The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is shifting dredging from district-level projects to a coordinated national program. A new Enterprise Dredging Delivery Center aims to improve scheduling, optimize dredge fleet use, and keep navigation channels at ports and waterways ready.
LD Armateurs has fitted six 35-meter Norsepower rotor sails to Spirit of Toulouse, the largest RoRo with wind-assisted propulsion. Built for Airbus transatlantic operations, the vessel heads toward sea trials as wind propulsion adoption accelerates across the global fleet.
Savannah’s new 350-acre container terminal cleared its federal permit and will add 3.5 million TEUs of annual capacity.
A one-day engine room sickout idled up to 13 of 18 Washington State Ferries vessels and prompted a new engineer pay review.
The St. Louis Metro Port system ranks first among U.S. inland port districts for cargo tonnage per river mile, moving 24.8 million tons in 2024.
The Navy is soliciting bids on a program worth up to $15 billion to build a new drydock and modernize waterfront facilities at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.
A Florida tug captain will serve 18 months in prison for a Biscayne Bay barge collision that killed three children from a sailing camp.
Dozens of crew took to life rafts after fire broke out aboard the seismic research vessel Rem Andes off the Louisiana coast.
From Alabama to Washington State, U.S. shipyards are adding bigger travel lifts and cranes, backed by expanded MARAD grants, to take on larger work.
The Port of Los Angeles moved more than 1 million TEUs in September, the busiest month in its 118-year history.
Matson has christened Makua, the first of three new Jones Act Aloha Class containerships, at Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The 3,600-TEU, LNG-ready dual-fuel vessel marks a milestone in Matson’s $1 billion fleet renewal program and reinforces U.S. commercial shipbuilding.
South Korea’s Panstar Acro has completed a 50-day Arctic demonstration voyage along the Northern Sea Route, delivering valuable polar navigation data. Officials call it a springboard toward regular Arctic container service by 2030, with a larger trial planned for next year.
Methane slip is now a real cost for LNG-fueled ships, and measured data shows many engines exceed regulatory defaults.
ABS and the Department of Energy signed an MOU to study nuclear-powered ships and floating nuclear power plants.
Coast Guard teams are assessing damage, checking navigational aids and restoring communications to get Gulf ports moving again after Hurricane Isaias.
The Port of Astoria will spread the cost of its Pier 2 oil spill cleanup over 25 years with a $1.8 million Business Oregon loan.
The Army Corps will begin removing 175,000 cubic yards from Everett Harbor and the Snohomish River in mid-October.
Investigators say hackers briefly accessed the propulsion system of a Galveston-bound supertanker this summer.
South Africa will spin its port authority out of Transnet, ending a long player-referee conflict at its ports.
Savannah moved a record 504,015 TEUs in September as imports rose and the peak season stretched later than usual.
The Coast Guard is urging Pacific Northwest mariners and beachgoers to prepare now as heavy weather season arrives.
The Port of Vancouver USA won three AAPA awards for partnering with Cascadia Technical Academy on the region’s first high school Maritime Technology Program.
New pilot boats for New York, the lower Mississippi and Alaska are each built around very different local conditions.
The Coast Guard wants to drop six mariner training requirements it says exceed international STCW minimums.
Portland City Council approved tougher seismic and safety amendments for the Willamette River fuel hub that holds 90% of Oregon’s liquid fuel.
ABS, HD KSOE and Siemens are teaming up on digital twin simulations that predict how ammonia leaks spread aboard ships before they’re built.
The Capesize bulker Cape Falcon came free on the morning high tide off Gladstone, Australia, ending a week-long grounding. No injuries or pollution were reported, but authorities have detained the vessel pending a transport safety investigation.
A GAO report finds the Coast Guard has made strides addressing marine firefighting risks since a deadly 2023 Newark fire, yet gaps persist in training, funding, and response planning—particularly for vessels using alternative fuels like lithium-ion batteries and ammonia.
Maersk has completed the first 100 percent bioethanol ship-to-ship bunkering in the US, fueling the dual-fuel container vessel Tangier Maersk with POET-supplied ethanol — a milestone trial exploring alcohol-fuel interoperability for the industry’s ongoing decarbonization efforts.
Three days after fire broke out aboard the Greek ro/ro Blue Carrier 2 near Mykonos, firefighting tugs remain on scene as the vessel, towed to calmer waters, continues to burn, list, and face possible total loss.
The Panama Canal is easing draft limits and daily transit restrictions after improved rainfall and conservation measures stabilized Gatun Lake levels, giving shipowners added flexibility as global routing pressures continue to strain capacity.
Sea-Intelligence warns Asia’s container congestion crisis could take seven to 10 months to unwind, with 8.5 percent of the global fleet currently absorbed by delays. Regional freight rates are hitting record highs as repeated typhoons compound bottlenecks heading into the Lunar New Year cargo rush.
Record-low water levels on the Rhine are forcing European industries to adapt, with freight costs roughly five times higher than early summer. Chemical producers including BASF and Shell have curbed output or shifted cargo to rail and road as the shortage stretches into a third month.
Port Canaveral has signed a new 25-year lease with GT USA, expanding the operator’s footprint by 10 acres at the Port’s North Cargo Berth 6. The deal adds hurricane-resistant warehouses totaling nearly 170,000 square feet to handle breakbulk and general cargo.
“K” Line has taken delivery of Puteri Kelantan, a 174,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China, marking the third such vessel delivered for Petronas LNG in 2026. A fourth sister ship is scheduled to follow in November.
The Port of Oakland and the Army Corps’ San Francisco District signed a design agreement August 27 aboard the USS Potomac, advancing a $642 million project to widen Oakland Harbor’s inner and outer turning basins to accommodate larger vessels, with completion targeted for 2030.
The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a $315 million contract to Tutor Perini Corp. to build a new fuel pier and cutter mooring at Base Kodiak, Alaska, part of a broader infrastructure buildout positioning Kodiak as a primary Arctic operating base by 2030.
Whatcom County has finalized a $25 million MARAD grant to replace the 60-year-old ferry Whatcom Chief and rebuild the Lummi Island terminals.
Crowley has appointed Brea Schmidt chief financial officer, overseeing finance across its logistics, shipping, government and energy businesses.
All 25 crew of the MSC Hermes III were safely rescued after abandoning the containership east of Vietnam, with the larger MSC Ruby recovering them from a lifeboat as Singapore’s MRCC coordinated the response.
Container schedule reliability sank to 29% on-time in August as the Far East–Europe trade cratered to pandemic-era lows, Xeneta reports, with typhoons, port congestion, and Red Sea disruptions compounding pressure ahead of peak season.
The Capesize bulker Cape Falcon remains stuck off Gladstone, Australia, four days after grounding near a bunkering anchorage, with tug efforts so far unsuccessful and a full safety investigation planned once it is freed.
MARAD is offering up to $1.25 million for vessel designs that cut both fuel burn and underwater radiated noise.
Chinese seaborne coal volumes are falling but longer voyages are keeping dry bulk vessel demand resilient.
Crews will finish the Columbia River dock this winter, keeping Vancouver’s public market on track for 2028.
Maersk has confirmed orders for 26 large LNG dual-fuel containerships of 18,600 TEU each, ending days of speculation over a major fleet expansion. Deliveries are scheduled across 2029 and 2030, marking the carrier’s biggest newbuilding push after years of relatively restrained ordering.
Copper shipments worth up to half a billion dollars per vessel are straining the Port of New Orleans, a key metals gateway, as traders rush cargo into the U.S. ahead of a still-pending decision on expanding copper import tariffs, prompting some shippers to reroute metal by barge.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance reports YTD full exports 2.1 percent above the five-year average through August, while total container volumes declined 10.9 percent year-over-year. Terminal 5 also completed a major reefer plug expansion, boosting refrigerated capacity to support Washington’s agricultural and seafood export markets.
The Dali casualty has become the largest single loss in P&I market history, with reserves now exceeding $2.8 billion, according to Gallagher Specialty. The claim has reached a layer of the International Group’s insurance structure never previously tested at this scale.
U.S. Maritime Administrator Capt. Stephen M. Carmel toured Bluecore Energy’s Pier D facility at the Port of Long Beach, where the nuclear startup is developing small modular reactors for floating energy barges. The visit included a demonstration of the company’s SMR test pressure vessel.
The International Port of Coos Bay declared an emergency after rotted timber supports failed on a railroad bridge near Florence, halting service on the Coos Bay Rail Line for nearly a week. A $155,866 repair contract was awarded, with permanent components expected in October.
T. Parker Host is hiring an Operations Assistant to keep vessel agency operations moving — boarding ships, running documentation, and transporting crew, parts, and supplies around the clock.
A converted Caspian Sea firefighting tug is now Canada’s first new large Great Lakes cutter in three decades.
Three containers went overboard during cargo operations at the Port of Los Angeles, prompting a Coast Guard safety zone with two still submerged.
A converted Caspian Sea firefighting tug is now Canada’s first new large Great Lakes cutter in three decades.
Los Angeles moved more than 2.9 million TEUs across June, July and August, its busiest quarter ever.
The NTSB’s annual casualty review covers 49 investigations, including the Dali and the Titan submersible.
Drought is squeezing Panama transits, but the southern route around South America carries its own hazards.
The Coast Guard has committed another $173.7 million to rebuild Base Seattle for the Polar Security Cutter fleet.
A $669 million public-private terminal north of Wilmington aims to more than double the port’s capacity by 2029.
The heavy-lift ship Black Marlin has delivered China Zorrilla, the world’s largest electric ferry, to Uruguay after a 40-day voyage from Tasmania. The Incat-built vessel will begin service across the Rio de la Plata between Colonia del Sacramento and Buenos Aires.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s new digital credentialing platform, Navita, goes live September 14, replacing the ASAP portal as the primary system for Merchant Mariner Credential and medical certificate applications. The launch continues the Coast Guard’s recovery from a severe post-funding-lapse application backlog.
The Port of Long Beach handled its busiest August on record, moving 919,992 TEUs as U.S. container imports stayed stronger than expected through late summer. Imports rose 3.6 percent year over year, marking the fifth-busiest month in the port’s 115-year history.
Global port congestion has surpassed pandemic-era peaks, with Linerlytica reporting 4.31 million TEUs waiting to berth in late August. Typhoons, strikes, and cascading schedule disruptions are overwhelming gateways from Shanghai to Hamburg, with some Chinese terminals seeing waits of up to 12 days.
Colonial Terminals has opened Foundation 3, a new 25-acre breakbulk facility on the Savannah River, expanding its marine, rail, and trucking capabilities for the Southeast. The facility features an 810-foot heavy-capacity dock, over 14,000 feet of rail track, and 205,000 square feet of storage.
The Port of Hood River hopes to begin removing nine privately-owned boathouses from the Hood River Marina this winter, closing out a policy decision made in 2022. Commissioners issued a request for proposals in August, with contractor proposals due September 18.
The Port of Vancouver USA will screen Columbia River jetty documentary Taming the Mouth at Vancouver’s Kiggins Theatre on September 23, followed by a panel with the film team.
The Port of Baltimore has opened a four-acre on-dock grain transloading facility at Seagirt, giving agricultural exporters a direct route into its container network.
MSC Shipmanagement and a Hong Kong shipowner have pleaded guilty to MARPOL violations after crew aboard the MSC Samira III bypassed pollution controls and falsified records, resulting in a $1.75 million fine and probation.
The Panama Canal Authority has again postponed a planned draft cut at the Neopanamax Locks, holding the maximum draft at 48 feet as stable Gatun Lake levels ease pressure despite a forecasted Super El Niño drought.
MARAD has named 16 new maritime training institutions as Centers of Excellence, growing the federal workforce network to 48 schools nationwide as the U.S. pushes to expand shipbuilding capacity and mariner credentialing.
SAFEEN Drydocks has installed a 230-metre floating dock, the UAE’s largest, at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Port, expanding capacity for repair and maintenance work on larger commercial vessels and offshore rigs. The dock has a 21,000-tonne lifting capacity alongside 1,000 metres of new quayside.
New Pacific Industrial has launched at the former Kaiser Shipbuilding yard in Vancouver, Washington, debuting with a two-vessel newbuild contract for American Marine Corporation. It marks the first newbuild tug order in AMC’s 50-year history, with vessel design provided by naval architecture firm Glosten.
The U.S. Navy has tested a towable robotic refueling system for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) off Virginia, transferring roughly 400 gallons of diesel across 100 docking cycles. The system, developed with Sealartec, could extend USV endurance and reduce reliance on manned support vessels.
Sea-Intelligence reports all 14 of Asia’s busiest container ports have seen declining on-time vessel arrivals, driven by consecutive typhoons and wider supply chain disruption. Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan were hardest hit, with schedule reliability at Shanghai dropping to its lowest level in 14 years of recorded data.
The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a 30-year lease extension with Yusen Terminals, securing the operator’s presence at the Port of Los Angeles through 2056. The agreement includes an additional $200 million investment in zero-emission cargo-handling equipment.
Turkish search teams recovered an empty lifeboat and debris after a cargo ship carrying 10 crew is believed to have sunk following a Marmara Sea collision.
A bipartisan House bill would extend the foreign earned income exclusion to U.S. merchant mariners sailing in international trade, targeting a worsening mariner shortage.
EU-approved recycling yards used just 5 percent of their capacity while most EU tonnage was beached in South Asia.
Bremerton’s Drydock 4 is back in service after a $517 million seismic and operational overhaul.
A WWII subchaser that sank near Longview in 2022 is finally being pulled from the Columbia River.
Marad is activating SUNY Maritime’s training ship Empire State for a roughly 170-day federal mission beginning Sept. 1, reportedly to Diego Garcia, to help expand transportation capacity for naval personnel in the Indo-Pacific.
The IMO’s Intersessional Working Group reconvenes in London next week, with nations sharply split over carbon pricing, GHG Fuel Intensity targets, and how to structure the Net-Zero Framework’s proposed multibillion-dollar fund.
After a 10-day standoff and rejected ransom demands, Turkish naval commandos stormed the hijacked cargo ship Lutuf off Somalia, killing 14 pirates and freeing the vessel’s 10-member crew unharmed.
The Panama Canal Authority has announced immediate booking adjustments for Neopanamax vessels, allowing multiple and consecutive-day reservations, to ensure equitable slot access amid rising auction prices and an upcoming reduction in daily transit slots tied to ongoing El Niño-driven drought conditions.
British nuclear energy firm Core Power has signed a seven-year agreement with the U.S. Maritime Administration to build a 50-ship nuclear-powered merchant fleet of LNG tankers and containerships, aiming to counter Chinese competition and cut fuel costs despite higher per-vessel construction costs.
Rare warm-water catches continue off the Washington coast, with Sea Breeze Charters landing a nearly eight-foot striped marlin aboard the F/V Monte Carlo, and Shake N Bake’s crew reeling in the season’s first mako shark, as unusually warm ocean temperatures draw uncommon species north.
Corvus Energy has introduced Blue Whale NxtGen Power, a high-rate lithium iron phosphate battery system for tugs, workboats, offshore vessels, and ferries. The system is the first product from Corvus’s new partnership with BYD Energy Storage, aimed at supporting the maritime industry’s shift to zero-emission operations.
Master Boat Builders has launched Defiant, the third of eight RApport 2700-MP tugs under construction for Maritime Partners, as sister vessels Marauder and Titan enter service with E.N. Bisso & Son. Defiant is scheduled for delivery this fall.
After over a decade of planning and delays, Oregon State University’s PacWave wave energy testing facility officially opened with a ribbon cutting on August 27. The first-of-its-kind grid-connected site off the Oregon coast lets developers test wave energy devices without acquiring separate permits.
The Panama Canal will cut daily transits to 32 by mid-September as Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez warns of an eight-month El Niño and lake levels below pre-drought marks.
A Maryland judge has dismissed most remaining economic loss claims from the Dali Key Bridge disaster, sharply narrowing the civil case under a 1927 Supreme Court precedent.
Rhine water levels have risen sharply after recent rain, letting vessels load more cargo, though shallow-water restrictions at the Kaub chokepoint persist.
American Cruise Lines has named the 180-passenger American Rhapsody, a new U.S.-built riverboat that will sail the Columbia and Snake rivers from Portland beginning in 2029.
Low water on the Amazon pushes MSC, ONE and Maersk to add container surcharges of up to $1,900 per box.
Nearly 90 years after its New Deal construction, Bonneville Lock and Dam still delivers reliable hydroelectric power to the Pacific Northwest — generating electricity for about 900,000 homes while supporting fish passage, river navigation, and a legacy of regional history along the Columbia River.
MARAD takes delivery of Lone Star State, the fourth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel from Hanwha Philly Shipyard.
Sea-Intelligence estimates that 5 percent of global deep-sea container capacity is currently tied up by delays and congestion, well above the 2.2 percent pre-pandemic norm. That equates to roughly 1.7 million missing TEUs, with Asian ports, including Shanghai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, remaining the biggest hot spots.
Fitch Ratings has raised its rating on Galveston Wharves revenue bonds to ‘A+’ from ‘A,’ citing sustained cruise growth and strong financial performance. The Port of Galveston, the fourth busiest U.S. cruise port, opened its fourth cruise terminal in November 2025 and is planning a fifth.
The Panama Canal Authority is cutting daily booking capacity to 32 vessels from mid-September as worsening rainfall deficits and an approaching El Niño pattern force deeper defensive measures. Auction rules are also being restructured, with vessel types grouped separately and priority given to larger neopanamax ships.
The Houston Ship Channel region’s total trade tonnage rose 16 percent year to date through June, driven by a 22 percent jump in exports. Vessel traffic and Port Houston’s container volumes also grew, even as steel imports and total tonnage at public terminals declined.
Despite rough wind and choppy conditions on the Columbia River, Buoy 10 fishers turned out for the fourth annual Columbia River Salmon Derby in Chinook, Washington. The weekend event, benefiting the Port of Chinook, wrapped with a weigh-in, dinner, live music, and a community raffle.
The Port of Vancouver USA welcomed its 2 millionth Subaru vehicle, marking 33 years as North America’s largest Subaru import gateway.
The entire crew of the U.S.-flagged heavy-lift ship SLNC York was evacuated to a nearby vessel after flooding began in the Pacific, with the ship reported stable and under tow arrangements to port.
Germany’s Ver.di union launched a daylong warning strike affecting six seaports, including Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and Wilhelmshaven, halting most container and cargo operations. The action stems from a wage dispute, with new negotiations scheduled for August 24-25 in Hamburg.
The New York City Economic Development Corp. is seeking input from maritime operators on a proposed zero-emission container-on-barge service linking the Brooklyn Marine Terminal with the future Hunts Point Marine Terminal, part of the city’s Blue Highways freight initiative to reduce truck traffic.
The Washington State Ferries vessel Tilikum diverted from its route near Orcas Island to rescue boaters aboard a rapidly flooding rowboat. Crew members launched a rescue boat, safely brought the boaters ashore, and no medical treatment was required.
Ilwaco skippers are calling it their best season in years, with fuel costs the one drag on the run.
A shoebox-sized stack sensor clears Lloyd’s Register type approval for shipboard CO2 monitoring.
Portland’s largest ship repair group changes hands as Antin bets on a domestic shipyard buildout.
Karachi Port has completed dredging work deepening its navigation channel to 14 metres and East Wharf berths to 15.5 metres, enabling Noatum Ports Karachi Terminals to accommodate containerships up to 350 metres long and bulk vessels up to 120,000 metric tonnes.
The U.S. Coast Guard is closing Hawaii’s ports ahead of Tropical Storm Lala, which is forecast to strengthen into a rare Category 1 hurricane. Port condition Zulu takes effect Saturday morning, requiring vessels over 200 GT to depart unless granted special permission to remain.
Sea Grant led community members on a dockside tour of Warrenton Marina’s working waterfront, offering an up-close look at longline, troll, and trawl fishing vessels. Attendees learned how local fisheries operate and how to buy seafood directly from fishers along the docks.
A South Korean research team has built an AI navigation system that reroutes ships around weather conditions to keep exhaust plumes away from coastal communities.
Twenty-two crew were rescued through the AMVER system after an engine room fire forced them to abandon a car carrier 630 miles off Costa Rica.
Vigor’s Vancouver, Wash. yard has unveiled USAV Craney Island, the second next-generation Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) bound for the U.S. Army this fall.
Astoria’s Seamen’s Memorial honored mariners lost on the Columbia, with special tribute to a fallen rescue swimmer.
Hanwha has bid up to $1.2 billion for Austal USA, one of the largest builders of Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
The Rhine has hit its lowest level since 1880, effectively closing Kaub and pushing cargo onto rail and road.
MSC Shipmanagement has been fined $6 million and its chief engineer sentenced after the containership MSC Michigan VII made an uncontrolled full-speed run through Charleston harbor.
An NTSB report has found that unapproved torch work ignited methane gas aboard a New York City sludge tanker, killing the chief engineer and causing $10 million in damage.
Spanish company bound4blue has installed its eSail suction sail on Na Hiro E Pae, marking the first wind-assisted propulsion system fitted on a multipurpose cargo vessel. The newbuild will serve Tahiti and the Austral Islands, with the system expected to cut energy consumption by 10 percent.
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that the National Coast Guard Museum, the first national museum dedicated to its history, will open in New London, Connecticut, during the week of August 2, 2027, culminating on the Coast Guard’s birthday, August 4.
A historically strong El Niño could push California’s sea levels to record highs this winter, scientists warn, increasing risks of coastal flooding, beach erosion, and marine heat waves. Officials are also preparing for potential impacts on Dungeness crab fisheries as ocean temperatures continue to climb.
Chinese ports halted fueling, ferries and river traffic as Typhoon Dolphin closed on the coast.
TOTE has pulled more than 30 American shipbuilders and suppliers into the Navy’s $2.2 billion Medium Landing Ship program.
Crews have started winching the broken hull of MSC Baltic III onto a Newfoundland beach for dismantling.
On August 14, the Port of Vancouver USA and Subaru of America will celebrate the import of their 2 millionth vehicle since 1993, marking over three decades of partnership and North America’s largest Subaru import gateway.
A University of Michigan study commissioned by GSGP finds the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region holds untapped shipbuilding capacity, with 44 shipyard sites and 12,000+ suppliers positioned to support naval, commercial, and Arctic vessel programs through five strategic investment pathways.
NTSB blames a lookout failure and a pilot’s personal phone call for the fatal Houston Ship Channel collision.
Shipping Corporation of India has opened a $720 million tender for up to six LNG dual-fuel-ready 8,000 TEU containerships, part of New Delhi’s push to rebuild a national liner fleet. Bids are due August 31, with the vessels earmarked for the planned Bharat Container Shipping Line.
France is investing nearly $300 million across five ports—including Marseille-Fos and Brest—to build infrastructure for floating offshore wind energy. Part of the France 2030 initiative, the funding is expected to unlock close to $1 billion in total investment supporting the country’s wind power ambitions.
The Port of Coos Bay is ending its decade-long role operating Oregon’s state dredging vessels after this winter’s Garibaldi project. Officials cite years of staffing strain and deferred maintenance at Charleston Marina, as nearly half its maintenance crew has been diverted annually since 2016.
Cmdr. Michael Flint has taken command of Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, the MH-60 Jayhawk unit guarding the mouth of the Columbia.
A new Oregon-made documentary on the Columbia River jetty system, and the $40 billion in annual commerce it protects, is now streaming.
A defueling hose failure sent thousands of gallons of diesel into a boomed stretch of Seattle’s Elliott Bay.
A Pennsylvania federal court has dismissed the Dali owner’s construction-defect suit against Hyundai Heavy Industries, ruling the case belongs in another forum.
A fire and explosion aboard a sulfuric-acid tanker off Norway was quickly contained, with all 15 crew safe and no cargo release.
Resolve Marine has moved its Pacific Northwest hub to an expanded Foss Waterway facility in Tacoma, boosting its salvage and emergency-response capacity.
The Port of Portland’s new dredge tender Cowlitz brings quieter, purpose-built muscle to Columbia River channel maintenance.
HME Construction lands an $11.5 million Corps of Engineers contract for maintenance dredging in Portland.
HD Hyundai Samho has delivered Jane Maersk, its first Very Large Ammonia Carrier, to Maersk — the first of five VLACs ordered in 2023. The 93,000-cubic-meter vessel can carry both ammonia and LPG, as the shipbuilder’s VLAC orderbook grows to 22 ships worth $2.55 billion.
Ingalls Shipbuilding is extending its distributed shipbuilding model to amphibious transport docks, starting with Philadelphia (LPD 32). Building on efficiencies from the Flight III destroyer program, HII plans to grow outsourced shipbuilding hours by 30 percent in 2026 as it scales capacity for Navy fleet demand.
OSHA and the U.S. Coast Guard have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to enhance maritime worker safety coordination in Northwest Oregon. The agreement formalizes information sharing, joint inspections, and cross-training between Coast Guard Sector Columbia River and OSHA’s Portland area office.
Three nuclear ship concepts cleared design reviews this summer, but Approval in Principle isn’t a license to build or sail. Outdated codes, missing liability treaties, and unresolved port agreements stand between concept and keel.
Vigor Marine Group and Samsung Heavy Industries are teaming up to build a new maritime trades training center in the Pacific Northwest, tackling the industry’s workforce pipeline through shared curriculum and technology development
DP World has finished capital dredging at Senegal’s Port of Ndayane more than a year early, using two of the world’s largest suction dredgers to cut through solid rock and clear the way for the next construction phase.
A new GAO report projects the Coast Guard’s first Polar Security Cutter won’t arrive until 2033, with program costs now exceeding $6 billion.
A shrimp boat fire in Pensacola Harbor ended with the vessel sinking and diesel fuel spilling into the bay, prompting a Coast Guard-led cleanup.
Gunderson Marine & Iron has appointed Tom Lee, a 28-year veteran of heavy industrial construction, as its new president. Lee will lead daily operations as CEO Dee Burch shifts focus to strategic growth, capital investments, and partnerships across the maritime and industrial sectors.
USCG icebreaker Healy was towed back to Seattle on July 13 after a significant engineering casualty during post-refit sea trials off Washington. No injuries were reported. A source cited a crankcase explosion, marking the latest in a series of engineering setbacks for the vessel.
CSSC has delivered Wontanara, the first of five record-setting self-unloaders built for Rio Tinto’s Simandou project in Guinea. The shallow-draft, bidirectional vessels set new marks for size and discharge speed, moving 12,000 tons of ore per hour to support offshore transshipment operations.
America’s busiest container gateway is putting nuclear propulsion on the table with a first-of-its-kind federal partnership.
The Coast Guard and Rozema Boat Works authenticated the keel of the first SPC-HWX II vessel on July 8 in Mount Vernon, launching construction on a new heavy-weather craft built to serve Pacific Northwest waters, including Station Grays Harbor.
Mineralized ship-captured CO2 now counts under the EU carbon market, giving owners a fresh disposal route.
The Panama Canal Authority is suspending auctions for close-in Period 3 transit slots starting July 25, citing hydrological conditions tied to an expected El Niño pattern. The move affects about six percent of daily capacity and follows last month’s reduction in maximum vessel draft.
The Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center has cut merchant mariner credential processing times to four months, a major improvement from the 8-to-12-month estimate set in May following the 2026 funding lapse. Expanded staffing and surge processing continue to reduce the application backlog.
Hundreds watched as a 136-foot crane lifted the retired 122-ton fireboat David Campbell over the Barbey Maritime Center and into its new home at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The historic vessel, launched in 1927, served Portland Fire and Rescue for nearly a century.
Fake mayday calls are pulling Coast Guard crews off real Great Lakes rescues and could mean prison.
The Port of Benton plans a $3.3 million upgrade to its historic High Dock in Richland, adding shore power and expanded moorage to draw commercial vessels — including a proposed fertilizer plant and cruise line operations — as the facility positions itself for growing Columbia River traffic.
New safety guidance tackles the hidden hazards of methanol as it scales up as a marine fuel.
China has formed a national alliance to accelerate methanol marine fuel development and strengthen its green shipping supply chain.
JPMorgan Chase is investing $24 million to expand shipbuilding, workforce training, and submarine manufacturing in Philadelphia.
The Port of Oakland moved 181,356 TEUs in June, up 7.7% year over year, as loaded imports and exports both posted double-digit gains.
The Coast Guard’s new 64-foot heavy-weather rescue boat for the Pacific Northwest passed a key construction milestone as its keel was authenticated in Washington state.
ReCAAP reports a strong decline in piracy and armed robbery incidents across Asia in the first half of 2026, the lowest level since 2019. While the Straits of Malacca and Singapore saw sharp improvement, the Philippines recorded a rise in incidents, prompting stepped-up Coast Guard enforcement.
MARAD has simplified citizenship documentation requirements for vessel owners and maritime businesses participating in federal programs. The final rule, effective June 4, reduces paperwork, removes certain personal-information disclosures, and eliminates notarization, though it leaves underlying citizenship standards and foreign-ownership rules unchanged.
Amid global trade uncertainty, the Port of Vancouver USA’s 2026 State of the Port Report points to a strong year: 7.45mt of cargo moved, 339 vessel calls, record grain exports, a new soda ash facility underway, and continued investment in workforce development and sustainability.
Kongsberg Maritime is broadening its propulsion portfolio by acquiring Berg Propulsion, a 1912-founded specialist serving the volume vessel segment. The deal pairs Berg’s 4,000-vessel installed base with Kongsberg’s global service network, opening new aftermarket and cross-selling opportunities.
A Coast Guard crew pulled two fishermen from the water off the Washington coast — the region’s second vessel sinking in a week.
TOTE Services lands the Navy’s first-ever construction-manager contract, a $2.2 billion role steering the Medium Landing Ship program.
America’s third-largest city is finally getting an all-water container gateway of its own.
A $180 million settlement clears the way to finally modernize Alaska’s busiest inbound-cargo port
NOAA forecasters say the strengthening El Niño could become one of the strongest on record, with an 81% chance of reaching “very strong” status—raising fresh concerns for Panama Canal transits and global shipping.
The Port of Bellingham secures $23.5 million in federal BUILD funds to rebuild and modernize its North Pier shipping terminal.
The Port of Bellingham secures $23.5 million in federal BUILD funds to rebuild and modernize its North Pier shipping terminal.
The Port of Coos Bay has executed a US$25 million federal INFRA grant, matched by NorthPoint Development, to advance the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port. The combined US$50 million will fund permitting and engineering for the West Coast’s first ship-to-rail container gateway.
Maersk and Seaspan are rolling out a major fleet upgrade program, committing at least $75 million to retrofit 18 chartered vessels. The flagship project targets four 13,000 TEU ships with efficiency-boosting technology expected to lower slot costs by up to 13 percent.
A Carteret, N.J., fireboat sank on the Fourth of July after a surfacing whale struck it in Raritan Bay, sending the crew overboard.
A newly built Vietnamese cargo ship capsized a coastal fishing boat off Vietnam, killing one fisherman and leaving 16 rescued from the water.
A surge in freight rates has flipped Maersk’s 2026 outlook from a projected loss to billions in profit.
Washington-built boom boats are heading north to bolster Alyeska Pipeline’s around-the-clock oil-spill-response fleet in Valdez.
MARAD Administrator Capt. Stephen Carmel outlines how the Maritime Action Plan aims to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding, inland waterways, and the workboat workforce.
Siemens Energy will design and build medium-voltage shoreside charging infrastructure for Washington State Ferries as the largest U.S. ferry system advances fleet electrification.
The Portland Model Powerboat Association displayed and launched its hand-built model boats at Astoria’s Columbia River Maritime Museum.
The Coast Guard set a temporary Columbia River safety zone for the Richland Regatta hydroplane races on June 27–28.
A new Jones Act-compliant jack-up barge promises land-like stability and deep-water reach for North American marine construction.
Seacor Marine’s largest shareholder, Pointillist Family Office, is pressing the offshore-vessel operator’s board to pursue a sale, arguing the stock trades far below the fleet’s value.
Named Rasa, the world’s first waste-collection ship has launched at Lithuania’s Port of Klaipeda, running on locally produced green hydrogen and electricity to clean ships’ bilge water and sludge with zero harmful emissions.
New industry data shows a containership catches fire roughly every 17 days, with misdeclared lithium-ion batteries and chemicals driving the danger.
HD Hyundai is training autonomous, Nvidia-powered “Physical AI” robots to handle welding, painting and plate bending on their own as the shipbuilder pushes toward a fully digitalised “Future Advanced Shipyard” by 2030.
Solomon Islands authorities intercepted the Belize-flagged MV Wealth and detained 19 crew over suspected drug trafficking and smuggling across the Pacific.
The Dali’s chief engineer has admitted a criminal violation for failing to report a known hazard before the Key Bridge disaster – the first such admission in the case.
A new nonprofit is working to grow the Columbia River maritime workforce and support the small group of women crewing its tugs and towboats.
The Dali’s chief engineer is the first crew member charged over the 2024 Key Bridge disaster, under a deferred-prosecution agreement.
A retired Alaska Marine Lines cargo barge has been reborn as a floating World Cup fan zone on Seattle’s waterfront.
The NTSB blamed inadequate clearance checks for the $3.2 million collapse of the STAX 1 emissions barge’s capture arm at the Port of Los Angeles.
Three crew were killed after a supply boat and a landing craft collided and one vessel sank near Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal.
NOAA declares El Niño has arrived with a 63% chance of becoming one of the strongest on record — and the Panama Canal is already trimming vessel drafts.
OPB’s Think Out Loud examines how more than 160 years of dredging has reshaped the lower Columbia River’s shipping channel — and its ecosystem.
The Port of Portland has approved a ground lease for a $130 million, 950,000-square-foot logistics hub at PDX projected to create over 500 permanent jobs.
The Coast Guard warns industry after an undisclosed prototype shaft-seal material failed on a U.S.-flagged tanker, flooding both shaft seals near Delaware Bay.
ABS has proposed letting shipowners earn and trade carbon credits for energy-efficiency gains, offering a bridging mechanism in the divided IMO carbon-rules debate.
The Coast Guard is offering a $1,000 reward after a navigational beacon was stolen from a Lake Superior lighthouse, creating a serious hazard for commercial and recreational mariners.
The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will fully close to traffic June 9 from 11 a.m. to noon for a vessel lift.
A disabled towboat pushing 15 loaded coal barges drifted toward an Ohio River bridge before a tug brought it under control.
After a record $2.25 billion Maryland settlement and a flurry of last-minute deals, the Dali civil trial is on hold indefinitely.
A failed legacy fuel line beneath Pier 2 sent bunker oil into the Columbia River, drawing a weekend-long Coast Guard and DEQ cleanup.
Glosten CEO Morgan Fanberg says rebuilding U.S. commercial shipbuilding depends on investing in domestic naval architecture and the engineering talent behind it.
Navy, Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy ships have arrived on Portland’s waterfront for Fleet Week, triggering a series of Willamette River bridge lifts.
Master Boat Builders has launched Titan, the second of eight Robert Allan-designed RApport 2700-MP ship-assist and escort tugs being built for New Orleans-based Maritime Partners.
The Port of Portland’s Dredge Oregon launched its 2026 Lower Columbia River dredging season May 29, debuting a new tender — the Cowlitz — and running on R99 renewable diesel for the first time.
After five years of planning, the Port of Astoria has approved a 40-year master lease that finally puts its waterfront redevelopment into motion.
MFSA names Jim Merten as the new Training Coordinator for FPAAC, with his first assignment a comprehensive review of the program’s preparedness training.
After five years of planning, the Port of Astoria has approved a 40-year master lease that finally puts its waterfront redevelopment into motion.
ACBL has signed a lease with the Port of Houston Authority to develop 28 acres for new barge fleeting operations along the Houston Ship Channel.
A Stillstrom-led consortium has secured €5 million in EU funding to build the first offshore power zone for charging vessels at anchor off Skagen, Denmark.
The Capesize bulkers Cape XL and Huge Kumano collided in the Singapore Strait on May 20, locking together briefly before separating with no pollution or injuries reported.
Crews of the container ship El Coquí and tanker Stena Immaculate earned Chamber of Shipping of America honors for two distinct at-sea lifesaving actions.
Portland-based Advanced American Construction is entering the third season of a four-year U.S. Army Corps project to rebuild the Spirit Lake outlet works near Mount St. Helens.
Three Vigor Marine yards in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, plus Sause Bros. in Coos Bay, were honored in the SCA’s 2025 safety awards.
The U.S. Navy commissioned its 16th and final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship in Cleveland, Ohio — the first Navy commissioning in the state’s history.
Davie has locked in a $3.5 billion contract to build Arctic Security Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard, with hulls split between Finland and Texas.
Union Maritime’s third WindWings-equipped LR2 tanker marks a shift from pilot installations to repeatable commercial deployment of wind propulsion.
Federal prosecutors charge the Dali’s operator and a technical superintendent with conspiracy and obstruction in the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse.
Tacoma and the Puyallup Tribe greenlight a Blair Waterway widening project that pairs cargo expansion with salmon habitat restoration.
Wärtsilä has launched a modular onboard grease trap series designed to keep fats, oils, and grease out of ship discharge systems — a practical new tool for fleet operators navigating tightening environmental compliance requirements at sea.
The global containership orderbook has hit a record 13 million TEU — and shipping consultancy Linerlytica is warning that the industry’s capacity discipline may be tested like never before as the delivery wave accelerates.
American Cruise Lines’ newest and most spacious riverboat, American Encore, launched its sold-out inaugural season today from Portland — marking the arrival of the eighth American Cruise Lines vessel to call the Columbia and Snake Rivers home.
The IMO’s Net Zero Framework survived a coordinated push to weaken or dismantle it at MEPC 84, with a narrow majority of member states reaffirming it as the basis for negotiations — and setting December as the next shot at formal adoption.
MARAD has awarded $774 million to 37 U.S. port projects — from Alaska to West Virginia — in one of the largest single-round port infrastructure investments in recent history.
A new global ports report finds near-universal commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 — but warns that progress is fragmenting along regional and financial fault lines just as the pressure to act intensifies.
Washington is pouring historic funding into American shipbuilding — but a joint congressional hearing this week revealed that investment alone won’t fix decades of delays, cost overruns, and industrial base failures.
The Coast Guard’s decision to homeport its first two new Arctic icebreakers in Alaska signals a generational shift in U.S. Arctic strategy — and a changing of the guard for the Pacific Northwest’s icebreaking fleet.
The Port of Vancouver USA has earned its 17th consecutive clean audit — a nearly two-decade streak of flawless financial accountability from Washington State’s independent auditor.
A Seattle-Gulf Coast tug partnership has landed a $300 million, 20-year contract to build and operate four hybrid escort tugs for Woodside Energy’s massive Louisiana LNG terminal.
A bunkering mishap at Europe’s second-busiest port sent oil into the Scheldt River and across protected Dutch wetlands, triggering a weeks-long environmental cleanup with lasting operational and ecological consequences.
China’s first all-electric intelligent container ship has entered commercial service, setting a new global benchmark for zero-emission coastal shipping.
One of the shortest Great Lakes winter closures on record kicked off a promising 2026 international shipping seaA bunkering accident at the Port of Antwerp sent heavy fuel oil spilling into the Scheldt River and across protected wetlands, halting ship traffic and triggering a weeks-long cleanup operation.son, with the first ocean vessel arriving loaded with steel mill equipment from Taiwan.
One of the shortest Great Lakes winter closures on record kicked off a promising 2026 international shipping season, with the first ocean vessel arriving loaded with steel mill equipment from Taiwan.
The Army Corps has approved a Columbia River dredging project to expand ship turning basins, despite environmental concerns over endangered fish.
VIKING has introduced a new immersion suit designed to improve emergency donning speed while meeting U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
MARAD has opened applications for nearly $489 million in port infrastructure funding through the FY26 PIDP program, with a June 1 deadline.
VIKING has launched a new Helix marine evacuation system designed to speed passenger evacuation and reduce crew workload on cruise and ferry vessels.
From biofouling and corrosion to ROVs and cavitation technology, hull maintenance is a critical — and evolving — discipline at the heart of maritime efficiency and sustainability.
Frog Ferry is launching a community ownership model for Portland’s first electric passenger ferry, with shares starting at $300 and connecting Willamette River neighborhoods.
The tugboat Gale sank in Baltimore’s Curtis Creek after striking a submerged object, prompting a rescue response and environmental precautions for nearly 6,200 gallons of onboard fuel and oil.
A Baltimore towboat taking on water after striking an object prompted a mayday response, with all crew safely rescued and no injuries reported.
Real-time monitoring and sensor technology are helping vessel crews improve maintenance visibility, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life.
The Liberian Registry is urging stronger seafarer compliance measures as sanctions enforcement intensifies across the global maritime industry.
Trident Seafoods is suing Tacoma, alleging firefighting decisions caused a contained vessel fire to spread, resulting in the total loss of the Kodiak Enterprise.
Multiple boats caught fire on the Columbia River near Rainier, Oregon, leaving one vessel sunk and another partially submerged, with no reported injuries.
Marine Group Boat Works will build a multi-deck live fire training simulator aboard an LCM-8 vessel to enhance shipboard firefighting training in San Diego Bay.
A tugboat captain faces seaman’s manslaughter charges after a fatal Biscayne Bay collision involving a barge and a children’s sailboat left three dead.
MFSA participated in the 2026 National Harbor Safety Conference in Seattle, where the Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee received a U.S. Coast Guard award for its leadership in maritime safety.
MarAd has announced a $35 million investment in small U.S. shipyards to fund facility upgrades, new equipment, and workforce training, continuing efforts to strengthen domestic maritime capabilities.
MarAd is investing $13.2 million in marine highway projects to boost freight capacity, infrastructure, and supply chain resilience.
A growing “fleet blindness” gap is leaving operators with strong technical data but limited insight into real onboard crew conditions.
Automation and AI are reshaping seafaring, reducing hands-on experience while introducing new risks like alarm fatigue, cognitive stress, and uncertainty about future roles.
MARAD has released the FY26 PIDP NOFO, offering nearly $489 million in funding for port infrastructure projects focused on safety, efficiency, and supply chain resilience.
The Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee received the Distinguished Harbor Safety Committee Award at the National Harbor Safety Conference.
A federal funding dispute has placed the U.S. Coast Guard in shutdown mode, disrupting key maritime safety services and delaying mariner credentialing nationwide.
Two crewmembers died in a confined space incident aboard a barge near Ketchikan, highlighting the persistent dangers of enclosed spaces at sea.
The transition from sea to shore is a major financial shift for mariners, requiring careful planning around pensions, taxes, investments, and income strategies.
U.S. authorities are warning commercial vessels of continued security risks in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, including drones, mines, and projectile strikes.
U.S. authorities are warning commercial vessels of continued security risks in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, including drones, mines, and projectile strikes.
The grounded barge Defiant was successfully refloated and removed from San Juan Harbor, allowing the port to resume normal operations.
The ILO, ICS, and ITF marked 20 years of the Maritime Labour Convention, renewing calls to strengthen seafarer protections and recognize mariners as essential workers.
A containership collided with two ferries while maneuvering in Santos harbor, forcing crew members into the water. No serious injuries were reported.
A coordinated regional response brought a cargo hold fire under control at the Port of Vancouver USA, with no injuries reported.
An ATB grounded after the officer of the watch fell asleep, highlighting fatigue risks and the critical importance of sleep management at sea.
Two seafarers were killed and one injured after an engine room fire aboard the Singapore-flagged bulker Mandy off northern China. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Two seafarers were killed and one injured after an engine room fire aboard the Singapore-flagged bulker Mandy off northern China. Authorities are investigating the incident.
A Liberian-flagged tanker struck a dock and damaged a crane while maneuvering into Russia’s Port of Ust-Luga amid heavy ice conditions. No injuries or pollution were reported.
Applications for five-year designations are open through April 13, 2026, with MARAD offering guidance via an informational webinar and Federal Register notice outlining selection criteria.
The Small Shipyard Grant Program will receive $35 million in FY 2026, continuing bipartisan support for shipyard modernization and workforce training.
Port of Vancouver USA is a key Columbia River trade hub, supporting diverse cargo operations while investing in clean energy and sustainable port development.
The IMO has approved a plan to develop interim safety guidelines for wind-assisted propulsion by 2029, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for wider commercial adoption.
A major WMU survey finds high stress, long hours, and declining retention across the global seafaring workforce, raising concerns about safety and the industry’s long-term sustainability.
A UK investigation found that medical oversight failures and defective recovery equipment contributed to the fatal fall of a marine pilot during a routine vessel boarding near the Humber Estuary.
After a two-month firefighting and salvage effort, the containership ONE Henry Hudson has departed the Port of Los Angeles for repairs in Asia.
German responders extinguished an engine room fire aboard the car carrier MS Thames Highway off Borkum, safely accounting for all crew and highlighting ongoing EV fire safety concerns.
A fire in the engine room of the towing vessel Thor on the Delaware River caused $1.5 million in damage, but quick crew action prevented injuries and pollution.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka outlined a “Build Bigger and Build Smarter” strategy to expand capacity, modernize operations, and lead in sustainability after a 10.2 million-TEU year.
Fewer ships and fewer jobs at the Port of Seattle are pushing longshore workers—especially entry-level casuals—into years of uncertainty, raising doubts about the future of dock work amid tariffs and global trade shifts.
Autonomous ships are moving from trials to real-world operations, but safety, regulation, and human oversight remain central as MASS technology reshapes global shipping.
Global piracy incidents rose again in 2025, with the Singapore Straits leading worldwide reports and violence against crews remaining a key concern.
Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that would permanently block public port funds from paying for fully automated container-handling equipment, drawing strong labor support and industry concern.
Maritime advocates say a new harassment definition under the Safer Seas Act clarifies reporting rules but leaves widespread shipboard psychological abuse outside federal protection.
A Florida harbor pilot was killed after falling from a pilot ladder in Panama City, highlighting ongoing safety risks during vessel transfer operations.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy will lead a new U.S.–Finland shipbuilding fellowship program aimed at closing a critical skills gap and rebuilding America’s shipyard workforce.
Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba outlined a vision to double cargo volumes by 2050, backed by major rail, terminal, and digital investments, during his first State of the Port address.
Adm. Kevin Lunday was sworn in as the 28th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, pledging to lead the service through modernization while supporting its workforce and mission readiness.
The NTSB found that excess weight forward and reduced freeboard caused barge PTC 706 to be forced underwater at the head of a 34-barge tow on the Lower Mississippi River.
Container discharge operations have begun on the fire-damaged ONE Henry Hudson, marking a key recovery phase after one of the Port of Los Angeles’ most complex salvage efforts.
Maersk has confirmed the first permanent return of a major container service to the trans-Suez route, signaling cautious confidence that Red Sea security conditions have improved.
The Coast Guard’s investigation into the Grande Costa D’Avorio fire identifies multiple safety concerns and issues recommendations following the deaths of two firefighters and $23 million in vessel damage.
New IMO amendments in force from Jan. 1 strengthen seafarer welfare, fire safety, container reporting, fuel standards, polar operations, and shipboard technology across multiple conventions.
New IMO amendments in force from Jan. 1 strengthen seafarer welfare, fire safety, container reporting, fuel standards, polar operations, and shipboard technology across multiple conventions.
The TwinShip consortium’s latest pilot demonstrates an unmanned Ro-Ro vessel using digital twins and active weather routing to harvest wind and wave energy—cutting green fuel dependence on the path to net zero.
Master Boat Builders has launched the tugboat Jill, the final vessel in a six-boat RApport 2800 series, purpose-built to support Gulf LNG terminal operations with high bollard pull and FFV1 firefighting capability.
Alternative-fuel ship orders stayed strong in 2025 despite a softer market, but Lloyd’s Register warns that faster adoption, more retrofits, and major investment are still needed to meet 2030 decarbonization targets.
The Labor Department has awarded nearly $14 million to maritime colleges to train the next generation of U.S. shipbuilders, supporting workforce growth as shipbuilding becomes a national security priority.
MarAd has taken over deepwater port licensing from the Coast Guard, assuming environmental review duties in an effort to speed approvals and support expanded U.S. offshore energy development.
Oregon Container Terminal has officially launched at Portland’s Terminal 6, restoring Oregon’s only international container gateway and providing a stable, competitive shipping option for regional exporters and importers.
Texas A&M engineers have unveiled Smart-Sea, a machine-learning system that analyzes radar data and vessel maneuverability to give seafarers real-time guidance aimed at preventing marine collisions.
The NTSB says fatigue linked to an acute COVID-19 infection caused the captain of the towing vessel Schweiger to fall asleep, leading to a dock strike and fuel spill near Ilwaco, Washington.
As ships grow more connected, ransomware and cyber intrusions threaten core vessel systems, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to impose mandatory cybersecurity training and compliance deadlines starting in 2026.
Below-average polar sea ice and shifting ice patterns are tightening navigation windows just as expanded IMO Polar Code requirements take effect in 2026, increasing the importance of real-time ice data and voyage planning.
The NTSB says dense fog, rain, and unlit moored barges contributed to a $501,000 towboat contact near Norco after the William E. Strait was pushed astern during a tow reconfiguration.
From specialized packaging and preshipment testing to real-time sensors and customer tracking, proactive cold-chain strategies can dramatically reduce spoilage risks in marine shipments of perishable goods.
CMA CGM and Maersk ships are once again transiting the Suez Canal, signaling a tentative recovery of the Red Sea route after months of security-driven diversions around Africa.
Offshore hot work accidents—from welding-triggered fires to deadly explosions—remain a major threat as investigations show permits, fire watches, and gas monitoring are too often ignored, putting crews at extreme risk.
Stephen Carmel has been confirmed as the 21st MarAd administrator, taking a central role in implementing President Trump’s maritime agenda and shaping U.S. commercial shipping and strategic sealift policy.
The MAIB is investigating how 16 reefer containers were lost from Baltic Klipper in heavy seas near Portsmouth, triggering Solent channel disruption and an ongoing West Sussex shoreline cleanup.
The Port Authority has extended Maher Terminals’ lease through 2063, locking in long-term investment, capacity expansion, and net-zero commitments at the Port of New York and New Jersey’s largest container terminal as cargo volumes climb.
A new GAO report finds that, despite post–Bonhomme Richard reforms, persistent gaps in contractor oversight, weak financial penalties, and outdated liability limits continue to put Navy ships at risk of catastrophic maintenance-period fires.
An NTSB investigation has found that incompatible lashing gear and heavy weather allowed lithium-ion battery units to shift aboard the Genius Star XI, triggering thermal runaway fires that caused $3.8 million in damage and renewed concerns over battery cargo safety at sea.
Despite a double-digit drop in November volumes, the Port of Los Angeles is on track to top 10 million TEUs in 2025, ranking among its three busiest years ever as tariffs cool cargo demand nationwide.
An NTSB investigation has found that a single loose signal wire aboard the Dali triggered the blackout that led to Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse, exposing major gaps in bridge protections, shipboard redundancy, and worker evacuation procedures.
I-5 bridge replacement leaders now say an updated cost estimate won’t arrive until at least spring 2026, as they await a Coast Guard ruling on whether the new Columbia River span must include a costly movable section.
DOT has opened the FY 2026 BUILD grant competition, with applications due February 24, 2026, while ongoing port and marine highway grants and Washington State’s new Freight System Plan invite broader maritime and freight input.
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking navigation-focused comments on the proposed I-5 replacement bridge over the Columbia River, especially from operators needing more than 116 feet of vertical clearance, with input due by January 11, 2026.
A merchant ship has fended off armed small craft west of Yemen, the latest Red Sea security scare as traffic through the Suez Canal slowly recovers and authorities warn that regional risks remain far from eliminated.
An NTSB investigation has found that a single loose signal wire aboard the Dali triggered the blackout that led to Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse, exposing major gaps in bridge protection and emergency communication.
Long-term records from Macquarie Island show a 28% jump in rainfall since 1979, hinting that the Southern Ocean may be “sweating” more and reshaping global currents, carbon uptake, and fragile sub-Antarctic ecosystems.
Global trade is set to top $35 trillion in 2025, fueled by seaborne goods and services growth, even as geopolitical fragmentation, shifting shipping patterns, and mounting cost pressures signal a tougher outlook for maritime trade in 2026.
Shoreline cleanup teams are working across West Sussex after the Baltic Klipper lost 16 containers in the Solent, sending fruit and polystyrene onto beaches and into nearby neighborhoods as authorities race to recover remaining boxes.
Nine crewmembers have been kidnapped and one injured from the LPG carrier CGAS Saturn off Equatorial Guinea, underscoring the persistent kidnap-for-ransom piracy threat facing seafarers in the Gulf of Guinea.
As lithium batteries, alternative fuels and automated systems reshape maritime fire risk, experts warn that training and response plans are falling behind—putting the spotlight on the 2026 National Harbor Safety Conference in Seattle.
Bulk carrier Bobic has fended off two attempted pirate attacks in the Bab-el-Mandeb, underscoring persistent security risks as container lines cautiously resume Red Sea and Suez Canal transits with crew safety still under close scrutiny.
Longtime Chief Operating Officer Dr. Noel Hacegaba has been selected as the next CEO of the Port of Long Beach, tasked with steering the nation’s second-busiest container gateway through a decade of green investment and digital transformation
Nine seafarers have been kidnapped from the Portugal-flagged LPG carrier CGas Saturn off Equatorial Guinea, in the latest Gulf of Guinea piracy attack despite stepped-up naval patrols and regional security cooperation.
Norsepower and Idemitsu Tanker are fitting two next-generation VLCCs with explosion-proof rotor sails, bringing large-scale wind-assisted propulsion to crude oil shipping and advancing Japan’s role in low-carbon tanker innovation.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, IIJA) authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) for FY 2026 for Local and Regional Project Assistance Program Grants under National Infrastructure Investments.
A days-long fire aboard the containership ONE Henry Hudson has been contained off the Port of Los Angeles, with all crew safe, air quality within normal limits, and salvage teams working under Unified Command to stabilize the vessel and its cargo.
The Port of Seattle has authorized the next phase in the East Waterway Superfund cleanup, issuing a public solicitation for a firm to lead the remedial design—marking a major milestone in restoring the Duwamish River and protecting local communities.
A search and rescue mission is underway in the Pearl River Estuary after a Chinese bulker sank following a collision with the Wan Hai A17 containership, leaving two seafarers missing and 13 rescued.
International crewing provider Danica warns of rising cases of falsified seafarer experience in the tanker sector, urging shipowners to strengthen vetting processes and work only with reputable agencies to protect safety and reputation.
JPMorgan Chase has launched a $1.5 trillion, 10-year Security and Resiliency Initiative, pledging major investments in America’s shipbuilding sector and other industries vital to national economic security.
ABS is redefining maritime training with the acquisition of MetaSHIP, launching immersive, game-based learning solutions to equip the global maritime workforce with critical skills for a rapidly evolving industry.
NOAA has confirmed the emergence of La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific, with the phenomenon expected to persist through winter 2025–26, potentially influencing global weather and key maritime operations.
Royal Wagenborg has confirmed the successful refloating of the Thamesborg after 33 days aground in the Franklin Strait, with the vessel now en route to a port of refuge ahead of Arctic winter conditions.
The IMO is poised to adopt the world’s first global carbon pricing scheme for shipping, marking a historic step toward net-zero emissions and a transformative moment for international maritime regulation.
Oregon authorities are stepping up efforts to tag and remove abandoned and derelict vessels from state waterways, balancing environmental risks, navigation safety, and the realities of housing insecurity as the number of neglected boats continues to rise.
A long-awaited report into the Wakashio disaster off Mauritius exposes a series of human errors, navigation failures, and crew distractions—including alcohol use and attempts to access mobile networks—that led to one of the country’s worst marine pollution crises.
The Port of Los Angeles has issued an RFP for the pre-development of Pier 500—a new, next-generation marine container terminal and the port’s first major expansion in over 20 years.
A month after running aground in Canada’s Northwest Passage, the Dutch cargo vessel Thamesborg remains stranded as salvage teams, now assisted by the icebreaker Botnica, race to refloat the ship before winter sea ice closes in.
AMSA is sounding the alarm over persistent failures in container cargo securing on ships arriving at Australian ports, citing recent incidents of lost and damaged containers and urging operators to strengthen compliance and crew training.
Recovery operations following the Mississippi container collapse at the Port of Long Beach are complete, with all 95 lost containers recovered and safety restrictions lifted as the vessel departs for Asia.
Five major U.S. unions are urging lawmakers to pass the SHIPS for America Act, which would secure long-term funding for domestic shipbuilding by reinvesting new port fees on Chinese vessels into maritime infrastructure and security.
The Port of Los Angeles maintained strong cargo volumes in August 2025, processing 958,355 TEUs and marking the best two-month performance of any port in the Western Hemisphere.
A unified command has launched pollution response efforts after the tugboat Dominion sank at Bremerton Marina, deploying containment booms and skimmers to mitigate diesel and oil spills while salvage plans are developed.
A new MAIB report reveals that a fire aboard the Finnmaster ro-ro cargo vessel in Hull was caused by faulty fuel system modifications and compounded by multiple emergency system failures, prompting a series of safety recommendations.
A surge in vessel fires and growing reluctance by ports to offer refuge is leaving fire-damaged ships stranded at sea for months, escalating risks and costs for owners, insurers, and crews.
The U.S. Coast Guard has extended the recency period for sea service requirements to seven years for national officer endorsements, opening new doors for mariners returning to the industry after a career break.
Salvage teams at the Port of Long Beach have recovered 32 containers from the Mississippi incident, with all unaffected cargo secured and no new pollution detected as recovery and investigation efforts continue under a Unified Command.
Making the leap from sea to shoreside can be daunting for mariners—but with the right connections, financial strategy, and preparation, you can chart a smooth course toward your next career and life ashore.
The Port of Portland has secured the future of Oregon’s only active international container terminal, Terminal 6, by approving a long-term operating agreement with Harbor Industrial, ensuring continued container shipping and economic stability for the region.
Davie Defense has unveiled a $1 billion plan to transform the Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston, Texas, into the “American Icebreaker Factory,” a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to building U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters and revitalizing American shipbuilding.
The NTSB has issued a safety alert urging improved training and awareness for land-based firefighters responding to vessel fires in U.S. ports, following investigations that revealed fatal gaps in marine firefighting preparedness.
A major container collapse aboard the MV Mississippi at the Port of Long Beach has led to the loss of 67 containers into harbor waters, prompting a unified emergency response and the establishment of a safety zone at Pier G.
Yara Clean Ammonia has begun construction of the world’s first renewable ammonia-powered containership, Yara Eyde, marking a major milestone in maritime decarbonization and the adoption of low-emission fuels for shipping.
Swedish company eMarine will deploy 1,500 ABB NINVA™ non-invasive temperature sensors across cruise and cargo vessels, marking the technology’s debut in the global marine sector and advancing decarbonization and energy efficiency.
The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has released updated safety guidelines addressing the unique fire risks of transporting electric vehicles by sea, offering new best practices for carriers, operators, and insurers.
The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a $137 million contract to modernize Base Seattle, paving the way for new Polar Security Cutters and marking the largest environmental cleanup in Coast Guard history.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has withdrawn $679 million in funding from 12 offshore wind projects, redirecting resources to port upgrades and traditional maritime infrastructure as part of a major policy shift under the Trump Administration.
This Labor Day weekend, Olympia’s waterfront comes alive with the 51st annual Harbor Days Festival, featuring the Pacific Northwest’s last remaining tugboat races, vintage vessel tours, and family-friendly maritime celebrations on Budd Inlet.
Effective fluid filtration is essential for the health and reliability of ship propulsion, hydraulic, and cooling systems. With evolving regulations and rising operational demands, modern marine filtration solutions are driving cost savings, compliance, and operational continuity at sea.
Explore upcoming CDMCS industry events, including the Global Damage Prevention Summit in Dallas and the 2025 Annual Meeting & Leadership in Safety Awards in Washington, DC. Discover exclusive membership benefits and ways to get involved in advancing safety and innovation across dredging and marine construction.
Explore upcoming CDMCS industry events, including the Global Damage Prevention Summit in Dallas and the 2025 Annual Meeting & Leadership in Safety Awards in Washington, DC. Discover exclusive membership benefits and ways to get involved in advancing safety and innovation across dredging and marine construction.
Marine Log’s FERRIES 2025 Conference will spotlight 16 years of hybrid-electric ferry innovation, featuring insights from the captain of America’s first hybrid-electric passenger vessel and Siemens Energy’s marine solutions leader.
A hacker group has claimed responsibility for a major cyber attack disabling communications on over 60 Iranian tanker and cargo vessels, marking the second large-scale breach of Iran’s maritime sector this year.
The U.S. Coast Guard arrested the captain of the Liberian-flagged containership MSC Jubilee IX in Seattle after he was found severely intoxicated while in command. Quick action by a Puget Sound Pilot and the first mate ensured the vessel’s safe arrival.
The Maersk Triple-E class containership Marie Maersk has resumed its eastbound voyage around the Cape of Good Hope after successfully containing a container fire off the Liberian coast. External firefighting teams remain on board as a precaution.
External firefighting crews have joined the Marie Maersk’s crew in battling a container fire off the Liberian coast. While the blaze is contained, it has yet to be fully extinguished, and the vessel’s port of refuge is still under review.
The Greek cargo vessel MN Kostas has partially sunk off Crete nearly a month after grounding on a reef, with only its bow now visible above water. All 14 crew were safely evacuated, and no pollution has been reported.
A groundbreaking partnership between the BoatUS Foundation and NOAA is bringing new funding to remove abandoned and derelict vessels from Oregon’s waterways, aiming to clear dozens of high-risk boats and restore local rivers and coasts.
Shipper complaints are piling up at the US Federal Maritime Commission, with DB Schenker USA and Wallenius Wilhelmsen facing new claims over documentation failures, cargo delays, and post-pandemic operational issues.
A Liberian-flagged coal carrier, W Sapphire, suffered an explosion on the Patapsco River near Baltimore’s Key Bridge demolition site, reigniting concerns about port safety, bulk cargo hazards, and the city’s lack of a Vessel Traffic Service system.
The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) is urging marine insurers to strengthen due diligence and ethical underwriting practices as regulatory scrutiny grows around modern slavery and forced labor risks in global maritime supply chains.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group has received the go-ahead to build two 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries for Washington State Ferries—the first competitively bid ferry construction in over 25 years—marking a major leap in American shipbuilding and green transportation.
The crew of the Marie Maersk has contained a fire aboard the massive containership off the Liberian coast, with external support and ongoing crisis management ensuring vessel safety as investigations continue.
The U.S. Coast Guard has set Port Condition X-RAY for all seaports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as Tropical Storm Erin approaches, urging mariners and residents to prepare for escalating conditions and potential hurricane impacts this weekend.
The Maritime Commerce Club is excited to announce the upcoming Harbor Splash 2025!
A St. Clair County man has pleaded guilty to falsifying merchant mariner training records, highlighting growing concerns about credential fraud and its risks to Great Lakes safety.
The UN Security Council convened for a high-level debate on maritime security, spotlighting escalating threats to global shipping—from piracy and cyberattacks to geopolitical tensions and climate challenges. Leaders called for strengthened multilateral cooperation to ensure the safety and resilience of global trade’s most vital arteries.
USCGC Storis, the Coast Guard’s first new polar icebreaker in over 25 years, has been commissioned in Alaska, bolstering U.S. Arctic presence and marking a milestone in Coast Guard modernization.
Coast Guard crews from two districts rescued three mariners from the disabled fishing vessel Defiant, 95 miles off Newport, Oregon, delivering supplies and towing the vessel safely back to port.
Mythos AI’s Advanced Pilot Assist System is now live on a Southern Devall towboat—the first use of this technology on the Mississippi River—ushering in a new era of navigation safety and efficiency for U.S. inland waterways.
The owner of the M/V DALI is suing Hyundai Heavy Industries, claiming defective switchboard design caused the power failures that led to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
Seafarer happiness rose to 7.54/10 in Q2 2025, driven by better connectivity, food, and crew camaraderie, but serious concerns remain over safety standards, training, and manning pressures, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index.
Saint Maarten has warned against fraudulent flag registry operations, clarifying that it does not issue international ship or seafarer certificates and urging stakeholders to verify credentials through official channels.
Despite major military and Coast Guard investments, U.S. commercial shipyards remain sidelined. Industry growth hinges on new legislation, trade policy, and incentive programs—like the SHIPS for America Act—to spur private investment and restore America’s commercial shipbuilding strength.
The Trump administration has canceled all federal offshore wind energy areas—including those off Oregon’s coast—pausing local floating wind projects. Oregon continues to develop its own roadmap for future renewable energy opportunities.
MARAD has awarded $6.2 billion in contracts to manage its Ready Reserve Force fleet, ensuring rapid-response sealift support for U.S. military and humanitarian missions worldwide.
The Wenatchee, now the largest electrified passenger ferry in the U.S., is back in full-time service on the Seattle/Bainbridge route, marking a major step in Washington State Ferries’ clean fleet transition.
The Wenatchee, now the largest electrified passenger ferry in the U.S., is back in full-time service on the Seattle/Bainbridge route, marking a major step in Washington State Ferries’ clean fleet transition.
AWO has published a new Falls Overboard Prevention Report and is hosting a Safety Standdown Day on August 28 to raise industry-wide awareness and promote best practices for mariner safety.
Eric Stolzenberg has been appointed director of the NTSB’s Office of Marine Safety, bringing extensive maritime and investigative experience to the role as the agency addresses several high-profile marine incidents.
An explosion—likely from a mine—aboard the Ukrainian dredger Ingulskiy in the Bystre waterway has killed three crew members and injured others, prompting the channel’s closure and an ongoing investigation by authorities.
CMA CGM has reflagged the CMA CGM Phoenix as the largest U.S.-flagged containership, marking a major step in its $20 billion plan to expand American-flagged shipping and support U.S. maritime jobs and training.
TAIC’s investigation into the Achilles Bulker incident found that poor welding during a 2021 drydock led to the vessel’s rudder loss in 2023. The report calls for improved quality assurance in rudder maintenance and global standards for safer ship operations.
The Pacific Producer’s long-awaited demolition this summer caps nearly two years and $5 million in cleanup and removal costs, spotlighting the Pacific Northwest’s mounting crisis of abandoned government vessels and the urgent need for federal reform.
MARAD has awarded $8.75 million in Small Shipyard Grants to 17 U.S. shipyards, funding advanced equipment and workforce training to strengthen American shipbuilding and maritime innovation.
Bibby Marine has laid the keel for the world’s first hybrid methanol-battery e-CSOV, a zero-emission vessel designed to support offshore wind farms with cutting-edge battery and methanol technology, marking a milestone for sustainable maritime innovation.
Matson has suspended shipments of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on its vessels, citing lithium-ion battery fire risks after recent high-profile incidents at sea. The company awaits industry-wide safety solutions before resuming EV transport.
MITAGS’ Maritime Apprenticeship Program provides a practical, debt-free route to a maritime career, allowing participants to earn a deck officer’s license in just two years through classroom and hands-on training at sea.
NYU Tandon’s Offshore Wind Innovation Hub has named six startups to its 2025 accelerator cohort, supporting next-generation solutions for turbine maintenance and marine life monitoring in New York’s growing offshore wind sector.
MITAGS’ Maritime Apprenticeship Program provides a practical, debt-free route to a maritime career, allowing participants to earn a deck officer’s license in just two years through classroom and hands-on training at sea.
The ITF reports a 30% surge in seafarer abandonment cases in 2025, with over 2,200 crew left stranded and unpaid. Flags of Convenience and weak enforcement are fueling the crisis, prompting calls for urgent global action.
The Port of Coos Bay is advancing a $2.3 billion international shipping terminal and rail project, set to generate thousands of jobs and boost economic growth on Oregon’s south coast. With major state and federal investments, the terminal could open as soon as 2030.
The Coast Guard has secured over $24 billion in historic investments to modernize its fleet, infrastructure, and technology, supporting Force Design 2028 and strengthening America’s maritime security for decades to come.
Norway’s Enova program has allocated $76 million to support hydrogen and ammonia-powered ships and infrastructure, advancing maritime decarbonization and fostering new green industries in Norway.
The U.S. Coast Guard is renaming its nine operational districts with geographic names, moving away from World War II-era numbers to enhance clarity and public communication.
Fincantieri will appoint George Moutafis as CEO of its U.S. unit, betting on a revival of American shipbuilding as the company expands hiring and plans to resume icebreaker construction at its Wisconsin shipyard.
USACE will begin 24/7 mechanical clamshell dredging in Grays Harbor, Inner Harbor, Washington, on July 16, 2025, improving navigation safety for local boaters and supporting regional commerce. Waterway users are advised to keep clear of dredging areas.
Washington State Ferries has awarded a $714.5 million contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries, advancing the state’s push for greener, more reliable maritime transportation.
U.S. seaborne grain exports climbed 9% in early 2025, as exporters shifted focus to new markets after Chinese tariffs slashed trade volumes. Despite overall growth, tonne mile demand dropped due to shorter shipping routes and continued challenges for soya bean and sorghum exports.
The World Shipping Council’s annual report shows 576 containers lost at sea in 2024—well below the 10-year average—despite increased risks from rerouted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope due to Red Sea disruptions.
The Indian Navy’s INS Tabar is leading firefighting efforts on the MT Yi Cheng 6 in the Gulf of Oman, after the tanker suffered a major engine room fire and power failure. Naval teams have reduced the fire’s intensity, highlighting the importance of maritime safety operations in this key shipping corridor.
Demolition of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remnants will begin in early July, marking a major milestone in the rebuilding process. Expect increased activity on the Patapsco River, with a strong focus on safety, environmental protection, and community engagement.
HII and C3 AI are expanding their partnership to integrate artificial intelligence across HII’s shipbuilding operations, aiming to boost throughput and support U.S. Navy fleet readiness through smarter planning and supply chain management.
bound4blue’s eSAIL® system has proven its value on the Ville de Bordeaux, cutting fuel use by an average of 1.7 metric tons per day and reducing annual CO₂ emissions by over 2,000 metric tons, according to third-party assessment.
Maritime Partners and SWITCH Maritime have partnered to finance and expand next-generation, zero-emission ferries in the U.S., starting with the hydrogen-powered “Sea Change” and aiming to accelerate the transition of aging diesel fleets to clean technology.
Gard’s latest Crew Claims Report reveals a 25% rise in seafarer fatalities, with illness and stress-related conditions as leading causes. The report urges the maritime industry to prioritize crew mental and physical wellbeing to improve safety at sea.
MaraSoft’s Marad Fleet Management System, trusted by thousands of maritime operators globally, delivers practical and powerful tools to streamline operations for vessels of all types, from merchant ships to offshore rigs.
Austal USA launched its first steel ship, the future USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11), a next-generation Navy towing, salvage, and rescue vessel named for a renowned Native American activist and veteran. The ship is over 85% complete and preparing for sea trials.
Two oil tankers collided near the Strait of Hormuz, catching fire amid electronic interference from regional conflict. All crew were safely evacuated, with no injuries or pollution reported, as authorities investigate navigation errors in this vital oil shipping lane.
President Trump’s revocation of the Columbia Snake River dam breaching MOU preserves vital transportation, agriculture, and energy resources for the Pacific Northwest, with stakeholders stressing that salmon recovery and economic health can go hand in hand.
The Coast Guard plans to discontinue 350 buoys in the Northeast as it modernizes aids to navigation, reflecting the maritime industry’s shift toward advanced digital navigation tools while maintaining physical safety measures.
Davie is expanding into the U.S. shipbuilding market by acquiring Gulf Copper’s Texas assets, aiming to address America’s icebreaker shortage with a $1 billion investment and proven polar shipbuilding expertise.
The latest GCMD survey reveals that decarbonisation has become a strategic priority for most shipowners and operators, with more companies setting net zero targets and deploying low-carbon fuels and efficiency measures across their fleets.
A groundbreaking study from MIT and Georgia Tech shows that using heavy fuel oil with scrubbers on ships can match or surpass low-sulfur fuels in environmental impact, challenging assumptions about marine emissions and the “greenness” of scrubber technology.
The Department of Homeland Security has canceled a delayed Legend-class National Security Cutter contract with HII, saving $260 million and signaling a strategic shift toward the Coast Guard’s OPC and PSC programs.
The Morning Midas car carrier remains ablaze off Alaska’s coast, prompting a large-scale salvage operation and close monitoring by the Coast Guard. All crew were safely evacuated, and the vessel—carrying thousands of vehicles, including electric models—has shown no signs of pollution as tugs mobilize for response.
The Morning Midas car carrier remains ablaze off Alaska’s coast, prompting a large-scale salvage operation and close monitoring by the Coast Guard. All crew were safely evacuated, and the vessel—carrying thousands of vehicles, including electric models—has shown no signs of pollution as tugs mobilize for response.
A devastating fire on the Singapore-flagged MV WAN HAI 503 off India’s southwest coast has left four crew missing and forced the rescue of 18 others, as Indian Coast Guard teams battle the blaze and environmental risks from the drifting vessel.
A Coast Guard C-130J overflight has confirmed that the fire aboard the car carrier Morning Midas has spread across multiple decks, causing the vessel to list by the stern. All crew have been safely evacuated, and salvage efforts are in progress as the ship remains adrift off Alaska.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s new icebreaker, USCGC Storis, has set sail on its maiden Arctic voyage, boosting American polar capabilities with a modern vessel and hybrid crew, and reinforcing national interests in the increasingly strategic Arctic region.
A major fire broke out on the car carrier Morning Midas off Alaska, prompting a full crew evacuation and a large-scale emergency response. The vessel was carrying hundreds of electric vehicles, spotlighting the fire risks tied to lithium-ion batteries at sea.
Hines Furlong Line has taken delivery of the Donny Mudgett, the lead vessel in its 11-vessel newbuild series, showcasing a partnership with Intracoastal Iron Works and Laborde Products to advance inland river transportation.
NTSB transcripts from the Dali containership reveal persistent technical alarms, communication lapses, and missed warnings in the hours before the vessel’s power loss and fatal collision with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, underscoring one of the most devastating maritime accidents in recent U.S. history.
The Washington State Ferry M/V Wenatchee has become the largest U.S. passenger ferry to be converted to hybrid-electric power, following an extensive 21-month project by Vigor Marine Seattle. The upgrade marks a major step toward cleaner, more sustainable ferry operations.
A new study from Cardiff University exposes rising fatigue and inadequate medical care among cargo ship seafarers, with over a third reporting insufficient sleep and many lacking access to qualified medical personnel.
The Dredge Oregon has launched its 2025 season on the Columbia River, removing sediment to keep the navigation channel open for commercial vessels and supporting thousands of regional jobs and businesses.
In 2024, global vessel losses hit a record low, but the maritime industry faces new challenges such as cyber threats, geopolitical tensions, and a surge in fire incidents, according to Allianz Commercial’s latest Safety and Shipping Review.
The Port of Vancouver USA is extending the NW Lower River Road bike and pedestrian pathway, with construction on Segments 4 and 5 beginning this summer. The new trail will enhance connectivity, safety, and environmental stewardship in the region.
The NTSB’s investigation into the City of Louisville grounding on the Mississippi River underscores the risks of leaving the helm unattended and stresses the need for operational pilothouse alerter systems and robust safety protocols.
The container ship NCL Salten ran aground only meters from a cabin near Trondheim, Norway, prompting an investigation into possible technical failure or human error.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is investigating vessel flagging practices, focusing on the growing use of flags of convenience and their potential negative impact on U.S. shipping trade, safety, and security. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments during the 90-day review period.
MAN Energy Solutions is set to deliver the world’s most powerful two-stroke methanol engine, the MAN B&W 12G95ME-C10.5-LGIM, in June 2025. This milestone engine, built by CSSC-MES Diesel Co., Ltd., will power a new generation of ultra-large container vessels and supports the maritime industry’s shift toward carbon-neutral propulsion.
Washington State Ferries has received bids from Eastern Shipbuilding and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders to construct up to five new 160-car hybrid-electric ferries. The state is reviewing proposals and considering options to balance costs and support local industry.
The integration of real-time 3D forward looking sonar is transforming USV operations, providing enhanced underwater situational awareness for navigation, environmental protection, and data sharing across fleets.
The Port of Vancouver USA, in collaboration with Vancouver Bulk Terminal and Solvay, has started construction on a cutting-edge soda ash terminal. The new facility will boost export capacity, support critical industries, and drive local economic growth.
Two unrelated vessel fires on the Scot Stuttgart chemical tanker and Breezy Point ferry in Puerto Rico were quickly contained, with no injuries or pollution reported. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating both incidents to enhance maritime safety.
Robert Allan Ltd. and Schottel celebrate their 500th tug milestone with Tug No. 500, a dual-fuel methanol escort tug built for KOTUG Canada, highlighting innovation in sustainable marine technology.
The Port of Vancouver USA will temporarily close its north administration building for renovations starting May 30, 2025. Commission meetings and public services will relocate during this period.
The United Shipbuilding Alliance, formed by Bollinger Shipyards and Edison Chouest Offshore, accelerates Arctic icebreaker production with a cost-efficient commercial construction model to enhance U.S. maritime capabilities.
GLDD celebrates the USACE’s 250th anniversary by showcasing the PortMiami Deep Dredge Project, which deepened Miami’s harbor and included extensive environmental mitigation efforts.
DeepOcean’s USV Challenger, equipped with an advanced electric ROV and launch system, promises cost-effective and autonomous subsea operations, reducing reliance on traditional vessels.
The U.S. Coast Guard simplifies the reflagging process for foreign ships under the American Registry, enhancing efficiency and supporting the Ready Reserve Fleet while creating opportunities for American mariners.
Helm Operations partners with Washington State Ferries to modernize crew dispatching with Helm CONNECT, boosting efficiency and compliance for the U.S.’s largest ferry system.
The NTSB’s report on the Grande Costa D’Avorio fire at Port Newark reveals firefighter training gaps and vessel design flaws that led to two fatalities. Recommendations include enhanced training and safety upgrades.
Wärtsilä introduces a shipboard carbon capture solution, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70%. Successfully tested on Clipper Eris, this technology is a game-changer for maritime decarbonization.
King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division is set to receive a 46-foot diesel-electric hybrid patrol boat from Moose Boats, combining emissions reduction with advanced operational technology.
The container vessel Maersk Sana faced engine issues en route to Singapore, leading to injuries and medical evacuations. Maersk is investigating the incident to ensure future safety.
European firms surpassed Q1 2025 earnings forecasts, led by pharmaceuticals, banking, and technology. However, tariffs and weaker global growth continue to challenge industrials and discretionary sectors.
JAXPORT celebrates the maiden voyage of Quetzal, Crowley’s LNG-powered containership, marking a step forward in sustainable shipping and expanded trade capacity with Central America and the Caribbean.
The Port of Vancouver USA received its 16th consecutive clean financial audit from the Washington State Auditor’s Office, showcasing its dedication to transparency and responsible public fund management.
Orion Group Holdings achieved a 17.4% revenue increase and 100.4% rise in adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025, backed by $349 million in new contracts and a growing backlog of $839.7 million.
The SHIPS for America Act seeks to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry, adding 250 U.S.-flagged ships and boosting maritime jobs while addressing national security and economic challenges.
A butadiene gas leak on a barge at the Houston Ship Channel was swiftly contained, with no injuries or air quality risks reported. The channel has resumed full operations.
The Johnny M towing vessel fire, caused by a catastrophic engine failure, highlights critical flaws in marine fire protection systems and the need for enhanced vessel safety designs.
The M/V ISLA DE BIOKO and GINNY STONE collision on the Lower Mississippi River led to a barge breakaway, a sunken vessel, and temporary waterway closure. Investigations are ongoing.
The container explosion on YM Mobility was caused by thermal runaway in a shipment of TBPB due to improper handling. This highlights the risks of transporting hazardous self-heating chemicals in hot weather.
U.S. LNG exports to the EU increased by 20% in April 2025, while Russian LNG shipments declined by 35%. Rising demand from Spain and the EU transshipment ban are reshaping the LNG trade landscape.
Arc Boat Co. unveils the first truckable electric tugboat at the Port of Los Angeles, combining zero-emission technology with high-performance features to revolutionize maritime operations.
Hapag-Lloyd sees a 30% decline in U.S.-China shipments amidst trade tensions, with rising demand for consignments from Southeast Asia reshaping global shipping trends.
Japan’s first hydrogen-powered tugboat, launched by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, reduces CO2 emissions by 60% using a dual-fuel hydrogen ICE. The vessel highlights a step forward in carbon-neutral maritime innovation.
Japan’s first hydrogen-powered tugboat, launched by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, reduces CO2 emissions by 60% using a dual-fuel hydrogen ICE. The vessel highlights a step forward in carbon-neutral maritime innovation.
USCGC Healy, the largest U.S. icebreaker, advances Arctic research, navigation safety, and U.S. presence in polar waters. Learn about its advanced features and notable missions.
Crowley is charting a new course in workforce development, blending innovation, inclusivity, and purpose to attract and retain the next generation of maritime professionals while addressing industry challenges.
The U.S. maritime industry is facing workforce shortages, sustainability challenges, and global trade complexities. NAWE is spearheading efforts to address these issues with initiatives in workforce training, clean energy adoption, and regulatory advocacy to secure a resilient and thriving waterfront sector.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Business Oregon, is surveying small and medium-sized businesses to understand the impact of recent tariff changes. This anonymous survey, aimed at global trade participants, highlights the economic challenges posed by tariffs and the need for stability in Oregon’s trade-reliant economy.
Crowley’s LNG-powered cargo ship Quetzal makes its first U.S. port call at Port Everglades, showcasing sustainable innovation and reduced emissions in maritime trade.
Two injured crewmembers were evacuated from the Glomar Venture after it collided with a North Sea wind turbine. Dutch authorities are investigating the offshore incident.
The International Labour Organization’s Joint Maritime Commission has approved wage increases for seafarers, boosting minimum pay to $715 by 2028. This agreement highlights global efforts to ensure fair treatment and decent work at sea.
The Port of Seattle is appealing a city decision to rezone Sodo for housing development, warning it could disrupt maritime operations and harm the region’s trade economy.
The IMO’s net-zero emissions framework sets mandatory limits and carbon pricing for global shipping, marking a major climate milestone. However, critics warn it lacks the ambition needed to meet key climate goals.
The NTSB urges better marine firefighting training for land-based responders after investigating the Grande Costa D’Avorio fire in Newark, which exposed critical safety gaps and resulted in fatalities and significant vessel damage.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s HOMEPORT portal shutdown disrupts credential verification and maritime security processes, leaving the industry relying on temporary alternatives for essential services and compliance tools.
Arcadis celebrates the grand opening of its Portland office, strengthening client connections, enhancing collaboration, and advancing sustainable solutions across the Pacific Northwest region.
A two-day drill conductor course led by the Alaskan Marine Safety Education Association trained commercial fishermen in essential emergency response skills, ensuring safer fishing operations and crew preparedness.
The Port of Vancouver USA’s 2024 Port Report Video celebrates a landmark year, emphasizing financial growth, diverse cargo operations, and tenant achievements that drive regional economic benefits and sustainability efforts.
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs’ hydrogen-powered SOV design earns Approval in Principle, paving the way for zero-emission maritime operations and advancing sustainable innovation in the shipping industry.
Baku Shipyard unveils Azerbaijan’s first domestically built cutter suction dredger, showcasing advanced design by Damen Shipyards and marking a milestone in the nation’s shipbuilding industry.
Following a fatal collision with the Solong, the damaged tanker Stena Immaculate has successfully transferred its cargo to the Fure Vyl. The vessel is now preparing for towing to Great Yarmouth.
The M/V Atlantic Orchard now features bound4blue’s 26-meter eSAILs, offering a 10% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. This milestone highlights the potential of wind-assisted propulsion in shipping decarbonization.
Wärtsilä introduces a methane slip reduction solution for 50DF engines, cutting emissions by 75% and improving fuel efficiency. This innovation aids the maritime industry’s push for sustainable operations.
Exciting news for our vibrant maritime network—this week, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the release of the Small Shipyard Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity.
February 2025 marks Clean Rivers Cooperative Operations Manager Carl Boelter’s 15-year anniversary with the Cooperative. We are proud to celebrate Carl this month and spotlight his service and dedication to the Cooperative.
The Clean Rivers Cooperative Operations and Training Facility in NW Portland underwent a remodel project in 2024. The construction started mid-July and finished up at the end of November.
Left to Right: Cooperative General Manager Vanessa Green, John Hartup, Jerry Holmes, Cooperative Operations Manager Carl Boelter
Read about the MFSA annual Command Level training exercise.
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