Category: News Content Hub

US and China agree temporary tariff de-escalation A three-month backdown in the ongoing trade war will see both sides lower tariffs by 115% Jamey Go to rivieramm

Autonomous inspectors will work as a team to drive down costs Scientists in the UK are to simulate the use of robotic systems that can drive down the cost of maintaining windfarms David Go to rivieramm

Japan’s Doun Kisen linked to Newcastlemax newbuilding trio in China Asian shipowners have led dry bulk newbuilding activity so far this year Georgios Go to rivieramm

What keeps chemical and product tanker owners awake at night in 2025 At a London tanker conference, delegate polls and questions revealed concerns about decarbonisation, technology adoption and regulatory challenges Craig Go to rivieramm

Greek owner Minerva on US$220M container buying spree, building seven-vessel fleet Minerva Dry recently took delivery of Little Symphony, a 1,781-TEU container ship built in 2022 Georgios Go to rivieramm

GNV orders four LNG ropax ferries Guangzhou Shipbuilding International will build the ropaxes, with deliveries from 2028 Rebecca Go to rivieramm

California battles EPA over biofouling authority California challenges federal pre-emption of its biofouling rules, warning of increased aquatic nuisance species threats to its coastline Craig Go to rivieramm

X-Press Feeders adds fuel-efficient vessels to growing orderbook The company told Riviera the newbuilds are expected to deliver 20–25% greater fuel efficiency than today’s most modern vessels Georgios Go to rivieramm

US targets another Chinese refinery and VLCCs amid resilient Iranian oil flows The ’maximum pressure’ campaign continues as the US administration targets a third Chinese independent oil refinery Georgios Go to rivieramm

Women in Maritime Tomorrow: Damen’s Rebecca Belmer ‘working in maritime offers an ocean of possibilities’ Damen Shipyards’ up-and-coming design and proposal engineer talks about designing future-ready harbour vessels Martyn Go to rivieramm

Boost for UK clean energy as capacity increases to seven offshore windfarms agreed Additional 4.7 GW of clean energy could be generated from Capacity Increase Programme David Go to rivieramm

Trump conundrum: box shipping, a Houthi ceasefire and tariff-thrashed trade What could a US ceasefire deal with Yemen’s Houthi faction and a tariff-driven trade slowdown do to containerised freight rates? Jamey Go to rivieramm

Space-efficient wind system targets maritime retrofit bottleneck A wind propulsion system that addresses the critical deck space constraints that have limited the wider adoption of wind technology in shipping has been formally launched in London Edwin Go to rivieramm

Retrofits on bulk carrier quartet aiming for 99% GHG emissions reduction completed BAM Shipping has engaged partners to retrofit four bulk carriers with emissions-reduction technologies and fuel savings technologies that will be verified by class societies Riviera Go to rivieramm

Deep-sea FLNG system from Samsung Heavy wins class approval Samsung Heavy Industries’ MLF-O type floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) has received basic certification from three class societies Riviera Go to rivieramm

Wärtsilä’s onboard carbon capture pilot shows CO2 reductions up to 70% Wärtsilä installed its CCS technology on board Solvang’s 21,289-m3 ethylene carrier Clipper Eris for a year’s full-scale testing and optimisation in January 2025 Jamey Go to rivieramm

Evalend finalises deal for two Suezmax tankers at HD Hyundai Riviera reported in late April that Kriton Lendoudis had entered discussions with the South Korean shipbuilder regarding a tanker newbuilding project Georgios Go to rivieramm

Maersk to deploy private wireless for real-time cargo tracking Maersk will equip 450 vessels with private wireless network solutions as part of its IoT connectivity platform, OneWireless Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Update: AP Moller Holdings extends offer to repurchase Svitzer in return to private ownership An offer to Svitzer shareholders by an AP Moller-Maersk group investment arm has been extended to provide more time for UK Secretary of State approval Martyn Go to rivieramm

DOF cuts deals with offshore wind operators for new cable repair kit Company has invested in a ‘first of its kind’ modular cable repair spread David Go to rivieramm

Bermuda launches procurement process for small-scale offshore windfarm Seeking 85% renewable energy generation by 2035, British overseas territory launches request for expressions of interest in up to 120 MW of offshore wind capacity David Go to rivieramm

John Fredriksen ups stake in Greek giant Star Bulk Norwegian shipping magnate quietly boosts his stake in Star Bulk, raising fresh questions about his next move in the dry bulk market Georgios Go to rivieramm

Electric retrofit begins on US West Coast tugboat A shipyard in Oregon, USA, is installing an electric drivetrain on a small tugboat to reduce emissions in one of the nation’s largest ports Martyn Go to rivieramm

2025 gets off to a slow start for Norway’s PSV market A dismal start to the year sees average day rates for PSVs almost 60% lower than 2024 John Go to rivieramm

Fears of further disruption in global shipbuilding from China’s rare earth export control Rare earth materials are essential for critical ship systems, including electric propulsion, emissions control equipment, and advanced electronics Georgios Go to rivieramm

BW Epic Kosan snaps up 9,500-m³ LPG carrier amid leadership transition The company is strategically focused on vessels above 7,500 m³, following a trend of divesting from smaller tonnage in recent years Georgios Go to rivieramm

Accident report: port engine failure causes US$3M towboat damage The US National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into a towing vessel fire discovered insufficient structural fire protection Martyn Go to rivieramm

European shipowners invest US$2Bn in offshore wind assets in 2025 The Norwegian maritime cluster is benefitting from an offshore windfarm construction splurge, with new orders from Taiwan’s DFO, while Purus is taking delivery of its first CSOV John Go to rivieramm

Equinor sells US$3.5Bn stake in Brazilian offshore oil field Equinor has sold its managing stake in Brazil’s offshore Peregrino block to a PRIO subsidiary Jamey Go to rivieramm

One FID down for Golar’s FLNG project in Argentina, one in the works The Southern Energy FLNG-based LNG export project in Argentina took a final investment decision including a 20-year charter of FLNG Hilli Episeyo Jamey Go to rivieramm

‘Making history’: Incat launches world’s largest battery-electric ship Incat chairman Robert Clifford, “This is a historic day for the future of maritime transport” Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Relocate access points beyond hazard zones to clear tanker adoption hurdle A wind-assisted propulsion system developer says they have addressed a significant ATEX certification challenge that has hindered adoption in the tanker sector Edwin Go to rivieramm

K Line deploys communications on CO2 tankers Ships supporting the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage project in Norway will use two LEO constellations for communications Martyn Go to rivieramm

First dedicated EU-built offshore CO2 carrier set for launch The vessel is specifically designed to transport liquefied CO2 from onshore capture sites to offshore storage in the Danish part of the North Sea, as part of Project Greensand Riviera Go to rivieramm

US lawmakers reintroduce bipartisan congressional bill to support domestic shipbuilding Arizona senator Mark Kelly said the legislation is “the most ambitious effort in a generation to revitalise the US shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries and counter China’s dominance” Jamey Go to rivieramm

Nakilat advances LNG strategy with fleet expansion Nakilat Q1 2025 results highlight Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Samho shipyards’ partnership in its LNG shipping growth, strategic focus and fleet expansion Craig Go to rivieramm

Baltic Exchange seeks input to expand chemical indices Baltic Exchange and Coach Solutions seek industry feedback on chemical indices and validated data models for better commercial decision-making Craig Go to rivieramm

P&O Reyser welcomes record-breaking newbuild tractor tug Ship handling in the Port of Barcelona, Spain, will be enhanced by the arrival of another asymmetric tractor tug from Uzmar Martyn Go to rivieramm

Wasaline greenlights largest marine battery retrofit project to date Aurora Botnia’s new battery system will be nearly five times as powerful as its current system Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Woodside takes FID on Louisiana LNG, inks feedgas supply deal with BP Australia’s Woodside Energy is moving ahead with the US LNG facility that it bought from Tellurian in mid-2024 Jamey Go to rivieramm

AD Ports Noatum invests in second all-electric harbour tug Damen Shipyards will supply another RSD-E 2513 design tug to lower emissions from handling ships in a growing UAE port Martyn Go to rivieramm

Petrobras secures anchor-handling, subsea support from Solstad Solstad Offshore has clinched long-term contracts for three vessels supporting deepwater operations in Brazil Martyn Go to rivieramm

Chinese shipyards take in over US$3Bn from OOCL and Seaspan box ship orders Liner operator OOCL and tonnage provider Seaspan have collectively ordered 20 new vessels at Chinese shipyards Georgios Go to rivieramm

Armon builds tugs for Panama Canal, Remolques Unidos Spanish shipyard is busy producing harbour tugs for two owners, one in Latin America, the other in Spain Martyn Go to rivieramm

Women in Maritime Today: BW LNG’s Monika Johannessen counsels ‘never stop learning’ Monika Johannessen (BW LNG) discusses her journey from naval architecture to leading newbuilding projects in LNG shipping Craig Go to rivieramm

SAAM completes unprecedented Americas towage project Teams from five countries in Latin America supported the manoeuvres of a pontoon, barge and crane between nations Martyn Go to rivieramm

Evalend said to join Greek shift toward Korean tanker newbuildings Shipbroking sources note tanker newbuilding activity is now heavily concentrated in South Korea Georgios Go to rivieramm

Feasibility study outcome for ferry green shipping corridor Consortium completes project exploring scaleable green methanol and carbon capture loop technology John Go to rivieramm

Container ship, bulk carrier collide in major maritime accident in Vietnam Τhe container ship has reportedly sustained damage to its bow, while the bulk carrier suffered a breach at the stern, resulting in an oil spill Georgios Go to rivieramm

Deadly explosion at Iranian port caused by container terminal fire Allegations for the cause of the blast include chemicals and improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles Jamey Go to rivieramm

McAllister, Moran welcome tugboats to US fleets New tugs will have high power and low emissions to enhance towage in US ports Martyn Go to rivieramm

International Chemical Tanker Industry Leader Award: seafarers of John T Essberger John T Essberger’s Johan J Isaksen celebrated people, sustainability, and digitalisation at DAL Essberger when accepting the award Craig Go to rivieramm

Tsakos marks milestone with shuttle tanker deliveries, solidifying leading position TEN will field a fleet of 16 DP2 Suezmax shuttle tankers, positioning it among the largest independent players in the segment Georgios Go to rivieramm

Norden trials ‘carbon-negative’ biofuel on longhaul round-trip sailing Company says biofuel is ready for main engine testing after trial of drop-in 20% biofuel blend on a Capesize dry cargo vessel’s auxiliary engine Jamey Go to rivieramm

Greek shipowners to ‘carefully navigate’ IMO’s new net-zero framework The Greek shipping community acknowledges the progress made, while noting the new measures present both challenges and opportunities Georgios Go to rivieramm

Mobile phone, outdraft current and pilot error cause US$1.3M tow accident The NTSB discovered the towing vessel pilot had never navigated on the Ohio River and was texting on a personal phone when a tow struck a vane dike Martyn Go to rivieramm

SIRE 2.0 forces deep rethink for ship crews As the shipping industry continues to grapple with SIRE 2.0, crews and managers alike confront shifting inspection dynamics, behavioural scrutiny and digital demands Craig Go to rivieramm

Oceania Allura: a ‘thoughtful’ evolution of Oceania Vista Oceania Allura builds on the success of its sister ship by advancing technical aspects and the passenger experience Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Ferry operators target methanol and electric in quest for zero  Ferry operators opened up on how they aim to decarbonise their fleets at the latest Interferry conference Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Box ship sector seeks to improve ship performance monitoring Conference highlights advances in performance monitoring, and the potential for further improvements Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Can simulation-led technology extend LNG’s compliance? Advanced modelling offers LNG carriers and LNG-as-a-marine-fuel shipping a route to maintain compliance under developing IMO rules Craig Go to rivieramm

SAAM Towage earns Brazilian certification The International Standards Organization has verified the environmental achievements and quality management of the South American tug owner Martyn Go to rivieramm

UK cross-party MPs: support offshore workers with energy transition  As North Sea production continues to decline, the British government needs to support oil and gas workers by creating long-term careers Martyn Go to rivieramm

US follows through on port fees plan, with amendments Fees on Chinese-built, owned or operated vessels and foreign-built car carriers are set to start in October 2025, while ’limited restrictions’ on LNG transported on foreign-built vessels will begin in April 2028 Jamey Go to rivieramm

North Star offshore windfarm support vessels certified to IACS cyber-resilience standards  Lloyd’s Register has certified two new CSOVs comply with IACS’ requirements for cyber resilience and recovery Martyn Go to rivieramm

CMB.TECH and Golden Ocean eye merger Belgium’s Saverys family continues its steady pace of acquisition, consolidation and fleetbuilding Jamey Go to rivieramm

Vernicos Scafi Med Tugs welcomes next newbuild harbour tug Med Marine built SVS II with 80 tonnes of bollard pull at a shipyard in Turkey Martyn Go to rivieramm

Dual-fuel engine emissions-control technologies advance for alternative fuels Comprehensive emissions-control systems will be essential components of future vessel propulsion systems, regardless of which alternative fuel ultimately dominates the market Edwin Go to rivieramm

Two injured after vessel collides with offshore wind turbine Incident involving an emergency response and rescue vessel took place on a Dutch windfarm David Go to rivieramm

Carbon capture and a ‘Maritime Marshall Plan’ key tools in decarbonisation strategies Leading ship operators are implementing carbon capture technologies as part of comprehensive decarbonisation strategies Edwin Go to rivieramm

Women in Maritime Today: Hanwha Ocean Europe’s Claire Wright encourages adaptability and curiosity Claire Wright shares insights on her career, shipbuilding innovation and maritime sustainability in Riviera Maritime Media’s Women in Maritime series Craig Go to rivieramm

How HVAC upgrades can cut cruise fuel consumption by 10% Retrofit demand-based ventilation systems are on the increase in the cruise sector Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Chinese shipyards deliver newbuild tugs to boost harbour towage Shipyards in China completed tugboat newbuilds for domestic and international orders Martyn Go to rivieramm

US policy threatens Greek owners’ tanker dominance Proposed US port fees on Chinese-built vessels risk upending Greek tanker operations and reshaping global trade flows Craig Go to rivieramm

‘World’s largest LCO2 carrier’ launched at HD Hyundai for Capital Gas 22,000-m3 liquefied carbon dioxide carrier is first of four launched at HD Hyundai Mipo John Go to rivieramm

Video: fire-hit car carrier in Zeebrugge port reported to have electric vehicles on board CLDN’s Delphine car carrier was seen smoking in videos posted to social media Jamey Go to rivieramm

Biofuel trial planned for Brazilian port tugs Wilson Sons is trialling hydrotreated vegetable oil on its tugboats after Brazil’s Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels approved testing this fuel in the Port of Acu, near Rio de Janeiro Martyn Go to rivieramm

Equinor suspends construction of Empire Wind 1, considers legal challenge Developer could have to pay US$1.5Bn to lenders if the project does not go ahead, and will be exposed to termination fees to suppliers David Go to rivieramm

Regulations drive wastewater developments Wastewater solutions are being driven by stringent regulations, while a demand for compact, easy-to-use technology that is also suitable for smaller vessels is helping to shape this sector Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Transatlantic: dark clouds on the horizon The reshuffled alliances, US tariffs and the proposed US Trade Representative port fees are creating uncertainty for carriers and shippers on the trade lane Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Analysis shows economic case building for alternative fuels in tanker segment Economic analysis demonstrating the strengthening business case for dual fuel in the tanker sector presented at Singapore decarbonisation conference Edwin Go to rivieramm

Petrobras, SBM, Mitsubishi study carbon capture for FPSOs CO2 from gas turbines on oil production ships could be captured and stored to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from offshore operations Martyn Go to rivieramm

Sun Ferry: a ‘stepping-stone’ approach Ho Sun Ferry is future proofing with its fleet of new vessels Rebecca Go to rivieramm

IMO carbon levy breakthrough reshapes shipping’s decarbonisation landscape Industry leaders gather at Singapore decarbonisation conference to assess the implications of advancing Singapore’s J9 proposal as the frontrunner carbon pricing framework Edwin Go to rivieramm

Angelakos (Hellas) advances fleet renewal with orderbook expansion The Greek shipowner’s fifth newbuilding initiative consists of eight eco-friendly Kamsarmax bulk carriers Georgios Go to rivieramm

Greek owner George Chatzis linked to fresh bulk carrier S&P play Grehel Shipmanagement has emerged as the new owner of two Japanese-built Supramax bulk carriers Georgios Go to rivieramm

Record level of offshore oil and gas accidents reported in Brazil ANP reported a record 731 accidents in the Brazilian offshore oil and gas sector during 2024, surpassing the previous year’s record high John Go to rivieramm

State of Victoria to launch RfP for 2 GW of offshore wind in late 2025 Process initiated that will lead to contract awards in October 2026 David Go to rivieramm

Rotortugs deployed with eco-friendly fendering Signet Maritime’s latest tugboats have fenders made from polyurethane, which can be recycled and reprocessed, and are 30% lighter than rubber Martyn Go to rivieramm

NYK Cruises takes delivery of Asuka III Ship’s builder says ship is one of the “most energy-efficient cruise ships ever built” Rebecca Go to rivieramm

Grimaldi confirms ‘pioneering’ US$1.3Bn order for nine ropax ships Grimaldi’s new ships are expected to reduce CO2 emissions per transported cargo unit by more than 50% compared with existing vessels Georgios Go to rivieramm

Cat methanol-ready engines selected for Olympic Subsea CSV newbuilds Pon Power will supply methanol-ready Caterpillar Marine variable-speed gensets for two Olympic Subsea construction support vessels being built in China John Go to rivieramm

Pan Ocean secures US$340M long-term iron ore transport deals with Vale, Hyundai Glovis Agreements cover long-term transport from Australia to South Korea and Brazil to China Georgios Go to rivieramm

CMB.TECH, Damen progress hydrogen-ready ASD tug designs Damen Shipyards has been awarded a contract to construct four fuel-flexible azimuth stern drive tugs using CMB.TECH’s hydrogen combustion technology Martyn Go to rivieramm

IMO adopts net-zero rules, industry divided MEPC 83’s approval of GHG intensity rules for 2028 enforcement has drawn support and criticism across the maritime sector Craig Go to rivieramm

Trump looks to restore ‘America’s maritime dominance’ The President’s executive order directs various government agencies to produce a Maritime Action Plan and other executive reports to revitalise the American shipbuilding and maritime industrial base John Go to rivieramm

Fredriksen’s Seatankers linked to bulk carrier sale spree  Shipbroking sources suggest John Fredriksen may be initiating a broader sale flurry in the dry bulk S&P market Georgios Go to rivieramm

Juice carrier Atlantic Orchard fitted with suction sails bound4blue, Louis Dreyfus Company, Wisby Tankers, Astander Shipyard, and Lloyd’s Register involved in the suction-sail installation Craig Go to rivieramm

Methanol fuel: preparing ships for a green-fuels future With the engine technology now available, ships are being built ready to use green methanol Martyn Go to rivieramm

AIDA Cruises signs contract for two new ships Ships will be equipped with advanced multi-fuel engines capable of operating on LNG, biodiesel and next-generation sustainable fuels Rebecca Go to rivieramm