Two Wallenius Vessels Achieve Top Rating for Energy Efficiency
The first two vessels in the Sleipner concept â Way Forward and Future Way â have, after just over a year in operation, demonstrated high performance, low fuel consumption and CII values far below current requirement levels. This means they emit less CO2 per transported unit than the average for comparable vessels, placing them in the highest energy efficiency class (A) according to the IMOâs international classification.
Oil Prices Surge 3% on Worries of US Action Against Iran
Oil prices climbed about 3% to a five-month high on Thursday on rising concerns that global supplies could be disrupted if the U.S. decides to attack Iran, one of the biggest crude producers in OPEC.Brent futures rose $2.10, or 3.1%, to $70.50 a barrel by 11:07 a.m. EST (1607 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained $2.09, or 3.3%, to $65.30.That pushed both crude benchmarks into technicallyâŠ
Royal Caribbean Raises Annual Profit Forecast on Strong Demand
Royal Caribbean forecast annual profit above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, supported by strong demand from affluent travelers and a solid start to a key booking season.Shares of Royal Caribbean jumped about 16% in early trading, as the cruise operator also forecast double-digit revenue growth in 2026.Royal Caribbean said the first weeks of Wave, the key JanuaryâtoâMarch booking period when cruise operators roll out exclusive dealsâŠ
U.S. Sends Additional Warship to Middle East Amidst Iran Tensions
The U.S. Navy has sent an additional warship to the Middle East, a U.S. official told Reuters on Thursday, amid a large military buildup in the region and soaring tensions.The official, who was speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the USS Delbert D. Black had entered the region in the past 48 hours. This brings the number of destroyers in the Middle East to six, along with an aircraft carrier and three other littoral combat ships.
France Calls Draft Law on Oil Exploration in Overseas Territories
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure called a draft law proposing to allow offshore oil and gas exploration in its overseas territories "anachronistic" during a debate in the country's Senate on Thursday.In a world first, France banned new oil and gas exploration and production licenses in 2017, hoping other nations would follow suit. But energy security fears following the loss of Russian gas, along with worries over increased reliance on U.S.
Clarus Networks to Deliver Maritime Connectivity for CalMac Ferries
Clarus Networks has been awarded a 12-month contract to provide satellite connectivity, technical support, and centralized fleet network management for CalMac Ferries, the UKâs largest ferry operator.The contract, awarded via Public Contracts Scotland, will see Clarus deliver a pooled Starlink data service across CalMacâs operational fleet, offering high-speed, low-latency connectivity designed to enhance operational performanceâŠ
Wärtsilä to Provide Electric Propulsion Solution for Third Molslinjen Ferry
Wärtsilä will supply a fully integrated electric propulsion system with waterjets for a new high-speed catamaran ferry being built for Danish ferry operator Molslinjen. This is the third in a series of battery-electric vessels being built at the Incat shipyard in Tasmania. Wärtsilä solutions will drive all three ships.Wärtsiläâs scope of supply includes the integratedâŻelectric propulsion system, the DC power conversion systemâŠ
Lloydâs Register to Take Over OCX Consortium Leadership
Lloydâs Register (LR) will assume the Chair of The Open Class 3D Exchange (OCX) Consortium this month (January 2026).LRâs Nathan Lindop will take over as both Chair and Coordinator of the Consortium, succeeding DNVâs Ole Christian Astrup, who has held the position since the groupâs formation in 2019.The planned rotation comes as the initiative moves from its early development phase into broader industry adoptionâŠ
Ocean Endeavour on Charter to Danish Defence
SunStone Maritime Group has chartered its expedition vessel, the Ocean Endeavour, to the Danish Defence.
WMU Report Highlights Growing Strain on Seafarers' Work, Health and Retention
The World Maritime University (WMU) has published a new report, In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment, shedding light on the realities of seafarersâ work, health and career intentions in todayâs shipping industry. Commissioned by the Officersâ Union of International Seamen (OUIS), the study draws on responses from 4,372 seafarers representing 99 nationalities, making it one of theâŠ
US Hoists Names Michael Cetta as Chief Operating Officer
US Hoists Corp has announced the appointment of Michael Cetta as Chief Operating Officer.A Center Moriches native, Cetta earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Farmingdale State College and brings an educational foundation and a proven record of leadership to his new role.With experience spanning business ownership, sales leadership, and project management, Cetta has demonstrated versatility across both small and large organizations.
Luxury Catamaran Allows Kauai Sea Tours to Expand Services in Hawai'i
Lady Kailani, a new 20-meter (65 foot) luxury catamaran designed by Incat Crowther for Kauai Sea Tours in Hawai'i, is now in service offering tours along Kauaiâs NÄ Pali Coast.The successful delivery of Lady Kailani by south Louisiana shipyard Breaux Brothers Enterprises has allowed the tourism operator to expand to year-round tourism experiences in Kauai, Hawai'i.The multifunctional vessel has been designed to provide a luxurious and immersive tourism experience.
Hafnia, Socatra Take Delivery of Fourth Methanol Dual-Fuel Tanker
Hafnia has taken delivery of the ECOMAR GIRONDE, the final vessel in its four-ship ECOMAR dual-fuel methanol newbuilding program developed in joint venture with Franceâs Socatra, completing the newbuilding series.Built at Guangzhou Shipyard International in China, ECOMAR GIRONDE is a 49,800-deadweight dual-fuel, methanol-capable Chemical IMO II medium-range tanker. With its delivery, the ECOMAR quartet - ECOMAR GASCOGNEâŠ
GTT Secures Hanwha Oceanâs LNG Carrier Tank Design Orders
French engineering specialist GTT has received an order from the shipyard Hanwha Ocean for the tank design of two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.As part of this order, GTT will design the cryogenic tanks of the two LNGCs, each offering a capacity of 174,000 m3.The tanks will be fitted with the NO96 Super+ membrane containment system developed by GTT.Delivery of the vessels is scheduled between the first and second quarters of 2029.
Manson Construction Takes Delivery of New Hopper Dredge
The newest addition to the Manson Construction Co. (Manson) fleetâthe hopper dredge Frederick Paupâdeparted the Seatrium AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, TX, on Tuesday afternoon, setting sail for Mobile, AL.Representing Mansonâs single biggest investment since its founding in 1905, the Frederick Paupâdesigned in collaboration with Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Inc. of Seattle, WA and built by Seatrium AmFELS in BrownsvilleâŠ
Coast Guard Honors Fallen Crew Members of Cutter Blackthorn
Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg crew members held a memorial service honoring the fallen crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn, Wednesday, at the Blackthorn Memorial in St. Petersburg.The memorial ceremony marked the 46th anniversary of the 23 lives lost during the collision between Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the motor vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980.
Pilot Vessel Grounding Linked to Ineffective Use of Electronics
New Zealandâs Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released a report into the grounding of the pilot vessel Takitimu II at Striling Point, Bluff, New Zealand, on December 26, 2024.The South Portâs pilot boat set out from Bluff to transfer a pilot to an incoming ship. After passing Stirling Point the master made an excessive course alteration and at about 18â20 kt the vessel ran aground on rocks and sustained moderate damage to its hull and underwater fixtures.
Palau Ship Registry Relaunched
The Government of the Republic of Palau has contracted Palau Ship Registry to operate the nationâs 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 MinistryâŠ
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 Guardâs 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, Idwalâs inspections show that adoption of advanced fire detection technology across the global fleet remains uneven.
