Seadrill Awarded Contract Extension in Angola
Seadrill has announced that Sonadrill Holding, its 50:50 joint venture with an affiliate of Sonangol E.P., has been awarded a contract extension.A seven-well priced option for the ultra-deepwater drillship Sonangol Quenguela has been exercised, extending operations in Angola by approximately 480 days and committing the rig into June 2028.Seadrill earns a management fee for providing management, operational and technical support to Sonadrill.
Additional LNG Exports from Plaquemines LNG Approved
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has authorized an immediate 13% increase in exports at Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG Terminal in Louisiana.The authorization allows additional exports of up to 0.45 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of U.S. natural gas as LNG to non-free trade agreement (FTA) countries from the Plaquemines LNG Terminal.Plaquemines LNG is now authorized to immediately export a total of 3.85 Bcf/d to both FTA and non-FTA countries.“At a time when Iran and its terrorist proxies attempt to disrupt the global energy supply…
Bernhard Schulte Offshore Takes Delivery of New CSOV
Bernhard Schulte Offshore (BSO) has taken delivery of a new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV). The Windea Carnot, which was built at Ulstein Verft in Norway on behalf of an institutional investor, was handed over to its new owner, BSO, following completion.The Windea Carnot is the third of three sister ships built at Ulstein that BSO has integrated into its modern offshore fleet since the middle of last year. BSO now operates six specialized vessels serving the global offshore energy industry.“The offshore market offers promising prospects.
Breakthrough Technology Unveiled at Oceanology International
Major industry announcements and new product launches continued to drive significant visitor numbers and plentiful business activity as Oceanology International 2026 (Oi26) surpassed expectations on the second day at Excel London.Among the companies taking center stage, expanding platform OceanSight used Oi to unveil its new collection of ocean technology brands built to advance marine sensing and subsea intelligence, celebrating an exciting new chapter focused on accelerating innovation and strategic growth.OceanSight…
Iran War Exposes Risks of Fossil Fuel Dependence
The economic risks of the world’s heavy dependence on oil and gas have been laid bare twice in four years - first with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and now with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran - undermining U.S. President Donald Trump’s flagship push to double down on fossil fuels.The dramatic supply disruptions and price spikes unleashed by the latest Middle East conflict are likely to harden the resolve of many governments to accelerate the drive for greater energy self‑sufficiency…
Jan De Nul Selects Ulstein Design for New Trenching Vessel
Jan De Nul has selected Ulstein Design & Solutions to provide the vessel design for a new subsea trenching vessel that will be added to the company’s offshore fleet.The vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2028, will be based on a proven subsea vessel platform adapted to support large-scale trenching operations.Subsea trenching involves creating protective channels on the seabed to bury pipelines, power cables and telecommunications lines.The vessel design will feature a modular configuration allowing it to support activities across several offshore sectors…
N-Sea Expands Fleet with Offshore Support Vessel Newbuild
N-Sea Group has entered into a long-term charter agreement with Rederij Groen for the newbuild offshore support vessel Dominus, which is being constructed by PASSER at Shipyard De Hoop in Tolkamer, the Netherlands.Construction of the vessel is underway following a keel-laying ceremony held in the final week of February. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for April 2027.The vessel will measure about 69.85 meters in length with a beam of 15.77 meters and a draught of 4.5 meters.
MOL Enters European Offshore Wind CSOV Market
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has agreed to jointly own two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) with Cyprus-based shipping company Schoeller Holdings, marking the Japanese company’s first entry into the European offshore wind support vessel market.The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2027. MOL has also decided to invest in Germany-based offshore vessel developer and operator Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt (DOS), which will operate the ships.The move expands MOL’s offshore wind vessel business beyond Asia…
Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt Starts Construction of C-CSOV Fleet in China
Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt (DO) has started construction of a new fleet of construction commissioning service operation vessels (C-CSOVs), with the first steel cut for the lead vessel DO Joule at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.The vessel is the first in a series of four ships ordered by Schoeller Holdings, with all vessels to be built to identical specifications.Columbia Shipmanagement will provide technical management of the vessels, while DO will act as developer…
Kongsberg Maritime, Seadrill, Hanwha Drilling to Develop Remote Dynamic Positioning Technology
Seadrill Limited, an offshore drilling contractor, Kongsberg Maritime AS, a global technology leader, and Hanwha Drilling, a provider of offshore drilling services, announced a strategic alliance to develop the next generation of remote Dynamic Positioning (DP) technology in offshore drilling.This collaboration represents a shared commitment to defining a global operating model for the future of DP operations for the industry. The initiative will develop the technical and regulatory…
Strategic Marine Delivers First Supa Swath CTVs to Mainprize Offshore
Strategic Marine has delivered the first two Supa Swath crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to Mainprize Offshore, marking the initial handover under a multi-vessel contract signed at in June 2024.The deliveries represent the first two vessels in a program covering six Supa Swath vessels, with options for a further six units. The contract supports Mainprize Offshore’s fleet expansion for offshore renewables operations across Europe.The program follows an earlier collaboration in 2024…
NYK Advances Design of Subsea Cable-Laying Vessel
Japanese shipping major NYK Line has completed the basic design of a new long-distance subsea cable-laying vessel intended to support the development of Japan’s future high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission network, marking a key milestone in a national effort to strengthen offshore renewable energy infrastructure.The vessel’s design recently received General Design Approval (GDA) from classification society ClassNK, confirming that the concept meets relevant international…
DRIFT Energy, Enapter to Develop Marinized Electrolyzer Technology for Offshore Hydrogen
DRIFT Energy, a leader in ocean-based renewable energy, has signed a collaboration agreement with Enapter to adapt the design of their Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology for deployment at sea. The agreement was formalized during a visit by DRIFT’s CEO, Ben Medland, to Enapter’s production facility in Pisa, Italy, this week.The partnership will accelerate development of the energy storage element of DRIFT’s technology ecosystem, paving the way for the production of over 30 energy ships currently on the company’s order book.
Floater Backlog Showing Signs of Strengthening
After a softer 2025, floater backlog is strengthening for 2026 and beyond, driven by early contracting, strong South American demand, and a growing pipeline of 2027+ programs.By the close of 2025, total floating rig backlog days had fallen 25% compared with 2024. This was in large part due to few contract awards coming out of Brazil, the world’s biggest user of floating rigs. As of the end of January 2026 however, the number of rig days already booked for this year is up 4% from…
U.S., Israel Stike Iran: What's Next for Shipping
The diplomatic route in Iran is now exhausted, as last night the United States and Israel attacked Iran, sharply escalating security risks for commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters, prompting immediate operational and insurance repercussions across the global maritime sector.According to Jakob Larsen, Chief Safety & Security Officer at BIMCO, the attacks “dramatically increase the security risk to ships operating in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters,” particularly for vessels with business ties to U.S.
IMCA Enhances Digital Learning Hub
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has announced it has launched IMCA Skills, their leading, digital, learning hub, which will now be the go-to place for the marine industry’s competence and development needs.The first product on the new platform is the migration of the Dynamic Positioning continuing professional development learning program which is designed to be the first step in bringing all their CPD content together in the secure and easy-to-use platform which will offer improved learning and user experience.It is designed to make professional development simpler…
German Shipowner Buys Two Multi-Purpose Vessels
Germany’s Ernst Russ has acquired two multi-purpose vessels, MV Ronnie and MV Charlie, as part of its long-term fleet strategy to expand exposure to the project cargo segment and strengthen predictable earnings.The Hamburg-based shipowner said both vessels have been fixed on seven-year charters to dship Carriers, a globally operating European company specialized in project cargo, providing long-term employment and improved cash flow visibility.The vessels, scheduled for handover in the first quarter of 2026…
Eidesvik Offshore’s PSV to Stay a Little Longer with Aker BP
Norwegian oil and gas company Aker BP has extended a contract for Eidesvik Offshore’s platform supply vessel (PSV) Viking Prince.The firm period for the PSV has been extended with approximately two months, and will run to end of April 2026. No additional details about the contract were disclosed.Viking Prince is a 2012-built platform supply vessel (PSV), with a deck area of around 1 050 m2.The 89.6 meters-long, liquified natural gas (LNG)-fueled vessel was upgraded to battery hybrid system and a shore power system in January 2022.
Kongsberg Maritime to Equip LS Marine’s Ultra-Large Cable Lay Vessel
Kongsberg Maritime has been selected to supply a fully integrated equipment package for a next-generation ultra-large cable laying (CLV) vessel being built for LS Marine Solution at Tersan Shipyard in Türkiye.The vessel, designed to support growing global demand for subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and optical cable installation, will be 148.4 meters long and 31 meters wide, with a cable carrying capacity of 13,000 tonnes and total displacement of 18,800 tonnes.It is…
Nam Cheong Hooks $64.5M Deal to Build Four OSVs
Malaysia-based offshore support vessel (OSV) builder Nam Cheong has secured shipbuilding contracts worth $64.5 million from a UAE-based global energy maritime logistics company for the construction of four offshore support vessels, marking its first newbuild contract win in over a decade.The order comprises two dive support vessels (DSVs) and two 60-meter remote operated landing crafts (ROLC), with deliveries scheduled between the second half of 2027 and early 2028. All four vessels will be constructed at Nam Cheong’s Miri Yard in Sarawak…
DOF Group ASA Awarded Contract in Argentina
DOF Group ASA announced the award of a substantial contract for a project in Argentina. The project is scheduled for offshore operations across two campaigns in Q2 and Q3-Q4 of 2026 and will encompass mooring pre-lay, pipeline end manifold installation/construction management, tie-in spools installation, hook-up and pre-commissioning of two CALM buoys, and diving services. DOF will utilize Skandi Hera and Skandi Patagonia for the project with an expected combined duration of more than 250 days.Preparations are underway…
Island Offshore’s Hybrid OECV Hits Water at Vard Yard in Romania (Video)
Island Offshore’s new hybrid Ocean Energy Construction Vessel (OECV) has been launched to the water at Vard Shipyards Romania in Brăila.The 120-meter vessel, labeled NB 977, is designed to support offshore operations with reduced environmental impact. The vessel, of VARD 3 25 design, will be equipped with a 250-tonne heave-compensated subsea crane, DP2 capability and accommodation for up to 130 personnel.The hybrid-powered vessel will feature a 1.7 MWh energy storage system for hybrid propulsion, a heat recovery system and engine sets prepared for alternative low-emission fuels.
Martens en Van Oord Purchases Autonomous Survey Vessel From Demcon unmanned systems
Martens en Van Oord, a contractor in roadworks, civil and hydraulic engineering, is taking a step toward further sustainability and modernization of its fleet by investing in the latest generation of the V4000 autonomous unmanned survey vessel (USV) from Demcon unmanned systems, a specialist in high-tech autonomous vessels for hydrographic and maritime applications. The selected 4‑meter variant provides increased range and longer endurance thanks to the additional hull length…