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…
Hanwha Ocean Partners with Thordon Bearings on Canadian Submarine Bid
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Canadian marine bearing manufacturer Thordon Bearings have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation on Canada’s submarine procurement program and other naval projects.The agreement focuses on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program, one of the largest conventional submarine procurement programs currently planned, under which Hanwha Ocean has been…
SCHOTTEL to Supply Propellers for Chinese LNG Bunkering Vessels
German marine propulsion manufacturer SCHOTTEL has been selected to supply rudder propellers for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels being built for Shanghai International Port Group in China.The vessels, each with a loading capacity of 20,000 cubic meters, are under construction at Jiangnan Shipyard and are scheduled for delivery in April 2027.SCHOTTEL said the ships will each be equipped…
Solstad’s Normand Maximus CSV In Line for Two-Year Subsea Work
Solstad Offshore has signed a letter of intent with an international subsea contractor for the charter of construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Maximus.The contract is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and run through the first quarter of 2029, with an option to extend it to the first quarter of 2030.Under the agreement, Normand Maximus will support worldwide operations for the client…
IEA: Middle East Conflict Reshaping Medium-Term Gas Outlook
The Iran war has already led to a loss of about 120 billion cubic metres of global liquefied natural gas supply over the 2026 to 2030 period, Gergely Molnar, an analyst from the International Energy Agency, said on Thursday.Speaking at the Budapest LNG Summit, Molnar said the conflict was reshaping the medium-term gas outlook, with tighter market conditions likely to persist longer than previously expected.He said the crisis had cut LNG supply by around 15%, but a strong increase in new liquefac
U.S. Forces Disable Unladen Tanker Attempting to Violate Blockade
U.S. forces operating in the Gulf of Oman enforced blockade measures by disabling an Iranian-flagged unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port at 9 a.m. ET, May 6.U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces observed M/T Hasna as it transited international waters enroute to an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S.
Construction Underway on New Matson Container Ships
Matson has marked two milestones in its fleet renewal program with the beginning of hull assembly on the second of three new LNG powered "Aloha Class" container ships and the start of construction on its third new vessel at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc. (HSPI) in Pennsylvania.The three new Jones Act-compliant vessels, representing an investment of approximately $1 billion, will match the size and speed of Matson's two existing Aloha Class ships, Daniel K.
Australia Bans Bulk Carrier for MLC Violations
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued a third ban in less than two months after another shipping company was found to have underpaid its crew, breaching the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).On April 23, AMSA boarded the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, FPMC B Forever, operated by Formosa Plastics Marine Corporation, in the Port of Newcastle for a port State control inspection.Inspectors found the crew had been underpaid by almost A$15…
Cuba Blasts “Dangerous” US Threats
Cuba's top officials blasted a growing litany of U.S. statements and threats of military action against the Caribbean island, calling them dangerous and an international crime alongside an ongoing U.S. oil blockade that has vastly restricted fuel shipments amid a devastating energy crisis.Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez characterized the U.S. as "hinting at a military action" to "liberate" Cuba…
Non-Genuine Parts Implicated in Engine Failure
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) as released its report on the investigation into the catastrophic engine failure and subsequent fire on board the site investigation vessel Kommandor Susan in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, on January 25, 2025.The vessel suffered a catastrophic failure of a diesel generator engine while conducting sea trials in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. The failure resulted in an engine room fire and a complete power blackout.The crew responded promptly…
MSC 111 Expected to Adopt MASS Code
The Maritime Safety Committee meets for its 111th session from 13-22 May 2026.The meeting is expected to adopt the goal-based International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS Code).The MASS Code aims to address the functions needed for safe, secure, and environmentally sound operations of MASS insofar as they are not adequately or fully addressed in other applied IMO instruments…
Europe Funds Large-Vessel Hydrogen Project
A consortium led by the University of Vaasa has been awarded Horizon Europe funding for the H4PERION – Hydrogen FOR Performance Enhancement and Reliable Ice OperatioN – project which aims to demonstrate how a large vessel can operate with a hydrogen‑capable internal combustion engine.Long‑distance shipping remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. Ships operating for weeks at a time need enormous…
Sara Fuentes Named as President of Transportation Institute
The Transportation Institute (TI), representing U.S.-flag American shipping companies, announced the appointment of Sara Fuentes as President of the organization. Fuentes previously served as the organization’s Vice President for Government Affairs and will lead TI’s continued work to advance a strong U.S.-flag merchant marine and a resilient American maritime workforce.“I am honored by the confidence of the board and grateful for Jim Henry’s extraordinary leadership.
U.S. Coast Guard Counters Maritime Threats With New Special Missions Command
The Coast Guard is standing up the Special Missions Command to oversee its deployable specialized forces. The command will enhance the operational effectiveness of the Coast Guard in responding to a wide range of national emergencies and events as the demand for deployable specialized forces capabilities increase. The Coast Guard selected the existing Coast Guard C5I Service Center facility in Kearneysville, West Virginia, as the future site of the Coast Guard’s Special Missions Command (SMC).
