Red Sea Tensions Reshape Alliances, US to Lift Eritrea Sanctions
The United States is set to remove sanctions against Eritrea, according to an internal U.S. government document seen by Reuters, a decision analysts linked to the African state's strategic location on the Red Sea shipping route.The U.S. move is aimed at improving ties with Eritrea, which has a long Red Sea coastline opposite Saudi Arabia, while also sending a message to neighbouring Ethiopia not to go to war with its longtime Horn of Africa foe…
US Claims Iran Ceasefire, UAE Under Attack
The United Arab Emirates said it was under attack from Iranian missiles and drones on Tuesday, even as Washington said a shaky ceasefire was intact despite an exchange of fire the previous day as U.S. forces attempted to force open the Strait of Hormuz.The U.S. military said it had destroyed six Iranian small boats, as well as cruise missiles and drones, after President Donald Trump sent the navy to escort stranded tankers through the strait in a campaign he called "Project Freedom".U.S.
US, Bahrain Support UN-Backed Resolution for Strait of Hormuz
U.N. Security Council members will begin talks on Tuesday on a U.S.- and Bahrain‑backed draft resolution that could lead to sanctions against Iran, and potentially authorise force, if Tehran fails to halt attacks and threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, three Western diplomats said.Fresh exchanges of fire on Monday underscored the stakes as the U.S. and Iran struggle for control of the narrow waterway…
Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Likely From Human to Human Transmission
The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that it suspects some rare human to human transmission of the deadly hantavirus took place between very close contacts on board a luxury cruise ship hit by seven confirmed or suspected cases.Human to human transmission is not common, and the U.N. health agency reiterated that the risk to the wider public was low from a disease typically spread from contact with infected rodents.A Dutch couple and a German national have died…
MARTAC T38 USV Completes 8-Day Autonomous Mission Offshore
Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC) announced that its T38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel (USV) has completed a record-setting 8-day, completely autonomous mission off the coast of California, demonstrating a level of endurance, reliability and operational control not previously achieved in its class.The USV, owned and operated by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s (NAWCWD) Point Mugu Sea Range through its Future Capabilities Office’s Blue Water Instrumentation (BWI)…
Henriksen Launches New Slipway LARS System
A newly designed automatic launch and recovery system for small boats and unmanned surface drones (USVs), has been developed by Henriksen AS of Norway and will be presented for the first time at Seawork (Stand F34) in Southampton, June 9-11.The new system enables the automated launch and recovery of craft from the stern ramp of a mother vessel. The Henriksen slipway system now makes it possible for…
Wärtsilä Launches Grease Trap Series for Onboard Wastewater Management
Wärtsilä Water & Waste, part of technology group Wärtsilä, has introduced a flexible and modular grease trap product line designed to separate fats, oils and grease from galley wastewater streams onboard merchant vessels, cruise ships and offshore platforms. The solution supports improved wastewater management while contributing to protection of the marine environment by capturing fats, oils, and grease…
Tug Network Team Hires Former Sulnorte CEO as Executive Director
Tug Network Team has appointed Felipe Gouvêa as executive director as the towage alliance moves to strengthen coordination and expand its international operations.The alliance, launched in the Americas in 2024 and recently expanded into Europe, connects operators across 113 ports in 13 countries with a combined fleet of more than 200 tugs.Gouvêa previously served as chief executive of Brazilian towage operator Sulnorte and has held senior roles across shipping…
DFDS Buys Ro-Pax Ferry Stena Vinga from Stena Line
DFDS has agreed to acquire the Ro-Pax ferry Stena Vinga from Swedish operator Stena Line, strengthening its fleet and supporting services linking Jersey with the U.K. and France.The vessel is currently chartered by DFDS and has been operating on its Jersey routes since March 2025, carrying both freight and passengers.The 125-meter vessel, built in 2005, can carry up to 400 passengers, 200 cars and has freight capacity of 1,500 lane metres.
Reach Subsea Closing In On Multi-Year IMR Services Deal
Norwegian subsea services firm Reach Subsea has received a letter of intent for a multi-year contract covering inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) and light construction services in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.Aside from the letter of intent, covering a 2+1-year IMR and light construction services, Reach Subsea has also entered into a separate letter of intent with Solstad Maritime for the…
AGR Adds Offshore Vessel to Boost North Sea Ops
Multidisciplinary consultancy AGR has entered into a partnership agreement to onboard the offshore support vessel Aquaman II, expanding its capacity for subsea operations, plug and abandonment (P&A) and decommissioning work in the North Sea.The vessel, owned by Star Matrix and to be operated by AGR, will be configured as a light construction anchor handling tug supply vessel to support subsea and offshore…
DOF Secures APAC Subsea Services Job for Skandi Inventor Vessel
Norwegian offshore vessel owner and subsea services provider DOF Group said it has secured a contract for subsea commissioning support services in the Asia-Pacific region, with offshore operations planned in North Australian waters.The company said its vessel Skandi Inventor will be deployed for the campaign, which is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027 and is expected to last between 120 and 180 days.The scope of work includes project management…
Brent Near $114 as Middle East Conflict Continues
Brent crude futures retreated on Tuesday but held near $114 a barrel following fresh hostilities in the Middle East, while investors monitored developments in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.The U.S. and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf on Monday as they wrestled for control over the Strait of Hormuz with duelling maritime blockades, shaking a fragile truce.Brent crude futures LCOc1 eased 93 cents, or 0.8%, to $113.51 per barrel at 0719 GMT after settling up 5.8% on Monday. U.S.
USACE Introduces System for Assessing Pre-Construction Notifications
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has launched a new module on its Regulatory Request System (RRS) that will allow users to self-verify that a pre-construction notification is not required for a proposed activity covered under a nationwide permit.Certain activities are authorized by nationwide permits if the project proponent’s proposed activities comply with all the terms and conditions of those nationwide permits and the activity can commence without notification to USACE district offices.
Tidewater Reports Revenue Decline in First Quarter
Tidewater Inc. has announced a revenue drop for the three months ended March 31 of $326.2 million compared with $333.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025.Tidewater's net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026, was $6.1 million ($0.12 per common share), compared with net income of $42.7 million ($0.83 per common share) for the three months ended March 31, 2025.Quintin Kneen…
California Probes Trump Administration Deal to Cancel Offshore Wind Lease
California energy officials on Monday opened an investigation into the Trump administration's agreement with an offshore wind company to cancel a planned project off the state's central coast.The state said it was seeking information about the $120 million government payout to determine whether it violated the law.The refunds of offshore lease payments, in exchange for fossil fuel investments, are…
Project Freedom Gets Off to a Troubled Start
The U.S. military said on Monday it destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones as Tehran sought to thwart a new U.S. naval effort to open shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.U.S. President Donald Trump launched the operation, called Project Freedom, on Monday as he sought to wrest control of the critical waterway from Iran, which effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel started the conflict on February 28.U.S.
Former MARAD Deputy Administrator Sang Yi Appointed AAPA President, CEO
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Sang Yi as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 4.Most recently, Yi served as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), where he oversaw key programs supporting the nation’s commercial and strategic maritime infrastructure. Before his appointment to MARAD, Yi served in the U.S.
Fratelli Cosulich Launches Newest Methanol Vessel
Two months after the launch of the first vessel in this new series, Lucia Cosulich took to the water on May 2, 2026, marking another step forward in Fratelli Cosulich’s Marine Energy Unit commitment to alternative marine fuels and sustainable bunkering solutions.Held at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard (China), the ceremony brought together the project team, partners and stakeholders to witness the vessel’s transition from construction to reality.Ms. Lucia Cosulich served as the vessel’s Godmother.
Evacuations Planned for Cruise Passengers Infected with Hantavirus
Medics were working on Monday to evacuate two people with symptoms of the deadly hantavirus after a suspected outbreak on a luxury cruise ship held off West Africa carrying mostly British, American and Spanish passengers, officials said.Around 150 people were still stuck on the vessel after three people - a Dutch couple and a German national - died, and others fell ill, including a Briton who left the vessel and was being treated in South Africa…
