Maritime Industry Top News
Iranian Oil Tankers Used Forged Iraqi Documents, Says Oil Minister
Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani has said that Iranian oil tankers seized by U.S. forces in the Gulf were using forged Iraqi documents.The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has restored "maximum pressure" on Iran, reviving a policy that seeks to isolate the country from the global economy and eliminate its oil export revenue in order to slow Tehran's development of a nuclear weapon.Abdel…
U.S. and Russia Aim for a Black Sea Maritime Ceasefire
U.S. and Russian officials held talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday aimed at sealing a Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal before a wider ceasefire agreement in Ukraine as Moscow and Kyiv used drones to pound each other.The talks, which followed U.S. negotiations with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, came after Russia launched its third consecutive overnight air attack on Kyiv, wounding one person and damaging houses in the region around the Ukrainian capital.Russia…
Santorini Welcomes First Cruise Ship After Earthquakes
Greece's tourism jewel, Santorini, welcomed its first cruise ship of the year on Sunday after thousands of small earthquakes in February created a state of emergency, forced thousands to flee and had locals fearing the season would be lost.Millions of tourists flock to Santorini every year, squeezing along its whitewashed cobbled streets to view its famous cliff-top sunset. The increased seismic activity…
Hoyer Launches Energy-Saving System for Motors
Hoyer, a leader in electric motors and automation solutions, announced the launch of Hoyer ESS (Energy-Saving System) at Sea Asia 2025 in Singapore. Specifically designed for retrofits on operating vessels, Hoyer ESS offers shipowners, operators, and fleet managers a fast-track solution to reduce motor energy consumption by 40-65% while lowering emissions and improving operational efficiency—all without the need for drydocking.With tightening environmental regulations like EEXI…
Seaspan Corporation Integrates Orca AI's SeaPod Across Fleet
Orca AI celebrated a milestone as Seaspan Corporation, a global containership powerhouse, integrates its SeaPod digital watchkeeper across its entire fleet to support safety improvements and operational cost savings.As part of its digitalization strategy, Seaspan began using Orca AI's SeaPod digital watchkeeper on select vessels to enhance situational awareness for navigation. An analysis of Seaspan’s…
Xmar: 100,000 Metric Tons of Bunker Fuel Traded
Xmar, the fast-growing digital bunker trading platform, has facilitated the trade of over 100,000 metric tons of bunker fuel through more than 200 deals in less than six months since launching.Operating with a network of over 1,500 verified suppliers across 500 global ports, Xmar provides buyers with access to competitive bunker fuel offers and enhanced market reach. The platform streamlines the bunker fuel procurement process by offering real-time pricing…
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding: Newest Class of Apprentice School Graduates
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division celebrated its newest class of apprentice graduates during a ceremony at the shipyard March 22, 2025. The event recognized the hard work and dedication of the graduates who have completed the three-to four-year program combining classroom instruction with hands-on shipbuilding experience.The Ingalls Shipbuilding apprentice program is a competitive workforce development…
Crowley: Jenny Fuss Appointed as Chief Financial Officer
Crowley has named Jenny Fuss as its chief financial officer, leading all of the company's financial strategies and operations to enhance economic performance and business growth.With more than 20 years of experience as an executive for global institutions, Fuss brings to Crowley’s Senior Leadership Team expertise in management and analysis using data-driven strategies that drive increased profitability and financial effectiveness.Before joining Crowley…
Proposed Levy Fees on Port Calls Could Impact U.S. Dry Bulk Trades
Cargo movements into and out of the United States could be re-shaped by proposals to levy fees on port calls by Chinese built or operated vessels, as well as potential sanctions based on whether the operator controls ships built in China or has tonnage on order there.In its Q1 2025 Dry Bulk Market Report, Maritime Strategies International (MSI) noted that as currently envisaged, the rules provide little clarity but could have a significant potential impact on North American dry bulk trades.
Value Maritime Installs Filter and Carbon Capture System on MOL Vessel
Value Maritime (VM) has successfully installed its Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) and Carbon Capture unit aboard Nexus Victoria, an LR1 product tanker owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL).VM’s 15MW next-generation EGCS Filtree system can filter sulphur and (ultra)fine particulate matter and can capture 10% of the vessel’s CO2 emissions with potential scalability to 30% if needed. The system’s plug-and-play design includes onboard CO2 capture and storage capabilities…
Vard Picks Brunvoll to Supply 30 Thrusters for SOV Newbuilds
Maritime system supplier Brunvoll has signed a contract with Vard to deliver a comprehensive package of propulsion and maneuvering thrusters for five Walk-2-Work (W2W) Service Operation Vessels (SOVs).Brunvoll’s delivery for each vessel consists of two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two retractable azimuth thrusters, and two tunnel thrusters.The vessels will also feature Brunvoll’s Propulsion and Thruster Control system…
ClassNK Names New Leadership Team
Japan-based classification society ClassNK has named Hayato Suga as its new president and CEO, and Fumihiko Higashi as its executive vice president.Effective March 21, 2025, Suga will move from his current senior vice president role, while Higashi will advance from the current corporate officer post.Former president and CEO Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as chairman of the board of directors…
CMB.TECH, MOL Sign Agreement for Nine Ammonia-Powered Ships
Belgian oil tanker group CMB.TECH has signed an agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) for nine ammonia-powered vessels.The vessels will be among the world's first ammonia-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers and chemical tankers. The delivery of these ships is expected between 2026 and 2029.The landmark agreement between MOL/MOLCT, and CMB.TECH involves nine ammonia-powered ships.Three ammonia-fitted 210.000 dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers…
U.S. Wants Black Sea Ceasefire
A U.S. delegation will seek progress toward a Black Sea ceasefire and a broader cessation of violence in the war in Ukraine when it meets for talks with Russian officials on Monday, after discussions with diplomats from Ukraine on Sunday.The so-called technical talks come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his drive for a halt to Russia's three-year-old assault against Ukraine. Last week, he…
Recycling Market Abuzz Over Sanctioned VLCCs
This week’s news was abuzz surrounding the two OFAC sanctioned VLCCs that recently arrived OPL Chattogram and are now stuck after undoubtedly risky transactions that have resulted in several failed onward resales, reports cash buyer GMS.Both vessels have yet to receive their respective No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to permit their entry into port limits for recycling. As the Artemis III and Itagua remain stranded…
Celebrities Condemn Brittany Ferries’ Live Export Decision
Actors Dame Joanna Lumley and Pauline McLynn have joined forces with over 110 other high-profile individuals, experts and animal welfare NGOs to condemn a decision by Brittany Ferries to resume transporting livestock from Ireland to France, including unweaned calves.Lumley and others including Chis Packham, Neil Hannon and Cathy Davey have added their names to a letter urging Brittany Ferries to reconsider.
Tidewater Orders Four Inland Barges
Tidewater Transportation and Terminals has finalized a contract with Gunderson Marine and Iron, a Portland, Oregon-based shipyard, for the construction of four new liquid refined product barges.The barges will measure 272 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 18 feet 6 inches deep, with a capacity of 20,000 barrels.Designed and constructed for service on the Columbia Snake River System, these inland liquid…
Survey Vessel Runs Aground off Italy
The geophysical survey vessel Fugro Mercator ran aground off the north coast of Elba, Italy, on March 22.The Italian coastguard arrived on site swiftly to provide support and monitor the situation. All crew, 11 people in total, were evacuated and taken ashore safely. A salvage operation is being prepared together with international experts and local officials.It is not yet clear what led to the Fugro Mercator running aground.
CGC Naushon Decommissioned
The U.S. Coast Guard decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter Naushon (WPB 1311) during a ceremony in Homer on March 21.Rear Adm. Megan Dean, the commander of Coast Guard District 17, presided over the ceremony honoring the nearly 40 years of service Naushon and its crews provided to the nation.Commissioned on October 3, 1986, Naushon was the 11th Island-Class cutter to join the fleet.Naushon has been stationed…
Lack of Oversight Impacts U.S. Fishing Industry
U.S. President Donald Trump’s regulatory freeze has injected chaos and uncertainty into a number of lucrative American fisheries, raising the risk of a delayed start to the fishing season for some East Coast cod and haddock fleets and leading to overfishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna, according to Reuters interviews with industry groups and federal government employees.America’s $320 billion fishing industry relies on a branch of the federal government…
