Post-War Gulf Faces Push for Alternative Export Routes
Middle East oil producers face a reckoning. The Iran war exposed the dangers of relying on a single chokepoint for vital oil and gas exports, leaving Gulf governments with a clear strategic imperative: diversify – at all costs.An Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz had long been viewed as a “Doomsday” event that would never happen. Experts assumed it would require a massive military effort and…
Oil Drops to 3-Month Low as US-Iran Deal Signals Supply Return
Oil prices fell by more than $2 per barrel on Thursday after the U.S. and Iran signed an interim agreement that would end the Iran war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and waive U.S. sanctions on Tehran's oil, boosting the oil supply outlook.Brent crude futures LCOc1 were down $2.14, or 2.69%, at $77.41 a barrel as of 0616 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate CLc1 fell $2.36, or 3.07%, to $74.43 a barrel.Brent sank to its lowest since March 2, which was the first day of trading after the U.S.
Korean Partners to Develop Robotic “Total Hull Care Solution”
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and five other HD Hyundai affiliates are embarking on the development of a robot and data-based integrated hull management solution that automates the entire process—from hull diagnosis to cleaning and performance verification—for the first time in the shipbuilding industry.HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint development and…
Chinese Licensees Expand J-ENG Engine Manufacturing Capacity
Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) engine licensees in China, Guangzhou Diesel Engine Factory (GDF) and Zhejiang Yungpu Diesel Engine (YDE), are expanding their UE engine manufacturing capacity in response to the strong engine demand in China's rapidly growing shipbuilding market.GDF has completed its new Guangzhou factory (Guangdong Province, China) which has been fully operational since October 2025.
Charities and Celebrities Urge End to Live Animal Exports
More than 130 charities, experts and celebrities including Brian Cox CBE, Alan Cumming OBE, Zoë Wanamaker CBE, and Joanna Lumley DBE, are calling for a ban on live exports.Led by Compassion in World Farming, the global partners from 33 countries including Eurogroup for Animals, Four Paws, Animals International, and World Animal Protection have written to the intergovernmental body for animal health and welfare…
NYK Vessels Chartered for Low-Carbon Ammonia Transport from Louisiana
NYK Bulkship (Asia), a Singapore-based company of the NYK Group, has concluded a time-charter contract with JERA for two very large gas carriers (VLGCs).The two VLGCs are expected to transport low‑carbon ammonia produced in Louisiana to JERA’s Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Japan. At the power station, commercial operation of large-scale ammonia substitution combustion with 20% heat value ratio is…
Improvised Lifting Operations Led to Serious Injury
The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its findings into the serious injury that occurred on the bulk carrier, Thor Nitnirund, in the Cook Strait on March 20, 2025.The Commission’s report highlights the need for effective safety management systems, proper planning of lifting operations, and vigilance around high-risk areas during deck work.In March 2025, the bulk carrier was drifting in Cook Strait while waiting for a berth in Wellington.
Protecting Crew Lives Launches Resource Platform for Superyacht Crews
A new independent platform has launched that arms superyacht crew with the knowledge, resources and voice that maritime law already entitles them to but that the industry has consistently failed to deliver, says Protecting Crew Lives (PCL).The platform is a centralised, independent resource hub and a place where crew can access plain-language guidance on their rights, understand what safe and compliant looks like…
Intellian Celebrates Opening of New California Manufacturing Campus
Intellian Technologies, a provider of satellite communication antennas and ground gateway solutions, announced the opening of its new manufacturing facility in California. Marking the company’s first large-scale international manufacturing campus, this facility is now fully operational to meet the surging global demand for ground infrastructure driven by the rapid expansion of Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) satellite networks.The new 75…
Iran Gears Up to Boost Oil Exports
While U.S. President Donald Trump has recently hailed the resumption of oil flows from Gulf allies, Iran, too, appears to be gearing up to resume exports and trading.At least three tankers carrying some five million barrels of Iranian oil have sailed through the U.S. naval blockade this week, shipping data shows, despite the U.S. military saying its operations against Iran-linked shipping will stay…
Trump, Modi Discuss Seafarer Safety in Gulf Region
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had held a "very good" conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 summit in France and that their two countries were working on trade deals.Trump called Modi a "tough negotiator," and told reporters that he would be going to India "sometime in the future".India has been pressing the United States for months for a Trump trip,…
Echandia to Supply Battery System for Incat Tasmania Hybrid Ferry
Echandia will supply the battery system Echandia Core for a new 78-meter hybrid catamaran being built by Incat Tasmania, Australia. The order marks Echandia’s first delivery to Incat, one of the world’s leading builders of high-speed aluminum ferries.The vessel has been designed and built to ensure maximum deployment flexibility whilst significantly reducing OPEX, allowing operators to transition away from fossil fuels in the most practical and cost-effective way.
SMM, MS&D, ALL ABOUT PORTS Experts Discuss Key Challenges Facing Maritime Industry
Geopolitical uncertainty, decarbonization, digitalization and new energy efficiency requirements are fundamentally reshaping the maritime industry. At the joint press conference for SMM 2026, MS&D Conference & Expo and ALL ABOUT PORTS, representatives from industry, shipping the port sector and maritime organizations discussed the key challenges and opportunities facing the future of the industry.
Furetank VINGA Series Tanker to be Named
VINGA vessel naming ceremony and 40 years of design collaborationcutFOLDER-VINGA-serien-webb.pdf [Full background and tech spec - MR DEC 2026cutVinga VesselA newly built tanker in Furetank's VINGA series will be named at the Port of Uddevalla on 28 August. The vessel was designed by Furetank and FKAB Marine Design, the cumulative of 40 years of vessel design collaboration."We know operations and FKAB knows shipbuilding.
RINA Gets Safety Assessment Role on Indonesia's H2WATT Hydrogen Hub
Italian engineering, certification and consulting company RINA has secured a contract to provide safety assessment services for Indonesia's Green Hydrogen Hub Project H2WATT, a key initiative being developed by PLN Puslitbang, the research and development arm of state-owned utility PT PLN.The H2WATT project is aimed at supporting Indonesia's energy transition through the development of an integrated…
IEA Expects Gradual Hormuz Recovery, Oversupplied Market in 2027
The world oil market will recover gradually from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz before tipping into a significant surplus in 2027, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly oil market report on Wednesday.The U.S. and Iran reached an agreement to end the three-month-old war, which includes Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. lifting its naval blockade, potentially bringing…
Iranian Oil Tankers Resume Shipments After US-Iran Deal
At least three tankers carrying Iranian oil have sailed through the U.S. naval blockade this week, with a fourth, an empty vessel, heading towards the Gulf of Oman, after the U.S. and Iran agreed a framework deal to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed.The shipments indicate a gradual resumption of Iranian oil exports that are expected to add to global supplies although demand from China…
LH2 Shipping Orders Two More Liquid Hydrogen-Powered Bulk Carriers
LH2 Shipping has been awarded Enova support of NOK 344,3 million for the development and construction of two additional liquid hydrogen-powered bulk carriers.With the latest award, LH2 Shipping is now involved in the development of six hydrogen-powered bulk carrier projects. The announcement builds on previous Enova-supported vessel initiatives and reflects growing momentum for liquid hydrogen as a…
ABS and Partners to Develop Conditional Unmanned Bridge
ABS, Polaris Shipping, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and autonomous navigation solutions provider AVIKUS have signed a four-party Concept Study Agreement for the implementation of a Conditional Unmanned Bridge.Under the agreement, the parties will jointly develop an autonomous navigation concept enabling unmanned bridge operation during deep-sea voyages, when defined conditions are met, on one…
Northern Grain Belt Ports Initiative Established
A group of US regional partners have come together to form the Northern Grain Belt Ports Initiative.The Initiative, several years in the making, is an offshoot of the regional Corn Belt Ports Initiative, which works primarily with rural, regional inland ports to promote competitiveness, sustainability, resiliency, and integrity of inland regional port systems.The group consists of the Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners (Port of La Crosse)…
