Vard Kicks Off Construction of UPO Atlantic CSOV
Vard has started construction of the UPO Atlantic commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for U-Ming Purus Offshore (UPO), following a steel-cutting ceremony at its Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam.The ceremony, held on November 2, marked the first construction milestone for the vessel, designated NB 1004 and based on Vard's VARD 4 19 design.The UPO Atlantic is being developed to support offshore wind projects in Taiwan and across Asia…
Tech Talk: Wearable Robot for Industrial Workers
A South Korean robotics company is commercializing a lightweight wearable robot designed to reduce physical strain on workers performing repetitive lifting and other demanding tasks, with potential applications in shipbuilding, manufacturing, construction and logistics.SARTEXO, a spin-off of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), has introduced its Bionic Suit, a third-generation wearable…
As Höegh Autoliners Approaches 100, Leif O. Høegh Offers Insights
With plans to celebrate his family’s 100 years in shipping in 2027, Leif O. Høegh, Chair, Höegh Autoliners, takes a moment to reflect on the company’s bold, ‘first mover’ legacy.In 1927, a young Norwegian entrepreneur named Leif Høegh ordered his first vessel, a tanker named Varg. Backed by the legendary Danish shipowner A.P Møller, the fledgling company survived the Great Depression (and later, World War II) to operate a small fleet of oil tankers.
Panama Canal to Name Terminal Bidders as Expansion Plans Advance
The Panama Canal expects to announce the pre-qualified bidders for a project to build and operate two new container terminals by the end of this year, Administrator Ilya Espino said on Wednesday, advancing a tender process linked to one of the world's most strategic trade corridors.Speaking at the Houston International Maritime Conference, Espino said the canal authority has evaluated initial proposals…
ESG Selected to Build USS Philadelphia Structural Units
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) has been selected by HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division to construct key structural modular units for the U.S. Navy’s future USS Philadelphia (LPD 32), a San Antonio-class Amphibious Transport Dock.Under the contract, ESG will leverage its Gulf Coast facilities to manufacture six structural units. Production is currently underway, with final deliveries to Ingalls’ Pascagoula…
Somali Pirates Hijack Iranian Dhow, Marking Fourth Off Somalia in 2026
On October 29, 2026, a Somali Pirate Action Group of 12 armed pirates hijacked the Iranian fishing dhow AZINI approximately 185 nautical miles east of Bandarbeyla, Puntland. The vessel’s crew reportedly included 21 Iranian fishermen and two Somali security guards.On November 2, the Indian Navy freed the vessel following a 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea, and all crew are reportedly safe.The hijacking…
One of Three Russian Tankers Remains On Course for the US
Only one of the three reported tankers that were sailing to the U.S. with Russian diesel appears to be still heading for the Atlantic coast.The issuing of General License 135 on October 9, which temporarily allows Russian diesel to be imported to the U.S., has yet to result in any cargo being delivered to the U.S.Three tankers were flagged last month as sailing for the U.S. with diesel cargoes, including Russia-flagged TALISMAN (IMO 9292060)…
Oil Prices Drop 9% After Republicans Lose Congress in Midterm Elections
Oil prices fell 9% on Wednesday in volatile trading as investors awaited Washington's next move in the US-Israeli war with Iran after President Donald Trump's Republican Party lost control of Congress in midterm elections.Brent futures dropped $9.27, or 8.9%, to $94.29 a barrel, touching the lowest level since September 4, at 11:58 a.m. ET (1658 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down $7.44…
Visible Crude Loadings Halt, Iran’s Empty Tankers Remain Idle Since September
No Iran-affiliated tanker still transmitting AIS in the Middle East Gulf has shown a draft change indicative of loading since September 17. Before then, MIOC detected only seven AIS-transmitting tankers loading almost 6 million barrels between July 27 and September 17, a pace of around 113,000 barrels per day.Satellite imagery points the same way. Automated detection over Kharg Island from September 18 to November 1 found no dark tanker at either of the island’s loading terminals.
SubSea Craft, NSI Demonstrate Autonomous Systems in Maritime Exercise
U.S.-based Naval Systems, Inc. (in partnership with Dragonfish Technical Solutions, LLC) (NSI/DF) and U.K.-based SubSea Craft successfully demonstrated an integrated suite of advanced unmanned maritime systems during a multinational maritime exercise conducted October 5–8 off the coast of California. At the request of the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) exercise personnel…
Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Rises 11.4% in October 2026
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes increased 11.4 percent from last year to a total of 4.9 million tons. Shipments were 1.5 percent above the month’s 5-year average.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 37.1 million tons, an increase of 3.5 percent compared to October 2025.Through October, iron ore loadings are 5.2 percent below their 5-year average. Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: October…
Great Lakes Limestone Trade Decreases in October 2026
U.S. shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes decreased 7.8 percent from 2025 to 2.95 million tons. Limestone cargos were below the month’s 5-year average by 17.3 percent. Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 18.8 million tons, a decrease of 17.7 percent compared to last year and 22.4 percent below the month’s 5-year average. GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: OCTOBER 2021-2026 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE (NET TONS) 202120222023202420252026Average2021-2025U.S.
Switch Maritime, Incat Crowther Secure US Agreement for Hydrogen Ferry
Switch Maritime and Incat Crowther have secured a Design Basis Agreement (DBA) with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for their SWITCH-150 hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast ferry, marking a regulatory milestone in the development of the 150-passenger vessel.The agreement establishes a regulatory framework to guide the vessel's construction, commissioning and eventual operation, with the design intended…
Fratelli Cosulich Takes Delivery of Third Methanol-Ready Bunker Tanker
Italian shipowner Fratelli Cosulich has taken delivery of Carlotta Cosulich, the third of four methanol-ready bunker tankers being built under its fleet expansion program.The 8,585 deadweight tonne (DWT) vessel was officially delivered at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China on October 28, following the earlier deliveries of sister vessels Anna Cosulich and Lucia Cosulich.The new IMO II bunker tanker is designed to support a range of bunkering operations…
BOURBON Takes Delivery of First of Two 34-Meter Crew Boats
BOURBON has taken delivery of the first of two new 34-meter crew boats from Grandweld Shipyards in Dubai, expanding its fleet of offshore personnel transport vessels.The first vessel was officially delivered on November 3 following successful sea trials.Designed to transport offshore personnel, the new vessels have capacity for 60 passengers, with business-class-style seating, a cruising speed of up…
Veth Propulsion Unveils New Thruster with Up to 7% Fuel Savings
Veth Propulsion by Twin Disc has introduced a new contra-rotating azimuth thruster designed for cruise vessels and ferries, with the company claiming fuel consumption reductions of up to 7% in real-world use.The new Streamline-CRP system is designed to improve hydrodynamic efficiency, reduce emissions and minimize noise and vibration, including during operations in shallow-water conditions.The thruster…
Coal shipments to India drop 7%
"Between January and October, coal shipments to India dropped 7% y/y due to the increased cost of imports. Thermal coal demand has remained strong, particularly from the power sector, but domestic mining has not kept pace, forcing power plants to draw down inventories. In contrast, coking coal demand growth has eased following a decline in steel production amid low margins,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping…
Luxury Cruise Dream Unravels as Ship Forces Passengers Ashore
After disembarking more than 200 passengers who had paid tens of thousands of dollars to live on board for years, the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship departed Cambodia early on Wednesday.Last week, the vessel's owner, Florida-based Villa Vie Residences, suspended operations and forced passengers off the ship at the port town of Sihanoukville, saying fuel price increases from the Iran war had made operations prohibitively expensive.The ship left with no passengers and around 50 crew…
Cadeler's Wind Apex WTIV Set for First Assignment at Dogger Bank C
Cadeler has signed a firm contract to support turbine transportation and installation at the 1.2 GW Dogger Bank C offshore wind project in the UK, with its newbuild Wind Apex wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) scheduled to join the campaign in the third quarter of 2027.The contract will mark the first deployment of Wind Apex following its delivery from the shipyard, according to Cadeler.The vessel will work alongside the project's existing installation vessel…
Moxie Media Launches Connect Event at 2026 International WorkBoat Show
Moxie Media will host its first dedicated user event, Moxie Connect: User Conference 2026, a complimentary event open to all maritime professionals, on Wednesday, December 2, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, alongside the International WorkBoat Show. The half-day event will bring together Moxie customers and professionals in maritime training, safety, compliance and workforce development for discussions…
