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Thursday, February 19, 2026

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19 Feb 2026

BOEM Proposes BBG3, Third Gulf of America Lease Sale

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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced a Proposed Notice of Sale for the third offshore oil and gas lease sale under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The proposed lease sale, known as Lease Sale Big Beautiful Gulf 3, or BBG3, is scheduled to take place on Aug. 12, 2026.This sale is the third of 30 Gulf of America oil and gas lease sales required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law No: 119-21). By committing to a predictable sale schedule, the Department is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand American energy production and strengthen U.S. energy dominance.

19 Feb 2026

Op/Ed: Constellations of Disasters

Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class FREMM frigate ITS Carlo Margottini (F 592) sails near Cape Warth, North Atlantic Ocean, during exercise Formidable Shield 2023. Formidable Shield is a biennial integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise involving a series of live-fire events against subsonic, supersonic, and ballistic targets, incorporating multiple Allied ships, aircraft, and ground forces working across battlespaces to deliver effects. (Courtesy photo by Italian Navy)

After spending about 3 billion dollars, the Constellation frigate program was shut down with absolutely nothing to show for it.The New York Times produced an Op-Ed titled “America can’t make what the Navy Needs.”That title may indicate the United States does not have the technical ability to build ships for the US Navy. However, the article itself clearly shows that the issue relates to the Navy not being able to figure out what it wants US shipbuilders to build.The Navy wanted US shipbuilders to build a standard design.

19 Feb 2026

Tallink Grupp 2025 Net Profit Exceeds EUR 17 Million

Image courtesy AS Tallink Grupp

AS Tallink Grupp has published its unaudited financial results for the 2025 financial year. The Group’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totaled EUR 130 million, and net profit reached EUR 17.3 million. Tallink Grupp and its subsidiaries contributed EUR 97 million in taxes to the Estonian state budget, and the company plans to continue paying dividends in the current year. Nearly 5.5 million passengers traveled on Tallink vessels last year.“Just like in recent years, 2025 was filled with challenges.

18 Feb 2026

Iran Plans Rocket Launches, Naval Drills with Russia

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Iran issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) that it plans rocket launches in areas across its south on Thursday from 330 GMT to 1330 GMT, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration website showed on Wednesday.Iran conducted navy drills this week in the Hormuz Strait and plans to conduct a joint naval exercise with Russia on Thursday."Creating convergence and coordination in joint measures to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety (...) as well as combating maritime terrorism…

18 Feb 2026

ACC, AWO Renew Marine Supply Chain Safety Agreement

© American Chemistry Council

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the American Waterways Operators (AWO) announced the renewal of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that reaffirms a shared commitment between the chemical industry and the U.S. tugboat, towboat, and barge industry to enhance safety, environmental protection, and security through Responsible Care and AWO’s Responsible Carrier Program (RCP).The agreement renews a streamlined approach that enables Responsible Care Partner companies in the marine…

18 Feb 2026

Phillips 66, Citgo Look to Directly Buy Venezuelan Crude

© wolterke - stock.adobe.com

U.S. refiners Phillips 66 and Citgo Petroleum are seeking to buy heavy crude directly from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA starting in April to maximize profits, rather than purchasing through trading houses and U.S. oil major Chevron, according to sources familiar with the efforts.Trading houses Trafigura and Vitol in January secured the first U.S. licenses to export Venezuelan oil as part of a $2 billion deal between Caracas and Washington. Chevron has held an authorization to operate there and ship crude since last year.Refiners in the U.S.

18 Feb 2026

Trinidad Hopeful for Offshore Gas Projects with Venezuela

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Trinidad and Tobago's government is optimistic two flagship offshore gas projects with neighboring Venezuela to be operated by Shell, BP and Trinidad's National Gas Company will move forward amid political changes in the OPEC country, the energy minister of the twin-island nation said on Wednesday.The U.S. has been relaxing sanctions on Venezuela's energy industry as part of an ambitious $100 billion reconstruction plan since U.S. forces captured President Nicolas Maduro last month.

18 Feb 2026

Costamare Dry Bulk Spin-Off Spurs Solid Result

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In its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release, the Monaco-based containership owner posted full-year 2025 adjusted net income from continuing operations of $375.6 million, or $3.12 per share. Net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders totaled $371.0 million, or $3.09 per share.For the fourth quarter, adjusted net income from continuing operations reached $71.8 million, or $0.60 per share, while net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders was $72.6 million…

17 Feb 2026

In-Mar Commits to Expanding Product Lines to Support U.S. Navy

Source: In-Mar

In-Mar Systems and In-Mar Solutions, Louisiana-based designers and suppliers of critical marine equipment, have announced a commitment to expand their product lines to support the evolving needs of the U.S. Navy and the broader U.S. maritime industrial base.Core offerings include marine off-board fire fighting by Fire Fighting Systems (FFS), and heavy-duty window wiper and wash systems by Wynn Marine and B. Hepworth. This equipment plays a vital role in ship safety, damage control…

17 Feb 2026

Fuel Removed from Barge Grounded off San Juan Harbor

source: USCG

Salvors have removed the fuel from the barge grounded on the rocks off the San Felipe del Morro Castle shoreline in Puerto Rico. Approximately, 1,000 gallons of residual fuel and oily water have been removed from the Defiant barge which grounded at approximately noon, Feb. 9, just off the Port of San Juan harbor entrance.Salvage crews also brought in additional equipment to assess the extent of the barge damage and to test all tanks and voids for pressurization. The proposed plan…

17 Feb 2026

MARAD Seeks Centers of Training Excellence

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has opened applications for its Centers of Excellence (CoE) program for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education.The Center network spans 32 institutions across 44 cities in 17 states. These programs are focused on training the next generation of mariners for vital careers at sea and on shore, ensuring the U.S. maritime industry remains skilled and strong. A CoE designation is awarded for a five-year term.CoEs play a vital role in supporting the maritime industry by providing workforce development…

17 Feb 2026

Exports to China Fall to Lowest Output in Three Years

© Adobe Stock/KPs Photography

Exports from the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest U.S. gateway for ocean trade, fell 8% in January to the lowest monthly output in nearly three years, Executive Director Gene Seroka said on Tuesday."Exports to China look dismal," Seroka said after the Port of Los Angeles handled 104,297 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of loaded export containers in January.President Trump's aggressive use of tariffs has upended global trade and retaliatory trade duties from China and other nations have hit U.S.

17 Feb 2026

Janus, Raven Defense Build High-Tech "Wall of Steel"

© Janus Marine & Defense/Raven Defense Corporation

Two American defense firms are striking a strategic agreement to build a high-tech "wall of steel" to support the US Navy, commercial shipping and offshore operations in the Caribbean and Gulf of America.The partnership sees South Carolina-headquartered marine autonomy specialist Janus Marine & Defense join forces with New Mexico-based US Department of War RF Systems contractor Raven Defense Corporation. The "wall of steel" will protect offshore energy infrastructure, ports, and critical maritime corridors, reducing reliance on, and risk to, manned vessels.

17 Feb 2026

Op/Ed: Arctic Ice is a U.S Shipbuilding Thermostat – Let’s Turn Up the Heat

ILS Ship Design & Engineering in Helsinki, Finland has developed the ILS Removable icebreaker bow concept - DIBB.  The removable bow icebreaker is based upon utilizing an existing tug with lower power and size than a conventional icebreaker. The tug is connected it to a notched removable ice breaking bow with additional port and starboard propulsion system adding the additional power to push and break ice. When the bow is not in use, the existing tug in the notch can return to primary operations

In December of 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the award of two contracts to build up to six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers. The announcement declaring the vessels would be built between the United States and Finland in a major step forward for America’s national security in the Arctic region. The decision process encompassed more than the security of the Arctic passage. It announces a major shift in the U.S. Shipbuilding process. A second round of contracts were approved February 11…

16 Feb 2026

US pushes Fisheries Tech at APEC Amid China Rivalry

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The Trump administration is promoting artificial intelligence exports and maritime surveillance technology at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in southern China this week, as Washington seeks to counter Beijing’s technological and maritime influence.Casey Mace, the U.S. senior official to APEC, said the Trump administration had launched a $20 million fund to support adoption of American AI technologies by partner economies in the region, part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S.

16 Feb 2026

Solong Captain’s Sentencing Highlights Rights Denied to Other Seafarers

© Anthony Brown / Adobe Stock

Captain Vladimir Motin was sentenced to six years’ jail on February 2 after being found guilty of “gross negligence manslaughter” for his role in the container ship Solong’s ramming of the anchored tanker Stena Immaculate in March 2025.The circumstances of his case, heard at the Old Bailey in London, are different to those of Ali Albokhari, currently serving a 30-year term in a Turkish jail, but the contrast that is even more apparent is the mismatch in due process and access to justice…

16 Feb 2026

Coast Guard Commissions USCGC Frederick Mann

Source: US Coast Guard

The Coast Guard commissioned its newest and sixth Arctic District Fast Response Cutter (FRC), Coast Guard Cutter Frederick Mann (WPC 1160), for official entry into its service fleet during a ceremony held in Kodiak, Alaska, Friday.The ceremony was presided over by Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Arctic District. Members of the Mann family were also in attendance, including the cutter’s sponsor, Mrs. Eugenia "Jeannie" Mann Hyder, niece of Frederick Mann. “Commissioning the Frederick Mann increases U.S. strength and ensures control of our maritime borders and approaches,” said Little.

16 Feb 2026

India Seizes Iran-linked US-Sanctioned Tankers

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India has seized three U.S.-sanctioned tanker ships linked to Iran this month and stepped up surveillance in its maritime zone to curb illicit trade, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday.India aims to prevent its waters from being used for ship-to-ship transfers that obscure the origin of oil cargoes, the source added.The seizures and heightened surveillance follow an improvement in U.S.-India relations. Washington earlier this month announced it will cut import tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%…

16 Feb 2026

Trump Calls Out California, UK Energy Deal

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President Donald Trump denounced a clean energy agreement between the United Kingdom and California Governor Gavin Newsom hours after it was signed on Monday, Politico reported.In an interview with the outlet, Trump said it was "inappropriate" for Britain to be dealing with the Democratic governor. Trump, a Republican, also branded Newsom "a loser," saying "his state has gone to hell, and his environmental work is a disaster.”Newsom is an outspoken Trump critic and has publicly…

16 Feb 2026

Oil Prices Increase 1% Ahead of US-Iran Talks

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Oil prices edged up on Monday as investors weighed the market implications of upcoming U.S.-Iran talks aimed at de-escalating tensions against a backdrop of expected OPEC+ supply increases.Brent crude futures settled 90 cents, or 1.33%, higher at $68.65 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $63.75 a barrel, up 86 cents, or 1.37% at 2:14 p.m. EST (GMT 1914). The contract did not have settlement on Monday because of the U.S. Presidents Day holiday.Fears of supply disruption from the U.S.-Iran tensions have helped keep oil prices stable…

16 Feb 2026

Hungary, Slovakia Turn to Croatia to Secure Russian Oil

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Hungary and Slovakia have asked Croatia to help them secure Russian oil and Hungarian company MOL initiated the release of strategic crude reserves after disruption to flows via Ukraine that the two countries have blamed on Kyiv.Kyiv's foreign ministry last week said a Russian attack on a Ukrainian pipeline was responsible for the halt in flows to Eastern Europe since January 27.Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted a photo on X of firefighters and what he said was Druzhba pipeline infrastructure burning…

16 Feb 2026

ICS Responds to US Maritime Action Plan

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The International Chamber of Shipping issued the following statement in response to the recent publication of the US Maritime Action Plan:“The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) acknowledges the U.S. Government’s Maritime Action Plan and its stated position to revitalize and expand domestic shipbuilding and maritime capacity in the United States.“ICS supports the objective of increasing U.S. shipbuilding capacity and strengthening the United States shipbuilding industry through policies that encourage investment…

16 Feb 2026

Ship Recycling Market Quiet Ahead of Chinese New Year

Source: GMS

The second week of February brought on a really confusing spin to the markets, with fundamentals across the board performing bizarrely (compared to last week’s performance), reports cash buyer GMS.“After a volatile beginning to the month, the Baltic Exchange Dry Index and even oil futures found steady ground this week, while even the U.S. Dollar firmed against all ship recycling nation currencies except India (ain’t that a switch), as did local steel plate prices, which also saw India slip the car into reverse and backpedal nearly all of its recent gains.”In an expanded view…