Long-distance ferry routes form a key part of Japan’s national transport infrastructure, connecting the archipelago’s four major islands and littoral centers of population, commerce and industry.RoRo passenger (RoPax) ferry fleet renewal and development has been a constant process over the past two decades in particular
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has taken delivery of a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel very large gas carrier (VLGC), Energia Grandeur.The vessel was ordered by MOL group company MOL Energia from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, with delivery taking place off Mokpo port in South Korea on January 29, 2026.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a long-term charter agreement with India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for two newbuilding very large ethane carriers (VLECs) to be constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries.MOL established two joint ventures with ONGC, with the joint ventures and ONGC signing a 15-year charter contract for the vessels.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Suiso Energy have signed a contract to build the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier, marking a step toward the commercialization of an international hydrogen supply chain.The vessel will have a cargo capacity of about 40,000 cubic meters and will be built at Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ Sakaide Works in Kagawa Prefecture.
More than 200 guests attended the official naming ceremony of Stena Line’s newest vessel, Stena Futura, at Belfast Harbour. The 147-mhybrid freight ferry Stena Futura is the first of two next-generation “NewMax” freight vessels purpose-built for the busy Belfast–Heysham route. The ship is methanol-ready and equipped with hybrid propulsion systems
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has secured a contract to build two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers for a North American shipowner.The order is valued at 741.2 billion won (about $507 million), HD KSOE said.The vessels will be constructed by HD Hyundai Samho and are scheduled for delivery in 2028.
Stena Line strengthened its position in the Baltic Sea by acquiring NLC Ferry Ab Oy/Wasaline and taking over operations of the ferry route between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland.“It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we at Stena Line take on the responsibility for Wasaline and the route between two important regions and cities, Umeå and Vaasa,” says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
Danish offshore wind installation firm Cadeler has taken delivery of its first A-class wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), Wind Ally, designed to transport up to six sets of XXL monopile foundations per round trip.Wind Ally has become the ninth vessel on the water in Cadeler’s growing fleet of next-generation WTIVs.
Sallaum Lines has launched its first LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) newbuilding, the Ocean Breeze, with a landmark ceremony in the port of Antwerp.The Ocean Breeze has capacity for 7,500 CEU and is powered by dual-fuel LNG engines. The vessel delivers substantial reductions in CO2, NOx, and particulate emissions compared to conventional tonnage.
KR (Korean Register) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) to jointly develop a very large ethane carrier (VLEC).The new VLEC to be developed under the partnership will have a cargo capacity exceeding 100,000 m3.It will be designed to maximize cargo volume while minimizing changes to the main specifications of conventional vessel designs.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has taken delivery of the Kohzan Maru VII, a newbuilding dual-fuel methanol carrier, which will serve Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (MGC) under a long-term charter.The Kohzan Maru VII was delivered at HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard, where the naming ceremy took place.
On World Donkey Day (May 8), international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, acknowledges Swire Shipping as the first global shipping line to commit publicly to a ‘No Donkey Skins Carriage policy’.In February last year, African Heads of State and Governments endorsed a continent-wide moratorium on the slaughter of donkeys for their skins at the 37th African Union Summit.