Marine Link
Thursday, April 2, 2026

Europe News

01 Apr 2026

US Gulf Coast Tanker Availability Drops as Asia, Europe Seek to Replace Middle East Supply

© Adobe Stock/moofushi

Oil tanker availability along the U.S. Gulf Coast has dropped sharply in recent weeks, as Asian and European refiners cut off from Middle Eastern supply have been snapping up vessels to import oil and fuel from the United States, shipping analysts and traders said.The Iran war has stalled tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz, curbing the flow of Middle Eastern oil to Asia and Europe, and prompting refiners there to buy replacement barrels from the United States, Brazil and West Africa.Wider discounts on U.S.

31 Mar 2026

DFDS Adds Third Vessel to Rosslare–Dunkirk Route

Starting in September, DFDS will offer seven weekly roundtrips on the Rosslare-Dunkirk route by adding a third vessel to the route to provide increased capacity for freight operators and more travel options for passengers during the holiday season.Growing demand for direct transport links between Ireland and continental Europe continues to drive the need for additional capacity. To meet this demand, DFDS is expanding its schedule to offer a total of seven weekly roundtrips, providing greater flexibility for freight hauliers and more travel options for holidaymakers seeking convenient…

31 Mar 2026

Prysmian Shares North American Leadership Transitions


 

Matt Bedell, SVP of Power Distribution. © Prysmian

Prysmian, a leader in energy and data wire and cabling solutions, recently announced changes to its leadership structure in North America to further strengthen the company’s market position in the region. 2025 marked the best year yet for Prysmian, with global revenues reaching USD$23.08 billion (€20 billion). North America’s net profit exceeded $9 billion, accounting for 40% of the company’s total sales. Over the past two years, Prysmian’s North American footprint has grown through the acquisitions of Encore Wire and Channell…

31 Mar 2026

UK's Wind Output Surge Softens Blow from Global Energy Disruption

© bphoto / Adobe Stock

Record output from wind farms has helped boost total clean power supplies in the United Kingdom to new highs so far in 2026, and allowed power firms to pare use of fossil fuels to multi-year lows.The growth in wind output has helped shield the UK power system from the worst effects of the U.S.

30 Mar 2026

UK Grants $85M to Develop Port Talbot Floating Wind Hub

(Credit: ABP)

The U.K. government has committed up to $85 million (£64 million) to support the development of a floating offshore wind port at Port Talbot in Wales, as part of efforts to expand clean energy capacity.The funding will support Associated British Ports (ABP) in completing design and engineering work required to develop infrastructure for floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.The project is expected to enable at least 4.5 GW of floating offshore wind capacity, enough to power around 6.5 million homes…

30 Mar 2026

Oil Rises as Widening Conflict Endangers Red Sea, Hormuz Flows

© lempix.photos / Adobe Stock

Oil prices extended gains on Monday, with Brent headed for a record monthly rise, after Yemeni Houthis launched their first attacks on Israel over the weekend, widening the U.S.-Israel war with Iran in the Middle East.Brent crude futures LCOc1 jumped $3.94, or 3.5%, to $116.51 a barrel at 0703 GMT after settling 4.2% higher on Friday.U.S. West Texas Intermediate CLc1 was at $102.14 a barrel, up $1.86, or 1.87%, following a 5.5% gain in the previous session."The market has all but discounted the prospect of a negotiated end to the war…

27 Mar 2026

Much of Dutch Fishing Fleet Stands Idle Amid High Diesel Prices

© Adobe Stock/Alex Stemmer

The fishing industry is emerging as an early European casualty of soaring diesel costs amid the Iran war, with at least half the Dutch fleet staying in port this week, according to industry representatives.The pressure is most acute in the Netherlands because of an outsized number of beam trawlers in its fleet, which makes up about 7% of the European Union's total.These ships target high-value North Sea flatfish such as sole, turbot and brill, but burn relatively large amounts of fuel.

27 Mar 2026

Russia's Threatens to Divert LNG Cargo From Europe, Options Limited

© Adobe Stock/Yellow Boat

Russia's threat to halt liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to Europe and divert cargoes to Asia would prove difficult to achieve because of its long-term contracts and need for more Arctic-class tankers, industry analysts said.President Vladimir Putin said in a TV interview early in March that Russia could stop gas supplies to Europe with immediate effect and seek longer-term commitments from other buyers.The impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has caused a surge in gas prices…

27 Mar 2026

Russia’s Lavrov Says US Seeking Control of Nord Stream Gas Pipelines

© Oksana / Adobe Stock

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. has been seeking control over the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which were damaged by mysterious blast in September 2022.Explosions that destroyed the pipelines more than three years ago largely severed Russian gas transit to Europe, squeezing energy supplies on the continent although Russia had already largely stopped deliveries.Russia and Western countries have both said the incident was an act of sabotage.

26 Mar 2026

Asian Buyers Rush for Russian Oil Amid Supply Disruption

© Kalyakan / Adobe Stock

Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka are lining up to buy Russian oil as the Iran war blocks supplies, raising the possibility that demand may exceed supply, several sources including Russia said.Since the war in Ukraine prompted European customers - once the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas - to shun Moscow, India and China have accounted for around 80% of Russian oil exports. Turkey has also been a significant buyer.But in recent weeks…

26 Mar 2026

Maraen Approves $40M Port of Nigg Upgrade After Rebrand

Yoshihiro Hayakawa, CEO and Managing Director of Maraen (Credit: Maraen)

Maraen has approved plans for more than $40 million (£30 million) investment for the upgrades at the Port of Nigg, following the integration of three energy businesses under a new brand.Maraen combines the capabilities of Port of Nigg, Global Energy (Group) and Global Energy Services, after their acquisition by Mitsui & Co. Europe and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) in 2025.The company said a final investment decision has been taken to develop a new heavy-duty quay and roll-on/roll-off capability at the port…

26 Mar 2026

Cadeler Raises Over $200M to Fund Fleet Expansion Plans

Illustration (Credit: Cadeler)

Cadeler has raised approximately $203 million (€175 million) through a private placement to fund planned investments in new offshore wind installation vessels and potential asset acquisitions.The offshore wind contractor said the proceeds will support initial capital commitments for two proposed T-class wind foundation installation vessel newbuilds, as well as the potential acquisition and conversion of a scour protection vessel.According to Cadeler, the private placement was…

26 Mar 2026

Iran War Energy Shock Pushes Europe to Rethink Climate Policies

© Aris / Adobe Stock

The European Union may be forced to scale back its flagship climate policies and geopolitical aims as the Iran war drives up energy prices - with lasting consequences for the bloc's energy strategy.The energy crunch sparked by the conflict, now in its fourth week, has rattled Europe, which is heavily dependent on imported oil and gas. Around 8% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) comes from the Middle East through the all-important Strait of Hormuz, which remains mostly blocked.European benchmark gas prices TFMBMc1have jumped more than 60% since the conflict began…

26 Mar 2026

Iran War Sends LNG Prices Soaring, Curbing Asia Demand

© Mike Mareen / Adobe Stock

The Iran war is upending the global LNG outlook as soaring prices, damage to major supplier Qatar's export infrastructure and potential delays to new supply raise doubts about previously expected demand from price-sensitive Asian buyers.Before the war, analysts expected global liquefied natural gas supply to rise as much as 10% this year to between 460 million and 484 million metric tons as new capacity, mainly in the U.S. and Qatar, came online, with demand forecast to grow in tandem.Now…

26 Mar 2026

Oil Rises as Ceasefire Optimism Fades

© Destina / Adobe Stock

Oil rose about 2% on Thursday, clawing back losses from the previous session on concerns that protracted fighting in the Middle East will further disrupt energy flows.Brent futures LCOc1 rose $2.08, or 2.03%, to $104.30 a barrel by 0638 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 were up $1.93, or 2.14%, at $92.25 a barrel.Both benchmarks slumped more than 2% on Wednesday.Iran is still reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war, but has no intention of holding talks to end the Middle East conflict, Iran's foreign minister said on Wednesday.U.S.

25 Mar 2026

Windcat Amsterdam Debuts as First Elevation CSOV in Europe

(Credit: Damen)

Shipbuilder Damen and Windcat, part of maritime group CMB.TECH, have launched the Windcat Amsterdam, marking the arrival of the first Elevation series commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) in European waters.The vessel was developed jointly by the two companies and constructed at Damen’s Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam. It is designed to support construction, commissioning and maintenance activities across offshore energy projects.Windcat Amsterdam can accommodate up to 120 personnel and will serve as a floating base for offshore operations…

25 Mar 2026

Mark Offshore Adds Research Vessel Mintis to Support Offshore Renewables

(Credit: Mark Offshore)

Mark Offshore has agreed with Klaipėda University to operate the research vessel Mintis, expanding its fleet and strengthening its position in offshore renewables and subsea support services.Under the agreement, the Lithuanian university has appointed Mark Offshore as commercial and operational manager for the vessel’s activities within the renewables and energy sectors.The addition of Mintis is aimed at supporting offshore wind, marine survey and nearshore energy projects, as…

25 Mar 2026

Fincantieri Profit Surge Underpins Outlook, Strategy Shift

(Credit: Fincantieri)

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri reported a more than fourfold jump in its annual profit to 117 million euros ($136 million) on Wednesday, boosted by the underwater business line that saw 88% revenue growth.Shares of the Trieste-based company gained up to 7.5% shortly after the results.The state‑controlled shipbuilder reiterated its 2026 targets for revenue of 9.2 billion to 9.3 billion euros, a core profit (EBITDA) margin of around 7.5%, and an increased net profit."We are preparing to capture further growth in demand in the defense sector, by doubling the production capacity of Italian shipya

25 Mar 2026

Blaze Hits Russia’s Ust-Luga Oil Port Following Drone Strike

(Credit: Ust-Luga Company)

A fire broke out at Russia's Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga, a major oil export hub, after a major Ukrainian drone attack, Russian officials said on Wednesday.Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and export routes over recent weeks in an attempt to weaken Russia's war economy.Ust-Luga and Primorsk, on the Gulf of Finland, were forced to suspend exports of oil and crude on Sunday after drone attacks but they had restarted loadings on Monday, Reuters reported.But Alexander Drozdenko…

25 Mar 2026

Oil Falls on Middle East Ceasefire Hopes, Easing Supply Fears

© corlaffra / Adobe Stock

Oil prices sank about 4% on Wednesday after reports the United States had sent Iran a 15-point proposal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, raising prospects of a ceasefire that could ease supply disruptions in the region.Brent crude futures LCOc1 fell $4.17, or 4%, to $100.32 a barrel by 0708 GMT, after declining to as low as $97.57. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 futures were down $3.11, or 3.4%, at $89.24 a barrel, after falling to as low as $86.72.Both benchmarks rose nearly 5% on Tuesday…

24 Mar 2026

European Energy Shortages Could Be Felt By April

© Adobe Stock/Ai_Images

Energy shortages could hit Europe by next month, Shell CEO Wael Sawan said on Tuesday, adding that securing adequate energy supply was critical to national security.Countries cannot have national security without energy security, Sawan said, adding that Shell was trying to work with governments to help them address the energy crisis, including with storage and purchasing. The Middle East conflict, now in its fourth week, has already affected supplies of jet fuel, with diesel set to be next…

24 Mar 2026

Oil Rises as Iran Denies US Talks, Supply Risks Persist

© namning / Adobe Stock

Oil prices rose on Tuesday on supply fear, as Iran denied it had talks with the United States to end the war in the Gulf, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump who said a deal could be reached soon.Brent futures LCOc1 rose $2.89, or 2.9%, to $102.83 a barrel at 0710 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) CLc1 climbed $2.49, or 2.8%, to $90.62.Crude futures dropped more than 10% on Monday, after Trump ordered a five-day delay to attacks on Iran's power plants, saying the U.S.

23 Mar 2026

IEA Weighs Further Oil Stock Releases as War on Iran Continues

© nsit0108 / Adobe Stock

The International Energy Agency is consulting with governments in Asia and Europe on the release of more stockpiled oil "if necessary" due to the Iran war, Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Monday."If it is necessary, of course, we will do it. We look at the conditions, we will analyse, assess the markets and discuss with our member countries," Birol told the National Press Club in Canberra, at the start of a world tour.IEA member nations agreed on March 11 to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles to combat the spike in global crude prices.