Coastal and Inland News

Technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to supply replacement engines for two inland waterway tug pusher vessels operating in Paraguayan rivers.The vessels are owned by ADM Naviera Chaco (ADM). The vessel modifications and new engine installations will be carried out in Asuncion-Paraguay.The new engines will enable a reduction of the environmental impact and increase the efficiency of the tug pushers.ADM’s stated target is to reduce emissions by 25% by 2035, and the advanced…

A Russian missile attack on Tuesday damaged a grain vessel in the Black Sea port of Odesa, killing four people, Ukrainian authorities said.A ballistic missile struck the MJ Pinar bulk carrier that was loading wheat for Algeria, killing four Syrian nationals and injuring one other Syrian and a Ukrainian, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram."Russia is attacking Ukraine's infrastructure, including ports, which are involved in ensuring the world's food security…

A fire onboard the Stena Immaculate oil tanker has greatly diminished with no visible flames, as initial salvage activities begin in the North Sea, the manager of the vessel Crowley reported.Crowley said it is working closely with U.K. agencies to support the incident response, salvage and environmental impact mitigation operations resulting from container ship Solong striking the tanker Stena Immaculate while at anchor on Monday, March 10.Worth noting, Solong’s owner has characterized…

Dutch marine provider Boskalis will salvage the U.S.-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate, which was struck by a container ship off northeast England on Monday, a spokesperson said on Tuesday, confirming earlier Dutch media reports.He could not give a time frame for the salvaging but added that four ships carrying foam and extinguishing agents were already en route to put out the fire caused by the collision.Another company would salvage Solong, the other container ship involved in the collision, Boskalis' spokesperson said without specifying which company.The Stena Immaculate was anchored when it

U.S. container import volumes increased 4.7% year-on-year in February, but could cool in coming months as the U.S. trade war with China and other key trading partners takes hold, supply chain technology provider Descartes said on Monday.U.S. seaports handled more than 2.2 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the second highest February volume on record, fueled by a 7.9% rise in volume from China, Descartes said.Last year's robust import volume has flowed into 2025, fueled…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has acquired 100% of the membership rights of LBC Tank Terminals Group Holding Netherlands Coöperatief (LBC), one of the world’s largest independent tank terminal operators primarily handling and storing chemicals in Europe and the United States.With the acquisition, MOL aims to strengthen its chemical logistics business.The sale and purchase agreement was signed on March 7, 2025, with the acquisition price expected to be approximately $1.7 billion.The…

The United States is preparing to impose docking fees at its ports on any ship belonging to a fleet that includes Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged vessels, according to a draft executive order, a move aimed to both revitalize U.S. shipbuilding while countering China’s dominance in global shipping and shipbuilding.The draft order from President Donald Trump also urges allied nations to adopt similar policies or risk facing retaliatory measures from the U.S.China’s growing control over the maritime industry has become a rare bipartisan concern in the U.S.…

In a move to restore full domestic ferry service by summer, Governor Bob Ferguson said that Washington State Ferries (WSF) will delay the hybrid-electric conversion of two of the state’s largest ferries. The decision comes as WSF works to increase its operational fleet, ensuring that 18 vessels are in service simultaneously for the first time since 2019. Restoring full domestic ferry service requires 21 vessels, with at least 18 running at any given time. By postponing the hybrid-electric upgrades until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup…

If you've ever longed to ride a long board along the banks of the Elbe River, your chance is coming in 2026.In a groundbreaking move, MEYER Floating Solutions won the construction contract for Floating Wave, a first-of-its-kind floating surf platform designed to bring an authentic surfing experience to urban centers.Developed by the Hamburg-based company Floating Wave, the platform is set to be installed in Fischereihafen, effectively transforming underutilized harbor areas into a vibrant hub for sports, recreation, and tourism.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a permit for the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, granting Maryland Transportation Authority permission to construct the bridge, following the collapse of the original structure that claimed the lives of six Baltimoreans. The Baltimore District Regulatory Branch previously issued two permit verifications in 2024 for preliminary construction activities, explosive demolition, and removal of the remaining bridge structures and continues to participate in weekly interagency meetings on the project.To remind…

CMA CGM Group has announced a $20 billion investment to contribute to U.S. maritime economy and support the transformation of America’s domestic supply chain over the next four years.The announcement builds on CMA CGM Group’s 35-year presence in the U.S. Today, the Group operates in 40 states and employs 15,000 Americans. As a leading partner in U.S. trade, CMA CGM transports over 5 million shipping containers to and from the country each year.Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group…

EST-Floattech was contracted by Electric Marine Support (EMS), a Dutch system integrator, to participate in projects for Rhenus and its fleet enhancement initiative. Rhenus PartnerShip, the shipping branch of the company, invested in sustainable inland waterway transportation with three new inland shipping combo vessels, Mannheim I+II, Wörth I+II and Ludwigshafen.Mannheim I+II and  Wörth I+II will sail with a hybrid propulsion systems: one diesel-electric vessel and one fuel-cell system inland waterway vessel.

Incat Crowther said that the first of two new catamaran ferries for Dumai Express Group completed sea trials and will soon commence operations in Indonesia. The 33-m ferries build on a fleet of first-generation 30-m catamarans designed by Incat Crowther for the Indonesian operator. The new models offer improved operational efficiency via an extended stern, optimized hull form and customized propeller tunnel. The design enhancements mean Ruby of Dumai provides a full-load draft of 1.5-m…

Operating one of the world’s largest marine fleets of any kind, it is Svitzer’s local footprint that speaks volumes for its diverse and far-flung workforce and assets. Strengthened by a multi-national team, providing value in more than three dozen countries, Svitzer stands out every day. On 30 April 2024, Svitzer was listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (SVITZR) as a result of the previously announced separation from its former parent company, A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S. Danish national Kasper Karlsen has been Global Chief Operating Officer of the Svitzer Group since December 2022.

Europea Servizi Terminalistici (EST), a subsidiary of the Italian Shipping & Logistics Agency (ISLA), has ordered a new hybrid drive Konecranes Gottwald ESP.8 Mobile Harbor Crane for the Port of Augusta in Sicily.The order was booked in the first quarter of 2025, with delivery and commissioning expected by the end of summer.EST recently secured a 25-year concession to operate the new container terminal in Augusta - the largest port in Sicily by cargo volume.To support its productivity and reach its sustainability goals for the terminal…

Now is the time to upgrade to a premium exhibitor listing as Seawork.com continues to experience a significant rise in website traffic.The Seawork website is buzzing with year-to-date website traffic up 35.11% compared to 2024. Pageviews have increased by 102.69% over the past couple of months as things are ramping up in the lead up to the 2025 exhibition.Make sure your company gets the attention it deserves - premium exhibitor listings are positioned at the very top of the exhibitor list.

Seawork sector-specific hubs, associations, pavilions and trails, offer exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to gather together in a mutually beneficial location.Whether networking via social events, meetings or speaking sessions on-site, Seawork is the place to do business.ADC - the Association of Diving Contractors, is hosting the Underwater Intervention Pavilion in the newly named Associations Hall. The member-led not for profit organisation represents the Inland/Inshore…

Join leading experts at Get Set for Workboat 2050, as the industry navigates geopolitical challenges, confronts future skills gaps and embraces OPEX efficiencies.Our panel of industry specialists will be discussing the topic of decarbonisation in the next session of Get Set for Workboat 2050, taking place at the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam on the 27 MarchGain insights and updates from leaders in sustainability and clean maritime technology as they demonstrate the benefits and efficiencies…

Britain will invest 55.7 million pounds ($71.45 million) in the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland to expand the facility to become a hub for floating offshore wind, the government said on Wednesday.Britain has a target to largely decarbonize its electricity sector by 2030 which will require a huge ramp up in renewable power like offshore wind.Using floating turbines, that are not fixed to the seabed like traditional wind farms, allows the projects to be much deeper out at sea, making them less visible to communities that might object and where wind speeds are likely to be stronger.Currently t

A joint venture between Jan De Nul and DEME has signed a letter of award with Indian engineering and construction company ITD Cementation for dredging and reclamation works in Vadhavan Port during a Belgian economic mission to India.The project includes nearshore reclamation and shore protection for the greenfield port, which is located on India’s west coast in Maharashtra. Spanning approximately 200 hectares, the land reclamation will facilitate the construction of breakbulk…

Western Baltic Engineering (WBE), a Lithuanian maritime engineering company, and Belgium’s Batia Mosa Shipyard announced a strategic partnership aiming to transform European inland waterway shipping with the launch of WBE’s design electric pusher vessel series, BlueKick. The collaboration aligns with the Shipyards’ & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe)'s advocacy for the European Commission's focus on advancing the inland waterways sector. SEA Europe has called for ambitious measures to prioritize sustainable…

“Year-to-date, Canadian crude tanker exports have reached 618 thousand barrels per day (kbpd) up from 388 kbpd during the same period last year, an increase of 59%,” says Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.When the Trans Mountain Pipeline extension opened on 1 May 2024 its capacity grew from 300 kbpd to 890 kbpd. Consequently, exports from Vancouver increased significantly starting in June.So far this year, the Vancouver exports have reached 373 kbpd to contribute 60% of total Canadian crude tanker exports.

Resolve Marine said it will merge operations, equipment and personnel with the marine division of Construction Solutions International, expanding Resolve Marine Service Centers in the U.S. Gulf region. Construction Solutions International is a regional provider of industrial marine and commercial diving services and supports industries across the Theodore Industrial Canal and West Mobile, Alabama. Founded in 1984 by Jerry W. Bailey Jr., the transaction includes cranes, barges, equipment, the M/V Enterprise, a 64-foot shallow draft river tugboat, her captain and three workers.

The International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC) announced that Arnold de Bruijn (1980) will join the association in April as the eventual successor to Secretary-General, René Kolman, who has represented the international dredging sector since 2008. Kolman will retire on November 1, 2025 and, following that transition period, De Bruijn will formally take over the role of Secretary-General.de Bruijn has valuable background in the dredging industry. He began his career at Royal IHC…

Rocket Lab, a company specializing in launch services and space systems, has acquired a barge which will be modified to specialized ocean landing platform for rockets returning to Earth.Rocket Lab acquired the Oceanus barge from New Orleans-based, private marine transportation company Canal Barge.The barge, renamed Return on Investment, will be customized to serve as an at-sea landing platform with propulsion systems to maintain the platform’s target position and thermal protection…

Manson Construction Co. (Manson) announced that James (Jim) McNally, previously Manson’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), has assumed the role of President and CEO as of March 3, 2025.“The Board of Directors unanimously approves of Mr. McNally taking the reins of Manson due to his excellent performance as COO and his long-time industry experience,” announces Frederick Paup, Manson Chairman of the Board. “He is indeed wicked smart, which any Rhode Islander understands is the highest of compliments.”Since becoming COO in 2016, Mr.

CK Hutchison Holdings sold its controlling interest in two major Panama Canal ports to a U.S. led consortium for $22.8billion. BlackRock Inc. Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited will receive a 90% stake of the Panama Ports Company that operates the Balboa & Cristobal Ports.The sale comes after President Donald Trump expressed concerns about China's influence on key infrastructure in the canal. Trump publicly criticized a Hong Kong based company's control over these ports…

The global ocean shipping industry that handles 80% of world trade is navigating a sea of unknowns as U.S. President Donald Trump stokes trade and geopolitical tensions with historical foes as well as neighbors and allies.That is the backdrop for this week's S&P Global TPM container shipping and supply chain conference in Long Beach, California, an annual event that marks the start of container shipping contract negotiating season.Attendees this year include industry heavyweights like container carriers MSC…

Flagship Cruises & Events, a San Diego-based yacht charter, announced a $15.27m grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop two fully electric, zero-emission ferries to serve the San Diego to Coronado route. With advanced battery technology, the vessels will not emit any greenhouse gases during operation and will remove the particulate matter associated with traditional combustion engines. The CARB Advanced Technology Demonstration and Pilot Project grant is part of California Climate Investments…

The Port of Tyne has purchased the UK’s first fully electric foiling pilot vessel, a significant milestone for the Port and the UK’s maritime sector. The vessel, scheduled to be delivered before the end of the year, will be used to transfer pilots onto the ships, delivering essential goods and cargo to the northeast of England.This investment by the Port of Tyne is aimint to further enhance both the safety and efficiency of the Port’s operations. It is also another major step…

Analysts caution that a new proposal to impose fees on China-built container ships entering the U.S. could trigger unintended consequences, including port congestion, rising freight costs, and shifts in global trade flows.The Trump administration has announced a plan to charge a $1 million fee every time a vessel operated by a Chinese carrier docks at a U.S. port. Additionally, the Federal Notice outlines potential extra charges for any China-built ships, even if operated by carriers from other nations.

Following the grounding of one of its pilot transfer launches in Port Phillip Heads, Australia, a Port of Melbourne pilotage services provider has developed additional operational guidance on the use of launch equipment and crew resources.On the evening of October 5, 2023, the pilot launch Corsair was returning through the entrance of Port Phillip after collecting a pilot from an outbound container ship, when it ran aground on Point Lonsdale Reef travelling at about 24 knots.The coxswain…

The European Commission has presented its Clean Industrial Deal which aims to accelerate decarbonization while securing the future of manufacturing in Europe.President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Europe is not only a continent of industrial innovation, but also a continent of industrial production. However, the demand for clean products has slowed down, and some investments have moved to other regions. We know that too many obstacles still stand in the way of our European companies from high energy prices to excessive regulatory burden.

More than 45,000 U.S. dockworkers represented by the International Longshoremen's Association ratified a new six-year contract on Tuesday, formalizing a deal that offers bumper pay hikes and averts any potential disruption until 2030.Terms of the contract, previously agreed upon by the labor union and the United States Maritime Alliance, included a 62% wage hike over the life of the agreement.Both the labor union and the employer group had agreed on the wages in October, putting…

The Argentine government has authorized the export of live cattle for slaughter, reversing a prohibition that had been in place for over five decades, after the country's beef exports last year reached their highest level in a century.Argentina, famed for its beef cuts and traditional asado barbecue, is a ranching and farming powerhouse and a major exporter of processed soybeans, corn and wheat.Sales from the country's agricultural sector to foreign markets provide the largest source of hard currency for central bank coffers…

Danish international shipping and logistics company DFDS has entered an agreement with the Danish Defence to provide freight ferries for transport of military equipment.The partnership will support on military operations and missions. The contract extends the scope of the current contract and starts in 2026, running for up to six years.DFDS expands and extends its cooperation with the Danish Defence. Eight DFDS freight ferries, RoRos, are to be made available for the transport of military equipment and other commodities for military operations…

The Great Lakes Water Levels Boards of the International Joint Commission have provided an updated summary of current water level conditions.Water supply conditions throughout much of 2024 resulted in near average water levels throughout the Great Lakes and one of the longest periods of sustained near long-term average water levels on Lake Ontario.Although water levels throughout the Great Lakes continued their natural, gradual seasonal decline in fall, drought conditions in certain regions of the Great Lakes accelerated the water level decline in some of the lakes.

The term gamechanger is often over used enough to be rendered meaningless, but the huge Simandou mine in the West African country of Guinea is going to be just that as its start up is set to rock the seaborne iron ore market.The first cargoes from the project may arrive by the end of this year and it's expected that it will ramp up to its full capacity of 120 million metric tons per annum fairly quickly.The four blocks of Simandou are impressive in their scale and infrastructure challenges…

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a five-year lifecycle agreement with NMDC Group, one of the largest dredging and marine contractors in the Middle East.The agreement will focus on optimizing the availability and operational efficiency of NMDC’s dredging fleet.It covers seven of NMDC’s dredgers, with the potential to expand the scope to additional vessels in the future.The scope includes a tailor-made maintenance program for the engine and propulsion equipment onboard the vessels, as well as digital solutions and performance guarantees.

The EU has just adopted its 16th sanctions package against Russia. The package targets systemically important sectors of the Russian economy such as energy, trade, transport, infrastructure and financial services.To curb the risk of our sanctions being bypassed, certain provisions of the 16th package are now also mirrored in the Belarus sanctions regime. The EU has in addition updated and strengthened its sanctions regimes concerning Crimea and Sevastopol, and the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk…

Argentina loosened safety regulations on shipments traveling along a key grains transport river, a move which could boost cargo moved through the waterway up to 7%, the nation's security minister said on Monday.Ships traveling along the Parana-Paraguay waterway will now be able to carry more cargo, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich said on X, adding it would make firms more efficient and reduce costs but without affecting safety.Argentina is the world's top exporter of soybean oil and flour, the third-largest exporter of corn and a top wheat supplier.

The U.S. Trade Representative's office has proposed charging up to $1.5 million for Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports as part of its investigation into China's growing domination of the global shipbuilding, maritime and logistics sectors.USTR said in a January 16 report on a probe launched during the administration of former President Joe Biden that China increased its share of global shipbuilding tonnage from 5% in 1999 to over 50% in 2023 because of massive state subsidies…

Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group has inaugurated a new, custom-bound inland dry port facility, enhancing the connectivity of Khalifa Port.Al Faya Dry Port, strategically located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will act as an Inland Container Depot (ICD) linked overland to Khalifa Port, offering a transit terminal for trucks and thus improving speed to market and more cost-efficient cargo handling operations for Dubai and the Northern Emirates.Al Faya Dry Port will serve CMA CGM as…

“Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the volume of dry bulk shipments from the two countries combined is 6% below pre-war levels. However, the past 12 months have seen the countries’ dry bulk shipments develop in complete opposite directions. While Ukraine has seen an 87% y/y jump in shipments, Russia’s have taken a 6% y/y fall. Overall, their combined volume has increased 3% y/y over the last 12 months,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.The primary reason for Ukraine’s spike in shipments lie in the success of its coastal corridor.

ASRY has formed a joint venture (JV) with Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, offering a diversified portfolio of maritime solutions for the provision of marine services in Bahrain.The collaboration aims to sharpen the current marine service offering at ASRY Shipyard on an exclusive basis by leveraging Noatum Maritime’s operational expertise and modern fleet. It will then target external clients within Bahrain.ASRY CEO, Dr Ahmed AlAbri, said: “Our partnership with Noatum Maritime marks a strategic step in strengthening our maritime services.

Belgium-based offshore installation contractor Jan De Nul has started working on the new deep-water port in Senegal, which will be able to accommodate two of the world's largest container ships simultaneously.Jan De Nul is responsible for dredging the five-kilometer access channel and will create an 89-hectare platform for maritime services and container storage.In total, the works are expected to take two and a half years to complete.The Port of Dakar is nearing its maximum capacity, and the surrounding area is fully saturated.

Charleston Branch Pilots have returned a pilot boat to Gladding-Hearn after 10 years of continuous service for the port of Charlestown. The all-aluminum vessel will be repowered and refitted with a new Seakeeper 40 gyro stabilizer.The 65’ Fort Ripley was designed by Ray Hunt Design and Gladding-Hearn and built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 2014. With a top speed of 28 knots, it was the first commercial vessel in the United States powered by Volvo Penta IPS drives with twin forward-facing…

Artemis Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Delta Marine to manufacture eFoiler vessels for Washington’s Puget Sound.Artemis will work alongside Delta Marine to meet the growing demand for zero-emission ferries, including smaller vessels ideal for high-speed, short-haul routes. Washington State, with more ferries than any other region in the U.S., is under increasing pressure to transition to cleaner, more efficient models as public interest in sustainable transportation rises.The company has grown significantly since its founding in 2017…

Finland’s Gasum has chartered a new bunker vessel that will be delivered in 2027.The new vessel, to be named Celsius, will enable Gasum to fulfil its strategic ambition to increase LNG and bio-LNG availability in the Northwestern European maritime market.The vessel will be owned by a Joint Venture between Gasum and Swedish shipping company Sirius Shipping. The vessel will be built by RMK Marine yard in Istanbul Turkey.Sirius Shipping and Gasum have a long history together, as…

Since entering service in 2015, the all-electric ferry MF Ampere has sailed the equivalent of 17 times around the equator on batteries alone.Despite a chorus of critics and skeptics in during the project, a decade later, Ampere continues to showcase the potential of electric technology, tech that has been emulated in ferries globally.It all started with the Ampere and the Norwegian Public Road Administration's decision to require sustainable technology onboard the newbuild destined to transport passengers and vehicles across the Sognefjord on Norway's west coast.

The Bilbao Port Authority participated in the 1st Conference of the Chambers of Commerce and Hydrogen Valleys of the Atlantic Arc. The event, held at the Energy Intelligence Center (EIC) in Abanto-Zierbena, brought together the Chambers of Commerce of the Atlantic Arc, an alliance involving Chambers from Portugal, Spain, and France to improve the competitiveness of the region, with hydrogen valleys and clusters from the Cantabrian coast.In his presentation, Andima Ormaetxe, Director of Operations…

Manson Construction has long been a pillar of the U.S. maritime industry, rooted in a tradition of U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-operated vessels. The company was founded in 1905 by Peter Manson, when he dug up a jar of gold coins [because he didn’t trust the banks] and purchased a winch, a winch that was then put on a barge and that became Manson's first pile driver. With barge-mounted pile driver, Manson Construction  embarked on its journey into marine construction and eventually dredging, a journey which continues today as it has become a dominant player today in the U.S.

Canada’s Marine Communications and Traffic Services received a MAYDAY on Saturday from the MSC Baltic III as it ran aground located approximately 12 nautical miles outside the entrance to Bay of Islands, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.The vessel reported a loss of power, and unable to secure an anchor in the adverse conditions, grounded in Wild Cove west of Lark Harbour. All 20 crew have been airlifted to safety.Weather in the area continues to be a factor as work is underway to assess the situation and determine the next steps.

Seakeeper’s motion control technology can improve the performance of even the most impressive of workboats. Partnering with Seakeeper and Gladding-Hearn, the Charleston Pilots did just that, once again setting the bar for excellence.On a beautiful Autumn afternoon in Charleston, SC, way back in 2014, MarineNews had the good fortune to attend the christening on the nation’s first dual purpose, rapid response vessel and pilot launch. As the first vessel to be designed for offshore salvage and firefighting requirements…

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in collaboration with Royal Caribbean, conducted the first biometric debarkation for Royal Caribbean cruise passengers on Feb. 2 when Rhapsody of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean vessel to utilize this technology at the San Juan Seaport’s Pier 4 in Puerto Rico.CBP’s biometric facial comparison technology streamlines the debarkation process, reducing clearance times by up to 30% and allowing passengers to transition smoothly from ship to shore.At debarkation, guests pause at a kiosk equipped with a camera and take a photo.

Incat Crowther designed a new 24-m passenger fast ferry for Caribbean operator Smith's Ferry Services. Built by Australian shipyard Aluminium Marine in Brisbane, the new ferry will transport 149 passengers at speeds of up to 28 knots and has been designed for the busy Charlotte Amalie (U.S Virgin Islands) to Road Town (British Virgin Islands) tourism route.The main deck can transport 118 passengers in air-conditioned comfort. It boasts a large service kiosk, two bathrooms, and luggage space.

In remarks delivered to the National Space Club Florida Committee, Canaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. John Murray outlined the Port’s long-standing historical support of America’s space program in the Cape Canaveral area.“Port Canaveral has been part of space operations since 1956. But, since the end of the shuttle program, we now see a uniquely different space enterprise,” Murray said. “The industry has evolved to include maritime components – support vessels and landing platforms – in at sea recovery operations.

Belgian company DEME Group was the sole firm to bid in the Argentine government's tender for a major maintenance contract for the Parana waterway, a key route for grains transport, the government said on Wednesday.The bid could mark a major shakeup in dredging the river, part of a route from inland areas of Paraguay, Bolivia and southern Brazil out to sea. Argentina ships out some 80% of its massive farm exports along the waterway.Belgian rival Jan de Nul currently holds the concession to maintain the river and has for decades…

AquaChemie Global Chemicals has inaugurated its state-of-the-art chemical manufacturing, storage, and blending facility in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), marking a significant step in enhancing local industrial capabilities and supporting the UAE’s "Make it in the Emirates" initiative.The $24.5m, 25,800 sqm facility in KEZAD Al Ma’mourah is designed to meet global safety and environmental standards, producing a wide range of liquid and solid industrial chemicals primarily for ADNOC and other key clients.

The section of the Potomac River affected by the Jan. 29 midair collision of an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has now been fully restored, six days ahead of schedule.After aiding in initial rescue and recovery operations, 49 US Army Corps of Engineers subject matter experts worked alongside more than 2,000 responders from 45 private, local, state and federal agencies as they began preliminary assessments required for wreckage removal operations.Pre-staging operations commenced Jan.

A captain and barge company managers not identifying the crane they were towing was too high to pass under the Mackinac Bridge near Mackinaw City, Michigan, led to the crane hitting the bridge, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded.On May 7, 2023, the towing vessel Nickelena was transiting the Straits of Mackinac, while towing a deck barge transporting a crawler crane, when the crane boom struck the main span of the Mackinac Bridge. The contact bent the crane boom backwards…

Cavotec signed a multi-million euro order for its MoorMaster NxG automated mooring system to be installed at the Port of Dublin in Ireland. The order, signed at the end of 2024, marks the first deployment of MoorMaster technology in Ireland. Deliveries will primarily take place in the third quarter of 2026.“The installation at this new berth will serve as a benchmark for sustainable port operations in the region while also contributing to the adoption of MoorMaster systems across Northern Europe”…

Terminales Marítimas de Vigo, S.L.U. (Termavi), a new Konecranes customer has ordered two hybrid Konecranes Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes equipped with the complete range of Konecranes Smart Features. The order was booked in Q4 2024, and delivery is scheduled for Q4 2025.Termavi operates the main container terminal at Spain’s Port of Vigo on the country’s Atlantic coast and has implemented a number of initiatives to increase energy efficiency, reduce its carbon footprint, and protect biodiversity.

Renewable energy company Source Galileo has signed a non-exclusive memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Portland Port, a commercial port on the South Coast of England, to jointly advance offshore wind development off Dorset coast in English Channel.Portland Port has a history of servicing the offshore wind sector and is in discussions with potential partners to enable and support the future construction and operation of offshore wind developments in the English Channel.With significant deep-water berths and quayside space…

Divers from the FBI continue are investigating multiple underwater targets in the Potomac River that could be additional aircraft debris from the collision between a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) RJ Aviation (Bombardier) CRJ700 and a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane operated as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan Washington National Airport and the US Army helicopter collided at 8:47 p.m. ET on January 29…

Shipping and logistics firm Wilson Sons has started testing drones in the Port of Salvador to make vessel deliveries and pickups. The trials represent the first time the drones have been used to make deliveries in port facilities in Brazil.Speedbird Aero, which specializes in designing, manufacturing, and operating drones, owns the uncrewed aerial vehicles.In 2022, it was the first company to obtain authorization from Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) to operate uncrewed…

The government of Canada has allocated $17.4 million to accelerate the development of the infrastructure at the Halifax Port Authority, most of which will go to the roll out of Halifax – Hamburg green shipping corridor.This investment is aimed at bolstering environmental sustainability and supply chain efficiency while actively supporting decarbonization efforts in the transportation sector and strengthening infrastructure resiliency.Up to $15.7 million will go for the development of the Halifax – Hamburg green shipping corridor, under the Green Shipping Corridor Program.

DP World’s ports and terminals handled a record 88.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, up 8.3% year-on-year, despite macroeconomic headwinds and concerns over the outlook for global trade.The global logistics business, which now can handle over 100 million TEU across operations in 78 countries, benefitted from long-term infrastructure investment, contributing to strong growth and new services calling at its terminals.While the Red Sea crisis posed a significant challenge to global shipping in 2024…

Klaipėda Port Authority in Lithuania has signed an agreement for the infrastructure buildout for the offshore wind energy projects, starting with the reconstruction of quays on Smeltė peninsula, which will ensure assembly, handling and transportation of offshore wind turbines.The successful tenderer UAB Tilsta has been tasked with reconstructing the quays at the former International Ferry Port under the $37.9 million contract.As the reconstructed quays will be used for assembly…

Twenty horses have been found travelling on an illegal transport in horrific conditions, reports World Horse Welfare.Some of the horses are suspected of being smuggled for fattening and slaughter despite the ban on live exports in May 2024.Those on board included Irish Thoroughbreds, Connemaras and leisure ponies – alongside animals that were being moved legitimately.Many of the horses were too sick and weak to travel, yet had been crammed into an unsuitable lorry where one foal…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), have removed all the major components of the American Airlines regional jet and U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter from the Potomac River.The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane operated as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan Washington National Airport and the US Army helicopter collided at 8:47 p.m. ET on January 29…

JettyLight LLC has announced plans to acquire the historic Oxford-Bellevue Ferry Service and the TALBOT Ferry.The acquisition underscores JettyLight’s commitment to preserving maritime heritage while enhancing ferry operations for the communities of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.As the oldest privately operated ferry in the United States, the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry has provided reliable service across the Tred Avon River since 1683, serving as a vital transportation link for residents…

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has strengthened its position in boat manufacturing by setting up a new manufacturing facility in Norway.The new building covers 3,400 sqm and is designed to meet requirements for high-end freefall boats in the offshore segment and for special boats in the defense segment.As the supplier of lifeboats and fast rescue boats for the commercial shipping, offshore, and defense segments, VIKING has existing boat manufacturing facilities in China, Greece…

The superyacht that sank off Sicily last year, killing British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and six others, will be recovered once its mast is dismantled in a salvage operation likely to begin after the middle of April, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.The recovery of the British-flagged Bayesian, lying on its right side at a depth of around 50 meters (164 feet), could help explain why it sank during a severe and sudden storm off the port of Porticello, near Palermo - an event that has baffled naval experts.Twenty-two people were on board…

DP World Southampton has welcomed the arrival of MV Leonidio, the first ship to dock to the port under the Gemini Cooperation agreement, set up by Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk. The MV Leonidio docked at the Southampton logistics hub on February 3 as part of its first rotation on the Gemini Transatlantic AL1/AT3 service.The ship will call at the ports of Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Wilhelmshaven in Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic to dock at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore…

Oil prices retreated on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to hold off imposing steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the two biggest foreign oil suppliers to the United States, for a month.Brent futures LCOc1 fell 41 cents, or 0.5%, to $75.55 a barrel at 0149 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 declined 75 cents, or 1%, to trade at $72.41.Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said they had agreed to…

Rio Tinto said on Tuesday it had begun clearing iron ore ships from two Western Australian ports as two tropical cyclones offshore swell seas and complicate its efforts to repair infrastructure damaged by a previous cyclone last month."Safety is our priority. As is procedure, we began sending ships from Cape Lambert Port at the weekend and Dampier Port last night, out to sea, to avoid high sea swells and wave conditions created by Tropical Cyclone Taliah and Tropical Cyclone Vince…

The NTSB, in coordination with the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage, has recovered the aft fuselage, right engine and right pylon of the Bombardier CRJ700 after its midair collision with a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.The PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 airplane operated as American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, to Reagan Washington National Airport, and the US Army helicopter collided at 8:47 p.m. ET on January 29, 2025, killing 67 people.The salvage of both aircraft is expected to take several days.

SANMAR signed a contract with PORT FLOT – BURGAS, one of Bulgaria’s leading towage companies, to build a multi-purpose tug to join its fleet, providing services in the Bay of Burgas.The new tugboat will be one of the Turkish tug-builder and operator’s Boğaçay Series and to be known as BOĞAÇAY LXXXI while under construction. It will be based on the exclusive-to-SANMAR RAmparts 2400SX-MKII design from Canadian naval architect Robert Allan Ltd.PORT FLOT - BURGAS has more than 35 years of tradition in the maritime business at Burgas Port…

The owner of the vessel Stimulus Money, Richard Cruz, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty for his role in the July 2022 capsizing of the vessel while underway on the Hudson River that resulted in the death of two passengers, a seven-year-old boy and 48-year-old woman.Cruz was arrested in March 2024 along with the operator of the vessel, Jaime Pinilla Gomez, and charged with one count of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death…

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday warned Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino that Washington will "take measures necessary" if Panama does not immediately take steps to end what President Donald Trump sees as China's influence and control over the Panama Canal.Mulino, after the talks with the top U.S. diplomat in Panama City, signaled he would review agreements involving China and Chinese businesses, and announced further cooperation with the U.S. on migration, but…

With winter in full swing, the U.S.-flagged fleet of Lakers have tied up in ports across the Great Lakes region to perform critical maintenance before the navigational locks in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan reopen on March 25th.Hundreds of skilled shipyard workers will flock to the area to support the nearly $150 million maintenance investment being made on these massive ships. The state receiving the largest amount of work is Ohio with $51.5 million, followed closely by Wisconsin at $51 million…

China's presence around the Panama Canal is a national security concern that Panama's government has to deal with, Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy for Latin America, said on Friday, ahead of U.S. top diplomat Marco Rubio's visit to the country.Rubio will depart on Saturday on his first foreign trip, with a scheduled visit to the canal and a meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, the first talks between the countries since President Donald Trump's threat to take control of the U.S.-built canal.Rubio will also visit El Salvador…

On February 1, Maersk A/S (Maersk), an entity under A.P. Moller - Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd AG (Hapag-Lloyd) launch their operational collaboration Gemini Cooperation. The ambition is to deliver a flexible and interconnected ocean network with industry-leading schedule reliability above 90 percent once fully phased in.Around 340 vessels will be phased in and be a part of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared ocean network with the first sailings taking place on February 1, and more vessels will gradually sail on the new schedules.“We are now ready to commence the phase-in of the new network.

East Africa Marine Transport has taken a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient logistics solution for Lake Victoria with the commissioning of M.V. MPUNGU, the lake’s first scheduled roll-on / roll-off freight vessel.Offering faster and safer crossings and reduced carbon emissions, the fuel-efficient vessel is set to transform regional trade by cutting journey times from days to hours and supporting the decarbonisation of the region’s transport sector.Owned by East Africa Marine Transport (EAMT) and operated by Grindrod Logistics Africa - Uganda (GLAU)…

McQuilling Services announced the release of its 28th anniversary edition, 2025-2029 Tanker Market Outlook.This 183-page report provides a detailed analysis of oil fundamentals, global economic and geopolitical context in addition to tanker demand and supply projections across eight vessel classes. The interaction of tanker demand and vessel supply variables is processed using advanced quantitative modeling to produce a five-year spot and time charter equivalent (TCE) forecast for eight vessel classes across 27 benchmark tanker trades, plus five triangulated trades.

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, snapped a thirteen-day losing streak on Friday, supported by strong rates across the capesize and panamax vessel segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, gained 20 points to 735 points, recording gains for the first time since Jan. 13. The contract was down 8.1% this week.The capesize index gained 33 points to 874 points.

Middle East ceasefire and Lunar New Year will see ocean container freight rates fall further in February - with carriers now taking action to slow the market decline.Latest data from Xeneta – an ocean and air freight intelligence platform – shows average spot rates from the Far East stand at USD 3 795 per FEU (40ft container) into North Europe and USD 5 085 per FEU into the Mediterranean – down 22% and 13% respectively since 1 January.Early data suggests spot rates will fall further on 1 February…

The Port of Oakland experienced a solid 2024, processing 2.26 million TEUs (twenty-foot containers), representing a 9.5% increase over 2023.The 2024 cargo data reflects a long-term growth trend in consumer spending in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the rest of the country.“Consumer demand has remained resilient, driving higher import volumes through the Port,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “This performance underscores the port’s strong foundation for continued growth and its critical role in global trade.”On the full container side…

The future of the two insolvent German shipyards, Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) and Nobiskrug, looks brighter as Lürssen Group moves to place a formal bid to take over the facilities of the Nobiskrug shipyard, while Heinrich Rönner Group agrees to buy the FSG.The insolvency administrators, Christoph Morgen of Brinkmann & Partner and Hendrik Gittermann of REIMER, said they would accept the offers in the week following the official opening of insolvency proceedings.Lürssen…

The Mosel river in western Germany could reopen to cargo shipping later this week as repairs to a damaged lock are making fast progress, navigation authorities said on Monday.The river, an important transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France, was closed to inland waterways shipping in December after an accident which damaged a lock at Mueden south of Koblenz.New lock gates have now been installed and are being prepared for the first test vessel transits expected on Thursday to Friday…

Germany is expanding its natural gas import options to replace Russian supply, a drive intensified by the latest suspension of Russian flows via Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump targeting Europe with liquefied natural gas exports.Plans also include shore-based regasification terminals and facilities to import and produce ammonia and green hydrogen under decarbonization strategies. A synopsis of changes and additions to Germany's energy plans and infrastructure is listed below:MUKRANMukran…

When Marco Rubio arrives in Latin America this weekend on his first foreign trip as Donald Trump's secretary of state, he'll find a region reeling from the new administration's shock-and-awe approach to diplomacy.In the first days of Trump's second term, the new president has doubled down on his intention to reclaim the Panama Canal, angered Brazilians by returning migrants in shackles and briefly imposed crushing sanctions and tariffs on Colombia in a tussle over deportee flights.Rubio's…

The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, extended losses for the thirteenth straight session on Thursday, pressured by a dip in rates across capesize and supramax segments.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, dropped 11 points to 715 points, hitting its lowest in 23 months.The capesize index slipped 35 points to 841 points, dropping to its lowest level since February 2023.

This month, Wilson Sons received approval from ANP to conduct the first tests on using HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in the Brazilian maritime sector, with efen and Port of Açu as partners.To replace marine diesel oil, efen will import HVO, also known as renewable diesel or green diesel, to be tested on Wilson Sons' tugs in the Port of Açu, in São João da Barra (Rio de Janeiro). The liquid handling operation will be conducted at the Açu Liquid Bulk Terminal (TLA), owned by Vast Infraestrutura.“After the testing period, we expect to expand the distribution of HVO to Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) and other offshore support vessels in the Port of Açu…

Port of Virginia’s Portsmouth Marine Terminal has welcomed the arrival of the first substation to be installed at the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.The CS Wind Offshore and Semco Maritime consortium was selected by Dominion Energy in 2021 to deliver three 880 MW offshore substations for the project, under development by Dominion Energy.CVOW farm is located approximately 40 kilometers off the coast of Virginia Beach, and, once fully operational within the coming years…

Two separate breakaways of container ships berthed at the Port of Brisbane, Australia, after heavy rains highlight the importance of robust emergency and risk management arrangements, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation.The May 2022 incidents occurred after an unprecedented stretch of rainfall resulted in significant freshwater inflows into the Brisbane River following several controlled water releases from dams located upriver.This resulted in strong currents through the Port of Brisbane…

CORE POWER (US) Inc. has engaged with Glosten to help its team design a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) to power U.S. ports. Created by CORE POWER, the FNPP concept is a nearshore infrastructure system that includes a barge-based nuclear power plant, barge support services, electrical grid integration, and operational teams. Easy to transport and rapidly deploy, the FNPP will provide an estimated 175GWh of clean electricity per year. The FNPP connection will allow ports to achieve zero-emissions electrical generation for visiting ships…

Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) said oil exports were continuing without disruption following talks with protesters at the Es Sider and Ras Lanuf ports on Tuesday."Operations are proceeding smoothly across all fields and ports after discussions with protesters who held demonstrations this morning at the Es Sider and Ras Lanuf ports," the NOC said in a statement on its Facebook page.According to five engineers and a shipping source, protesters had temporarily blocked oil loadings at the ports.

The ocean sector finds itself in a critical moment, especially as the demand to decarbonize grows. Though long-haul is still the biggest emitter in the maritime industry, the need to decarbonize smaller commercial and coastal vessels, including cruise ships, passenger ferries, platform supply vessels (PSVs), offshore service vessels (OSVs), and research ships, is on the rise. Particularly, passenger ferries are pushing into uncharted waters, increasingly being scrutinized by municipal, state, and federal regulators for their environmental impact.

Damen Shipyards has delivered Germany’s first, all-electric catamaran (E-Kat) ferry to its operator AG Reederei Norden-Frisia.Capable of taking up to 150 passengers, the vessel will operate between Norddeich and Norderney on the East Frisian Wadden Sea.The 32-metre E-Kat has been designed to operate on a 30-minute route with 28 minutes allowed at each end to disembark and embark passengers.Built at Damen shipyards in Poland and the Netherlands, the vessel is driven by two propellers…

“In January, grain shipments to China are estimated to fall 51% y/y, partly due to a decline in import demand for soya beans caused by low crusher margins. Although Chinese soya bean production decreased 1% y/y in 2024, inventories are high after a surge in imports in the first half of the year. Import demand for maize and wheat has also declined due to record high harvests in China in 2024,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.As the world’s largest grain importer, China has for a long time strived to reduce its import dependence.

The hull of Lithuania’s first green hydrogen and electricity-powered ship has been launched by the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.The tanker will accept waste from vessels entering the port when it enters operation later this year.The tanker’s main function is to collect storm water, sewage, sludge and garbage, and it will be equipped with special tanks and a modern rainwater treatment plant that will allow the treated water to be transferred to the city’s sewage treatment plants.