ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries to Advance Autonomous Surface Vessels
ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore autonomous maritime capabilities.The MoU establishes a framework for the organizations to enable end-to-end solutions encompassing vessel design, production, autonomy and classification for autonomous surface vessels.The collaboration brings together HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding capabilities with ABS’ classification…
ABS Acquires RMC Global to Strengthen Cybersecurity, Risk Management Capabilities
ABS, through its affiliate ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), has announced the acquisition of RMC Global (RMC), a provider of industrial cybersecurity, risk management and resiliency solutions.The acquisition strengthens ABS Consulting’s capabilities and market position, bringing together two organizations with complementary expertise, shared values and a common mission. Combining RMC’s capabilities with ABS Consulting’s scale…
Damen Shipyards to Delivery of Two Tugs to Albayrak Group
Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Türkiye's Albayrak Group for the delivery of an ASD Tug 2111 and ASD Tug 2813. This is the first contract between the two companies.The Albayrak Group is one of the largest businesses in Türkiye and is active in the construction, industrial, and logistics sectors. The latter includes the management of Alsancak Port, Izmir;Trabzon Port, Türkiye; Conakry Port…
Rheinmetall Submits Non-Binding Bid for GNYK Shipyard
German defence group Rheinmetall has entered the race to buy shipyard German Naval Yards Kiel with a non-binding bid, a move that would deepen its push into naval defence and pits it against rival warship maker Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).Rheinmetall disclosed the bid as it released its first‑quarter results on Thursday but said it would not provide information regarding its size.CEO Armin Papperger said Rheinmetall has already begun the due diligence process and expects results in the ne
Iran Reduces Oil Production by 400,000 bpd, Further Cut Back Expected
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Thursday that Iran appears to have cut back oil production by 400,000 barrels per day and is likely to reduce it more as its storage units fill."It looks like they've likely already cut back their production, maybe by 400,000 barrels a day. They'll likely continue to ramp down their production as their storage fills and their inability to export oil," Wright said in an interview with Fox News.A U.S.
Spain Seizes 30 Tons of Cocaine, Detains 23 Crew Members
Spanish police have seized 30 tons of cocaine from a ship off the Canary Islands and detained its 23-member crew without bail in Europe's largest-ever bust of the drug, the High Court said on Thursday, more than doubling Spain's previous record.The Comoro Island-flagged Arconian was intercepted by the Guardia Civil police force on May 1, with a cargo the court valued at more than 812 million euros…
Oil Tanker Hit Near Strait of Hormuz, US Pauses Assist Program for Stranded Vessels
A Chinese-owned oil products tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, Chinese media outlet Caixin reported, as President Donald Trump launched a U.S. plan that day to help stranded vessels but suspended it a day later.This was the first time a Chinese oil tanker has been attacked, a person with knowledge of the matter told Caixin on Thursday.Traffic through the vital strait, through which 20% of the ‌world's oil and gas supplies pass…
Philippines Accuses China of Illegal Marine Research Near Gas-Rich Reed Bank
The Philippine Coast Guard has accused China of conducting illegal marine scientific research near the oil and gas-rich Reed bank within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, according to a statement on Thursday."We will continue to challenge any illegal activities that undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights," PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.PCG aircraft spotted Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33 near Iroquois Reef during a maritime patrol on May 6
Coast Guard Awards Contract for New Training Facilities
The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract valued at up to $400 million to Whiting Turner Contracting Company for the design and construction of new facilities at Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Cape May, New Jersey. This marks the largest shore construction award in Coast Guard history and is part of a broader effort to modernize the service’s only accession point for enlisted personnel.The enhancements are funded through the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTCA)…
ABS, Seatrium to Collaborate on Maritime, Offshore Innovation
ABS and Seatrium Technology and Innovation Pte. Ltd, a technology subsidiary of global offshore, marine and energy engineering solutions specialist Seatrium Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance innovation, regulatory alignment and sustainable technologies across the maritime and offshore energy sectors.The agreement establishes a framework for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration to support Seatrium's technology team…
Cal Poly Maritime Academy to Set Sail on Annual Summer Sea Term
Over 300 Cal Poly Maritime Academy cadets will soon embark on their annual Summer Sea Term, a 65-day Pacific training voyage aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear, marking both a defining part of a cadet’s education and the final era of a vessel that has served the seafaring academy for three decades. The voyage also marks the first since the transition from California State University Maritime Academy to Cal Poly Maritime Academy, now part of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.
OPT Demos Autonomous Offshore Charging for Maritime Drones
Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has demonstrated autonomous docking, charging and redeployment capabilities for its WAM-V autonomous surface vehicle as part of efforts to support longer-duration offshore operations.The company said the system enables the maritime drone to approach a dock, secure itself, recharge and return to operation without human intervention.OPT is preparing the technology for integration…
LNG Supply Disruptions Drive Surge in Coal Shipments, BIMCO Finds
Coal shipments to Japan, South Korea and the European Union rose 27% year-on-year in April as tight gas supplies and disruption to LNG shipments prompted buyers to seek alternative fuel sources for electricity generation, shipping association BIMCO said.The increase came as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted LNG exports from the Persian Gulf and contributed to an 8% decline in global seaborne LNG shipments in April…
Hanwha Ocean Partners with Thordon Bearings on Canadian Submarine Bid
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Canadian marine bearing manufacturer Thordon Bearings have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation on Canada’s submarine procurement program and other naval projects.The agreement focuses on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program, one of the largest conventional submarine procurement programs currently planned, under which Hanwha Ocean has been…
SCHOTTEL to Supply Propellers for Chinese LNG Bunkering Vessels
German marine propulsion manufacturer SCHOTTEL has been selected to supply rudder propellers for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels being built for Shanghai International Port Group in China.The vessels, each with a loading capacity of 20,000 cubic meters, are under construction at Jiangnan Shipyard and are scheduled for delivery in April 2027.SCHOTTEL said the ships will each be equipped…
Solstad’s Normand Maximus CSV In Line for Two-Year Subsea Work
Solstad Offshore has signed a letter of intent with an international subsea contractor for the charter of construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Maximus.The contract is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and run through the first quarter of 2029, with an option to extend it to the first quarter of 2030.Under the agreement, Normand Maximus will support worldwide operations for the client…
IEA: Middle East Conflict Reshaping Medium-Term Gas Outlook
The Iran war has already led to a loss of about 120 billion cubic metres of global liquefied natural gas supply over the 2026 to 2030 period, Gergely Molnar, an analyst from the International Energy Agency, said on Thursday.Speaking at the Budapest LNG Summit, Molnar said the conflict was reshaping the medium-term gas outlook, with tighter market conditions likely to persist longer than previously expected.He said the crisis had cut LNG supply by around 15%, but a strong increase in new liquefac
U.S. Forces Disable Unladen Tanker Attempting to Violate Blockade
U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port at 9 a.m. ET, May 6.U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces observed M/T Hasna as it transited international waters enroute to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S.
Construction Underway on New Matson Container Ships
Matson has marked two milestones in its fleet renewal program with the beginning of hull assembly on the second of three new LNG powered "Aloha Class" container ships and the start of construction on its third new vessel at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc. (HSPI) in Pennsylvania.The three new Jones Act-compliant vessels, representing an investment of approximately $1 billion, will match the size and speed of Matson's two existing Aloha Class ships, Daniel K.
Australia Bans Bulk Carrier for MLC Violations
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a third ban in less than two months after another shipping company was found to have underpaid its crew, breaching the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).On April 23, AMSA boarded the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, FPMC B Forever, operated by Formosa Plastics Marine Corporation, in the Port of Newcastle for a port State control inspection.Inspectors found the crew had been underpaid by almost A$15…
