Author: Ruth M
Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers is employing increasingly sophisticated spoofing methods to conceal ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in the Gulf of Oman, in a bid to bypass Western sanctions and scrutiny from maritime regulators. According to industry sources and maritime intelligence firms, vessels linked to Russian crude exports are manipulating their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals to disguise positions, routes, and transfer activity. This tactic allows ships to appear to be in international waters or even docked at legitimate ports, while in reality conducting covert transfers at sea. The Gulf of Oman, a vital artery connecting the Arabian Sea to the…
September 4, 2025 — The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has issued updated guidance on the risks associated with transporting electric vehicles (EVs) at sea, reflecting growing concern over fire hazards and the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries. Although no shipboard fires have been definitively linked to EVs alone, IUMI noted that the rising number of battery-powered cars being shipped makes it essential for carriers and insurers to adapt fire safety strategies. The organisation highlighted that EV fires behave differently from those involving traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, often producing higher peak temperatures, explosive gas emissions, and the…
The global container shipping industry is facing renewed pressure on earnings, with major carriers and analysts alike revising down forecasts for 2025 as rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty, and looming overcapacity weigh on profitability. According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, industry-wide net income is now expected to fall to $11.6 billion in 2025, less than half the $28.6 billion recorded in 2024. Revenues are also projected to decline, from $155.5 billion to $138.2 billion. The deterioration reflects both weaker demand and the impact of cost inflation across the supply chain. Research consultancy Drewry forecasts that container shipping operating profits…
Luanda, September 3, 2025 — Bourbon Mobility has secured a major five-year contract with ExxonMobil in Angola, reinforcing its long-standing offshore presence in the region and launching a new fleet of customized 34-meter crewboats tailored for personnel transfers between Soyo and Block 15, approximately 80 miles offshore. Contract Highlights & Vessel Specs According to Nicolas Elizon, Bourbon Mobility’s Director of Operations and New Builds: “This contract confirms the strength of our partnership with ExxonMobil… we reaffirm our capacity to innovate and deliver operationally and environmentally sound solutions.” These new crewboats will replace existing 32-meter vessels and complement Bourbon’s fleet in…
Tokyo, September 3, 2025 – Fairfield-Maxwell has re-entered the shipping industry in Japan with the launch of a new Tokyo-based venture focused on tankers and gas carriers. The move comes nearly two years after the U.S.-based group sold its chemical tanker subsidiary, Fairfield Chemical Carriers, to MOL Chemical Tankers. The decision marks a strategic return for Fairfield-Maxwell to the Japanese maritime sector, where it had maintained a strong presence through its former chemical tanker operations. By pivoting toward tankers and gas carriers, the company is positioning itself to tap into new growth areas within global energy transportation. Fairfield-Maxwell sold Fairfield…
Muscat, Oman – September 3, 2025 – Oman has unveiled plans to build the Middle East’s first purpose-built green ship recycling hub, a project that marks a significant step in the country’s maritime modernization and environmental strategy. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT), will create ship dismantling and recycling facilities designed to meet the highest global environmental and safety standards. According to government announcements, the hub will have the capacity to recycle more than 70 ships annually, producing approximately two million tonnes of low-carbon steel in its initial phase. Officials said the project…
A young cabin boy aboard the Colombian Navy’s sail training ship ARC Gloria has died after falling from the vessel’s rigging while it was approaching the port of Barranquilla. The incident occurred as the crew carried out routine maneuvers to prepare for arrival. According to naval sources, the victim, identified as Julian Fernando Condia Bello, lost his grip while climbing the mainmast as part of a traditional entry ritual. He reportedly struck a railing before falling into the Magdalena River. Emergency procedures were immediately launched. Naval and Coast Guard units began a large-scale search operation, supported by local officials, including…
Stavanger, September 1, 2025 — BW Offshore, a global leader in floating production solutions, has been designated as the preferred bidder to supply the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit for Equinor’s Bay du Nord oil project off Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The agreement was cemented through a Head of Agreement (HoA) signed with Equinor Canada Ltd. Project Highlights and Strategic Significance Industry and Regional Context Expert Views & Industry Response Marco Beenen, CEO of BW Offshore, remarked: “We are honored to have been selected by Equinor, which shows confidence placed in BW Offshore’s capabilities to support such a…
BW LPG India has capitalized on favorable market conditions by selling one of its older very large gas carriers (VLGCs) and reinvesting the proceeds into newer, more efficient vessels, strengthening its role in India’s fast-growing LPG import market. The company confirmed the sale of the 2007-built BW Cedar for approximately USD 65 million. The transaction is expected to deliver a net book gain of around USD 33 million and generate close to USD 51 million in net cash after loan repayment. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. At the same time, BW LPG has…
A collision between a Singapore-registered bunker tanker and a Malta-registered bulk carrier occurred in the early hours of September 1, 2025, approximately eight kilometres south of Tanah Merah, Malaysia, resulting in a minor oil spill. The incident involved the Marine Dynamo, a Chevron-chartered hybrid-electric bunker tanker, and the Flag Gangos, a bulk carrier. Both vessels remain stable following the collision. According to initial reports, a light sheen of marine gas oil (MGO) was observed on the water’s surface, believed to have leaked from a service tank located above the tanker’s waterline. Authorities have clarified that the fuel in question is…