CHICAGO — July 30, 2026 — The United States cannot rebuild its maritime strength by focusing solely on its ocean coasts. Instead, the nation's industrial resurgence depends on recognizing the Great Lakes as one of America's five maritime coastlines and leveraging the region's unmatched manufacturing ecosystem, according to U.S. Maritime Administrator Stephen M. Carmel.
Tehran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai on Tuesday, despite a threat by President Donald Trump that the U.S. will obliterate Iran's energy plants if it does not agree to a peace deal and open the Strait of Hormuz.Authorities in Dubai said the fire on the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi had been brought under control following a drone attack
In December of 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the award of two contracts to build up to six Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) icebreakers. The announcement declaring the vessels would be built between the United States and Finland in a major step forward for America’s national security in the Arctic region. The decision process encompassed more than the security of the Arctic passage.
Britain and the Netherlands have signed a maritime partnership setting the path for new amphibious transport ships for their forces under a $3.2 billion (£2.4 billion) deal, with the vessels set to be built in UK shipyards alongside Dutch industry.The ships will be based on a Dutch design and form the backbone of a strengthened UK-Netherlands amphibious force
Oil prices rose more than 3% on Monday after Iran and the U.S. traded strikes and Israel ordered troops to move further into Lebanon in its battle with Tehran-backed Hezbollah.U.S. crude futures CLc1 rose $2.88 or 3.3% to $90.24 a barrel as of 0701 GMT. Brent LCOc1 futures rose $2.78 or 3.05% to $93.9 a barrel.
Regal Rexnord Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Aamir Paul to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commencing no later than July 1, 2026, upon the conclusion of his responsibilities with his current employer, Schneider Electric SE. The Board has also determined that Mr.
Alternative Marine Technologies has issued a RFP to three major U.S. Shipbuilding companies for a 2+2 series build of a 230 TEU Microcontainer Feeder. The project is based upon the Conoship CIP230TEU design currently operating in Europe. The design is complete through production drawings, 3D modeled and available with the availability of a virtual “walkthrough” of the vessel.
The Chicago Propeller Club has announced its first event of 2026, featuring author John U. Bacon discussing his book The Gales of November and the enduring story of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.The event will take place on April 14 at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Chicago’s West Loop and will include a live conversation between Bacon and Tom Wiater, President of Central Marine Logistics.
A Greek‑operated oil tanker has sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, ship tracking data showed on Monday, in a sign that some commercial vessels are still attempting to navigate the vital passage despite the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.The Shenlong Suezmax, with a capacity of 1 million barrels
As part of the ESAB Future Fabricators program, ESAB announced that it will again sponsor the “Blue Collar Tour,” featuring Western Welding Academy, continuing their shared mission to increase the interest and awareness of high school students in the skilled trades. The 2026 tour starts January in Stratton, Colorado, and includes 31 total stops in 21 states before concluding in mid-March.
Crowley announced that Jen Leonard has been appointed chief people officer, effective January 1, 2026, leading its enterprise-wide activities to sustain an elite culture and high performance at the maritime, logistics and energy solutions company.As vice president of Crowley’s Talent and Culture group since 2023
A new technique developed by Australian researchers could stop unauthorised artificial intelligence (AI) systems learning from photos, artwork and other image-based content.Developed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in partnership with the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (CSCRC) and the University of Chicago