Department of Labor awards $13.8M in shipbuilding workforce development funding The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the award of nearly $14 million in funding to support the development of programs aimed at reinvigorating and rebuilding the U.S. maritime industry and shipbuilding
VIDEO: USCG launches Operation RENEW 2026 Not all Coast Guard icebreaking operations involve Polar or Arctic-class icebreakers, and, in preparation for the 2026 winter season, the Coast Guard Northeast District has launched Operation RENEW (Reliable Energy for Northeast
Op-Ed: Contractors asked for a different conversation-so the industry built one The maritime coatings industry is facing pressures that can no longer be addressed in isolation. Shipyards are operating under tighter schedules. Fleets are aging. Performance expectations for corrosion control continue to rise.
We Work the Waterways builds momentum in 2025 The nonprofit organization We Work the Waterways closed out 2025 with significant organizational growth, expanded outreach, and increased engagement with students and jobseekers interested in maritime careers, positioning the group for broader
Autonomous vessel developer Saronic and Hornbeck Offshore Services partner up Austin, Texas-headquartered autonomous vessel developer Saronic Technologies reports that it has entered a strategic partnership with OSV operator Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc.(HOS), to accelerate innovation and deployment of autonomous platforms, advanced software,
Nova Marine takes control of Amsterdam's all-weather Waterland Terminal Nova Marine Carriers has secured a new foothold in the Port of Amsterdam through a joint acquisition with Germany's Aug. Bolten and Spain's Ership. The partners have acquired full control of VCK Port Logistics and its associated port assets, including the Waterland Terminal. The deal was completed via Dutch subsidiary Maja Stuwadoorsgroep B.V. The seller, VCK Holding, exited after more than 100 y
MEDLOG Oceania to acquire Seaway's Intermodal business MEDLOG Oceania has signed an agreement to acquire Seaway's Intermodal business. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Seaway's Intermodal unit provides integrated logistics services across road, rail, and warehousing. It connects regional exporters and importers across key Australian markets. The acquisition will expand MEDLOG Oceania's footprint in Sunraysia, South W
Adaptability and resilience as the new fundamentals for shipping industry A convergence analysis of the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2025 and the United Nations' World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 identify 2025-2027 as a period where geopolitical tensions directly translate into maritime operational challenges, creating a structural shift from efficiency-focused to security-focused logistics networks
Sea-Intelligence: Deployed capacity trends leading up to CNY In issue 746 Sunday Spotlight , Sea-Intelligence analysed the capacity deployment trends in the 10 weeks leading up to Chinese New Year (CNY) 2026. By indexing deployed capacity against a stabilised pre-peak baseline, we identified a significant deviation from historical norms. The data indicates that shippers have adopted a "front-loading" strategy on the Asia-North Europe trade, likely to mitig
MSC removes Sines from ISC services MSC has removed the Portuguese port of Sines from two of its Europe-Indian Subcontinent (ISC) services, adjusting rotations on routes linking North Europe and the Mediterranean with South Asia. The changes affect the NWC to IPAK service and the Himalaya Express, which MSC operates in cooperation with SCI. One service connects North Europe with the Indian Subcontinent, while the other links Medite
Drewry WCI rises 16% on key trade lanes Drewry's World Container Index rose 16% this week to $2,557 per 40ft container, driven by higher spot rates on the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades. Rates from Shanghai to Genoa climbed 13% to $3,885 per 40ft container. Shanghai-Rotterdam increased 10% to $2,840. Carriers pushed through higher FAK rates, lifting prices on the Asia-Europe corridor. Transpacific rates posted sharper gains. Shang
Bangladesh enacts maiden shipping agent licensing rules The government of Bangladesh has issued the country's first-ever shipping agent licensing rules, allowing shipping agents to work in any sea or river port by obtaining a license from any customs station in the country. The shipping agents have termed the new rules a significant step toward streamlining shipping business operations in the country. In the past, shipping agents were licensed under t
Gebrüder Weiss appoints Alessandro Cacciola to management board Gebrüder Weiss has appointed Alessandro Cacciola to its Management Board. He will take responsibility for the Air & Sea divisions effective March 1, 2026. Cacciola succeeds Lothar Thoma, who will step down on March 31, 2026. The company said the appointment ensures continuity while adding fresh leadership to its global air and sea operations. "In Alessandro Cacciola, we gain an experienced leader
Cavotec wins second reel contract for Port Hedland Cavotec has secured a second contract from Australian construction and engineering firm Civmec to supply a motorised cable and hose reel system for Port Hedland in Western Australia. The system will support power transmission and dust suppression operations at the port, one of the world's largest iron ore export hubs. It will improve reliable reeling performance and strengthen heavy-duty material
JNPA integrates data-driven marine operations Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority has taken a significant step towards end-to-end digitalization of its marine operations with the rollout of a comprehensive, paper-free Harbour Management System. JNPA opted against off-the-shelf solutions and partnered with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts to develop an indigenous Harbour Management System. The HMS integrates vessel s
Intesa Sanpaolo supports Grimaldi Euromed fleet expansion with green financing Intesa Sanpaolo, through its IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, has finalised a financing agreement to support Grimaldi Euromed, a company of the Grimaldi Group, in the acquisition of three next-generation Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels. The financing will support the purchase of Grande Egitto, Grande Pacifico, and Grande Oceania, with delivery scheduled for 2026. The vessels f
CMA CGM launches block-train intermodal solution CMA CGM has introduced a dedicated rail block-train solution in Mexico, expanding its intermodal offering and improving access to key inland markets from the country's main seaports. The new service links six core CMA CGM maritime services on global trade routes directly to inland hubs from both the Pacific West Coast and the Gulf Coast. The block-train solution offers four departures per week, g
HGK Shipping receives first permit for remote-controlled hazardous goods vessel in Flanders HGK Shipping is setting new standards in inland waterway transport. The company received a one-year test permit in Flanders to remotely operate a hazardous goods vessel for the first time. The permit was granted by De Vlaamse Waterweg nv. HGK Shipping will operate the chemicals tanker Walcheren via a Remote Operations Centre east of Antwerp. The project also allows extended navigation times. Duri
Captain Dahlgren named VP of Marine Operations at Port of Nanaimo The Port of Nanaimo has announced Captain Edward S. Dahlgren, CMMC, MNI, as its new Vice President of Marine Operations and Harbour Master. In this expanded role, Captain Dahlgren will oversee all marine operations, ensuring the highest standards of safety, security, and environmental protection for shipping and local communities. Captain Dahlgren brings over 40 years of maritime experience, incl
Global bunker market ends 2025 on a downward trend The international bunker fuel market experienced a predominantly downward trajectory throughout 2025, with significant price declines across all major grades, according to the latest MABUX Bunker Yearly Outlook 2025 . After a relatively stable first half of the year, prices for the three principal bunker fuels, 380 HSFO, VLSFO, and MGO LS, surged in June before entering a moderate decline in the
Intesa Sanpaolo finances three next-generation green ships for Grimaldi Group Intesa Sanpaolo has finalized a €162.3 million green financing deal to support Grimaldi Euromed, part of the Grimaldi Group, in acquiring three next-generation Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) ships: Grande Egitto , Grande Pacifico , and Grande Oceania . The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2026. The deal strengthens Grimaldi's sustainable growth strategy, focusing on fleet modernization, tec
Kongsberg supplies rim-drive thrusters for India Research Vessel Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to supply rim-drive thrusters for a new advanced acoustic research vessel for India's Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL). Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) is building the vessel for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The vessel will support oceanographic and acoustic research missions. Kongsberg Maritime'
Rio Tinto and Glencore reopen talks on mega-merger Mining heavyweights Rio Tinto and Glencore have confirmed they are back in early-stage talks over a deal that could see Rio Tinto acquire "some or all" of Glencore, a move that would create the world's largest miner with a combined market value close to $207bn. The companies stressed that talks are preliminary, with no agreement ...
US tightens naval grip on Venezuelan oil exports with new tanker seizure US forces are continuing the pressure on Venezuela with the seizure of a third tanker in just two days. Maritime security specialist Vanguard said that the falsely flagged Timor-Leste tanker Olina had been seized by US forces in the Caribbean after breaking away from the US naval blockade off Venezuela. The 2005-built tanker's AIS tracker ...
India receives first fully laden VLCC at Mundra In a sign of the sweeping upgrades in maritime infrastructure across the coastlines of the world's most populous nation, Adani's Mundra port has this week berthed a fully laden VLCC - a first for India, and something that promises to alter the global seaborne tanker trading map. The giant 318,926 dwt New Renown, owned by ...
Frontline refreshes VLCC fleet in $2bn overhaul John Fredriksen's tanker giant Frontline is rolling out a $2bn-plus VLCC fleet revamp, selling older tonnage while lining up a slate of latest-generation newbuildings. The New York- and Oslo-listed owner has agreed to sell eight first-generation ECO VLCCs, built between 2015 and 2016, for a total consideration of $831.5m. The vessels are set for delivery ...
COSCO moves to acquire Hamburg stevedore China's COSCO is strengthening its foothold in northern Europe, tabling a bid to take an 80% stake in German stevedore and logistics operator Zippel in Hamburg. Zippel, known for its multipurpose cargo handling and barge services in Hamburg's port ecosystem, gives COSCO enhanced local handling capability and greater flexibility in combined sea-inland transport flows. COSCO ...
Turkey expands offshore push as TPAO signs exploration pact with ExxonMobil Turkey's state-owned energy company, Turkish Petroleum (TPAO), has signed a memorandum of understanding with a subsidiary of US supermajor ExxonMobil for collaboration on oil and natural gas exploration in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions. Turkey's energy and natural resources minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, said the country looks to combine its technical expertise in deepwater exploration
ING's Stephen Fewster steps aside One of the best known names in ship finance is stepping aside.ING has confirmed that Stephen Fewster will leave the bank at the end of the second quarter of 2026 after more than four decades in banking and 23 years shaping ING's maritime franchise. Fewster will remain involved during a transition period as executive chair ...
Heavylift legend passes away Svend Andersen, widely regarded as one of the most influential commercial figures in the modern heavylift and project cargo shipping sector, has passed away. Over several decades, he helped professionalise and consolidate a niche segment of shipping. Andersen was a recognised heavylift and multipurpose shipping veteran, having started in the industry as a trainee in ...
Greta Shipping buys first boxship Singapore-based Greta Shipping has taken its first step into vessel ownership, snapping up the 3,534 teu Rio Kobe in a deal reported at around $30m, according to Alphaliner. The 2009-built ship is currently controlled by Marlow Navigation and is on charter to Maersk until early 2028, Alphaliner data shows, giving the buyer long-term earnings visibility ...
Splash Wrap: US incursion into Venezuela dominates coverage The tanker market grappled with fresh uncertainty all week after the arrest of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic US military operation over the weekend, an event that has effectively frozen the country's oil exports and reinforced Washington's hardline approach to maritime enforcement. The Trump administration on Wednesday announced it is withdrawing from 66 ...
Is the shadow fleet heading for a market downturn? The shadow fleet have had a profitable run over the past few years, but nascent overcapacity and a potentially significant...
Chinese owners top 2025 ship orders and secondhand purchases Secondhand purchasing by owners from China and Greece dwarf other nationalities, says Allied Shipbroking research
Robberies in Strait of Malacca at highest level in 19 years Despite the worrying increase in incidents, ReCAAP chief says the threat level for maritime traffic is unchanged, with the majority...
Pre-Chinese New Year demand propels container spot rates higher The year has begun for container lines where 2025 left off: with positive momentum and rising spot rates. Seasonality should...
US blockade has left Venezuela shadow fleet in limbo Lloyd's List analysis of Venezuela shadow fleet sees some ships re-routing, some starting to spoof location and several undeterred by...
Ningbo-Zhoushan handles 1.4bn tonnes in 2025 The world's biggest port by cargo handled continues to smash its own records despite mixed year for its major markets
UPDATE: US boards fifth sanctioned tanker The US launched seized the US-sanctioned aframax Olina in the early hours of Friday
Why it won't be easy to pump up the volume in Venezuela Even if the politics stacks up, the economics probably doesn't
Frontline ties up sale of VLCCs for $831.5m and confirms newbuilding resale deal Frontline has sold eight VLCCs constructed by South Korean shipyards in 2015 and 2016, which entered the fleet in 2024
Venezuela upheaval, Iran uprising to reshape Asian crude flows and strengthen tanker demand Price-sensitive refineries face the highest risk as discounted barrels could elude Asia with the next wave of change
Is the shadow fleet heading for a market downturn? The shadow fleet have had a profitable run over the past few years, but nascent overcapacity and a potentially significant...
Chinese owners top 2025 ship orders and secondhand purchases Secondhand purchasing by owners from China and Greece dwarf other nationalities, says Allied Shipbroking research
Robberies in Strait of Malacca at highest level in 19 years Despite the worrying increase in incidents, ReCAAP chief says the threat level for maritime traffic is unchanged, with the majority...
Pre-Chinese New Year demand propels container spot rates higher The year has begun for container lines where 2025 left off: with positive momentum and rising spot rates. Seasonality should...
US blockade has left Venezuela shadow fleet in limbo Lloyd's List analysis of Venezuela shadow fleet sees some ships re-routing, some starting to spoof location and several undeterred by...
Ningbo-Zhoushan handles 1.4bn tonnes in 2025 The world's biggest port by cargo handled continues to smash its own records despite mixed year for its major markets
UPDATE: US boards fifth sanctioned tanker The US launched seized the US-sanctioned aframax Olina in the early hours of Friday
Why it won't be easy to pump up the volume in Venezuela Even if the politics stacks up, the economics probably doesn't
Frontline ties up sale of VLCCs for $831.5m and confirms newbuilding resale deal Frontline has sold eight VLCCs constructed by South Korean shipyards in 2015 and 2016, which entered the fleet in 2024
Venezuela upheaval, Iran uprising to reshape Asian crude flows and strengthen tanker demand Price-sensitive refineries face the highest risk as discounted barrels could elude Asia with the next wave of change
Seaboard restarts South America service calling at Savannah The reinstated service connecting the port with Colombia and the Dominican Republic will be supported by Savannah's new customs facility that specializes in reefer cargoes.
FMC raises fine on MSC in case over non-operating reefers The commission's review of an administrative law judge's earlier decision on late fees that MSC charged for non-operating reefers found the overcharges amounted to a "practice" by the carrier.
Pre-Lunar New Year demand to give trans-Pac market first test of 2026 The materialization of any seasonal import rush and how carriers respond with capacity will give the container shipping market a better sense of first-half demand.
Taiwan's major ocean carriers say weaker rates dragged down 2025 revenues The declines from the country's top three carriers are in line with what other carriers have reported thus far in an unsettled container shipping market.
Houston fog sets up ship diversions to Mobile, forcing exporters to scramble Seasonal fog along Texas waterways has caused ocean carriers to switch up typical Gulf Coast port rotations, sometimes with little warning of vessel arrivals.
Fourth-quarter downturn weighs on OOCL's full-year operating result The performance of the Cosco Shipping subsidiary provides an early glimpse of what to expect as ocean carriers prepare to report their full-year 2025 earnings in an uncertain container shipping market.
Optimistic outlook sets multipurpose sector on firm footing for 2026 This year's positive MPV forecast is bolstered by a high level of forward bookings and the prospect of postponed projects coming onstream.
Wavelength podcast: Venezuela, a major accident probe and why V.Group wanted Njord Wavelength podcast reviews the big shipping stories of the week
Cooldown cargo lands for new Dominican Republic FSRU and power plant First floating regasification for Caribbean nation starts to fire up
Boxship owners ring in Chinese New Year with bumper rates Jumps of up to 26% on routes out of Asia are viewed as unsustainable
TOWT boasts fuel savings as vessels manage significant time under pure sail in 2025 Atlantis and Atlantis set to join Anemos and Artemis in 2026 as TOWT expands pure wind-powered fleet
US frees Russian crew pair from seized tanker Moscow says it is working to bring home two unidentified seafarers
US forces seize third Venezuela-linked tanker in as many days Video shows military personnel arriving on aframax via helicopter
Ismini Panagiotidi bulker company cuts share count to boost investor appeal Icon Energy also wants to maintain compliance with Nasdaq listing rules
Piracy in key Malacca Strait waterway hits 19-year record Bulk carriers are the most targeted ship type
Anti-piracy experts shrug off Trump team pullout Asia security group says the US paid only a nominal sum every year
Trafigura creates new technology role for Cargill veteran Jane Kilmartin Swiss charterer and shipowner says new recruit to oversee digital transformation
Boost for VLCCs as Iraq to nationalise massive Lukoil oilfield Sanctioned Russian producer imposed a force majeure on West Qurna 2 cargoes in November
Castor Maritime strikes sales deal for kamsarmax bulker with Japanese lessor Cypriot owner frees $15.6m in cash in 11-year bareboat charter transaction
Evangelos Pistiolis company chops suezmax tanker charter term Shipowner to pay $30,000 per day to his US-listed Top Ships vehicle for the Eco Oceano
Boost for VLCCs as Iraq to nationalise massive Lukoil oil field Sanctioned Russian producer imposed a force majeure on West Qurna 2 cargoes in November
Frontline in sweet spot with VLCC deals coup and Venezuela spark Fearnley Securities views fleet renewal deals as positive for John Fredriksen company
Diana Shipping secures premium for bulker as it renews Paralos deal Gross charter rate is $14,000 per day until minimum 5 July 2027
Rio Tinto and Glencore restart talks about mining mega-merger Takeover would create $260bn behemoth
Ship registry operations caught in US sanctions spotlight Two flag states have links to targets of giant US summer sanctions package
Bulker sector rating cut as Arctic doubts demand growth story Star Bulk, Himalaya Shipping, Diana Shipping and Seanergy stocks downgraded
US warships said to be chasing new fleet of runaway Venezuela tankers A US Navy destroyer sits between four vessels sailing east in the Atlantic and another five sailing north-east in the Caribbean
SAMC seeks sale of modern stainless steel chemical tanker Brokers describe the SAMC Swan as a rare sales candidate
Taylor Maritime sees lack of takeover opportunities after selling 50 bulkers London-listed owner opts for share buyback to return cash to investors
VLCC seized by US forces in Caribbean was kicked off Panama register a year ago Sophia M had been listed under the Panamanian flag but is now 'stateless'
Trafigura and Vitol bosses to meet Trump for talks on Venezuelan oil deals White House summit due today over marketing South American country's barrels
Clarksons tips stronger second half as earnings expected to fall short of last year Giant shipbroker expects annual profit to be at least £90m for 2025
SAMC seeks sale modern stainless steel chemical tanker Brokers describe the SAMC Swan as a rare sales candidate
Bourbon to auction eight offshore vessels, but there is a catch Sell-off follows several successful Chinese online offshore support vessel sales
Court rejects lowball offers on arrested bulker caught up in ownership dispute Highest offer of $7m for supramax bulk carrier Elvita R rejected outright
Stena lines up five-year ropax charter with Canadian ferry operator New addition to replace Marine Atlantic's smallest ship on its services between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia
Frontline reveals eight VLCC sales deal as Sinokor buying numbers climb South Korean owner's fleet set to number more than 100 owned and chartered VLCCs
North Carolina's 54% CDL Failure Rate Exposes Licensing Rot When Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that 54% of North Carolina's non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses failed federal review, the number landed like a gut punch to an industry already reeling from systemic failures in state licensing programs. Of the 50 CDLs FMCSA auditors examined, 27 were issued in direct violation of federal regulations. Nearly $50 million in feder
The USPS Tells Contractors No More Immigrant CDL Drivers. Here's How We Got Here The U.S. Postal Service announced this week that it will begin phasing out non-domiciled commercial driver's license holders from its contractor network, requiring trucking providers to either thoroughly vet these drivers through the Postal Inspection Service or stop using them entirely. The move aligns with the Trump administration's aggressive crackdown on immigrant drivers, but if you think th
Texas carrier ordered to pay more than $100K to fired driver A Fort Worth-based trucking company has been ordered to reinstate and compensate a truck driver who federal investigators say was illegally terminated after reporting safety concerns. The Department of Labor has ruled that Balkan Express violated federal whistleblower protections when it fired the driver, whose complaints were protected under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA), acco
German company joins push to replace traditional truck mirrors WASHINGTON - A German technology company wants to join a growing list of companies granted exemptions from trucking regulations allowing motor carriers to install cameras that replace traditional mirrors. Aumovio, the former automotive technology business of Continental AG, has applied to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for an exemption for its ProViu Mirror video system to replac
When It May Be Time to Use a Third-Party Driver Recruiting Company - And When It's a Mistake There's a moment most small fleet owners reach - usually late at night, staring at parked trucks - where the thought creeps in: "Maybe I just need help finding drivers." It sounds simple. Logical, even. But recruiting isn't just about finding people. It's about filtering, selling, onboarding, and retaining - all at the same time. And that's where many small carriers get tripped up. Third-party dr
Truck transportation jobs flat in December, lowest since 2021 Truck transportation jobs in the U.S. for November and December came in at the same number, and it's the lowest total in about 4/12 years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly employment report said truck transportation jobs in December were 1,513,300 jobs. After a November upward revision of 3,900 truck transportation jobs, it put the November and December levels at the same number. That figu
Portland re-opens Oregon's only container terminal The Port of Portland on Thursday officially opened Oregon Container Terminal (OCT), amid hopes that the latest private management agreement will help revive the former Terminal 6 as a competitive option for shippers in Oregon, southwest Washington and Idaho. "Global connections like these give Oregon a competitive edge and help secure our economic future," said Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, at the laun
USPS insourcing forces Denver contractor to layoff 700 workers The U.S. Postal Service in March will take over operations at a regional mail distribution center in Denver and terminate its contract with freight transportation company Alan Ritchey Inc., resulting in layoffs for 729 employees, as part of an ongoing network reorganization. Valley View, Texas-based Alan Ritchey Inc., which has hauled mail for the U.S. Postal Service for decades, notified Colorad
Should You Scale in 2026? The Questions That Matter More Than Truck Counts Every cycle creates the same temptation. Rates start to firm up. Capacity thins out. Enforcement tightens. Someone tells you, "Now's the time to grow." And for some carriers, that will be true. But for many others, scaling in 2026 without the right foundation will quietly turn a survivable business into a fragile one. The mistake isn't wanting growth. The mistake is confusing opportunity with rea
Susquehanna says TL recovery requires kick start from demand Sentiment among analysts regarding a truckload recovery is becoming increasingly positive , as heightened regulatory enforcement thins the supply side. However, most believe that a sustained upcycle will require a meaningful increase in demand. "We're finally seeing early signs of more material improvement in the truckload supply/demand balance three-plus years into the post-pandemic freight rece
New Engine Oil Standards Are Coming - Here's What Truckers Actually Need to Know Starting January 1, 2027 , new heavy-duty diesel engines will hit the road. And when engines change, oil has to change with them . That's the entire story. Under upcoming EPA regulations, heavy-duty diesel engines must achieve significant emissions reductions: an 80% decrease in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a 50% cut in particulate matter. Furthermore, these rules mandate longer service lives and ex
Susquehanna upgrades American Airlines and Sun Country on projected demand recovery In a bullish client note released today as a preview for Q4 earnings, Susquehanna's Christopher N. Stathoulopoulos upgraded American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) and Sun Country Airlines Holdings Inc. (SNCY) to Positive ratings, citing a favorable industry outlook and company-specific catalysts. Stathoulopoulos raised AAL's price target to $20 per share from $14, and SNCY's price target to $20 per s
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