Shipbuilder CEO Calls for a Sector Transition Towards Data-Driven Operations
Geert Schouten, CEO & owner of Shipbuilder:Why does more than half of all maritime projects run into trouble sooner or later? Documents, folders, version numbers…in our sector we still struggle with them every day. At countless shipyards and design offices, teams stumble over folder structures, endless searches for the right version, and long email chains. Is that real organization? It is organized chaos. And it costs us time, quality, and energy every single day.
Transneft Cuts Crude Oil Intake After Ukrainian Drone Attack
Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft has cut crude intake into its system by some 250,000 barrels per day after a Ukrainian drone attack on its Kaleykino pumping station on Monday, two sources familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.The cuts mostly affected shipments from Tatarstan producer Tatneft, one of the sources said.Ukrainian drones hit the major Kaleykino station, which serves the Druzhba pipeline carrying Moscow's crude to Eastern Europe and to Russia's main western ports…
First Venezuela Oil Cargoes Chartered Since US Supply Deal
Trading houses and buyers of Venezuelan oil have chartered the first very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to export from the South American country since a Caracas-Washington supply deal began, which is set to speed up shipments starting in March while boosting deliveries to India, according to four sources and data.Trading firms Vitol and Trafigura have been exporting Venezuelan crude and fuel since January as part of a $2 billion deal between the U.S.
US Seizes Third Indian Ocean Oil Tanker
U.S. military forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean waters, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, adding that it was the third such interdiction in that region.After capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid last month in Caracas, Washington has escalated its blockade on vessels that are under sanctions and going to and from the South American country, a member of the OPEC oil producers' group.In a post on X, the U.S.
Panama Canal Port Workers Threatened with Prosecution After Contract Anulments
Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said on Tuesday Panama authorities had threatened its employees with criminal prosecution if they refused to leave two strategic canal ports at the centre of a legal battle that has embroiled Beijing and Washington.CK Hutchison said Panama's decision to cancel key port contracts and grant temporary licences to Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping (MSC) was 'unlawful'…
UK Sanctions Maritime Mutual Insurer After Exposed by Reuters for Russian Oil Trade
Britain on Tuesday sanctioned Maritime Mutual, the New Zealand-based marine insurer that was the subject of a Reuters special report into how it had helped in the trade of tens of billions of dollars of Iranian and Russian oil."(Maritime Mutual) is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business in a sector of strategic significance to the Government of Russia…
Argentina Accedes Cape Town Agreement, Entry into Force February 2027
Argentina accedes to the Cape Town Agreement, triggering its entry into force in 12 months.The 2012 Cape Town Agreement has met the requirements for entry into force and will enter into force in February 2027, closing a longstanding gap in the global maritime safety framework. The Agreement sets out mandatory safety standards for more than 45,000 fishing vessels of 24 meters in length and over, according to FAO data…
Minke Marine Air Lubrication System Receives Second ClassNK AiP
US West Coast-based maritime company Minke Marine A.L. LLC has secured its second class society Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK for its air lubrication sector (ALS) with a new patented design.The ClassNK AiP follows a similar AiP secured by Minke with DNV. The latest AiP comes as Minke Marine began receiving verified data from its first installation on a 55,000 DWT DNV-classed, Norwegian-owned general cargo vessel.
Applications Open for IFCHOR Galbraiths' 2026 Training Program
Applications are now open for the 2026 edition of the IG Shipping Course, a two-week, residential training program run by shipbroker IFCHOR Galbraiths. Now in its sixth decade, the IG Shipping Course has trained more than 1,000 professionals from across the maritime sector. The course is designed not only for new entrants to shipping, but also professionals transitioning from adjacent sectors such as finance…
BOEM Reaffirms Gulf Lease Sales 259 and 261
The Bureau of Ocean Energy announced a Record of Decision reaffirming its prior decisions regarding Gulf of America’s Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales 259 and 261. This ROD supports BOEM’s continued commitment to responsible offshore energy development while strengthening environmental safeguards and legal compliance.This decision follows the August 29, 2025, publication of the Final…
Hoyer VMS Group Strengthens Chinese Presence with Headquarters Expansion
Hoyer VMS Group, a global partner for power and motion solutions at sea, is expanding its Asian headquarters in Ningbo, China. The 3,800 square meters warehouse and workshop expansion enhances Hoyer VMS capabilities in supporting shipowners, fleet managers, shipyards and OEM customers across Asia. Asia remains a strategic growth region for the maritime industry, with many of the world’s largest shipowners, fleet operators and shipyards located in the region.
Kongsberg Maritime Expands Offerings in Indonesia with PT PAL MoU
Kongsberg Maritime announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT PAL Indonesia, the country’s largest state‑owned shipyard. The signing ceremony took place at PT PAL’s headquarters in Surabaya and was attended by representatives from Kongsberg Maritime, PT PAL, and the Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rut Krüger Giverin.Kongsberg Maritime is a leading provider of marine technology solutions.
European Transport Groups Urge Stronger EU Budget
A total of 45 European transport organizations are joining forces and collectively urge national governments to strengthen European funding for transport under the future EU budget, particularly to increase the budget of the future Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to at least USD$117 billion (€100 billion).A robust European transport network is of crucial importance in responding to Europe’s strategic objectives.
Silk Searoad Appoints V. for Bulk, Tanker Fleet Management
V., the global ship manager and marine services provider, has announced a new partnership with Greek shipowner Silk Searoad Maritime S.A for the technical management of their bulk and tanker fleet of eight vessels. Through the partnership, Silk Searoad will benefit from access to V.’s integrated marine services, global scale, expertise and data-driven platforms.V. will oversee the long-term management and performance of Silk Searoad’s fleet…
Freire Signs Deal with Sweden’s FMV for Four Naval Support Vessels
Spanish shipbuilder C.N.P. Freire has signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to construct four naval support vessels.The 47-meter vessels will be designed for naval support missions and built to operate in harsh weather and ice conditions. Each ship will accommodate 16 crew members, reach speeds of up to 12 knots and have an endurance of up to 10 days.The vessels will be equipped with two main cranes on the main deck and an auxiliary crane for supplies…
Mitsubishi Delivers First Ammonia Fuel Supply Systems for Marine Use
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has shipped the first ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) and ammonia gas abatement system (AGAS) for Japan Engine Corporation.The systems are designed for J-ENG’s first ammonia-fueled marine engine model 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR and represent the first units produced by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding. Commissioning work for the systems will…
Nam Cheong Hooks $64.5M Deal to Build Four OSVs
Malaysia-based offshore support vessel (OSV) builder Nam Cheong has secured shipbuilding contracts worth $64.5 million from a UAE-based global energy maritime logistics company for the construction of four offshore support vessels, marking its first newbuild contract win in over a decade.The order comprises two dive support vessels (DSVs) and two 60-meter remote operated landing crafts (ROLC), with deliveries scheduled between the second half of 2027 and early 2028.
NorthStandard Partners Signol to Support Crew-Led Decarbonization
Marine insurer NorthStandard has entered a two-year partnership with behavior change specialist Signol to offer members discounted access to a crew-focused decarbonization service aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions.Under the agreement, Signol will cover onboarding costs and provide preferential rates on its monthly software-as-a-service subscription.NorthStandard said it recognizes the…
Kongsberg Discovery Expands Multibeam Echosounder Portfolio
Kongsberg Discovery has launched two new variants of its EM2042 multibeam echosounder, extending high-resolution seabed mapping capabilities to deep-rated subsea vehicles and naval operations.The new EM2042 DR600 and EM2042 BNS build on the existing EM2042 platform and its next-generation acoustic architecture, targeting deepwater unmanned platforms and defense environments, respectively.The EM2042 DR600 is engineered for underwater vehicles including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)…
SDHI to Complete Five Offshore Support Vessels for San Maritime
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has announced it will complete five offshore support vessels (OSVs) for Kakinada-based San Maritime India, marking a further step in the revival of the Pipavav shipyard.San Maritime has begun docking the vessels at SDHI’s yard in Pipavav for completion under IR Class, after which the ships are expected to serve offshore industry demand.The hulls were…
