Norwegian Cruise Line Appoints John Chidsey as CEO
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said on Thursday it appointed John Chidsey as its chief executive officer, effective immediately, replacing Harry Sommer, who is stepping down.The company said Chidsey, 63, who had served at the helm of Subway Restaurants for five years until December 2024 and Burger King Holdings, was appointed to Norwegian's board in 2025, following a previous stint from 2013 to 2022.Sommer…
Old Livestock Carriers Spark Animal Welfare and Pollution Debate
The 34-year-old livestock carrier ship Blue Ocean A, flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, has been detained at the Italian Port of Cagliari after a port state control inspection found 54 irregularities, 30 of which were considered serious.The vessel nearly ran aground on January 29 off San Pietro Island due to a main engine failure while carrying 33 crew members.The inspection revealed problems with firefighting and life-saving equipment…
Watch: MAIB Releases Findings on Girting and Capsize of Tug
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the girting and capsize of tug Biter with the loss of two lives while assisting passenger vessel Hebridean Princess off Greenock, Scotland.At about 1527 on 24 February 2023, the twin screw conventional tug Biter girted and capsized off Greenock, Scotland while attached to the stern of the passenger vessel Hebridean Princess, which was making its approach to James Watt Dock.
Digital Threatscape is Rapidly Evolving for Global Energy Systems
Recent discussions with industrial teams have underscored how rapidly the digital “threatscape” is evolving across global energy systems, from oil and gas to chemicals, specialty gases, power generation, and transmission and distribution networks, says ABS Consulting Technical Director, Global Energy, Marco Ayala.The petrochemical sector must manage cyber risk amid supply chain and cyber vulnerabilities.Facing volatile energy prices…
Global Shipping Industry Sticks with Green Investments
The shipping industry's biggest players are shrugging off Trump administration opposition to a global carbon price and are forging ahead with billions of dollars in emissions-reducing investments, according to company officials and a Reuters analysis of data.Europe, Brazil and a host of other nations are pushing the sector, which is responsible for nearly 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, to go green. But, in October, the U.S.
Mexican Ships Carrying Humanitarian Aid Enter Havana Harbor
Two Mexican-flagged ships loaded with humanitarian aid entered Havana Harbor early on Thursday, a Reuters witness said, as Cuba's long-time ally made good on a promise to assist after Washington threatened tariffs on countries that send oil to Cuba.One of the ships, the Papaloapan, carried large quantities of white-wrapped pallets on its deck as it passed beside the El Morro castle before entering…
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Hosts Annual School Innovation Challenge
For more than a decade, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division has invested in regional schools through STEM events, robotics competitions and technology donations, recognizing that the next generation of scientists and engineers is already sitting in today’s classrooms.On Feb. 13 and 14, NSWCDD will host its annual Innovation Challenge at Dahlgren, called IC@D for short, for middle and high schoolers at the Fredericksburg Convention Center.
AI Welding Studied for Louisiana Shipyard
U.S. autonomous vessel developer Saronic is moving to integrate physical AI-driven welding robotics into its Louisiana shipyard operations, launching a collaboration with Path Robotics aimed at accelerating production and modernizing American shipbuilding.The initiative will begin at Saronic’s Franklin, Louisiana facility, where intelligent welding cells will combine Path Robotics’ AI-enabled welding models with Saronic’s in-house team of welders.
Seaspan Shipyards Taps Robotics to Modernize Blast, Paint Ops
In a move that underscores the accelerating adoption of robotics in shipbuilding, Seaspan Shipyards has awarded a $1.5 million contract to Alberta-based Confined Space Robotics (CSR) to develop and integrate semiautonomous robotic systems for blast and paint operations.Surface preparation and coating are core processes in both newbuild and complex repair and overhaul programs, particularly in submarine work where confined spaces and hazardous materials present heightened safety risks.
ABS Delivers New Report for EMSA on Ammonia Safety
Commissioned and published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), a new report focused on the safety of ammonia as a marine fuel was developed by an ABS-led consortium that included the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the Fundación Valenciaport.Based on the insights gained from the study, the report includes recommendations that expand upon existing interim guidelines from the International Maritime Organization for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel.
IMO Holds First Ship Routing Workshop For Navigation Safety
Government officials and maritime experts from Asian coastal States gathered in Singapore (February 2-6) for the first IMO workshop on ships’ routing and ship reporting systems. The workshop aimed to assist participants in strengthening regional expertise in navigational safety measures, IMO procedures and the effective implementation of ships’ routing and reporting systems, particularly in coastal States experiencing increasing maritime traffic.
Martens en Van Oord Purchases Autonomous Survey Vessel From Demcon unmanned systems
Martens en Van Oord, a contractor in roadworks, civil and hydraulic engineering, is taking a step toward further sustainability and modernization of its fleet by investing in the latest generation of the V4000 autonomous unmanned survey vessel (USV) from Demcon unmanned systems, a specialist in high-tech autonomous vessels for hydrographic and maritime applications. The selected 4‑meter variant provides increased range and longer endurance thanks to the additional hull length…
No Major Injuries as Two US Navy Ships Collide During Refueling
A U.S. warship and a Navy supply vessel collided during refueling Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Southern Command told Reuters in an emailed statement on Thursday.The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply collided during a replenishment at sea, said the statement from the Southern Command, whose areas of responsibility include Central and South America and the Caribbean.
France Slashes Renewable Energy Targets in New Law
France set out a new energy law after years of wrangling on Thursday which slashes its wind and solar power targets and drops a mandate for state-run firm EDF to shutter nuclear plants."We need to stop our internal family squabbling. We need both nuclear and renewables," finance minister Roland Lescure told reporters.The law, to be pushed through by decree on Friday after almost three years of bitter disagreement among lawmakers…
Fuel Oil Bunker Report Reveals Surge in Marine Fuel Quality Failures
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released its latest Fuel Oil Bunker Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) Fuel Quality Report covering July to December 2025, revealing a rise in the frequency and severity of off specification marine fuel incidents across several of the world’s busiest bunkering hubs.The second half of 2025 was characterized by a concentration of repeated fuel quality failures across major ports including Singapore, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hong Kong and Port Klang.
Cydome Rolls Out Remote Cybersecurity Tool for Offshore Wind Farms
Maritime and critical infrastructure cybersecurity specialist Cydome has introduced a cybersecurity solution designed for offshore wind farms and other remote energy facilities that can be deployed without physical installation.The new offering, Cydome Embedded for Remote Energy Facilities, deploys as a virtual container on existing VSAT routers and other network edge devices, enabling cybersecurity…
BW Offshore, McDermott Unveil Blue Ammonia FPSO Concept (Video)
BW Offshore has unveiled a floating blue ammonia FPSO concept developed in collaboration with McDermott International, combining offshore production, carbon capture and direct export to convert surplus natural gas into lower-carbon fuel.The floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) concept is designed to process up to 3 million cubic meters of gas per day, producing more than one million tonnes…
Jan De Nul’s Fleeming Jenkin CLV to Get Dedicated Training Simulator
Tree C, a Dutch virtual and augmented reality specialist for the offshore and remote handling industry, has announced it will develop a training simulator for Fleeming Jenkin, described as the world’s largest cable laying vessel (CLV), owned by Jan De Nul.The simulator is intended to allow inexperienced crew members to become familiar with onboard equipment, practice procedures and operate systems…
NOV’s GustoMSC to Design Korea’s Wind Turbine Installation Vessel
GustoMSC, through its parent company NOV, has secured contracts for the design and supply of critical equipment for Hanwha Ocean’s new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), based on the GustoMSC NG-16000X design, with delivery scheduled for the second quarter of 2028.The vessel will be the fourth based on the NG-16000X platform, following an initial U.S.-built unit and two vessels for Cadeler currently under construction at Hanwha Ocean.Designed to support Korea’s offshore wind ambitions…
Strong Soya Bean Supply Drives 15% Jump in Grain Shipments
"During the first six weeks of 2026, global bulk grain shipments have jumped 15% y/y, supported by a 30% y/y surge in soya bean shipments and a 17% increase in wheat shipments.
