AI Goods and Frontloading Lift World Trade in 2025
In the October update of "Global Trade Outlook and Statistics", WTO economists provide new analysis on the build-up in inventories in 2025 and the robust trade in artificial intelligence-related goods such as semiconductors, servers, and telecommunications equipment.They note however that trade growth will likely slow in 2026 as the impact of the cooling global economy and new tariffs set in.Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "Countries' measured response to tariff changes in general…
Minervagracht Crew Member Dies
A crew member of the Dutch cargo ship that was attacked by Houthis in the Gulf of Aden last week has died of his injuries, the vessel's Amsterdam-based operator Spliethoff said in a statement Monday evening.The company did not release further details about the deceased crew member, but a spokesperson told a Dutch broadcaster they were Filipino.The vessel, Minervagracht, was in international waters…
Tanker Freight Rates for Russian Crude to India Climb
Tanker freight rates for shipping Urals crude from Russia’s western ports to India rose further in late September and early October, tracking a sharp increase in loadings last month, industry sources said.Indian refiners continue to buy Russian oil despite punitive U.S. tariffs on goods imported from India after it defied a demand for it to stop the Russian imports.Crude exports from Russia’s western ports of Primorsk…
Determining Trump's China-Linked Port Fees is Shipowners’ Responsibility
The U.S. is one week away from imposing port fees on certain vessels with links to China, a move expected to cost the top 10 carriers $3.2 billion next year as President Donald Trump seeks to address China's growing dominance on the high seas."While some observers believe the October 14 deadline may be extended — or even scrapped — as part of broader negotiations, the uncertainty has already unsettled carriers…
Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Down in September
Shipments of iron ore from U.S. ports on the Great Lakes decreased 14.2 percent from 2024 to 4.7 million tons in September. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 7.4 percent.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 31.4 million tons, a 14 percent decrease compared to last year. Through September, iron ore loadings are 6.6 percent below their 5-year average for the first three quarters of the year.Since 1880…
Crew Connectivity Evolves from Luxury to Lifeline
The maritime industry has long wrestled with the challenge of attracting and retaining skilled seafarers. But according to Eric Griffin, VP of Offshore Energy & Fishing, Maritime, at Inmarsat, one factor now sits firmly at the center of the conversation: seamless connectivity.On October 22, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News will host a webinar entilted Crewed Up or Crew Cut? Rethinking retention and recruitment at sea.
ABS Wavesight LISW Panel: Digitalization, Data and a Single Source of Truth
Where does true value lie in maritime digitalization? How are shipowners leveraging improvements in data quality and how can a single source of truth support and inform decision-making? To kick-off London International Shipping Week, ABS Wavesight assembled a panel of industry leaders to seek out the answers, with CEO Staci Satterwhite asking the questions.The panel - made up of Robert Gaina, SVP, Commercial at Ardmore Shipping…
World Bank Warns Higher Tariffs on India Will Slow South Asia Growth Next Year
The World Bank said on Tuesday higher tariffs on Indian goods exported to the U.S. would be a drag on South Asia's economic growth rate in 2026, even as it remains shielded in the current year by government spending.The World Bank said growth in South Asia was expected to slow sharply to 5.8% in 2026 from its projection of 6.6% for 2025. Its forecast for the region comprises India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka…
St. Johns Ship Building Awarded New Barge Construction Contract
St. Johns Ship Building, a Jones Act shipyard and a subsidiary of Americraft Marine, has been awarded a new contract by Johnson Bros. Corporation, a Southland Company, for the construction of three 140’ x 40’ x 8’ steel material deck barges with spud wells.All fabrication and assembly work will be performed at St. Johns Ship Building’s Palatka, Florida facility. The project further accelerates the shipyard’s growth…
Canadian Trade Deficit Widens in August to Second Highest
Canada's merchandise trade deficit widened in August to C$6.32 billion ($4.53 billion), its second highest on record, as exports both to the U.S. and the rest of the world fell, data showed on Tuesday.The August data had been expected to show a more permanent impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, after exports increased earlier in the year to beat the tariffs and then dropped off sharply.Total exports dropped by 3% in August from July while imports increased 0.9%…
HII Completes Initial Sea Trials of Virginia-Class Submarine Massachusetts
HII announced that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has successfully completed initial sea trials for Virginia-class attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798).Over the course of several days at sea, the NNS and Navy team conducted testing of systems and components, including submerging the submarine for the first time and high-speed maneuvers while on the surface and submerged. The testing program will continue at NNS ahead of delivering the boat to the U.S.
AYK Energy Wins Contract for First Electric Intercontinental Fast Ferries
Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has won a contract to power the world’s first fully electric intercontinental fast ferries between Europe and Africa.Spanish ferry operator Baleària will operate the two catamaran ferries solely on electric propulsion throughout the 18-mile voyage between Tarifa in the south of Spain and Tangier, Morocco at speeds of up to 26 knots.The twin fast ferries, which are being built by the Armon shipyard in Gijón…
Robosys Automation Secures Offshore Wind Vessel Retrofit Contract
Robosys Automation, a leader in maritime autonomy, vessel control systems, and smart shipping solutions, has announced that it has secured a new contract to retrofit a 26-meter Damen 2610 Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) Twin Axe High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV), with its flagship VOYAGER AI advanced maritime autonomy software.The vessel, built in 2015 to Lloyd’s Register classification standards, is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 engines with direct drives and is equipped with an Alphatron autopilot…
Auramarine Appoints Ted Bergman as Director of Engineering and Projects
Auramarine, a fuel systems expert for the marine industry, has announced the appointment of Ted Bergman as Director of Engineering and Projects. Bergman will lead the strategic development of the company’s engineering department, driving innovation and operational excellence in all fronts related to engineering design, consultation and automation.With over 30 years of experience in industrial engineering and process technology…
Goltens, IPCO Power Join Forces in Fuel System Optimization
Goltens Worldwide and IPCO Power and have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to jointly support shipowners in achieving more efficient and sustainable fuel operations.The partnership combines IPCO Power’s fuel homogenization technology with Goltens’ global engineering and service capabilities, offering shipowners a fully integrated solution, from 3D scanning and technical design to installation…
Lloyd’s Register Shares Updated Guidance to Support Fuel Cell Integration
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released updated guidance for the installation of fuel cells on ships, offering shipowners and shipbuilders a comprehensive framework to support the safe deployment of alternative power systems. The July 2025 edition of Guidance Notes on the Installation of Fuel Cells on Ships incorporates recent regulatory updates and technical developments related to fuel cell technology in the maritime sector.
Sanmar Delivers Boğaçay Class Tug to Italian Operator Rimorchitori Napoletani
Sanmar Shipyards, a leader in the construction of specialized tugboats, has announced the successful delivery of one of its Boğaçay Class tugboats to long-termreturning Italian customer, Rimorchitori Napoletani.The vessel, originally named BOĞAÇAY LXXX, was renamed GARGANO by its new owners. It is a diesel-powered multi-purpose tug designed for demanding operations, including ship-handling, coastal towing…
REMUS 620 Conducts First Torpedo Tube Recovery and Swimout
A joint team from HII, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (NUWC Division Newport) has successfully completed the first recovery of a second-generation REMUS 620 into a Virginia-class submarine torpedo tube and shutterway test fixture at Seneca Lake, New York.The project, completed less than seven months after integrating WHOI’s…
Seagems Extends Wärtsilä Partnership to Boost Fleet Reliability
Technology group Wärtsilä has renewed and expanded its Lifecycle Agreement with Seagems, a Brazil-based offshore operator formerly known as Sapura, covering its fleet of offshore support vessels.The renewed agreement expands the scope of services and strengthens the strategic partnership between the companies, aiming to enhance vessel reliability and reduce carbon emissions.The new deal reflects broader trends in the maritime industry toward collaborative…
Marlink Deploys Hybrid Network Platform Across Polsteam Dry Bulk Fleet
Marlink, a specialist in managed services for business-critical ICT solutions, has deployed its Sealink NextGen hybrid network and cyber security solutions across 50 vessels operated by Polish dry bulk carrier Polsteam.The upgrade forms part of Marlink’s ‘possibility platform’ and is designed to support Polsteam’s transition to digitalized shipping operations, enhancing operational safety and efficiency while improving crew connectivity.Under the agreement…
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