The U.S. Navy's deployment of new extremely long-range air-to-air missiles in the Indo-Pacific could erase China's advantage in aerial reach, experts say, part of an intensifying focus on projecting power amid high tensions in the region.The AIM-174B, developed from the readily available Raytheon SM-6 air defense missile
Leaders of the four biggest Pacific Islands nations have delayed adopting a joint security strategy that could provide an opening for Beijing, against a backdrop of increasing rivalry between China, Australia and the United States in the Pacific Ocean.The Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji
JERA, Japan's biggest power generator, has agreed to new supply deals for U.S. liquefied natural gas from four projects to diversify its global portfolio away from its reliance on Australia, it said on Thursday.JERA plans to buy up to 5.5 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) of U.S. LNG under 20-year contracts, with deliveries starting around 2030.
Noble Corporation’s recent decision to sell the Pacific Meltem and Pacific Scirocco for non-drilling purposes highlights a key issue in the drillship market: What happens to cold-stacked rigs that are unlikely to return to work? With the floater market showing signs of weakness and contract opportunities becoming scarcer, reactivating these units is proving even more challenging.
Friday & Co. Shipbrokers completed a chartering deal between Boskalis and a Chinese charterer to transport the car carrier Floor (formerly Fremantle Highway) from the Netherlands to China. The project entails transporting the vessel — damaged by fire last year — aboard Boskalis' semi-submersible heavy lift flagship, the Boka Vanguard, for repairs and modifications in Asia.
Sempra Infrastructure has been issued a permit from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 development project which will allow the export of up to approximately 13.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of U.S.-produced LNG to countries that do not have a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S.
The U.S. Trade office will this week announce its plan for levying port fees on China-linked ships as part of President Donald Trump's effort to revive domestic shipbuilding and counter China's dominance on the high seas.The proposed fees on China-built ships could hit $1.5 million per U.S. port call. Few vessels would be exempt, making U.S.
Oil prices retreated on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to hold off imposing steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the two biggest foreign oil suppliers to the United States, for a month.Brent futures LCOc1 fell 41 cents, or 0.5%, to $75.55 a barrel at 0149 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 declined 75 cents, or 1%, to trade at $72.41.
On Nov. 10, the day before Veterans Day, I had the honor of participating in a celebration of another group of veterans whose contributions as the nation’s Fourth Arm of Defense is not widely known: The Merchant Marine.The U.S. Merchant Marine emblem was added to Veterans Memorial Plaza in Anacortes in a brief ceremony attended by Xochitl Castaneda
Australia will assume command of the Combined Maritime Force’s Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 for six months from October.CTF 153 was established in April 2022 and focuses on international maritime security and capacity-building efforts in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.
Esgian provides an update on what has been a busy week in the offshore drilling market in its Week 31 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsBorr Drilling has confirmed new contracts for several of its 400-ft jackups, including work for the Arabia I in Brazil, Gunnlod in Malaysia, and Norve in Gabon.
Australian authorities last month located, intercepted and apprehended an Indonesian vessel illegally fishing and shark finning inside the Australian Territorial Sea near New Year Island, approximately 294 kilometers north-east of Darwin.Australian authorities seized the vessel along with 50 kilograms of shark fin, 80 kilograms of bait fish and a substantial quantity of fishing equipment.