Transport News

Ship managers are facing increasing litigation risks that are linked to inherited ship conditions, highlighted after a recent incident in which claims exceeding $2.5 million were brought against a ship manager after taking over a defective ship.The claim, which was ultimately reduced to just $250,000 after it was successfully supported by International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC), is another example of the exposure ship managers face when inheriting ships with known deficiencies…

The Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs) launched the Global Liquid Hydrogen Alliance (Alliance), a new international platform dedicated to advancing pure green hydrogen and liquid hydrogen (LH2) as a deployable, scalable, and commercially viable zero-emission fuel for international maritime shipping.The Alliance launches as the transition moves from aspiration to deployment. At MEPC 84, the IMO’s Net Zero Framework emerged intact as the agreed basis for future negotiations…

Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein Verft has delivered Nexans Electra, a DP3 cable‑laying vessel (CLV), to Nexans, strengthening its capacity to install advanced subsea power and communication cable systems.The CLV Nexans Electra is a sister vessel to the CLV Nexans Aurora, which was delivered from Ulstein Verft in 2021, and incorporates enhanced capacity and updated arrangements.The vessel features an additional under-deck turntable with a 3,500-tonne cable capacity, a split turntable on deck holding up to 10…

A Greek-operated tanker sailed from the Gulf to India on Friday after crossing the Strait of Hormuz in one of the few crude sailings through the waterway this week, ship tracking data showed on Friday.The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has led to the effective closure of the strait, stranding hundreds of ships and leading to unprecedented disruption of energy supplies.The Liberia-flagged suezmax tanker Karolos, which can carry a maximum of 1 million barrels of oil, was sailing towards the western India port of Sikka on Friday after crossing the Strait of Hormuz on May 14…

The substructures for fixed offshore wind turbines weigh thousands of tonnes. Only about five vessels in the world can lift that much weight. So now researchers are testing an alternative: an unusually wide barge.Using experience gained from the oil and gas industry, Aker Solutions, the Belgian contractor Sarens, and the maritime group BOA recently spent time at SINTEF’s Ocean Basin in Trondheim. There they used models to test the feasibility of employing an extra-wide barge to transport several substructures simultaneously.

NYK has conducted its first onboard measurement in a demonstration test of a methane oxidation catalyst system for marine engines fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG).This demonstration test is being carried out in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co., Ltd. (MHI-MME), Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MHIMSB), and DAIHATSU INFINEARTH MFG.CO.,LTD. (IE).The catalyst system has been installed on the LNG bunkering vessel KEYS Azalea, which supplies LNG fuel to LNG-fueled ships. The vessel is owned by KEYS Bunkering West Japan Co., Ltd.

Cadeler has completed the installation of the first fully commissioned monopile foundation at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the UK, marking a major milestone in the execution of one of the world’s largest offshore wind developments.The installation is the first of 197 monopile foundations Cadeler will transport and install as part of the company’s full transportation and installation (T&I) scope for the project.Once completed, Hornsea 3 will become the single largest offshore wind farm in the world…

Ambreen Fatima protested in Karachi with her children on Wednesday for the release of her husband, one of ten Pakistani crew aboard an oil tanker seized by Somali pirates 23 days ago, and who is now drinking dirty tank water to survive, she said.The MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged product tanker, was seized on April 21 approximately 30 nautical miles off Somalia's Puntland region with 17 crew members aboard, 10 of them Pakistani.Fatima said her daughter had been hospitalised for two days due to the stress and her 16-year-old son…

Kongsberg Maritime has received a DNV Simulator Statement of Compliance for its new Engine Room Simulator (ERS) model based on Höegh Aurora (CO₂ Pilot), a flagship vessel in Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class.The approval follows a full demonstration and audit of the simulator model, confirming compliance with DNV’s maritime simulator requirements and validating the model’s fidelity for advanced training applications.The Aurora Class represents a step change in sustainable deep-sea shipping.

Belgian offshore contractor DEME has officially named its new jack-up offshore transport and installation vessel, Norse Energi, strengthening its offshore wind installation fleet alongside sister vessel Norse Wind.Norse Energi wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) is soon expected to begin operations in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.The initial assignments include Iberdrola’s Windanker offshore wind farm in the German Baltic Sea from June 2026 and Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 project in…

Crew communications on board workboats in harsh marine environments are subject to a variety of challenges. Background noise from loud engines, shock and vibration pounding through rough water, high wind noise and turbulence at speeds of 55-60 knots, and the highly corrosive nature of the marine environment - can render workboat crew communications all but impossible. Crew members are often reduced to shouting, creating situations where critical communications pertaining to navigational…

A new all-electric passenger vessel is set to enter service in western Norway, as newly formed operator Cityboat has placed an order for a zero-emission shuttle from Hyke to support tourism and local transport around Haugesund’s island network.Cityboat — a joint venture between express boat operator Rødne and local tourism firm Viking Adventure — has selected the 15-meter Hyke F-15 Shuttle, with delivery scheduled for late 2026. The vessel will be constructed by Herde Kompositt…

New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has issued its report on the blackout and loss of propulsion on Interislander ferry Kaitaki. A degraded rubber expansion joint in the engine cooling system failed and triggered an automatic shutdown. The part had exceeded its service life. TAIC found six safety issues, including: lifetime management of safety-critical components; engineering decision support; evacuation standards for older ships; emergency response coordination; Maritime NZ’s Maritime Incident Response Team, and salvage and towage capability.

Eni and MSC Cruises have completed a test of Enilive’s HVO biofuel in maritime transport, confirming the technical feasibility of using the renewable diesel in pure form to power cruise ship engines.The trial involved powering one of the engines on the cruise ship MSC Opera for about 2,000 hours using pure HVO without modifications to the engine, while performance and emissions data were monitored.The companies said the test demonstrated that HVO can be used immediately in marine engines validated for its use without requiring technological upgrades…

Coal shipments to Japan, South Korea and the European Union rose 27% year-on-year in April as tight gas supplies and disruption to LNG shipments prompted buyers to seek alternative fuel sources for electricity generation, shipping association BIMCO said.The increase came as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted LNG exports from the Persian Gulf and contributed to an 8% decline in global seaborne LNG shipments in April, BIMCO said.“In April 2026, coal shipments to Japan…

UTC Overseas and Transoceanic Development have launched UTC Transoceanic (UTC Transo), a joint venture aimed at supporting the growing logistics needs of energy, power and industrial infrastructure projects along the U.S. Gulf Coast.Headquartered in New Orleans, the venture combines UTC Overseas’ project logistics and customs brokerage operations with Transoceanic Development’s regional infrastructure and port expertise in Louisiana.The companies said UTC Transo would focus on logistics support for large-scale projects including LNG developments…

Donald Trump discussed how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long U.S. blockade of Iran's ports with U.S. oil companies, a White House official said on Wednesday, as the U.S. president urged Tehran to 'get smart soon' and sign a deal.The talks with oil executives on Tuesday followed days of deadlock in efforts to resolve the conflict, which has led the U.S. to try to squeeze Iran's oil exports with a naval blockade to try to force it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.Trump…

The CMA CGM Group has signed a high-level framework agreement for joint cooperation with Keynan institutional authorities to develop Kenya’s logistics and port capacity.The objective is to accelerate solutions that support the growth of supply chain flows in and out of east and Central Africa including maritime demand, inland logistics and freight management.It has been signed as part of the Africa Forward Summit, and in the presence of the Presidents of the French and Kenyan Republics, M.

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee has adopted a new time charter party which has been developed specifically for the maritime transport of liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂). The form, CO2TIME 2026, responds to the rapid development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects and the need for a standardized contractual framework for maritime transport.CO2TIME 2026 is the first time charter party designed specifically for the carriage of liquefied CO₂. While firmly focused on the emerging CO₂ trade…

Fast Offshore Supply (FOS) has selected Incat Crowther to design a fleet of 10 new DP2 fast crew transfer vessels (CTVs) for offshore operations supporting Brunei Shell Petroleum, a joint venture between Shell and the Government of Brunei.The 55-metre aluminum vessels will transport offshore personnel and cargo to Brunei Shell Petroleum assets and will be built at multiple shipyards in the region, including FOS’s own yard in Singapore.The vessels will each carry up to 80 passengers and 150 tonnes of cargo at speeds of up to 30 knots…

A private survey of leading stakeholders conducted by Human Rights at Sea demonstrates a nationwide pattern of chronic under-funding in the provision of seafarer support services in Australia.Human Rights at Sea conducted the online survey to identify what port welfare resources are already in place and any gaps that need to be addressed.Over 500,000 seafarers visit Australian ports each year, and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) calls for the establishment of port welfare committees to coordinate welfare provision at a local level.Survey responses were obtained from 14 locations.

Ukraine launched a wave of drone attacks on targets across Russia on Sunday, hitting the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk and setting it on fire, and striking a number of vessels, as it steps up attacks on energy infrastructure and other targets.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the strikes had caused significant damage to the oil terminal port. They also hit an oil tanker, a small Russian Karakurt-class missile ship and a patrol boat in the Baltic Sea, he said on Telegram."Each such result further limits Russia’s war potential…

The U.S. military said on Monday it destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones as Tehran sought to thwart a new U.S. naval effort to open shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.U.S. President Donald Trump launched the operation, called Project Freedom, on Monday as he sought to wrest control of the critical waterway from Iran, which effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel started the conflict on February 28.U.S.