Maritime Law & Regulations News

The latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory from Dryad Global states that China’s military activity near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea continues to escalate, with combat readiness patrols becoming more frequent.The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has intensified both naval and air operations, and as Scarborough Shoal is situated within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) it remains a flashpoint for regional tensions.The deployment of the U.S. Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines in 2024 has further strained relations…

Container shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd has secured long-term financing, in the amount of $4 billion, for 24 large container ships ordered in October 2024, with a combined capacity of 312,000 TEU.Around $900 million of the purchase price will be financed using the company’s own funds. A total of $500 million will be made available from two banks in the form of bilateral mortgage loans.Another part, in the amount of $1.8 billion, will be financed via three leasing structures, and $1.1…

Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Chrysalis, which was attacked by Yemen's Houthis last year, sailed through the Red Sea this week, the Suez Canal said on Monday, in one of the first voyages since the militia announced a halt in attacks on ships not linked to Israel.Shipping companies, many of which have suspended Red Sea voyages and rerouted vessels around southern Africa to avoid potential Houthi attacks, have been anxiously waiting for confirmation of safe voyages through the Red Sea since the Gaza ceasefire.The Iran-aligned Houthis…

Swedish shipping company WALLENIUS SOL has acquired British Mann Lines, expanding its customer base, service offerings and presence in key markets.WALLENIUS SOL, based in the Bay of Bothnia, has acquired Mann Lines, a provider of liner RoRo and container vessel services, logistics and forwarding.The acquisition reinforces WALLENIUS SOL’s platform for growth, supporting the development of a more sustainable and digitally driven shipping and logistics industry.“This acquisition strengthens WALLENIUS SOL's position as a reliable partner for customers in our key operating regions…

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…

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) recently sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom in California, urging him to withdraw the 2022 amendments to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Commercial Harbor Craft rule, particularly in light of CARB’s withdrawal of its requests to enforce emissions rules for California’s truck and rail industries, leaving only harbor craft subject to CARB’s stringent regulations.The AWO is the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry’s advocate for safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation on America’s waterways, oceans and coasts.

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…

InterManager, the international association for the ship management sector, has elected Sebastian von Hardenberg as President.Sebastian is CEO of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) and was elected by members of InterManager’s Executive Committee during the association’s Annual General Meeting in London this week.An experienced negotiator, he has lobbied on behalf of InterManager members and the ship management sector during his term as Vice President and was instrumental in…

Norwegian police said on Friday they had seized and boarded a Norwegian ship with an all-Russian crew on suspicion of involvement in causing damage to a telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea, the second vessel to be named by investigators in the case.The Silver Dania cargo ship was seized at the request of Latvian authorities, and with the help of Norway's coast guard, police in the northern Norwegian city of Tromsoe said."It is suspected that the ship has been involved in serious damage to a fibre cable in the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Sweden…

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…

Finland-based consulting and engineering company Elomatic has acquired Ablemans LCS (ALCS), a compatriot company specializing in cruise vessel refits, dockings and technical services.The acquisition of ALCS will enhance Elomatic’s offerings for shipowners, providing a full suite of technical services and solutions.ALCS brings experience in managing refit and retrofit projects for the shipbuilding industry, expanding Elomatic’s service capabilities beyond design solutions.By combining…

A Scottish court has invalidated Britain's approvals for two major North Sea oil and gas projects, delivering a significant victory to environmental groups and raising uncertainty over future fossil fuel developments in the UK.The Court of Session in Edinburgh found that the government had unlawfully granted approval for Shell's Jackdaw gas field and Equinor's Rosebank oil and gas field by failing to consider the emissions generated when the extracted fuels are burned—known as downstream emissions.

Germany's budget committee is expected to approve state guarantees worth up to $4.27 billion to help Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)  win an order from Argentina for three submarines, two sources in the budget committee said on Wednesday.Several media outlets have reported that a French shipbuilder is also been in the running for the order, worth some 2.2 billion euros, which has not yet been made.The guarantees would cover the construction and delivery of three Type 209 submarines…

An Italian navy ship carrying 49 migrants picked up in international waters arrived in Albania on Tuesday, amid a new attempt by Italy to push ahead with a legally contested plan to relocate migrants to the neighbouring country.The navy ship Cassiopea with the migrants reached the Albanian port of Shengjin early on Tuesday, according to a Reuters witness.

The Philippines said on Saturday it has suspended a scientific survey in the South China Sea after two of its fisheries vessels faced "harassment" and aggressive behaviour from China's coast guard and navy.Manila and Beijing have had a series of escalating confrontations in disputed waters of the South China Sea. China claims almost all the strategic waterway - through which $3 trillion in commerce moves annually - overlapping sovereignty claims by the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.Two Philippine fisheries vessels…

French shipping and logistics group CMA CGM will continue to avoid the Red Sea even though it considers the region is more stable following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, it said on Saturday.Shipping executives remain cautious about a return to the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, leading most shipping companies to divert vessels to other routes.CMA-CGM said in a statement the improved stability was "a positive but fragile sign" for the industry, and safety was a priority."Given the ongoing tensions and a

Vessels in the northern Gulf have received multiple VHF radio challenges, including demands to alter course, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Friday, adding they could be part of an Iranian military exercise.The UKMTO, which monitors marine security in the region, advised seafarers that vessels near Iranian waters may experience such VHF hailing during the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' exercise.Naval units from the Revolutionary Guards were conducting operations in the Gulf's Strait of Hormuz on Friday as part of the exercise…

This week at MarineLink…The term doomscrolling was one of the Oxford English Dictionary's words of the year in 2020.“the action of constantly scrolling through and reading depressing news on a news site or on social media, especially on a phone”It rose to prominence during the pandemic, but today’s social, political and economic unrest keeps it current.The behavior is rooted in the part of the brain often referred to as the lizard brain which promotes self-preservation and drives the fight-or-flight response to danger…

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader more than a year after they seized their Bahamas-flagged vessel off the Yemeni Red Sea coast, Houthi-owned Al Masirah TV reported on Wednesday.It said the crew were handed to Oman "in coordination" with the three-day-old ceasefire in Gaza's war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas."The release of the Galaxy Leader crew comes within the framework of our solidarity with Gaza and in support of the ceasefire agreement…

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday re-designated Yemen's Houthi movement, known formally as Ansar Allah, as a "foreign terrorist organization", the White House said.The move will impose harsher economic penalties than the Biden administration had applied to the Iran-aligned group in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against U.S. warships defending the critical maritime chokepoint.Proponents of the move say it is overdue, though some experts say it could have implications for anyone seen as aiding the Houthis…

The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) extends gratitude to President Trump for his decision to temporarily withdraw all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from consideration for new or renewed wind energy leasing.This important move recognizes the vital role our communities, industries, and ecosystems play in the broader national interest. The decision is a much-needed pause that allows us to reassess the future of offshore wind development and its potential…

GAO-25-106953, published today, says, "Additional Efforts Needed to Assess the Effectiveness of DHS's Approach."Fast FactsThe U.S. economy depends on the efficient flow of millions of tons of cargo each day throughout the global supply chain, most arriving by ship. The Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection monitor these vessels for potential national security risks, like smuggling.At the 8 ports we reviewed, the agencies generally followed selected leading collaboration…

U.S. President Donald Trump in his first day of office on Monday suspended new federal offshore wind leasing pending an environmental and economic review, saying wind mills are ugly, expensive and harm wildlife.Former President Joe Biden supported the offshore wind industry, setting a target for 30 gigawatts (GW) of projects by 2030, up from 42 megawatts at the end of 2023, prompting many European project developers to acquire leases and plan wind farms in the United States.Trump's executive order is not expected to stop existing U.S.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has completed the acquisition of 72% shares in Gearbulk, growing its fleet of dry bulk carriers to 338 vessels.The completion of acquisition means Gearbulk is now MOL’s consolidated subsidiary.Gearbulk has a proven track record of growth through the transport of semi-finished products such as pulp. MOL has had a 34-year partnership with Gearbulk since its equity participation in 1991.With the consolidation, the MOL Group's fleet of dry bulk carriers will total 338 vessels…

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's logistics arm has transferred its tankers to Navig8 after it bought 80% of the firm for more than $1 billion and will cut part of its workforce, the state oil giant said in a statement.ADNOC Logistics & Services, which raised nearly $770 million in an initial public offering in 2023, said in June it was buying Singapore-headquartered Navig8 as part of its growth strategy.ADNOC has listed several of its units in recent years and pursued a string of deals to expand in nearly every part of its business, including in chemicals and natural gas.Transferring its comme

Swan Defense and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), a private player in commercial & defence shipbuilding, ship repairs, and heavy fabrication in India, will recommence trading of its shares at BSE/NSE under the script code – 533107/SWANDEF. The shares will be available for trading with effect from January 20, 2025.Swan Energy Limited gained management control of Swan Defense and Heavy Industries Limited in January 2024. As part of its operational revival, the company recently completed the refit of the Indian Coast Guard’s fast patrol vessel…

FSG Nobiskrug shipyards has received several offers from potential investors. These are industry-related companies from Germany, not financial investors.This was reported by the provisional insolvency administrators Dr Christoph Morgen and Hendrik Gittermann at an event in Rendsburg on 17 January. The occasion was the visit of Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Guenther and State Minister of Economic Affairs Claus Ruhe Madsen to a staff meeting at the invitation of the workers’ union “IG Metall Rendsburg”.“Negotiations with interested parties are well advanced.

The Philippines and China agreed to seek common ground and find ways to cooperate despite their disagreements in the South China Sea, their foreign ministries said on Thursday, as heated rows persist over vessels deployed around disputed features.The two countries on Thursday held a 10th round of talks under a bilateral consultation mechanism set up to address issues in the South China Sea, where disputes have been frequent and tense, with ties at their lowest point in years.Both…

Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has highlighted several areas high on the agenda of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as it embarks on a busy work schedule for 2025.Speaking at a news conference on 14 January 2025, Mr. Dominguez said that IMO’s 176 Member States continue to work together to find solutions to global challenges impacting the maritime sector.Dark fleetHe addressed rising concerns with the “dark fleet” or “shadow fleet” evading compliance with safety or environmental regulations, avoiding insurance costs or engaging in other illegal activities.Mr.

Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) will receive $3 million from the State of Wisconsin to improve marine infrastructure along the Menominee River where the company builds surface combatant ships for the U.S. Navy.Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced today that five in-state projects will receive more than $10 million in Harbor Assistance Program grants. These grants are intended to strengthen supply chain reliability, support waterborne freight and assist with economic development of Wisconsin’s coastal communities.

BP will cut over 5% of its global workforce, it said on Thursday, as part of CEO Murray Auchincloss' efforts to reduce costs and rebuild investor confidence in the energy giant.Around 4,700 employees and 3,000 contractor positions will be cut this year, BP BP.L told Reuters. The cuts were announced in an internal memo seen by Reuters earlier on Thursday.BP shares were up 1% at 1200 GMT.Auchincloss last year said he would cut the British company's costs by at least $2 billion by…

Taiwan will dispatch its navy if needed to help the coast guard respond to any suspicious activity near undersea communication cables, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Thursday, after a Chinese-linked ship was suspected of damaging one.Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, said a ship owned by a Hong Kong company but registered both in Cameroon and Tanzania damaged a cable to the north of the island earlier this month, although it says it has not been able to verify the ship's intentions and was unable to board it due to bad weather.The ship's owner has denied involvement, and

Maryland Transportation Authority selected Bridging Maryland Partnership as its general engineering consultant for rebuild of Baltimore bridge that collapsed after cargo ship collision.Just 10 months after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), owner, selected Bridging Maryland Partnership — a joint venture that includes WSP — to provide general engineering consultant services for the reconstruction of the strategically significant bridge.The $75 million contract with the WSP-led joint venture, including engineering firms Rummel, Klepper & Kahl (RK&K); and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT); was approved on Jan. 8 by the Maryland Board of Public Works.

InterManager is concerned at the increasingly harsh treatment of ships’ crew in some parts of the world and is calling on the IMO and shipping companies to get involved.Secretary General, Captain Kuba Szymanski, said: “There is a concern within the shipping industry that seafarers are being unfairly detained when authorities find something wrong with their ship, often when drugs are found onboard but also in other circumstances. Most frequently senior officers are detained, although the whole crew can be…

Supertanker freight rates jumped after the U.S. expanded sanctions on Russia's oil industry, sending traders rushing to book vessels to ship supply from other countries to China and India, shipbrokers and traders said.Chinese and Indian refiners are seeking alternative fuel supplies as they adapt to severe new U.S. sanctions on Russian producers and tankers designed to curb the world No. 2 oil exporter's revenue due to its war in Ukraine.Many of the newly-targeted vessels, part of a so-called shadow fleet that seeks to avoid Western restrictions…

The safety risks posed by unregulated oil tankers are rising, and the so-called shadow fleet is a threat to both the maritime environment and seafarers, the head of the United Nations' shipping agency said on Tuesday.The shadow fleet refers to hundreds of ships used by Russia to move oil, in violation of international restrictions imposed on it over the Ukraine war, as well as by oil exporters such as Iran and Venezuela hit by U.S. sanctions.At least 65 oil tankers dropped anchor this week at multiple locations, including off the coasts of China and Russia, since the United States announced a new sanctions package on Jan. 10."The risk is growing in relation to the environmental impact and the safety of the seafarers as the shadow fleet grows…

StormGeo, a provider of maritime technology solutions, announced a partnership with Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (Bureau Veritas), a global provider in testing, inspection, and certification, for more efficient reporting and verification of CO2 emission data.By integrating StormGeo's solutions with Bureau Veritas' advanced emission compliance platform, VeriSTAR Green, the collaboration will streamline the emission reporting and verification process for vessels between 400 and 5,000 gross tonnage (GT), as well as offshore vessels of 400 GT and above.

At least 65 oil tankers have dropped anchor at multiple locations, including off the coasts of China and Russia, since the United States announced a new sanctions package on Jan. 10, ship tracking data showed on Monday.Five of those tankers were stationary off Chinese ports and a further seven dropped anchor off Singapore, with others halting near Russia in the Baltic Sea and the Far East, according to Reuters' analysis based on MarineTraffic and LSEG ship tracking data.The U.S.

A risky operation to salvage an oil tanker attacked by Houthi militants in the Red Sea and avert what could have been one of the largest oil spills in recorded history has been completed, British maritime security company Ambrey and Greece have said.The 900-foot Greek-registered MT Sounion, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, was struck by several missiles and drones and caught fire on Aug. 21, triggering fears of an oil spill that could cause catastrophic environmental damage in the area.Months later, the vessel has been declared safe and its cargo has been removed, said Ambrey, which led the salvage operation.Greece had urged all nations to assist with the case with political negotiations extending from the Houthis…

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), has received POs from Austal USA to provide critical equipment for the U.S. Navy’s next-generation TAGOS-25 program.Through Fairbanks Morse Defense businesses American Fan, Federal Equipment Company (FEC), Maxim Watermakers, and Welin Lambie, the defense supplier will deliver and install fundamental systems for TAGOS-25’s oceanic surveillance ships.The TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ships are designed to support U.S.

The domestic passenger vessel answers the call for cleaner and more efficient platforms. It is truly an electric time to be a part of this niche industry.In the shadow of a rapidly changing political landscape, the domestic passenger ferry sector is nevertheless seeing an increasing number of newbuild vessel orders. Older fleet vessels, some approaching financial and operational obsolescence – also environmentally undesirable on a waterfront that more than ever demands cleaner carbon signatures – are going the way of the dinosaur.

Russia said on Monday it had downed nine Ukrainian drones that tried to attack part of the infrastructure of the TurkStream gas pipeline, through which Russian gas flows to Turkey and Europe.The Russian defence ministry said the attack was aimed against a compressor station in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia, but the facility was working normally and there were no casualties.Reuters could not independently confirm the incident, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.TurkStream and Blue Stream…

Today, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced a final rule that implements the 2025 inflation adjustments for the maximum daily civil monetary penalties contained in BOEM regulations in accordance with Federal law.The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act (FCPIAA Improvements Act) of 2015 requires Federal agencies to adjust the level of civil monetary penalties for inflation annually. These adjustments are intended to maintain the deterrent…

A potential strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports has been avoided with the announcement of a tentative labor agreement, but the nation’s major container ports have already seen a surge in imports that is expected to continue because of potential increases in tariffs, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“The new contract brings certainty and avoids disruptions, and we hope to see it ratified as soon as possible,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said.

Maritime communications and connectivity company Navarino Group has acquired Dutch internet connectivity and IT solutions provider to the maritime industry Castor Marine.Castor Marine will continue to operate independently within the Navarino Group, leveraging additional resources to expand its capabilities. Customers can expect uninterrupted service as well as access to an expanded portfolio of solutions.Key benefits of the deal include an expanded service portfolio, enhanced global presence and accelerated innovation…

Denmark acknowledged on Thursday it had long neglected the defense of Greenland, a vast and strategically important Arctic island, after President-elect Donald Trump said acquiring the Danish sovereign territory was vital for U.S. security.Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, said this week that U.S. control of Greenland was an "absolute necessity" and did not rule out using military or economic action such as tariffs against Denmark to make it happen."We have neglected for many years to make the necessary investments in ships and in aircraft that will help monitor our kingdom…

Over the past month, the Australian Border Force has intercepted 12 illegal foreign fishing vessels in waters off the Northern Territory, seizing over six tonnes of sea cucumber, 500kg of other catch, and over two tonnes of salt, which is used to preserve the catch.Operation LUNAR is multi-agency operation in the Northern Territory established on December 8, 2024 to target the increase in illegal fishing along the +10,000km of remote Northern Territory coastline.Eleven Indonesian nationals pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in Australian waters at Darwin Local Court on January 7…

Strikes at ports on the US East Coast and Gulf Coast, which would have caused an economic and supply chain crisis, have been called off – with ocean container freight rate growth now expected to slow or fall.The strikes were set to begin on 15 January and would have forced the closure of ports from Maine to Texas. This has now been averted after a tentative agreement over a new six-year master contract was reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents port workers…

Kongsberg has unveiled plans to integrate the maritime-focused business Kongsberg Digital into Kongsberg Maritime to further align its portfolio with future customer needs and technological advancements in the maritime industry.The integration of Konsberg’s business units will take place in the first quarter of 2025.The business to be transferred represented revenues of approximately $53 million in 2023. The transfer involves around 500 employees located in 14 countries. These…

Taiwan and China traded barbs over what the government in Taipei suspects was a Chinese-linked ship's damage to an undersea communications cable off the island's coast, an incident that has raised alarm bells on the island.The ship owner, speaking to Reuters on Wednesday, said there was no evidence the ship was involved. Taiwan's coast guard suspects the ship damaged the cable off the island's northern coast late last week, but was unable to board it to investigate due to bad weather.The coast guard said it "cannot rule out the possibility" the ship…

A report from Windward indicates that new methods of illicit activity, including underwater infrastructure damage and the emergence of new convenience flags, complicated the global trading landscape in the last quarter of 2024.The Q4/2024 Windward Trade Patterns & Risk Insights Report suggests there is a behavioral pattern related to the suggested sabotage of undersea critical infrastructure cables in the Baltic region, for which the monthly average increased by 29% in 2024 compared to 2023.A suggested sabotage pattern includes visits to the Russian Baltic Sea…

Navig8 TopCo Holdings Inc. announced that it has been acquired by ADNOC Logistics and Services plc.Navig8 is an international shipping pool operator and commercial management company with a modern owned fleet of 32 tankers and a presence in 15 cities across five continents. The Navig8 Group also holds investments in technical management companies, a marine fuels provider operating in over a thousand ports worldwide, and other enterprises serving the marine sector.This deal represents a significant milestone for the Company, founded in 2007 as a private organisation by former traders Gary Brocklesby and Nicholas Busch. The acquisition is set to deliver value to both Navig8 and ADNOC L&S’ clients and shareholders…

Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) has announced that Kate Law and Neil Jackson have become directors in the international maritime law firm with effect from 1 January 2025.Bringing the number of CJC partners to 22, across offices in London, Newcastle, Singapore and Miami, the appointments exemplify the company’s commitment to promoting from within. Now one of the leading firms focusing solely on maritime law and celebrating 15 years of practice this year, CJC’s scope covers, marine casualty investigations…

All Energies Services Group (AES Group) has announced the acquisition of CWind Ltd, a market provider of offshore wind services, from private equity firm Inspirit Capital.This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in AES Group's mission to expand its footprint in the renewable energy sector and reinforces its commitment to driving the global transition to clean energy.Founded in 2010, CWind Ltd is known for delivering comprehensive support to the offshore wind industry, including crew transfer vessels, asset management, and turnkey engineering services.

EU-funded researchers have been working to optimize a common platform that makes sharing information among different maritime authorities much easier.On 1 July 2024, the EU’s Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE) became operational in a project coordinated by Isto Matilla, an expert in maritime security and information sharing at Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland.A hypothetical scenario: A container ship sailing at night through the Baltic Sea, travelling along the Polish coast, pulls alongside a fishing boat.

Achilles Information Ltd (“Achilles”) announced that it has acquired the assets of Global Risk Management Solutions (GRMS), a provider of supplier risk management programs based in Irvine, California. This latest transaction builds on the success of Achilles’ recent acquisition of Iberian supply chain risk company, GoSupply, and marks another step in Achilles' ongoing strategy to expand its global footprint and enhance its portfolio of supply chain solutions.The acquisition of GRMS strengthens Achilles’ position as a global leader in supply chain risk management…

President-elect Donald Trump declined on Monday to rule out military or economic action as part of his avowed desire to have the U.S. take back control of the Panama Canal and acquire Danish-controlled Greenland.Asked at a press conference whether he would avoid using military or economic coercion in Panama and Greenland, Trump said, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security."The extraordinary statement came as Trump further outlined an expansionist agenda, two weeks before he is sworn into office at the Jan.

Finnish police said on Tuesday they had recovered a lost anchor from the seabed as part of an investigation of suspected sabotage against power and internet cables in the Baltic Sea.Finland last month seized the Eagle S tanker carrying Russian oil on suspicion the vessel had damaged the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and four telecom cables by dragging its anchor across the seabed."The location where the anchor was found is along the route of the Eagle S ... towards the western end of the drag trace found on the seabed…

Egypt is expected to receive a $1.2 billion disbursement from the International Monetary Fund this month as part of an $8 billion program with the international lender, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said on Sunday.Last month, the IMF said it reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt on the fourth review of the 46-month Extended Fund Facility arrangement, potentially unlocking the $1.2 billion disbursement."The (IMF's executive) board will convene in January and, God willing…

Contract talks covering 45,000 dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts are set to restart on Tuesday in a labor dispute that will help set the pace of automation at ports stretching from Maine to Texas.The International Longshoremen's Association wants to eliminate past labor contract concessions on automation - notably the use of semi-automated cranes that stack containers on docks - arguing they pose a threat to jobs.The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group…

The Biden administration plans to impose more sanctions on Russia over its war on Ukraine, taking aim at its oil revenues with action against tankers carrying Russian crude, three sources with knowledge of the matter said.President Joe Biden's administration has sought to shore up support for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, given the Republican leader's frequent complaints about the cost of U.S. support for Ukraine."It's a very substantial package.

European Union marine fuel rules, effective from Jan. 1 as part of efforts to cut emissions, will raise shipping costs, although firms with vessels that can run on alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and LNG, will benefit, two shipbrokers said.The policy is the second major EU regulation focused on cutting the shipping industry's carbon emissions in as many years. Shipping transports over 80% of all traded goods and causes nearly 3% of greenhouse gas emissions.The FuelEU Maritime regulation requires commercial ships above 5,000 gross tonnage operating in EU ports to cut emissions from marine fuels, also called bunker fuels, or pay penalties.Biofuels and other alternative fuels for ships are in short supply, and there is competition from aviation and other sectors.

The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing is hosting an intersessional meeting of the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (NMERPAC) subcommittee on task 24-3 Operator of Remote-Controlled Survey Vessels of 65' or less.The subcommittee will meet virtually through Microsoft Teams on January 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST).NMERPAC advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security through the…

A Finnish court today denied a request for the release of an oil tanker suspected by police of damaging an undersea power line and four telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea last week. The incident was one of several since 2022 in which underwater critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea has suffered suspicious damage. Baltic Sea nations are on high alert and NATO has said it will boost its presence in the Baltic Sea.The following is a timeline of major 'incidents' since September 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.SEPT 2022: NORD STREAM BLASTSNord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2…

Venezuela's oil exports rose 10.5% last year despite political instability and changes to the U.S. sanctions regime on the country, as partners of state oil company PDVSA took more cargoes under licenses granted by Washington.As President Nicolas Maduro gets ready to start his third term in office next week following disputed election results, the OPEC country's oil exports rose for a second consecutive year, providing revenue to contribute to economic growth.U.S.-sanctioned PDVSA PDVSA.UL and its joint ventures exported an average of 772…

In support of the current administration’s goals to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030 and 15 GW of floating offshore wind energy capacity by 2035, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced the publication of a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) for possible wind energy leasing off the coast of the U.S. Pacific Territory of Guam.This Call will gather public comments to inform potential leasing areas, and results from close collaboration with the Government of Guam, which aims to generate 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035 and 100 percent by 2045.“Responsible offshore wind development off Guam’s coast offers a vital opportunity to expand clean energy…

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has started the new year with a video message highlighting key items on the IMO agenda for 2025.“We start 2025 focusing on three main topics, as we were last year. The first one, seafarers, the second one, security around the globe, and the third one, decarbonization.“When it comes to seafarers, we need to enhance the safety and security of the key personnel on board ships. We also need to focus on increasing the support that we provide to them…

The Federal Maritime Commission issued a policy statement today making clear it is an appropriate venue where private parties may bring class actions to resolve disputes covered by the statutes the agency administers.The guidance yields important benefits to parties that might otherwise be hesitant to initiate legal actions at the FMC for fear of retaliation or because the amount of money in dispute may be less than the cost of litigation for an individual claimant. The availability of the class action mechanism will help create a more level playing field for private parties seeking protection from potentially unlawful conduct.Today's…

Finland's national power grid operator said on Thursday it had asked a Helsinki court to seize the Eagle S oil tanker in a bid to secure the company's claim for damages related to the breakdown of the undersea Estlink 2 electricity interconnector.The cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged on Dec. 25 along with four telecoms lines, and Finnish authorities the next day boarded the tanker, which carries Russian oil, on suspicion that it caused the damage by dragging its anchor along the seabed.Baltic Sea nations are on high alert after a string of outages of power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Crowley expanded its harbor services capabilities through the acquisition of Main Line Inc., a vessel mooring company based in Seattle, effective January 1, 2025.Main Line is a longtime provider of vessel mooring services in the Pacific Northwest for ship operators. Main Line staff members are transitioning to Crowley as part of the asset purchase agreement. Terms were not disclosed.

The International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are set to resume contract talks on Jan. 7, Bloomberg news reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter.Talks between the ILA, which represents more than 45,000 dockworkers across the U.S. East and Gulf coast ports, and the employer group are at an impasse over issues related to automation at port terminals.Both parties signed a tentative deal in October, which gave workers a 62% wage hike over six years, to end a three-day strike but left issues related to automation unresolved.Another coast-wide strike at U.S. East and Gulf coast ports looms large if an agreement is not reached before Jan.

Deadline Announced for Required Filing of Annual Export Strategies at FMC December 31, 2024 Ocean common carriers must file documented export strategies with the Federal Maritime Commission beginning March 1, 2025, and at least annually every following year.Filings must include information on services offered, markets served, pricing strategies, and equipment provisioning. The submissions must be prospective in nature, providing clear information to the Commission about how ocean carriers will serve the U.S. export market. Multiple filings in a year are permitted if circumstances warrant.The final rule "Definition of Unreasonable Refusal to Deal or Negotiate with Respect to Vessel Space Accommodations Provided by an Ocean Common Carrier…

Finnish police said on Sunday they had found tracks that drag on for dozens of kilometres along the bottom of the Baltic Sea where a tanker carrying Russian oil is suspected of breaking a power line and four telecoms cables with its anchor.The Cook Islands-registered Eagle S was boarded by Finnish police and coast guard officials on Thursday and sailed into Finnish waters where the crew of the impounded tanker is being questioned.Baltic Sea nations have been on high alert after a string of outages of power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Estonia's armed forces have launched a naval operation to protect the Estlink 1 undersea power cable in the Baltic Sea in response to the damage this week of a parallel electricity line, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Friday.Finland on Thursday seized a ship carrying Russian oil on suspicion the vessel caused an outage of the Estlink 2 undersea power cable which, like Estlink 1, connects Finland and Estonia, and that it also damaged four internet lines.Baltic Sea nations are on high alert for acts of sabotage following a string of outages of power cables, telecom links and gas pipelin

Irony: (noun) a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result. But this is anything but funny.It has been a busy news month for the nation’s fifth uniformed service; the United States Coast Guard. Of note, changes to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) regulations for U.S.-flagged commercial vessels entered into force on December 23, 2024. Separately, and from inside the Beltway…

The price of Iranian crude oil sold to China has risen to the highest in years as fresh U.S. sanctions have tightened shipping capacity and driven up logistics costs, trade sources and analysts said.Rising prices for Iranian oil as well as Russian crude are raising costs for independent Chinese refiners that account for about a fifth of demand at the world's top crude importer, underscoring challenges ahead as the Trump administration is expected to ramp up pressure on Iran.Some of the refiners are switching to supplies not under sanction restrictions, including from the Middle East and West Africa, to meet seasonal winter and pre-Lunar New Year demand…

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has picked Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama after having threatened for the U.S. to reassert control over the Panama Canal it handed over 25 years ago.Trump described Cabrera as "a fierce fighter for America First principles" who he said has been instrumental in driving economic growth and fostering international partnerships."Few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin - He will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.On Sunday, Trump threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, which it administered for decades before handing it over to Panama in 1999.

Alvin Brown, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board and former mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, was designated Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, by President Biden to serve as vice chairman of the independent safety agency. “I am honored to be named in this new role of vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board,” Brown said. “The NTSB is the gold standard for public safety, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues at this federal agency to save lives and make transportation safer.”The Senate confirmed Brown as the 47th board member last March.

Turkey is aiming to strike a maritime demarcation agreement with Syria after a permanent government is formed in Damascus, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Tuesday.Turkey, which backed Syrian rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad this month after a 13-year civil war, has been in close contact with the new interim administration of its neighbour, including Turkey's intelligence chief and foreign minister meeting with de-facto Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan last week said Ankara would improve ties with Syria including in trade…

A Russian cargo ship that ran into trouble on Monday in the Mediterranean Sea and later sank was rocked by a series of three explosions in "an act of terrorism," state news agency RIA cited the vessel's owner as saying on Wednesday.Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the "Ursa Major," built in 2009, sank after an explosion ripped through its engine room and that two of its 16 crew were missing.RIA cited Oboronlogistika, the ship's ultimate owner and a company that is part of the Russian Defence Ministry's military construction operations…

China has allowed representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland and Denmark to board a Chinese bulk carrier at the centre of an investigation into Baltic Sea cable breaches, the Danish foreign minister said on Thursday.The Yi Peng 3 vessel is wanted in Sweden for questioning over a breach of two undersea fibre-optic cables in November, and has been stationary in waters nearby for a month while diplomats in Stockholm and Beijing discussed the matter.Investigators quickly zeroed in on the ship, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on Nov.

Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn has been elected chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority.“It is a privilege to chair SeaPort Manatee’s governing board as we continue to advance key infrastructure enhancements and hurricane recovery efforts while setting the course for even greater realization of the port’s role as a leading contributor to our region’s economy,” said Rahn, whose election was confirmed today [Dec. 19] at a meeting of the Manatee County Port Authority, following selection at the Dec.

The bipartisan, bicameral bill will fuel U.S. economy, strengthen national security by responding to China’s threat over the oceans. Currently, the number of U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce is 80; China has 5,500.Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. After decades of neglect, the United States has a weakened shipbuilding capacity, a declining commercial shipping fleet that is dwarfed by China, and a diminished ability to supply the U.S. military during wartime.

Israel launched strikes against ports and energy infrastructure in Houthi-held parts of Yemen on Thursday and threatened more attacks against the Iran-aligned militant group, which has launched hundreds of missiles at Israel over the past year.As Israeli jets were in the air, the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile headed towards central Israel which destroyed a school building in Ramat Efal in the western part of Tel Aviv with what a military spokesperson described as falling shrapnel.The Houthis - who have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's war with Hamas - said they had attacked Tel Aviv overnight…

When U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump started talking about new import tariffs on the campaign trail, Danny Reynolds checked the tags on wedding dresses in his bridal salon and sped up some shipments to his independent clothing store in Indiana."I was grabbing tags specifically to look at the country of origin and it was China, China, China, China, China, China," said Stephenson's of Elkhart boutique owner Reynolds, who moved deliveries of around 20 bridal gowns ahead by about two months.Trump has threatened to slap tariffs of at least 10% on goods from China and to impose levies of 25% on products from both Mexico and Canada…

Denmark released anti-whaling activist Paul Watson from detention on Tuesday and said it had rejected a Japanese request to extradite him over criminal charges dating back more than a decade.U.S.-Canadian Watson, 74, founder of the Sea Shepherd conservationist group and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, was released in Greenland's capital Nuuk, police in the autonomous Danish territory said.Watson was apprehended when his ship docked in Greenland in July."I'm certainly relieved…

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden released a long-awaited study on the economic and environmental impacts of liquefied natural gas exports on Tuesday, saying the results underscored the need for a cautious approach to new permits.Biden in January had paused the Department of Energy's approvals of U.S. LNG exports to big consumers in Asia and Europe so that his administration could conduct the review, triggering complaints from the oil and gas industry."The main takeaway is that a business-as-usual approach is neither sustainable nor advisable," Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters ahead of the release of the study.

Wind parks operating in the Spanish region of Galicia will be obliged to replace ageing turbines after 25 years under a package of measures approved by the regional parliament on Tuesday, sparking an outcry from the renewables industry.Under the rules which come into force on Jan. 1, developers risk losing their operating permits unless they begin replacing 25-year-old turbines with new, more efficient and taller wind mills.Critics say the measure - the first of its kind to be approved in Europe - jeopardises the development of essential renewable projects and increases legal uncertainty. When to upgrade assets has always been a decision taken by developers…

Vessels of Russia's so-called shadow tanker fleet will be boarded or put on a sanctions list if they do not provide proof of insurance, Estonia's prime minister said on Tuesday.'Shadow fleet' refers to vessels used by Russia to move oil, arms and grains around in violation of international sanctions imposed on it over the Ukraine war. The vessels are not regulated or insured by conventional Western providers.A dozen Western countries - Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, five Nordic nations and the three Baltic states - agreed on Monday to "disrupt and deter" Russia's shadow fleet.Six of them - Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Poland…

Russia is disrupting mobile communications and ship-tracking data across the Baltic Sea, endangering vessels and energy supplies to test how Western powers will respond, a Polish admiral overseeing the area said.Vice Admiral Krzysztof Jaworski said Moscow was systematically using such tactics to hide the movements of its own vessels and disrupt the operations of others in the sea which is bordered by eight NATO countries and Russia."Hybrid war in the Baltic is the biggest challenge we are facing…

The European Commission has welcomed the EU Council's adoption of the 15th sanctions package against Russia. The focus of this package is to keep cracking down on Russia's shadow fleet.With this package, the EU has, for the first time, imposed ‘fully-fledged' sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze and prohibition to make economic resources available) on various Chinese actors.The 15th package includes anti-circumvention measures. It targets 52 new vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, increasing the total number of such listings to 79.

Ukraine said on Monday Russia was to blame for a major oil spill in the Kerch Strait that leads into the Black Sea, accusing Moscow of breaking navigation safety rules by using old tankers and keeping two vessels at sea during a storm.A Russian oil tanker split apart during a storm on Sunday, while another one ended up in distress in the strait that separates Russia from the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow's troops seized and annexed from Ukraine in 2014.Russia did not say how much fuel was leaked but its state news agency TASS reported the two vessels had been carrying 9,200 metric tons of oil products."The Russians have a rather complicated situation... in the Azov and the Black Sea region.

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has released an interim staff memorandum providing an update on the Committee’s ongoing investigation into the United States Coast Guard (USCG) following allegations of pervasive sexual assault and misconduct.The memorandum details how the USCG concealed “Operation Fouled Anchor” from Congress, failed to address both historic and persistent sexual misconduct at the USCG Academy, and neglected to help victims and hold perpetrators accountable.Key Takeaways from the Interim Memorandum:USCG leadership made a cognizant decision to withhold Operation Fouled Anchor and other related misconduct reviews from Congress and the public.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday appeared to back the anti-automation stance of some 45,000 union dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, whose labor talks are at an impasse over that polarizing issue.The ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group are facing a Jan. 15 deadline to finalize talks, which stalled over automation. That cutoff comes just five days before Trump's inauguration.The ILA says automation kills jobs while employers say it is necessary to keep U.S. ports competitive in a rapidly changing global economy."The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen," Trump said of automation projects in a post on Truth Social.

Developing offshore wind projects off Sweden's coasts is not commercially viable currently, a government commission tasked with reviewing and speeding up the system for authorizing new wind parks said on Friday.The commission recommended that Sweden should switch to an auction system for offshore wind farms, widely used in other countries, but the head of the commission said that this would not in itself lead to more wind parks being constructed."The analysis shows that with today's market conditions, there are no areas that can be developed on a commercially viable basis," Magnus Hermansson said.The government reckons Sweden will need to double electricity production in the coming two decades and has said it wants to build 10 new nuclear power plants.At the start of November…

Taiwan's defense ministry said on Friday that China's threat to Taiwan and the region has been evolving since 2022, when it began its current series of war games, and its recent large-scale buildup of maritime forces is a testament to this.China's long-term goal of deterring regional parties and disrupting the rule-based international order will not be endorsed by the international community, the ministry said in a statement.

French shipping major CMA CGM is seeking marine biofuel for term delivery in Singapore, the world's largest bunker hub, between January and December 2025, according to market sources.The company has been one of the top lifters of marine biofuel in Singapore this year, and is expanding its lifting period from half-year term supply this year to full-year supply next year, the sources said.It is looking to lift a monthly volume of 35,000 to 50,000 metric tons of the B24 blend, which comprises 24% used cooking oil methyl ester (UCOME) biofuel blended with conventional fuel. The tender closes on Dec. 16, the sources added.The shipping industry…

Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure, a provider of engineered polymer and technology solutions for the marine, infrastructure, and energy industries, has signed and finalized an agreement to acquire Mampaey Offshore Industries. The acquisition will significantly enhance Trelleborg's capabilities in the vessel berthing sector and expand its offerings for the marine industry. Mampaey, based in Dordrecht, Netherlands, has over 120 years of experience delivering advanced solutions for the marine industry.

British oil and gas major Shell on Tuesday settled a London lawsuit it brought against environmental group Greenpeace after activists boarded a Shell oil production vessel last year.Greenpeace said it had agreed to pay 300,000 pounds ($382,650) to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), a charity that runs a search and rescue service.The group also said it would stop protesting for a period at four Shell sites in the northern North Sea, which Greenpeace referred to as "mostly declining fields", though Shell described them as "key oil and gas platforms".Shell said Greenpeace's agreement t

India's Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd  said on Tuesday it would finance its Colombo port terminal project through internal accruals and a capital management plan, withdrawing its request for funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC).DFC last year said it would provide $553 million in financing for the port terminal project, which is partly owned by the Adani Group. The company, however, said the Colombo West International Terminal project is progressing well and is on track for commissioning by early 2025.DFC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Ports-to-edible oils Adani Group…

JA Moody, a maritime supplier of fluid control valves, actuators, strainers, parts and services to the United States Navy and Commercial Marine industry, today announced a strategic partnership and investment from New Heritage Capital ("Heritage"), a Boston-based private equity firm specializing in founder-owned businesses.The investment was structured using Heritage's Private IPO solution, which preserves operational control for JA Moody's management while providing capital for accelerated growth.

With a strike possible again next month at East Coast and Gulf Coast container ports and President-elect Donald Trump planning to increase tariffs, the nation’s major container ports are expected to see a continued surge in imports through next spring, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.“Either a strike or new tariffs would be a blow to the economy and retailers are doing what they can to avoid the impact of either for as long as they can,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “We hope that both can be avoided, but bringing in cargo early is a prudent step to mitigate the impact on our industry, consumers and the nation’s economy.

Emirati-Lebanese shipbuilder Privinvest on Tuesday was refused permission to appeal against Mozambique's victory in a London lawsuit over the decade-old "tuna bond" scandal.The southeast African country sued Privinvest and its now late owner Iskandar Safa, alleging they paid bribes to Mozambican officials and Credit Suisse bankers to secure favourable terms on three projects in 2013 and 2014, including one designed to exploit Mozambique's tuna-rich coastal waters.London's High Court ruled in July that Mozambique was entitled to payment of just over $825 million from Safa and companies in the Privinvest group, plus an indemnity in relation to $1.5 billion it is liable to pay lenders and bondholders…