[The following are exerpts and paraphrasing from testimony given by Matthew O. Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), to Congress on the morning of February 26, 2025.]While maritime strength and shipbuilding historically have been a cornerstone of global power, shifting times and geopolitical pressures impact readiness and output.
The bipartisan, bicameral bill will fuel U.S. economy, strengthen national security by responding to China’s threat over the oceans. Currently, the number of U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce is 80; China has 5,500.Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8)
A Russian missile strike has damaged infrastructure and an Antigua-flagged civilian vessel in the Ukrainian port of Odesa, the regional governor said on Friday.Four people were wounded in the airstrike, Governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app."Debris from, according to preliminary assessment, an Iskander-M missile, damaged port and civilian infrastructure
QatarEnergy has signed an agreement with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of 18 ultra-modern QC-Max size LNG vessels, marking a significant addition to its LNG fleet expansion program.The new vessels, with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters each, will be constructed at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, a CSSC wholly-owned subsidiary
Anemoi Marine Technologies completed the installation of five Rotor Sails onboard the 400,000 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC), Sohar Max, making it the largest vessel to receive wind propulsion technology to date. Sohar Max is a first generation Valemax, built in 2012 in China’s Rongsheng shipyard, and is a project that showcased collaboration between Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A.
QatarEnergy has selected the joint venture of Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) and China’s COSCO Shipping LNG Investment (Shanghai) (CSLNG) to own and operate six QC-Max size LNG vessels.The six vessels will be built in China by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).
Austal Philippines delivered a 32m catamaran to Rottnest Fast Ferries, less than 12 months after commencing construction in Balamban, Cebu.Dubbed Ocean Master and designed by Incat Crowther, was officially accepted by representatives from Rottnest Fast Ferries following the successful completion of sea trials in November 2024.
Idemitsu Tanker Co., Ltd., IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (IINO Lines), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. announced that the consortium established in early 2024 for the joint research and development of an eco-friendly very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) has produced a design concept for Japan’s first Malacca Max type VLCC to use methanol as alternative fuel.
Singapore’s Majestic Fast Ferry expands its fleet courtesy the delivery of a pair of new, Incat Crowther-designed 42-m ferries. There are additional sisterships under construction at Indonesia's PT Cahaya Samudra.The 343-passenger ferries operate at a maximum speed of 39 knots and a cruising speed of 36 knots.
Wind-assisted propulsion systems developer Anemoi Marine Technologies has secured a Type Approval Design Certificate from classification society DNV for its Rotor Sail design.The Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) validates that Anemoi's 5x35m Rotor Sail design complies with DNV's technical standard (ST-0511) for Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS).
QatarEnergy has signed an agreement with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of six additional QC-Max vessels, bringing the total number of LNG vessels on order under its fleet expansion program to 128, including 24 QC-Max mega vessels.The QC-Max vessels, which will be built at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, a wholly-owned CSSC subsidiary
QatarEnergy has signed a long-term agreement with Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat), under which Nakilat will own and operate nine QC-Max class LNG vessels, the largest LNG vessels ever built.The nine QC-Max vessels, with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters each, constitute half of the 18 advanced QC-Max class LNG vessels that will be constructed at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard.