Palau Ship Registry Relaunched
The Government of the Republic of Palau has contracted Palau Ship Registry to operate the nation’s official shipping registry under a new governance framework.The appointment follows a period during which the Government considered how the registry should operate going forward, with a focus on accountability, transparency, and alignment with international maritime standards.In December, the Ministry…
New Coast Guard Portal for Mariner Credentialing
The U.S. Coast Guard has launched a new, easier-to-use online system that allows mariners to submit and track credential applications faster and more securely. The Application Submission and Additional Information Portal, known as ASAP, lets mariners apply for Merchant Mariner Credentials and Medical Certificates, upload documents and monitor application status in one place. The system is now the primary way to submit applications to the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center.
Japan Early Adopter of Advanced RoRo Fire Detection
Japan is emerging as an early adopter of advanced fire detection systems on RoRo vessels, according to inspection data from Idwal, a global vessel condition specialist.While fire safety on RoRo vessels has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly as electric vehicles enter the cargo mix in greater numbers, Idwal’s inspections show that adoption of advanced fire detection technology across the global fleet remains uneven.
CMA CGM to Form Port JV with Stonepeak
French shipping group CMA CGM and U.S. investment firm Stonepeak have agreed to create a joint venture valued at nearly $10 billion to operate and invest in port terminals, including in the United States, the companies said on Wednesday.CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping group, last year announced plans to invest $20 billion in the United States, winning plaudits from President Donald Trump who has made reviving the U.S.
Egypt Seeks Release of Four Citizens on Tanker Seized by Iran
Egypt said on Wednesday that it is working on securing the release of four citizens who were detained by Iran last month after Tehran seized a foreign tanker on charges of carrying "smuggled fuel" in the Gulf.In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry said four Egyptian crew members were currently on board the Reem alKhaleej vessel at Iran's Bandar Abbas port.Iran said last month that it had seized…
Chevron to Boost Exports of Venezuelan Oil to US in March
Oil producer Chevron is set to boost exports of Venezuelan crude to the U.S. to some 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March, from 100,000 bpd in December and some 230,000 bpd so far this month, two sources with knowledge of the plans said on Wednesday.The U.S. company, which is the main partner of Venezuela's state-run energy firm PDVSA, has chartered about a dozen tankers to increase shipments and drain inventories accumulated at its projects since December, when a U.S.
German to Purchase TKMS Frigates Under $59m Contract
Germany's budget committee approved a preliminary contract to purchase MEKO A-200 class frigates from warship builder TKMS on Wednesday and will release 50 million euros ($59.70 million) for them, according to two committee members.After a years-long delay in the purchase of the originally planned F-126 frigates, the budget committee last year approved 7.8 billion euros for an alternative procurement strategy.The funds released on Wednesday will be used to finance so-called delivery hedging inst
HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding Marks 140 Years of Service
HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division is marking 140 years of service to the US today, January 28, 2026.On Jan. 28, 1886, Collis P. Huntington, a businessman whose investments enabled completion of the U.S. transcontinental railroad, turned his focus to shipbuilding, establishing what was first chartered as Chesapeake Dry Dock and Construction Co. and was then renamed Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company.Several years later…
Deltamarin Signs Design Contract for Meriaura Open Deck Carrier
Deltamarin has signed a basic design contract with Jiangsu Zhenjiang shipyard (Group) CO., LTD for Meriaura’s new open deck carrier.Design work will start immediately at Deltamarin Finland, with delivery scheduled for early 2028. The ordered 6,800 DWT open deck carrier is 120 meters long and features 1A ice class and DP2 notation.Deltamarin developed the vessel concept together with Meriaura during 2025, based on Meriaura’s two preceding open deck carriers.
Pole Star Defense Tapped for Mission-Critical Maritime Intelligence by Multiple U.S. Federal Agencies
Pole Star Defense closed Q4 2025 with two federal wins: a $36 million, three-year renewal with the U.S. Coast Guard and a new five-year contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Together, the awards extend the company’s role as a provider of maritime domain awareness to U.S. government customers. The Coast Guard renewal builds on a partnership first established in 2020 with a $50 million award.
Yanmar Obtains Ship Classification Certification for Hydrogen 4-Stroke High-Speed Engine
Yanmar Power Solutions Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings, has become the first engine manufacturer in Japan to obtain both type approval certificate1 and NOx certificate2 from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for its pilot-ignition hydrogen-fueled 4-stroke high-speed engine for power generation for domestic coastal vessels as part of the Nippon Foundation’s Zero Emission Ships Project.In 2025…
Stena RoRo Orders Next-Generation C-Flexer RoRo Vessels
Stena RoRo has ordered a new generation of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessels, placing firm orders for two C-Flexer RoRo ships with options for an additional four, as the company moves to expand its offering of flexible and future-proofed tonnage for the global market.The vessels have been developed by Stena RoRo in cooperation with Italian design firm NAOS Ship and Boat Design and form part of the company’s…
NYK Invests in XFuel to Advance Low-Carbon Marine Fuels
Japanese shipping company NYK has invested in XFuel, a company developing technology to refine waste-derived liquid hydrocarbons into low-carbon fuel for marine applications.The investment is aimed at advancing collaboration with XFuel, including the recycling of fuel sludge generated from NYK’s operating vessels, to support the development of decarbonization technologies that utilize existing fuels.XFuel…
Cadeler Lines Up Offshore Wind Foundation Installation Job
Offshore wind installation contractor Cadeler has signed a preferred supplier agreement with an undisclosed client for the transportation and installation (T&I) of monopiles and transition pieces at a large offshore wind farm in European waters.The foundation installation campaign is expected to begin in the first half of 2028 and would be carried out using two of Cadeler’s wind installation vessels…
MOL, ONGC Sign 15-year Charter Deal for Samsung-Built VLECs
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a long-term charter agreement with India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for two newbuilding very large ethane carriers (VLECs) to be constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries.MOL established two joint ventures with ONGC, with the joint ventures and ONGC signing a 15-year charter contract for the vessels.The two vessels, each with a cargo capacity of 100…
ICS Publishes 2025-2026 Flag State Performance Table
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the 2025-2026 Flag State Performance Table, continuing an over 20-year practice of providing an objective, data driven assessment of performance based on criteria such as Port State Control statistics and ratification of IMO and ILO Conventions.Those flag States with no more than one potential negative indicator (out of the 19 criteria used by ICS) include the 10 largest flag States by tonnage: China…
Tankers International Expands to Suezmax Market
Tankers International has extended its coverage beyond the VLCC market to include Suezmax vessels. With the formation of a new pool, International Seaways, who today acquired sole ownership of Tankers International, will add their spot trading Suezmaxes to Tankers International’s long-standing platform.A dedicated Suezmax pool provides greater flexibility to secure cargoes across similar crude movements…
Elomatic and Indigenous Works Partner in Canada
Elomatic, an international consulting and engineering company with expanding operations in Canada, has established a strategic partnership with Indigenous Works (IW), a prominent national Indigenous not-for-profit organization with a mandate to support the employment and inclusion for Indigenous peoples, throughout Canada.Established in 1998, Indigenous Works has significant expertise in developing…
BOEM Seeks Public Input on Potential Alaska Minerals Lease Sale
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has announced it will publish a Request for Information and Interest to evaluate industry interest and gather public input that could inform a potential lease sale for minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Alaska.The Request for Information supports the Trump Administration’s focus on strengthening domestic supply chains and advancing American…
Fuel Treatment Study Confirms Efficiency Gains
Independent university testing has proved that marine fuel consumption and associated emissions could be reduced more quickly and cost-effectively than previously assumed, using existing vessels and standard fuels already in circulation.A study conducted by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) has found that a fuel treatment technology developed by UK-based Fuelre4m delivered measurable…
