South America News

Police authorities have seized more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated street value of €500 million ($570 million), in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal, Italy's border and customs police said on Monday.The drug was found aboard an "ultra-fast ocean-going rigid inflatable boat", which smugglers typically use to recover illicit cargoes dropped at sea by large ships arriving from South America, the Guardia di Finanza police said in a statement.Four people aboard the vessel were arrested - two Spaniards…

On July 23rd, 2026 Amtech, courtesy an invitation from the U.S. Department of Commerce, attended the Grand Opening of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC) in Washington DC, a Secretary level event with invitations provided to recognized leaders in the U.S. commercial and naval shipbuilding industry. Amtech has been working with Commerce from the initial release of the first Executive Order issued to recover and develop U.S. maritime dominance. And with that,…

Axess Group has been selected by Golar LNG to carry out maintenance build and integrity management work across two floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) assets following competitive tender processes.For the MK II FLNG, Axess will provide maintenance build services, including the development of an asset hierarchy and asset register, as well as maintenance and inspection programs aimed at supporting long-term asset integrity and operational reliability.Separately, Axess has been awarded integrity revalidation work for the Hilli FLNG to support the unit's redeployment.

The offshore energy industry is in the midst of a new investment cycle, driven by major developments in South America, renewed demand for energy security and an increasing reliance on digital technologies to improve asset performance. For Matt Tremblay, Senior Vice President, Global Offshore at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the opportunities are significant — but so are the challenges.Speaking with Offshore Engineer in Houston, Tremblay described an industry that is “very busy…

The MISC Group revenue of RM2,891.4 million ($729 million) was 2.7% higher than the revenue for the period ended March 31, 2025.The increase was mainly due to higher revenue from the company’s Petroleum and Product Shipping segment, primarily driven by higher freight rates and earning days, and higher revenue from Marine and Heavy Engineering segment, primarily from the ongoing projects advancing into higher construction phases partially offset by lower revenue from post sail-away projects.The increase in Group’s revenue was…

TDI-Brooks’ multi-use oceanographic research vessel Miss Emma McCall has completed its full-term ABS shipyard period and is heading to the Caribbean region following a reflagging process.The company said it is reflagging the vessel from the United States to Vanuatu to support cost-effective operations in the Caribbean and northern South America region.The vessel is currently transiting to Roatan, Honduras, to complete the reflagging exercise before moving to the Pacific for a geotechnical project off the west coast of Honduras…

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that it suspects some rare human to human transmission of the deadly hantavirus took place between very close contacts on board a luxury cruise ship hit by seven confirmed or suspected cases.Human to human transmission is not common, and the U.N. health agency reiterated that the risk to the wider public was low from a disease typically spread from contact with infected rodents.A Dutch couple and a German national have died, while a British national was evacuated from the ship and is in intensive care in South Africa…

Medics were working on Monday to evacuate two people with symptoms of the deadly hantavirus after a suspected outbreak on a luxury cruise ship held off West Africa carrying mostly British, American and Spanish passengers, officials said.Around 150 people were still stuck on the vessel after three people - a Dutch couple and a German national - died, and others fell ill, including a Briton who left the vessel and was being treated in South Africa, authorities added.Hantavirus, which can cause fatal respiratory illness, can be spread when particles from rodent droppings or urine become airborne.

The changing global bottom-fixed offshore wind turbine and foundation installation marketThe last two or three years have seen a change in the underlying stakeholder support for the energy transition, resulting in the energy trilemma being focused more on energy security and affordability than transition, which means a pivot away from renewables to increased support for oil & gas. At the same time, inflation and interest rates have impacted project economics. Needless to say,…

The Philippines' Secretary of Energy Sharon Garin on Tuesday said the country has asked the United States to extend a waiver to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products.Garin said the government is optimistic about extending the waiver which expired on April 11, but is preparing alternative supply arrangements in case the request is declined."We are awaiting their response, but we are very positive on getting this other window," Garin said at a news briefing.The Philippines is diversifying its energy sources and supply options are not limited to Russia…

Wilson Sons operates in the port and shipping logistics industry throughout Brazil, boasting more than 188 years of experience. They offer solutions to over 5,000 clients, including shipowners, importers and exporters, the offshore energy industry, renewable energy projects, the agribusiness sector, as well as other players across various economic segments. Engaged in the continuous pursuit of new technologies, Wilson Sons will participate in Intermodal South America, April 14-16…

NYK Group has reached an agreement with the Norwegian shipping company Westfal- Larsen Group to fully acquire Saga Welco.Saga Welco, a Norwegian shipping operator specializing in transporting cargo via open-hatch vessels, is currently jointly owned by NHE and the Westfal-Larsen Group, with each party holding a 50% stake. The transaction is expected to be finalized within 2026, subject to regulatory approvals in various jurisdictions.Saga Welco operates a fleet of 48 open-hatch vessels and offers worldwide semi-liner services originating principally from the east coast of South America.

SAAM closed 2025 with record financial performance, underscoring the continued strength of its harbor towage business across the Americas while positioning the company for further international expansion. For a company that has spent the past several years reshaping its business model and sharpening its strategic focus, the results signal both operational momentum and growing scale in the global tug market.The Chile-based maritime services provider reported net income of $80.4 million for 2025, while EBITDA reached $216.9 million, representing a 15% increase compared to the previous year.

The NGO Robin des Bois is concerned about the thousands of seafarers currently stuck in the Middle East and about the approximately 70,000 animals on livestock carriers in the region.The livestock has been exported from South America, the European Union, and the Horn of Africa to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan.“Under normal circumstances, the conditions of confinement on board are deplorable. In times of war, global pandemics, epizootics…

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…

Oslo-listed dry bulk operator Western Bulk reported a marked earnings recovery in the second half of 2025, capitalizing on a broad-based rebound in freight markets and tighter effective vessel supply.According to the company’s Second Half Year Report 2025, Western Bulk generated a net profit after tax of USD 7.4 million in 2H 2025, compared with a net loss of USD 5.2 million in the same period a year earlier. For the full year, the group posted a net profit of USD 5.4 million…

A U.S. warship and a Navy supply vessel collided during refueling Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Southern Command told Reuters in an emailed statement on Thursday.The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply collided during a replenishment at sea, said the statement from the Southern Command, whose areas of responsibility include Central and South America and the Caribbean.

"During the first six weeks of 2026, global bulk grain shipments have jumped 15% y/y, supported by a 30% y/y surge in soya bean shipments and a 17% increase in wheat shipments. Record harvests in the Southern Hemisphere are boosting exports while North America has continued to ship its high export surplus. The trade agreement between the US and China further boosted volumes, contributing to a 26% y/y increase in US soya bean shipments and a resumption of sorghum shipments,“ says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager, BIMCO.Weather conditions in the Southern Hemisphere have been favourable. Brazil’s ongoing soya bean harvest is expected to rise 5% y/y, reaching a record high of 180m tonnes, equivalent to 42% of the world’s production, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Throughout 2025 we have seen the subsea vessel market transitioning from a period of record highs towards a more cautious, but still fundamentally strong, outlook. While short-term activity and rates have softened in the latter part of the year, long-term demand - driven by deepwater projects and global energy infrastructure- remains robust. The market is watching closely how the influx of newbuilds and ongoing corporate consolidation will shape competition and vessel availability…

While challenges linger from the 2025 offshore rig market, there are signs it will look brighter from late 2026 onwards.Main Events of 2025One of the biggest talking points of 2024 and 2025 was Saudi Aramco’s suspension of 36 jackups from April 2024, but by 3Q 2025 21 units had been re-deployed into other regions of the world. Fast forward to today, the national oil company (NOC) has confirmed it will restart work with eight of the remaining suspended rigs in early 2026. It has…

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…

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure called a draft law proposing to allow offshore oil and gas exploration in its overseas territories "anachronistic" during a debate in the country's Senate on Thursday.In a world first, France banned new oil and gas exploration and production licenses in 2017, hoping other nations would follow suit. But energy security fears following the loss of Russian gas, along with worries over increased reliance on U.S. liquefied natural gas have led senators to reconsider developing domestic resources."The government is not favourable to this proposal ...

The U.S. seized an empty Russian-flagged, Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela's socialist government to become an ally.After capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in an attack on Caracas on Saturday, the U.S. is continuing to blockade vessels under sanctions off the South American country, a member of the OPEC oil group. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.