Middle East Producers Gear Up for Hormuz Export Restart
Producers in the Middle East have asked Asian refiners to submit crude oil loading programmes for April and May in preparation for the eventual resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.A two-week ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran announced on Wednesday lifted hopes for a reopening of the Strait, through which about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies travelled before the war.But there has been no sign yet of Tehran lifting its near-total blockade of the critical waterway…
Born into Maritime: John McDonald, Chairman & CEO, ABS
Many claim to have ‘saltwater in their veins,’ but all you have to do is walk into the corner office of John McDonald, the new Chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), to see that him saying “I was born into maritime” is not hyperbole. The first thing that greets you is a Dusan Kadlec nighttime painting of the Brooklyn Bridge, a painting that has special meaning to him as he fondly remembers being on a boat in New York harbor in 1983, his father USCG Captain of the Port of New York at that time, watching the fireworks over the bridge for the celebration.
Glencore, Taiwan’s CPC Charter Tankers as Hormuz Reopens
Commodities trader Glencore and Taiwan's state refiner CPC have chartered a tanker each to load Middle Eastern crude for Asia, while vessels in the Gulf are preparing to exit via the Strait of Hormuz, a day after the ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran war.The two-week truce hinges on letting ships pass through the strait, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments brought to a near standstill by the six-week conflict, sharply driving up global energy prices.Asian refiners rely on the Middle East for more than half their supply of crude and naphtha…
Hoyer VMS Group Reports Record Revenue in 2025
The Danish motor and service company Hoyer VMS Group has recently presented financial results with strong growth on both the top and bottom lines. Revenue totaled USD1$35 million (DKK 867 million) in 2025 compared to USD$114 million (DKK 733 million) in 2024, while earnings of USD$18 million (DKK 118 million; EBITDA) were USD$1.25 million (DKK 8 million) higher than the previous year.“The strong growth is a reflection of our competitive products and our ability to deliver customised solutions to our business partners.
DFC, Chubb Announce Additional Partners and Maritime Reinsurance Coverage
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Chubb have announced six additional American insurance partners that will provide reinsurance for DFC's Maritime Reinsurance plan: Travelers, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Berkshire Hathaway, AIG, Starr, and CNA.On top of DFC’s $20 billion in rolling coverage, Chubb and these new partners will provide an additional $20 billion, bringing the total Maritime Reinsurance facility to $40 billion. The plan is designed to deliver on President Trump’s directive to help restore maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz…
Iran Assures Safe Hormuz Transit for Philippine Vessels
The Philippines has received an assurance from Iran that it will allow the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, fuel and Filipino seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz, Manila's foreign ministry said on Thursday.The assurance came after Philippine foreign minister Ma.
IEA: Oil Supply Disruptions to Impact Europe from April
Oil supply disruptions from the Middle East will rise in April and begin to impact Europe's economy as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz severely curbs supplies, International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol said on Wednesday.More than 12 million barrels of oil have been lost since the start of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran due to Tehran's attacks on energy assets in the region and restrictions on shipping through the Strait, he added."The loss of oil in April will be twice the oil loss in March, on top of the loss of LNG...
Russian Seaborne Diesel Exports Fall 3% Between February and March
Russia's seaborne diesel and gasoil exports fell 3% in March from February to around 3.06 million metric tons as repeated drone attacks disrupted fuel loadings at key ports, data from market sources and LSEG showed.Ultra-low-sulphur diesel shipments from the Baltic port of Primorsk, Russia's biggest outlet for diesel exports, fell to 1.713 million tons, down 2.6% from February, the sources said.The Russian Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga were repeatedly hit by Ukrainian drone attacks last week.On March 22, the two ports suspended oil and fuel loadings following drone attacks.
Polar Max Project Celebrates Start of Construction
The Polar Max project reached an important milestone as Davie and ALMACO officially marked the start of construction with a project kickoff ceremony at Davie’s shipyard in Lévis, Québec. The event signaled the formal transition from planning and design into full execution for one of Canada’s most significant shipbuilding programs under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.Polar Max is a next‑generation icebreaking vessel designed to strengthen Canada’s Arctic and maritime capabilities.
How Many Ships have been Attacked in the Gulf Since Start of Iran War?
The Iran war has threatened Gulf ports and disrupted global trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned that ships passing through the narrow Strait will be targeted, after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on the country on February 28.Below is a list of reported attacks:MARCH 1A crew member was killed on board Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker MKD VYOM after it was hit by a projectile as the vessel sailed off the Omani coast…
Much of Dutch Fishing Fleet Stands Idle Amid High Diesel Prices
The fishing industry is emerging as an early European casualty of soaring diesel costs amid the Iran war, with at least half the Dutch fleet staying in port this week, according to industry representatives.The pressure is most acute in the Netherlands because of an outsized number of beam trawlers in its fleet, which makes up about 7% of the European Union's total.These ships target high-value North Sea flatfish such as sole, turbot and brill, but burn relatively large amounts of fuel.
UK Government Prioritizes Domestic Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding, steel, AI and energy infrastructure will be recognized as critical for national security, with new guidance prioritizing contracts for British business where necessary to protect national security.Recent events have shown the fragility of global supply chains, and the importance of ensuring domestic capacity in key sectors which are vital for national security.For the first time, the government is introducing clear guidance on how departments can protect the UK’s economic security and build resilience in four critical sectors: steel, shipbuilding, AI and energy infrastructure.
Freeport CEO Says Iran War Could Delay New US LNG Projects
Supply disruptions linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could delay construction of liquefied natural gas projects slated for development in the U.S., Freeport LNG CEO Michael Smith said on Wednesday at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.The U.S. is the world’s largest LNG exporter and has more new capacity under construction than any other country.Smith said the conflict’s impact could extend beyond oil and gas supply chains, affecting key materials such as steel and…
Iran War Hits Natural Gas Harder than Oil
At first glance, the Iran war appears to be hitting oil and gas with equal force, as missiles, drone strikes and shipping disruptions choke flows through the Strait of Hormuz.But beneath that surface symmetry lies a critical imbalance. The global gas supply chain has fewer rerouting options and less storage capacity than the oil market - making the fallout for gas consumers considerably more acute.Key gas infrastructure - liquefaction plants in particular - is more complex and expensive to build and repair than the oil equivalent.
KVH Link to be Deployed Across MOL Chemical Tankers Fleet
KVH Industries has announced that, together with MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT), they are deploying KVH Link across their in-house managed fleet. MOLCT has contracted MOVIElink, TVlink, MUSIClink, and YOURlink to create a crew content package onboard for their crew. With a wide selection of movies, including Hollywood blockbusters, Bollywood hits, major Pinoy releases in addition to top TV series and documentaries delivered each month, crew will have access to quality entertainment options during designated off-duty hours…
France Boards Tanker in the Mediterranean Linked to Russian Shadow Fleet
The French Navy seized an oil tanker on Friday in the Western Mediterranean that President Emmanuel Macron said belonged to Russia's shadow fleet, a network of vessels that enables Moscow to export oil despite Western sanctions.Local officials told Reuters earlier on Friday that the navy had boarded a Mozambique-flagged oil tanker named Deyna that was suspected of flying a false flag. The ship had been sailing from the Russian port of Murmansk.Western sanctions imposed on Russia…
Accelleron, HD HMS Conduct EPLO on Hapag-Lloyd Container Vessels
Accelleron and HD HMS (HD Hyundai Marine Solution) have conducted Engine Part Load Optimization (EPLO) projects on two vessels owned by leading container line Hapag-Lloyd. The 14,000TEU Basle Express and Essen Express had main engine tunings and turbocharger components modified for lower engine loads, with sea trials and subsequent operations showing fuel savings of more than 10g/kWh, equivalent to 5% of overall consumption in specific load ranges.Accelleron and HMS’s EPLO product ensures that vessels operating at engine speeds lower than their original design…
Green Ammonia Shines When Regulation is Considered, says study
A new analysis from WinGD and Envision Energy suggests something the maritime industry has been debating for years ... and likely will be debating for many years to come: the changing economics of zero-emission fuels.For shipowners, the significance is straightforward. The conversation is shifting from if green fuels can compete to when — and in some cases, that answer may already be “now.”On a pure fuel-cost basis, green ammonia still carries a premium, as today, it can run close to three times the cost of very low sulphur fuel oil.
Nippon Paint Marine Coats Grand Bahama Shipyard Ltd. Floating Dry Docks
Nippon Paint Marine, a marine coatings leader, has supplied its self-indicating epoxy coating NOA 60 HS, to protect two new floating dry docks for Grand Bahama Shipyard. The floating docks have a combined total of around 1.2 million square meters of surface to be protected. This equates to the area of over 168 full size FIFA football pitches. The dry docks, ‘East End’ and ‘Lucayan,' with lifting capacities of 120,000 tons, respectively, will expand the capacity at the yard in Freeport…
List of Vessels Attacked Since Start of War in Iran
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has threatened Gulf ports and disrupted global trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned that any ship passing through the narrow Strait will be targeted.Below is a list of reported attacks since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran started on February 28:MARCH 1A crew member was killed on board Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker MKD VYOM after it was hit by a projectile as the vessel sailed off the Omani coast…
GSI is Preferred Builder for Ferry Newbuilds
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has named Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd (GSI) as the preferred bidder to build two new freight flex ferries for Scotland’s Northern Isles service, marking a key step forward in the procurement process.The contract, which remains subject to a mandatory 10-day standstill period, covers the construction of two 140-meter vessels that will replace the Helliar and Hildasay on the Aberdeen to Kirkwall/Lerwick route operated by Serco NorthLink Ferries.Designed to boost both capacity and performance…
Port Houston Sees February Volume Increased by 4%
Cargo volumes continued strong at Port Houston in February, up 4% with 4,380,996 short tons handled across the Port’s eight public terminals. That brings the year-to-date total to 8,927,585 short tons, a 5% increase year-to-date.Container activity remained flat this month, with Port Houston handling 326,799 TEUs in February, bringing year-to-date container volumes to 696,833 TEUs, a 2% increase compared with the same period last year. In the first two months of the year, loaded exports increased 5%…
IMO Progresses Lifeboat Air Supply Requirements
The IMO Sub-Committee on the Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) held its 12th session from March 9 to 13, 2026. ABS has issued guidance on the significant issues progressed at the session including the proposed amendments to the LSA Code.The amendments introduce a new paragraph in Chapter IV requiring that partially enclosed lifeboats installed on or after 1 January 2032 be equipped with a means of supplying sufficient air to maintain CO₂ concentrations below 5,000 ppm for the full number of occupants…