Oil Prices Drop 2% as Trump Tones Down Threats Against Greenland, Iran
Oil prices slid about 2% on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump softened threats against Greenland and Iran, and as investors assessed the supply-demand outlook.Brent futures fell $1.01, or 1.6%, to $64.23 a barrel at 11:26 a.m. EDT (1626 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 96 cents, or 1.6%, to $59.66 a barrel, headed for its lowest close since January 15.Trump said he had secured total and permanent U.S.
French Navy Intercepts Sanctioned Russian Tanker in the Mediterranean
The French navy on Thursday intercepted a Russian tanker in the Mediterranean suspected to be part of the shadow fleet that enables Russia to export oil despite sanctions."This operation was carried out ... with the support of several of our allies. It was conducted in full compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," French President Emmanuel Macron said on X.The interception was carried out on high seas in the Western Mediterranean…
Kongsberg Maritime Competes for Royal Norwegian Navy Standardized Vessel Design
Kongsberg Maritime is participating in the prequalification phase of the competition for the Royal Norwegian Navy’s new standardized vessels (P1118). The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has announced a national competition for vessel design and concept development covering up to 28 standardized vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy.“We are participating in the competition with our full product portfolio, including ship design and integrated system solutions for advanced vessels.
Polar Research Vessel Gets Nav System Refit
Anschütz completed refit of Integrated Navigation System for RRS Sir David AttenboroughSince entering service in 2021, the polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough has been equipped with navigation systems from Anschütz. As part of a recent refit, Anschütz has now supplied the vessel with a new, state-of-the-art SYNAPSIS NX Integrated Navigation System (INS), along with upgrades to the radar systems.
Babcock Signs First Deal Under $5.3B Indonesia Maritime Partnership
U.K. defense contractor Babcock has secured its first agreement under the $5.3 billion (£4 billion) Maritime Partnership Program (MPP) with Indonesia, covering the sale of two Arrowhead 140 frigate licenses to be delivered over the coming months.The agreement includes a Letter of Intent outlining Indonesia’s procurement ambitions under the MPP, alongside the initial license deal. It builds on Babcock’s…
ICS Launches New Deck Procedures Guide
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) released its new Deck Procedures Guide, a vital addition to ICS’s suite of shipboard operational guidance. ICS says the publication addresses a critical gap in maritime safety guidance by providing the industry's first comprehensive resource dedicated specifically to deck operations. Together with the widely used Bridge Procedures Guide and Engine Room Procedures Guide…
Allseas’ Heavy Transport Vessel Newbuild be Powered by Wärtsilä Engines
Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a contract to supply the engines for Allseas’ new purpose-built semi-submersible Heavy Transport Vessel (HTV).The ship is being built at the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) facilities in China.The future-proof Wärtsilä 31 engine was selected because of its modular design, which enables a significant reduction in maintenance requirements and costs, and its…
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…
