By the Numbers: Inside Japan's Maritime Fleet
Japan is worldās third largest shipping nation as owners control 12% of the fleetāCombined, Japanese shipowners currently own 12% of the global fleetās deadweight tonnes capacity (DWT). This makes Japan the third largest shipowning country in the world and one of only three countries where shipowners control more than 10% of the global fleetās DWT capacity,ā says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.The global fleet of 2.4tn DWT is owned by 16,622 shipowners in 178 countries.
Black & Veatch Hires Norwegian Logistics Firm for Two FLNG Projects
Marinetrans, a Norway-based logistics specialist for the maritime and offshore industries, has secured the project logistics contract from Black & Veatch for two floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel construction projects.Under the contracts, spanning from 2025 to 2027, Marinetrans will provide comprehensive project logistics services, including the transportation of critical components, large heavy-lift deliveriesā¦
Risk Intelligence Signs Up German Shipowner as New Client
Risk Intelligence has signed an agreement with Hamburg-based ship owner the Risk Intelligence System.The unnamed shipowner owns more than 40 bulk carriers, container ships, product tankers and car carriers operating globally, which is why near real-time intelligence is key for their operations managed from Hamburg and Singapore.With the Risk Intelligence System, the client will have access to credible security intelligence to assist planningā¦
EU Requires Insurance Details from Passing Ships
The European Commission has adopted a new measure to enhance maritime safety and environmental protection around the EUās coasts via an amendment to the Vessel Monitoring Directive (2022/59/EC).It now requires all vessels, including those merely passing through EU waters without entering an EU port, to provide insurance information.By requiring that all vessels operating in the vicinity are properly insuredā¦
ABS' Wiernicki to Retire at the End of 2025
At the 163rd ABS Annual Members Meeting, the classification society says it has never been stronger, with substantial growth and leading safety performance reported. Key numbers in 2004 included the fleet growing to 300 million gross tons, giving it pole position in global class in global new order share with 22 percent.At the Members Meeting it was also announed that ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J.
BIMCO and ASBA Update Oil Tanker Charter Party
BIMCO and the Association of Ship Brokers & Agents (USA) Inc. (ASBA) have revised ASBATANKVOY, the only dedicated tanker form not associated with an oil major. The updated version of the voyage charter party addresses changes in the tanker trade, commercial practices and regulations since its last revision.The original edition of ASBATANKVOY has become outdated since it was published by ASBA in 1977.
ICS: Updated Guide on Helicopter-Ship Operations
The maritime landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. With the global fleet expanding from approximately 1.7 billion deadweight tonnage in 2014 to roughly 2.4 billion today, a remarkable 40 per cent increase, helicopter-ship operations have similarly escalated in both frequency and complexity.This growth, coupled with evolving operational procedures and safety protocols, has necessitated fresh guidance for maritime professionals.
Morocco Expresses Interest in Possible LNG terminal
Morocco, seeking to diversify its coal-dependent energy sector, took the first step on Wednesday toward locating a liquefied natural gas terminal near the Mediterranean city of Nador.Morocco's energy industry filed an expression of interest for the LNG terminal. The country is also pushing ahead with a renewable energy plan aiming to reach 52% of total installed capacity before 2030 from 45% now.The terminalā¦
Tankers Chartered by Chevron to Move Venezuelan Crude Seek Other Business
Some tankers Chevron had chartered to move crude from Venezuela to the United States this month are now being marketed for spot contracts elsewhere, sources said, after state company PDVSA canceled loading permits and ordered the firm to return cargoes amid payment uncertainty related to sanctions.The marketing of the vessels indicates that Chevron does not expect to load all the cargoes it typicallyā¦
COAST, University of Victoria Join to Launch the BC Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub
In a stride for the Canadian clean energy transition, two leaders in British Columbiaās ocean innovation sector have announced a joint initiative that forges brand new pathways for the development and commercialization of marine renewable energy and decarbonization technologies in British Columbia.The BC Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub is a core initiative of COAST, Pacific Canadaās hub for the sustainable blue economy, delivered in partnership with the University of Victoria.
Jetfoil Service Between Hong Kong and Macau Turns 50, Commemorated With a Book
To commemorate the history of Hong Kong ā Macau sailings, Aero Editor launched a book āHong Kong - Macau High-Speed Ferriesā (Traditional Chinese) last year. This book introduces the history, development and current status of sea travel between Hong Kong and Macau, especially the stories of the legendary Jetfoil fleetOn April 25, 1975, Jetfoil MADEIRA of Far East Hydrofoil Co. Ltd. (now TurboJET) set sail from Hong Kong to Macauā¦
Hapag-Lloyd Customers Cancel 30% of China's US Bound Shipments
Hapag-Lloyd customers have cancelled 30% of shipments to the United States from China, spooked by the trade conflict between the world's two largest economies, a spokesperson for the German container shipping group told Reuters on Wednesday.Instead, there has been a "massive increase" in demand for consignments from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, the spokesperson added.Tariffs on goods from China introduced by U.S.
South Korea to Discuss Chinese Presence in Disputed Area
South Korea will raise China's construction of sea structures off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula in a dialogue with Beijing on Wednesday, Seoul's Foreign Minister said.China has built structures in a disputed area of the Yellow Sea, known in Seoul as the West Sea, causing South Korea to set up a "reciprocal" platform, Seoul has previously said.Beijing has said its structures are fish-farming equipment, but they have raised alarm bells in Seoul over concerns China could be seeking to stak
PSA International Considers Selling 20% Stake in CK Hutchison's Ports Business
Singapore's PSA International is exploring the sale of its 20% stake in CK Hutchison's ports business, two people with knowledge of the matter said, joining the Hong Kong conglomerate in its controversial plans to sell.Tycoon Li Ka-shing's CK Hutchison announced last month it would sell its 80% holding in the business which includes two ports along the strategically important Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led consortium. The holding has an equity value of $14.2 billion.U.S.
Global Wind Capacity in 2024 Falls Short Despite Reaching a Record
A record 117 gigawatts of wind power capacity was installed worldwide last year, slightly more than in 2023, but far less than needed to achieve goals to decarbonise energy, a report by the Global Wind Energy Council said on Wednesday.WHY IT'S IMPORTANTThe world needs to shift to renewable sources, including wind and solar, to contain global warming.Many organisations, including the GWEC, have said the current rate of progress is not enough.
Wilson Adopts Tilla Technologies to Optimize Crew Change Operations
Tilla Technologies announced that Wilson, one of Europeās largest short sea shipping companies, will use its software to manage all crew changes across 101 vessels in its fleet. The rollout is planned for May 2025.The decision was based on the successful use of Tilla Technologiesā solution at Stƶdig Ship Management, which handles crew for parts of Wilsonās fleet. The crew change platform delivered consistent results: double-digit cost savingsā¦
USTR Implements Port Fee Proposal
On April 17, 2025, the Office of the US Trade Representative (āUSTRā) published a notice of action (the āUSTR Noticeā) implementing its port fee proposal, first announced on February 21, 2025. The rules differ substantially from the February proposal (summarized here). The calculation of the fees has changed to a net tonnage-based fee (or for certain vessels, based on containers discharged or Car Equivalent Units). Several points have been clarified.
FarSounder: News Citizen Science Capabilities with Whale and Debris Reporting Feature
FarSounder has announced the release of a new citizen science feature in its latest SonaSoftā¢ software update. Building on its existing Data Sharing Program, this release introduces the ability for users to report whale sightings and floating trash/debrisāfurther integrating marine conservation into day-to-day navigation for Argos users.Since 2019, vessels equipped with FarSounderās Argos sonars have had the ability to participate in citizen science by contributing to global seabed mapping.
VIKING Launches First CTV Immersion Suit for Women in Offshore Wind Industry
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has launched the first Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) immersion suit in the world designed for women working in offshore wind energy, using guidance on diversity and inclusivity from industry leaders Ćrsted, Siemens and Vestas.The VIKING YouSafe Cyclone suit joins a growing portfolio of VIKING PPE whose fit and features reflect the safety needs of female seafarers, pilots andā¦
Japanās First Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Tugboat Launched
Tsuneishi Shipbuilding launched Japanās first tugboat to be equipped with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (ICE). This vessel was launched in late March at Tsuneishi Factory, equipped with a high-power output hydrogen dual-fuel ICE and a high-pressure hydrogen gas storage system with large-capacity and supply. It also used āJGreeXā which are produced by JFE Steel Corporation as green steelā¦
