Red Sea Bypass Contributed to Containers Lost in 2024
The World Shipping Council (WSC) has released its annual Containers Lost at Sea report, showing that 576 containers were lost at sea in 2024.While this represents an increase from the record-low 221 containers lost in 2023, it remains well below the 10-year average of 1,274 containers lost annually, underscoring continued industry progress on safety and prevention.Container losses in 2024 were influenced by ongoing disruption in the Red Sea region…
Russia Conduct Drills in Sea of Japan
Russian warships and coastal missile systems struck simulated maritime targets with cruise missiles during exercises in the Sea of Japan, TASS state news agency reported on Monday, citing Russia's defense ministry.The ships and missiles systems, all part of Russia's Pacific Fleet forces, "carried out a joint missile strike against a complex target setup in the Sea of Japan, simulating enemy ships"…
GCMD Demonstrates End-to-End Value Chain for Onboard CCS
The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation successfully completed the world’s first maritime pilot demonstrating the full value chain of onboard captured carbon dioxide (CO2) in China.The pilot encompassed two phases. In the first phase, Shanghai Qiyao Environmental Technology (SMDERI-QET) conducted a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of 25.44 metric tons (MT) of captured CO2 from the container vessel MV Ever Top to the receiving vessel Dejin 26.
AiP Granted for World's First LCOâ‚‚ and Methanol Carrier
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines have acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) from CLassNK for the design of their jointly developed liquefied CO2 (LCO2) and methanol carrier, a world first for this type of vessel.The vessel is based on a low-pressure LCO2 carrier. It aims to transport CO2, which serves as raw material, on outward voyages and synthetic methanol on return voyages.If dual transport of CO2 and methanol is achieved…
U.S. Coast Guard to Extend Credit for ATB Service
As there is currently a shortage of mariners, the U.S. Coast Guard has considered the barrier to mariner career progression presented by Title 46 CFR 11.211(d), Service on Articulated Tug Barges (ATB) and Integrated Tug Barges (ITB). This regulation limits the crediting of sea service based on the aggregate tonnage of the ATB or ITB to a two-for-one basis up to only 50% of the required service.The…
Autonomous Ships Must Have Search and Rescue Capabilities
The 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) was held from June 18 to 27, with significant progress on a new non-mandatory code of safety for autonomous ships (MASS Code).The code addresses the emerging need for a regulatory framework to ensure the safe, secure and environmentally sound operation of autonomous and remote-controlled key functions.DNV reports that MSC 110 made significant progress…
India to Buy Controlling Stake in Colombo Dockyard
Indian state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders said it would buy a controlling stake in Sri Lankan peer Colombo Dockyard in a deal not exceeding $52.96 million to grow its shipbuilding and repair business.The transaction, involving the acquisition of at least 51% equity in Colombo Dockyard, will close within six months, after which the Sri Lankan shipbuilder will become a part of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, according to a regulatory filing on Friday.Colombo Dockyard was not immediately available fo
Germany Considers Foreign Trade Reform to Block Nord Stream Takeover
Germany is considering changing its foreign trade law to prevent the company running the Nord Stream 2 pipelines from being taken over, a document showed on Friday, as part of Berlin's efforts to prevent any resumption of Russian gas imports.For decades Germany relied on cheap Russian gas, but since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, it has sought alternatives.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he will ensure Nord Stream 2…
Hanwha Ocean Adds Financing Deal to Poland Submarine Sale Proposal
Hanwha Ocean has added a comprehensive financing deal to its proposal to sell Poland submarines, the South Korean shipbuilder said on Friday, as it battles rival European bidders.Poland is seeking to buy three submarines under its "Orka" programme as part of an expansion of its military to counter what it says is a growing threat from Russia following Moscow's 2022 invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.Polish media have reported that offers from fellow-NATO and European Union members Germany…
DOF Group ASA Awarded Two Long-Term Contracts With Petrobras
DOF Group ASA is pleased to announce two new contracts in Brazil.Skandi Logger, an AHTS with 250t bollard pull built in 2009, has been contracted for a 4-year engagement with Petrobras, following the same competitive AHTS tender process that resulted in the contracts of Skandi Iguaçu, Skandi Angra, Skandi Paraty and Skandi Urca as previously announced. For this contract, expected to start in February 2026…
Chinese Oil Imports From Iran Surge in June
China's oil imports from Iran surged in June as shipments accelerated before the recent conflict between Israel and Iran and demand from independent refineries improved, analysts said.The world's top oil importer and biggest buyer of Iranian crude brought in more than 1.8 million barrels per day from June 1-20, according to ship-tracker Vortexa, a record high based on the firm's data.Kpler's data put…
World First: Hydrogen-Electric Tug No.1 Enters Service in China
China's first hydrogen-electric tugboat, the Hydrogen-Electric Tug No.1, was officially put into service on Thursday at Qingdao Port, east China's Shandong Province. Compared to traditional fuel-powered tugboats, this vessel is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 1,500 tons annually, marking a breakthrough in terms of the application of hydrogen energy in China's shipping sector.The…
Proposed Transfer of Regulatory Authority over Deepwater Ports from Coast Guard to MARAD is Ill-advised
On March 5, 2025, the United States Senate passed an important bill to authorize funding for our United States Coast Guard, after failing to do so in the previous Congress. S. 524, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, would if enacted into law authorize appropriations to fund the Coast Guard totaling $30.45 billion for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. The bill is sponsored by Senate Commerce, Science…
Centrica and Thailand’s PTT Ink Long-Term LNG Supply Deal
U.K. based energy firm Centrica and Thai state-owned oil and gas giant PTT Group have signed heads of agreement for a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal.Under the agreement, PTT will supply LNG to Centrica for a 10-year period across a range of destinations in Asia, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028.The agreement marks a significant step forward in Centrica’s strategic efforts to grow its LNG portfolio.It provides access to diverse markets in Asia…
Imbari Shipbuilding Seals the Deal on Japan Marine United
Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., JFE Holdings, Inc. and IHI Corporation reached an agreement under which Imabari Shipbuilding will acquire a portion of the shares…
As Wars Rage, Middle East's Waning Influence on World Oil Prices Exposed
The contained move in oil prices during the Israel-Iran war highlights the increasing efficiency of energy markets and fundamental changes to global crude supply, suggesting that Middle East politics will no longer be the dominant force in oil markets they once were.The jump in oil prices following Israel's surprise attack on Iran was meaningful but relatively modest considering the high stakes involved in the conflict between the Middle East rivals.Benchmark Brent crude prices…
Container Shipping Rates Plunge in Step with U.S. Demand for China Goods
Rates for shipping cargo containers from China to the U.S. have dropped by more than half since earlier this month, as imports rebounded less than expected after the slump that followed President Donald Trump slapping 145% tariffs on China.Trump quickly reversed course by lowering the rate to 30%. That cost increase on goods from the nation's No. 1 ocean trading partner remains significant, especially at a time when U.S.
Japan Pilots Tap NYK Vessel Pair LNG Barka, Lily Fortune for Awards
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier LNG Barka, operated and managed by an NYK Group company, along with the bulk carrier Lily Fortune, operated by NYK, was honored with the "Best Quality Ship 2024" award sponsored by the Japan Federation of Pilots' Associations. The award ceremony took place on June 26, 2025. Notably, among the approximately 24,000 vessels evaluated in fiscal year 2024, the NYK…
Hanwha Ocean’s FPSO Cybersecurity Concept Gets ABS’ Nod
A new cybersecurity solution from Hanwha Ocean to protect critical infrastructure and operations on board floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units received approval in principle (AiP) from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).Hanwha Ocean, in conjunction with SIGA Data Security, developed an Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity solution that is specifically designed to protect critical OT systems from cyber threats…
Humans Versus Robots
The outlook could be bleak or bright depending on how we view the rise of humanoid robots.Think of this quote from a book by Jacob Morgan:“While many futurists and business leaders believe that robots and automation are taking jobs from humans, I believe that it's the humans who are taking the jobs away from robots.”Or this one from a book by James Barrat:“A powerful AI system tasked with ensuring your safety might imprison you at home.
