Shipbuilding News

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…

Italian shipowner Fratelli Cosulich has taken delivery of Carlotta Cosulich, the third of four methanol-ready bunker tankers being built under its fleet expansion program.The 8,585 deadweight tonne (DWT) vessel was officially delivered at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China on October 28, following the earlier deliveries of sister vessels Anna Cosulich and Lucia Cosulich.The new IMO II bunker tanker is designed to support a range of bunkering operations, with features including MarineLINE cargo tank coating…

BOURBON has taken delivery of the first of two new 34-meter crew boats from Grandweld Shipyards in Dubai, expanding its fleet of offshore personnel transport vessels.The first vessel was officially delivered on November 3 following successful sea trials.Designed to transport offshore personnel, the new vessels have capacity for 60 passengers, with business-class-style seating, a cruising speed of up to 38 knots and improved fuel efficiency compared with the previous generation…

Defiant marks the delivery of the third vessel in an eight-boat series between two of the Gulf’s leading maritime companies Master Boat Builders, Inc. delivered Defiant, the third of eight tugboats being built for Maritime Partners, LLC. “The delivery of Defiant marks the third tug in our eight-vessel series for Maritime Partners, but it also reflects the steady pace of work at Master Boat Builders”, said Garrett Rice, President of Master Boat Builders. “We’re delivering a tug from our yard every six weeks…

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…

With only a few weeks remaining in the calendar countdown, the largest collection of U.S. Maritime owners. operators, seafarers, shipyards and supply chain manufacturers will assemble again in New Orleans, La., during the first week of December. Much like a Hollywood production, the week can be a prequel, sequel, saga or franchise blockbuster. Standing with the US Maritime industry we should hope for a long running franchise.The attendees visiting the city this year will be faced with more than several important dates and activities forcing decisions prior to their arrival.

Yangzijiang Maritime Development has placed orders for 11 new vessels at Chinese shipyards, expanding its newbuilding portfolio to 111 vessels, including options and previously delivered ships.The latest orders comprise four bulk carriers of approximately 82,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) each and seven Long-Range 2 (LR2) tankers of approximately 114,000 DWT each, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030.The bulk carrier orders also include options for two additional vessels of similar specifications.Following the new orders…

Singapore-based OMS Group has secured $1.0315 billion in corporate and export credit agency-backed financing facilities, supporting a fleet expansion that includes four new fibre-optic cable-laying vessels scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028.The financing package comprises $911.5 million in corporate, trade and export credit agency (ECA)-backed facilities, together with an additional $120 million in trade facilities pending financial close.The ECA-backed portion, supported by Atradius Dutch State Business and Export Finance Norway (Eksfin)…

Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) has named nine new gas carriers at three South Korean shipyards, marking progress in its fleet expansion programs aimed at increasing LNG transportation capacity and diversifying into LPG/ammonia shipping.The naming ceremonies, announced on November 2, took place at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Samho, covering seven LNG carriers and two LPG/ammonia carriers.Five of the LNG carriers form part of Nakilat's 25-vessel…

Singapore-based Asia Break Bulk (ABB), part of Hamburg-based COLI Group, has signed long-term agreements with Schoeller Holdings for four new multipurpose heavy-lift vessels, with the first scheduled for delivery in October 2028.The four 12,600-DWT Octopus-type vessels, designed by CSSC-SDARI, will each feature two 250-tonne cranes capable of tandem lifts of up to 500 tonnes, expanding ABB's project cargo transportation capabilities.Each vessel will have a single box-shaped cargo hold measuring more than 89 meters in length…

TOTE Services, LLC, a U.S. maritime services company specializing in vessel construction management and ship management, announced its first shipyard selection, Hanwha Defense USA (HDUS), for the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program under TOTE Services’ Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) contract for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.As VCM for the LSM program, TOTE Services issued a request for proposals (RFP) to qualified U.S. shipyards in July 2026. The award covers construction of one LSM, valued at $269 million, at Hanwha Philly Shipyard (HPSI), with options for three additional vessels.

Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar Shipyards has delivered a new harbour tugboat to Bulgarian operator VTC S.A., marking the fifth vessel supplied to the company since their partnership began in 2003.The tug, renamed KASTRITSI by its new owner, will join VTC's fleet at the Black Sea port of Varna, supporting harbour towage and marine operations.Based on the RApport 2500 design by Robert Allan, KASTRITSI is a shallow-draft Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug designed for operations in confined and shallow waterways.The vessel measures 25.2 meters in length and 12 meters in beam…

General Dynamics reported $98.8 billion in new orders in the third quarter of 2026, driven by major submarine contracts, while revenue rose 12.9% year-on-year to $14.6 billion, the company announced on October 30.The aerospace and defense company's total backlog reached $220.3 billion at the end of the quarter, with an additional $50.4 billion in estimated potential contract value, bringing its total estimated contract value to $270.7 billion.Orders across its defense segments totaled $93.8 billion…

French shipbuilder Piriou has secured a contract from France's Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) for 16 new-generation RP30NG tugboats designed to support French Navy port operations, including maneuvers involving nuclear submarines and major surface combatants.The vessels, derived from Piriou's civilian tugboat range and adapted for military requirements, will also undertake firefighting, pollution response, maritime surveillance, fisheries inspection and assistance missions.Designed to operate up to 200 nautical miles offshore for several days…

Huisman has secured a contract from Siem Industries to supply four knuckle boom cranes for two offshore subsea construction vessels under construction at Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding in China, with deliveries of the vessels scheduled for 2029 and 2030.The contract covers two 400-tonne knuckle boom cranes with below-deck winches and two 50-tonne auxiliary cranes with deepwater capabilities, Huisman announced on October 29.The cranes will be manufactured at Huisman's production facility in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, China, while the vessels are being built at Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding in Fuzhou.Th

Shipbuilder Vard has launched a new energy construction vessel (ECV) being built for Wind Energy Construction, a Norwegian company partly owned by the founders and owners of Norwind Offshore, with delivery scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.The vessel, designated NB985, was successfully launched on October 27 and is under construction at Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, Vard announced.Based on Vard's VARD 3 11 design, the vessel is intended for offshore wind and subsea operations, including inspection, maintenance and repair of subsea pipelines, as well as the construction and installation of o

We are entering in interesting period in the subsea vessel market, as contract backlog among the EPCs continue to rise to new all-time highs, existing long-term contracts are coming up for renewals, and a wave of newbuilds are closing in on delivery. On the top end, the market dynamics are changing as the Tier 1 EPC landscape is consolidating, while the fleet is expected to see a net growth of more than 20% in the coming two years.The still pending merger between Saipem and Subsea 7 is getting closer, with now only the European Commission’s Phase II review outstanding at the time of writing.

CMA CGM, Nike and Vietnamese port operator Gemadept have launched a fully electric inland container barge service connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the Gemalink deep-sea terminal at Cai Mep, combining battery propulsion, dedicated charging infrastructure and renewable electricity.The barge will transport Nike cargo between an inland drop-off location in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly part of Binh Duong province, and Gemalink over a 180-km round trip.Designed to handle more than 50…

ECTMarine delivered a purpose-built workboat to Arab Potash Company (APC) in Jordan following successful site acceptance testing (SAT).The SAT of the Custom Workboat 104 was completed last week on APC's brine evaporation ponds at the Dead Sea. APC was represented on site by its main contractor, Alghanem.Designed and built in the Netherlands, the workboat was tailored to the conditions at the Dead Sea, where the dense, highly saline brine and the site’s location around 400 metres below sea level posed specific challenges.The Custom Workboat 104 features a forward wheelhouse…

Fincantieri and ITS Academy Udine have officially launched the new “Mechatronics & Robotics – Smart Ship” program in Monfalcone, a technical training initiative jointly developed to train highly qualified professionals who will contribute to the technological evolution of shipyards and to the integration of new technologies into production processes and onboard vessels.The launch ceremony was held at Fincantieri’s new training center and was attended by Paola Perabò, President of ITS Academy Udine…

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…

Fincantieri hosted Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao and senior federal officials at its Marinette and Sturgeon Bay shipyards in Wisconsin, highlighting investments in advanced manufacturing, automation and expanded shipbuilding capacity as the company prepares for construction of the U.S. Navy's Landing Ship Medium (LSM) vessels.The delegation included Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Maritime Administration Administrator Stephen Carmel, OMB Associate Director for Shipbuilding Jerry Hendrix and Eugenio Santagata…

Sanmar Shipyards has delivered SAAM XIMBAL, a new BOGAÇAY Class tug, to SAAM Towage, marking the 18th SANMAR-built tug delivered to the towage operator since 2018.Known as BOGAÇAY XCVI during construction in Türkiye, SAAM XIMBAL will operate from the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas on Mexico's Pacific coast, supporting demanding ship-handling operations at one of the country's major commercial ports.SAAM XIMBAL is based on the RAmparts 2400SX-MK|I design, developed exclusively for SANMAR by Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd.

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)…

HD Hyundai and Kiewit Maritime Co. have announced plans to establish a joint venture to develop a new shipyard in the United States, targeting the start of construction in 2027 and full-scale operations in 2029.The proposed venture, HD Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC, would combine HD Hyundai's shipbuilding technology and shipyard operating expertise with Kiewit's engineering, construction and fabrication capabilities, the companies said.The shipyard is planned for an existing industrial site with deep water and unrestricted access to the Gulf…

Bayonne Drydock & Repair Corp. has secured a $673,123 grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to upgrade surface preparation equipment and expand workforce training at its ship repair facility in the Port of New York and New Jersey.Awarded through MARAD's Small Shipyard Grant Program, the funding will be combined with the shipyard's own investment to purchase automated ultra-high-pressure hydro-blasting and surface preparation equipment. The improvements are intended to increase productivity…

"On 1 September 2026, the global shipyard order book reached an estimated 203.2m Compensated Gross Tonnage (CGT), up 13% from 180.0m CGT a year earlier,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.This is slightly below the all-time high of 210.4m CGT reached in May but remains above the previous record of 195.4m CGT from 2008.Much of the growth has been captured by Chinese shipyards, who secured 74% of the CGT contracted during the past year. This has further strengthened China’s position as the world’s largest shipbuilding nation.

OEG Marine Services has ordered three additional crew transfer vessels (CTVs) from Diverse Marine, expanding its offshore wind support fleet under a newbuilding program scheduled for delivery throughout 2027.The vessels will be built to the BREVITY SL Class design developed by Chartwell Marine, with each measuring 26 metres in overall length and having a load line length of less than 24 metres.All three CTVs will be constructed to the same specification, classed by Bureau Veritas…

The U.S. Navy and General Services Administration (GSA) have increased the ceiling value of Gecko Robotics' maintenance and inspection contract to $300 million, more than quadrupling the original $71 million award just six months after its announcement.The expanded indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract will support broader deployment of Gecko's robotic inspection and artificial intelligence technologies across the Navy fleet, with the objective of reducing maintenance costs and improving vessel availability.According to Gecko…

Union Vega Offshore has ordered two battery-hybrid platform supply vessels (PSVs) from Fujian Mawei Shipyard, with options for four additional vessels, under a design contract awarded to Breeze Ship Design.The vessels will be based on Breeze Ship Design's next-generation Z 4409 PSV design, with delivery of the first vessel scheduled for 2028.Each vessel will measure 84 meters in length and feature 900 square meters of deck space, battery-hybrid propulsion, a moonpool and accommodation…

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has signed an agreement with Shimonoseki City in Japan's Yamaguchi Prefecture to acquire industrial land on the artificial island of Choshu Dejima, supporting a major expansion of its shipbuilding capacity.The project, undertaken by MHI subsidiary Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, is expected to involve an investment of approximately 100 billion yen ($660 million), with up to 40 billion yen ($264 million) potentially covered by Japanese government subsidies.Mitsubishi…

Crowley has accepted delivery of Venture, a new chartered tug that will provide ship assist and escort operations in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The addition of the vessel expands Crowley’s capability to serve customers calling on the Southern California gateway, where harbor tugs play a critical role in the safe movement of vessels transporting cargo through the ports. Purpose-built at Diversified Marine, Inc. for ship assist and escort operations, the 82-ft., Jones Act compliant Venture is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516 EPA Tier IV-compliant engines generating more than 6…

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri, received the National Italian American Foundation's (NIAF) Dea Roma Special Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership in Maritime Industry during the organization's 51st Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.The award marks the first time NIAF has recognized an executive specifically for leadership and achievements in the international maritime industry.NIAF cited Folgiero's role in strengthening…

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.

All American Marine recently launched M/V North Star, the second high-speed, long-range eco-tour vessel built for Phillips Cruises & Tours. Like her sistership, Chugach Express, North Star will operate from Whittier, Alaska, carrying passengers through the tidewater glaciers and wildlife-filled waters of Prince William Sound.The 84.5-foot, hydrofoil-assisted aluminum catamaran features a Teknicraft Design semi-displacement hull and is certified to USCG Subchapter T standards for up to 150 passengers.

Zamil Offshore commissioned Incat Crowther and Singaporean shipbuilder Lita Ocean to design, build and deliver a fourth 60-m ABS-classed monohull Fast Support Intervention Vessel (FSIV). The project follows the delivery of the third vessel in the original fleet with the performance of the fleet leading to the order of a fourth vessel.The FSIV fleet is assisting Zamil Offshore with the efficient and safe transport of cargo, heavy maintenance equipment and personnel for Saudi Aramco’s operations in the Arabian Sea.

Steerprop was selected to supply its next-generation contra-rotating propeller (CRP) technology for Estonia's first fully electric passenger ferry, currently under construction at Poland's CRIST SA shipyard.The 95-meter ferry, designed by LMG Marin for the Estonian State Fleet, will feature two Steerprop SP 25 CRP units equipped with permanent magnet motors. The propulsion system is designed to deliver high thrust and improved efficiency in both open water and ice conditions.Steerprop's CRP configuration uses two contra-rotating propellers on a single shaftline…

Anglo-Eastern has detailed its role in developing and preparing CMB.TECH's Mineral Europa, the world's first ammonia-powered dry bulk carrier, which recently embarked on its maiden voyage.The 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax, built by CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, features a WinGD dual-fuel ammonia engine and a Sun Rui Ammonia Fuel Supply System. The vessel can operate on ammonia or conventional marine fuel, providing flexibility as ammonia bunkering infrastructure develops.Anglo-Eastern's involvement dates to 2018…

The U.S. Maritime Industry is sifting through a nearly two-year decision process after Executive Order 14269 announcements of “Maritime Dominance” of April 9th 2025. Initially reported as the strongest federal support in decades, longer periods of delays have also occurred as congress debates the Ships for America Act which has been passed from committee to committee in Congress. Legislation proposed to support American shipbuilding and the US flag commercial fleet and to date…

The 158-meter CCGS Imnaryuaq will feature 47 MW of installed power, diesel-electric propulsion and Polar Class 2 icebreaking capability, extending the Canadian Coast Guard's operational reach into the High Arctic.Seaspan Shipyards marked a major construction milestone for the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) future flagship polar icebreaker, CCGS Imnaryuaq, with a ceremonial keel laying at its Vancouver Shipyards facility in North Vancouver on October 14, 2026.Designed for year-round operations in Canada's High Arctic…

LD Armateurs and Norsepower completed installation of six rotor sails aboard Spirit of Toulouse, the first of three low-emission RoRo vessels being built to transport aircraft components for Airbus between Europe and North America.The installation, completed by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group at an outfitting facility in Shanghai, makes Spirit of Toulouse the world's largest RoRo vessel equipped with wind-assisted propulsion and, according to the companies, the vessel carrying…

Fincantieri is accelerating the integration of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across its global shipyard network, moving from technology experimentation toward industrial-scale deployment under its BOOST² – The Shipyard of the Future initiative.Launched three years ago, BOOST² has engaged more than 450 employees across 13 Fincantieri shipyards, including facilities in Italy, Romania and the United States. The program aims to improve productivity, workplace…

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…

Scripps Institution of Oceanography is building its next coastal research vessel in Chile. If that award stands as the model for how publicly funded institutions replace their fleets, the small American shipyards that build this country’s research vessels lose a market they cannot survive without.MarineLink.com reported the award in August: a 124-foot vessel for Scripps, part of the University of California San Diego, going to ASENAV in Valdivia, Chile. Qualified U.S. yards competed for it and came in under the project’s publicly stated budget. The work is leaving the country anyway.

Construction of OMS Group’s next-generation cable-laying vessel, CS Resilience, has reached a milestone with the laying of its keel at CRIST Shipyard in Gdynia, Poland, on September 17, 2026.The keel laying marks the start of hull assembly for the first of two vessels being built to the ULSTEIN SX252 design for OMS Group’s GREAT-Class fleet. Purpose-built for increasingly complex subsea projects, the 130-meter CS Resilience is designed to provide greater cable capacity and operational efficiency…

Sanmar Shipyards has signed a contract with Greek towage operator NEMECA for the construction of a new BOĞAÇAY Class tugboat. The agreement for BOĞAÇAY XCVII was signed in Piraeus, Greece on October 6, 2026, marking a milestone in NEMECA's strategic expansion and fleet modernization in the Mediterranean region.This latest order builds on the strong working relationship established between the two maritime leaders following Sanmar's delivery of GAIA, a RAstar 2900SX Class 82 tons bollard pull escort tug…

Ocean Craft Marine (OCM) delivered a 31-ft. (9.5-m) rigid hull inflatable boat to Hopewell Fire & EMS in Hopewell, Va.The vessel serves a dual role: fire and rescue operations for the fire department, and patrol, boarding, and port security missions for the Hopewell Police DepartmentThe boat will also operate as a designated asset of the Maritime Incident Response Team (MIRT) for the Port of Virginia. It adds fire suppression, search and rescue, dive support, and waterborne law enforcement capability to the regional team that protects one of the largest commercial ports on the U.S.

PowerCell Group has received a follow-up order worth $2.7 million (SEK 27 million) from GMI Group for fuel cell systems and engineering services for two additional hydrogen-electric bulk carriers, expanding the collaboration from two to four vessels.The order covers 10 Marine System 225 fuel cell units, providing more than 2 MW of power, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028.The agreement follows an initial order placed in September 2025 and brings PowerCell's total supply across the four vessels to 24 Marine System 225 units…

Bibby Marine has launched its new battery-first electric commissioning service operation vessel (eCSOV) at Armon Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, ahead of its planned delivery in 2027.The vessel, which will carry the name Staffordshire, entered the water on October 10 and will undergo further outfitting at the shipyard over the coming months, including the installation of its battery systems.Unlike conventional hybrid-assist designs, the eCSOV is designed to use its energy storage system…

Green Yard Kleven will build hull modules for a vessel for Salthammer Båtbyggeri. Together, the two shipyards will deliver a complete vessel built in Norway. The modules will be constructed at the shipyard in Ulsteinvik and delivered to Salthammer Båtbyggeri in Vestnes.“We are very pleased to have secured this contract,” said Hans Jørgen Fedog, CEO of Green Yard. “Equally important is preserving our expertise. The skilled workers building hulls today are the same people who will build and maintain Norwegian vessels in the future.

Abu Dhabi-based NMDC Group has inaugurated its new Abu Al Bakhoush heavy-duty cutter suction dredger in Nantong, China, expanding its fleet of more than 170 vessels and strengthening its capacity for offshore and marine infrastructure projects.Built by Jiangsu Haixin Shipping Heavy Industry, the self-propelled vessel measures 148 meters in length and has a maximum dredging depth of 38 meters.The dredger is equipped with a 7.8 MW cutter and total installed power of 30,040 kW, enabling it to undertake heavy-duty rock cutting and dredging operations for offshore trenches…

The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command is a critical part of the United States’ national security equation, as any navy only goes as far as its supply chain allows. RADM Benjamin Nicholson, Commander, U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command, visited with Maritime Matters: The MarineLink Podcast, for a deep discussion on MSC, including changes in mariner pay and benefits that will enable it to attract and retain the seafarers it wants and needs.Military Sealift Command occupies an unusual position in the U.S. Navy enterprise.

Bollinger Shipyards this week welcomed Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Russ Vought, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Kevin Lunday, and senior Coast Guard and Administration officials to its Houma and LaShip facilities for a firsthand look at progress on the Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program.During the visit, Bollinger leadership provided updates on construction readiness, workforce development and infrastructure investments supporting the Coast Guard's next generation fleet of medium polar icebreakers.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) appointed Hossam Edris as Naval Business Director for the Middle East.Based in Dubai, Edris will lead LR's naval and defence business development activities across the region, working closely with government and industry stakeholders as they modernise fleets, strengthen sovereign defence capabilities and adopt advanced maritime technologies.Edris brings more than 20 years of international experience across the aerospace, defence, aviation and technology sectors.

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.

In a spare few minutes I took a quick look at the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation Report: Small Modular Reactor Technologies for Maritime Applications of May 19, 2026.As near as I can figure, it focuses on two major concerns with regard to the use of SMRs in commercial ships:1. Insurance obstacles and2. Possible adverse reactions by the public to nuclear commercial ships.That is weird to me, since my major concern would be that it is taking way too long to simply build a commercial ship with an SMR as its power source.

Germany plans to buy four more Meko A-200 frigates from shipyard TKMS for about €5.6 billion ($6.3 billion), a finance ministry document seen by Reuters showed on Tuesday, with parliamentary budget committee approval expected on Thursday.The purchase follows a decision by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius to scrap the rival F126 frigate project with Dutch shipbuilder Damen over delays and cost overruns.Here are more details from the document, which was prepared for the budget committee of the lower house of parliament:Second tranche follows four ships of same type already on order…

MISC has named Th’ailib, the first of three new 174,000-cubic-metre liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers secured under long-term charter agreements with QatarEnergy, at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in South Korea.Th’ailib will enter a firm 15-year charter with QatarEnergy starting in 2026, with two additional vessels scheduled for delivery as part of MISC's participation in the energy company's LNG fleet expansion programme.The three vessels form part of the second phase of the program.

Sanmar Shipyards will build six new tugs for FAIRPLAY Towage Group under a fleet expansion program covering vessels for harbor, escort and offshore operations, with deliveries scheduled throughout 2027 and 2028.The order comprises three Robert Allan-designed vessel classes with bollard pulls ranging from 80 to 120 tonnes. All six will feature IMO Tier III-compliant main engines, Ice Class notation and FiFi 1 firefighting capability.The largest vessel will be a RAmpage 4200 offshore tug with 120 tonnes of bollard pull…

Meyer Werft has laid the keel for Disney Cruise Line's new Disney Believe, placing a specially minted Tinker Bell coin beneath it as construction of the 144,000-GT cruise ship advances in Papenburg in Germany.The traditional ceremony marked the start of assembly of the vessel's second gigablock. Its first gigablock left Meyer Werft's more than 500-metre-long covered building dock in September and is now at the shipyard's outfitting quay.The coin placed beneath the keel features a portrait of Tinker Bell, who will also adorn the bow of Disney Believe.

ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) has ordered three 90,000-cubic-meter Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) for a total investment of $324 million.The three newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2029, ADNOC L&S said.Upon delivery, the VLGCs will be deployed under seven-year contracts with ADNOC Global Trading.The investment is also valued at $324 million (AED 1.19 billion), according to ADNOC L&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…

SFL Corporation has ordered two 93,000-cubic-metre Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs) for about $216 million and secured long-term time charters for the newbuilds with an unnamed oil major.The vessels are scheduled for delivery from the second quarter of 2028 and will mark SFL's entry into the gas carrier segment.The associated charters will add a minimum of about $162 million to SFL's fixed-rate charter backlog. The initial charter duration will be determined within the next six months…

Saronic has broken ground on Port Alpha, a new U.S. shipyard at the Port of Brownsville, Texas, representing a private capital investment of more than $3 billion and a potentially significant addition to U.S. shipbuilding capacity.Situated on 835 acres with an option to expand to nearly 4,400 acres, Port Alpha is being designed to build autonomous, autonomy-capable and manned vessels. Saronic said the project could eventually support up to 10,000 direct jobs.At opening, the yard is planned to provide 150…

Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS) subsidiary IWS Fleet has ordered four Skywalker-class commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) for a combined firm yard price of around $301 million (€260 million), expanding its owned fleet from six to 10 CSOVs.The four vessels, priced at around $75 million (€65 million) each, will be built by Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment and delivered in 2029 and 2030 under fixed-price turnkey contracts.IWS Fleet has also secured options for another four vessels at the same firm prices…

Louisiana-based boatbuilder Metal Shark has been awarded a U.S. Government contract to build 13 patrol boats for Vietnam, with options for additional vessels.The contract expands Metal Shark's presence in Asia and builds on the company's successful delivery of 24 purpose-built 45 Defiant military patrol boats to the Vietnam Coast Guard between 2017 and 2020. The 45-foot welded-aluminum vessels enhanced Vietnam's maritime security and law-enforcement capabilities while supporting…

C&C Marine and Repair delivered M/V Capt. Pete Ciaramitaro, a 2,600-horsepower inland towboat, to Southern Devall. The vessel is the first delivery from C&C Marine’s six-vessel spec towboat program and was delivered just over two months after the contract was signed on July 20, 2026. The five remaining vessels are available, with deliveries scheduled to begin in November and continue at approximately two-month intervals.“We value the opportunity to work with Southern Devall and are pleased to deliver the Capt. Pete Ciaramitaro,” said Tony Cibilich, owner and president of C&C Marine and Repair.

Samsung Heavy Industries has signed a $226 million (KRW 307.4 billion) contract to build two very large gas carriers (VLGCs) for an undisclosed shipowner in Bermuda, according to a Korean stock exchange regulatory filing.The contract was signed on September 29 and runs through February 28, 2030, with the end date based on the vessels' delivery date.Payments will be made according to construction progress, with the contract including an advance payment.The order represents 2.9%…

SAAM Towage christened SAAM Petrel in Arica, the first tugboat in SAAM Towage’s Chilean fleet to achieve IMO Tier III certification.The tug is named after the petrel, a seabird native to the local coastline. Designed by Robert Allan and built by the Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey, the vessel is part of SAAM Towage’s regional fleet renewal program.

Chinese workboat and specialist vessel builder Jianglong Shipbuilding Technology has signed contracts worth $40 million to build two 78-meter multi-purpose offshore supply vessels for an undisclosed customer, with deliveries scheduled for 2028.The first vessel is due to be delivered on or before June 19, 2028, followed by the second on or before August 18, 2028. Payments will be made in installments as construction progresses.The contract value, which excludes owner-supplied items…

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.

Master Boat Builders, Inc. announced the successful launch of Titan (H502). Built by Master Boat for Suderman & Young Towing Company, Titan is the third RApport 3000-class escort tug in a four-tug series.The RApport 3000-class escort tug series is designed to support demanding harbor, ship-assist and escort operations. With an overall length of 98 feet, a moulded beam of 43 feet, and a bollard pull capacity of more than 90 metric tons, Titan is powered by two engines producing a combined 7,000 horsepower and is capable of approximately 13 knots.

McAllister Towing received the tug Mary McAllister from Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. in Maine. Mary McAllister is the sixth in a seven-tug series of American Bureau of Shipping-classed and certified 84-metric-ton bollard pull, low-emission tractor tugs. Mary McAllister is powered by CAT Tier IV engines producing 6,770 horsepower. She is classed with the following certifications and endorsements from ABS: +A-1 Towing, +AMS, Fire Fighting (FiFi 1), Escort, Low Emissions Vessel.

On September 18, NYK held a naming ceremony for a newly built liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier at HD Hyundai Samho Co., Ltd. in the Republic of Korea. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests and stakeholders, including Tetsuro Wada, CEO of Diamond Global Energy Pte. Ltd. (DGE), and Ryutaro Okuzawa, Executive Officer of NYK. During the ceremony, Mr. Wada named the vessel DIAMOND GAS NEXUS.The vessel is chartered to DGE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation based in Singapore, under a long-term time-charter contract.

NYK Line has ordered a new service operation vessel (SOV) from PaxOcean Group for offshore wind projects in Taiwan and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with delivery planned around 2029.PaxOcean will build the vessel at its Graha yard in Batam, Indonesia, while Ulstein Design & Solutions will provide the design and engineering package based on its SX222 platform.The 89.6-metre-long, 19.2-metre-wide vessel will accommodate up to 120 people and support offshore wind construction, operations and maintenance…

Russia plans to raise more than 200 billion roubles ($2.35 billion) from exporters to finance the construction of icebreakers for its Arctic sea route, according to a draft government decree published this week.Russia is seeking additional sources to finance the development of transport infrastructure as it grapples with a budget deficit and rising war costs. Here are some details about the plan, which was drawn up by the Transport Ministry.A shipbuilding fee of 20.07 roubles…

Italy has formally launched its next-generation destroyer program, with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) signing a contract valued at approximately $4.2 billion with OCCAR for two new DDX destroyers for the Italian Navy.OSN, the joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), said the contract includes approximately $1.48 billion in options and covers development, production, logistics studies and Initial In-Service Support.Fincantieri and Leonardo are expected to receive subcontracts valued at approximately $2.05 billion and $1.93 billion…

Van Oord has named its two next-generation flexible fallpipe vessels Vindnes and Vestnes, with the 35,000-tonne-capacity ships scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029.The purpose-built vessels, currently under construction at Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore in China, will expand Van Oord's subsea rock installation capacity for offshore wind, interconnector and other energy infrastructure projects.Unlike converted vessels, Vindnes and Vestnes have been designed specifically for subsea rock installation…

Fincantieri's Norwegian subsidiary Vard has signed a contract, worth between $76 million and $86 million, to build a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for Dong Fang Offshore, marking the fifth vessel ordered by the Taiwan-based marine contractor from the shipbuilder.The vessel will be based on VARD 4 39 design and adapted for subsea operations, offshore wind installation and maintenance, as well as cable laying and repair work.Measuring about 102.5 meters long and 19.5 meters wide…

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line), has taken delivery of the 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier Puteri Kelantan, the third vessel of its type delivered for Petronas LNG in 2026.The vessel, owned by a joint venture company led by “K” Line, was delivered on September 24 by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) in China.Puteri Kelantan follows two vessels of the same type delivered for Petronas LNG in May and June this year. A fourth sister vessel, Puteri Negeri Sembilan, is scheduled for delivery in November.The new LNG carrier is about 299 meters long and 46.4 meters wide…

Inside Seaspan Shipyards' efforts to help accelerate the U.S. Coast Guard's Arctic Security Cutter programFor decades, conversations about rebuilding the United States Coast Guard icebreaker fleet have largely centered on budgets, politics and the strategic necessity of maintaining a credible presence in the Arctic. Less frequently discussed is perhaps the most critical ingredient of all: engineering maturity.Building a modern heavy icebreaker is among the most technically demanding challenges in commercial or naval shipbuilding.

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…

CSL OWL has launched the first of two purpose-built subsea rock installation vessels designed for offshore wind construction and maintenance projects.The vessel, named Rock Star, is the first in CSL OWL's two-ship newbuilding program and is designed to carry up to 17,500 tonnes of rock and install material at rates of up to 2,000 tonnes per hour in water depths of up to 100 metres.Measuring 166.8 meters long and 40 meters wide, the vessel has a deadweight of about 21,000 tonnes…

Synergy Marine Group and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue shipbuilding, repair and conversion projects in India. The MoU was signed by Ajay Chaudhry, Co-CEO Ship Management of Synergy Marine Group, and Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Director (Technical) of CSL, in the presence of Jesper Kristensen, Group CEO of Synergy Marine Group, and Jose V J, Chairman and Managing Director of CSL.The MoU provides a framework to combine CSL’s industrial capacity with Synergy’s experience in owners’ representation…

Jan De Nul has ordered a second trenching support vessel designed to bury subsea energy cables as it expands its fleet for cable installation and protection.The new vessel will be an exact sister ship to the Isambard K. Brunel, which Jan De Nul ordered in March, and will carry a subsea trencher capable of burying cables as deep as five metres into the seabed.The latest order takes the number of new vessels Jan De Nul has under construction for subsea cable installation and protection to five…

Vard has delivered Dong Fang Offshore's first newbuild, the Orient Inspirer service operation vessel (SOV), two months ahead of schedule, while the company has approved an order for another vessel from the Norwegian shipbuilder valued at up to $86 million.The Orient Inspirer, previously known as newbuild NB 987, was delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam following a ceremony on September 16 and is expected to arrive in Taiwan by the end of September.The vessel will be reflagged…

Hong Kong-based Jinhui Shipping and Transportation has ordered two 64,500-dwt bulk carriers from Jiangmen Nanyang Ship Engineering for a combined $71.4 million as part of a fleet renewal and expansion program.Two wholly owned Jinhui subsidiaries signed separate shipbuilding contracts on September 21, each valued at $35.7 million.The first vessel is scheduled for delivery by August 31, 2029, followed by the second by September 30, 2029. Both ships will be built to the same specifications.Jinhui…

Sanmar Shipyards has delivered NICO, a powerful and versatile new tug designed for both harbour ship-handling and towing operations, to German operator H. Schramm Towage.The latest delivery is the seventh SANMAR-built tug to join the H. Schramm Towage fleet, continuing a relationship between the two companies that dates back to 2005.Known as DELICAY XVIII during construction in Türkiye, the tug has been renamed NICO by H. Schramm Towage and will join the company’s tug fleet, supporting…

Aesen introduced the Aesen 116H, a next-generation hybrid crew boat developed to support the evolving operational requirements of offshore personnel transportation and infield logistics operations. This vessel combines hybrid propulsion technology, intelligent energy management and enhanced operational resilience to support safer, more efficient and lower-emission offshore operations.By integrating hybrid propulsion and energy storage systems, Aesen 116H is engineered to optimise engine loading and power utilization…

Norway’s Green Yard has unveiled the KLEVEN KY100, a 100-meter Polar Class expedition yacht that marks the shipbuilder’s move into developing and owning its own yacht designs.Developed by Green Yard Kleven in cooperation with Opalinski Design House and HAV Design, KY100 combines the yard’s offshore and polar vessel experience with contemporary superyacht design. The PC5 vessel is designed for worldwide operations, including polar waters, with a cruising speed of 18 knots and range of approximately 10…

NYK Line, with Japan Marine United Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., and Kokuka Sangyo Co., Ltd., completed the world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering operation to an ammonia-fueled vessel on September 17. At a quay within Japan Marine United Corporation’s Ariake Shipyard, ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier Shoei Maru via the STS method to an ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

Yangzijiang Maritime Development has ordered 24 vessels from various Chinese shipyards for delivery between 2028 and 2030, expanding its newbuild portfolio across bulk carriers, chemical and product tankers and large oil tankers.The new orders comprise six 64,500-dwt bulk carriers, six 49,800-dwt product oil and chemical tankers, four 28,000-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers, four 29,000-dwt stainless steel chemical tankers and four 319,000-dwt oil tankers.The bulk carriers and 319…

Shipowners have already ordered more than twice as many supertankers this year as in all of 2025, a buying spree worth over $20 billion that is the biggest for at least 25 years, as the US-Iran war redraws trade routes and boosts demand for long-haul crude shipments.Data from Signal Group, a shipping analytics platform, show 217 Very Large Crude Carriers ordered so far in 2026, against 93 last year. Allied Shipbroking recorded 164 VLCC orders, up from 83. A VLCC carries about…

The U.S. is expanding its icebreaking fleet to strengthen Arctic and domestic access, and support commercial shipping, seabed resources, subsea cables and fisheries. Current plans include 1–3 heavy Polar Security Cutters (PSCs), 11 medium Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs), seven Homeland Security Cutter (HSC) HSC-L (light) icebreakers, 11 HSC-Ms (medium) and one additional heavy HSC-H (heavy). But as delays and cost overruns on the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) Program shows, while major opportunities exist for the U.S.