Maritime Industry Top News
Increased Automobile Cargo Sent to the U.S. Ahead of Tariffs
Car-carrying ships have sent more cargo from Europe and China, Japan and Korea to the United States in the first months of the year than last year, shipping data showed, in a sign of companies front-loading shipments ahead of looming tariffs.A total of 33 so-called roll on, roll off ships - designed for wheeled cargo and mostly carrying new cars - left Europe for the U.S. in February this year, up from 28 in February 2024…
Tariff Threats Prompt Expedited Pharmaceutical Shipments to U.S.
Some drugmakers are taking the unusual step of sending more medicines by air to the U.S., two executives and two logistics firms said amid fears President Donald Trump's April 2 tariffs announcement could include products made in Europe.Two European-headquartered drugmakers told Reuters this week they are sending as much of their medicines across the Atlantic as possible over the past several weeks…
India Denies Entry to Ship Carrying Russian Oil Over Documentation, According to Source
Indian port authorities denied entry to an ageing tanker loaded with Russian crude on Thursday due to inadequate documentation, sources familiar with the matter said, an unusual move that indicates tightened scrutiny of vessels carrying Russian oil.India is the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian crude. Russian oil accounted for about 35% of overall crude imports in 2024 by India, the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer.The Tanzania-flagged Andaman Skies…
Baltic Dry Index Falls for Third Consecutive Session
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell for a third consecutive session on Thursday, hurt by weaker rates in the capesize segment.* The main index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell 13 points, or 0.8%, to 1,621 points.* The capesize index shed 54 points, or 2.1%, to reach 2,527 points…
U.S. Tariffs: BLG Group Planning for 15% Less Port Traffic
BLG Group, a logistics provider managing one of the world's busiest autos terminals at Germany's Bremerhaven port, said on Wednesday it is calculating scenarios for 15% less traffic as a result of the 25% tariffs expected on U.S.
ABB: Contract to Deliver Efficiency Benefits for Portuguese Navy Vessels
ABB has secured a contract with the West Sea Shipyard located in Viana do Castelo, Portugal to equip six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) of the Portuguese Navy with an integrated power, propulsion, and automation system designed to ensure optimal efficiency. The vessels are planned to be delivered between 2027 – 2031.The new vessels will be equipped with the Azipod® propulsion system, Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform, and the distributed control system ABB Ability™ System 800xA®.
CIMAC Releases FAQs For Methanol as Marine Fuel
CIMAC WG 7 Fuels has released a new guideline titled “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - ISO 6583:2024: Methanol as a Fuel for Marine Applications – General Requirements and Specifications.”With the publication of ISO 6583:2024 in November 2024, the first standard for methanol as a marine fuel, numerous questions were expected to arise. Consequently, ISO/TC 28/SC4/WG18 requested CIMAC WG 7 Fuels to support the standard and the marine industry by creating a FAQ document.
Wilhelmsen Port Services, Yinson GreenTech & R W Marine Services Sign MOU
Wilhelmsen Port Services has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yinson GreenTech and R W Marine Services, accelerating the adoption of marine electrification and lower-emissions maritime transport in Singapore. The signing ceremony took place on March 26, 2025 aboard the Hydromover, Singapore’s first fully electric cargo vessel, during Singapore Maritime Week, held March 24-28, 2025.Under this agreement…
Kongsberg Maritime Launches Advanced Simulator for Maritime Training
Kongsberg Maritime has launched the K-Sim Offshore DP3 Anchor Handling Simulator, designed for training for complex offshore operations.With an investment of over $322,000, the innovative training solution is designed to elevate competency standards, enhance operational efficiency, and promote sustainability across the sector.Additionally, it focuses on improving maritime safety by supporting our local…
Tourist Submarine Sinks Off Egypt Killing Six
Six foreigners were killed on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Hurghada, the local governor's office told Reuters, without confirming the nationalities of the victims.The Russian consulate in Hurghada said the submarine, named "SINDBAD", had 45 Russian tourists on board in addition to crew members.The consulate said four people had died, but did not specify if they were Russian."According to initial data, most of those on board were rescued and taken to t
Industry Partners Bag ClassNK's Approvals for LCO2 Carrier, FLSU Designs
Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers (KNCC), a subsidiary of NYK and Knutsen Group, has obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK for the design of liquified CO2 carriers (LCO2-EP carrier) that use the elevated pressure (EP) method to store and transport liquefied CO2 at ambient temperature.ClassNK has carried out a design review of this ship in accordance with the Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships…
NYK Group’s N-O-G Buys its First SOV From Edda Wind
Northern Offshore Group (N-O-G), an NYK Group company, has purchased Mistral Enabler service operation vessel (SOV) from Edda Wind.The 81-meter-long Mistral Enabler SOV, with an onboard capacity for 60 people, will be renamed Northern Ocean.N-O-G owns more than 60 crew transfer vessels (CTVs) and has previously managed SOVs, but this is its first owned SOV. An SOV is a large ship that transports workers…
IMO's Credibility Put to the Test
The IMO will reconvene in London on March 31 and April 1, for a crucial two-day Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas (ISWG-GHG 19) meeting. The meeting sets the stage for a decision on a GHG pricing mechanism by the Marine Environment Protection Committee 83 (MEPC 83) on April 7-11 on the future of shipping’s climate responsibility.The 6PAC+ alliance, a group of Pacific, African and Caribbean States…
US to Evaluate Russian Demands for Black Sea Ceasefire
The United States will evaluate demands made by Russia after Moscow had agreed "in principle" to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Ukraine in the Black Sea to allow safe navigation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.The U.S. announced separate Black Sea agreements with Ukraine and Russia on Tuesday - following talks in Saudi Arabia - to ensure safe navigation, stop attacks, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes.Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
US Fossil Fuel, Farm Groups Rail Against Trump Port Fee Plan
Fossil fuel and agriculture industry executives on Wednesday criticized a plan by President Donald Trump's administration for big fees on China-linked ships entering U.S. ports, arguing at a hearing in Washington that the move would hobble their ability to export everything from coal to soybeans.The proposed fees on China-built vessels could top $3 million per U.S. port call.The administration says the fees would curb China's commercial and military dominance on the high seas and promote a U.S.
BP Mulls Shedding two US Offshore Stakes
BP is exploring the sale of minority stakes in two of its most valuable Gulf of Mexico oil projects — Kaskida and Tiber — as the energy giant recalibrates its strategy to prioritize oil and gas, according to two sources familiar with the matter.The potential divestments could involve selling up to 50% of each project, which are estimated to be worth billions of dollars, the sources said. Discussions are still in the early stages…
New Product: Dinnteco Lightning Protection
Dinnteco America, aleader in lightning protection technology, announced today its latest solution for the marine, military, energy and transportation industries – the Electromagnetic Charge Compensation Device (DDCE).The DDCE is designed to prevent direct lightning strikes by gathering positive charges from its immediate environment, while also gathering negative charges from the clouds and air. The combined charges are then neutralized within the DDCE.
UN: Freedom of Navigation in the Black Sea is Crucial to Global Food Security
An agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure "will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday.The United States announced separate agreements with Ukraine and Russia on Tuesday to pause their strikes in the Black Sea and against each other's energy targets…
Baltic Index Hits Two-Week Low
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which monitors rates for vessels moving dry bulk commodities, marked its lowest level in two weeks on Wednesday, pulled down by weaker capesize rates.* The main index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, fell 8 points, or 0.5%, to 1,634 points. The index hit its lowest level since March 12.* The capesize index shed 49 points…
PEAK Wind Enters into OMA to Oversee Wind Farm Operations
Fengmiao I, a 495 MW offshore wind farm, has reached a financial close. The project is owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) through its fund Copenhagen Infrastructure V (CI V).PEAK Wind has entered into an Operations Management Agreement (OMA) to oversee the operations of Fengmiao I, ensuring its efficient and reliable performance as the project progresses. The OMA will provide operational…
