Ukraine Attacks Naval Base, Grain Terminals at Novorossiysk
A major Ukrainian attack on Russia's Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk hit warships at a naval base and forced two major grain terminals to halt operations on Wednesday, according to Russian and Ukrainian officials as well as grain industry sources.The Ukrainian attacks killed at least two people, including an 8-year-old child, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said.Describing the attack as having "strategic significance"…
SAAM Presents Biodiversity Plan Focused on Marine Ecosystem Conservation
SAAM has presented its new Biodiversity Plan, updating the company’s Environmental Policy. This move formally integrates the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services into its operating model and strengthens the management of critical areas near its towage operations.The process of developing this program identified issues relevant to operations—including underwater noise, emissions, biofouling and proximity to protected areas—and linked them to specific measures…
OpenTug, Blessey Marine Services to Implement BargeOS Invoice Solution
OpenTug announced a strategic collaboration with Blessey Marine Services, Inc., a provider of inland marine transportation solutions, to modernize voyage invoicing through BargeOS. By implementing BargeOS Invoice Intelligence, Blessey will connect operational and financial workflows to automate invoice processing, improve billing visibility, and enhance financial transparency across its customer network.Through the implementation…
Defense Maritime Solutions to Expand Chesapeake Manufacturing with $30m Investment
Defense Maritime Solutions, Inc. (DMS), an equipment manufacturer and supplier of shipboard propulsion and auxiliary systems, announced plans to invest more than $30 million to expand its operations in Chesapeake, Virginia.The investment is expected to create 32 new jobs and establish U.S. based capabilities for the manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, finishing, packaging, and lifecycle support of Wärtsilä medium-speed engines for marine purposes.
Defunct Inland Waterways Users Board May be Dubious
The most important advisory body concerning the Nation’s inland waterways infrastructure is the Inland Waterways Users Board (IWUB), a Congressionally mandated, non-discretionary advisory committee established in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 and codified by 33 U.S.C. § 2251. Comprised of the users and payers of the inland waterways system, the IWUB does not appropriate funds , but its recommendations are critically important to the U.S.
GMS Scraps Two Sanctioned Tankers From US Government
Dubai-based GMS has won U.S. government approval to scrap two sanctions-hit oil tankers it acquired, months after securing agreements to recycle four sanctions-hit container ships, the ship recycler told Reuters.The use of so-called shadow fleet tankers has surged in recent years, with hundreds of tankers transporting Iranian or Russian oil with limited scrutiny, insurance or safety checks.Major shipowners have called for faster scrapping of such vessels…
Rhine Water Levels Fall to New Lows Amidst Heatwave
The river Rhine in Germany has fallen to new lows, stranding cargo vessels, the country’s inland navigation agency said on Wednesday, as Europe has entered another heatwave.German companies report growing disruption from Rhine water levels that have hit a series of record lows.Chemical producers, utilities, steelmakers and agricultural traders have warned of higher costs, transport bottlenecks and…
Saudi Red Sea Crude Exports Go Dark Amidst Houthi Attacks
Saudi crude exports from the Red Sea are increasingly vanishing from view as tankers switch off tracking signals to avoid attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, with analysts saying all recent Yanbu loadings have been conducted "dark".The Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20, opening a new front against the United States and its allies in the Iran war.Since then, they have claimed attacks on Saudi-linked tankers…
Putin Threatens Response if Europe Targets Russian Vessels
President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia will respond in kind if European countries start to seize Russian merchant vessels and the commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet said his forces were ready to "inspect and detain" foreign vessels from what he called hostile states.The comments, which Putin made as he oversaw navy drills in Russia's far east, come as the EU tries to ratchet up pressure on Russia's so-called shadow fleet…
Oil Spill From Sanctioned Tanker Reaches Oman Coastline
A vast oil spill from a leaking tanker has started to hit Oman's coastline, its environment agency confirmed on Wednesday, in what threatens to become one of the world’s worst in years after spreadinglargely unchecked for weeks.The oil could end up impacting 40 km (25 miles) of coast near Ras Madraka as well as Masirah Island, the agency said.The slick now covers an area of more than 2,000 square km…
Leonhardt & Blumberg Installs Econowind VentoFoils on Cargo Newbuild
German shipowner Leonhardt & Blumberg has equipped HANSA DREJOE with Econowind VentoFoils. The vessel is the first of four general cargo newbuilds to receive wind propulsion technology. The first installation was completed on HANSA DREJOE at Royal Niestera Sander Shipyard in early August, with HANSA CHRISTIANSOE currently at the yard. Econowind calculated that the VentoFoils will deliver around 10 percent additional thrust, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions accordingly.
MSC, Jotun Sign Hull Cleaning Agreement
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Jotun have entered into an agreement for the installation and operation of Jotun's Hull Skating Solutions (HSS) onboard MSC Daniela.The agreement includes the full HSS package, combining Jotun's SeaQuantum Skate coating with robotic hull inspection and cleaning technology designed to maintain an always clean hull throughout vessel operations.The installation was completed during the vessel's drydocking in China in June 2026.
81m Acres Opened in Gulf of America Lease Sale
The Trump administration will offer more than 81 million acres (32.8 million hectares) in the Gulf of America to oil and gas drillers as part of an effort to boost domestic energy production with regular offshore lease sales.The sale is the second since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran disrupted global crude flows and sent oil prices to four-year highs. It is the third of 30 mandated by U.S. President Donald Trump's tax cut and spending law passed in 2025.The Interior Department will offer 15…
Vietnam Mulls Second LNG Term Contract After Deal with Shell
State-controlled Petrovietnam Gas is sounding out suppliers for a possible tender to procure liquefied natural gas under a five-year contract, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.If agreed, it would be Vietnam's second term contract after a deal with Shell earlier this year, as the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub builds an LNG industry from scratch to help meet growing energy demand.The request…
He Dreiht Offshore Wind Farm: Final Turbine Installed
Cadeler completed the final turbine installation at the 960 MW He Dreiht Offshore Wind Farm in the German North Sea. The final turbines were installed by Wind Keeper, under its long-term contract with Vestas.Cadeler’s scope of the installation campaign was executed using two of Cadeler's offshore wind installation vessels. Wind Orca commenced the project in April 2025 before Wind Keeper took over the…
China Insights: Iron Ore Mining Cools, Steel Making Softens
"In the first half of 2026, Chinese iron ore mining fell by 7% y/y due to a 6% y/y increase in iron ore net imports and weaker steel production. The country is increasingly sourcing its iron ore from abroad because it is often of higher grade and competitively priced. Iron ore net imports now account for 57% of China’s iron ore supply compared to 50% in the first half of 2022,” says Filipe Gouveia…
This is the Last Article on the Jones Act you Ever Need to Read (Really)
I first heard about the Jones Act from my father in 1976. He had just become part of the US maritime community and one day came home and started to tell me about the differences between the US maritime community and the Dutch maritime community. Two things stood out; the heavy US union influence and the Jones Act. My father despised unions, as a lifelong non unionized shipping company employee (but a very benevolent one…
Shuttle Tankers: A Distinct Vessel Breed, a Niche Market
A wave of new investment in dedicated shuttle tankers has been spurred by the age profile of the existing fleet coupled with surging developments in the Brazilian offshore market.Constituting a specialized asset class, dynamic positioning (DP) shuttle tankers are a flexible and cost effective way of lifting and transporting oil from offshore fields, where subsea pipelines are not a practical or economically…
German Warship Builder TKMS Raises 2026 Outlook
Warship manufacturer TKMS on Wednesday raised its outlook for the second time in six months, expecting higher demand for surface vessels such as frigates as well as for its sensors and mine-sweeping technology.TKMS has been one of the main beneficiaries of Europe's push to build up its defenses in light of dwindling U.S. support, scoring several landmark deals in recent months, including one for Germany's…
Karoon Energy Approves U.S. Who Dat East Development
The Who Dat East Joint Venture, operated by LLOG, has sanctioned the development of the Who Dat East field. The field, located in lease MC 509-1, is in a water depth of approximately 1,300 metres.The Who Dat East project is a one-well development comprising the completion of the 2024 Who Dat East discovery well, the construction of a 29-kilometer pipeline to the Who Dat Floating Production System (FPS)…
