Vesselindex Report Shows Fewer Listed Dry Bulk Owners Beat Market in 2025
Vesselindex has released its annual Performance Report, providing an independent assessment of how listed dry bulk companies perform relative to peers and the broader market in terms of Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) earnings.The report covers 19 publicly listed companies representing approximately 825 vessels across more than 150 vessel designs. It is based on a normalized benchmarking framework that…
SeaBot Maritime MASS Remote Operator Training Course Recognized by Maritime and Coastguard Agency
SeaBot Maritime has had its MASS Remote Operator Training Course assessed and recognized against the latest MGN 703 guidance set out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), following a formal assessment carried out during course delivery at the University of Plymouth's Marine Station. This recognition applies specifically to the Plymouth course, delivered in partnership with the University of Plymouth.SeaBot Maritime first received MCA voluntary recognition for the course in 2022…
H&K Services B.V. Acquired by Svanehoj
The marine pump specialist, Svanehoj, has further expanded its marine service and aftersales business in the Benelux region by acquiring H&K Services B.V., a Dutch company specializing in the service and repair of marine fuel and cargo gas pumps. H&K Services will operate under the Svanehoj EPS name from its current location in Stellendam, Netherlands, close to Svanehoj’s regional service site in Oud Gastel.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Completes ‘In-Orbit’ AI Ship Detection Trial
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has completed an in-orbit demonstration of its AI-based object detection system AIRIS, which identified ships from satellite imagery using a next-generation space-grade microprocessor unit.The AIRIS system, short for Artificial Intelligence Retraining In Space, combines an AI-equipped data processor with an earth observation camera developed by the Tokyo University of Science.MHI said the system operates onboard a satellite using the SOISOC4 space-grade MPU…
Vicinay Marine, Tecnalia Develop Remote Offshore Mooring Corrosion Sensor
Vicinay Marine and Spanish applied research center Tecnalia have jointly developed a sensor designed to remotely monitor corrosion on offshore mooring lines, aiming to improve the safety, reliability and service life of offshore systems.The companies said the sensor uses electrical resistance measurements to quantify section loss in mooring components in real time, model degradation trends and predict…
Berg Propulsion to Supply Systems for India’s Green Tug Pair
Berg Propulsion has secured a contract to supply propulsion systems and electrical integration technology for two all-electric harbor tugs being built under India’s Green Tug Transition Program.The vessels are under construction by Mumbai-based KMEW Group on behalf of India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and are expected to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory…
Fugro Gets Survey Job on Scottish Offshore Wind Farm
Fugro has been awarded a major geotechnical survey contract by SSE for the Berwick Bank B offshore wind development in the North Sea off Scotland.Berwick Bank B forms part of the wider 4.1 GW Berwick Bank offshore wind project, which is being developed in three phases and could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm if completed at full scale.The Dutch geodata specialist said the contract covers…
Shell Selects New Wave Offshore for Orca Project in Santos Basin
New Wave Offshore Energy has been selected by Shell to provide marine warranty survey services for the Orca project in Brazil’s pre-salt Santos Basin.The contract covers marine warranty and assurance services for the offshore development, which is estimated to contain recoverable resources of about 370 million barrels.New Wave Offshore’s scope includes vessel surveys, engineering review and oversight…
UK Deploys Warship to Middle East
Britain said on Saturday it was deploying its warship HMS Dragon to the Middle East in preparation for a potential multinational effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.HMS Dragon, an air defence destroyer, was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in March, shortly after the start of the Iran war, to help defend Cyprus.Its relocation to the Middle East follows a move by France to deploy its carrier strike group to the southern Red Sea…
Chouest Group Orders Robotic Welder
HD Hyundai Robotics USA has secured an order for its robotic welding solution, ArcLift GO, from Chouest Group Shipyards. Under this contract, robotic welding systems will be supplied to three Chouest Group shipyards in North America, including Louisiana, and one shipyard in Brazil.Recently, the shortage of skilled welders in the U.S. shipbuilding industry has evolved beyond a temporary labor issue into a structural challenge that constrains overall productivity and competitiveness.
Ferry Engine Failure Raises Concern About Emergency Response Capabilities
New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has issued its report on the blackout and loss of propulsion on Interislander ferry Kaitaki. A degraded rubber expansion joint in the engine cooling system failed and triggered an automatic shutdown. The part had exceeded its service life. TAIC found six safety issues, including: lifetime management of safety-critical components; engineering decision support…
Two Tankers Exit Strait of Hormuz
Two more tankers laden with crude exited the Strait of Hormuz last week with trackers switched off to avoid Iranian attacks, Kpler shipping data showed, underscoring a rising trend to sustain Middle East oil exports.The very large crude carrier (VLCC) Basrah Energy loaded 2 million barrels of Upper Zakum crude from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co's (ADNOC's) Zirku terminal on May 1 and exited the Strait of Hormuz on May 6…
Fuel for Thought: How Three Fifty Markets Secured Its Maritime Lien
In February 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a major decision that caught the attention of shipowners, bunker suppliers, charterers, and maritime lawyers around the world. The case – Three Fifty Markets, Ltd. v. M/V ARGOS M, et al. – is a masterclass in how maritime liens, bunker supply chains, and “no lien” clauses collide in modern shipping commerce, often in disputes where fuel is delivered…
Tech Focus: Thrusters Aid the Advance of Autonomous Nav Systems
![Photo of MT Andaman, [IMO number 9807968] a 30m Indian Navy tug. Converted in 2024 for full uncrewed, remote piloting operation approved by the Indian Register of Shipping.
Image courtesy MDL.](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w100h1500/photo-of-mt-andaman-imo-170467.jpg)
The demand for “thrusters” on recreational and commercial vessels has increased rapidly in recent years, providing vessels with enhanced capabilities.Increasing a vessel’s manoeuvrability, making its steering more precise, to accurately control course and position offers greater versatility. New markets are opening to take advantage of new horizons with commercial opportunities.Thruster operation may be manual by the helmsman or part of a Propulsion Management System (PMS).
Rescued by the Welder’s Whip and Anchored by the Painter’s Spray Gun
As a vessel construction manager with extended building experience in both the U.S. and South Korea, more than several opportunities have landed on our desks as Private Equity and Venture Capital analyze tanker tonnage and construction in the domestic trades. With the understanding these requests are based upon the current Persian Gulf and Venezuela issues driving that market we should also pay attention…
American Waterways, Global Volatility: Making the Right Policy Choices
Today’s headlines bring constant news of international shipping hubs across the global supply chain experiencing major volatility and disruption – from Iran sending shockwaves through global energy markets by forcefully obstructing vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz; to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen signaling intent to restart attacks on shipping in the Red Sea; to China detaining Panama-flagged vessels in an escalation of ongoing disputes over the Panama Canal…
We Work the Waterways Provides Workforce Development Efforts to Maritime Consortium
We Work the Waterways (WWW) is serving as a workforce development and engagement partner in the launch of the Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium, a multi-state collaboration focused on strengthening the inland maritimeworkforce pipeline across America’s river system.Bringing together ports, industry leaders, and an initial network of higher education institutions…
US Representative Salud Carbajal Recognized by International Propeller Club
This week, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) was recognized by the International Propeller Club and received the Frank Courtenay “Salute to Congress” Award for championing legislation to support the American maritime industry. The Salute to Congress Award recognizes members of the U.S. Congress for their leadership and support of the American maritime industry.“I am honored to receive this recognition from the International Propeller Club…
Oil Prices Rise As US-Iran Fighting Continues
Brent crude futures jumped as much as 3% on Friday, a day after the U.S. and Iran traded air strikes, with traders fretting over the future of the cease-fire and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures was at $101.47 a barrel, up $1.41 or 1.41% by 10:51 CDT (1551 GMT), after rising as much as 3% earlier in the session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures was at $95.71 a barrel, up 90 cents…
Suspected Oil Spill Visible on Satellite Images Near Kharg Island Export Hub
A suspected oil spill covering dozens of square kilometres of sea near Iran's main oil hub of Kharg Island has been seen on satellite imagery this week.The likely spill - appearing on images as a grey and white slick - covered waters to the west of the 8-kilometre (5-mile) long island, pictures from Copernicus’s Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellites showed on May 6-8.“The slick appears visually consistent with oil…
