India is contemplating a temporary transfer of its stake in Chabahar Port to an Iranian entity due to the upcoming expiration of a US sanctions waiver on April 26, 2026. The plan aims to safeguard India’s strategic interests while maintaining access to the port, crucial for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has outlined the process for migrating seafarer profiles to the new e-Samudra portal, ensuring a seamless transition for all maritime personnel. Seafarers are advised to verify their mobile numbers and email addresses on the existing portal to receive important migration notifications.
In a major step for maritime decarbonization, Anew Climate and Seaspan Energy successfully conducted their first ship-to-ship loading of renewable liquefied natural gas (Bio-LNG) at the Port of Long Beach, California. This operation marks a pivotal advancement in transitioning to lower-carbon marine fuels along the North American West Coast.
The Chemical Distribution Institute, ICS, OCIMF, and SIGTTO have launched the second edition of the Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied Gases. This updated guide incorporates current best practices and regulatory advancements, serving as a vital resource for safe STS operations worldwide, particularly for vessel Masters and regulatory authorities.
Hanwha Ocean of South Korea has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by completing the world’s first ship-to-ship transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) during sea trials off Geoje Island. This operation, involving the vessels Maran Gas Syros and Woodside Jirrubakura, underscores advancements in LNG transport technology and clean energy shipping.
The successful transfer of jet fuel cargo from the damaged tanker Stena Immaculate has been completed, with preparations underway to bring the vessel into a UK port. The collision with the feeder ship Solong led to a fire, crew abandonment, and one missing crewmember presumed dead. Salvors are stabilizing the situation and conducting clean-up operations.
Maersk’s surprising decision to shift container ships from Felixstowe to London Gateway in 2025, in partnership with Hapag-Lloyd, aims to boost industry schedule reliability to 90%. This move will consolidate Asia-Europe and Middle East-Europe trade at the new port, impacting the longstanding 2M alliance with MSC.
Damen Shipyards Group tackles the challenge of charging fully electric Crew Transfer Vessels at wind farms with a vessel-to-vessel charging design. By integrating large battery systems on vessels like CSOVs, Damen ensures energy access without compromising capabilities. The automated charging system, developed by MJR, allows for efficient charging between vessels, enhancing crew transfer operations at offshore wind farms.
A groundbreaking project in the UK will transform a crew transfer vessel into the world’s first retrofitted Electric Crew Transfer Vessel (E-CTV). The vessel, currently known as the Ginny Louise, will operate entirely on electric power, with new propulsion systems and advanced technology for safer, faster, and emissions-free transfers.
