Vard Delivers Hybrid Cable Layer to Toyo Construction
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has delivered a hybrid construction and cable laying vessel (CLV) to Japan's Toyo Construction, marking its first vessel delivery to the Japanese offshore wind market.The vessel was handed over at Vard Langsten in Norway on June 26. It is also the first vessel Toyo Construction has ordered from Vard.The CLV was outfitted, commissioned and delivered on time from Vard Langsten…
Facing China's Coast Guard, one Taiwan Officer Draws Strength from the Gods
When Yeh Chih-sheng steps aboard Taiwan Coast Guard vessel CG1005 in the choppy waters of the Taiwan Strait, he brings more than his uniform and orders: he also has temple charms blessed by the gods revered by fishermen for protection at sea.Yeh is first mate of the 2,400-ton ship based in Taiwan's Penghu islands, and part of Taipei's maritime frontline as China asserts its claim of sovereignty over the democratically governed island.Off duty…
Despite Vessel Attacks, Oil, LNG Loadings Proceeds in Middle East
Middle East producers are pushing ahead with loading oil and liquefied natural gas despite fresh ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and renewed strikes between the U.S. and Iran in recent days, shipping data showed.Energy shipping in the strait slowed after attacks on a container ship on Thursday and an oil tanker on Saturday sparked fresh tit-for-tat strikes, straining Washington and Iran's interim peace deal.But on Sunday, a U.S.
COSCO inks MOU for Coatings for 125 Bulk Carriers
Jotun COSCO Marine Coatings signs agreement covering 125 newbuilding vessels with COSCO SHIPPINGJotun COSCO Marine Coatings (JCMC) participated in the Global Partners Conference held by COSCO SHIPPING (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. and COSCO Shipping (Hainan) Co., Ltd. in Boao, Hainan on June 26, bringing together industry partners to exchange insights on sustainable shipping and hull performance.
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…
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.
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.
Bordelon Marine to Provide Commercial Support Vessel for the US Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract to Bordelon Marine to provide a commercial support vessel that will transport supplies, equipment and personnel to Coast Guard cutters operating in the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and other maritime areas in the Western Hemisphere.The contract supports the Coast Guard’s Homeland Security Cutter-Ocean (HSC-Ocean) initiative, a new effort to strengthen fleet…
TDI-Brooks Completes Offshore Seismic, Geochemical Surveys
TDI-Brooks has successfully completed a 2D high-resolution shallow hazard seismic survey offshore Trinidad & Tobago. The acquired and processed lines support de-risking efforts for a planned offshore cluster installation, as well as the subsequent drilling of wells from this structure. Through the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of the 2D high-resolution seismic data, the identified areas of interest have been effectively evaluated and risk-reduced.
BIMCO, ICS Report Warns of Possible Shortage of STCW Certified Officers
The Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 from BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) launched on Thursday forecasts that given the growing demand for STCW certified officers, there will be a need for an additional 113,735 officers by 2030 to operate the world merchant fleet. The report estimates that 2.57 million seafarers currently serve the fleet, operating 85,148 merchant ships around the globe.
Chick Sexing, Wire Rope and AI
Chick sexing is a core concept for an experienced engineer. Fortunately, maritime engineers do not have to perform chick sexing, but the concept is extremely important and ties into engineering intuition and experience.We all know engineers and mechanics who have an amazing ability to diagnose certain problems that completely elude solution by the rest of the community.It is often called intuition…
Iran Reasserts Right to Control Hormuz Shipping After Vessel Attack
Tehran reasserted its right on Friday to control shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf states against siding with the U.S., a day after an attack on a ship near Oman highlighted the fragility of a preliminary deal to end the Iran war.Iran was responding to what it called an "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative" joint statement by the United States and six Gulf states that rejected…
Is Hindsight 20/20? Hormuz Oil Shock and Lessons Learned from 1973
While oil and gas are once again flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, the closure of the vital waterway for over 100 days could prove to be a turning point in global energy markets. The Arab oil embargo of 1973, a similarly disruptive supply shock, offers clues about where we might be headed.The latest Middle East crisis tested the limits of the modern energy system, which has evolved over recent decades into a highly interconnected global market held together by thousands of tankers…
Equinor Scuttles Japanese Offshore Wind Plan
Equinor has decided to end its offshore wind business activities in Japan, where it has been since 2018 but has failed to win any leases in successive auctions, and close its Tokyo office by the end of 2026.Orsted, the world's largest offshore wind developer, exited Japan in 2024 and Equinor has previously scaled back offshore wind development in markets including Vietnam, Spain, Portugal and France, citing rising costs.Offshore wind projects globally have been hit by rising costs and persistent
Hy-line Cruise's CAT Ferry Construction Commences
Construction on a new 48m catamaran passenger ferry designed by Incat Crowther for Hy-Line Cruises is now underwayat Midship Marine in Louisiana. The vessel, when completed, will operate on Hy-Line Cruise’s critical tourism and commercial routes connecting Hyannis, Mass., with the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.Capable of transporting up to 493 passengers across three passenger decks, the…
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Receives Order for Ammonia Fuel Handling System
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received an order from Hitachi Zosen Marine Engine Co., Ltd. (HZME) for its MAmmoSS ammonia fuel handling system.[The Mitsubishi Ammonia Supply and Safety System (MAmmoSS) consists of an Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS) and an Ammonia Gas Abatement System (AGAS), along with control equipment to integrate and regulate these systems.]HZME is a dual licensee of Everllence SE and WinGD…
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…
Cavotec Inks Southern California Shore Power Order
Cavotec signed an order worth approximately EUR 1.5 million for shore power equipment for the expansion of a cruise terminal in Southern California.The shore power systems will enable cruise vessels to connect to the local electrical grid while at berth, helping to significantly reduce emissions and noise compared with running onboard engines.The order includes Cavotec's PowerMove, PowerFeed and PowerCover shore power technologies. Delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
Port Houston Records Best Monthly Container Volume Since Summer 2025
Activity along the Houston Ship Channel continues to strengthen America’s energy competitiveness and Port Houston’s public terminals record best monthly container volumes since last summer.Key TakeawaysStrong demand for U.S. energy products drove export growth through the Houston Ship Channel region, with crude oil export tonnage increasing 35% and refined product export tonnage increasing 29% through April.In May…
To Expand Automation Offering, ABB to Acquire Høglund
ABB entered into an agreement to acquire marine automation specialist Høglund AS, headquartered in Tønsberg, Norway. The acquisition is aiming to complement ABB’s existing automation offering to marine customers and support further growth in markets across a wide range of vessel segments. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals, and will cover Høglund’s global operations including more than 80 employees in Norway, Poland, Romania, and China.