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Thursday, February 12, 2026

Ports News

10 Feb 2026

Valenciaport Sees Record Container Volumes in '25

Image courtesy Valenciaport

Spain’s Valenciaport closed the 2025 financial year with higher revenues, sharply improved profitability, and a new record for container throughput, underscoring continued carrier commitment despite a volatile global trade backdrop.Provisional results reviewed by the board of directors show net turnover rising 9.02% year over year to €164.3 million, while pre-tax profit climbed 50.51% to €43.7 million. Container volumes reached 5.66 million TEU, up 3.41% from 2024 and the highest annual total in the port authority’s history.Presenting the figures at the board’s first meeting of 2026…

10 Feb 2026

China's Appetite for Coal Wanes

Copyright Parilov/AdobeStock

Coal-fired power generation decreased 1.9% in 2025; non-fossil generation outpaces demand growthChina's coal-fired power generation decreased 1.9% in 2025, marking a historic shift driven by new non-fossil generation that has finally outpaced demand growth, according to a recent report from Wood Mackenzie.Power demand grew 5% in China in 2025, or 494 TWh, yet for the first time in a decade, coal-fired power generation did not increase to help meet this demand. Instead, the incremental demand was met by carbon-free generation…

09 Feb 2026

EU Proposes Extending Sanctions on Russian Oil to Georgian, Indonesian Ports

Credit: Bennekom - stock.adobe.com

The EU has proposed extending its sanctions against Russia to include ports in Georgia and Indonesia that handle Russian oil, the first time it would target ports in third countries, a proposal document showed on Monday. The proposal, reviewed by Reuters, wouldadd Kulevi in Georgia and Karimun in Indonesia to the sanctions list, meaning European companies and individuals would be barred from carrying out transactions with the two ports.The sanctions package, which would be the 20th imposed by the EU over Russia's actions in Ukraine…

09 Feb 2026

U.S. Military Boards Suezmax Tanker Aquila II

A Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) crew member observes the oil tanker Bella 1 in the North Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 6, 2026. Munro’s crew monitored the vessel until it was seized by Coast Guard deployable specialized forces, with support from the Department of War, after Bella 1 violated U.S. sanctions and resisted initial boarding attempts off coastal Venezuela in late December. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

U.S. military forces boarded a crude oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after pursuing it from the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday, accusing the vessel of breaching Washington's blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from Venezuela."Overnight, U.S. military forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding on the Aquila II without incident " Hegseth wrote in a post on X. "It ran, and we followed."After capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military raid last month in Caracas, the U.S.

05 Feb 2026

Panama President: Future Port Contracts Will Not Be Issued to a Single Operator

© Adobe Stock/Nicola78/Wirestock Creators

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on Thursday that the concession of contracts to operate two ports held and operated for nearly three decades by Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings will "never again" be issued to a single company.Panama's Supreme Court last week nullified CK Hutchison's contract to operate two ports along its strategic canal through its Panama Ports Company subsidiary, ruling that the contracts violated the Central American nation's constitution by giving the company exclusive privileges and tax exemptions."I don't expect this situation to escalate…

04 Feb 2026

CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration over Panama Canal Ports Contract Ruling

 © piter2121 - stock.adobe.com

Hong Kong's CK Hutchison said on Wednesday its Panama Ports Company unit has started international arbitration proceedings against Panama after the country's top court annulled its licences to operate two Panama Canal ports, in a case that could take years to resolve.Panama's Supreme Court last week ruled the contracts violated Panama's constitution by giving the company exclusive privileges and tax exemptions.It is unclear how long the arbitration proceedings could take, although given the political sensitivities involving the U.S.

03 Feb 2026

Port of Virginia Advances Capacity with Addition of ULCV Berth

© Kyle - stock.adobe.com

The Port of Virginia is continuing to modernize and expand its operations and recently debuted additional capacity to safely handle simultaneous calls of ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs).In late January, the port put four new, all-electric, Suez-class ship-to-shore container cranes into service at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT). With the expanded crane fleet at NIT, the port now has the capacity to accommodate four ULCVs at once. Today, the port has 29 ship-to-shore…

03 Feb 2026

US Approves License for Texas Deepwater Oil Export Port

© AU USAnakul / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Transportation Department on Tuesday approved a license for oil transportation and storage company Sentinel Midstream's planned deepwater oil export project off the Texas coast.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement to Reuters the Texas GulfLink project is part of the Trump administration's effort to boost the U.S. oil industry and production and allow for the export of up to 1 million barrels of crude oil per day. The Texas GulfLink deepwater port will be located approximately 26.6 nautical miles off the coast of Brazoria County…

02 Feb 2026

Dajin, Zima Plan Offshore Wind Foundations Plant at Spain's Gijon Port

(Credit: ZIMA)

China-based offshore wind foundations manufacturer Dajin Heavy Industry and Spanish industrial group Zima Equity Investments have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an offshore wind foundations manufacturing facility at the Port of Gijon in Asturias, northern Spain.Under the agreement, the partners plan to establish a manufacturing plant at the Port of Gijon capable of producing foundations for offshore wind projects serving the European market and other global regions.

30 Jan 2026

Panama Court Quashes CK Hutchison Port Contracts

© Casimiro - stock.adobe.com

Panama's Supreme Court has annulled key port contracts held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, leaving the future ownership of some Panama Canal operations unclear and possibly upsetting its plans to sell some terminals.Panama Ports Company (PPC), a CK Hutchison subsidiary, has held contracts since the 1990s to operate container terminals at the canal's Pacific and Atlantic entrances, separate from the waterway's operations.The decision could disrupt CK Hutchison's proposed $23 billion sale of dozens of ports worldwide…

28 Jan 2026

CMA CGM to Form Port JV with Stonepeak

Source: Stonepeak

French shipping group CMA CGM and U.S. investment firm Stonepeak have agreed to create a joint venture valued at nearly $10 billion to operate and invest in port terminals, including in the United States, the companies said on Wednesday.CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping group, last year announced plans to invest $20 billion in the United States, winning plaudits from President Donald Trump who has made reviving the U.S. shipping sector a policy priority.Under the terminal joint venture…

27 Jan 2026

BIO-UV Group, Microwise to Tackle Port-Side Ballast Water Treatment

MicroWISE CEO Pia Haecky  says collaboration with BIO-UV Group’s long-established BIO-SEA ballast-water treatment technology will result in real-time organism analysis, creating an integrated approach to treatment and compliance validation. © BIO-UV

BIO-UV Group has announced a strategic partnership with water-monitoring specialist MicroWISE to develop new ballast-water treatment and verification solutions designed to address rising enforcement pressures and the anticipated growth of port-side reception facilities.The collaboration combines BIO-UV Group’s BIO-SEA ballast-water treatment technology with MicroWISE real-time organism analysis, creating an integrated approach to treatment and compliance validation.The partnership comes at a critical moment for the maritime industry.

27 Jan 2026

Watch: Los Angeles State of the Port Speech

Source: Port of Los Angeles

A record crowd of more than 900 industry and community representatives gathered for the 11th annual State of the Port, where Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka outlined his vision for the future, highlighting “Build Bigger and Build Smarter” investment priorities.Hosted by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association since 2016, ticket proceeds from the event have now raised more than $350,000 for local non-profit organizations. This year’s recipients were EXP and the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro.Seroka announced the Port handled 10.2 million container units in 2025…

23 Jan 2026

Associated Terminals takes a Pair of All-Electric Cranes

The CBG 500 E enhances river operations and marks a major step in strengthening the regional logistics infrastructure on the
Mississippi River.
Image courtesy Liebherr

Associated Terminals and Liebherr Maritime Cranes celebrated the christening of two CBG 500 E cranes in New Orleans, introducing the first all-electric transshipment cranes of their kind on the Lower Mississippi River. Each crane is engineered for high-volume bulk handling, offering maximum grab capacities of 90 tonnes in sheltered waters and up to 65 tonnes inopen water, complemented by a lattice boom design with up to 50 metres outreach. Integrated LiCaTronic energy recovery systems improve efficiency by recovering energy generated when braking or lowering loads…

14 Jan 2026

EU Backs Øresund CCUS Cross-Border Scheme

(Credit: Interreg Øresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak)

The European Union has awarded funding to support the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in the Øresund region, backing a cross-border project aimed at accelerating renewable energy use and enabling the production of sustainable fuels.The three-year project is supported by financing from the Interreg Øresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak program and will establish a Danish-Swedish collaboration platform focused on integrating CCUS into the regional energy system.The…

21 Jan 2026

AD Ports Strengthens Offshore Wind Push with Spanish Shipyard Acquisition

(Credit: AD Ports)

Abu Dhabi Ports Group, via its subsidiary SAFEEN Drydocks, has acquired full ownership of Balenciaga Astilleros Shipyard in Spain for a total consideration of $13.1 million, consolidating the group’s operations in Spain and the Mediterranean and supporting its expansion in the offshore wind sector.SAFEEN Drydocks, part of Noatum Maritime, acquired the Basque-region shipyard, which will be renamed Balenciaga Shipyard, adding nearly a century of shipbuilding experience and advanced infrastructure to AD Ports Group’s portfolio.The facility includes two drydocks…

21 Jan 2026

Worley Joins Australia’s Westport Program as Marine Infrastructure Adviser

© aerial-drone / Adobe Stock

Worley has been selected as Marine and Port Infrastructure Technical Advisor by the Government of Western Australia for the Westport Program, which aims to deliver a new container port in Kwinana.Under a joint venture with Arcadis, Worley will provide technical advisory and concept design services for marine and port infrastructure under an initial three-year agreement. Construction of the port is expected to begin in the late 2020s, with operations expected by 2040.Once completed…

21 Jan 2026

China’s Crude Oil Imports Spike 5%

Chart courtesy BIMCO

"In 2025, China’s total import of crude oil rose nearly 5% -- 4.9% to 11.6 million barrels per day (mbpd) from 11.1 mbpd in 2024 according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) in China. Seaborne imports increased an estimated 4.0% year-on-year. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), China’s stockpiles rose slightly less than 1 mbpd, indicating that the underlying import demand fell nearly 0.5 mbpd,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief…

21 Jan 2026

Tech Talk: Self-Propelled Mobile Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge

© MHI-TC

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Transportation and Construction Engineering, Ltd. (MHI-TC), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has built and completed delivery to Yokohama City of the Mitsubishi Marine Bridge (MMB), a self-propelled mobile seaport passenger boarding bridge (SPBB). Manufactured at MHI's Mihara Machinery Works in Hiroshima Prefecture, the MMB was put into service at Osanbashi Yokohama International Passenger Terminal on January 13. Capable of connecting to the large cruise ships that dock at Osanbashi…

22 Jan 2026

Methanol-Fueled CMA CGM Monte Cristo Delivered

CMA CGM's Monte Cristo is the first vessel in a series of six 15,000-TEU methanol container ships, as part of the group’s decarbonization strategy. Image courtesy CMA CGM

The CMA CGM Group recently received its 400th owned vessel, the CMA CGM Monte Cristo, the first in a series of six methanol container ships.This key milestone reflects the Group’s long-term investment strategy, built on asset ownership and the integration of advanced technologies to enhance the environmental and operational performance of its fleet.With the CMA CGM Monte Cristo, the Group reaches a milestone of 400 owned vessels, within a fleet of more than 650 vessels worldwide.

13 Jan 2026

Singapore Boasts Record 2025

© Kalyakan / Adobe Stock

Singapore posted record port performance in 2025, supported by resilient global trade and fuel offtake.The nation achieved a record of 3.22 billion gross tonnage (GT) of vessel arrivals and 44.66 million TEUs of container throughput in 2025 – a 3.5% and 8.6% increase from 2024, respectively.Marine fuel sales also hit a new high at 56.77 million tonnes, a 3.4% increase from 2024, with continued growth in the use of alternative marine fuels, which increased to 1.95 million tonnes in 2025 compared to 1.35 million tonnes in 2024.On 14 January 2026…

15 Jan 2026

China's Coal Imports Slump

Chart courtesy BIMCO

"In 2025, seaborne coal shipments to China fell 10% as domestics supply increased and demand from steel manufacturing and electricity generation weakened. The decline affected shipments out of Indonesia, the US, Australia and Colombia in particular,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.China is the world’s largest importer of coal and the destination of 28% of seaborne coal shipments, which account for 4% of dry bulk tonne mile demand. Thermal coal, which is used for electricity generation…

15 Jan 2026

Last Chance: Early Bird Registration Ends January 15 for Port of the Future Conference 2026

Last Chance: Early Bird Registration Ends January 15 for Port of the Future Conference 2026Secure your spot at Houston's premier maritime event before rates increaseHOUSTON, TX – The clock is ticking for port executives, maritime professionals, and industry leaders to secure early bird registration for the 2026 Port of the Future Conference. The discounted rate ends January 15, 2026, offering significant savings for what promises to be the maritime industry's most comprehensive gathering of the year.Taking place March 24-25…