Joakim Haraldsson from Lund University suggests aluminum as a sustainable maritime fuel, potentially cutting CO2 emissions. Renewable energy can be stored in aluminum, released through oxidation on ships. However, challenges like oxide layer formation need addressing. Haraldsson’s research is preliminary, requiring further study before aluminum can be commercially viable in shipping.
Satellite navigation interference off Ras Al Khaimah is misleading vessels into incorrect straight-line paths toward the Strait of Hormuz. MarineTraffic’s analysis reveals discrepancies in navigation patterns, raising alarms from the Joint Maritime Information Center about increased electronic interference. This has resulted in navigation inconsistencies, complicating maritime operations in a critical risk zone.
The introduction of a new British Standard mandates appropriately fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for women in the UK marine industry. Despite this, a Women in Boat Building survey revealed that 90% of female workers still wear ill-fitting gear, compromising safety and comfort, highlighting a critical gap in awareness among marine companies.
The UK government has pledged £271 million to speed up cleaner shipping technologies and low-emission vessels, aiming to decarbonize the maritime sector. This funding will foster the development of sustainable maritime technologies and infrastructure, supporting emissions reduction and job creation in coastal communities, while enhancing the industry’s environmental responsibility.
TT-Line’s ro-ro passenger vessels, Nils Holgersson and Peter Pan, successfully utilized bio-LNG in 2025, significantly reducing emissions. These 230-meter ships, commissioned in 2022 and 2023, operate in the Baltic Sea, connecting Germany, Sweden, Poland, and Lithuania. COO Andreas Schaerli highlighted bio-LNG’s role in climate protection, offering customers a sustainable travel option.
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are alarming global markets, particularly energy and agriculture. The UNCTAD report highlights that this vital corridor, crucial for 25% of the world’s oil trade and significant fertilizer shipments, threatens developing economies already burdened by high debt and rising import costs, risking food insecurity.
In response to increased investment in global subsea cables due to cloud computing and AI, ABS has released a Technical Standard for Subsea Power Cables. This standard addresses challenges in design, installation, and operation, providing a framework to enhance system integrity and resilience for offshore assets and digital infrastructure.
The Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA) has voiced strong support for the national plan from the National People’s Congress, underscoring Hong Kong’s significance as an international financial and shipping hub. Chairman Richard Hext highlighted the maritime sector’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, including the launch of the Maritime Talent Cultivation Alliance.
COSCO Shipping has suspended operations at Balboa port, the gateway to the Panama Canal, as reported by La Prensa. Clients are directed to return empty containers to alternative terminals. The reasons for this halt remain unclear, following a Supreme Court ruling that annulled key contracts held by Panama Ports Company.
Cool Carriers is expanding its fleet with seven new Type Reefer Carriers from Kitanihon Shipbuilding. The first vessel, Snow Flower, was delivered on March 4. Each ship can transport 5,000 high-cube pallets and 168 reefer containers, enhancing the company’s capacity and competitiveness in global trade routes for perishables.
Shipping activities at major Belgian ports are severely disrupted due to an extended strike by sea pilots and maritime traffic controllers. With only essential personnel on duty, 26 ships are anchored in the North Sea, and many vessels face delays in Antwerp and Ghent, impacting maritime operations significantly.
Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC has temporarily closed its Ruwais refinery due to a fire from a drone strike, highlighting vulnerabilities in regional energy infrastructure amid rising tensions. The government confirmed no injuries, but details on the affected facility remain undisclosed. Other operations at the complex reportedly continue as normal.
ABB has secured a contract to deliver an integrated electrical power, propulsion, and automation system for two hybrid-electric cable repair vessels for Orange Marine. Scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029, these vessels will enhance submarine cable maintenance across various oceans, utilizing advanced technology to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently seized approximately 214 pounds of cocaine, valued at $1.7 million, hidden in a parasitic device on the M/V Medstar. The vessel, arriving from the Dominican Republic, was inspected using underwater drone technology, showcasing the effectiveness of advanced tools in combating drug smuggling. An investigation is ongoing.
Jan De Nul has teamed up with Ulstein Design & Solutions to create a cutting-edge subsea trenching vessel, set for delivery in 2028. Featuring a modular design and the ULSTEIN X-BOW hull, the vessel will enhance efficiency in trenching operations while minimizing carbon emissions through advanced filtration and compatibility with biofuels.
