Maritime Law & Regulations News

Saipem and Subsea7 have cleared a key U.S. regulatory hurdle for their planned merger after the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 expired, allowing the transaction to close in the United States once all remaining conditions are met.The companies said all applicable waiting periods under the U.S. antitrust law have expired, while noting that the proposed merger remains subject to certain regulatory approvals outside the United States.The merger was agreed under a binding agreement signed in July 2025…

As lithium-ion batteries continue to make their way into the marine space whether through vessel systems, transported electric vehicles, or everyday devices onboard we are starting to see a different type of fire loss than most of us have traditionally dealt with.These events are not necessarily more frequent, but when they occur, they tend to be severe. In many cases, they result in prolonged fires or even total loss of a vessel or cargo. That aligns with broader industry findings that fires remain one of the costliest drivers of marine insurance losses…

Oman has presented Iran with a plan backed by Gulf states to manage the Strait of Hormuz, including collecting voluntary fees for using it, a Gulf source and a Western diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.The plan could serve as a basis to end the disruption to trade through the strait caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.President Donald Trump, who abruptly called off a two-week U.S. bombing campaign over the weekend in his latest strategic U-turn, said there were "good talks" under way with Iran but threatened to restart strikes unless negotiations deliver.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel "cannot go unanswered".Iran said the attack in the Caspian Sea resulted in an explosion that killed one sailor and injured another.Araqchi made the comments in calls with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Araqchi posted on X.Lavrov, in a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, offered condolences in connection with the death of a sailor in the attack.Lavrov said Araqchi thanked local authorities in the Russian region of Astra

For decades, cargo criminals followed a familiar playbook: steal consumer electronics, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals or luxury goods. These products were easy to fence and commanded healthy profits. But according to the latest BSI Consulting and TT Club 2025 Cargo Theft Report, the economics of cargo theft are changing rapidly—and nowhere is that more evident than copper. The report reads less like a crime summary and more like a lesson in commodity markets. Criminal organizations are no longer simply stealing what is valuable today…

A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz reported being struck by an unknown projectile, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel and board a lifeboat, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said on Tuesday.UKMTO said it had received multiple reports on Tuesday that a tanker had broadcast over VHF Channel 16 that it had been hit by an unknown projectile. The incident was reported eight nautical miles east of Oman's Limah and authorities were investigating.UKMTO said…

ABB has agreed to acquire UK-based intelligent flow control solutions provider Rotork in a recommended all-cash deal valuing the company at about $5.5 billion, expanding its automation portfolio and strengthening its position in industrial automation.ABB said Rotork's flow control and instrumentation portfolio complements its existing automation business and will strengthen its position at the field-device layer by adding intelligent field devices and software used to monitor…

Marcura has acquired the business assets of Fairway Maritime LLC, a US-based provider in demurrage and marine claims management. The acquisition follows those of HubSE and Shipdem, making Marcura Claims the industry’s largest laytime processor by volume. Marcura Claims spans self-serve laytime tools, AI-assisted claims processing and fully managed services across every major cargo segment.Fairway will be fully integrated into Marcura Claims. The existing team of analysts will…

One Indian crew member was killed and eight others were wounded when two Emirati oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday, in the latest escalation in the strategic waterway.Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's shipping arm ADNOC L&S later confirmed the very large crude carriers (VLCCs) Mombasa B and Al Bahiyah were struck while transiting Hormuz and had sustained "significant damage".UAE state oil giant ADNOC has been among the most active participants in a U.S.

UK P&I Club and TT Club have announced their joint offer to acquire Thomas Miller Holdings has received shareholder support, with acceptances in excess of 89%.The acquisition offer was made to shareholders on June 18, 2026 by TMH Bidco, a special-purpose vehicle jointly established by UK P&I Club and TT Club to facilitate the deal. The acquisition is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the receipt of requisite regulatory approvals, which are currently in progress.

Norwegian maritime technology company Kongsberg Maritime has agreed to acquire Swedish propulsion specialist Berg Propulsion in a move aimed at expanding its marine propulsion portfolio and strengthening its position across a wider range of vessel segments.Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, although Kongsberg Maritime said the acquisition was priced at approximately the same enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiple as its own current market valuation.The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.Headquartered in Gothenburg…

Italian energy contractor Saipem's merger with Norwegian peer Subsea 7 is set to face a full-scale EU antitrust investigation because of competition concerns about the deal, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.The companies announced the deal in February last year to create a leading global player in offshore energy services, from drilling and engineering to laying subsea infrastructure for offshore oil and gas projects. Both operate a fleet of vessels for these services.The…

Norwegian lighting specialist Glamox has agreed to acquire U.K.-based Consolite Technology, expanding its naval and defense business with specialized military lighting and optical communication technologies.Consolite develops military lighting and optical communication systems for naval and defense applications. Its portfolio includes night vision technology, military LiFi systems and specialist lighting solutions for defence environments.The company is also a supplier to major UK naval programs…

A Qatari LNG tanker remained stranded off Oman on Wednesday after a projectile strike sparked a fire in its engine room, though industry sources said the vessel's cargo appeared secure and the risk of an explosion was low for now.The attacks on the tankers prompted Washington to revoke a licence allowing Iran to sell oil and U.S. forces to strike Iranian targets overnight. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was "over", comments that triggered a 5% jump in global oil prices.The U.S.

A Key Locking the Courthouse Doors Unless Precisely and Appropriately TargetedThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s May 2026 ruling in Hill v. Jackson Offshore1 makes it clear: broadly challenging an arbitration agreement won’t get you into court. If there’s a delegation clause, you must aim directly at it first and separately.What HappenedSeaman Jeremiah Hill was severely injured on an offshore supply vessel in April 2023. During recovery, Jackson Offshore’s CEO provided the required maintenance and cure…

At least four oil and gas tankers have turned back from attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, ship-tracking data showed, as renewed attacks on vessels in the critical waterway heightened safety and security concerns.The diversions come after a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker and a Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker were damaged near the strait on Tuesday following reports that Iran fired missiles at ships in the waterway, prompting maritime authorities to raise the threat risk for transiting vessels to "severe."The LNG tankers Al Ghariya…

Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials.Two commercial ships suffered significant damage but had no casualties, the report said, citing a U.S. official.Separately, Britain's maritime security agency said a tanker caught fire after being hit by an unknown projectile east of Oman's Limah early on Tuesday.The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations…

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has agreed to acquire majority stakes in four companies for an initial expenditure of about $687 million (€600 million), expanding its capabilities in marine drones, subsea services and underwater communications across commercial and defense markets.The agreements cover acquisitions of majority stakes in Next Geosolutions, WSense, Graal Tech, and Defcomm, which will be integrated into Fincantieri’s Underwater technological hub.Next Geosolutions…

Australia's competition regulator said on Friday the proposed merger of energy contractors Subsea7 and Saipem would face a second-phase review over concerns it could reduce competition in key offshore oil and gas services.Here are a few details:The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the deal could lessen competition in the supply of certain subsea infrastructure used to connect underwater wells and production systems to surface facilities.The regulator described the services as critical to Australia's offshore oil and gas sector.The decision came a little over a week af

Australia's competition regulator said on Friday the proposed merger of energy contractors Subsea7 and Saipem would face a second-phase review over concerns it could reduce competition in key offshore oil and gas services.Here are a few details:The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the deal could lessen competition in the supply of certain subsea infrastructure used to connect underwater wells and production systems to surface facilities.The regulator described the services as critical to Australia's offshore oil and gas sector.The decision came a little over a week after Brazil's antitrust agency approved the merger without any conditions."We will conduct further in-depth inquiries during the Phase 2 assessment and seek more information about the likely competitiv

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Publications launches the sixth edition of Shipping and the Environment: A Guide to Environmental Compliance, offering an expanded and accessible overview of how shipping relates to environmental protection and global regulation.Developed for a broad audience, including shipping companies, seafarers, policymakers, and those new to the maritime sector, the guide provides a clear introduction to environmental requirements affecting shipping today, alongside developments expected in the years ahead.

A.P. Moller Holding has agreed to acquire 100% of Oslo-based ship leasing company Ocean Yield from funds managed by investment firm KKR, expanding its maritime portfolio.Ocean Yield has interests in more than 70 vessels across several shipping segments, including gas carriers, LNG carriers, container ships, crude, product and chemical tankers, and dry bulk carriers.Under KKR's ownership since 2021, Ocean Yield has invested more than $3 billion to expand its portfolio, diversify its investment-grade customer base and nearly double its long-term contracted backlog to more than $5 billion…

German federal prosecutors said on Thursday that a Ukrainian national tied to the Nord Stream pipeline blasts has been charged with being an accomplice to a war crime, disruption of public services, causing an explosion and destroying structures.Serhii K, as the suspect is known under German privacy rules, is suspected of acting on behalf of Ukrainian government entities, along with other military personnel, to destroy the pipelines in 2022.The aim was to permanently halt gas deliveries…

On 29 May 2026, Vantage Drilling International and Eldorado Drilling signed a merger agreement under which Eldorado will acquire Vantage, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. As part of the transaction, Vantage shareholders will receive $19 per share in cash, valuing the company at approximately $257.6 million. The combined entity will continue to operate under the name Vantage Drilling International.Post-transaction, the company’s fleet will comprise four drillships - including…