USACE, Port Freeport Cut Ribbon After Channel Improvement Project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District and Port Freeport recognized a milestone in the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 28, 2026.The federal navigation project deepens and partially widens the harbor channel, enhances the upper turning basin and eases the lower channel bend. The improvements provide greater vessel access, operating flexibility and navigation capability at one of Texas’ leading commercial ports.The deeper…
Sedgwick Awarded Lloyd's Surveyor Agency Appointments for Houston, New Orleans Ports
Sedgwick, a risk and claims administration partner, has secured Lloyd's Surveyor Agency appointments for Houston and New Orleans, further strengthening the company's ability to support marine clients across two of the most significant United States ports.A Lloyd's Surveyor Agency appointment is a designation awarded to marine surveyors and claims adjusters within the Lloyd's market. Appointed agencies serve as trusted local resources, providing expertise and support to the global…
Gulf Markets Ease as US, Iran Hostilities Resume
Major Gulf bourses ended lower on Thursday as investor sentiment weakened amid mounting concern over escalating hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. military said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran, including military command centres and drone facilities, in a two-hour operation launched after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East.On Wednesday, the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out strikes on Iran-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq, marking the first publicly acknowledged Saudi participation in U.S.-led airstrikes.
Resolve Marine Announces New Tacoma, Washington Facility
Resolve Marine, a provider of marine solutions, has moved its Pacific Northwest (PNW) facility to a new location on the Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington. The new waterfront facility address is 700 E D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421. This location provides operational advantages, including dedicated dock space, expanded yard capacity, and upgraded equipment to support a growing range of marine services, including marine salvage and environmental response across the region.Key features…
Hybrid Mobile Harbor Crane Commissioned for Port of Gulfport
SSA Marine and the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport (Port of Gulfport) announced the commissioning of a new Liebherr LHM 550 hybrid mobile harbor crane at the Port, along with $1.6 million in state grant funding that will enable the electrification of the crane.The crane has a lift capacity of 124 metric tons and will be SSA Marine’s second LHM 550 in operation at the Port of Gulfport. The crane runs on a hybrid drive system, and the Port and SSA Marine are working…
United States, Norway Complete North Atlantic Interoperability Exercise
The U.S. Coast Guard successfully completed a major interoperability exercise conducted by the crews of Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Stone (WMSL 758) and Norwegian Coast Guard Vessel Hopen, marking a significant milestone in international Arctic cooperation and operational readiness.The exercise, part of Operation Arctic Cohesion (OAC) 2026, took place from July 8 to 15 off the coast of New England and ashore in Newport, Rhode Island.During the exercise, the crews of Stone and Hopen focused on building familiarity, strengthening coordinated response, and improving seamanship.
Fraser Industries LLC Signs Shipyard Modernization Memorandum of Understanding with HD Hyundai to Advance U.S. Shipbuilding Revitalization
Fraser Industries LLC announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation for shipyard modernization to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), the intermediate holding company of HD Hyundai's shipbuilding division.HD Hyundai will advance Fraser Shipyards as a hub for rebuilding the U.S. shipbuilding industry and will provide a shipyard modernization solution that includes shipyard design and construction expertise…
USGC Holds Change-of-Command for Sector New York
Capt. Jonathan Andrechik transferred command of Coast Guard Sector New York to Capt. Doreen McCarthy Monday, during a change-of-command ceremony at Sector New York in Staten Island. Rear Adm. Michael Platt, Commander, Coast Guard Northeast District, presided over the ceremony.Capt. McCarthy reported to Sector New York and has served as the deputy commander since May of 2024. Prior to serving as the Sector New York Deputy Commander, Capt. McCarthy completed a Senior Service School at the United States Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama.Following the change-of-command ceremony, Capt.
USCG Cutter Healy Returns to Homeport After Engineering Casualty
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (CGC) Healy experienced an engineering casualty while operating northwest of Port Angeles, Washington. There were no reported injuries. On July 13, tugs safely towed CGC Healy back to homeport for an investigation into the incident and to undergo major repairs.The Coast Guard maintains a strong presence in the Arctic to control, secure, and defend the U.S. northern border and approaches, and uphold U.S. sovereignty against adversaries’ aggressive economic and military actions in the Arctic.
US Missiles Strike Across Iran After Houthis Announce Naval Blockade
U.S. missiles struck targets across Iran, reaching as far as its Caspian coast, on Friday after President Donald Trump vowed "major military punishment" for Tehran and its Houthi allies in Yemen for extending the Middle East war to a second major shipping chokepoint, the mouth of the Red Sea.Two weeks after the collapse of an interim truce meant to end the war, the Iranian armed forces responded by firing at U.S. bases in neighbouring Arab countries and warning people there that they may strike non-military buildings used by U.S.
Saronic, Samsung Heavy Industries Collaborate on Autonomous Marine Systems
Saronic and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of autonomy-capable maritime systems and technologies to strengthen America’s shipbuilding industrial base. Through this partnership, the companies will harness technology and expertise to build the maritime industrial capacity and workforce needed to deliver on American and allied shipbuilding needs, both today and into the future.The companies unveiled the partnership at the launch of the Korea–U.S.
US Begins Importing Iraqi Oil Through Syria
The United States has begun importing fuel oil of Iraqi origin shipped through Syria for the first time, according to shipping data and two sources familiar with the operations, as Iraq expands a Mediterranean export route established after disruptions to Gulf trade routes earlier this year.The alternative route is a further example of shippers seeking ways to move supplies around the world that circumnavigate the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed for several months…
US, Iran Renew Conflict With Strikes on Bridge, Desalination Plant
The United States struck bridges and an airport in Iran on Friday, provoking Tehran to respond by hitting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait, as the warring foes risked further escalation by expanding their targets to include infrastructure.At sea, where the renewed conflict has again cut off energy supplies from the Gulf, U.S. Marines boarded a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. Another vessel was seized by armed men off Yemen, raising concern over security in the Middle…
Oil Prices Dip Slightly Amidst Continued Middle East Tensions
Oil prices edged lower on Thursday but held near the highest since mid-June as the Iran war escalated, with Tehran asking Yemen's Houthi movementto be prepared to close the Red Sea oil export route.Brent crude futures were down 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $84.76 a barrel by 11:25 a.m. EDT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures were down 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $79.43 a barrel. At their session highs, both contracts were up more than 1%.On Wednesday, Brent futures settled at their highest since June 12…
US LNG Tanker Completes First Direct Sail to China Since Tariff Dispute
A vessel carrying U.S. liquefied natural gas has sailed directly from the U.S. to China for the first time since trade tensions between Washington and Beijing effectively halted direct shipments, vessel-tracking data showed.However, analysts say it may never enter China as the terminal's bonded storage facilities allow re-exports without import duties.Carrying a cargo loaded in early June from U.S. energy firm Venture Global LNG's VG.N Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana, the…
Shipping Companies Turn Down US-Guided Military Transit Through Hormuz
Shipping companies are avoiding using a U.S. military-guided transit scheme through the Strait of Hormuz after a wave of Iranian attacks on vessels sparked safety concerns, seven maritime security and shipping industry sources said.For decades ships sailed into and out of the Gulf using a safe set of lanes down the middle of the strait established by the U.N.’s shipping agency in 1968 dubbed the Traffic Separation Scheme.Since the Iran war began on February 28, Iranian forces have mined this area…
Summit at Sea Level to Accelerate Coastal Resilience in Louisiana
The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have agreed to a joint commitment to overhaul bureaucratic processes and accelerate coastal resilience efforts.The agreement follows the "Summit at Sea Level," hosted by CPRA and DOTD on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Baton Rouge. The event marked a convergence of top national, state, and local figures, bringing them together with federal partners…
Maersk Resumes Suez Canal Route From Middle East to US
Maersk, one of the world's biggest container shipping groups, said on Thursday it would resume its Middle East-to-U.S. East Coast service through the Suez Canal, as the Danish group takes another step toward restoring routes through the Red Sea.Most shipping companies abandoned the Asia-Europe trade corridor through the Suez Canal after attacks in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthis, forcing vessels to take the much longer route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
Training Ship Golden Bear Returns Home from Final Summer Sea Term for Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Training Ship Golden Bear returns to Vallejo on July 6 following the completion of Summer Sea Term 2026, bringing home 283 Cal Poly Maritime Academy cadets after a 12,500-mile voyage across the Pacific Ocean. After 30 years of service as the academy's primary training vessel, the journey marks Golden Bear’s final training voyage and the end of an important chapter in the history of Cal Poly Maritime Academy.For three decades, Golden Bear has served as a floating classroom where thousands of cadets transformed classroom knowledge into practical experience at sea.
Oil Prices Rise Almost 5% As Trumps Warns of Additional Iran Attacks
Oil prices jumped nearly 5% on Wednesday, hitting a two-week high after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that the United States will likely engage in additional strikes on Wednesday night after attacks the previous day, adding that they might take over Kharg Island as well.Brent crude futures were up $3.81, or 5.14%, to $77.97 a barrel at 1339 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $3.36, or 4.77%, to $73.80 a barrel. The benchmarks hit their highest levels since June 22 earlier in the session.Both rose about 3% on Tuesday after the U.S.
Ports of Indiana Secures $25m Federal Grant to Support Expansion
Ports of Indiana has been awarded a $25 million federal “BUILD” grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to support a $32 million expansion of its Jeffersonville port. This grant is the largest federal award in Ports of Indiana’s 65-year history.The BUILD program (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) is administered by USDOT to provide grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. This week…
Oil Prices Lower Ahead of Possible US-Iran Peace
Oil prices eased on Thursday after earlier gains as markets assessed the escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran and its implications for efforts to end the war and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures were down 11 cents, or 0.1%, to $77.91 a barrel at 1322 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 38 cents, or 0.5%, to $73.14 a barrel.Brent and WTI crude futures hit their highest levels since June 22 on Wednesday.Still, New York Federal Reserve…
US Natural Gas Prices Drop to Six Week Low
U.S. natural gas futures fell about 4% to a six-week low on Thursday on expectations gas flows to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants will remain low through late August due to planned maintenance at Freeport LNG's plant in Texas, and after the release of a federal report showing last week's storage build was much bigger than expected.Front-month gas futures for August delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 13.9 cents, or 4.3%, to $3.073 per million British thermal units (mmBtu)…