USA Shipbuilding Coalition Launches
Partners representing both labor and management have launched the USA Shipbuilding Coalition to urge Congress to take action to revitalize the critical American shipbuilding industry, including by passing the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act.This labor-management partnership will work to advance concrete actions to spur investment in and revitalization of America’s shipbuilding capacity, enhance the strength and utilization of domestic supply chains and ensure that the US can build…
Whale Watching Catamaran Ready for Operation in Seattle
FRS Clipper has welcomed its new whale watching catamaran Emerald Clipper.The new boat will be Seattle’s only whale watching tour operating from downtown Seattle and will offer two sailings per day during the summer season. The 103-foot catamaran features two expansive, wind-protected viewing decks, floor-to-ceiling windows, and cruising speeds of up to 32 knots. It has capacity for 300 guests.FRS Clipper commissioned the vessel’s owner…
Singapore Launches OCEANS-X to Advance Maritime Digital Connectivity
Singapore has launched OCEANS-X, a new data and application programming interface (API) eXchange platform developed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).It enables secure system-to-system connectivity across the maritime ecosystem, allowing maritime companies and government agencies to exchange trusted data directly. This in turn enables integrated digital services for better service delivery…
USACE Releases Final FY2026 Great Lakes Maintenance Program
In early April, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its navigation work plan for FY2026. The overall plan outlines resources that will be used for dredging, structure maintenance, and other priorities at every port in the United States.The USACE Detroit District staff have since compiled a summary/funding analysis of Great Lakes provisions indicating that the Great Lakes region will receive…
Oil Prices Rise 3%, Iran Remains Undecided About Attending US Peace Talks
Oil prices pared gains on Tuesday after briefly climbing above $100 a barrel following an announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump that he was extending a ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal.Brent crude futures were volatile, settling up about 3% on Tuesday and then climbing further to rise more than 5% to a session high of $101.15 after reports that U.S. Vice President JD Vance…
Lockheed Martin Wins Contract to Arm US Navy with Patriot Missile
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract to integrate the Patriot missile, an Army missile interceptor, into the U.S. Navy's Aegis combat system, a milestone the company said on Tuesday marks the first time the weapon will be fielded at sea.Reuters was first to report in October 2024 that the Navy was moving forward with plans to arm its vessels with Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors…
US Unveils Details of $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget
The Pentagon on Tuesday unveiled more details of President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027, by far the largest year-over-year increase in defense spending in the post-World War Two era.In a new wrinkle, the Pentagon has created a category it is calling "presidential priorities," covering Golden Dome missile defense, drone dominance, artificial intelligence and data infrastructure…
Operations Paused at Tuapse Oil Refinery After Drone Attack
Russia's Tuapse oil refinery, which sells most of its products for export, halted operations following a Ukrainian drone attack on April 16, two industry sources said on Tuesday.Ukraine has increased attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure as the U.S., which had brokered peace talks to stop the conflict with Russia, has shifted its focus on the war in Iran. The U.S. has also eased some sanctions…
US Judge Blocks Trump's Efforts to Hinder Renewable Energy Projects
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from enforcing a series of permitting policies that wind and solar energy industry groups say have stymied the development of new energy generation projects.Chief U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston issued a preliminary injunction sought by nine advocacy groups and industry trade associations that argued the administration…
Shipping Through Hormuz Remains Mostly Halted
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained broadly halted on Tuesday with only three ships passing the waterway in the past 24 hours, shipping data showed.A U.S. blockade of Iranian ports has infuriated Tehran, prompting it to maintain its own restrictions on the strait, which had been typically handling roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply.The Ean Spir products tanker…
DSV Delivers Petrochemical Columns to ORLEN
On March 28, the transport of components for ORLEN's petrochemical investment project was completed. Two columns were delivered to the site of Poland's largest muti-energy group, a 554-ton concentration tower and a smaller, 286-ton C4 column. The preparation of the logistics plan and its execution was handled by the DSV - Global Transport and Logistics team. At the beginning of March 2026, two gigantic columns arrived from China at the port of Gdansk…
Jones Walker Welcomes Partner and Associate in Houston
Jones Walker LLP has welcomed Kelly Haas as partner and associate Hayley Stancil as members of the Maritime Practice Group in the firm’s Houston office. Kelly represents vessel owners, charters, shipyards, offshore operators, and energy clients regarding collisions, property damage, personal injury, pollution, environmental, cargo, insurance, construction, and contract claims related to the Jones Act…
GTT to Design Tanks for Two Celsius Tankers’ LNG Carriers
French engineering firm GTT has received an order from Samsung Heavy Industries for the tank design of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.The vessels, being built for shipowner Celsius Tankers, will each have a capacity of 180,000 cubic metres.GTT will supply its Mark III Flex membrane containment system for the cryogenic tanks.The order was booked in the first quarter of 2026, with delivery of the vessels expected between the second and third quarters of 2028.
AYK Energy Powers Electric Tug Milestone with Svitzer Balder Trials
Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy said the transition to electric-powered workboats is accelerating as a battery-methanol harbor tug completed sea trials ahead of delivery.The Svitzer Balder, built by Türkiye’s Uzmar shipyard, is described by the company as the most powerful electric escort tug, capable of operating in near-open ocean conditions as well as in harbor.The vessel is set to be delivered to the Port of Gothenburg in Sweden…
Meyer Turku Targets Digital, Green Shift with New Industry Program
Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku has launched a five-year research and development program aimed at supporting the maritime industry through environmental, digital and geopolitical changes.The MERiON program, co-funded by Business Finland, will run from 2026 to 2030 and focus on developing future-ready cruise ships and floating infrastructure.The initiative builds on the company’s previous NEcOLEAP…
UK’s Portland Port Expands Services with LNG Transfer Capability
Portland Port in Dorset has been approved to carry out liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship transfers, expanding its fuel handling capabilities.The port, which is already operational for oil and liquefied petroleum gas transfers, said the addition of LNG ship-to-ship operations enhances its service offering.“Our new STS licence means that we can now support LNG transfers directly at our port.“It…
Wärtsilä Launches Next-Generation Ship-Handling Simulator
Technology group Wärtsilä has launched a next-generation bridge and ship-handling simulator aimed at supporting maritime training as the industry shifts towards digital navigation and more complex vessel operations.The new platform, NTPRO 7, is designed to provide immersive training environments for ship-handling, navigation and decision-making across a range of operational scenarios.The simulator…
Maersk’s Stillstrom Unveils Standalone Offshore Charging Solutions for Vessels
Stillstrom, a unit of A.P. Moller - Maersk, has launched two offshore charging systems aimed at supporting vessel electrification in the offshore wind sector.The new solutions, Power Hub and Power Tower, are designed as standalone systems that can be deployed independently of wind turbine infrastructure, enabling flexible charging options for vessels operating at sea.The systems are based on monopile…
US-Israel War on Iran Creates Biggest Energy Crisis in History
The conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel is creating the worst energy crisis ever faced by the world, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday."This is indeed the biggest crisis in history," Birol told France Inter radio in an interview broadcast on Tuesday."The crisis is already huge, if you combine the effects of the petrol crisis and the gas crisis with Russia," he added.The war in the Middle East has choked up maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormu
Scam Messages Target Ships with Fake Hormuz Transit Offers
Fraudulent messages promising safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to some shipping companies whose vessels are stranded west of the waterway, Greek maritime risk management firm MARISKS has warned.The U.S. has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has lifted and then re-imposed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly…
