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…
Econavis Launches Fuel Savings Calculator
EcoNavis has launched a new online savings calculator to help shipowners and operators make an initial assessment of the fuel-saving potential of an Eco Boss Cap retrofit.Available on the EcoNavis website (econavis.co.uk), the Eco Boss Cap Savings Estimator allows users to enter basic vessel information – ship type, dimensions, engine power and fuel price – to generate an indicative estimate of annual fuel and cost savings from the novel propeller hub.
Damen Shipyards Group to Deliver Stan Patrol 5009 Vessels to Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard
On March 12, following a tender procedure, the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands and Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract for the delivery of three Damen Stan Patrol (SPa) 5009 vessels for the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. The new vessels will replace three Damen SPa 4100 vessels that have been in operation for over 25 years. The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard is a joint effort comprising the constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the region.
Saronic to Open New Downtown New Orleans Office
Saronic announced it is opening a nearly 15,000 square foot office in downtown New Orleans. The new space will serve as an engineering and technical hub to support the company’s expanding shipbuilding operations in Louisiana. The new office will house hardware engineers, naval architects, marine engineers, and experts in system testing to support the design and development of Marauder, Saronic’s 180-foot autonomous ship.
HarborLab, Danaos Collaborate on Fully Integrated Port Cost Management Solution
HarborLab, a leader in maritime technology, is partnering with Danaos Management Consultants to deliver fully automated port cost management for the first time.The collaboration enables HarborLab’s platform to integrate directly with Danaos’ Port Expenses Module, Voyage Estimation, and Protocol. Unlike traditional XML file-based integrations that require manual intervention and lack true automation…
Iranian Oil Facilities Under Attack, Site Evacuations Advised
Iranian gas facilities in the Gulf came under attack on Wednesday, state media reported, prompting Tehran to say it would target a range of energy installations across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar "in the coming hours".Oil prices jumped on the news, with Brent crude futures gaining more than 6% to a session high just shy of $110 per barrel.The attacks on Iran's energy industry in…
US Government Waives Regulations to Ease Deliveries of Fuel, Fertilizer
The Trump administration on Wednesday announced a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act shipping law, temporarily allowing foreign-flagged vessels to move fuel, fertilizer and other goods between U.S. ports as soaring energy and agricultural prices strain supply chains amid the ongoing conflict in and around Iran.White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the waiver represents "another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S.
Verlume Evolves Leadership to Support Next Phase of Growth
Following three consecutive years of revenue growth and expanding international demand for efficient offshore power delivery, Verlume is evolving its leadership structure to support its next phase of global expansion transitioning from technology commercialization to global scale-up.After founding Verlume and leading the company as CEO for 13 years, Richard Knox will transition into the role of Founder-CTO.
IMO Secretary-General Urges De-Escalation, Seafarer Protection
Member States of the International Maritime Organization are gathering in London, United Kingdom to discuss the impact on shipping and seafarers in the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman and the Gulf region, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz. IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez delivered the following opening remarks:"Good morning distinguished delegates.Welcome to the 36th extraordinary session of the Council.
