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Shippers on Wednesday said they needed more clarity on the terms of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire before resuming transit through the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran said the waterway remained closed to vessels sailing without a permit.The six‑week conflict had brought traffic through the strait - a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments - close to a standstill, pushing global energy prices sharply higher.Iran said it would offer safe passage in coordination with its armed forces…

About 2 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude are being sent to refineries owned by oil producer Repsol in Spain, following purchases the company negotiated with trading house Trafigura, according to shipping schedules seen by Reuters.Trafigura and Vitol were granted U.S. licenses last month to export millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. and other destinations, following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The companies have since been storing the oil in Caribbean terminals and marketing cargoes to refiners in the U.S.

On January 20, Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will sign contracts for the construction of vessels for the Mar Aberto Program, an initiative aimed at renewing and expanding the Petrobras fleet.Petrobras and Transpetro are contracting five gas carrier ships, in addition to 18 barges and 18 pushboats, in a total investment of R$ 2.8 billion, with the potential to generate more than 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.All vessels will be operated by Transpetro and built in shipyards in three states.

Energy markets enter 2026 in a downbeat mood as geopolitical uncertainty clouds the outlook and increasing signs of swelling oil and gas supplies threaten to sink prices.This past year was a wild one for the oil and gas industry, punctuated by the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, U.S. President Donald Trump's trade wars, the intensified targeting of energy infrastructure in Russiain its war against Ukraine, OPEC’s often perplexing production decisions and the recently threatened U.S. blockade of Venezuela.So what’s in store for next year?

Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) appointed former U.S. ambassador to Norway and the 77th Secretary of the Navy, Kenneth J. Braithwaite, as Chairman of their Board of Directors. Braithwaite brings a career in defense and public service to the role, as well as deep Navy ties. He is a 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His active naval service included time as a naval aviator flying anti-submarine missions in the Pacific and Arctic…

U.S. oil major Chevron is in early-stage talks to explore opportunities in European regasification terminals, as part of its strategy to expand its global presence in the liquefied natural gas market, a senior executive told Reuters.The U.S. has become Europe's top LNG supplier since the continent sharply reduced its imports of Russian gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Chevron, which is contracted to export 7 million tons per annum of LNG from the U.S. starting in 2026, has significantly ramped up its LNG trading operations.

India could build its third nuclear powered aircraft carrier as part of a 15-year defence modernization plan announced today that also includes the use of Indian-made fighter jets by the navy for the first time.Bordered by rivals China and Pakistan, both of whom India has clashed with in deadly fights in recent years, New Delhi is increasingly leaning on domestic defence companies to bolster capabilities and cut dependence on foreign suppliers such as Russia, France and the United…

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced that the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded $8.75 million in grants to revitalize U.S. shipyards and advance America’s maritime dominance.The funding is part of the Small Shipyard Grant program, which supports advanced training, workforce development and new technologies that strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and repair capabilities. Duffy said the program will help America counter Chinese competition and maintain freedom…

On April 30, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), together with several original co-sponsors, reintroduced the SHIPS for America Act in the U.S. Senate, first introduced in December 2024, divided into two bills. Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA). This is a major, historic effort to revitalize the U.S. merchant marine. The legislation had to be reintroduced to be considered by the new U.S.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a group of her colleagues in calling on President Donald Trump to hold China accountable for cheating trade laws to gain an unfair advantage in the shipbuilding industry.In the final days of the Biden Administration, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released a report Baldwin pushed for that confirmed China has used unfair trade practices to undercut American shipbuilding.“To stand up for the hardworking Americans employed in the shipbuilding industry…

Prices of Canadian and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil to Asia jumped after shipping costs rallied on concerns that wider U.S. sanctions on the Russian fleet are tightening ship availability, trade sources said on Tuesday.Asian refiners face a margin squeeze as their costs of crude and shipping have spiked since Washington earlier this month imposed sweeping new sanctions targeting Russian insurers, tankers and oil producers.Discounts for Canadian crude exported via the Trans Mountain pipeline (TMX) and delivered to China in April have narrowed $1-$2 a barrel from the previous month…

General Dynamics Mission Systems was awarded a fixed-price-incentive, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-only contract from the U.S. Navy in December for up to $808.6 million to produce MK 54 MOD 1 Lightweight Torpedo Kits and related test equipment, spares, provisioned item orders, engineering support and hardware support for the MK 54 Lightweight Torpedo Program. Work will be performed in Canonsburg, PA, and is expected to be completed by December 2032.“Our Progeny Systems employees have been providing advanced torpedo electronics to the U.S. and allied Navies for 18 years. This contract ensures that our surface ships and aircraft will have the most modern and capable torpedoes in the world for many years to come…

The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting scholarship applications for 2025 from welding students across North America.The deadline to apply for AWS National, District, and Section Scholarships is March 1, 2025.In 2024, the AWS Foundation awarded scholarships to more than 1,200 welding students, providing financial support ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000 per recipient. These scholarships benefited students attending more than 400 academic and training institutions across all 50 U.S.

Venezuela's oil exports rose 10.5% last year despite political instability and changes to the U.S. sanctions regime on the country, as partners of state oil company PDVSA took more cargoes under licenses granted by Washington.As President Nicolas Maduro gets ready to start his third term in office next week following disputed election results, the OPEC country's oil exports rose for a second consecutive year, providing revenue to contribute to economic growth.U.S.-sanctioned PDVSA PDVSA.UL and its joint ventures exported an average of 772…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District opened a 100-foot-wide navigation channel for commercial vessels through the center of the dam at Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 near Elizabeth, Pa. The first commercial navigation vessel passed through the channel on Thursday, September 5.“Opening the navigation channel ahead of schedule was a significant achievement,” said Col. Nicholas Melin, commander of the Pittsburgh District.The Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 has been operating since 1907…

Aluminum boatbuilder BRIX Marine announced it has launched a new custom-built whale watching vessel for Allen Marine Tours, in Alaska.The new vessel, Raven, a 4818-HTC passenger catamaran, is the second vessel BRIX Marine has developed for Allen Marine, following the launch of the Eagle in September 2023.According to the builder, Raven is designed to enhance the whale-watching experience in Alaska’s waters, focusing on passenger comfort, safety, and sustainability. The vessel features a 48-foot hull, a 17’ 6” beam, and a lightship weight of approximately 31,000 pounds.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) on Monday awarded a $104 million contract to Galveston-based dredging contractor Callan Marine for the deepening of the Brazos Island Harbor (BIH) Ship Channel in South Texas.In partnership with the Port of Brownsville, USACE will deepen a 13-mile stretch of the ship channel by 10 feet, bringing the authorized depth to 52 feet. This phase of the project is referred to as BIH Segment B.Callan Marine will remove approximately 7 million cubic yards of material using a pipeline dredge…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District said it is expediting the opening of a 100-foot-wide navigation channel through the dam at Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 near Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, by August 28.On July 15, the Monongahela River Locks and Dam 3 staff near Elizabeth, Pa., discovered an issue with the water level in the primary lock chamber. The district implemented a 7-foot-draft restriction.The navigation industry continues to utilize the lock chamber…

St. Louis based coatings manufacturer Carboline announced it has named Juanjo Ardid as company president. Ardid succeeded Chris Tiernay, who led the company since late 2016, on June 24.Ardid had been employed by PPG since 1993 before joining Carboline. He was most recently based in Pittsburgh, Pa., as Vice President of Protective and Marine Coatings for the U.S. and Canada. Other prior roles include General Manager for Global Automotive Adhesives and Sealants as well as market director roles for Europe…

Wilson Sons said it has started operations on WS Dorado at the Ponta da Madeira, Itaqui and Alumar terminals facilities in São Luís, Maranhão.Designed by the Dutch Damen Shipyards, it is the fifth powerful tug with more sustainable technology in a range of six 2513-class tugboats. Built at the company’s shipyards in Guarujá (SP), the new tug will support berthing and unberthing operations in these terminals facilities, attending large ships exporting iron ore, which carry up to 400,000 tons of cargo.WS Dorado joins the company's fleet of 11 tugboats in that region.

The General Directorate of the Public Registry of Ship Ownership of the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has implemented an exclusive email address to monitor and resolve all user queries.The email address consultadgrpn@amp.gob.pa is attended by a group of specialists who will respond as soon as possible to queries, which will be documented and monitored until users see their questions resolved.The director of the Registry Marta Aparicio González, says the service marks the beginning…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry, today announced its annual member safety awards for the 2023 calendar year. This year, 18 shipyards are receiving awards for their achievements in safety. “Safety isn't just a priority; it's a fundamental pillar of our industrial base. These awards not only recognize excellence in safety practices but also show our industry's dedication to ensuring every worker returns home safely each day.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Wednesday announced $8.75 million in grant awards to 15 small shipyards in 12 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.“Small shipyards are integral to the strength of America’s supply chains and the maritime industry” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.