Coastal and Inland News

AI-powered voyage optimization, autonomous port operations and maritime safety technologies headline the competition's 10th anniversary.Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and the National University of Singapore's NUSX announced the winners of the 2026 PIER71 Smart Port Challenge (SPC), marking the competition's 10th anniversary with a record 586 proposals from 281 startups across 39 countries.The competition, designed to accelerate maritime innovation and commercialization…

October 2026 container imports reached an all-time high of 2.67 million TEUs, according to Descartes, as China-origin cargo rebounded, East and Gulf Coast ports gained ground, and global shipping faced continued uncertainty over trade policy, maritime security and critical shipping routes.U.S. container imports surged to an all-time monthly record in October 2026, reaching 2,674,808 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), an increase of 5% from September and 16% compared with October 2025…

The U.S. Coast Guard is concluding its scheduled 2026 seasonal evaluation of six Saildrone Voyager Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) on the Great Lakes this week ahead of forecasted winter icing conditions. Following the completion of this seasonal evaluation, the Coast Guard intends to conduct an additional test and evaluation period in the spring of 2027 as part of a service-wide effort to evaluate how autonomous technologies enhance Coast Guard missions and assist operators.Deployed between April and November 2026 across the Great Lakes…

The Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports employer group and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 extended their contract to November 20 and plan to continue negotiating a new labor agreement covering about 2% of workers at the busiest US container port complex.The Pacific Maritime Association and the union representing about 250 maritime watchmen at the ports are negotiating with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.Union watchmen control and inspect truck and employee entries at terminal gates…

Every year, the President’s budget proposes investments in infrastructure projects across the country. For navigation projects on America’s inland waterways, one of the most important factors influencing whether a lock and dam modernization project advances in the annual budget process is its benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR).On its surface, the concept sounds simple and sensible. A project’s benefits should exceed its costs. The higher the ratio, the stronger the justification for federal investment.But when it comes to inland waterways infrastructure, the formula used by the U.S.

After its first year of transatlantic service, NEOLINE's wind-powered cargo ship demonstrates the potential for substantial fuel savings, while technical issues highlight the challenges of bringing sail propulsion into mainstream commercial shipping.For all the discussion surrounding shipping's decarbonization, the commercial equation for alternative propulsion technologies remains relatively straightforward: How much does the technology cost, how much fuel can it save, and how…

The Panama Canal expects to announce the pre-qualified bidders for a project to build and operate two new container terminals by the end of this year, Administrator Ilya Espino said on Wednesday, advancing a tender process linked to one of the world's most strategic trade corridors.Speaking at the Houston International Maritime Conference, Espino said the canal authority has evaluated initial proposals, and the shortlisted companies will next receive a request for proposals, moving…

The Panama Canal expects to announce the pre-qualified bidders for a project to build and operate two new container terminals by the end of this year, Administrator Ilya Espino said on Wednesday, advancing a tender process linked to one of the world's most strategic trade corridors.Speaking at the Houston International Maritime Conference, Espino said the canal authority has evaluated initial proposals, and the shortlisted companies will next receive a request for proposals, moving the project into a more formal bidding stage.Espino did not elaborate on the pre-qualified companies but said that global shipping heavyweights such as Maersk and MSC…

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes increased 11.4 percent from last year to a total of 4.9 million tons. Shipments were 1.5 percent above the month’s 5-year average.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 37.1 million tons, an increase of 3.5 percent compared to October 2025.Through October, iron ore loadings are 5.2 percent below their 5-year average. Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: October 2021-2026 and 5-Year AverageIncludes Transshipments to Quebec City for Shipment Overseas(net tons) AveragePort2021202220232024202520262021-2025Duluth…

U.S. shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes decreased 7.8 percent from 2025 to 2.95 million tons. Limestone cargos were below the month’s 5-year average by 17.3 percent. Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 18.8 million tons, a decrease of 17.7 percent compared to last year and 22.4 percent below the month’s 5-year average. GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: OCTOBER 2021-2026 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE (NET TONS) 202120222023202420252026Average2021-2025U.S. Ports2,915,6163,197…

Switch Maritime and Incat Crowther have secured a Design Basis Agreement (DBA) with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for their SWITCH-150 hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast ferry, marking a regulatory milestone in the development of the 150-passenger vessel.The agreement establishes a regulatory framework to guide the vessel's construction, commissioning and eventual operation, with the design intended to deliver performance comparable to diesel-powered ferries while producing…

"Between January and October, coal shipments to India dropped 7% y/y due to the increased cost of imports. Thermal coal demand has remained strong, particularly from the power sector, but domestic mining has not kept pace, forcing power plants to draw down inventories. In contrast, coking coal demand growth has eased following a decline in steel production amid low margins,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.The cost of imported coal has increased due to a weaker rupee and higher coal prices.

We are approaching the end of America’s 250th birthday year, a year of reflecting on the vital contributions of American maritime to building and strengthening our nation. Against this backdrop, it’s ironic and unfortunate that this year has also brought a misguided assault on the Jones Act, the foundation of America’s maritime strength and independence throughout the modern era. The tradeoff? America’s maritime future for a political talking point and less than a penny a gallon in savings at the gas pump.In March…

America’s ports and waterways depend on a strong partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the domestic dredging industry. That partnership supports commercial navigation, military readiness, energy exports, coastal protection, and the movement of goods throughout the country.The Dredging Contractors of America (DCA) supports the Corps’ goals of improving project delivery, coordinating schedules, reducing unnecessary costs, and maintaining reliable navigation channels.As…

Jody Peacock concluded his service as Chief Executive Officer of Ports of Indiana effective November 1. On that date, Ports of Indiana Chief Operating Officer Dave Parrott and Chief Financial Officer Erica Jackson began serving as the organization’s interim leadership team. Commission Chairman Steven Stemler is taking an active role working with them to lead Ports of Indiana during the interim period.“On behalf of the Commission, I thank Jody for his more than 25 years of service to Ports of Indiana,” said Stemler. “Dave and Erica bring strong experience and a deep commitment to our ports.

Dutch maritime technology company PortXchange is expanding its EmissionInsider platform with emissions forecasting, scenario modelling and AI-assisted decarbonization planning tools to help ports assess the environmental impact of their operations and future investments.The planned upgrade will also introduce multimodal emissions monitoring, bringing together emissions data from vessels, trucks, rail movements and cargo-handling equipment, the company said.The expanded platform will comprise four connected products: Emission Report…

Dutch maritime technology company PortXchange is expanding its EmissionInsider platform with emissions forecasting, scenario modelling and AI-assisted decarbonization planning tools to help ports assess the environmental impact of their operations and future investments.The planned upgrade will also introduce multimodal emissions monitoring, bringing together emissions data from vessels, trucks, rail movements and cargo-handling equipment, the company said.The expanded platform will comprise four connected products: Emission Report, Emission Dashboard, Emission Simulations and Emission Strategy.Emission Report will provide structured reporting for ports with different levels of data availability…

On October 27, 2026, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Awarded $41,414,928 in Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) Grants to Corn Belt Ports. MARAD continues to invest in the four modern, sustainable, rural, regional, multimodal, inland, partnership ports in the Heart of the Corn Belt. Since 2003, a total of $143 million has been invested by MARAD in eleven rural port infrastructure projects (See attached slides for more background information).“The regionalization of the ports in the Heart of the Corn Belt is paying off…

StormGeo, part of Alfa Laval, has acquired Portchain, a provider of berth alignment software connecting terminals and carriers through shared, real-time port call data. The acquisition adds port call coordination to StormGeo’s Voyage Intelligence, creating the foundation for a new approach to Just-in-Time voyage optimization at scale. The goal is to connect decisions about route and speed with the latest information on berth availability and terminal plans, helping operators respond…

Dockworkers in 22 countries will strike on Friday, protesting against war and the use of ports for arms exports in action organisers say could disrupt over 40% of Mediterranean cargo and snarl over $2 billion worth of freight.The strike, originally called by dockworkers' unions in Italy, France, Greece, Spain's Basque Country, Turkey and Morocco, is now backed by more than 25 unions in 113 ports.The protest is expected to target major shipping hubs across Europe and beyond, including Hamburg…

The Maritime Administration has approved a deepwater port license application for the $8.2 billion ST LNG project, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday.The project could further expand US liquefied natural gas export capacity. President Donald Trump's administration has promised to ease permitting in a bid to speed up energy infrastructure development.The ST LNG deepwater port, set to be built about 10.4 miles (16.7 km) offshore Matagorda, Texas, will include four 2.1 million tonnes per annum liquefaction plants for a combined production capacity of 8.4 mtpa…

Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor has been awarded $11.2 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to modernize its cargo handling, including the specialized equipment needed to support future international container service. The grant is part of a $498 million investment to modernize 35 port projects across 19 states and strengthen America’s supply chains.The Burns Harbor Container Handling Modernization Project will fund a mobile harbor crane…

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) congratulates the 35 award recipients of the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants from the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) application cycle.This year, the mainstay port industry grant program, administered by MARAD under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), will invest $498 million to upgrade America’s ports in 19 states. A few project examples funded by this round of awards include:Relocation…

The Port of Oakland will soon begin construction on critical infrastructure improvements across the Oakland Seaport, including upgrades that will enable Matson Terminal to transition to a 100% zero-emission cargo-handling equipment fleet. Once complete, Matson Terminal will be the first marine terminal at the Port of Oakland to achieve this milestone, supported by new charging and electrical infrastructure. The Port celebrated the start of construction today alongside California…

Seven Japanese companies have agreed to develop an integrated ammonia fuel supply chain and build four ammonia-fueled car carriers, establishing a commercial bunkering operation in Japan's Chubu region to support the vessels when they enter service in 2030.The agreement brings together shipowners NYK Line and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), shipbuilders Imabari Shipbuilding, Shin Kurushima Dockyard, Nihon Shipyard and Kyokuyo Shipyard, as well as energy company JERA.The project encompasses green ammonia procurement…

Shipping through Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta was stable and grain exports had increased by end-September, the port authority said, despite a spike in marine insurance premiums driven by increased attacks on cargo vessels.In September, London's marine insurance market widened the area in the Black Sea it lists as high risk, as Russia's war in Ukraine escalated, with only the territorial waters of Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey exempted.The Black Sea is a vital route for grain…

Shipping through Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta was stable and grain exports had increased by end-September, the port authority said, despite a spike in marine insurance premiums driven by increased attacks on cargo vessels.In September, London's marine insurance market widened the area in the Black Sea it lists as high risk, as Russia's war in Ukraine escalated, with only the territorial waters of Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey exempted.The Black Sea is a vital route for grain, crude oil and refined products and the four countries share its waters alongside Ukraine and Russia.However, the past three weeks have seen a sudden surge in deadly attacks on commercial ships off the coasts of NATO members Romania and Bulgaria…

Mammoet Canada Eastern Ltd., Port of Argentia Inc. and Argentia Capital Inc. (ACI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance plans for a floating dry dock and marine repair facility at the Port of Argentia in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.The proposed development would combine Mammoet's heavy lifting, transport and marine engineering capabilities with the port's existing infrastructure, creating additional capacity for vessel maintenance, repair and industrial services.Central to the project is the Tugdock Submersible Platform (TSP)…

The fourth edition of the Port Entrepreneurship International Congress (PEIC) concluded in Valencia, Spain, attracting more than 650 participants from the international maritime, port and logistics sectors, marking record attendance for the event.Organized by Opentop, Valenciaport's open innovation hub, the October 20–21 congress brought together startups, technology developers, port authorities, logistics companies and investors to explore emerging technologies and opportunities for collaboration.International participation accounted for 45% of attendees…

The Port of Los Angeles recorded its lowest emissions per container on record in 2025, continuing a two-decade decline in air pollution even as container throughput remained near historic highs.According to the port's newly released Inventory of Air Emissions, diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions declined 2% in 2025 compared with 2024, while nitrogen oxides (NOx) fell 4%, sulfur oxides (SOx) decreased 5% and greenhouse gas emissions dropped 3%. The NOx reduction brought annual…

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and OMERS have agreed to sell their combined 63.9% stake in Associated British Ports (ABP) to a fund managed by IFM Investors, in a deal expected to close in the first half of 2027.Under the agreement announced on October 21, CPP Investments will sell its entire 33.9% holding, while OMERS will dispose of its 30% stake in the UK ports operator.IFM Investors is a global asset manager, founded and owned by Australian pension funds and the UK pension fund…

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and OMERS have agreed to sell their combined 63.9% stake in Associated British Ports (ABP) to a fund managed by IFM Investors, in a deal expected to close in the first half of 2027.Under the agreement announced on October 21, CPP Investments will sell its entire 33.9% holding, while OMERS will dispose of its 30% stake in the UK ports operator.IFM Investors is a global asset manager, founded and owned by Australian pension funds and the UK pension fund, Nest, with capabilities in infrastructure equity and debt, private equity, private credit, real estate and listed equities.The transaction is subject to customary shareholder and regulatory approvals…

Ports should begin preparing for advanced nuclear technologies, including nuclear-powered ships, floating power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs), according to a joint report from Lloyd's Register (LR) and the British Ports Association (BPA).The report, Advanced Nuclear Technology Use Within Port Environments, examines how nuclear technology could support growing port energy requirements while creating opportunities in shipbuilding, vessel maintenance, industrial power…

Trade activity across the Houston Ship Channel region continued to expand in August and September 2026, with strong growth in foreign cargo exports, vessel traffic, container throughput and steel imports, according to Port Houston's latest Monthly Trade & Market Report.The Houston Ship Channel region handled 22.3 million short tons of foreign cargo in August, an 18% increase from 18.9 million tons in August 2025. Exports drove the growth, rising 24% to 17.8 million tons, while imports remained essentially unchanged at 4.55 million tons.Through the first eight months of 2026…

Critical infrastructure has never been more connected. Across ports, energy networks and industrial facilities, operators have access to unprecedented volumes of operational data generated by sensors, surveillance systems, satellite imagery, connected equipment and digital monitoring platforms. Every day, these technologies provide valuable insights into the performance, condition and security of critical assets. Yet despite this growing visibility, one challenge continues to persist.The problem is no longer collecting operational data.

The United States’ Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions have good dredging stories to tell. Major channel projects have been completed. Ports are investing in new capacity. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and its partners are advancing more work across the region. At the same time, maintenance dredging keeps the channels that the private sector dredging industry built open for business.That progress is easy to see in Virginia. In February 2026, dredging was substantially completed on the Port of Virginia’s $450 million harbor and channel improvement project.

German defense contractor Rheinmetall and Swiss shipping company MSC have won an auction to acquire Romania's Mangalia shipyard for approximately $155 million (€138 million), with plans to develop the facility for both commercial and military shipbuilding.The acquisition, expected to be completed within a few weeks, will be jointly funded by the two companies, Rheinmetall said.The shipyard, located south of Constanța, will be developed into a dual-use facility serving domestic and international markets…

Rozema Boat Works, Inc., of Mount Vernon, Washington, won a contract for the construction of a 56-ft. pilot transfer vessel for the Tampa Bay Pilots Association, based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Designed by Camarc Design, the all-aluminum vessel features a refined double-chine hull optimized for efficient, reliable performance and safe pilot transfer operations in a wide range of operating conditions.The vessel will be powered by twin Caterpillar C-18 diesel engines rated at 715 horsepower at 2100rpm.

Iran and its proxies have carried out dozens of pinpoint strikes on infrastructure in the Gulf since the start of the war, systematically disabling critical equipment and causing cascading failures and economic damage region-wide in a deft campaign that helps explain how the Islamic Republic has held its own against the more powerful US military.Iran and the allies it arms went after vital oil-routing systems at Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, the main port outside the Strait of Hormuz, disabling operations for weeks.

The St. Louis Metro Port system remains the nation’s most efficient inland port system, according to the latest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data, ranking first in cargo tonnage per river mile and fourth in total tonnage among seven major inland port districts.In 2024, the 70-mile port system handled 24.8 million tons of cargo, averaging 354,286 tons per river mile. That figure was more than double the efficiency of each of the three higher-volume inland port districts.“Maintaining…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), CMA CGM Group and Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the supply and use of liquefied bio-methane, or bio-LNG, as a marine fuel, leveraging Singapore’s existing LNG infrastructure to support shipping decarbonization.The agreement brings together MPA’s regulatory expertise, CMA CGM’s shipping operations and SLNG’s LNG infrastructure capabilities to develop practical pathways for supplying…

A Japanese consortium led by shipping giant NYK Line has developed a new port-based floating data center concept designed to accelerate the commercialization of offshore data centers while addressing growing constraints on land availability, electrical power and construction timelines.The consortium, comprising Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), NTT FACILITIES, Eurus Energy Holdings and MUFG Bank, envisions floating data centers moored alongside existing port quays, leveraging…

Russian forces hit two ships delivering military and dual-use cargo to Ukraine's port city of Mykolaiv, the Russian defence ministry said on Tuesday, without mentioning any energy facilities following US President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday of an energy ceasefire.Reuters could not independently verify the report.Following are the targets in Ukraine which Russia struck overnight and during the day on Tuesday, according to Russian defence ministry:In Kyiv and Kyiv region:A workshop at the Pulp Mill Print facility…

Wärtsilä has signed a five-year service agreement with Finnish ferry operator Viking Line covering the passenger ferry Viking XPRS, expanding the companies' maintenance partnership to a third vessel.The agreement covers the vessel's Wärtsilä engines and includes maintenance planning, scheduled spare parts, tailored maintenance support and a dedicated contract manager responsible for overseeing maintenance activities.The contract is designed to improve engine reliability, operational…

Following more than two years of extensive work, the reinforcement of the south quay at the container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg has been completed on schedule and within budget. The Skandia Gateway project will now enter its next major phase, with blasting and dredging works closest to the quay commencing on October 13.Since spring 2024, NCC has carried out reinforcement works along the westernmost 700 meters of the container terminal’s south quay. The quay reinforcement is a central part of Skandia Gateway and is essential to deepening the area closest to the quay…

Norwegian construction company Veidekke has signed a contract worth approximately $10.7 million (NOK 103 million) with Vestland County Council to upgrade two ferry terminals in western Norway.The contract covers the Hatvik and Venjaneset terminals serving the Hatvik–Venjaneset ferry route on county road 552 in Bjørnafjorden Municipality.The project includes the construction of new ferry ramps, extensions to auxiliary quays, foundation works, land reclamation, new abutments and…

"During the first nine months of 2026, clean product volumes loaded on LR2 tankers fell 28% year-on-year following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the lower volumes, tonne-mile demand increased 2% year-on-year,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.LR2 product tankers loaded on average 2.1 million barrels per day (mbpd) of clean products during the first three quarters of 2026, 0.8 mbpd less than in the same period of 2025. In 2025, more than 40% of clean product volumes carried by LR2s were loaded in the Persian Gulf, equivalent to 1.2 mbpd.

Anduril Industries plans to invest $3.7 billion in a new Maryland shipyard to manufacture Virginia-class submarine components and other subsea systems, alongside a U.S. Navy contract worth up to $2.9 billion tied to production targets.The Arsenal-2 facility will be built at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point, Baltimore County, with permitting and site preparation beginning immediately and initial operations expected in 2030.The combined public and private investment totals $6.6 billion, with Anduril set to build and operate the site. The U.S.

Liberty Global Logistics (LGL) and Hyundai Glovis signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evaluate the feasibility of developing and operating a small modular reactor (SMR)-powered Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), initially targeting service between the United States and South Korea.The MoU moves the nuclear-powered ship project beyond conceptual design toward examining the regulatory, infrastructure, technical and commercial hurdles required for actual operation. LGL will evaluate the U.S.

Ongoing fleet renewal by niche player Cool Carriers indicates continuing competitiveness at scale of the specialized, pallet-optimized reefership.Not so long ago, it seemed that the unrelenting march of containerization and ever-widening influence of the powerful ocean container line entities would finally usurp the conventional, breakbulk refrigerated cargo vessel. However, Limassol, Cyprus-headquartered Cool Carriers, the largest operator in the sector, displays remarkable resilience…

Shipments of iron ore from U.S. ports on the Great Lakes decreased 1.2 percent from last year to 4.6 million tons in September. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 11.4 percent.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 32.2 million tons, a 2.4 percent increase compared to 2025. Through September, iron ore loadings are 6.1 percent below their 5-year average for the first three quarters of the year. Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: September 2021-2026 and 5-Year AverageIncludes…

The Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) is marking its 60th anniversary with plans to modernize ship registration and accommodate a fleet increasingly adopting alternative fuels.Established in 1966, SRS has grown to more than 4,400 vessels. At the end of 2025, the registry reached a record 137 million gross tonnage (GT), up 27% year-on-year, making Singapore the world’s fourth-largest ship registry.The fleet averages approximately 11 years in age, making it the youngest among the world’s 10 largest registries…

U.S. shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes increased 1.8 percent from last year to 2.7 million tons. Limestone cargos were below the month’s 5-year average by 5.8 percent. Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 15.9 million tons, a decrease of less than one percent compared to 2025 and 3.2 percent below the month’s 5-year average.GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: SEPTEMBER 2021-2026 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE (NET TONS) 202120222023202420252026Average2021-2025U.S. Ports3,022,9892…

Höegh Evi and Petroleum Sarawak (PETROS) have agreed to jointly develop, own and operate a proposed LNG import terminal in Kuching, Malaysia, targeting first gas by the end of 2029.The Kuching LNG Terminal will comprise a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), mooring infrastructure, subsea and onshore pipelines and onshore receiving facilities.The project will form part of the Kuching Low-Carbon development in Sarawak and supply natural gas for power generation in Kuching.

Port of Albany-Rensselaer, NY CEO Richard J. Hendrick was unanimously elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) at its Annual Convention in New Orleans. AAPA represents more than 130 public port authorities in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.This is the first time in more than 40 years that the AAPA Chairman has been elected from the North Atlantic Region. Hendrick will serve a two-year term in this role. Previously, he served the AAPA Board as Vice Chairman and as the representative of the North Atlantic Region.

When Interferry convenes its annual conference in Bangkok, Thailand, the international ferry association will mark a milestone: its 50th anniversary. But while there will be plenty of time to celebrate five decades, CEO Mike Corrigan sees the meeting as an opportunity to tackle some of the biggest technical, regulatory and operational challenges confronting ferry operators today.Interferry has grown from a small group that gathered periodically to discuss ferry operations into an organization with approximately 300 members in 40 countries and regular interaction with roughly 3…

Marsa Maroc has selected a Liebherr LPS 550 portal slewing crane for bulk cargo operations at the Port of Casablanca, marking the first deployment of Liebherr's LPS crane series in Africa.The rail-mounted crane, which is set to enter service at the Moroccan port, features an electric drive and a 48-metre boom. Its portal design allows cargo operations while preserving space along the quay.The order expands Marsa Maroc's fleet of Liebherr equipment following the delivery of three…

Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat) celebrated the naming of the latest LPG/Ammonia carrier to join its fleet during a special ceremony held at the HD Hyundai Samho shipyard in Yeongam, South Korea.Energy North is set to enter service on the second of October 2026, is the first under Nakilat's program to build six new vessels at the HD Hyundai Samho shipyard, comprising two LNG carriers and four LPG/ammonia carriers.Mr. Abdullah Al Sulaiti, the Chief Executive Officer of Nakilat…

PortXL, a maritime startup accelerator, presented the 11 startups and scale-ups selected for its 2026 acceleration program. The cohort was chosen after vetting a global pool of applicants of more than 250 startups. It spans three focus areas relevant for the future of port and maritime: Maritime & Offshore, Energy & Infrastructure, and Dual Use.Since its founding in 2015, PortXL has connected startups and scale-ups with corporate partners, investors and mentors across the maritime, energy, logistics and chemical industries.

"During the first three quarters of 2026, US dry bulk shipments to China have grown 104% y/y, driven by a 176% y/y increase in the shipment of grains. Volumes between the two countries weakened in 2025 amid rising trade tensions and higher tariffs. However, an agreement reached in November 2025 lowered tariffs on US grains and set import targets for US soya beans, allowing shipments to partly recover in 2026,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.US coal and petcoke shipments to China have also strengthened so far this year, with coal up 44% y/y and petcoke up 33% y/y.

SSE has selected Montrose Port as the preferred operations and maintenance base for its planned 1.4 GW Berwick Bank B offshore wind farm off Scotland, a move expected to create 100 full-time jobs.The new operational hub will be located at Montrose Port's South Harbour, with technicians and engineers responsible for the day-to-day operation of the wind farm over its expected life of more than 35 years.Around 30 additional jobs will be supported during construction of the base, which will involve redeveloping Montrose Port Authority's existing offices.Berwick Bank B…

American Cruise Lines christened  American Ranger on the Hudson River last week. American Ranger is the third new ship the company has launched this year and the fourth new Patriot Class ship. The christening celebration took place on September 24 when the ship was docked at Historic Catskill Point, Catskill, New York. Inaugural cruise guests, company executives, and crew members celebrated on the top deck with a festive cookout and the ceremonial bottle smash. Susan Renner, American’s longtime Treasurer and Board Chair, did the honors serving as the ship’s godmother.

The death toll from an Indonesian ship that capsized more than two weeks ago rose to 71on Monday, as divers braved leaking fuel and dangerously unsound structures to try to find passengers still listed as missing.The Virgo Transport 8 ferry was carrying 243 people when it capsized in bad weather in the Java Sea on September 13 during a voyage from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan. Authorities said 108 people survived.Divers were navigating through unstable debris on the 16th day of the search…

Ports are looking for affordable, reliable ways to decarbonize while still getting the performance they need. Propane can be part of that entire energy mix — from moving freight to material handling to producing dependable power. Jim Bunsey of the Propane Education Research Council (PERC) visits with Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, to share insights on how ports, terminals and even the workboat market [with a forthcoming conversion of the Erie class diesel tugboat Cheyenne to a hybrid propane vessel with electric drives] are increasing the uptake on this clean…

Stena Line has ordered two hybrid E-Flexer RoPax ferries from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard for delivery in 2030, with the vessels intended for its Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route between Sweden and Denmark.Each 214.5-metre vessel will accommodate 1,500 passengers and provide 2,750 lane metres of freight capacity across three vehicle decks, comprising one deck for passenger vehicles and two for freight.The day ferries will use hybrid propulsion allowing operation on…

"Disruptions and strong growth in head-haul trades continue to support the container shipping market in 2026, but accelerating fleet growth could weaken the supply/demand balance in 2027,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.BIMCO continues to forecast two scenarios. The “SoH Closed” scenario assumes that the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed throughout 2026 and 2027, while the “SoH Open” scenario assumes normal transit conditions throughout 2027. In both scenarios…

Anchor QEA Principal Walter Dinicola, PE, F.ASCE, was named president of the Western Dredging Association (WEDA) at the organization’s 2026 Dredging Summit & Expo in Montreal.Anchor QEA’s national leader for Ports and Waterfront, Dinicola brings more than three decades of experience in dredging, ports and harbors, waterfront infrastructure, dredged material management and beneficial use to the role. He has been on WEDA’s executive board for 10 years and was most recently the organization’s…