The world's oil tanker fleet is behaving as if the Strait of Hormuz is reopening — even as the waterway itself remains only partially navigable and politically contested. From ship tracking data to freight rates, the signals are clear: owners and charterers are moving early to position vessels for a return to Gulf exports.
SBM Offshore and Solstad Offshore have formed a joint venture that has entered into a letter of intent with a shipyard for the construction of a multi-purpose deepwater installation and construction vessel, with delivery targeted in the first half of 2029.The vessel will be owned by a joint venture in which Solstad Offshore will hold a 50.1% stake and SBM Offshore 49.9%.
DEME, through its Japanese joint venture Japan Offshore Marine (JOM), has secured a contract for the Oga–Katagami–Akita Offshore Wind Project, covering engineering work and vessel charter services for the offshore installation of 21 wind turbines.The contract forms part of an agreement between Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Green Energy and Penta-Ocean Construction.
Offshore drilling contractor Transocean has agreed to acquire Valaris in an all-stock transaction valued at about $5.8 billion, creating one of the world’s largest offshore drilling contractors with a fleet of 73 drilling rigs.The combined company will have an enterprise value of roughly $17 billion
The World Maritime University (WMU) has published a new report, In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment, shedding light on the realities of seafarers’ work, health and career intentions in today’s shipping industry. Commissioned by the Officers’ Union of International Seamen (OUIS), the study draws on responses from 4,372 seafarers representing 99 nationalities
The United States is attempting to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker with links to Venezuela after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic and as a Russian submarine and warship were close by, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Wednesday.The seizure, which could stoke tensions with Russia, came after the tanker, originally known as the Bella-1, slipped through a U.S.
MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has entered into contracts with Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering in China for the construction of six 3,700 TEU container vessels scheduled for first delivery in second half of 2028.Each vessel will operate under a 10-year time charter, with extension options, to a top five liner company.
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), the intermediate holding company for HD Hyundai's shipbuilding business, has signed a shipbuilding contract with HMM for eight 13,400-TEU dual-fuel container ships.The vessels ordered are 337 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and 27.9 meters in height.
MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has entered into contracts with Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry in China for the construction of four 4,500 TEU container vessels, scheduled for delivery starting first half of 2028.The contract price per vessel is $58 million and the agreement includes options for two additional vessels at the same price.
Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. (CSI) will invest $70m to acquire its fourth drydock, expected to have a lifting capacity of 25,000 tons and slated for delivery in the first half of 2028.“This new drydock acquisition is a testament to our continued dedication to innovation, quality service, and our steadfast investment in the future,” said Randall Crutchfield, Chairman & CEO, at Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc.
Chinese shipyards’ market share has dropped from 72% to 52% in the first half of 2025 amid growing concerns over the impact of US Trade Representative (USTR) port fees on Chinese ships, according to the latest report from BIMCO, the world’s largest shipping association.USTR port fees, set to take effect in October 2025, will impact both Chinese owners and operators
Most European ports are lagging in installing the shore-side electrical infrastructure needed for ships to switch from highly polluting marine fuel to cleaner electricity while docked, a new study showed on Tuesday.European Union environmental rules have set a 2030 deadline for maritime ports to install the infrastructure to provide what is known as onshore power supply (OPS).