Freire launches new Spanish Navy diver support vessel Prosperina (A22) Spain's family-owned Freire Shipyard has launched the diver support vessel (NC 739) that it is building under the first contract awarded it by the Spanish Navy. Named Prosperina (A22), the new vessel
Exploring predictive maintenance and vessel automation at Ship Repair USA As vessel owners and operators look for practical ways to improve efficiency and reduce downtime, predictive maintenance and automation continue to gain traction across the industry. At Marine Log's Ship Repair USA,
Danish Shipping elects Caroline Pontoppidan chairwoman Caroline Pontoppidan has just been elected chairwoman of the board at Danish Shipping, the trade and employers' organiation for Denmark's shipping industryg. She succeeds Torben Carlsen of DFDS, who has held the
New Viking Helix system simplifies ship evacuation at speed Developed for passenger ships needing high evacuation capacity, the Viking Helix marine evacuation system introduces a new helix-type slide that 4-8 people can use at once, and a unique bowsing system that
Trump orders CENTCOM blockade of Iranian ports U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said yesterday that its forces would begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, "in accordance
MSC restructures Albatros service Mediterranean Shipping Company has revised its Albatros service, removing its round-the-world configuration following recent network adjustments, according to DynaLiners. The changes include the removal of Freeport in the Bahamas and New York, both of which were added in August under a previous update. As a result, the service will no longer operate as a global loop. Instead, MSC has repositioned
FESCo reports mixed financial results for 2025 Russian state-owned transport and logistics group FESCo reported an increase in container volumes for 2025, while financial performance declined amid challenging market conditions. The company handled a total of 648,000 TEU during the year, representing a 7% increase compared to 2024. Growth was primarily driven by domestic container volumes, which rose by 18% year-on-year to 123,000 TEU. Interna
MSC launches Phoenix service Mediterranean Shipping Company has launched its long-delayed Phoenix service, establishing a new connection between key ports in the Mediterranean and the Far East. Originally scheduled to begin a year earlier, the service is now operational and will be deployed with vessels in the 8,000 to 11,000 TEU range, offering increased capacity and expanded routing options for customers. The Phoenix servi
Why US container imports face a longer storm than markets expect After months of tariff shocks, container import volumes into the United States appear to stabilize through May and June 2026, with the National Retail Federation forecasting modest year-over-year gains for both months
GT Lines launches Khorfakkan China Express service GT Lines has announced the introduction of its new Khorfakkan China Express (KCX1), strengthening connectivity between the UAE and key ports in China. The new service will operate on a
How the ceasefire has converted an acute crisis into a chronic managed condition A ceasefire has paused the kinetic phase of the Hormuz crisis but the control architecture it created remains entirely intact
X-Press Feeders restructures regional services X-Press Feeders has implemented a series of network adjustments across its short-sea services, refining port coverage and consolidating operations in key trade corridors, according to industry reports. On the Gibraltar Straits-Portugal SPX3 service, the carrier has removed Algeciras and introduced Leixões as a replacement port. Under the revised rotation, the service now calls at Tangier, Leixões
How Hutchison arbitration against Maersk rewrites the Panama calculus CK Hutchison's arbitration against Maersk may never produce a judgment in its favour but it's a precision instrument and it has already done its work
NorthStandard adds Iran Conflict Layer to GlobeView for maritime risk updates NorthStandard has added a new 'Iran Conflict layer' to its GlobeView platform, providing users with real-time insights on maritime risks in the Persian Gulf and surrounding regions. The new layer consolidates intelligence and operational data into a single, intuitive view, allowing members and correspondents to evaluate threats quickly without searching multiple sources. It covers risk assessment
CMA CGM announces new Peak Season Surcharges on key trade routes CMA CGM has announced new Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) on multiple trade lanes to maintain service reliability and efficiency. Europe & North Africa to Australia From May 7, 2026 , a PSS will apply on shipments from North Europe, the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black Sea, and North Africa to Australia . Scope: NEMO (NEWMO), PAD (RTWPAN), and relay services via Asia Cargo: All Rates: USD 350 per TEU
U.S. Navy implements blockade of Iranian ports Effective today, Monday, April 13, 2026, at 10:00 ET (15:00 BST), the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has begun implementing a blockade on traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. Operational Parameters CENTCOM will enforce the blockade impartially on vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas. This includes ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. CENT
Diana turns up heat on Genco with shareholder offensive The dry bulk takeover battle between Diana Shipping and Genco Shipping & Trading has moved into a new phase, with Diana taking its case directly to shareholders after months of stalled talks. In an open letter, the Greek owner accused Genco's board of refusing to engage for five months on its fully financed $23.50-per-share cash ...
Wallenius Lines takes full control of Wallenius SOL Wallenius Lines has agreed to buy out SOL Group's stake in Wallenius SOL, taking full ownership of the short-sea operator focused on northern Europe trades. The Swedish shipowner said the deal simplifies the ownership structure of the seven-vessel company, which operates across the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic and the North Sea, linking industrial cargo ...
Last chance to get tickets to Geneva Dry, the world's annual commodities shipping summit With just a fortnight to go until the record-breaking third edition of Geneva Dry, organisers are busy liaising with panels to make the world's premier commodities shipping conference a vital gathering to assess how best to navigate today's volatile markets. Scheduled for April 28 and 29 and the Hotel President Wilson on the shoreline of ...
Floatel seals Equinor vessel deal in Brazil Oslo-listed Floatel International has firmed up more work in Brazil, converting a letter of intent into a three-month assignment for Floatel Victory at Equinor's Bacalhau field. The maintenance and safety unit job is set to start in mid-2026, once the unit wraps up its current campaign with Karoon. The contract includes options to extend, depending ...
Wah Kwong unit lines up green methanol supply deal Wah Kwong's fuel arm Venture Energy has moved to secure green methanol supply, signing an agreement with Shanghai Shenji Energy as the group builds out its position in low-carbon marine fuels. Under the deal, Venture Energy will source ISCC EU-certified green methanol from Shenji, with first deliveries planned in the first half of 2026. The ...
Petronas Carigali taps Petra Energy for rejuvenation project scope The subsidiary of Malaysia's state-owned giant Petronas has issued work orders to compatriot Petra Energy totalling RM298m ($75m). Petra Energy received and accepted four work orders from Petronas Carigali to provide hook-up and commissioning services for the Bintulu integrated facilities rejuvenation project, Phase 2. "The details of the work orders include the provision for procurement ...
Maersk executive Caroline Pontoppidan becomes first woman to chair Danish Shipping Danish Shipping has elected Maersk executive Caroline Pontoppidan as its new chairwoman, making her the first woman to lead the organisation in its history. Pontoppidan (pictured in the middle), who serves as executive vice president, chief legal officer and head of corporate affairs at Maersk, succeeds DFDS chief executive Torben Carlsen, who had held the ...
MSC founder passes the baton to his children Privately held Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest containerline and a huge name in the cruise market, revealed today that its founder, Gianluigi Aponte, has handed over his business empire to his son and daughter, Diego and Alexa. "Passing ownership to my children is not only a reflection of their dedication and achievements, but ...
Chinese bulker owner Yangpu Zhongxin doubles down on tankers Chinese bulker owner Yangpu Zhongxin Shipping is stepping further into the tanker sector with a newbuilding deal worth close to $350m. The Hainan-based outfit has contracted Yangzhou Ryuwa Shipbuilding for up to five 114,000 dwt LR2 product carriers, in a deal understood to include three firm ships with options for two more. The yard confirmed ...
Petrobras extends Solstad CSV charter in $56m deal Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has secured a contract extension for one of its construction support vessels (CSV) from Brazilian major Petrobras. Solstad won a two-year contract extension for the 2006-built Normand Fortress CSV. The contract extension is expected to commence in early July 2026. Under the contract, the vessel will provide accommodation services ...
Vafias makes VLCC comeback with South Korea order Greek shipowner Harry Vafias has returned to the VLCC segment after some two decades away, lining up a fresh order in South Korea. Vafias-backed outfit, Stealth Maritime, has contracted two 320,000 dwt newbuildings at Hanwha Ocean, with delivery slated for 2030, according to brokers. The yard last week confirmed a contract for two VLCCs for ...
Trump's blockade brinkmanship fuels oil surge Global oil markets surged back above the $100-per-barrel mark on Monday as the eighth week of the Hormuz crisis opened with a dramatic escalation - the United States formally implementing a naval blockade of Iranian ports and the collapse of weekend peace negotiations in Islamabad dealing a fresh blow to hopes of a diplomatic resolution. ...
Gulf disruption unwinds as Borr Drilling reactivates Middle East rigs Offshore jackup rig player Borr Drilling has revealed that its four rigs operating in the Middle East have either resumed operations or are preparing to do so. The company also won a new contract for one of its jackups. Borr Drilling said in early March that several rigs deployed in the Middle East have been ...
ExxonMobil lines up $24bn Nigeria deepwater push US supermajor ExxonMobil has laid out a multi-billion-dollar deepwater investment plan for Nigeria, positioning the country at the centre of a renewed offshore push that could total up to $24bn. The US oil major unveiled the strategy during a visit to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in Abuja, timed to mark 20 years ...
Sweden detains bulker carrying Russian coal to Spain A Panamanian-registered bulk carrier sailing from Russia was detained early on Sunday after discharging coal residue into the sea off Sweden's southern coast, the Swedish coastguard reported. The captain of the Hui Yuan had admitted the offence and paid a deposit against a fine to be imposed, the coastguard said. The bulk carrier has since ...
VLCC newbuild bonanza smashes two-decade-old annual record in just six months The VLCC newbuilding market has entered historic territory, with ordering across the final quarter of 2025 and the opening quarter of 2026 already surpassing the highest full-year total ever recorded. The orderbook-to-fleet ratio has climbed from 10% to 26% in just 15 months, having been as low as approximately 1% in mid-2023, according to broker ...
Indonesia's Buana Lautan saves ageing steam LNG carrier from scrap Indonesia's Buana Lautan Line has sealed a surprise purchase, adding the 138,000 cu m Seapeak Jupiter, a 2002-built steam turbine LNG carrier, for $14.9m. The vessel has been renamed Gas Polaris, marking a rare case of a vintage steam unit finding a second life rather than heading straight for recycling. The deal comes as Seapeak continues ...
22-year-old aframax sets $33m record A fresh benchmark has been set in the vintage aframax tanker segment. The Asia Ascend (115,444 dwt, 2004, Samsung) is reported sold to an undisclosed account in China for $33m - a record price for ageing tonnage. The same was sold by Greece's IMS in September for $22m to the Marshall Islands, registered Global Crown, who ...
Crews trapped between duty and danger Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, on the similarities between covid and the current Hormuz crisis. The Gulf crisis shows no sign of abating, with the US president calling for a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. For the world's seafarers, it feels less like a grim replay of early-pandemic ...
US blockade of Hormuz will steer more tankers toward Atlantic The tanker industry is in the midst of its greatest boom since the 2000s. But the longer the Strait of...
Double blockade piles more uncertainty on to shipowners US forces will enforce a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, while Iran continues to decide...
The week in newbuildings: High demand for new bulkers and tankers continues A wave of new ship orders were disclosed in the past fortnight highlighting sustained momentum in global fleet renewal
Hormuz crisis raises urgency for Indian national carrier Beyond Hormuz, a national carrier would be a key gateway to develop a maritime ecosystem around shipbuilding, with plans for...
The Week in Charts: Shadow fleet ships slip back to mainstream trades | More than 600 vessels still stuck in Middle East Gulf Lloyd's List's weekly showing of the data and figures behind our news, analysis and markets coverage
First vehicle carrier exits Middle East Gulf since Strait of Hormuz disruption A total of 14 other vehicle carriers remain anchored in the Middle East Gulf, while the crisis has significantly impacted...
Sweden boards bulker sailing from Russia A coastguard aircraft discovered the bulk carrier was discharging coal residue into the Baltic Sea on April 12
Malaysia foils suspected illegal ship-to-ship diesel transfer The operation has underscored Malaysia's struggle to shed its reputation as a hub for illegal oil transfers as geopolitical tensions...
MSC confirms ownership transition to next generation of Aponte family 'With Diego and Alexa at the helm, I am confident our group will continue to thrive and honour our family's...
Shipowners in limbo as US Iran blockade raises more questions than answers Shipowners now worry they face a twin negotiation dilemma - with both Tehran and Washington - as the Middle East...
US clarifies Hormuz blockade will be limited to ships entering or leaving Iran ports Global shipping remains on edge, with owners awaiting operational details of the US blockade. Some vessels reversed course and others...
The Daily View: Shipping is once again on hold
Daily Briefing Strait of Hormuz traffic halts again as Trump announces naval blockade | Cosco VLCCs break through Hormuz even as US-Iran...
First wave of IEEPA refunds to US importers to start April 20: CBP The customs agency will prioritize unliquidated entries in the first phase of the refund process that was instigated by the February Supreme Court decision to invalidate tariffs on most US trading partners.
War-driven fuel costs add new twist to trans-Pacific service contract talks The doubling in bunker fuel prices in some key hubs since the war in the Middle East began six weeks ago is focusing industry attention on energy costs as supply scarcity worsens.
Hapag-Zim deal could ignite another merger wave in container shipping While the $4.2 billion transaction still requires approvals from the Israeli government, it points to an appetite for consolidation among carriers despite the lack of financial distress that accompanied earlier merger eras.
Cathay Pacific cuts flights as soaring jet fuel prices hit operating costs Prices have more than doubled since the war started, and with fuel comprising almost 30% of operating expenses, the Hong Kong-based carrier has been forced to reduce capacity.
Investors pile into shipping stocks on first day of Trump's Hormuz blockade
Maritime union proposes tax break to tempt more cargo onto US-flag ships Leader of Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association believes in a demand-first approach to US maritime revitalisation
Trump's maritime administrator works to forge 'new MARAD' in pursuit of a new paradigm for US shipping Stephen Carmel is looking for a way for the US to change the system on its own terms. Could nuclear propulsion be the answer?
US blockade of Iranian ports raises 'double risk' for shipping Targeted move avoids Hormuz closure but still raises concerns over maritime norms
US naval blockade starts, threatening Iran's $4bn-per-month oil lifeline Iran and US both threaten reprisals as tensions spike after collapse of peace talks
US naval blockade starts after departure of over 100 tankers with Iranian crude Iran and US both threaten reprisals as tensions spike after collapse of peace talks
Nordic American Tankers sees 'exceptionally strong market' as Hansson hits back at hedge fund NAT secures one-year time charter at $75,000 per day for suezmax
US claims shipping firm SeaLead is legitimate front for Iranian dark-fleet kingpin Legal documents show that officials believe SeaLead is the 'legitimate' arm of Iranian shipowner's business
US naval blockade starts after departure of dozens of tankers with Iranian crude Iran and US both threaten reprisals as tensions spike after collapse of peace talks
Indian refiner seeks LPG carrier in rare tender for Russian cargo State-run Hindustan Petroleum wants to move 20,000 tonnes of gas from Ust-Luga
Stena Bulk banks bumper price for suezmax tanker Swedish owner and operator nabs high price tag for scrubber-fitted ship
Wallenius Lines takes control of shortsea player after buying out partner Wallenius SOL operates ro-ros in northern Europe
Silver tsunami triggers flood of major claims for marine insurance market Ageing tonnage is contributing to a surge in machinery claims, says top Nordic insurance body
Wah Kwong energy trader forges strategic green methanol alliance First shipment is scheduled by July
Capesize spot rates shrug off the war and near highest levels this year Turmoil in the Middle East has had minimal effects on big miners
Container shipping lines under fire for tax practices as profit shrinks from 'absurd' level Liner companies pay about half the global average tax rate, according to Opportunity Green
Iran warns 'no Gulf port safe' as Trump's Hormuz blockade nears Iran's Revolutionary Guards say it will continue to keep the strait open
NYK hit by cyber attack. Personal data stolen after fuel procurement system hacked Platform was down for three days following the incident
VLGC rates surge as owners maintain upper hand in disrupted market Charterers competing for cover as US Gulf remains very active
Middle East conflict yet to filter through to FSRU imports, Fearnleys says But second-quarter figures could show a different picture
Understanding worst-case scenarios in 'complicated' Middle East tanker markets Conducting business during a ceasefire is proving difficult, analysts say
Danish Shipping names Maersk executive as first female chair New chairwoman Caroline Pontoppidan succeeds Torben Carlsen of DFDS
Gianluigi Aponte hands ownership of world's largest container line to his children MSC's octogenarian founder hands keys to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company to son and daughter
Hoegh Autoliners warns of Iran war impact on dividends Norwegian owner and operator repositioned vessels and temporarily discharged cargo to deal with conflict
Donald Trump touts US oil dominance as Iran ports blockade looms US President links supply dominance to sweeping maritime crackdown
Stolt-Nielsen looks resilient as chemical tanker volumes shrink, Clarksons says Analysts believe Norwegian group's diversified operations buy it time as market readjusts
Containing oil spills may be impossible in Middle East war zone, experts warn Steamship Mutual and ITOPF call for safety drills and heightened watchkeeping to limit potential damage
Sweden keeps heat on Russia-linked ships with fourth detention in a month The master of the bulk carrier admitted a deliberate spill before the vessel was released
Vitol boss pays tribute as co-founder Jacques Detiger dies at 91 Dutch oil trader oversaw a significant expansion of the business when he became CEO in 1976
Rising Russian military presence sees Estonia drop shadow fleet tanker detentions The danger of military escalation is too great, says naval chief
Chinese bulker owner dives deeper into tankers with $350m newbuilding deal Yangpu Zhongxin is contracting up to five ships at compatriot yard
What now for shipowners as US blockage adds to Hormuz chaos and confusion? No clarity yet on the scope and enforceability of President Trump's bid to stop Iranian loadings
Before the blockade: Trio of VLCCs make it out of Gulf as Pakistan sends in tankers Vessels reposition before start of US actions around Strait of Hormuz
Hormuz tensions knock Asian shipping stocks lower Investors dump liners and ports as oil surge drives margin fears
Hormuz fears knock Asian shipping stocks lower Investors dump liners and ports as oil surge drives margin fears
US narrows Hormuz stance as Centcom outlines Iran port blockade Command says transit through strait will not be impeded
Sinokor Maritime finally scraps one of its long-term idle LNG carriers Demolition tally for ship sector in 2026 inches up to five
FedEx CFO John Dietrich resigns FedEx Corp. announced Monday that John Dietrich will step down as chief financial officer on June 1 upon successful completion of the spin-off of FedEx Freight into a new publicly traded company. No reason was given for Dietrich's departure. He will remain with the company until July 31. Claude Russ, enterprise vice president of finance, will serve as interim CFO while the company conducts a comp
Synergy Logistics tackles costly warehouse downtime with ORCA Chicago-based logistics firm Synergy Logistics announced the release of its hybrid warehouse management system (WMS), ORCA , at the MODEX supply chain trade show in Atlanta on Monday. The company stated in a news release that its new WMS is designed to keep distribution centers running during costly internet and cloud outages. The technology aims to remedy downtime caused by these outages, which
Ace Hardware taps Uber Eats for last-mile delivery Ace Hardware has teamed up with Uber Eats to provide on-demand or scheduled delivery of gardening and home repair supplies from more than 3,7000 stores. The company announced last week that customers can use the Uber Easts app to shop from their neighborhood store and arrange delivery. The majority of Ace stores are independently owned and operated. The partnership is the latest example of Uber E
Why Lean Solutions Group Is Betting on 'Experts in the Loop' Lean Solutions Group has grown from roughly 700 employees in 2018 to more than 10,000 today, spread across Colombia, Guatemala, Philippines, and beyond. The company built that scale by solving a straightforward problem for freight brokerages: reducing cost per load by moving back-office functions to nearshore labor markets where the economics made more sense. According to CTO Alfonso Quijano, the
Mexico FDI ranking jumps in 2026 as nearshoring boosts investment Mexico climbed from 25th to 19th place in Kearney's 2026 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index, marking one of the largest gains globally alongside Singapore, as investors increasingly target production hubs closer to end markets. The jump reflects rising confidence in Mexico's role as a key manufacturing and supply chain partner to the U.S., even as global capital flows become more se
Red flags as busiest Asia-US trade lane hits OOCL results The parent of Orient Overseas Container Line saw profits fall in the first quarter of 2026 as freight rates normalized amid higher box volumes. Parent OOIL said unaudited results for the quarter ended March 31 showed volume growth but further pressure on prices. Liner revenue at OOCL was $2.14 billion, down 7.6% year-on-year, while liftings totaled 1.997 million twenty foot equivalent units, up 1
Crane Worldwide Logistics expands into Spain through acquisition Crane Worldwide Logistics has expanded its operational footprint in Europe with the acquisition of Blue Cargo, a small freight forwarder in Spain, the Houston-based company announced last week. Blue Cargo provides air, ocean, and road freight management services, as well as handling customs clearance for businesses in Southern Europe. The main warehouse in Madrid features bonded storage, freight
PE firm acquires Carrier Logistics, pledges AI overhaul Private equity firm STG announced it has acquired Carrier Logistics Inc. (CLI), a transportation management software provider for less-than-truckload and last-mile fleets. STG said it will fund AI and other automation initiatives across the CLI network. Elmsford, New York-based CLI has helped asset-based carriers track shipments and organize daily workflows for over 50 years. Terminal networks ar
Stolen freight is still moving through clean systems A $1 million shipment of LEGO sets was recovered this week in California, and on the surface it looks like a win. Arrests were made, freight was found, and it feels like the system worked. But the reality is different. That freight was only recovered because someone noticed suspicious activity and made a call. It was not stopped by a system and it was not caught through a verification step. By th
This U.S. state just banned public funding for port automation A new state law means two major U.S. West Coast ports won't be tapping public funds for automated container handling equipment. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in March signed state Senate bill 5995 into law, which aims to protect maritime jobs by ensuring that public investments in port decarbonization do not lead to the replacement of human workers with robots. The measure ensures a permanent ban on
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