Maritime Industry Top News
HII Completes Builder’s Sea Trials for USS Zumwalt
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has successfully completed builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).The Ingalls and Navy team conducted a comprehensive series of at-sea tests following an extensive modernization availability as the Navy’s first Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) platform.USS Zumwalt, the lead ship of the Zumwalt-class destroyers, arrived at the Pascagoula shipyard in August 2023 for modernization.
Study: Low Sulfur Fuel Reduces Lightning, May Increase Temperatures
Cuts in sulfur emissions from oceangoing vessels have been tied to a reduction in lightning stroke density along heavily trafficked shipping routes in the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea, according to new research from the University of Kansas (KU).Previous studies had found frequent lightning along shipping routes over the Bay of Bengal before a 2020 IMO rule capped sulfur in fuel used by oceangoing ships…
UTC Enters into Asia-Pacific Market with Singapore Hub
The Executive Management Team at UTC Overseas has announced the opening of its new office in Singapore, advancing the company’s global growth strategy and establishing its presence in the thriving Asia Pacific (APAC) market. The Singapore office will function both as the regional head office for UTC’s APAC expansion and as the local operational branch serving Singapore.UTC Singapore and the APAC Region will be under the leadership of Sven Hergemoeller, Executive Managing Director, Asia Pacific.
ESAB Sponsors 2026 “Blue Collar Tour” to Support Skilled Trade Careers
As part of the ESAB Future Fabricators program, ESAB announced that it will again sponsor the “Blue Collar Tour,” featuring Western Welding Academy, continuing their shared mission to increase the interest and awareness of high school students in the skilled trades. The 2026 tour starts January in Stratton, Colorado, and includes 31 total stops in 21 states before concluding in mid-March.More than 4…
GTT Receives HD KSOE Order for LNG Carrier Tank Design
GTT announced that it has received an order in the fourth quarter of 2025 from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for the tank design of three new Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (LNGCs).The LNGCs will be built by the shipyard HD Hyundai Samho on behalf of the Greek ship-owner Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. Each vessel will offer a capacity of 174,000 m³ and will be equipped…
Venezuelan Oil Exports Progress Slowly Under US Supply Deal
Venezuelan oil exports under a flagship $2 billion supply deal with the U.S. reached about 7.8 million barrels on Wednesday, vessel-tracking data and documents from state-run PDVSA showed, with shipments accelerating after the U.S. eased its blockade but not enough for PDVSA to fully reverse output cuts.Following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro in early January, Caracas and Washington agreed to a deal to sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude stored in tanks and vessels.
Sallaum Lines Relocates HQ to Cyprus
Sallaum Lines announced the relocation of its headquarters from Switzerland to Limassol, Cyprus. This move reflects the company’s long-term growth vision and its commitment to strengthening its presence within the European maritime world. Known as one of the world’s top global shipping centers and the largest shipping management hub in Europe, Cyprus is an ideal environment for maritime businesses.
BV's Gregg-Smith Tapped to Head IACS
The Council of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has announced the election of Alex Gregg-Smith to the position of IACS Chair. Mr. Gregg-Smith will assume the role on July 1, and his term of office will run until December 31, 2027.Mr. Gregg-Smith has over twenty years’ experience with Bureau Veritas, as well as extensive in leadership roles in both shipyards and shipowners.
Tech Talk: Self-Propelled Mobile Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Transportation and Construction Engineering, Ltd. (MHI-TC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has built and completed delivery to Yokohama City of the Mitsubishi Marine Bridge (MMB), a self-propelled mobile seaport passenger boarding bridge (SPBB). Manufactured at MHI's Mihara Machinery Works in Hiroshima Prefecture, the MMB was put into service at Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal on January 13.
China’s Crude Oil Imports Spike 5%
"In 2025, China’s total import of crude oil rose nearly 5% -- 4.9% to 11.6 million barrels per day (mbpd) from 11.1 mbpd in 2024 according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) in China. Seaborne imports increased an estimated 4.0% year-on-year. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), China’s stockpiles rose slightly less than 1 mbpd, indicating that the underlying import demand fell nearly 0.5 mbpd…
Worley Joins Australia’s Westport Program as Marine Infrastructure Adviser
Worley has been selected as Marine and Port Infrastructure Technical Advisor by the Government of Western Australia for the Westport Program, which aims to deliver a new container port in Kwinana.Under a joint venture with Arcadis, Worley will provide technical advisory and concept design services for marine and port infrastructure under an initial three-year agreement. Construction of the port is expected to begin in the late 2020s…
Norwind Offshore Takes Delivery of CSOV Newbuild from Vard
Norwind Offshore has taken delivery delivery of Norwind Maestro commissioning service operations vessel (CSOV) from Vard Søviknes, further expanding its managed fleet and reinforcing long-term commitment to supporting offshore wind farm operations.The 85-meter long Norwind Maestro CSOV has become the sixth vessel in Norwind Offshore’s fleet.The vessel, of VARD 4 19 design, will immediately start its 10-year contract at the Global Tech 1 Offshore Wind Farm in Germany, supporting operations and fu
AD Ports Strengthens Offshore Wind Push with Spanish Shipyard Acquisition
Abu Dhabi Ports Group, via its subsidiary SAFEEN Drydocks, has acquired full ownership of Balenciaga Astilleros Shipyard in Spain for a total consideration of $13.1 million, consolidating the group’s operations in Spain and the Mediterranean and supporting its expansion in the offshore wind sector.SAFEEN Drydocks, part of Noatum Maritime, acquired the Basque-region shipyard, which will be renamed Balenciaga Shipyard…
U.S. Seizes Seventh Venezuela-Linked Tanker
The U.S. military said it seized a Venezuela-linked tanker on Tuesday in the Caribbean, marking the seventh such apprehension since the start of U.S. President Donald Trump's month-long campaign to control Venezuela's oil flows.The U.S. military's Southern Command, which is overseeing nearly a dozen warships and thousands of troops in the Caribbean, said in a statement it apprehended the Motor Vessel…
Authorities in French Polynesia Bust Cocaine Shipment to Australia
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force have congratulated authorities in French Polynesia over the reported seizure of about 4.87 tonnes of cocaine intercepted in the Pacific Ocean, with the drugs reportedly bound for Australia.AFP Commander Stephen Jay commended the work of the authorities in French Polynesia and said: “AFP members posted in the Pacific and Taskforce Thunder…
U.S. Coast Guard Issues Immersion Suit Safety Alert
The U.S. Coast Guard Safety Alert 03-26, issued on January 16, highlights critical findings related to immersion suit maintenance, inspection practices, and material integrity.ABS reports that U.S. Coast Guard inspectors have increasingly identified adhesive failures between immersion suit zippers and suit bodies, as well as other seam related defects. These deficiencies compromise watertight integrity…
Stantec and AECOM JV to Support U.S. Navy Shipyard Program
Engineering and design company Stantec and AECOM has been selected by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) to lead multidiscipline architect-engineer and consulting services as part of a five-year, US$150 million single award contract.The Stantec-AECOM Joint Venture work will directly support the US Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) focusing on the modernization of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery…
Damen Wins Tug Contract from Qatari Emiri Navy
Damen Shipyards Group has announced a contract with the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) for the delivery of two ASD Tugs 3212. The contract was announced at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026 in Qatar.The order follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Damen and the QENF at the previous DIMDEX event in 2024, for the delivery of auxiliary vessels.
Nakilat Increases Annual Net Profit by 3.1%, Delivering $460m in FY2025
Qatar Gas Transport Company Q.P.S.C. Nakilat announced its financial results for the year ending December 31, 2025. The Group delivered a net profit of USD$460 million (QAR 1.69 billion), representing an increase of 3.1% compared to USD$450 million (QAR 1.64 billion) in 2024.In recognition of the Group’s performance and its ongoing focus on delivering shareholder value, the Board of Directors has recommended:A cash dividend of USD$1.98 (7.2 Qatari Dirhams) per share for the second half of 2025.
Shipping Companies Mull Return to Suez Canal
Major shipping companies are devising strategies for a return to the Suez Canal after more than two years of disruptions due to security risks in the Red Sea.They have been rerouting vessels via longer, costlier routes around Africa since November 2023, following attacks on commercial ships by Yemen's Houthi forces, reportedly in solidarity with Palestinians during warfare in Gaza.A ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 led some companies to explore resumption plans, though U.S.
