US Tweaks Foreign-Built Ships Fees, Raises Tariffs on Chinese Equipment
The United States Trade Representative's office said on Friday it would modify certain maritime-related fees for foreign-built vehicle carriers and liquefied natural gas vessels ahead of port fees on China-linked ships slated to go into effect next week.USTR said in a statement that fees on operators of foreign-built vehicle carriers would be $46 per net ton, effective on October 14. That is below a fee of $150 per net ton originally proposed in April…
UN Shipping Emissions Levy Deal Sets Stage for US-EU Clash
The International Maritime Organization will meet this week to formally decide whether to impose a carbon emissions price on global shipping, a move supported by an EU-led bloc including Britain, China and Japan but strongly opposed by the U.S.The IMO struck a preliminary deal to charge the global shipping industry for emissions in April after the U.S. pulled out of associated talks, prompting Washington to threaten "reciprocal measures" against any fees charged on U.S.
Reach Remote 1 USV Cleared for Fully Remote Operations
Norwegian subsea services firm Reach Subsea has been granted a trading permit to operate its Reach Remote 1 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) entirely through remote operations - without a support vessel.The permit was issued by the Norwegian Maritime Authorities, with technical validation and support from DNV. Reach Remote 1 has already been in full commercial operation, and this permit initiates the…
Sea1 Offshore Finds Work for its PSV off Brazil
Sea1 Offshore, formerly Siem Offshore, has secured a new contract for its platform supply vessel (PSV) Sea1 Atlas.The contract for Sea1 Atlas PSV is in Brazil and has a duration of three years, along with six-month option at market terms.The start of operations is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.Sea1 Atlas is a 4,700 dwt, 87.9-meter-long STX PSV 4700 vessels built in 2013.The total firm contract backlog for Sea1 Offshore is now $743 million, and $599 million in options, the company said.
Ship Recyclers Face Unpredictable Steel Plate Prices
In ship recycling, where even a day can make an incredible difference (the summer of circa 2006 when India lost about USD 100/Ton overnight due to a collapse in steel prices, for example), a week can certainly make a dramatic difference, says cash buyer GMS, especially given the turbulent nature of current times that global markets are enduring.“Going through the checklist of key economic factors affecting the state of global ship recycling today…
Australia and PNG Complete Joint Cross Border Patrol
The Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) authorities have successfully completed the latest Joint Cross Border Patrol in the Torres Strait.Running from September 22 to 27, officers visited communities in Daru, Sigabadaru and Ture Ture in PNG, and Saibai and Boigu Islands in the Torres Strait.The joint activity forms part of…
USCG Research Center Warns of Lithium-Ion Fire Hazards at Sea
As maritime industries accelerate toward electrification, the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) has issued a warning: lithium-ion batteries—the same technology powering the global shift to hybrid and all-electric vessels—pose a unique and evolving threat when things go wrong. The April 2025 white paper, Lithium Battery Fire Hazards in the Maritime Environment, lays out the risks…
Danish Shipping Launches African Maritime Training Initiative
Danish Shipping has launched an initiative to help build maritime competence and create opportunities for talented African cadets.Danish shipping companies and Danish authorities have a long history of cooperating closely with African partners, especially in the maritime sector.Building on successful partnerships between Danish shipping companies and African maritime institutions, the African Maritime…
Denmark Boosts Arctic Naval Capacity
In collaboration with the Government of Greenland and the Government of the Faroe Islands, the Government of Denmark and the parties to the 2024-2033 Defence Agreement have agreed on the Second Agreement on the Arctic and North Atlantic.This second agreement involves a range of defence acquisitions to further strengthen the operational effectiveness of the Danish Armed Forces in the region including two additional Arctic vessels…
China Rams Filipino Vessel in South China Sea
The Philippines and China accused each other on Sunday of responsibility for a maritime confrontation near disputed islands in the South China Sea, further escalating tensions in the resource-rich waterway.The Philippine Maritime Council, an inter-agency government body, blamed Chinese maritime forces for deploying water cannon and ramming a Filipino vessel near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island…
USTR and China Yet to Discuss New Export Controls by Phone
Trade Representative Jamison Greer said on Sunday that the U.S. reached out to China for a phone call following an announcement that it was expanding its rare earths export controls but Beijing deferred, while China accused the U.S. of what it called "double standards.""I can tell you that we were not notified, and quickly, as soon as we found out from public sources, we reached out to the Chinese to have a phone call…
US Threatens States that Back IMO Net-Zero Framework
The United States on Friday threatened to use visa restrictions and sanctions to retaliate against nations that vote in favor of a plan put forward by a United Nations agency to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from ocean shipping.U.N. member nations are scheduled to vote next week on the International Maritime Organization's Net-Zero Framework proposal to reduce global carbon dioxide gas emissions from the international shipping sector…
Propane’s Economic Edge for Ports During Trade Uncertainty
Click HERE to sign up for the October 16, 2025 webinar Power & Performance at the Port: See How Propane Moves Maritime Operations ForwardTrade has been a rollercoaster recently. Between the unpredictability of tariffs and uncertain economic outlooks, ports have faced big swings in trade volume as well as pressure to do more with less. Operational efficiency and cost control are critical, which is why propane continues to emerge as a cost-effective…
US Sanctions on Iranian Oil Target Sinopec
The latest U.S. sanctions on Iranian petroleum exports deal a blow to Chinese refining giant Sinopec by targeting a terminal through which the state major handles one-fifth of its crude oil imports, industry executives and analysts said.The sanctions announced on Thursday further complicate U.S.-China relations, coming ahead of planned talks between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping later this…
China Counters With Additional Port Fees for US Ships
Vessels owned or operated by U.S. firms and individuals, or those built in the United States or that fly the U.S. flag, will be charged additional port fees per voyage starting on Tuesday, China's transport ministry said.The fees are a countermeasure against upcoming U.S. port fees on Chinese ships, the ministry said on Friday.Also starting on October 14, ships built in China - or operated or owned by Chinese entities - will need to pay a fee at their first port of call in the United States.
Allianz Commercial Appoints Peter Toole as New Head of Marine in Canada
Global insurer Allianz Commercial announced that Peter Toole has been appointed Head of Marine for Canada effective September 29, 2025. Based in Toronto, Toole will report to Keith Scranton, Regional Head of Inland Marine, North America.With a 19-year career in the insurance industry, Toole has held senior underwriting and brokerage roles, specializing in construction insurance. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Construction at FCA Insurance Brokers…
HGK Shipping Names Third Tanker for Inland Shipping
HGK Shipping celebrated the naming ceremony for the gas tanker, “GAS 96”, in Rotterdam on October 9, 2025. This is the third gas tanker that combines optimization for operations in shallow waters with a diesel-electric “future-fuel-ready” drive system for Europe’s largest inland waterway shipping company.The “GAS 96” will operate on the Rhine routes between Rotterdam, Antwerp and Cologne with immediate effect and transport gases that have been liquefied under pressure for the chemicals group…
Sanmar Celebrates Delivery of First Tug to Ultratug
Sanmar Shipyards celebrated the delivery of the RAmparts 2400SX-MKII design tug UT PATZCUARO to Americas operator Ultratug at a ceremony held at its Altinova Shipyard on October 6, 2025, following the completion of closing in Tuzla earlier the same day. The delivery marks the first tugboat built by Sanmar for Ultratug.The ceremony was attended by Cem Seven, Chairman, Ali Gürün, Vice Chairman & CEO, with members of Sanmar’s management and employees.
China Strikes Back: Additional Port Fees for US Ships from Mid-October
Vessels owned or operated by U.S. firms and individuals - or those built in the United States or that fly the U.S. flag - will be charged additional port fees per voyage starting on October 14, China's transport ministry said.The fees are a counter-measure against upcoming U.S. port fees on Chinese ships, the ministry said on Friday.Also starting on October 14, ships built in China - or operated or…
Tanker Delivers Arctic LNG 2 Cargo to Chinese Port
A tanker carrying liquefied natural gas from Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project has discharged it at a Chinese port, according to data from analytics firms Kpler and Vortexa, continuing supplies despite Western sanctions against the project.The La Perouse tanker berthed at the Beihai LNG Terminal in China's southwestern region of Guangxi on October 9, after picking up a cargo from Arctic LNG 2 in late August.It left Beihai terminal on October 10.
