Energy Prices Jump After Iran Attacks Qatar LNG Plant
Energy prices surged on Thursday after Iran struck the world’s largest LNG complex, causing damage that Qatar said could take five years to repair, as the energy sector's worst fears about the war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Iran came true.QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi told Reuters the state-owned gas company may have to declare force majeure on long-term contracts to Italy, Belgium, South Korea…
US Considers Removing Sanctions on Iranian Oil in Stranded Tankers
The U.S. may soon remove sanctions from Iranian oil that is stranded on tankers to help lift global supplies and reduce prices, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday."In the coming days, we may unsanction the Iranian oil that's on the water. It's about 140 million barrels," Bessent told Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" program."So, depending on how you count it, that's 10 days to two weeks of supply…
European Nations, Japan Release Joint Statement on Safety of Strait of Hormuz
Leading European nations and Japan issued a joint statement on Thursday saying they were ready to join appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and would take steps to stabilise energy markets.This is the full text of the statement from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan:We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf…
China Calls for Gulf Conflict to End, Addressing Southeast Asia Energy Shortages
China called for an end to conflict in the Gulf and said the safety of waterways should not be disturbed on Thursday, adding that it was ready to work with Southeast Asia to address energy shortages as oil markets reel from supply shocks.While the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has allowed China to cast itself as the more reliable superpower, analysts say it is wary of global energy market uncertainty, not…
All American Marine Builds University of Texas Marine Science Institute Research Vessel
All American Marine (AAM) has begun construction on a next-gen 78’ x 26.7’ aluminum catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI). The vessel is being built on Teknicraft Design’s multi-purpose research platform and is designed to support scientific research, survey, and teaching missions throughout the Gulf of Mexico, including offshore operations up to 150 nautical miles from shore.Purpose-built for multi-mission flexibility…
Accelleron, HD HMS Conduct EPLO on Hapag-Lloyd Container Vessels
Accelleron and HD HMS (HD Hyundai Marine Solution) have conducted Engine Part Load Optimization (EPLO) projects on two vessels owned by leading container line Hapag-Lloyd. The 14,000TEU Basle Express and Essen Express had main engine tunings and turbocharger components modified for lower engine loads, with sea trials and subsequent operations showing fuel savings of more than 10g/kWh, equivalent to…
Alfa Laval Turns to Remote Augmented Reality Support to Boost Vessel Performance at Sea
Leveraging the advancements in connectivity and augmented reality (AR) technology, Alfa Laval is strengthening its remote service offering to help crews troubleshoot, maintain compliance and optimize equipment performance in real time directly from vessels at sea. Building on successful trials in partnership with shipowners and ship managers, the company is now developing scalable remote support solutions that give crews continuous access to expert assistance…
GT Wings Establishes Manufacturing Partnership with Zunsion Technology for AirWing Production
GT Wings has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zunsion Technology in China to establish a strategic manufacturing partnership for its AirWing Jet Sail wind propulsion system.The agreement creates a framework for industrial scale production of AirWing units in China, combining GT Wings’ wind propulsion technology expertise with Zunsion’s automation manufacturing capabilities.The MoU establishes…
Eastern Pacific Shipping, bound4blue Completes Second eSAIL Retrofit
bound4blue and Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) have completed the second installation of eSAILs in EPS’ fleet, fitting three 22-meter-high units on MR tanker Pacific Sunstone at New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu Province, China. The project marks EPS’ first newbuild installation following a successful retrofit project on Pacific Sentinel.With smaller footprints than other solutions, eSAILs generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of the same size.
Kongsberg Discovery, Fugro Reinforce Main Supplier Agreement
Kongsberg Discovery and Fugro have signed a new framework agreement that strengthens a decades-long technology partnership between the two companies. The contract, confirmed at Oceanology International in London, positions Kongsberg Discovery as a key supplier of advanced hydroacoustic and positioning technologies across Fugro’s global fleet, including the company’s expanding portfolio of uncrewed…
CK Hutchison Banks 7% Profit Rise
CK Hutchison posted a 7% rise in 2025 underlying profit on Thursday, as the market awaits updates on the company's proposed sale of its ports business and other spin-off plans.The Hong Kong ports-to-telecoms conglomerate reported underlying profit of HK$22.3 billion ($2.85 billion) on a post-IFRS 16 basis. That compared with an HK$22.9 billion LSEG SmartEstimate and the HK$20.8 billion booked a year earlier.Including a one-time non-cash accounting loss…
Echo Marine Group to Deliver Western Australia’s First Electric Ferry Fleet
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has signed a new contract with long-standing partner Echo Marine Group to support the delivery of Western Australia’s first fully electric passenger ferries - marking a major milestone for sustainable public transport in Australia.The project, which is a part of the Perth Transport Authority’s (PTA) METRONET Swan River Ferry Service Expansion programme, will see the design and construction of five new battery-electric ferries for operation on Perth’s Swan River.
Green Ammonia Shines When Regulation is Considered, says study
A new analysis from WinGD and Envision Energy suggests something the maritime industry has been debating for years ... and likely will be debating for many years to come: the changing economics of zero-emission fuels.For shipowners, the significance is straightforward. The conversation is shifting from if green fuels can compete to when — and in some cases, that answer may already be “now.”On a pure fuel-cost basis…
Seatrium Secures Royal Caribbean Repairs Deal
Seatrium has entered into a new agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, reinforcing a longstanding strategic partnership since 2012 with Seatrium’s Repairs & Upgrades business.Under the new agreement, Royal Caribbean Group is expected to dock a significant number of cruise vessels for statutory inspections, repairs and upgrades at Seatrium’s facilities over the next several years, providing sustained workload visibility for the Group’s Singapore yards.
Northwest Seaport Alliance Full Exports Up 2.2% YTD
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reports that February 2026 total container volume (international and domestic) reached 207,725 TEUs, down 19.4% compared to February 2025, when shippers were frontloading cargo ahead of expected tariffs.While full imports decreased 29.5%, full exports were up 4.9%. YTD volumes at 435,890 TEUs are down 16.6%, with full imports declining 22.6% and full exports increasing 2.2%.Alongside terminal operator partner SSA Terminals…
Macron Names New French Aircraft Carrier
France's new aircraft carrier will be named France Libre (Free France), President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday, as Paris advances its 10.2 billion euro ($12 billion) program to replace its ageing nuclear-powered flagship Charles de Gaulle.The warship is central to France's nuclear deterrent and Europe's bid for more defence autonomy, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump urged NATO allies…
Iran Fires Missiles at Qatar Energy Hub
Iran accused Israel of striking its facilities in the huge South Pars gas field on Wednesday in a major escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war that sent oil prices shooting higher, and retaliated by vowing attacks on oil and gas targets throughout the Gulf, firing missiles at Qatar and Saudi Arabia.Qatar's state oil giant QatarEnergy reported "extensive damage" after the Ras Laffan Industrial City, an energy-industry hub, was hit by Iranian missiles.
BOEM Identifies Potential Offshore Mineral Leasing Area
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has completed the Area Identification step in BOEM’s Outer Continental Shelf mineral leasing process for potential critical mineral development offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.Area Identification is the next step in BOEM’s regulatory framework and represents the identification of tracts to be carried forward for further leasing consideration and environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act.
USACE Seeks Comments on Potential Permit Changes
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced on March 16 that it is seeking input from all interested parties on ways to increase the efficiency of the nationwide permit program.Nationwide permits authorize activities that are similar in nature and cause no more than minimal adverse environmental impacts to jurisdictional aquatic resources separately or on a cumulative basis. Activities range…
Industry Bodies Raise Concerns about Jones Act Waiver
Major US maritime organizations have issued statements voicing their concern over the Trump Administration’s decision to issue a sweeping 60-day waiver of the Jones Act.Under the Jones Act, goods shipped between U.S. ports must be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged and mostly U.S.-owned. A coalition of U.S. maritime labor organizations, including the American Maritime Officers; American Radio Association…