MARIC Granted AiP for Ultra Large Ethane Carrier Design

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to the Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC) for its new 155,000m³ Ultra Large Ethane Carrier (ULEC) design.The vessel, measuring approximately 274 meters in length and 42 meters in breadth, is designed as a single-propeller liquefied ethane carrier powered by a MAN ME-GIE ethane dual-fuel main engine, supporting worldwide ethane transportation.
HII Celebrates Shipbuilding Apprentice Graduates

HII hosted commencement exercises on March 29, celebrating 77 graduates of the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas delivered the keynote commencement address.“The technical skills you acquired here will serve as a foundation upon which you build your career,” Lucas told the graduates. “The leadership lessons learned in The Apprentice School and…
Yang Ming Buys Three Methanol Dual-Fuel Containership Newbuilds

Taiwanese shipping firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp has purchased three 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready container ships from Japanese ship leasing company Shoei Kisen Kaisha.The vessels, being built by Imabari Shipbuilding, are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.Yang Ming said the acquisition will strengthen its global service network and reinforce its commitment to providing customers…
Flex LNG’s CEO Steps Down

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping company Flex LNG has informed its chief executive officer (CEO) Øystein Kalleklev resigned from the role.Kalleklev joined Flex LNG in October 2017 and was appointed CEO the following year.Following Kelleklev’s resignation, the company’s board has appointed Marius Foss, chief commercial officer, as interim CEO.Kalleklev will remain available in an advisory capacity until end of the third quarter to ensure a smooth transition period.“On behalf of the Board…
LR Approves Ammonia Dual-Fuel System Designs for Trafigura’s Gas Carriers

Lloyd's Register (LR) has approved the design of ammonia dual-fuel systems design for Trafigura's newbuild medium gas carriers (MGCs).LR completed an extensive design evaluation and safety assessment to approve the designs in line with its rules and international regulations.Implementing ammonia dual-fuel systems on these vessels marks a significant step towards expanding the use of low-carbon fuels…
Zelim Signs First Cruise Line Client for its Man Overboard Detection System

Zelim, an Edinburgh-based maritime safety innovator, has signed an agreement with Ambassador Cruise Lines for the installation of its ZOE man overboard (MOB) detection system on Ambition cruise ship, marking its entry into the global cruise ship sector.Zelim is fitting out the 1,200-passenger capacity cruise ship with a full ZOE installation to deliver instantaneous detection and tracking of persons…
Fincantieri Lines Up Two Cruise Ships Construction Order

Fincantieri and TUI AG have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the design and construction of two new cruise ships for the Marella Cruises brand.The value of this agreement, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered as very important, which for Fincantieri represents the value of over $2.1 billion.The agreement represents a major step for Marella Cruises, which…
Sanctioned VLCCs Remain Stranded Off Bangladesh

Two OFAC-sanctioned VLCCs remain stranded outside Bangladeshi waters with no prospects of a final resting place, reports cash buyer GMS, and this is now seeing cash buyers and ship recyclers being vigilant in their due diligence prior to negotiating on units.There are reportedly still a few more units in cash buyer hands that are waiting to be introduced for a recycling resale. However, given the fate that the behemoth duo has run into outside Bangladesh…
Crew Rescued After Cargo Ship Fire Off Philippines

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has responded to a fire on board the Castphill XV in the vicinity waters of Patungan Maragondon, Cavite.At approximately 4:27AM on March 30, BRP Boracay (FPB-2401) successfully rescued seven crew members, including the vessel’s captain, who sustained only minor injuries.At around 7:35AM, the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Maragondon, Cavite, rescued an additional five crew members…
Australia and Singapore Fund Green Fuel Projects

Australia and Singapore have selected eight projects for funding as part of a A$20 million ($12.6 million) initiative to help reduce emissions in the maritime sector.The Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET) supports the objectives of the Singapore and Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC), which will help accelerate decarbonization and digitization of shipping routes between Singapore and Australia.
CIMAC Publishes Methanol FAQ

CIMAC has released a new guideline titled “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – ISO 6583:2024: Methanol as a Fuel for Marine Applications – General Requirements and Specifications.”CIMAC is the leading global non-profit association promoting the development of ship propulsion, train drive and power generation. The association consists of national member associations and corporate members in America,…
Panama Purges 107 Ships

The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has officially deregistered 107 Panamanian-flagged vessels listed under international sanctions, with an additional 18 currently undergoing the deregistration process.The deregistered vessels had been identified for compliance concerns or were listed on sanctions list issued by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the EU and the UK.To prevent high-risk vessels from entering the Panamanian Registry…
Three Chinese Nationals Missing After Suspected Pirate Attack

Three Chinese nationals were missing from Ghanaian waters and believed to have been kidnapped after a "suspected pirate attack" on their Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, the West African nation's military said on Saturday.Seven armed people boarded the ship and fired warning shots shortly before 6 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Thursday, the military said in a statement, adding that they had stayed on board…
Senator Wicker Warns “Putin Cannot Be Trusted in Peace Talks”

In a stark address to the U.S. Senate, Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered a firm warning to American policymakers and defense stakeholders: Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted to negotiate a legitimate or lasting peace in Ukraine.Speaking amid ongoing peace talks in Riyadh and growing speculation about sanctions relief, Wicker sought to dispel any optimism about the Kremlin’s intentions.
MPA, Dalian Maritime University Renew Partnership

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance talent development and academic exchange between Singapore and China in the maritime sector.The MOU renewal was signed by MPA Chief Executive, Mr Teo Eng Dih, andProfessor Shan Hongjun, President of DMU. This renewal builds on the successful collaboration established since 2021…
EU Ban on Russia's LNG Re-Exports Comes Into Effect

The European Union's ban on re-exporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) via EU ports, which aims to reduce Moscow's revenues after its invasion of Ukraine, came into effect this week.The ban, which prohibits the reloading of Russian cargoes at EU ports for export to third countries, was imposed in June 2024, with a moratorium until March 26, 2025 for contracts signed before June 25 last year.Gas…
Charred Remains of Solong Towed to Scottish Port
The charred remains of the ship that ploughed into a tanker in the North Sea were towed into a Scottish port on Friday (March 28).The ship, Portuguese-flagged Solong…
U.S. Interest in Greenland: A "Double-Edged Sword," Says Nuuk Tour Operator

A tour operator in Nuuk said on Friday (March 28) he welcomed the increased business after U.S. President Donald Trump put the island in the global spotlight but is worried about the U.S. rhetoric towards Greenland.Speaking ahead of U.S. Vice President Vance's visit to the Arctic island later in the day, “Raw Arctic” CEO, Casper Frank Moeller, said that in the beginning, when Trump started to talk…
New Report Outlines Roadmap to Tackle Seafarer Shortages

A new report published by Lloyd's Register Foundation highlights opportunities to make the number of seafarers more sustainable by investing in Africa's emerging talent and supporting women in maritime roles.The report, "Deep dive on seafarer sustainability: Supporting the opportunity for Africa and women to create a sustainable supply of seafarers for the future," was carried out by the World Maritime University.
CK Hutchison Says 'No Deal' for Panama Port Operations Sale

Hong Kong's CK Hutchison will not sign a deal next week to sell its two port operations near the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led group, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said, amid growing pressure from Beijing.China's market regulator said it will carry out an antitrust review on the Panama port deal in accordance with law to protect fair competition and safeguard public interests, its…