[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 rhythmic clang of hammers and the bright flashes of welding torches filled the air at Skaramangas Shipyard near Athens last month, as workers busily repaired the bow of a large tanker. Nearby, other vessels awaited their turn in the dry dock—an unmistakable sign of renewed activity at the once-idle shipyard.
An undersea fibre optic cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged on Sunday, likely as a result of external influence, Latvia said, triggering an investigation by local and NATO maritime forces in the Baltic Sea."We have determined that there is most likely external damage and that it is significant
The river Mosel in western Germany, an important route for grains and rapeseed shipments, has been closed to inland waterways shipping after an accident that damaged a lock, navigation authorities said.A lock at Mueden south of Koblenz has been damaged after a vessel collision and repairs are likely to last until spring 2025, possibly around late March, the WSA agency said.
A Ukrainian sabotage operation has damaged a Russian minesweeping vessel in Russia's Kaliningrad region and put it out of action, Ukraine's military spy agency said on Monday.The spy agency, known by the acronym GUR, said it was the second attack it has carried out on a Russian warship in the Baltic Sea this year.
Cruise passengers are to set sail from Belfast on Monday on a three-and-a-half-year world voyage after being stranded in the city for months as the ship underwent unexpected repair works. Some plan to make it their forever home.Passengers of the Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey, described as the world's first continual cruise
The containership Dali has departed U.S. waters en route to a Chinese repair yard nearly six months after the vessel struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, triggering its deadly collapse.The Singapore-registered ship, which had been moved from Baltimore to Norfolk, Va. in June for initial repairs, will undergo more extensive repair work at a yard in Ningbo, China.
Hanwha Ocean on Wednesday announced it has secured a contract that makes it the first Korean shipbuilder to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the U.S. Navy.The 40,000-ton U.S. Navy dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra is undergoing maintenance and inspection at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard
The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) announced that Dr. Ahmed AlAbri has been appointed the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the shipyard, effective August 2024.AlAbri has more than 25 years of experience in the field, having served a variety of executive roles in the regional maritime industry.
A collision between two tankers off Singapore in July raises questions over insurance claims, as one of the vessels previously shipped Iranian oil, potentially complicating payments due to Western sanctions, ship-trackers and industry sources say.What happened?The Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile and the Sao Tome and Principe-flagged Ceres I collided and caught fire about 55 km (35 miles) northeast
South Korean shipbuilding group Hanwha Ocean on Tuesday announced it has been certified to participate in vessel maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities for the U.S. Navy.The company said its Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) signed with the U.S. Navy enables it to bid to perform MRO work for U.S. naval vessels at its Geoje Shipyard in South Korea.
Salvors have recovered Fiji's naval patrol boat RFNS Puamau, three weeks after the brand new vessel went aground on its maiden patrol.The vessel was successfully recovered from the reef at Fulaga and towed to the safe waters of Ogea Island where a thorough damage assessment will be conducted, the Republic of Fiji Navy said.