carry various cargo…

Port Houston achieved a historic milestone in 2024, handling a record-breaking 53.07 million tons of cargo, a 6% increase over 2023 at its public terminals. Container volume also surged by 8%, reinforcing the port's critical role in facilitating trade and driving economic growth for Houston, the surrounding region, and the nation."Houston is at the heart of our nation’s trade, connecting our region to global markets," said Charlie Jenkins, CEO of Port Houston. "This record tonnage achievement reflects the dedication of our team and our strong partnerships with labor and key stakeholders.

Xiamen Minhua Shipping has specified a Steelpaint corrosion protection system for a trio of newbuild multi-purpose cargo ships building at Fujian Shipbuilding’s yards in China. The order marks the Germany-based coatings specialist’s first newbuilding contract with a Chinese shipowner.The first vessel in the series, the 12,000dwt Min Hua 9 delivered from the Fujian Hengsheng shipyard in June, is now operating with a Stelpant-PU-Zinc universal primer protecting steel cargo holds…

NYK Stolt Tankers, a joint venture between NYK and Dutch company Stolt Tankers, has signed a contract with Nantong Xiangyu Shipyard in China to build six parcel chemical tankers.The contract will strengthen NYK’s chemical tanker business, for which demand is expected to grow steadily, and deepen the partnership with Stolt Tankers, a leading player in the industry, the company said.Parel tankers are multi-purpose chemical tankers can carry various cargo, including chemical products…

London-headquartered Stolt-Nielsen Limited announced its subsidiary Stolt Tankers B.V. has reached an agreement with Chinese shipbuilder  Wuhu Shipyard to construct six 38,000 deadweight tonne stainless steel parcel tankers for delivery between 2026 and 2028, with additional options for a further six newbuildings.The new ships will have 30 stainless steel cargo tank segregations offering a wide range of cargo flexibility, the shipowner said.Stolt-Nielsen CEO Udo Lange said, “Following our well-timed acquisitions of 10 secondhand ships since 2021…

Russian-backed separatists have seized two foreign-flagged ships in the eastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, saying they are now "state property", in the first such moves against commercial shipping, letters seen by Reuters showed.Mariupol, on Ukraine's southern coast, fell under the control of Russian and separatist forces in May after a months-long siege. Russia, which invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, is fighting to seize the whole of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, via its foreign ministry, informed two shipping companies that their vessels were the subject of "forcible appropriation of movable property with forced conversion into state property”…

Stolt-Nielsen has via Stolt Tankers B.V. agreed to buy five chemical tankers from Chemical Transportation Group (CTG) for trading in the Stolt Tankers Joint Service, in a move to modernize its fleet.The five ships, which are 26,000 dwt and with stainless steel cargo sections, were built in China in 2016 and 2017. The purchase of each ship isexpected to close between December 2020 and February 2021. Further terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Stolt Tankers President, Lucas Vos, said: "This acquisition is an excellent opportunity for Stolt Tankers to replace ships being retired in the next few years, lowering our fleet age profile with competitively priced ships that can trade in any of our deep-sea lanes.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has announced that it has participated in ‘Noah’s Train’ as part of the Rail Freight Forward (RFF) initiative, a collaborative effort to cut freight transport emissions by 30% by 2030.The longest mobile work of art and ambassador of the RFF initiative, Noah’s Train, is an initiative launched by several European railway companies to promote freight transport by rail. Gathered in the Rail Freight Forward coalition, they defend a common goal: reducing the environmental impact of freight transport in Europe.The colourful train with 19 painted wagons arrived at APMT terminal on Rotterdam Maasvlakte following a tour of Katowice…

Seabulk Tankers, a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings, has announced the successful delivery of its first methanol parcel chemical shipment aboard the articulated tug-barge (“ATB”) Sea-Power/Sea-Chem I.The Sea-Power/Sea-Chem I loaded a 10,500 metric ton methanol parcel in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and discharged the parcel in Charleston, South Carolina and Chesapeake, Virginia. The vessel can load up to 30,000 metric tons of cargo into eleven segregations and is equipped with stainless steel cargo piping and MarineLINE 784 cargo tank coating. She is one of the most modern, fuel efficient, and capable chemical parcel vessels in the Jones Act fleet today.Methanol is a liquid chemical produced from conventional fossil sources as well as sustainable raw materials like biomass…

DP World Sokhna recently welcomed the largest bulk cargo vessel to ever arrive to the port and enter the Red Sea, said a press release from the company. Known as a capesize vessel, the M/v Seafarer originally came from Malta carrying steel cargo weighing more than 140,000 MT. Prior to its arrival, DP World Sokhna conducted a bathymetric survey of the port’s topography to ensure its depth relative to sea level was adequate to receive vessels of this size. Ajayy Singh, CEO of DP World Sokhna, said: “As an industry leader, we’re constantly seeking new opportunities to develop the sector for the benefit of trade and industry across the region. Welcoming the largest bulk cargo vessel to ever enter Sokhna Port is the result of close and fruitful cooperation with the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

The hull of capsized cargo ship Britannica Hav has been towed to the Port of Le Havre following a collision with a fishing vessel earlier this week in the English Channel. The 82-meter freighter arrived in port Thursday under the tow of rescue tug RIAS Abeille Liberté and several escort vessels. The Maltese flagged Britannica Hav capsized and overturned Tuesday after a collision with Belgian flagged fishing vessel Deborah about 50 nautical miles northeast of Cherbourg, France. The freighter’s seven crew members evacuated the ship aboard two life rafts and were recovered by the fishing vessel.

Odfjell finalized the shipbuilding contracts with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) CO., Ltd in China to build a pair of chemical tankers. The two vessels will be 38,000 dwt, both with 40 tanks and a cargo capacity of about 45,000 cbm. Both vessels will be prepared for dual fuel solution. This order follows the orders for four 49,000 dwt vessels with 33 stainless steel cargo tanks. The capital commitments will be about $116 million. The first vessel will be delivered in June 2020 and the following vessel three months later.

At the Gastech 2017 conference in Tokyo, Japan, DSME and DNV GL presented the results of a joint development project (JDP) for the design of an innovative, efficient LNG carrier based on today’s technology. The project focused on delivering a design which an owner can take straight to the yard and is ready for upcoming market trends and incoming regulations, with an optimal size, hull form, and machinery and electrical systems. “When we look at today’s LNG market we predict that…

Odfjell SE said it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) for two additional chemical tankers to be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in China. The capital commitments will be about $116 million. The vessels will be 38,000 dwt with 40 stainless steel cargo tanks and a cargo capacity of about 45,000 cbm. Both vessels will be prepared for dual fuel solution. The LOI, which includes options, follows on orders already committed at the yard for four 49,000 dwt vessels with 33 stainless steel cargo tanks. “Following this order and other commitments recently taken, most of our renewal needs for the 'super segregators' have been met,” said Kristian Mørch, CEO of Odfjell SE.

Odfjell SE has announced the signing of long term charter agreements for two chemical tankers with stainless steel cargo tanks, for construction in Japan.   The agreement includes two vessels of 35,500 dw tonnes and 28 stainless steel cargo tanks. They are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2018 and Q1 2019 and the agreements run for a minimum of eight years. The vessels will be built in Shin-Kirushima dockyard in Japan.   The agreement is in line with the new Odfjell strategy as launched in February, where the Company announced its targets for tonnage renewal and fleet growth.

Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington started out the New Year right with the sale of the ocean-going, combo deck / tank barge “PCC Provider” on 3rd January to Alaskan buyers. The 5,451 mtdw, 250’ x 74’ x 19’ depth barge was specifically designed by Dixon Naval Architects and built in 1999 by CSC Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China for transport of up to 6,200 short tons of limestone rock on deck and/or approx. 1,000,000 U.S. gallons of liquid slurry in 10 double-hull, cargo tanks with corrugated bulkheads, and fitted with agitator impellers, centerline piping and access tunnel. The double raked barge was heavily built with a 7/8” plate deck and 5/8” side & chine, and 3/8” bottom and fitted with twin towing skegs and a small push notch aft.

A master’s authority to clause bills of lading issued by or on his behalf can sometimes become the cause of disagreement between shippers, charterers and carriers. Under Article III Rule 3 of the Hague/Hague Visby Rules after receiving the cargo, and on the demand of the shipper, the master is obliged to issue a bill of lading evidencing the quantity and apparent order and condition of goods to be carried. The buyer of cargo, the consignee in an international trade, will want the subject bill of lading to be  accurate and contain unambiguous remarks as to the quantity, quality and condition of the said cargo – so he knows exactly what he is purchasing.

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor opened the 2016 international shipping season today with the arrival of the M.V. Lubie , a 623-foot bulk carrier from Europe. "Our port handles lakers and river barges year-round, but the first ocean vessel is always energizing for businesses and our workforce at the port," said Port Director Rick Heimann. "The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway provide a global connection for Indiana companies to ship goods to and from world markets. Having access to this international trade route is vitally important for the U.S. Owned and operated by the Polsteam Shipping Co., and built in 2011, the Bahamas-flagged Lubie picked up its steel cargo in Ijmuiden, Holland, and stopped in Cleveland before coming to the Port of Indiana.

Leading global ocean transport operator, serving the breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo industry AAL is set to strengthen its growing presence in the China region, with the appointment of specialist project and steel cargo freight forwarder Central Oceans, as Commercial Agent for Hong Kong and South China. Wolfgang Harms, Deputy Managing Director of AAL commented, "Central Oceans took the decision a decade ago to specialise in this very tough sector and has been at the forefront in terms of service quality and reliability ever since. The timing of the announcement is significant, with Beijing making clear in its recent 13th five-year plan that it will provide greater economic support to Macau and Hong Kong and help the latter further develop as a global financial…

Seaspan Marine unveiled the newest addition to its marine fleet, a 16,000-metric-ton barge named Seaspan 252, during an official commissioning ceremony at Seaspan’s North Vancouver Barge Maintenance Terminal today. The 114-meter-long by 27.5-meter-wide bulk barge is the largest of its kind in Canada, and can carry the equivalent of 1,454 standard dump truck loads of limestone. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C. and constructed by Seabridge Marine Contractors Ltd. at Jiangsu Yanzijiang Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.

Odfjell has ordered four chemical tankers (with options for an additional four) with stainless steel cargo tanks from China Shipbuilding Trading CO., Ltd. and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) CO., Ltd. The ships cost $60m each. The 49,000 dwt ships, with a cargo capacity at 54,600 cbm, reportedly makes them the world's largest stainless steel chemical tankers, according to the Norwegian owner. The first ship is expected to be delivered in June 2019 and the following vessels with three months intervals.