Government & Military News

Turkey has decided to bar Israeli vessels from using its ports, forbid Turkish ships from using Israeli ports and impose restrictions on planes entering Turkish airspace, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday.He provided few details in comments to parliament which appeared to summarise steps that Turkey has already taken against Israel over the war in Gaza or has started to implement.Turkey has fiercely criticised Israel's offensive in Gaza and accuses it of committing genocide in the Palestinian enclave, a charge that Israel denies.

The Trump administration said on Friday it was cancelling $679 million in federal funding for 12 offshore wind projects, including $427 million for a California project.The move is the latest in a full-throated effort by the administration to undermine an industry that was central to former President Joe Biden's climate and energy agendas.U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the department was cancelling or terminating awards made under the Biden administration.Last year…

Crowley Stena Marine Solutions, the joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk, has received approval from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to operate the CS Anthem tanker under the Tanker Security Program.The CS Anthem, a U.S.-flagged, 49,990-metric-ton, medium-range tanker, is crewed and managed by Crowley under a bareboat charter through the joint venture. The vessel joins Crowley-managed tankers Stena Imperative and Stena Impeccable in the Tanker Security Program…

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela are rising amid a large U.S. naval buildup in the Southern Caribbean and nearby waters, which U.S. officials say aims to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.U.S. President Donald Trump has made cracking down on drug cartels a central goal of his administration, part of a wider effort to limit migration and secure the U.S. southern border. While U.S. Coast Guard and Navy ships regularly operate in the Southern Caribbean, this buildup is significantly larger than usual deployments in the region.A U.S.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela are rising amid a large U.S. naval buildup in the Southern Caribbean and nearby waters, which U.S. officials say aims to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.U.S. President Donald Trump has made cracking down on drug cartels a central goal of his administration, part of a wider effort to limit migration and secure the U.S. southern border. While U.S. Coast Guard and Navy ships regularly operate in the Southern Caribbean, this buildup is significantly larger than usual deployments in the region.A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said on Thursday that seven U.S.

A joint U.S. and Japanese military exercise will see the temporary deployment of the "Typhon" intermediate-range missile in Japan, Japanese and U.S. officials said on Thursday, a move likely to anger China.The Typhon system is part of a drive by Washington to amass a variety of anti-ship weapons in Asia. The weapon drew sharp criticism from China when first deployed in the Philippines in 2024, also during a training exercise.A spokesperson for Japan's Ground Self Defense Force said the Typhon would be deployed to the U.S.

Joël Lightbound, Canada’s Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), have announced that the Government of Canada has identified German company Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Korean company Hanwha Ocean as the two qualified suppliers for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).Delivery of the first Canadian Patrol Submarine is expected no later than 2035.The new submarine fleet will be deployable in the Arctic with extended range and endurance that will provide stealth…

U.S. President Donald Trump's doubling of tariffs on imports from India to as much as 50% took effect as scheduled on Wednesday, dealing a serious blow to ties between the two countries that became strategic partners after the turn of this century.A punitive 25% tariff imposed due to India's purchases of Russian oil adds to Trump's prior 25% tariff on many imports from the South Asian nation and is expected to hurt growth in the world's fastest growing major economy.India's trade ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), together with its subsidiary RMC Defence Oy, is building four Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes for the Finnish Navy as part of the Squadron 2020 project. The high-performance multi-purpose corvettes are designed for the varying conditions of the Baltic Sea, including ice operations. The corvettes are built in a closed special facility constructed specifically for the project to guarantee the required level of security and quality. The Rauma shipyard also fulfils the security requirements of NATO.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump intends to withdraw federal approval for US Wind’s offshore wind farm off the coast of Maryland, according to a filing submitted by Attorney General Pam Bondi in the U.S. District Court in Delaware on Friday.US Wind is owned by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, an American investment firm, and Renexia SpA, a subsidiary of Italy's Toto Holding SpA. The project is scheduled to begin construction next year.(Reuters)

The Trump administration's order to halt work on a nearly completed wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island threatens grid reliability and jobs and defies explanation, business and government leaders from New England said on Monday.State leaders in Connecticut and Rhode Island demanded details from the administration about why it issued a stop-work order to the Revolution Wind project late on Friday. In its letter to project developer Orsted, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management cited unspecified national security concerns."They say there are national security interests here.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today signed an amendment order granting additional time for Energy Transfer’s Lake Charles LNG Export Company, LLC to commence exports of LNG to non-free trade agreement (non-FTA) countries from the Lake Charles LNG project in Lake Charles, LA.Once fully constructed, the Lake Charles LNG project will be capable of exporting up to 2.33 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas as LNG.Lake Charles LNG was originally configured as an LNG import terminal but is now being developed as an LNG export terminal.

Russian forces have conducted an exercise in the Baltic Sea including drills to repel an underwater attack, the defence ministry said on Friday.Units of divers "demonstrated skills in detecting and capturing a group of underwater saboteurs, as well as using FPV (first person view) drones to destroy unmanned boats of a mock enemy", the ministry said.The drills were aimed partly at assessing the navy's anti-submarine sabotage defence units, it said.It was the second time this month that Russia has held naval exercises with an anti-submarine component, after U.S.

Russian forces have conducted an exercise in the Baltic Sea including drills to repel an underwater attack, the defence ministry said on Friday.Units of divers "demonstrated skills in detecting and capturing a group of underwater saboteurs, as well as using FPV (first person view) drones to destroy unmanned boats of a mock enemy", the ministry said.The drills were aimed partly at assessing the navy's anti-submarine sabotage defence units, it said.It was the second time this month that Russia has held naval exercises with an anti-submarine component, after U.S. President Donald Trump said on August 1 he had ordered two U.S.

The Philippines and Australia are working towards a new defence agreement to be signed next year, their defence ministers said on Friday, as both nations seek to step up military cooperation to deal with shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the enhanced defence cooperation pact will pave the way for more frequent joint military drills aimed at boosting combined operational capability and strengthening regional deterrence.Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles…

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the Gulf of America Regional Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales and Post-Lease Activities Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, a milestone in advancing the Trump administration’s American Energy Dominance agenda. The notice of availability will publish in the Federal Register on August 29. The environmental impact statement analyzes the potential impacts of a representative oil and gas lease sale and post-lease issuance activities in available areas of the Gulf of America.

Earlier this week Marine News was afforded – thanks to a ‘press tour’ organized by the Waterways Council – a behind the scenes look at the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) effort to build new the Montgomery Locks, one part of a bigger picture project on the Upper Ohio River outside of Pittsburgh to ensure that three key lock and dam critical infrastructure facilities remain viable to facilitate critical tow and barge traffic. The facilities in focus include:Emsworth (placed in service 1922)Dashields (placed in service 1929)…

The Trump administration on Thursday issued more Iran-related sanctions, targeting 13 entities based in Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates and the Marshall Islands, as well as eight vessels, the U.S. Treasury Department said.The measures cover Greek national Antonios Margaritis and his network of companies and vessels that Treasury said was involved in transporting Iranian oil exports in violation of sanctions.Treasury also designated Ares Shipping Limited in Hong Kong…

Russia's Pacific Fleet launched cruise and anti-ship missiles during drills in the Sea of Japan that also involved aircraft and drones, the Russian defence ministry said on Thursday."Kalibr and Uran missiles were fired by the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate in the Sea of Japan, and the sailors successfully hit their target," the ministry said."The manoeuvre was carried out by ships and vessels of the Pacific Fleet, as well as the fleet's naval aviation aircraft and drones," it said.The defence ministry released footage of the frigate launching the missiles.Reuters reported earlier this month that

Russia's Pacific Fleet launched cruise and anti-ship missiles during drills in the Sea of Japan that also involved aircraft and drones, the Russian defence ministry said on Thursday."Kalibr and Uran missiles were fired by the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate in the Sea of Japan, and the sailors successfully hit their target," the ministry said."The manoeuvre was carried out by ships and vessels of the Pacific Fleet, as well as the fleet's naval aviation aircraft and drones," it said.The defence ministry released footage of the frigate launching the missiles.Reuters reported earlier this month that there is growing willingness in Japan to loosen its decades-old pledge not to produce, possess or host nuclear weapons in its territory – what is known as the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles."(Reuters

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has accepted the sixth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Robert Hampton Gray.The AOPVs are ice-capable patrol ships designed to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the Arctic, and to assert and uphold Canadian sovereignty. These versatile ships can operate anywhere in the world, bolstering the RCN’s capability to support international peace and security. In addition to performing operational missions and tasks…

Britain sanctioned an Iranian oil magnate and four companies on Thursday, saying they are part of a network that supports Tehran's overseas activities, including "destabilisation" in Ukraine and Israel.The sanctions include an asset freeze and travel ban on Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, and an asset freeze on companies in the shipping, petrochemical and financial sectors, the Foreign Office said."Iran's reliance on revenues from trading networks and connected organisations enables it to carry out its destabilising activities…

The Trump administration on Thursday issued more Iran-related sanctions, targeting 13 entities based in Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates and the Marshall Islands, as well as eight vessels, the U.S. Treasury Department said.The measures cover Greek national Antonios Margaritis and his network of companies and vessels that Treasury said was involved in transporting Iranian oil exports in violation of sanctions.Treasury also designated Ares Shipping Limited in Hong Kong…

Two tankers chartered by Chevron carrying Venezuelan crude reached U.S. waters on Thursday, marking the first U.S. imports of the South American country's oil following a new license granted by Washington, vessel tracking data showed.The U.S. Treasury Department last month issued a restricted license to Chevron allowing the U.S. company to operate in the OPEC country and export its oil after a three-month pause triggered by more strict policies towards sanctioned Venezuela.The…

Turkish port authorities have begun informally requiring shipping agents to provide letters declaring that vessels are not linked to Israel and not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for the country, according to two shipping sources.The move is another step Turkey has taken against Israel after it last year severed trade with the country, worth $7 billion annually, over its war in Gaza with Palestinian militant group Hamas.The sources said the harbour master's office had verbally instructed port agents to provide written assurances…

Taiwan's defence spending next year will exceed 3% of gross domestic product to demonstrate to the world the government's determination to fulfil its shared responsibility for security, Premier Cho Jung-tai said on Thursday.The move comes as China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects.But Taiwan also faces calls from Washington to spend more on its own defence, mirroring pressure from the United States on Europe.

The Panama Canal presented has proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 to the Cabinet Council.The budget is focused on long-term investments, with a particular emphasis on water sustainability through the Río Indio Lake project. It also includes efforts to diversify business activities, invest in workforce development and well-being, support the traditional and Western basins, and ensure the sustainable and competitive operation of the Canal.During its presentation to the Cabinet Council, the National Government responded to concerns expressed by the Río Indio watershed communities.

The United States has ordered an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump's effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels, two sources briefed on the deployment said on Wednesday.The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the USS San Antonio, USS Iowa Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale could arrive off the coast of Venezuela as early as Sunday. The ships are carrying 4,500 service members, including 2,200 Marines, the sources said.The sources declined to detail the specific mission of the squadron.

A fire broke out on U.S. naval ship New Orleans off southern Japan's Okinawa prefecture on Wednesday but there are no reports of any injuries, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) said on Wednesday.An official from Japan's Defense Ministry said the country's Self-Defence Forces were engaging in firefighting efforts, but that no further details were available.The JCG said one of its ships near the U.S. vessel was also preparing to join the effort to bring the blaze under control, adding that no oil leaks had been observed in nearby waters.(Reuters)

During a U.S. naval test off the California coast last month, which was designed to showcase the Pentagon’s top autonomous drone boats, one vessel stalled unexpectedly.As officials scrambled to fix a software glitch, another drone vessel smashed into the idling boat’s starboard side, vaulted over the deck, and crashed back into the water – an incident captured in videos obtained by Reuters.The previously unreported episode, which involved two vessels built by U.S. defense tech rivals Saronic and BlackSea Technologies…

The U.S. Coast Guard has set up the initial operating capability of a Robotics and Autonomous Systems Program Executive Office.The office is a key component of the Service's Force Design 2028 (FD 2028) plan, and the Coast Guard claims it is poised to be the most transformational enhancement to capability since the inception of aviation. The office is dedicated to the rapid operationalization of the Unmanned Systems Strategic Plan.Robotics and autonomous systems are anticipated to revolutionize Coast Guard operations…

The navies of the Philippines, Australia and Canada were conducting a joint sail in the South China Sea on Tuesday, an area of flaring tensions following a collision between two Chinese vessels last week.The Philippine frigate BRP Jose Rizal, Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane and Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec were participating in the operation, which a Philippine military official said was not directed at any country."Our activity is based on the premise that the exercise is anchored on the free and open Indo-Pacific with peace and prosperity in the region…

It was at an 18th century Georgian manor house outside London that Japanese lawmaker Rui Matsukawa began to have serious doubts about America’s commitment to defending her country.Matsukawa, a former deputy defense minister, traveled in March to historic Fordham Abbey for a top-level bilateral conference. At the estate, now home to a Japanese-owned sake brewery, she said she learned from British lawmakers, diplomats and business leaders that a tectonic shift in their thinking was underway.U.S. President Donald Trump was openly berating America’s European allies and tilting toward Russia.

Oil prices fell on Tuesday as traders thought a possible cease-fire in Russia's war with Ukraine might lead to easing or the end to sanctions on Russian crude oil, which would in turn boost global supply.Brent crude futures were down 50 cents, or 0.75%, at $66.10 a barrel at 10:38 a.m. CDT (1538 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for September delivery, set to expire on Wednesday, were down 72 cents, or 1.14%, at $62.70 per barrel.The more active October WTI contract was down 66 cents…

Three U.S. Aegis guided-missile destroyers will arrive off the coast of Venezuela in the next 36 hours as part of an effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels, two sources briefed on the matter said on Monday.President Donald Trump has wanted to use the military to go after Latin American drug gangs that have been designated as global terrorist organizations.The sources said the ships are the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and the USS Sampson.A separate U.S. official told Reuters that in total…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country needed to rapidly expand its nuclear armament and called U.S.-South Korea military exercises an "obvious expression of their will to provoke war," state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.South Korea and its ally the United States kicked off joint military drills this week, including testing an upgraded response to heightened North Korean nuclear threats.Pyongyang regularly criticises such drills as rehearsals for invasion and sometimes responds with weapons tests…

Four liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers carrying cargoes from Russia's Arctic LNG 2 plant, sanctioned over Moscow's war in Ukraine, are headed east toward Asia, according to ship tracking data from Kpler and LSEG.The Christophe De Margerie tanker is travelling along the Northern Sea Route after loading at Arctic LNG 2 on August 9, according to Kpler data. The tanker is currently off the northeast coast of Russia, the data showed.LNG tankers Voskhod and Zarya, which loaded on July 16 and 29 respectively and had been idling near Arctic LNG 2…

China's defence ministry accused Philippine Coast Guard vessels on Friday of "dangerous manoeuvres" in response to reports of a collision earlier this week between two Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.The Philippine vessels' actions "seriously endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel," ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin.Jiang neither confirmed nor denied that there had been a collision involving two Chinese vessels on Monday."We demand that the Philippine side immediately stop its infringing and provocative rhetoric and actions," Jiang said.

Germany's foreign minister on Sunday criticised what he called the "aggressive behaviour" of China in the Taiwan Strait ahead of a trip to Japan and Indonesia, and stressed the need to strengthen internationally binding rules.Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul praised Japan's solidarity with Europe over Ukraine as he prepared to board a plane, and highlighted the importance and economic potential of the two populous Asian countries.His ministry also published…

The United States has everything it needs to lead in offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS), except the rules to make it happen.Nearly four years ago, Congress gave the Department of the Interior authority to oversee offshore carbon sequestration. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 amended the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to authorize competitive leasing and regulation of carbon dioxide injection into subsea formations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The Ukrainian military said it struck the port of Olya in Russia's Astrakhan region on Thursday, hitting a ship with drone parts and ammunition from Iran.Russia uses the port as an important logistics hub for the supply of military goods from Iran, the Ukrainian military said in a statement on Friday.(Reuters - Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

Since coming into force, the IMO Polar Code has had a positive effect on maritime operations in polar waters, write Dan Oldford and Ed Moakler, ABS HETC, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.What is the Polar Code, When and Why did it come into force?Polar regions have many unique hazards compared to warmer waters around the world. Since the earliest explorers sought to explore the Arctic and Antarctic by ship, many vessels have been lost due to sea ice, cold air temperatures and ice accretion.Prior to the Polar Code coming into force there were no international regulations…

China's military said on Wednesday it monitored and "drove away" a U.S. destroyer that sailed near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, while the U.S. Navy said its action was in line with international law.The first known U.S. military operation in at least six years within the shoal's waters came a day after the Philippines accused Chinese vessels of "dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference" during a supply mission around the atoll.In a statement, the…

A Chevron-chartered tanker docked at Venezuelan state company PDVSA's Jose terminal on Tuesday, positioning it to be the first to export crude to the United States under a new license Chevron received in July, LSEG tracking data showed.The U.S. Treasury Department late last month authorized Chevron to operate in the sanctioned OPEC nation again, export its oil and do swaps with PDVSA through a restricted license banning any payments to Venezuela's government.Chevron suspended…

The U.S. on Tuesday rejected the "Net-Zero Framework" proposal by the IMO, which is aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions from the international shipping sector, and threatened measures against countries that support it.The announcement, made in a joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, comes ahead of a vote at the United Nations' shipping agency to…

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold their first summit meeting on August 25 in Washington to discuss strengthening the countries' alliance and economic security partnership, Lee's office said on Tuesday.Lee, who was elected president in a snap election in June, has made it a top priority to help his export-dependent country navigate the dramatic changes in the global trading environment triggered by Trump's tariff policies."The two leaders…

The Philippines expressed serious concern on Tuesday over what it described as "dangerous manoeuvres and unlawful interference" by Chinese vessels during a coast guard supply mission for Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal on Monday."Their actions not only posed a grave danger to Philippine personnel and vessels, but also resulted in the unfortunate collision between the two Chinese vessels," the Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement.A Chinese navy ship collided…

The U.S. Coast Guard has officially commissioned the USCGC Storis (WAGB 21) in Juneau, Alaska.The vessel is the Coast Guard’s first polar icebreaker acquired in over 25 years. The Storis, formerly the motor vessel Aiviq, was acquired on December 20, 2024, and subsequently renamed after modifications to enhance its communication and defense capabilities.Storis is manned by a hybrid crew of military cuttermen and civilian mariners. It will be temporarily berthed in Seattle, Washington…

India hopes trade talks with the U.S. will continue even as the U.S. hiked tariffs on its exports to 50% due to New Delhi's purchase of sanctioned Russian oil, two lawmakers said on Monday, citing a briefing to a parliamentary panel on foreign affairs.Last week, President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods due to Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil, bringing the total duty on Indian exports to the U.S. to 50% - among the highest of any American trading partner."Our relations with the U.S.

South Korea and Vietnam's leaders pledged to deepen economic cooperation on Monday as their export-dependent countries try to shore up longstanding supply chains as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs shake up global trade.There was no public discussion of the levies - 15% on South Korean products going to the U.S.

About 55% of India's merchandise exports to the United States will be subject to the tariff imposed by President Donald Trump's administration, the Indian government said on Monday.Last week, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as punishment for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. That raised the total duty on Indian exports to the U.S.

Finland's national prosecutor's office said on Monday it had brought charges against the captain and first and second officers of the Eagle S oil tanker over the cutting of undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland in December.The Georgian and Indian nationals are suspected of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications by dragging the ship's anchor for around 90 km (56 miles) across the seabed, a prosecutors' statement said.The defendants, who are not permitted to leave Finland, have denied committing the offences and consider that Finland also lacks jurisdiction

The IMO has inaugurated a new Regional Presence Office in Suva, Fiji.The Regional Presence Office, hosted by the Government of Fiji and initially based at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) buildings, will support Pacific nations with implementing global regulations and standards in maritime safety and environmental protection, while advancing their maritime sectors. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domiguez, on his first official mission to the Pacific, underlined the central role of shipping and the wider blue economy in the region…

The U.S. Coast Guard has detected two Chinese research vessels operating in the U.S. Arctic and is currently monitoring five similar vessels in or near the U.S Arctic.On August 5, a C-130J Hercules fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Kodiak responded to the Chinese research vessels Ji Di and the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di. Both vessels were transiting northeast in the Bering Sea.On August 6, the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) again responded to the Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di as it was transiting north in the Chukchi Sea above the Arctic Circle…

Tougher U.S. trade penalties on goods originating in one country being re-shipped from another are not expected to immediately follow new U.S. tariffs, three people in Southeast Asia with knowledge of the matter said, easing a major cause of concern.Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam and Thailand have been explicitly targeted by White House officials for their alleged role in facilitating the so-called transshipment to America of Chinese goods, which would face higher…

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has secured a contract for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of a U.S. Navy auxiliary ship — marking the first since the Korean government’s “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA)” proposal.HD Hyundai Heavy Industries won the scheduled overhaul project for the USNS Alan Shepard, a 41,000-ton dry cargo and ammunition ship assigned to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.The USNS Alan Shepard, measuring 210 meters in length, 32 meters in beam, and 9.4 meters in depth…

The Russian and Chinese navies have practiced hunting and destroying an enemy submarine in the Sea of Japan, Russia's defense ministry said on Wednesday, days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had moved two U.S. nuclear subs closer to Russia.Russia said the exercise involved Chinese Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft and Il-38 planes from Russia's Pacific Fleet, as well as helicopter crews."As a result of effective joint actions, the 'enemy' submarine was promptly detected and mock-destroyed…

The catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five people in 2023 could have been prevented, a US Coast Guard investigative board found on Tuesday, calling the vessel’s safety culture and manager OceanGate's operational practices “critically flawed.”The Titan vanished during a descent to the Titanic wreck on a tourist expedition, losing contact with its support ship. After a tense four-day search, its shattered remains were discovered strewn across the seabed 1…

The Government of Canada has awarded two contracts to MDA Space to equip the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN)’s Halifax-class ships with up to six uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).The initial acquisition contract for two UAS is valued at approximately $39 million (including taxes) and the initial in-service support contract has an estimated value of $27 million (including taxes) for a period of five years and could be extended up to 20 years.These UAS will enhance the RCN’s ability to conduct long-range surveillance and targeting operations.This investment is part of the Intelligence…

Japan clinched a landmark A$10 billion ($6.5 billion) deal on Tuesday to build warships for Australia, marking Tokyo's most consequential defence sale since ending a military export ban in 2014 as it steps away from postwar pacifism to counter China.Under the agreement, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 7011.T will supply the Royal Australian Navy with three, upgraded Mogami-class multi-role frigates built in Japan from 2029. Eight more frigates will be built in Australia.Designed to hunt submarines…

The Australian Government is accelerating the delivery of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet with the selection of the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general purpose frigates.Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).The upgraded Mogami-class frigate boasts a range of up to 10…

Indian Oil Corp has bought 7 million barrels of crude from the United States, Canada and the Middle East, four trade sources said on Monday, as U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his criticism of the country over its purchases of Russian oil.India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, which is under Western-led sanctions over its war in Ukraine.Its main refiners paused buying Russian oil last week as discounts to other suppliers narrowed after Trump threatened hefty tariffs on imports from countries that make any such purchases, Reuters reported last week.

The Philippine and Indian navies have sailed together for the first time in the South China Sea, officials said on Monday, as President Ferdinand Marcos left Manila for New Delhi for a state visit.The Philippines has conducted "maritime cooperative activities" with foreign navies since late 2023 as part of its push to counter China's expansive claims in the waterway, including joint passages with treaty ally the United States, as well as Japan, Australia, France and Canada.An Indian official said the passage was in the West Philippine Sea and part of a bilateral exercise with Manila…

The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet was quoted as saying on Sunday.The drills are taking place two days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action.Interfax…

Thousands of license applications by U.S. companies to export goods and technology around the globe, including to China, are in limbo because turmoil at the agency in charge of approving them has left it nearly paralyzed, two sources said.While U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has become a familiar face touting President Donald Trump's tariff and trade deals, sources said the export bureau under Lutnick's command has failed to issue expected new rules, stifled communications with industry representatives…

The migration route from Libya across the Mediterranean, used by thousands seeking a way to get to Europe, was a top issue at a meeting on Friday between the leaders of Turkey, Italy and Libya in Istanbul, Turkey's presidency said.President Tayyip Erdogan met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah to discuss migration and other potential cooperation areas."Erdogan pointed to the importance of the cooperation between the three countries against the tests that the Mediterranean basin is facing…

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), said that the U.S. Navy has exercised an option to add an additional DDG 51 destroyer to the multi-year contract awarded in 2023.Bath Iron Works currently has under construction the Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) as well as the Flight III configuration destroyers Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132), John E. Kilmer (DDG 134) and Richard G. Lugar (DDG 136).

Chinese naval vessels steamed into Russia's far eastern port of Vladivostok on Thursday ahead of joint drills scheduled from August 1 to August 5.Video footage from Russia's Defence Ministry showed the vessels, including a submarine, entering the harbour under grey skies.Chinese seamen were greeted by cheering residents waving the national flags of both countries and women in traditional costume offered an officer a traditional bread and salt welcome.Russian news agencies quoted a statement from Russia's Pacific Fleet on Wednesday as saying the exercises were "defensive in nature and are not d

South Korea's shipbuilding industry played "the most important role" in securing an agreement with the U.S. on tariffs, an analyst said on Thursday (July 31).President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (July 30) the U.S. will charge a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea, down from a threatened 25%, as part of a deal that eases tensions with a top-10 trading partner and key Asian ally.“The shipbuilding sector is exactly the area where South Korea and the U.S. can cooperate the most…

Fincanteri has delivered the multi-purpose frigate Emilio Bianchi to the Italian Navy, the tenth FREMM-class vessel to be completed under the European Multi-Mission Frigate program.The frigate was commissioned from Orizzonte Sistemi Navali under the Italian-French international cooperation agreement, the contract for which was stipulated with OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement).The delivery of the Emilio Bianchi completes the construction of the Enhanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) naval vessels of the FREMM Program…

The U.S. Treasury Department announced fresh sanctions on Wednesday on over 115 Iran-linked individuals, entities and vessels, in a sign the Trump administration is doubling down on its "maximum pressure" campaign after bombing Tehran's key nuclear sites in June.The sanctions broadly target the shipping interests of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, who is himself an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. Treasury said it was the most significant Iran-related sanctions action since 2018…

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 5 metres (16 feet) and sparked evacuation orders in Hawaii and across the Pacific on Wednesday.The shallow earthquake damaged buildings and injured several people in the remote Russian region, while much of Japan's eastern seaboard - devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 2011 - was ordered to evacuate.In Hawaii, coastal residents were told to get to high ground or the fourth floor or above of buildings, and the U.S.

As U.S. ports face their annual surge in pre-holiday inventory arrivals, many are relying on propane-powered equipment to stay efficient, resilient, and cost effective. This surge in port activity comes just as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration announces $500 million in funding opportunities to upgrade port infrastructure across the country.Propane forklifts and terminal tractors help ports keep fuel and maintenance costs low compared to diesel.

Interferry called on the European Commission to immediately harmonize its unilateral EU ETS / FuelEU Maritime regulations with the recently agreed IMO Net-Zero Framework, warning that failure to align Greenhouse Gas regulations will lead to double payment for emissions."We cannot have a situation where operators are paying twice for the same emissions. The European Commission pledged to align its rules once a strong global framework was established at the IMO," said Johan Roos, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Interferry. "That framework is now in place.

Analysts question feasibility as framework trade deal outpaces current U.S. export capacityThe European Union’s commitment to purchase $250 billion in U.S. energy supplies annually under a new trade framework with Washington faces significant market challenges, according to analysts and industry observers.The agreement, announced Sunday, includes 15% U.S. tariffs on most EU goods and a pledge by the EU to dramatically scale up imports of U.S. oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG),…

Longtime mariner and investigator Eric Stolzenberg has been named director of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Marine Safety.The office investigates major marine accidents within the United States and its territories, as well as accidents involving U.S.-flagged vessels worldwide.Stolzenberg began his career at the NTSB in 2008 as an engineering investigator. He served as investigator-in-charge on several high-profile marine investigations and technical group chairman of numerous naval architecture and marine engineering accident investigations…

Ukrainian drones targeted St. Petersburg on Sunday, Russian authorities said, forcing the airport to close for five hours as Vladimir Putin marked Russia's Navy Day in the city, despite the earlier cancellation of its naval parade due to security concerns.St. Petersburg usually holds a large-scale, televised navy parade on Navy Day, which features a flotilla of warships and military vessels sailing down the Neva River and is attended by Putin.Last year, Russia suspected a Ukrainian plan to attack the city's parade…