174K LNG Vessel Christened; Board Approves New 8-Ship Contruction Plan
Diamond Gas Jade, a 174,000-cu.-m. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier invested by a joint venture under U-Ming Marine Transport Corp., held its grand naming ceremony on May 19 at the Samsung Heavy Industries Geoje Shipyard. Built by Samsung Heavy Industries, Diamond Gas Jade is equipped with the latest energy-saving environmental technologies and a dual-fuel propulsion engine. Upon delivery, it will…
DRIFT's Energy-Harvesting Vessel Concept Earns AIP
RINA awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to DRIFT Energy for a novel vessel concept designed not simply to transport cargo, but to generate and deliver clean energy at sea.The AiP marks what DRIFT claimsis the first such class recognition for an energy-harvesting ship concept, advancing the UK startup’s plans to develop what it describes as the world’s first net-positive vessel.Bath, England-based…
Equinor Extends PSV Contract with Eidesvik Offshore
Equinor has exercised remaining options to extend the contract for the platform supply vessel (PSV) Viking Avant from Norwegian vessel owner Eidesvik Offshore.The extension runs in direct continuation of the current contract and extends the firm charter period through the end of 2026.Viking Avant PSV was built in 2004, and has a deadweight capacity of 5,784 tonnes and a deck area of 1,010 square meters.The vessel is 92.17 meters long with a beam of 20.4 meters.
INTERCARGO Issues First Dry Bulk Ship-to-Ship Transfer Standard
INTERCARGO has published the first dedicated ship-to-ship (STS) transfer guidelines for dry bulk carriers, as such operations expand into new trading regions and offshore locations with limited port infrastructure.The ‘Ship to Ship Transfer Guidelines for Bulk Carriers’ establishes a framework for dry bulk STS operations, covering planning, risk assessment, maneuvering, fendering, cargo handling and…
Northern Lights CCS Fleet Grows with First Bernard Schulte's LCO2 Carrier
Bernhard Schulte has christened its first liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier, marking the company’s entry into the carbon capture and storage (CCS)-related shipping segment.The vessel, named Northern Purpose, was christened on May 19 at Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore (DSOC) in China and will support the Northern Lights CCS project, a cross-border CO2 transport and storage development in Norway.Following delivery…
PALFINGER to Supply Cranes for North Sea HVDC Platforms
PALFINGER has secured a contract to supply davit cranes for five offshore converter platforms in the North Sea, expanding its presence in the offshore wind market as Europe accelerates grid infrastructure development tied to renewable energy projects.The Austrian company said it would deliver seven PF200-7m davit cranes to Spanish engineering contractor Dragados Offshore for high-voltage direct current…
Cadeler’s First Quarter Revenue Jumps on Offshore Wind Fleet Expansion
Cadeler has reported higher first-quarter revenue and earnings, supported by expanded offshore wind installation activity following growth in its operating fleet.The Danish offshore wind vessel operator posted revenue $145.2 million (€125 million) for the first quarter of 2026, up from $75.5 million (€65 million) in the same period last year, while EBITDA rose to $54 million (€47 million) from $27.9…
UK Eases Russian Fuel Sanctions to Safeguard Diesel and Jet Supply
Britain will allow imports of diesel and jet fuel refined abroad from Russian crude under a sanctions carve-out, watering down restrictions to help ensure supply at home as prices soar due to the conflict in the Middle East.While Britain's support for Ukraine remains steadfast, junior treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said, he added that the national interest had to come first and therefore a loosening…
Two Chinese VLCCs Exit Strait of Hormuz
Two Chinese supertankers carrying 4 million barrels of Middle East crude oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after waiting in the Gulf for more than two months, shipping data on LSEG and Kpler showed.The ships are among a handful of supertankers carrying Iraqi crude exiting the Gulf this month via a transit route that Iran has ordered ships to use.Chinese-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) Yuan Gui Yang loaded 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude on February 27, a day before the
South African Veterinary Association Stands Against Live Export
The South African Veterinary Association’s (SAVA) has released a formal position statement opposing the export of live animals by sea for slaughter at destination.SAVA joins many other international veterinary associations in condemning this practice. SAVA’s statement draws on extensive peer-reviewed scientific research to conclude that the welfare of animals transported by sea is unavoidably compromised.
Watch: Kitada Explains Gender Mainstreaming
The IMO and World Maritime University (WMU) have released a new Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector, calling for action to address persistent gender inequality across the global maritime industry.The handbook, authored by WMU Professor Momoko Kitada, was launched on the International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18. Kitada is also the recipient of the 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award.
Israeli Forces Fired Shots at Gaza Flotilla
Israeli forces opened fire on at least two vessels in an aid flotilla sailing towards Gaza on Tuesday, according to video footage and flotilla organisers, but Israel said no live ammunition was used and there were no casualties.The flotilla was making a renewed attempt to deliver aid to Gaza after earlier missions were intercepted by Israel in international waters.Video from the flotilla's livestream showed soldiers firing shots at two of the boats.
NATO Not Drawing Up Plans for Hormuz Mission
NATO is not drawing up any plans for a potential mission in the Strait of Hormuz and would need a political decision to do so, its top commander said on Tuesday, amid suggestions by some members that the alliance could play a role there.Any decision to launch a mission would require the approval of all NATO's 32 members and several have already signalled opposition, although no formal proposal has been presented so far…
US Charges Executives and Firms Over Container Cartel
The United States has charged seven Chinese executives and four of the world's largest shipping container companies with conspiring to restrict supply, raising the price of containers during the COVID pandemic, Department of Justice officials said on Tuesday.The companies together manufacture about 95% of the world's standard dry shipping containers and conspired to restrict output and fix prices between November 2019 and January 2024, the DOJ said. Prosecutors allege the scheme resulted in U.S.
Icebreaking Struggles Cost Great Lakes Shipping One Third of Shipping Season
U.S.-flag shipping on the Great Lakes lost a total of 1,953 hours or 82 ship days due to inadequate icebreaking, about a third of the shipping season on the Great Lakes.It took 96 hours after the Soo locks opened for the year for the first vessel loaded with iron ore to finally clear the St. Marys River the critical connection point between Lake Superior and the lower lakes. At one point, 19 vessels were stopped for multiple days in the ice…
Amy Rister Announced as Director of State Government Relations at Port Houston
Port Houston, an advocate of the nation’s busiest waterway, the Houston Ship Channel, has announced the appointment of Amy Rister as its Director of State Government Relations.In her role, Rister will lead Port Houston’s state government relations strategy and serve as a key liaison to state leaders. She will partner with legislators, state agencies, and stakeholders to champion policies and investments…
Crowley Crews, Vessels for Recognized for Maritime Safety
The Chamber of Shipping of America has recognized 48 Crowley-owned or -managed vessels with 2026 Jones F. Devlin Safety Awards for achieving a combined 427 years of service without a lost-time injury.The Jones F. Devlin Safety Award recognizes merchant vessels that operate for at least two consecutive years without a crew member experiencing a lost-time injury. The awarded Crowley vessels include tugs…
Hyliion USX-1 Defiant USV Chosen as Launch Platform for KARNO Core Sea Trials
Hyliion Holdings Corp., a developer of modular power plant technology, announced that the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR), in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has selected the USX-1 Defiant as a candidate test vessel for Hyliion’s KARNO technology. Initial sea trials are funded under a development program from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to advance the use of KARNO Cores for onboard power generation in U.S.
American Encore Riverboat Christened
American Cruise Lines has announced that new riverboat American Encore was christened in Lewiston, Idaho on May 12th. The boat’s inaugural 9-Day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise departed from Stevenson, Washington on May 6th with guests also enjoying an included hotel stay in Portland, Oregon on May 5th.Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington and the Snake River in Congress for twenty years, was named American Encore’s Godmother. Ms.
US Imposes Sanctions on Iran Exchange House, Shadow Fleet
The Trump administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on an Iranian foreign currency exchange house and what it said were front companies overseeing transactions on behalf of Iranian banks as the U.S. maintains pressure on Tehran.The move came after Iran said its latest peace proposal to the United States over the U.S.-Israeli led war that started February 28 involves ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, the exit of U.S.
