MISC Names LNG Carrier Vessel Pair
MISC Group (MISC) named two new generation Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers, Seri Dian and Seri Dayang, on May 7, 2026. The addition of these vessels further strengthens its long-standing partnership with SeaRiver Maritime LLC (SRM), a wholly owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil.Constructed by Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd., the 174,000 CBM LNG carriers are equipped with smart and energy-efficient technologies…
MOL Maintains No-Fee Stance on Hormuz Transit
Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) said on Friday three of its vessels that transited the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Gulf in April did not pay transit fees, sticking to a principle of navigation under international law.Tehran has proposed fees or tolls on vessels passing through the Strait, in its proposals to end the war with Israel and the United States.The Strait is one of the world's most strategically vital maritime routes…
MEPC 84 Advances Underwater Radiated Noise Advice
Last week at MEPC 84, the Committee approved a technical guidance circular on co-optimizing propulsion equipment for energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise at the design and retrofit stage.The circular seeks to clarify potential trade-offs between noise mitigation and conventional propeller design to promote the co-benefits of quiet ship technologies and energy performance.Case studies presented at an earlier workshop demonstrated that retrofits…
Australian Quantum Technology to Support National Defence Strategy
A new quantum clock technology developed in Australia has now been deployed in space.Developed by QuantX Labs, TEMPO delivers up to 10 times the performance of current GNSS-based timing systems. In space, that translates to more resilient communications, more accurate navigation and harder-to-disrupt synchronization between satellites and ground systems – capabilities that matter when GPS is jammed…
South Korea Could Be Asia’s Green Ammonia Hub
It was March that South Korea’s LOTTE Fine Chemical announced that it has successfully completed the world’s first commercial cross-border import of green ammonia. Then on April 23, the Ulsan Port Authority announced the successful completion of the world’s first ammonia bunkering operation involving a gas carrier at the port – a world first port-to-ship ammonia bunkering operation.This milestone builds on Ulsan Port’s earlier achievements…
US Says It Carried Out Retaliatory Strikes Against Iran
The U.S. military said it carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran on Thursday, targeting sites it said were responsible for attacking U.S. forces in what it called unprovoked hostilities by Tehran.Earlier, Iran's top joint military command said the U.S. had violated a ceasefire by targeting an Iranian oil tanker and another ship entering the Strait of Hormuz, and by striking civilian areas."U.S. Central…
Captain Rick Iuliucci Retires from Vane Brothers
Vane Brothers has announced the retirement of Captain Rick Iuliucci, Vice President of Operations, effective July 1.An official Change of Command takes place on June 1. At that time, Brendan MacGillivray assumes the role of Vane Brothers’ Chief Operating Officer at the head of a team that includes Captain Brian Rau in the new position of Vice President, Operations–East, and John Shkor as Vice President…
ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries to Advance Autonomous Surface Vessels
ABS, HD Hyundai and Anduril Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore autonomous maritime capabilities.The MoU establishes a framework for the organizations to enable end-to-end solutions encompassing vessel design, production, autonomy and classification for autonomous surface vessels.The collaboration brings together HD Hyundai’s shipbuilding capabilities with ABS’ classification…
ABS Acquires RMC Global to Strengthen Cybersecurity, Risk Management Capabilities
ABS, through its affiliate ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting), has announced the acquisition of RMC Global (RMC), a provider of industrial cybersecurity, risk management and resiliency solutions.The acquisition strengthens ABS Consulting’s capabilities and market position, bringing together two organizations with complementary expertise, shared values and a common mission. Combining RMC’s capabilities with ABS Consulting’s scale…
Damen Shipyards to Delivery of Two Tugs to Albayrak Group
Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Türkiye's Albayrak Group for the delivery of an ASD Tug 2111 and ASD Tug 2813. This is the first contract between the two companies.The Albayrak Group is one of the largest businesses in Türkiye and is active in the construction, industrial, and logistics sectors. The latter includes the management of Alsancak Port, Izmir;Trabzon Port, Türkiye; Conakry Port…
Rheinmetall Submits Non-Binding Bid for GNYK Shipyard
German defence group Rheinmetall has entered the race to buy shipyard German Naval Yards Kiel with a non-binding bid, a move that would deepen its push into naval defence and pits it against rival warship maker Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).Rheinmetall disclosed the bid as it released its first‑quarter results on Thursday but said it would not provide information regarding its size.CEO Armin Papperger said Rheinmetall has already begun the due diligence process and expects results in the ne
Iran Reduces Oil Production by 400,000 bpd, Further Cut Back Expected
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Thursday that Iran appears to have cut back oil production by 400,000 barrels per day and is likely to reduce it more as its storage units fill."It looks like they've likely already cut back their production, maybe by 400,000 barrels a day. They'll likely continue to ramp down their production as their storage fills and their inability to export oil," Wright said in an interview with Fox News.A U.S.
Spain Seizes 30 Tons of Cocaine, Detains 23 Crew Members
Spanish police have seized 30 tons of cocaine from a ship off the Canary Islands and detained its 23-member crew without bail in Europe's largest-ever bust of the drug, the High Court said on Thursday, more than doubling Spain's previous record.The Comoro Island-flagged Arconian was intercepted by the Guardia Civil police force on May 1, with a cargo the court valued at more than 812 million euros…
Oil Tanker Hit Near Strait of Hormuz, US Pauses Assist Program for Stranded Vessels
A Chinese-owned oil products tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, Chinese media outlet Caixin reported, as President Donald Trump launched a U.S. plan that day to help stranded vessels but suspended it a day later.This was the first time a Chinese oil tanker has been attacked, a person with knowledge of the matter told Caixin on Thursday.Traffic through the vital strait, through which 20% of the ‌world's oil and gas supplies pass…
Philippines Accuses China of Illegal Marine Research Near Gas-Rich Reed Bank
The Philippine Coast Guard has accused China of conducting illegal marine scientific research near the oil and gas-rich Reed bank within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, according to a statement on Thursday."We will continue to challenge any illegal activities that undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights," PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.PCG aircraft spotted Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 33 near Iroquois Reef during a maritime patrol on May 6
Coast Guard Awards Contract for New Training Facilities
The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract valued at up to $400 million to Whiting Turner Contracting Company for the design and construction of new facilities at Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Cape May, New Jersey. This marks the largest shore construction award in Coast Guard history and is part of a broader effort to modernize the service’s only accession point for enlisted personnel.The enhancements are funded through the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTCA)…
ABS, Seatrium to Collaborate on Maritime, Offshore Innovation
ABS and Seatrium Technology and Innovation Pte. Ltd, a technology subsidiary of global offshore, marine and energy engineering solutions specialist Seatrium Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance innovation, regulatory alignment and sustainable technologies across the maritime and offshore energy sectors.The agreement establishes a framework for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration to support Seatrium's technology team…
Cal Poly Maritime Academy to Set Sail on Annual Summer Sea Term
Over 300 Cal Poly Maritime Academy cadets will soon embark on their annual Summer Sea Term, a 65-day Pacific training voyage aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear, marking both a defining part of a cadet’s education and the final era of a vessel that has served the seafaring academy for three decades. The voyage also marks the first since the transition from California State University Maritime Academy to Cal Poly Maritime Academy, now part of Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.
OPT Demos Autonomous Offshore Charging for Maritime Drones
Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has demonstrated autonomous docking, charging and redeployment capabilities for its WAM-V autonomous surface vehicle as part of efforts to support longer-duration offshore operations.The company said the system enables the maritime drone to approach a dock, secure itself, recharge and return to operation without human intervention.OPT is preparing the technology for integration…
LNG Supply Disruptions Drive Surge in Coal Shipments, BIMCO Finds
Coal shipments to Japan, South Korea and the European Union rose 27% year-on-year in April as tight gas supplies and disruption to LNG shipments prompted buyers to seek alternative fuel sources for electricity generation, shipping association BIMCO said.The increase came as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted LNG exports from the Persian Gulf and contributed to an 8% decline in global seaborne LNG shipments in April…
