EU Eyes Tanker Vessels, China Firms for More Sanctions

European Union envoys will discuss a 15th package of sanctions in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including on tankers carrying Russian oil and Chinese firms involved in making drones for Moscow, EU diplomats said.A total of 29 entities and 54 individuals are lined up to be added to more than 2,200 on the existing sanctions list, which bans travel and freezes their assets within the 27-member bloc, the diplomats said.
Offord Named Chief Executive UK P&I Club Singapore Branch

The UK P&I Club appointed Richard Offord as the new Chief Executive of the Club’s Singapore Branch. Richard will replace Yiah Soon Ng (YS) on December 1, 2024, as YS will retire after leading the Singapore office for more than 27 years. Offord joins the office from his previous position in London and will report to the Club’s Regional Director for Asia, Andrew Jones.Richard joined Thomas Miller in 1997 and…
Korean Operator Orders Offshore Wind CTV from Strategic Marine

Singapore-based shipbuilder Strategic Marine has signed a contract with South Korea’s Yeosu Ocean for the construction of a StratCat 27 crew transfer vessel (CTV) for the country’s growing offshore wind market.Designed by Strategic Marine’s partner BMT, the CTV is capable of incorporating multiple propulsion and engine options, coupled with a larger asymmetric superstructure ensuring ample interior…
Wärtsilä Hooks Cargo Handling Supply Deal for Bangladeshi LPG Carrier

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, will supply the complete cargo handling system for a new fully pressurized LPG Carrier being built for Meghna Fresh LPG, part of the Bangladeshi Meghna Group of Industries.The group is one of the Bangladesh’s largest industrial conglomerates, and in addition to being the owner of the new ship, it also owns the shipyard where the vessel is constructed…
Motus Technology to Deliver Cranes for NOAA’s Research Vessels

Norwegian crane specialist Motus Technology has secured a contract to provide its cranes and handling equipment for National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Class B research vessels.Working in collaboration with Kongsberg Maritime, Motus’ new contract follows the equipment supply deal for NOAA’s Class A vessels in 2021.Motus will provide its CTD (Telescopic Deploy and Retrieval Arm)…
Norsepower Opens World’s First Dedicated Rotor Sail Factory

Norsepower has opened the world’s first dedicated rotor sail factory in Dafeng, China.The new factory, strategically located near key shipping routes and shipyards, will initially have the capacity to produce 50 Norsepower Rotor Sails per year, with plans to scale up to 100 units by the end of 2027.The new factory strengthens the company’s ability to serve the burgeoning €60 billion ($63 billion) wind propulsion market.Earlier this year…
Energy Saving Devices Counter Pitfalls of Green Fuels

Fleet performance solutions provider Oceanly warns that the green fuels push may lead to increased global emissions.The challenge with scaling green fuels is the high demand for renewable electricity, with current estimates suggesting that the shipping industry would need a substantial share of the world’s renewable electricity production, which is a target that seems unattainable in the short to medium term.Lerche-Tornoe…
China New Zealand: Stay out of AUKUS

Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said that if New Zealand were to join security grouping AUKUS it would "inevitably" have negative consequences for the country's relationship with China.In a wide-ranging interview with state-owned Radio New Zealand released on Wednesday, Wang said that when deciding whether to join the grouping, China hoped that New Zealand would "take into account its own long-term best interests…
Trump 25% Tariff Plan Includes Oil Imports

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump does not intend to spare crude oil from his planned 25% import tariffs on Canada and Mexico, sources told Reuters on Tuesday, as the oil industry warned the policy could hurt consumers, industry and national security.Canada and Mexico are the top sources of U.S. crude oil imports, together accounting for around a quarter of the oil U.S. refiners process into fuels like gasoline and heating oil, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.The U.S.
EPA Fines PR Company $80K for Polluting Cañas River
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Transporte Rodríguez Asfalto, Inc. (TRA) in $80,000 for violations of the Clean Water Act after discharging stormwater…
NSRP Invests in Shipbuilding Tech Projects

The Executive Control Board of the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) selected 13 panel projects for award as part of the program's mission to reduce costs and expand capability for U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair. These new projects, valued at over $2.55M in government funding, were among those proposed in response to the Panel Project Solicitation issued in June 2024. Abbreviated descriptions follow…
Sallaum Lines Orders Six PCTC Vessels

Sallaum Lines has ordered six additional Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels from China, two with Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Co Ltd. (2 x 7,500 RT SDARI design) and four with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co. Ltd. (4 x 7,400 RT Deltamarin design). Each vessel has a capacity ranging from 7,400 to 7,500 Car Equivalent Unit (CEU) Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) design. By incorporating dual-fuel LNG technology…
VLSFO Oil Spill Remnants Haunt Mauritius Mangroves Three Years Later

Three years after bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef off Mauritius, spilling 1000 tons of a new type of marine fuel oil, Curtin University-led research has confirmed the oil is still present in an environmentally sensitive mangrove forest close to Ramsar conservation sites.Lead researcher Dr. Alan Scarlett, from Curtin’s WA Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Center in the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences…
USCG Icebreaking Vessel Polar Star Sets Sail for Antarctica

As the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed Seattle recently for its deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze, all eyes come back around to the U.S. icebreaking fleet, or lack thereof, as the nation and its allies work to help build the fleet to be larger and stronger than ever, facing potential national security threats that come with a strong Russian and Chinese presence in the polar regions.Click here to read about "U.S.
Panama, Japan Sign Pact on Maritime Education

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) celebrated the signing of a historic agreement between Columbus University and Kobe University, marking a pivotal step toward strengthening maritime education and research in the country.“We are witnessing a strategic alliance that will not only facilitate the training of highly skilled professionals but also promote research on key maritime topics, solidifying Panama’s position as a global leader in this sector…
Woodside: LNG Market to Grow by 50% in Next Decade
Australia's Woodside Energy WDS.AX expects the global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) to grow by 50% in the coming decade, its CEO said on Tuesday."Over the…
Four Bodies Recovered from Red Sea Tourist Boat
Four bodies were recovered on Tuesday from a tourist boat which capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, and rescue teams were still searching for seven missing people…
US Navy Aircraft Transits Taiwan Strait, China Responds
The U.S. Navy's 7th fleet said a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday."By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law…
Damen, Herman Sr. ink Multi-Purpose Vessel LOI

New MPV brings increased versatility to workboat sector.Damen Shipyards Group and Herman Sr. have signed a letter of intent (LOI) for the construction of a new Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) 4916. The LOI was signed during the Offshore Energy exhibition in Amsterdam on 26 November by Jeroen van Woerkum on behalf of Damen and Chris and Erwin van Dodewaard of behalf of Herman Sr.Next level versatilityThe…
PSA Singapore, Evergreen Marine ink Box Terminal Ops JV

PSA Singapore (PSA) and Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) have established a joint venture in Singapore, aiming to enhance operational excellence and achieve greater synergies in container operations.The joint venture terminal is expected to commence operations by the end of 2024. This strategic partnership will offer long-term terminal capacity assurance to EMC’s fast expanding global vessel fleet…