Panama Canal Begins Industry Engagement for the Development of Port Terminals
The Panama Canal launched a consultation process with representatives of the maritime industry to identify potential partners interested in developing port terminals on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the waterway.Following a process similar to that followed for the introduction of the gas pipeline project, the Panama Canal convened a group of representatives from companies with proven experience…
Damen Delivers ASD Tug 2111 Argo to WUZ Port, Maritime Services
On October 23, Damen Shipyards Group delivered an ASD Tug 2111 to WUZ Port and Maritime Services in the Port of Rotterdam. The vessel Argo is the eighth Damen tug to set sail in the WUZ Port and Maritime Services fleet. The company is growing its fleet in order to support the development of the Port of Gdansk, Poland. As a result of this expansion over the years the company has become Poland’s largest…
River Cruiser MS Lumière Completes First Autonomous "Dock2Dock" Voyage
During a live showcase on board Scylla’s new passenger vessel MS Lumière, Shipping Technology, Retina, and Scylla successfully completed the first-ever autonomous Dock2Dock voyage—from undocking in Hardinxveld-Giessendam to docking in Gorinchem.The demonstration combined Retina’s M-Pilot maneuvering system with the ST BRAIN and Autonomous Lane Assist (ST Sailing) from Shipping Technology, enabling the vessel to undock, sail and dock autonomously under real-world conditions.
Volvo Penta Announces New Leadership Appointments for Marine Division in North America
Volvo Penta North America has named Brock Gavin as Vice President of Marine Sales and Service and Jens Bering as Head of Product and Solutions Management for its marine division. In their new roles, Gavin and Bering will be instrumental in advancing Volvo Penta’s marine strategy and driving continued growth across commercial and leisure markets in North America.As Vice President, Marine Sales and Service, Gavin will lead Volvo Penta’s overall marine strategy in North America.
US Importers Place Spring Orders Early Amidst Tariffs Anxiety
Small importers for large U.S. retailers rushed in China-made strollers and wares meant for spring and are storing the goods in their own warehouses to avoid the big tariff bills that had been threatened over the next month.Before Sino-American talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur eliminated the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump's 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1…
Blessey Marine Selects Raymarine Pathfinder Radar for Tow, Barge Fleet Navigation
Raymarine, a leader in marine electronics, announced that its Pathfinder Radar System has been selected by New Orleans-based Blessey Marine to support the company’s inland tow boat and barge fleet operating across the United States.As required on new and refitted vessels, Blessey Marine’s full fleet will be outfitted with Raymarine Commercial radars and displays in the coming months. These radar systems…
American Cruise Lines Announces New U.S.-Built Vessels Through 2028
American Cruise Lines has announced 10 new ships for the U.S. market beginning with American Pioneer debuting in Florida on October 31st. American Pioneer is the 2nd new Patriot Class ship the company has launched this year. All American’s new boats will continue to sail domestically, operating itineraries across the Line’s growing portfolio, including the Mississippi River, Alaska, and the East Coast.
ABS Group Names David Wechsler as CEO
ABS has appointed David Wechsler, a founding partner of the firm that became Hitachi Consulting, as the new Chief Executive Officer for ABS Group.Wechsler has a 35-year career in management consulting leadership positions across manufacturing, consumer products, sustainable energy, automotive, technology and services industries. He has grown multiple consulting practices, demonstrating expertise in leading complex operations and driving growth.Wechsler joins at an exciting time for ABS Group…
The Cost of Caution in 2-Stroke Cylinder Lubrication
More than 90% of global freight is transported by over 33,000 merchant marine vessels powered by two stroke crosshead engines as their main source of propulsion; the two-stroke diesel engine has been the backbone of global trade and globalization for well over half a century. Among one of the key factors supporting the reliability and uptime of these engines, keeping trade moving, is the effective performance of cylinder oil.
Ottco, Royal Vopak to Establish Joint Venture in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm
Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), a subsidiary of OQ Group, and Royal Vopak, signed a shareholder agreement to establish a new company in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). The agreement, concluded during the Duqm Economic Forum 2025, reflects OQ’s continued commitment to expanding its investments in Duqm and supports national efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen global partnerships.The agreement was signed by Ashraf Hamed Al Mamari…
Astro Offshore Introduces New Multipurpose Support Vessel
Astro Offshore, an Adani Group Company, announced the addition of Astro Achernar, its 50th vessel, marking a defining moment in the company’s journey of rapid expansion and continued success.The 88-meter DP2 Diesel Electric Multipurpose Support Vessel (MPSV) is equipped with accommodation for 222 personnel and a 100-ton ACH crane, enhancing Astro’s offshore support and subsea capabilities. The milestone follows a period of growth for Astro Offshore.
Siemens Gamesa Halts Port of Esbjerg Offshore Wind Nacelle Plant Plans
Siemens Gamesa has confirmed it has scrapped plans to build an offshore wind turbine nacelle factory at Denmark’s Esbjerg Port.The offshore wind turbine manufacturer confirmed it will not proceed with the development of the nacelle plant at the port of Esbjerg at this time, given the current market opportunities.“Siemens Gamesa has maintained a longstanding presence at the Port of Esbjerg, which is a strategically important location for our offshore wind operations, also in the future.“Like in a
ASL Marine Secures $100M in Chartering, Vessels Sale Deals
ASL Marine Holdings, through its wholly owned unit ASL Offshore & Marine, has secured new ship chartering contracts worth a combined $63.1 million and signed vessel sale agreements totaling $42.3 million.The chartering contracts, which span approximately two years, cover a range of vessels including tugs, work boats, crane barges, cargo barges, hopper barges and grab dredgers.According to ASL Marine…
Norwegian Customs Service Orders VIKING Patrols Boats
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a maritime safety solutions specialist and supplier of high-performance boats, has signed a contract with the Norwegian Customs Service (Tolletaten) to deliver a new fleet of cutting-edge patrol and fast response craft.The new boats will strengthen Tolletaten’s maritime capabilities and support its law enforcement and inspection duties in Norwegian waters.The agreement covers the delivery of four VIKING Norsafe boats including one Marathon S-900…
Newbuild Vessel Pair Joins QatarEnergy’s Growing LNG Fleet
Malaysia’s MISC Group and its consortium partners NYK, K-Line, and China LNG Shipping (Holdings) have taken delivery of two new-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, the Mihzem and Idd Al Shargi, marking another milestone in QatarEnergy’s LNG fleet expansion program.Built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, the two carriers are the fifth and sixth vessels in the consortium’s 12-vessel series and the first to be managed by MISC’s Marine Services arm.
Otto Candies Buys Four MPSVs from Harvey Gulf International Marine
U.S.-based offshore and marine services company Otto Candies has acquired four multi-purpose support vessels (MPSVs) from Harvey Gulf International Marine.The vessels acquired by Otto Candies are the Harvey Blue-Sea, Harvey Sub-Sea, Harvey Deep-Sea, and Harvey Intervention. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.Otto Candies said the acquisition represents a meaningful step forward in the continued…
Dr. James S.C. Chao Honored by Webb Institute
Webb Institute awarded Dr. James S.C. Chao, Founder and Chairman of Foremost Group, an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his visionary leadership in the global maritime industry and his profound commitment to education, philanthropy, and sustainability.The ceremony was held on Webb’s Glen Cove campus before the Board of Trustees, students, and faculty. Dr. Chao delivered brief remarks reflecting on his extraordinary journey…
Ship Recycling Market “Woefully Slow”
Global markets seemed to take a breather this week as things turned slow across the board once again, not only on the shipping side but even the ship recycling side of things, reports cash buyer GMS.Currencies fluctuated in moderate tandem, local steel plate prices made surprisingly marginal moves, all while the Baltic Exchange Dry Index (BDI) slipped and oil steadied itself. The BDI reported a declining week that shaved off about 3.2% last week…
Ammonia-Ready PCTC Enters Service
On October 22, the port of Shanghai hosted a ceremony for the official naming and delivery of the Grimaldi Group’s latest vessel, the Grande Melbourne.This is the third of a series of seven cutting-edge, ammonia-ready pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) commissioned at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC), both subsidiaries of CSSC.With a length of 200 meters…
Singapore and China to Establish Green Corridor
Singapore's Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Transport of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Singapore–China Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.The MoU elevates Singapore and China’s cooperation to the national level, building on the earlier established municipality-level and provincial-level corridors with Tianjin and Shandong, established in 2023 and 2024 respectively.Under the MoU…
