Saronic Picks Texas for New $3B Shipyard
Saronic has selected Brownsville, Texas, as the site for Port Alpha, a next-generation shipyard the company plans to build to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity.The company said it plans to invest more than $3 billion in the facility, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and operations scheduled to start in 2028.Initially spanning 835 acres at the Port of Brownsville, the site could eventually expand to nearly 4,400 acres. The shipyard will be capable of building vessels up to 850 feet long…
Cadeler Welcomes Wind Ace WTIV to its Fleet
Cadeler has taken delivery of Wind Ace, its 11th offshore wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) and the second of three A-class newbuilds.Built over the past two years at the COSCO Shipping Offshore shipyard in Qidong, China, the vessel was delivered on schedule and within budget, according to Cadeler.Following mobilization, Wind Ace will prepare for deployment on ScottishPower Renewables' 960 MW East Anglia TWO offshore wind farm in the UK, where Cadeler will transport and…
Taihan Takes Delivery of Second Cable Laying Vessel
Taihan Cable & Solution has taken delivery of its second cable laying vessel (CLV) Skandi Connector, strengthening its offshore wind and subsea power cable installation capabilities.Skandi Connector CLV, delivered by DOF Group, joins Taihan’s existing offshore wind-dedicated cable-laying vessel PALOS, creating what the company described as a dual-track installation system for offshore wind, HVDC transmission and long-distance power interconnection projects.The 10,000-ton-class CLV can load up to 7…
US-Iran Attacks Escalation Chokes Hormuz Shipping
Just three commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, the fewest daily transits since May, shipping data showed, with most ships halting or making U-turns after recent Iranian attacks on vessels and the resumption of a U.S. blockade on Iran-related shipping.The re-escalation in fighting between the U.S. and Iran has once again largely stopped traffic through Hormuz, the world's most important shipping route for oil and gas, driving up global energy prices.Miraan…
ABB to Buy Rotork in $5.5B Automation Deal
ABB has agreed to acquire UK-based intelligent flow control solutions provider Rotork in a recommended all-cash deal valuing the company at about $5.5 billion, expanding its automation portfolio and strengthening its position in industrial automation.ABB said Rotork's flow control and instrumentation portfolio complements its existing automation business and will strengthen its position at the field-device layer by adding intelligent field devices and software used to monitor…
Hormuz Crossings Decline as US Renews Iran Blockade
Fewer vessels travelled through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the first day after the U.S. reimposed its naval blockade on Iranian ports with both countries escalating strikes across the Gulf, shipping data showed.Nine vessels crossed the strait on Wednesday, mostly on the Iranian route, down from 13 the previous day, Kpler data showed.There were no Very Large Crude Carrier or liquefied natural gas tankers visibly passing through the strait on Wednesday.U.S. Central Command…
Wärtsilä Secures FSRU Service Agreement with Pardus Energy
Wärtsilä has signed a five-year lifecycle agreement with Ireland-based Pardus Energy to support the operation of the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) TURQUOISE P.The agreement includes contract management, maintenance planning and spare parts support for the vessel. Wärtsilä said the order was booked in the second quarter of 2026.The TURQUOISE P, commissioned in 2019, operates as a stationary FSRU at the ETKI LNG terminal in Aliaga, Türkiye, and is equipped with Wärtsilä systems.Under the agreement…
SMD, Prysmian Advance Power Cable Installation with New Plough
SMD has delivered the first of two heavy-duty power cable ploughs to Prysmian for deployment on the company's new-generation cable laying vessels (CLVs).The second system is scheduled for delivery later this year. The ploughs will be mobilized on Prysmian Alessandro Volta and Prysmian Mona Lisa CLVs.The systems are designed to bury conventional multi-core power cables, bundled two-pole power cables and quad bundles at depths of up to five metres below the mean seabed level.SMD…
SMD, Prysmian Advance Power Cable Installation with New Plough
SMD has delivered the first of two heavy-duty power cable ploughs to Prysmian for deployment on the company's new-generation cable laying vessels (CLVs).The second system is scheduled for delivery later this year. The ploughs will be mobilized on Prysmian Alessandro Volta and Prysmian Mona Lisa CLVs.The systems are designed to bury conventional multi-core power cables, bundled two-pole power cables and quad bundles at depths of up to five metres below the mean seabed level.SMD said the ploughs combine Prysmian's experience in submarine power cable design and offshore installation with SMD's cable handling and plough design capabilities.“We are proud to have delivered this innovative plough to our partner Prysmian.
Windcat, Ørsted Extend CTV Partnership
Windcat has secured long-term contracts with Ørsted to provide crew transfer vessel (CTV) services supporting the offshore wind developer's operations from Grimsby in northeast England.The agreements, which began in June, have a firm term of five years with options for extension.Under the contracts, Windcat will continue supplying seven crew transfer vessels that support Ørsted's Generation UK Hub, which operates and maintains six offshore wind farms from Grimsby's Royal Docks.The vessels were already operating on Ørsted's UK offshore wind projects under previous agreements.
Ukrainian Drones Hit 20 Russian Vessels in Black Sea
Ukrainian drones struck 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea overnight, including 17 oil tankers, the commander of Kyiv's drone forces said on Wednesday.On Telegram, Robert Brovdi said the targets included two gas tankers and a tugboat.(Reuters - Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
Oil Rises 2% as Middle East Hostilities Escalate
Oil extended gains by around 2% on Wednesday as President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to close "all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies".Brent futures LCOc1 climbed $1.71, or 2%, to $86.44 a barrel at 0806 GMT. West Texas Intermediate futures CLc1 gained $1.43, or 1.8%, to $80.77 a barrel.Oil prices settled up 2% at a one-month high on Tuesday as attacks exacerbated a supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz…
Iran Warns More Seaways Could Close as US Reimposes Naval Blockade
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to close "all other export corridors that benefit the U.S. and its allies", Iranian media reported, after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. reimposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports."Regional energy exports are either shared by all, or denied to all," the IRGC said in a statement carried by Iran's IRNA state news agency on Wednesday.Analysts have said Iran has been signalling it may use its Houthi allies in Yemen to shut the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea…
KR, HD Hyundai Complete Korea's First Ammonia Vessel Trial
Korean Register (KR) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have completed a sea trial of South Korea's first ammonia dual-fuel propulsion vessel as part of a government-backed initiative to support the development of ammonia-fueled shipping.The trial was conducted under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' Green Shipping Corridor Construction Support Project, which aims to establish a domestic operating environment for ammonia-powered vessels.According to KR, the sea trial generated…
DOF Lands Four-Year AHTS Vessel Deal
Norwegian offshore services provider DOF has received a letter of award for a four-year offshore contract valued between $100 million and $200 million, adding another long-term assignment to its vessel fleet.The company will deploy the anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel Skandi Hera on the contract, with operations expected to begin between late 2026 and early 2027.In addition to vessel services, DOF will provide remotely operated vehicle (ROV) services under the agreement.The award remains subject to partner approval…
Gulf of America Logistics Names New CEO
Louisiana-based logistics company Gulf of America Logistics (GoAL) has appointed Mike Camara as chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately, while he continues to serve as the company's president.Camara assumed the role of President in February 2026 and has since overseen GoAL's operations across the energy, power, industrial and data center sectors.The leadership change comes as Louisiana continues to attract major industrial investment.According to Louisiana Economic Development…
Iranian Missiles Hit Two UAE Oil Tankers, One Person Dead
One Indian crew member was killed and eight others were wounded when two Emirati oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday, in the latest escalation in the strategic waterway.Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's shipping arm ADNOC L&S later confirmed the very large crude carriers (VLCCs) Mombasa B and Al Bahiyah were struck while transiting Hormuz and had sustained "significant damage".UAE state oil giant ADNOC has been among the most active participants in a U.S.
Voyage Optimization Pilot Cuts Sleipnir Vessel’s Atlantic Transit by 2.5 Days
Heerema Marine Contractors has reduced the North Atlantic transit time of its semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) Sleipnir by 2.5 days following a voyage optimization pilot with French ocean intelligence company Amphitrite.The data-driven pilot reduced the vessel's sailing distance by 240 nautical miles and lowered carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 18%, while maintaining higher average sailing speeds without increasing fuel consumption.The optimization program combined Heerema's offshore operational expertise with Amphitrite's vessel-specific voyage optimization platform…
James Fisher, Aquaterra Launch Global Decommissioning Partnership
James Fisher and Sons and Aquaterra Energy have formed a strategic global partnership to provide integrated offshore decommissioning services, combining front-end engineering, well access, subsea operations and offshore execution under a single delivery model.The collaboration is designed to streamline well abandonment and offshore infrastructure removal projects by reducing contractor interfaces and improving coordination from project planning through execution.Under the partnership…
Oil Jumps 3% on Renewed US-Iran Conflict
Oil prices surged more than 3% on Monday after renewed military strikes between the United States and Iran reignited concerns over energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up $2.67, or 3.51%, to $78.68 at 0743 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up $2.48, or 3.47%, to $73.89 a barrel."Shipping operators are adopting a cautious approach and inbound movements have slowed under heightening security concerns," ANZ analysts said.Fresh U.S. and Iranian strikes over the weekend fuelled fears of a renewed escalation. Tehran targeted U.S.
Hormuz Traffic Falls to Five-Week Low as Tensions Escalate
The number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell to multi-week lows on Sunday, shipping data showed, as renewed strikes between the U.S. and Iran and attacks on ships in the Middle East heightened safety concerns.Six vessels transited the strait on Sunday, ship-tracking data from Kpler showed, the lowest number in five weeks.Tankers that exited the strait included the Very Large Crude Carrier Humanity, laden with 2 million barrels of Iranian oil and another tanker, Capetan Andreas…
Saipem, Subsea 7 Undergo EU Antitrust Investigation
Italian energy contractor Saipem's merger with Norwegian peer Subsea 7 is set to face a full-scale EU antitrust investigation because of competition concerns about the deal, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.The companies announced the deal in February last year to create a leading global player in offshore energy services, from drilling and engineering to laying subsea infrastructure for offshore oil and gas projects. Both operate a fleet of vessels for these services.The…
ADNOC L&S Orders Four LNG Carriers, Takes Delivery of VLAC Newbuild
ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S) has ordered four new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard for about $900 million, expanding its LNG newbuild program to 18 vessels, while also taking delivery of the first of four very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) newbuilds.The four ships will each have a capacity of 175,000 cubic meters and are scheduled for delivery in 2029. They will be built at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.The agreement was signed during a visit to the shipyard by ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.
Fincantieri Partners with Croatian Shipyards for MRC Corvettes Program
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has signed two memoranda of understanding with Croatian shipbuilding companies Brodotrogir Cruise and Iskra Shipyard in support of its participation in Croatia’s naval acquisition program for two Multi Role Corvettes.The agreements provide a framework for exploring cooperation in the design, engineering and construction of naval vessels in support of Fincantieri’s proposal for the MRC corvette program promoted by Croatia’s Ministry of Defense.The…
Kongsberg Maritime, KOTUG Pen Extended Tug Thruster Deal
Kongsberg Maritime has signed an extended thruster coverage agreement with KOTUG International to provide long-term propulsion service support for five newbuild azimuth stern drive tugs being deployed for offshore terminal operations in West Africa.The five vessels share a common configuration and will be treated as a single fleet under the agreement. Each tug is equipped with two Kongsberg Maritime US255 fixed pitch thrusters.The agreement will establish a structured lifecycle support framework based on an original equipment manufacturer-defined preventive maintenance plan…
Marco Polo, Siemens Gamesa Ink Two-CSOV Framework Agreement
Singapore-listed marine logistics company Marco Polo Marine's offshore wind division, PKR Offshore, has signed a framework agreement with Siemens Gamesa for the deployment and charter of two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) for offshore wind projects in Asia.Under the non-exclusive agreement, PKR Offshore will provide two upcoming CSOVs to support Siemens Gamesa across multiple offshore wind projects in Taiwan. The companies will also work together on deploying…
LNG Tankers Resume Hormuz Crossings Amid Tensions
More liquefied natural gas tankers have resumed transiting the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, ship-tracking data showed, and 22 Japan-linked vessels have left the Gulf since Tuesday, Tokyo said, despite renewed fighting in the Middle East.The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and LNG shipments, has been closely watched by shipping companies and governments following Iranian attacks this week on commercial vessels and U.S.
Saitec Tests Nature Inclusive Design Installations at Floating Wind Platform
Saitec Offshore Technologies, through DemoSATH Lab, is using its operating floating wind demonstrator as a real-scale testing ground to study environmental interactions, improve monitoring methods, and explore solutions that support coexistence with marine biodiversity.Following the successful deployment of biomimetic reef solutions on the submerged section of the platform, the company is now testing new methods to co-locate floating wind and aquaculture.The recent offshore operation marks a new step in DemoSATH Lab's biodiversity program and forms part of the AQUASATH Project…
Saitec Tests Nature Inclusive Design Installations at Floating Wind Platform
Saitec Offshore Technologies, through DemoSATH Lab, is using its operating floating wind demonstrator as a real-scale testing ground to study environmental interactions, improve monitoring methods, and explore solutions that support coexistence with marine biodiversity.Following the successful deployment of biomimetic reef solutions on the submerged section of the platform, the company is now testing new methods to co-locate floating wind and aquaculture.The recent offshore operation marks a new step in DemoSATH Lab's biodiversity program and forms part of the AQUASATH Project, with the installation of several complementary systems designed…
US Moves Forward with Delfin LNG Deepwater Port License
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) has decided to move forward with issuing a deepwater port license to Delfin LNG after a federal appeals court denied review of a legal challenge by environmental groups.The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit denied the review, allowing MARAD to continue work toward issuing the license for the Delfin LNG deepwater port.Delfin FLNG 1 is planned as the first offshore LNG export project in the United States…
TotalEnergies Ships First ECA LNG Cargo from Mexico to Asia
TotalEnergies has shipped the first cargo produced by the ECA LNG Phase 1 export terminal on Mexico's Pacific coast to Asia as the facility undergoes commissioning.The company holds a 16.6% stake in the project alongside operator Sempra Infrastructure and will offtake 1.7 million tonnes per annum of LNG for 20 years from the start of commercial operations.TotalEnergies will be the sole LNG offtaker during the project's ramp-up phase.ECA LNG Phase 1, located in Baja California…
Hormuz Standoff Risks Chronic Instability for Gulf Oil Flows
The possible collapse of U.S.-Iran peace talks and the stop-start flow of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz are a nightmare scenario for Gulf nations desperate to return to normal after a bruising multi-month conflict.What was meant to mark the start of a fragile recovery following the June 17 memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington is instead evolving into a period of chronic instability, with each new incident reinforcing doubts over the security of one of the world's most important energy arteries.U.S.
Projectile-Hit Qatari LNG Tanker Awaits Rescue Off Oman
A Qatari LNG tanker remained stranded off Oman on Wednesday after a projectile strike sparked a fire in its engine room, though industry sources said the vessel's cargo appeared secure and the risk of an explosion was low for now.The attacks on the tankers prompted Washington to revoke a licence allowing Iran to sell oil and U.S. forces to strike Iranian targets overnight. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was "over", comments that triggered a 5% jump in global oil prices.The U.S.
From Fixtures to Values: Where the Jackup Recovery Is Already Being Priced
Premium jackup dayrates have improved from 2025 lows and are now holding within a higher range, but pricing remains uneven across fixtures and geographies. That is important, but dayrates are only the starting point. On their own, they say very little about how much of that recovery is already priced into company valuations.© EsgianEsgian rig values suggest that the market has already started to move. Average premium jackup values declined through 2025, stabilised toward the end of the year, and have recovered gradually into 2026. The path is visible, but the move remains measured.
Island Oil Expands Fleet with Two Tankers
Island Oil has acquired two oil tankers, Island Polaris and Island Horizon, expanding its owned fleet and marine logistics capacity.The acquisitions form part of the company's long-term investment strategy to strengthen logistics capabilities and support demand for marine fuel transportation across the Mediterranean and Black Sea.The two vessels are double-hull tankers and will increase Island Oil's transportation capacity while supporting service reliability across its network…
Vessel Attacks Force Hormuz Tanker U-Turns
At least four oil and gas tankers have turned back from attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, ship-tracking data showed, as renewed attacks on vessels in the critical waterway heightened safety and security concerns.The diversions come after a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker and a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker were damaged near the strait on Tuesday following reports that Iran fired missiles at ships in the waterway, prompting maritime authorities to raise the threat risk for transiting vessels to "severe."The LNG tankers Al Ghariya…
Oil Surges 3% on Renewed US-Iran Strikes
Oil prices gained more than 3% on Wednesday after Iran and the U.S. military traded airstrikes and Washington reimposed crude sales sanctions on Tehran, raising fears their fragile truce was unravelling and Middle East supplies could be disrupted again.Brent crude futures LCOc1 gained $2.40, or 3.2%, at $76.56 a barrel at 0645 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 climbed $2.26, or 3.2%, to $72.70 a barrel.Both benchmarks rose about 3% on Tuesday after the U.S. revoked…
DOF Group Wins Contract Award in APAC Region
DOF Group ASA announced a large contract award for Subsea Construction and Pre Commissioning Support services in the APAC Region.Skandi Inventor will be deployed for the execution of the offshore operations scheduled to commence in Q4 2026 in North Australian waters.The scope of work includes DOF’s in-house project management and engineering, procurement and logistics support services. The duration of the offshore campaign is estimated to be between 160 and 250 days.
ADNOC, XRG and Mitsui Broaden Energy Cooperation
ADNOC and XRG have signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Mitsui to explore opportunities across liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, sulfur, shipping and chemicals, as well as international energy investments through XRG.The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in areas including crude oil market development and long-term supply, LNG sales and optimization, sulfur procurement and logistics, and shipping solutions for LNG, ammonia, sulfur and other commodities.Through XRG…
Solstad’s Normand Vision CSV Secures Work Through 2028
Solstad Maritime has secured a one-year contract extension for the construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Vision with Ocean Installer, keeping the vessel in operation under the agreement through the end of 2028.The extension will begin in direct continuation of the current agreement.The deal also includes two additional annual options covering 2029 and 2030, as well as a mechanism for a further extension until 2031.Normand Vision is a multi-purpose CSV designed and built for subsea structures, umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) installation.
Oil Climbs on US-Iran Deal Uncertainty
Oil rose on Tuesday as traders' nervousness about a lack of progress on peace talks between the United States and Iran offset any price impact of a slight recovery in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures LCOc1 gained $1.02, or 1.42%, to $73.01 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rose 93 cents, or 1.36%, to $69.48 a barrel as of 0748 GMT."The deal is by no means signed yet, so something can still go wrong and any comments from either side…
Commercial Ships Hit in Hormuz Missile Attacks
Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials.Two commercial ships suffered significant damage but had no casualties, the report said, citing a U.S. official.Separately, Britain's maritime security agency said a tanker caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile east of Oman's Limah early on Tuesday.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations…
Fincantieri Strikes Four Deals in $687M Underwater Expansion
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has agreed to acquire majority stakes in four companies for an initial expenditure of about $687 million (€600 million), expanding its capabilities in marine drones, subsea services and underwater communications across commercial and defense markets.The agreements cover acquisitions of majority stakes in Next Geosolutions, WSense, Graal Tech, and Defcomm, which will be integrated into Fincantieri’s Underwater technological hub.Next Geosolutions…
Bernhard Schulte Takes Delivery of Final CSOV in New Fleet Series
Bernhard Schulte Offshore (BSO) has taken delivery of Windea Clarke, the fourth and final commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) in its latest newbuild series, with the vessel set to enter a seasonal charter on a UK North Sea offshore wind project.The vessel was christened on June 30 at Ulstein Verft in Norway and completes a series of four new CSOVs integrated into BSO’s offshore fleet since mid-2025.With the latest delivery, BSO’s offshore fleet comprises seven vessels.Like its sister vessels…
South Korea’s Largest Cable Layer Starts Taking Shape in Türkiye
LS Marine Solution, a subsidiary of LS Cable & System, has started construction of a next-generation cable laying vessel (CLV) designed for long-distance high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and large-scale offshore wind grid projects.A steel-cutting ceremony for the new CLV was held at Tersan Shipyard in Türkiye, with delivery scheduled for the first half of 2028.The vessel will have a cable loading capacity of 13,000 tons and is set to become South Korea’s largest cable layer.Its capacity will allow long-distance cables to be installed in a single voyage…
Iran-Qatar Maritime Trade Resumes After Five-Month Halt
Maritime trade between Iran and Qatar has resumed after a roughly five-month suspension, Iran’s commercial attaché in Doha told state media on Sunday.An interim deal between Tehran and Washington signed last month announced the end of hostilities after a four-month conflict and mandated a return to pre-war maritime traffic in the Gulf, although transit in and out of the Gulf remains contested.Abbas Abdolkhani said shipping between Iran’s Dayyer port and Qatar’s Al Ruwais port…
Ten Japan-Linked Vessels Exit Hormuz After Iran War Disruption
A fleet of 10 Japan-linked vessels was exiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday while a supertanker carrying Saudi crude for South Korea left over the weekend, shipping data on LSEG showed, after the ships were stranded in the Gulf for months because of the Iran war.The Japan-linked ships include six very large crude carriers loaded with 12 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude, two chemical tankers, a vehicle carrier and a container ship, the data showed. The tankers are carrying crudes from Saudi Arabia…
Australia Deepens Review of Subsea7-Saipem Merger
Australia's competition regulator said on Friday the proposed merger of energy contractors Subsea7 and Saipem would face a second-phase review over concerns it could reduce competition in key offshore oil and gas services.Here are a few details:The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the deal could lessen competition in the supply of certain subsea infrastructure used to connect underwater wells and production systems to surface facilities.The regulator described the services as critical to Australia's offshore oil and gas sector.The decision came a little over a week af
Ukrainian Drone Attack Hits St Petersburg Oil Terminal
Russia's second city of St Petersburg and the surrounding region came under a major Ukrainian drone attack overnight on Saturday, with a local port and oil infrastructure hit, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said, as Kyiv's drone strikes continue to deepen fuel shortages in Russia.St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said the city of 6 million had been subjected to a "large-scale" drone attack, with the city's oil terminal struck. He said there were no casualties and that the aftermath of the attack had been dealt with.Alexander Drozdenko…
Alternative-Fuel Vessel Orders Slow Down in First Half of 2026, DNV Finds
Orders for alternative-fueled vessels totaled 137 in the first half of 2026, down from 155 in the same period a year earlier, according to figures from DNV's Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform.DNV’s AFI has recorded 15 new orders for alternative-fueled vessels in June 2026.This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fueled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June…
ADNOC’s XRG Expands Stake in Rio Grande LNG Project in Texas
ADNOC’s XRG has completed the acquisition of an additional equity interest in Trains 4 and 5 of the Rio Grande LNG project in Texas, increasing its participation across all five trains currently under construction at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility.The transaction increases XRG's overall participation in the NextDecade-operated project through the acquisition of an additional 7.6% equity interest in Trains 4 and 5 from an acquisition vehicle of Global Infrastructure Partners…
Boskalis, Van Oord to Expand Swedish Port with $570M Dredging Job
Boskalis and Van Oord have been awarded a dredging contract worth approximately $570 million (€500 million) for the expansion of the Port of Luleå in Sweden.The contract was awarded by the Swedish Maritime Administration and the Port of Luleå and will be executed by a joint venture between the two companies, with the contract value split equally.Under the contract, the joint venture will deepen the port's fairway and harbor basin to accommodate vessels with a draft of up to 14.7 meters and a cargo capacity of up to 85…
Kongsberg Secures Critical Infrastructure Protection Deal
Kongsberg has signed a contract with an unnamed international customer to deliver technologies for the protection of critical infrastructure.The project will focus primarily on underwater surveillance and protection, according to Kongsberg, which did not disclose the value of the contract.Critical infrastructure includes oil and gas installations, telecommunication cables, energy grids, ports and transportation networks.“Preventing and detecting threats and attacks are essential to protect people and critical infrastructure.
Sydney Expands Ferry Fleet with Two Newbuilds
Sydney has completed the rollout of its new Parramatta River Class ferry fleet, with the delivery of the final two vessels enabling the addition of 136 weekly services on the city's Parramatta River route.The final vessels, Norman Selfe and Jack Mundey, were designed by Incat Crowther and built by Richardson Devine Marine in Tasmania for Transport for New South Wales. The seven-vessel fleet carries up to 200 passengers per vessel and primarily serves the route between Parramatta and Circular Quay.According to Transport for NSW…
ABS Backs bound4blue Methodology for Wind Propulsion Compliance
Classification society ABS has reviewed bound4blue's methodology for calculating Pwind values used to quantify the contribution of the company's eSAIL suction sails toward compliance with maritime emissions regulations.The review covered the company's methodology for producing aerodynamic force matrices used in Pwind calculations for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and FuelEU Maritime compliance.bound4blue said the methodology combines computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling…
MODEC Advances Construction of Brazil-Bound Gato do Mato FPSO
MODEC has completed the forward hull section of floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel Gato do Mato, marking a key construction milestone for the Brazil-bound offshore production unit.The forward hull section, built at Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering's Yokosuka shipyard in Japan, has departed for China, where it will be integrated with the aft hull section before the vessel moves to the next stage of construction.The project is the first to use…
DEME Expands Fleet with Next-Gen Hopper Dredger Order
Belgian marine contractor DEME has ordered a next-generation trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) as part of a fleet expansion aimed at improving efficiency in dredging, land reclamation and offshore seabed preparation.The new vessel will have a hopper capacity of 22,000 cubic meters and is designed to reduce greenhouse gas intensity and lower dredging costs compared with existing vessels in the same segment, the company said.The dredger will feature an advanced propulsion system, a hydrodynamically optimized hull, improved dredging technology and a high level of automation.
Oil Hits Four-Month Low After US-Iran Doha Talks
Oil prices fell for a third consecutive day on Thursday as concerns over supply disruptions eased after Qatar said Iran and the U.S. had made progress in talks over the Strait of Hormuz.Brent futures LCOc1 were 66 cents or 0.92% lower at $70.91 a barrel at 0758 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 fell 59 cents or 0.86% to $67.99 a barrel, their lowest level since February 27.The talks made "positive progress" on matters related to the memorandum that halted the war in June…
Castor Maritime Buys Second Kamsarmax Bulker, Takes Delivery of Two Vessels
Castor Maritime has acquired a 2024-built Kamsarmax bulk carrier for $41.9 million and completed the delivery of a second vessel, expanding its fleet to 11 ships.The company said it acquired the M/V Magic Saturn from an unaffiliated third party through a wholly owned subsidiary and took delivery of the vessel on June 29.On June 29, Castor also took delivery of the M/V Magic Jupiter, a 2023-built modern eco Kamsarmax bulk carrier, following an acquisition agreement announced on June 22.Both vessel acquisitions were funded with cash on hand…
A.P. Moller Holding to Acquire Ocean Yield from KKR
A.P. Moller Holding has agreed to acquire 100% of Oslo-based ship leasing company Ocean Yield from funds managed by investment firm KKR, expanding its maritime portfolio.Ocean Yield has interests in more than 70 vessels across several shipping segments, including gas carriers, LNG carriers, container ships, crude, product and chemical tankers, and dry bulk carriers.Under KKR's ownership since 2021, Ocean Yield has invested more than $3 billion to expand its portfolio, diversify its investment-grade customer base and nearly double its long-term contracted backlog to more than $5 billion…
German Prosecutors Charge Ukrainian in Nord Stream Blasts Case
German federal prosecutors said on Thursday that a Ukrainian national tied to the Nord Stream pipeline blasts has been charged with being an accomplice to a war crime, disruption of public services, causing an explosion and destroying structures.Serhii K, as the suspect is known under German privacy rules, is suspected of acting on behalf of Ukrainian government entities, along with other military personnel, to destroy the pipelines in 2022.The aim was to permanently halt gas deliveries…
Svanehoj Lands First LNG Carrier-to-FSU Conversion Job
Danish marine equipment supplier Svanehoj has secured its first contract to supply LNG tank gauging systems for the conversion of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier into a floating storage unit (FSU).The company will deliver four LNG density and temperature (LTD) gauging systems to Drydocks World Dubai for the conversion of the LNG carrier LNG Bayelsa into the FSU Cap Lopez.The conversion is being carried out for Dixstone Lower Gulf FZCO as part of a floating LNG development aimed at expanding Gabon's offshore gas infrastructure.
DOF Bags TotalEnergies Contract for FSO Replacement Project
DOF Group has secured a contract from TotalEnergies to provide subsea construction and mooring services for the floating storage and offloading (FSO) Unity Replacement Project.The contract covers engineering, transportation and installation of mooring systems, as well as subsea construction work, including the disconnection of the existing floating storage and offloading (FSO) unit and the connection of its replacement.Project management and engineering activities will begin immediately from DOF's offices in Aberdeen…
Nord Gas to Supply LNG Regasification System for Exmar FSRU Conversion
Nord Gas Solutions has secured a contract to supply an LNG regasification system for Belgium-based Exmar as part of the conversion of a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) that will support the expansion of the EemsEnergyTerminal in Eemshaven, the Netherlands.The order, booked in the second quarter of 2026, covers the delivery of a regasification system module that will be installed on the converted FSRU to boost LNG import capacity at the Dutch terminal.Exmar said the project forms part of efforts to strengthen Europe's energy security, with the new regasification system playing a key
MacGregor Expands Offshore Crane Modernization Backlog
MacGregor has secured a series of offshore load handling modernization and upgrade contracts during the first half of 2026, strengthening its position in the offshore services market.The contracts, booked in the company's first- and second-quarter 2026 order intake, cover engineering, upgrades and modernization projects aimed at improving the performance and extending the operational life of offshore cranes and other load handling equipment.Among the projects is the complete replacement of crane control systems with MacGregor's latest technology…
Container Ship Runs Aground Outside Iran-Approved Hormuz Route
Iran's state media said on Wednesday a foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after entering shallow waters outside the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities.State media reiterated the Revolutionary Guards' warning that vessels should transit only through the corridor south of Iran's Larak island, which Tehran says is the sole approved entry and exit route for ships passing through the strait.(Reuters - Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Alex Richardson)
MOL, IBM Japan Launch AI Platform for Vessel Operations
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and IBM Japan have jointly developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform designed to support decision-making in vessel operations by integrating operational, weather and geopolitical information.The platform, which went live on July 1, is centered on MOL's Safety Operation Supporting Center (SOSC), which monitors and supports the safe operation of MOL-affiliated vessels worldwide.The companies said the platform consolidates weather and sea condition data…
Aker Solutions Secures Offshore Wind HVDC Substructure Contract
Aker Solutions has been awarded a substantial contract to deliver a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) substructure for a European offshore wind project by an undisclosed customer.The company's scope of work includes engineering, procurement and construction.Aker Solutions said it will book the award as order intake in the second quarter of 2026 in its Renewables and Field Development segment.The company defines a substantial contract as having a value of between $250 million (NOK 2.5 billion) and $400 million (NOK 4.0 billion).The customer and the offshore wind project were not disclosed.
Veson Nautical Launches AI-Powered Platform for Maritime Trade
Maritime software provider Veson Nautical has launched the Veson Platform, a unified platform that combines its IMOS operating system, CoCaptain artificial intelligence tools, communication capabilities and new data products under a single interface.The company said the new platform integrates IMOS, CoCaptain, Mail, Vessel Insights and Bunker Insights to provide maritime companies with workflows, collaboration tools and data on one platform.For more than 20 years, IMOS has served as an operating system for commercial maritime trade…
Asyad, CMA CGM Partner on $400M Logistics Terminal in Oman
Oman's Asyad Group and France's CMA CGM Group have signed a framework agreement to develop, manage and operate a multipurpose logistics terminal in Sohar, establishing a strategic partnership aimed at boosting maritime connectivity and opening new regional trade corridors.The agreement, signed during the official visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to France, provides the framework for the development of a new $400 million multipurpose logistics terminal in Sohar.The companies said the project would enhance integrated logistics services and supply chain solutions…
Shell Forecasts 65% Surge in Global LNG Demand by 2050
Global liquefied natural gas demand is expected to rise by around 65% by 2050, driven largely by Asia as countries seek lower-emission alternatives to coal and data centres boost power demand, Shell said in an annual report on Tuesday.Global demand is likely to reach nearly 700 million metric tons a year by that date, the world's largest trader of the superchilled fuel said in its 2026 LNG Outlook.LNG trade, which reached 422 million tons in 2025, had been set to increase in 2026, it added.
ABS Helps Blaze a Digitization Path, Reshaping Offshore Energy
The offshore energy industry is in the midst of a new investment cycle, driven by major developments in South America, renewed demand for energy security and an increasing reliance on digital technologies to improve asset performance. For Matt Tremblay, Senior Vice President, Global Offshore at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the opportunities are significant — but so are the challenges.Speaking with Offshore Engineer in Houston, Tremblay described an industry that is “very busy…
Eldorado-Vantage Merger Signals Continued Offshore Drilling Consolidation
On 29 May 2026, Vantage Drilling International and Eldorado Drilling signed a merger agreement under which Eldorado will acquire Vantage, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. As part of the transaction, Vantage shareholders will receive $19 per share in cash, valuing the company at approximately $257.6 million. The combined entity will continue to operate under the name Vantage Drilling International.Post-transaction, the company’s fleet will comprise four drillships - including…
Duke Energy to Terminate NC Offshore Wind Lease
Duke Energy will terminate its offshore wind lease in the Carolina Long Bay area under a settlement agreement with the U.S. Interior Department and reinvest nearly $129 million in additional power generation capacity in the Carolinas, the department said on Monday.(Reuters)
DOF Extends Charter for MPSV in Australia for One More Year
Norwegian offshore vessel owner DOF has secured a one-year contract extension for its multi-purpose supply vessel (MPSV) Skandi Darwin in Australia.The company said the vessel's current client exercised an extension option that will keep the 2012-built vessel working in Australia until the third quarter of 2027.DOF did not disclose the name of the client or financial terms of the extension.Skandi Darwin is of the MT 6015 MPSV design and is equipped with a multi-application cargo system, with tank capacities dependent on configuration and the products carried.
TGS Gets Exclusive Rights for Seismic Survey Offshore Brunei
TGS has secured exclusive rights from the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam to undertake a multi-client 3D seismic survey offshore Brunei.The contract covers the acquisition, processing and marketing of new 3D seismic data under a multi-client model.TGS said the project would allow it to seek industry prefunding to deliver new seismic data aimed at improving understanding of reservoir potential, de-risking exploration leads and supporting investment decisions ahead of future…
Dutch Firm Secures $465M Funding for Mexico-Bound FSO
SBM Offshore has secured project financing worth $465 million for the Chalchi floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel, being built for Woodside Energy's Trion project offshore Mexico.The financing has been provided by a consortium of international banks and institutional investors and includes partial insurance cover from China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation.SBM Offshore said the financing would be drawn during the construction period and would become non-recourse after the vessel starts operations.
Norwegian Oil Service Lockout Hits Offshore Drilling Activity
Around 1,000 Norwegian oil service workers were locked out on Saturday morning in an escalation of a labour dispute that is expected to disrupt drilling and some production on the Norwegian continental shelf.The lockout was declared in response to an ongoing strike by several hundred members of the Safe union and will affect companies including SLB, Halliburton, Subsea 7, DOF Subsea, Weatherford, DeepOcean and Baker Hughes, an industry group Offshore Norway said on Friday.The country's oil and gas output could fall by about 12…
Hormuz Reopening Risks Turning Oil Shortage Into Glut
Crude prices may be back near levels seen before the Iran war, but the surge in oil exports from the Middle East following the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is creating a chaotic market that could take months to settle.The steep slide in Brent crude LCOc1 back to pre-war levels of around $73 a barrel following the U.S.-Iran interim deal might, at first glance, suggest business as usual has returned to the world’s most important oil and gas hub. The narrow waterway, which once carried about a fifth of global oil and gas…
Oil Holds Steady After US, Iran Agree to Cease Attacks
Oil prices steadied on Monday as Iran and the United States agreed to halt recent hostilities in the Gulf and Middle East producers pushed ahead with loading oil and liquefied natural gas despite fresh ship attacks.The two countries also agreed to renew talks over the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes of saving an interim peace deal that had been threatened by days of tit-for-tat strikes.Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 4 cents at $72.03 a barrel by 0803 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 gained 44 cents, or 0.6%, to $69.67."There's still plenty of risk facing the oil market.
Aker Solutions Inks 'Sizeable' Service Agreement
Aker Solutions signed a 'sizeable. ($50m to $150m by the company's definition) five-year agreement with Cenovus Energy Inc. for engineering and maintenance services on White Rose field assets.The White Rose field is located approximately 350 km east of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, on the eastern edge of the Jeanne d’Arc Basin.The scope includes comprehensive engineering, maintenance, and operations support for the new West White Rose platform as well as the SeaRose Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
As Strait of Hormuz Opens, Oil Falls
Crude prices plunged by more than 3% on Friday, on course for steep weekly losses, on easing supply concerns as more stranded oil tankers exited the Strait of Hormuz, even though a cargo vessel was hit near Oman on Thursday.Brent crude futures fell $2.61, or 3.47%, to $72.65 a barrel by 1037 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate lost $2.46, or 3.42%, to $69.46.The Brent benchmark was heading for a weekly decline of about 9.8% while WTI was trading around 9.3% lower than its close last Thursday before the market closed for a public holiday last Friday."The predominant view…
SolarDuck, MARIN Awarded $3.6m to Advance Offshore Floating Power Hub
Offshore floating solar company SolarDuck and the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) have been awarded a USD$3.64 million (€3.2 million) subsidy from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) for the Steady Seas research program. The project will advance the foundational design of SolarDuck's Offshore Floating Power & Utility Hub (OFPH), a single-platform offshore solar solution developed to provide reliable power, communications and other utilities to remote offshore and subsea assets.As offshore energy activity moves further from shore…
Floating Nuclear: A New Offshore Energy Frontier
For decades, floating nuclear power occupied a niche position in the energy debate – technically feasible, strategically intriguing, but commercially marginal. Today, however, combined pressures of decarbonization, energy security, land constraints, rising electricity demand and water scarcity are making floating nuclear power a more serious proposition for policymakers, utilities, and infrastructureFloating Nuclear offers a potential source of reliable, low-carbon electricity and heat (and…
Markets: Oil Majors Reload Exploration Hoppers Across Sub-Saharan Africa
Faced with declining production post-2030, across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the Majors have started the process of reloading exploration hoppers. Targeting predominantly deep and ultra-deep waters, they have signed numerous agreements aimed at unlocking acreage and discovering the next Namibia or Guyana. But while there have been agreements for acreage that were offered as part of traditional licensing rounds – such as the award to TotalEnergies of PPLs 2000 and 2001 in Nigeria in September 2025 – there has been an increasing trend to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)…
Markets: Middle East OSV Market at a Crossroads After Gulf Conflict
After several years of strong activity, the Middle East offshore market has become more volatile, with geopolitical tensions disrupting day-to-day operations. Following US and Israeli military action and subsequent Iranian attacks on neighbouring Gulf states, operators introduced precautionary measures, including temporary rig suspensions and down-manning in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.This triggered a sharp short-term slowdown from late February into March.The April ceasefire allowed offshore activity to recover gradually…
SeaBird Explorer Secures West Africa Job for Fulmar Explorer Vessel
SeaBird Exploration, a wholly owned subsidiary of SED Energy Holdings, has secured a contract for ocean bottom node (OBN) source work in West Africa.The company said the Fulmar Explorer vessel will be deployed for the campaign, which has a total duration of about three months, including mobilization and demobilization.Mobilization is expected to begin after the vessel completes its five-year classing, which is currently scheduled for August 2026."We are pleased to secure additional work for Fulmar Explorer, further strengthening our backlog.
MPCC Buys Four Container Ships, Secures $375M Financing
MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has agreed to acquire four eco-conventional container vessels for a total of $340 million, each backed by a three-year fixed-rate time charter with a top-five liner company, as it advances its fleet modernization program.The vessels, built in 2023 and 2024 and each with a capacity of 7,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), are expected to be delivered in October and November 2026, subject to inspection and customary closing conditions.The fixed-rate…
UN-Led Hormuz Evacuation Scheme Moves 57 Ships Through Strait
Some 57 ships carrying an estimated 1,100 seafarers have transited the Strait of Hormuz since June 23 under a United Nations evacuation plan launched this week, data from the U.N.'s shipping agency showed on Thursday.These are the first numbers to be released by the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization for the initiative, which will enable hundreds of ships with some 11,000 seafarers to leave the strait.According to current IMO data, 12 ships sailed through during the morning of June 25, 32 during June 24 and 13 during June 23.(Reuters - Reporting by Jonathan Saul, Editing by Louise Heav
Wintermar Takes Full Control of Fast Offshore Supply
Indonesian offshore vessel operator PT Wintermar Offshore Marine (WINS) has acquired the remaining stakes in Singapore-based Fast Offshore Supply (FOS) and its subsidiary PT Fast Offshore Indonesia (FOI), gaining full control of both companies and expanding into the building and operation of aluminium crew transfer vessels (CTVs).WINS acquired the remaining 52.5% shareholding in FOS and the remaining 49% stake in FOI, which it previously owned jointly with FOS.FOS won an international…
DeepOcean Installs Inter-Array Cables at Germany's Nordseecluster A
Ocean services provider DeepOcean has completed the installation and testing of all inter-array cables at the Nordseecluster A offshore wind farm in Germany.DeepOcean's contract included project management and engineering, the provision of cable protection systems, offshore preparatory works, pre-installation cable route surveys, transport and installation of inter-array cables, cable pull-in and cable burial activities.Cable-laying operations began in January 2026, with a total of 48 inter-array cables installed between January and April.
MODEC to Supply Mooring System for Coral Norte FLNG off Mozambique
Japanese offshore services company MODEC has secured a contract to supply a SOFEC internal turret mooring system for the Coral Norte floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project offshore Mozambique, being developed by Eni and its partners.MODEC is collaborating with the Technip Energies-JGC joint venture on the project to support integration and execution of the mooring system.The Coral Norte project is being developed by Eni together with CNPC, ENH, XRG and KOGAS.The project…
Yinson Production Names FSO for Murphy's Lac Da Vang Project off Vietnam
Yinson Production has held a naming ceremony for the floating storage and offloading (FSO) unit PTSC Lac Da Vang ahead of the vessel's deployment to the Lac Da Vang oil project offshore Vietnam.The FSO vessel has been contracted to Murphy Cuu Long Bac Oil, a wholly owned subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corporation, to provide storage and offloading services for the Lac Da Vang field in Block 15-1/05 offshore Vietnam.The contract has a firm term of 10 years and includes an option to extend…
Oman Opens Alternative Hormuz Lanes as Shipping Recovery Continues
Oman said it would keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping without imposing any tolls and had designated two temporary routes north and south of the existing shipping lane to facilitate the safe passage of vessels departing the region.In coordination with the International Maritime Organization, Oman established temporary maritime corridors to help ships leave the area safely amid heightened security risks.The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the war…
Marlink Expands Partnership with Oldendorff through Starlink Deployment
Maritime connectivity provider Marlink has expanded its long-standing partnership with dry bulk shipping company Oldendorff Carriers by integrating Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity across the company's owned vessels.The agreement extends Marlink's connectivity services across more than 80 Oldendorff-owned ships, integrating Starlink LEO services with existing geostationary (GEO) VSAT and mobile satellite services (MSS) backup systems.Under the expanded arrangement, Marlink will provide a shared pool of monthly data capacity delivered over the Starlink network…
Saipem Mobilizes for GranMorgu Oil Development off Suriname
Italian energy services company Saipem has launched operations for the GranMorgu offshore project in Suriname with the arrival of the multi-purpose construction vessel Normand Navigator at the Jules Sedney Harbour commercial port in Paramaribo.The vessel is berthed and ready to begin preliminary activities for the project, which is located in Block 58 around 150 km offshore and is scheduled to start production in 2028.GranMorgu is operated by TotalEnergies, which holds a 40% interest…
ASCO Sets Up Shop in Qatar to Drive Middle East Expansion
Logistics and materials management company ASCO has opened its first office in the Middle East, establishing a presence in Qatar as it looks to expand its regional operations and support growing demand for logistics and environmental services.The new office in Doha will support ASCO's clients across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as the wider Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, bringing the company's services closer to customers in energy, port and marine markets.The Middle East business will be managed by Craig Revie…
ABL Expands Asset Integrity Services in Brazil
Energy and marine consultancy ABL has opened a new office in Salvador, Brazil, expanding its presence in the country and strengthening its asset integrity management offering for the oil and gas, maritime and industrial sectors.The new office will support asset integrity management projects in Brazil and across the wider Americas region, while also serving as a platform to expand ABL's broader portfolio of maritime, offshore, engineering and renewable energy services.The Salvador office will be headed by Mauricio Viana…
The Jones Act Waiver of 2026: Implications for American Shipping, Energy, and National Security
On March 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security took the extraordinary step of issuing a sweeping waiver of the Jones Act at the request of the U.S. Department of Defense. The waiver, one of the broadest in the history of the nation’s cabotage laws, opened U.S. domestic waterways to foreign-flagged and foreign-built vessels carrying hundreds of energy and agricultural commodity types. To understand why this matters and why it remains deeply controversial, an understanding of the underlying law is necessary.The Jones Act, named for its sponsor Senator Wesley L.
Petrobras Orders Four New Tankers in $427M Fleet Renewal Push
Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petrobras has signed a $427 million contract through its logistics subsidiary Petrobras Transporte (Transpetro) with the Rio Grande Shipyard for the construction of four medium range tankers as part of a broader program to renew and expand its shipping fleet.The four MR1-class vessels, each with a deadweight tonnage of 40,000 tonnes, will be used to transport crude oil and petroleum products along Brazil's coast, Petrobras said.The order forms part of the Mar Aberto (Open Sea) Program…
US Supplies Autonomous Drones to Boost Philippine Maritime Surveillance
The United States has transferred four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen the country's maritime domain awareness and its ability to monitor and respond to maritime challenges.The delivery, valued at approximately $13 million, was completed on June 22 during a turnover ceremony at the Philippine Navy's Naval Operating Base Subic, attended by U.S. and Philippine military officials.The Triton…
Oil Falls as Signs of Hormuz Recovery Weigh on Market
Oil prices fell more than 1% on Tuesday, extending losses from the previous session, on signs of some progress in restoring crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz following U.S.-Iran peace talks.Brent crude futures LCOc1 fell $1.09, or 1.4%, to $76.81 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate CLc1 declined to $72.99 a barrel, down 87 cents, or 1.2%, as of 0607 GMT.Prices fell more than 3% on Monday after the United States granted Iran a 60-day sanctions waiver following initial peace talks…
Tampnet Gets Connectivity Contracts for Two US Gulf Deepwater Projects
Tampnet, the world’s largest offshore high-speed, high-capacity communications provider, has been selected by an international energy major to deliver advanced connectivity solutions to two development projects in the US Gulf.The projects in Keathley Canyon in the Gulf of America have leveraged Tampnet's digital and engineering concept for high-capacity offshore connectivity which is set to enable remote collaboration and data-driven operations.Tampnet will provide subsea optical fiber and 5G connectivity to both assets…
Fortescue Charters Up to 12 Ammonia-Capable Bulkers from CMB.TECH
Australian mining company Fortescue has signed an agreement with Belgian shipping and cleantech group CMB.TECH to charter up to 12 ammonia-capable bulk carriers, stepping up efforts to decarbonize maritime transport and support the development of green ammonia as a marine fuel.Under the agreement, Fortescue will charter 12 Newcastlemax dry bulk vessels, each with a carrying capacity of 210,000 deadweight tonnes, from Bocimar, the dry bulk shipping arm of CMB.TECH.Up to three of the vessels will be delivered with dual-fuel ammonia engines and are expected to enter service by the end of 2026…
Qatari LNG Carriers Re-Enter Hormuz as Traffic Through Strait Slumps
Four liquefied natural gas tankers controlled by Qatar headed into the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, despite a fall in ship traffic after Iran announced that it had again closed the waterway over the weekend, shipping data showed.The tankers - Wadi Al Sail, Mekaines, Al Sadd and Mesaimeer - entered the strait via the Iranian route for the first time since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran started, shiptracking data from analytics firm Kpler showed.QatarEnergy, whose LNG exports have been heavily curbed since the war began on February 28…
Irish Consultancy Opens Its Doors for Offshore Wind, Subsea Markets
A new engineering design and commercial advisory company focused on offshore wind, subsea transmission and marine infrastructure projects has launched in Ireland under the name of Insight Marine, targeting growing demand for specialist support across the global maritime sector.Headquartered in County Wicklow, Insight Marine has been established to provide engineering design, technical advisory and commercial services to offshore wind developers, transmission system operators, port owners…
Oil Edges Higher as Uncertainty Clouds US-Iran Truce
Oil prices rose on Friday as the prospect of a lasting truce between the U.S. and Iran was clouded after peace talks in Switzerland were called off and as Israel stepped up attacks on Lebanon.By 0645 GMT, Brent crude futures LCOc1 gained 51 cents, or 0.64%, to $80.36 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rose $1.28, or 1.7%, to $77.88 a barrel, with the front-month July contract expiring on Monday. Both contracts were headed for a weekly loss of about 8%.The more actively traded WTI August contract CLc2 was up 59 cents at $76.44 a barrel.Switzerland said U.S.
CORE POWER to Assess Reactor Tech for Floating Nuclear Power Plants
CORE POWER has launched a feasibility study to evaluate the use of BWX Technologies' mPower small modular reactor (SMR) technology in floating nuclear power plants designed to be built in shipyards and deployed near energy demand centers.The study will assess technical, regulatory and commercial pathways for integrating BWXT's mPower reactor design into floating nuclear facilities, the company said on Tuesday.The mPower reactor was originally developed as a Generation III+ integral…
Venture Global, EnBW Ink New LNG Supply Deals
U.S. liquefied natural gas producer (LNG) Venture Global and German utility EnBW have signed new binding agreements for the supply of approximately 0.82 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG over a period of about five years beginning in 2026.The LNG will be supplied from Venture Global's portfolio and adds to the companies' existing long-term sales and purchase agreements covering 2 mtpa over 20 years.The new agreements strengthen Venture Global's position as a supplier of LNG to Germany and Europe…
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.
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 an end to the largest oil supply disruption in history which shut in over 14 million barrels per day of Middle East oil output…
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, its biggest buyer, has been lacklustre due to poor domestic margins.Very Large Crude Carriers Hero II and Diona…
ABL Group to Rebrand as Aqualis
Oslo-listed consultancy company ABL Group plans to change its name to Aqualis, seeking to eliminate confusion created by the use of ABL as both the name of the listed parent company and one of its operating businesses.The group provides marine, energy, engineering and technical consulting services to the renewables, maritime and oil and gas industries through a portfolio of specialist brands.Under the new structure, Aqualis will serve as the parent company, while the group's four operating brands will continue to operate independently.
Europe Needs 65-Ship CO2 Fleet by 2050 to Support CCS Growth, Xodus Finds
Europe will require a dedicated fleet of around 65 CO2 carriers and a network of 33 ports by 2050 to support the large-scale deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), according to a new study led by energy consultancy Xodus.The CCUS Enabling Infrastructure Study, prepared by Xodus on behalf of the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) and supported by EBN, the Port of Rotterdam, Gasunie and Offshore Energies UK, examined the infrastructure needed to transport captured…
Gulf Marine Services Restarts Ops of Evacuated Gulf Vessels
Gulf Marine Services (GMS) has retuned to service all four of its self-propelled, self-elevating support vessels that were temporarily evacuated from one Gulf country due to the prevailing geopolitical situation.The UAE-headquartered offshore support vessel operator said the fourth and final vessel has successfully resumed operations, restoring the affected fleet to full contracted utilization under its existing contracts.GMS maintained its adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026 in the range of $105 million to $115 million…