ABS Group Names David Wechsler as CEO
ABS has appointed David Wechsler, a founding partner of the firm that became Hitachi Consulting, as the new Chief Executive Officer for ABS Group.Wechsler has a 35-year career in management consulting leadership positions across manufacturing, consumer products, sustainable energy, automotive, technology and services industries. He has grown multiple consulting practices, demonstrating expertise in leading complex operations and driving growth.Wechsler joins at an exciting time for ABS Group…
The Cost of Caution in 2-Stroke Cylinder Lubrication
More than 90% of global freight is transported by over 33,000 merchant marine vessels powered by two stroke crosshead engines as their main source of propulsion; the two-stroke diesel engine has been the backbone of global trade and globalization for well over half a century. Among one of the key factors supporting the reliability and uptime of these engines, keeping trade moving, is the effective performance of cylinder oil.
Ottco, Royal Vopak to Establish Joint Venture in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm
Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), a subsidiary of OQ Group, and Royal Vopak, signed a shareholder agreement to establish a new company in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD). The agreement, concluded during the Duqm Economic Forum 2025, reflects OQ’s continued commitment to expanding its investments in Duqm and supports national efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen global partnerships.The agreement was signed by Ashraf Hamed Al Mamari…
Astro Offshore Introduces New Multipurpose Support Vessel
Astro Offshore, an Adani Group Company, announced the addition of Astro Achernar, its 50th vessel, marking a defining moment in the company’s journey of rapid expansion and continued success.The 88-meter DP2 Diesel Electric Multipurpose Support Vessel (MPSV) is equipped with accommodation for 222 personnel and a 100-ton ACH crane, enhancing Astro’s offshore support and subsea capabilities. The milestone follows a period of growth for Astro Offshore.
Siemens Gamesa Halts Port of Esbjerg Offshore Wind Nacelle Plant Plans
Siemens Gamesa has confirmed it has scrapped plans to build an offshore wind turbine nacelle factory at Denmark’s Esbjerg Port.The offshore wind turbine manufacturer confirmed it will not proceed with the development of the nacelle plant at the port of Esbjerg at this time, given the current market opportunities.“Siemens Gamesa has maintained a longstanding presence at the Port of Esbjerg, which is a strategically important location for our offshore wind operations, also in the future.“Like in a
ASL Marine Secures $100M in Chartering, Vessels Sale Deals
ASL Marine Holdings, through its wholly owned unit ASL Offshore & Marine, has secured new ship chartering contracts worth a combined $63.1 million and signed vessel sale agreements totaling $42.3 million.The chartering contracts, which span approximately two years, cover a range of vessels including tugs, work boats, crane barges, cargo barges, hopper barges and grab dredgers.According to ASL Marine…
Norwegian Customs Service Orders VIKING Patrols Boats
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a maritime safety solutions specialist and supplier of high-performance boats, has signed a contract with the Norwegian Customs Service (Tolletaten) to deliver a new fleet of cutting-edge patrol and fast response craft.The new boats will strengthen Tolletaten’s maritime capabilities and support its law enforcement and inspection duties in Norwegian waters.The agreement covers the delivery of four VIKING Norsafe boats including one Marathon S-900…
Newbuild Vessel Pair Joins QatarEnergy’s Growing LNG Fleet
Malaysia’s MISC Group and its consortium partners NYK, K-Line, and China LNG Shipping (Holdings) have taken delivery of two new-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, the Mihzem and Idd Al Shargi, marking another milestone in QatarEnergy’s LNG fleet expansion program.Built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, the two carriers are the fifth and sixth vessels in the consortium’s 12-vessel series and the first to be managed by MISC’s Marine Services arm.
Otto Candies Buys Four MPSVs from Harvey Gulf International Marine
U.S.-based offshore and marine services company Otto Candies has acquired four multi-purpose support vessels (MPSVs) from Harvey Gulf International Marine.The vessels acquired by Otto Candies are the Harvey Blue-Sea, Harvey Sub-Sea, Harvey Deep-Sea, and Harvey Intervention. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.Otto Candies said the acquisition represents a meaningful step forward in the continued…
Dr. James S.C. Chao Honored by Webb Institute
Webb Institute awarded Dr. James S.C. Chao, Founder and Chairman of Foremost Group, an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his visionary leadership in the global maritime industry and his profound commitment to education, philanthropy, and sustainability.The ceremony was held on Webb’s Glen Cove campus before the Board of Trustees, students, and faculty. Dr. Chao delivered brief remarks reflecting on his extraordinary journey…
Ship Recycling Market “Woefully Slow”
Global markets seemed to take a breather this week as things turned slow across the board once again, not only on the shipping side but even the ship recycling side of things, reports cash buyer GMS.Currencies fluctuated in moderate tandem, local steel plate prices made surprisingly marginal moves, all while the Baltic Exchange Dry Index (BDI) slipped and oil steadied itself. The BDI reported a declining week that shaved off about 3.2% last week…
Ammonia-Ready PCTC Enters Service
On October 22, the port of Shanghai hosted a ceremony for the official naming and delivery of the Grimaldi Group’s latest vessel, the Grande Melbourne.This is the third of a series of seven cutting-edge, ammonia-ready pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) commissioned at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC), both subsidiaries of CSSC.With a length of 200 meters…
Singapore and China to Establish Green Corridor
Singapore's Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Transport of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Singapore–China Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.The MoU elevates Singapore and China’s cooperation to the national level, building on the earlier established municipality-level and provincial-level corridors with Tianjin and Shandong, established in 2023 and 2024 respectively.Under the MoU…
Second Builder’s Sea Trials for Destroyer Ted Stevens Complete
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully completed the second builder’s sea trials for guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128), building on the success of the initial trials conducted at the end of September.The Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer spent multiple days in the Gulf of America testing the ship’s main propulsion, combat systems, and other critical systems in preparation for the future acceptance trials.During the trials…
Two Missing After Collision Off Guangzhou
A Singapore-registered container ship, Wan Hai A17, collided with a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, Hai Li 5, in waters off Guangzhou, China, on October 25 at about 8PM (Singapore time).The Hai Li 5 sunk, and Chinese authorities are conducting search and rescue operations. Two of the 15 crew members remain missing as of October 26.The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reports that, according to information provided by Wan Hai Lines…
Report: Mexican Bootleg Fuel and Money Laundering Cartel has Global Reach
On the afternoon of March 8, a petroleum tanker named Torm Agnes entered the Port of Ensenada on Mexico’s Pacific coast carrying almost 120,000 barrels of diesel.Such a vessel was a rare sight in that port, which mainly hosts cruise liners, luxury yachts and container ships. Ensenada lacks the infrastructure needed to unload cargos of flammable hydrocarbons safely – making what happened later that…
HHI and HII Team Up to Build U.S. Navy Auxiliary Ships
South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and U.S. military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls have agreed to jointly build U.S. navy auxiliary ships, the South Korean shipbuilder said on Sunday.HHI has a strong track record in this field, having delivered its first auxiliary vessel, HMNZS Endeavour, to New Zealand in 1987, followed by the HMNZS Aotearoa in 2020. The company has also supplied the Republic…
US to Deploy Aircraft Carrier Amidst Tensions with Venezuela
President Donald Trump dramatically escalated a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean on Friday by deploying the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier group to Latin America, a show of force that far exceeds any past counter-narcotics need and represents Washington’s most muscular move yet in the region.The deployment is part of Trump's military buildup in the Caribbean, which includes eight additional warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft.
French Offshore Wind Sector Impacted by Government Crisis
Offshore wind developers and equipment suppliers are bracing for a slowdown in business in France where a political crisis has stalled changes to the country's energy framework and government tenders.The threat of a further hit to France's economy comes after data released on Friday shows business activity declined faster than expected in October.President Emmanuel Macron has churned through six prime…
ABS Hosts Event to Celebrate Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Sector in the Middle East
ABS hosted the second edition of the Middle East Women in Maritime Summit at the Address Dubai Mall, gathering more than 150 industry professionals to celebrate the expanding role of women in the region’s maritime sector.Themed “Advancing Women in Maritime – Challenges and Opportunities,” the summit showcased stories of leadership and mentorship across the Middle East’s fast-growing maritime ecosystem.Guests of honor included Her Excellency Engineer Hessa Al Malek…
