Maritime Industry Top News
Brent Oil Prices See Monthly Rise as Houthi Attacks Widen Gulf Conflict
Oil prices extended gains on Monday, with Brent heading for a record monthly rise, after Yemeni Houthis widened the Iran war by launching their first attacks on Israel.Brent futures rose 66 cents or 0.6% to $113.23 a barrel at 1031 am ET (1431 GMT) after settling 4.2% higher on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were up $2.2 or 2.2%, at $101.83 after gaining 5.5% in the previous session.Brent has soared by about 58% this month…
Saudi Arabia Reports Two Projectiles Splash in Nearby Waters
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Monday it had received a report of an incident 22 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura.A company security officer (CSO) of a container vessel reported two unknown projectiles had splashed in proximity of the vessel, each occurring within one hour of each other, UKMTO said, adding all crew members were reported as safe.(Reuters)
ARC Adopts LifeFinder Safety Platform Across Fleet
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) announced it would deploy the LifeFinder safety tech platform under a five-year agreement across its fleet of ten U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off vessels to strengthen mariner safety and emergency response capabilities. The decision follows a successful year-long pilot installation on board the vessel M/V Patriot. ARC and LifeFinder worked closely to tailor the platform to the specific vessel layout, safety procedures and operational requirements.
Cyprus Officially Recommends ICS International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced that Cyprus officially recommended the ICS International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers for use on board vessels under its flag.The Republic of Cyprus Deputy Shipping Ministry has issued a circular to its fleet recommending the comprehensive medical guide, joining an expanding list of leading flag states that recognize the guide's value in protecting seafarer and fisher health and safety.
Steerprop, Aboa Mare Collaborate on Simulator-Based Propulsion Training
Under the agreement, Steerprop will be able to order tailored simulator training from Aboa Mare for its customers. The training programs are designed to support the safe and efficient operation of vessels fitted with Steerprop propulsion equipment across a range of operating conditions and vessel types.The services consist of simulator-based courses organized together with Aboa Mare, focusing on vessel handling…
Japanese Firms Advance Hydrogen-Fueled Engine with Full-Scale Trial
Japan’s Japan Engine Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have begun hydrogen co-firing operations on a full-scale main engine designed for large commercial vessels, marking a step toward the development of hydrogen-powered shipping.The work forms part of a government-backed project under New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, with participation from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)…
MOL, Hitachi to Develop Floating Data Centers from Used Ships
Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Hitachi and Hitachi Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop floating data centers by converting second-hand vessels, aiming to meet growing demand driven by artificial intelligence.Under the agreement, the companies will conduct feasibility studies, including demand verification, technical specifications and operational procedures, with a view to starting operations from 2027 or later.The initiative targets Japan as the primary market…
UK Grants $85M to Develop Port Talbot Floating Wind Hub
The U.K. government has committed up to $85 million (£64 million) to support the development of a floating offshore wind port at Port Talbot in Wales, as part of efforts to expand clean energy capacity.The funding will support Associated British Ports (ABP) in completing design and engineering work required to develop infrastructure for floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.The project is expected to enable at least 4.5 GW of floating offshore wind capacity…
Oil Rises as Widening Conflict Endangers Red Sea, Hormuz Flows
Oil prices extended gains on Monday, with Brent headed for a record monthly rise, after Yemeni Houthis launched their first attacks on Israel over the weekend, widening the U.S.-Israel war with Iran in the Middle East.Brent crude futures LCOc1 jumped $3.94, or 3.5%, to $116.51 a barrel at 0703 GMT after settling 4.2% higher on Friday.U.S. West Texas Intermediate CLc1 was at $102.14 a barrel, up $1.86…
Report: US to Allow Russian Oil Tanker to Reach Cuba
The U.S. is allowing a Russian tanker full of crude oil to reach Cuba, the New York Times reported on Sunday, possibly granting a lifeline to the Caribbean island amid a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington.Ship tracking data showed the Russian-flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin on Sunday was just off the eastern tip of Cuba.The Times report, citing a U.S. official briefed on the matter, said it was unclear why the U.S. Coast Guard was allowing the shipment to go through.
GlobalMET Appoints Jillian Carson-Jackson as Managing Director
GlobalMET, the international association of maritime education and training providers, has announced the appointment of Jillian Carson-Jackson as its new Managing Director.Carson-Jackson brings more than four decades of experience across maritime operations, regulation, policy and international standards. Her career spans three continents and combines seagoing and shore-based experience with senior leadership roles in national administrations and international organizations.
Ship Recyclers Face Market Confusion
As the world's ship recycling markets emerge from the Eid al-Fitr holidays, they do so into an environment that continues to generate more questions than answers, says cash buyer GMS.“The post-holiday reopening, always anticipated as a potential catalyst for pent-up activity, has instead delivered something more characteristic of the broader 2026 narrative: confusion. Steel plate prices played opposite roles in Pakistan and India this week…
Marine Insurers Reaffirm Support for Middle East Trade
The global marine insurance market continues to show resilience and is maintaining the availability of cargo, hull, liability and offshore energy cover despite increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, says the International Union of Marine Insurers (IUMI).Cargo insurers across global markets remain committed to supporting trade flows, including in high-risk areas such as the Persian Gulf…
Report: Fatal Accident Highlights Ongoing RoRo Safety Issue
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the death of a crew member on board the roro Laureline at Purfleet, England, on July 13, 2024.A crew member on board the Malta-flagged Laureline was fatally injured when he was crushed between the rear of a moving trailer and the vessel’s structure. The accident happened while Laureline was alongside, loading and discharging…
Ship’s Crew Charged in Australia After Drug Intercept
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has charged six crew members of a merchant vessel following a joint investigation into an organised crime syndicate which allegedly imported one tonne of cocaine into Australia. It will be alleged the men from Honduras and Ecuador operated a specially modified 40m vessel found to contain three professionally built and installed smuggling hides. An investigation into the vessel began in January 2026…
Stena RoRo Takes Delivery of 13th E-Flexer
Stena RoRo has taken delivery of the 13th ship in the 15-ship series of E-Flexer RoPax ferries from the China Merchants Industry shipyard in Weihai, China.The ship, named Capu Rossu, was handed over to Corsica Linea following the delivery to Stena RoRo. The ship will start its commercial operation mid-June and will trade between Marseille and Corsica.The E-Flexer-series is based on a design which is larger than the typical standard RoPax ferry and designed for flexibility.
Russia's Ust-Luga Port Damaged by More Ukrainian Drones
Russia's Baltic Ust-Luga port, one of its largest petroleum export hubs, was damaged again on Sunday by a Ukrainian drone attack which sparked a blaze later brought under control, Russian officials said.It followed several Ukrainian drone strikes last week on Russia’s western energy corridor when facilities at the ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk came under fire, igniting storage tanks and forcing a…
Pakistan Prepares for Talks on Ending Iran War
Pakistan said on Sunday it was preparing to host "meaningful talks" to end the conflict over Iran in coming days even though Tehran earlier accused Washington of preparing a land assault while seeking negotiations.Speaking after talks between regional foreign ministers, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said they had covered possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region…
Damen Delivers Second Combi Freighter 3850 to Reederei Bernd Sibum
On March 25, Damen Shipyards Group delivered the second of four Combi Freighters (CF) 3850 to Reederei Bernd Sibum following successful sea trials in Shanghai. The vessels are being constructed at Damen Yichang Shipyard in China. The first vessel, delivered at the beginning of February, is currently on its maiden voyage, bound for Norway with a project cargo.The new generation CF 3850 vessels are designed for high efficiency.
NOAA Ship Rainier to Map Critical Mineral Deposits in Pacific US Waters
In early April, NOAA Ship Rainier will begin to map and characterize more than 8,000 square nautical miles of federal waters off Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. This project is part of the Department of Commerce's implementation of the U.S. Offshore Critical Minerals Mapping Plan, as described in President Trump’s Executive Order 14285: Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals…
