Singapore and India Partner on Maritime Digitalization and Decarbonization
Singapore and India have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to cooperate on maritime digitalization and decarbonization.The LOI was inked by Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, and R. Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW) of India.The parties will collaborate on maritime digitalization and decarbonization projects…
Singapore Maritime Week Underway
The annual Singapore Maritime Week was officially launched on Monday by Murali Pillai, Singapore’s Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport.Organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, SMW 2025 is the 19th iteration of the event.Taking place at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, SMW 2025 is expected to welcome more than 20,000 attendees from close to 80 countries.
IACS Publishes New Recommendation on 3D Printing
The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has published a new recommendation, Rec.186, that meets the need for a standardized approach to integrating additive manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as 3D printing, into marine and offshore applications.The maritime industry continues to embrace developments in manufacturing technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability in shipbuilding and offshore operations.
Japan, Korea Would Struggle to Fill Void of China Shipbuilding, NYK Line exec says
U.S. allies Japan and South Korea would struggle to quickly ramp up shipbuilding to meet U.S. demand for alternatives under President Donald Trump's plan to impose port fees on China-linked ships, a top Japanese shipping executive said on Monday.The Trump administration is drafting an executive order in a bid to revive domestic shipbuilding and weaken China's grip on the industry.Japanese shipbuilding is running near full capacity…
BDI Hits One-Week High as Commodity Markets Firm
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index rose to its highest level in a week on Monday, supported by gains across all vessel segments amid strengthening demand and firmer commodity markets.The overall Baltic Dry Index (BDI), which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grains, climbed 9 points, or 0.6%, to 1,652. This marks the index's highest level since March 17.Leading the upward momentum was the capesize segment…
Shipbuilding Plan Could Undermine U.S. Operators, Industry Execs say
A Trump administration proposal aimed at reviving the U.S. shipbuilding industry may backfire by imposing steep fees on China-linked vessels—penalties that industry leaders say would hurt American ship operators and ports rather than help them, industry executives said at U.S. Trade Representative hearings on Monday.At issue are proposed, stacking fees on China-built vessels that could top $3 million per U.S. port call.
Blue Wasp Marine Unveils Pelican Suite Software
Wind assisted ship propulsion (WASP) pioneer Blue Wasp Marine announced the launch of its latest software tool, Pelican Suite, which will enable vessel owners, operators and charterers to assess and optimize a range of WASP solutions.Pelican Suite hosts a collection of tools to assess the suitability of WASP solutions, both pre- and post-installation. It provides important insights such as the probability that a certain rudder angle or grid load is exceeded…
Iranian Oil Tankers Used Forged Iraqi Documents, Says Oil Minister
Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani has said that Iranian oil tankers seized by U.S. forces in the Gulf were using forged Iraqi documents.The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has restored "maximum pressure" on Iran, reviving a policy that seeks to isolate the country from the global economy and eliminate its oil export revenue in order to slow Tehran's development of a nuclear weapon.Abdel…
U.S. and Russia Aim for a Black Sea Maritime Ceasefire
U.S. and Russian officials held talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday aimed at sealing a Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal before a wider ceasefire agreement in Ukraine as Moscow and Kyiv used drones to pound each other.The talks, which followed U.S. negotiations with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, came after Russia launched its third consecutive overnight air attack on Kyiv, wounding one person and damaging houses in the region around the Ukrainian capital.Russia…
Santorini Welcomes First Cruise Ship After Earthquakes
Greece's tourism jewel, Santorini, welcomed its first cruise ship of the year on Sunday after thousands of small earthquakes in February created a state of emergency, forced thousands to flee and had locals fearing the season would be lost.Millions of tourists flock to Santorini every year, squeezing along its whitewashed cobbled streets to view its famous cliff-top sunset. The increased seismic activity…
Hoyer Launches Energy-Saving System for Motors
Hoyer, a leader in electric motors and automation solutions, announced the launch of Hoyer ESS (Energy-Saving System) at Sea Asia 2025 in Singapore. Specifically designed for retrofits on operating vessels, Hoyer ESS offers shipowners, operators, and fleet managers a fast-track solution to reduce motor energy consumption by 40-65% while lowering emissions and improving operational efficiency—all without the need for drydocking.With tightening environmental regulations like EEXI…
Seaspan Corporation Integrates Orca AI's SeaPod Across Fleet
Orca AI celebrated a milestone as Seaspan Corporation, a global containership powerhouse, integrates its SeaPod digital watchkeeper across its entire fleet to support safety improvements and operational cost savings.As part of its digitalization strategy, Seaspan began using Orca AI's SeaPod digital watchkeeper on select vessels to enhance situational awareness for navigation. An analysis of Seaspan’s…
Xmar: 100,000 Metric Tons of Bunker Fuel Traded
Xmar, the fast-growing digital bunker trading platform, has facilitated the trade of over 100,000 metric tons of bunker fuel through more than 200 deals in less than six months since launching.Operating with a network of over 1,500 verified suppliers across 500 global ports, Xmar provides buyers with access to competitive bunker fuel offers and enhanced market reach. The platform streamlines the bunker fuel procurement process by offering real-time pricing…
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding: Newest Class of Apprentice School Graduates
HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division celebrated its newest class of apprentice graduates during a ceremony at the shipyard March 22, 2025. The event recognized the hard work and dedication of the graduates who have completed the three-to four-year program combining classroom instruction with hands-on shipbuilding experience.The Ingalls Shipbuilding apprentice program is a competitive workforce development…
Crowley: Jenny Fuss Appointed as Chief Financial Officer
Crowley has named Jenny Fuss as its chief financial officer, leading all of the company's financial strategies and operations to enhance economic performance and business growth.With more than 20 years of experience as an executive for global institutions, Fuss brings to Crowley’s Senior Leadership Team expertise in management and analysis using data-driven strategies that drive increased profitability and financial effectiveness.Before joining Crowley…
Proposed Levy Fees on Port Calls Could Impact U.S. Dry Bulk Trades
Cargo movements into and out of the United States could be re-shaped by proposals to levy fees on port calls by Chinese built or operated vessels, as well as potential sanctions based on whether the operator controls ships built in China or has tonnage on order there.In its Q1 2025 Dry Bulk Market Report, Maritime Strategies International (MSI) noted that as currently envisaged, the rules provide little clarity but could have a significant potential impact on North American dry bulk trades.
Value Maritime Installs Filter and Carbon Capture System on MOL Vessel
Value Maritime (VM) has successfully installed its Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) and Carbon Capture unit aboard Nexus Victoria, an LR1 product tanker owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL).VM’s 15MW next-generation EGCS Filtree system can filter sulphur and (ultra)fine particulate matter and can capture 10% of the vessel’s CO2 emissions with potential scalability to 30% if needed. The system’s plug-and-play design includes onboard CO2 capture and storage capabilities…
Vard Picks Brunvoll to Supply 30 Thrusters for SOV Newbuilds
Maritime system supplier Brunvoll has signed a contract with Vard to deliver a comprehensive package of propulsion and maneuvering thrusters for five Walk-2-Work (W2W) Service Operation Vessels (SOVs).Brunvoll’s delivery for each vessel consists of two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two retractable azimuth thrusters, and two tunnel thrusters.The vessels will also feature Brunvoll’s Propulsion and Thruster Control system…
ClassNK Names New Leadership Team
Japan-based classification society ClassNK has named Hayato Suga as its new president and CEO, and Fumihiko Higashi as its executive vice president.Effective March 21, 2025, Suga will move from his current senior vice president role, while Higashi will advance from the current corporate officer post.Former president and CEO Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as chairman of the board of directors…
CMB.TECH, MOL Sign Agreement for Nine Ammonia-Powered Ships
Belgian oil tanker group CMB.TECH has signed an agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) for nine ammonia-powered vessels.The vessels will be among the world's first ammonia-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers and chemical tankers. The delivery of these ships is expected between 2026 and 2029.The landmark agreement between MOL/MOLCT, and CMB.TECH involves nine ammonia-powered ships.Three ammonia-fitted 210.000 dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers…
