Video: Ukraine Claims First Strike in the Mediterranean on Shadow Tanker

U.S. Navy Test-Launches an Iranian Drone Clone From a Ship's Helideck

Published Dec 18, 2025 11:23 PM by The Maritime Executive

Iran has perfected the high-volume, low-cost suicide drone with the Shahed-136, a small piston-engined one way attack drone used by Iranian and Russian forces. Thousands have been built and launched at Ukrainian bases, seaports, powerplants and apartment blocks, to devastating effect. Since the ubiquitous Shahed is combat-proven and easy to mass-produce, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are skipping clean-sheet R&D and are testing an American adaptation of the infamous Iranian design. On Tuesday, the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS...

Port of NY/NJ Reaches Landmark Agreement Extending Maher Terminals Lease

Published Dec 18, 2025 8:21 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a new agreement that it is calling a landmark as it prepares for the long-term future growth of the port, which is the largest on the U.S. East Coast. It directly supports the Port Authority’s Port Master Plan 2050, which forecasts cargo volumes doubling or tripling by mid-century. The Port Authority Board of Commissioners voted to approve a 33-year lease extension at Maher Terminals, the largest and busiest container terminal...

Report: White House Solicits U.S. Oil Firms' Interest in Venezuelan Assets

Published Dec 18, 2025 8:06 PM by The Maritime Executive

After the U.S. Coast Guard seized a sanctioned tanker carrying Venezuelan crude off Trinidad last week, the regime of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro called it "piracy" and accused the Trump administration of plotting to take Venezuela's oil resources. In a statement Tuesday, Trump confirmed that one political objective of the military buildup around Venezuela was to retrieve "the oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us," a reference to Venezuelan resources that were developed by American oil...

Austal Defense Finalized $680M First Government Contract

Published Dec 18, 2025 7:18 PM by The Maritime Executive

Austal announced on Thursday, December 18, that the contract for the Australian Army’s new Landing Craft Medium has been officially awarded, valued at over A$1 billion (US$680 million). The LCM, along with the planned Landing Craft Heavy assignment, is the cornerstone of the expansion of shipbuilding in Western Australia and the company’s selection as strategic shipbuilder for Australia. The LCM Design and Build Tasking statement contract announced today appoints Austal subsidiary, Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia, to complete the detailed design...

Shipping

South Africa’s Historic Polar Research Vessel Set for Auction

A South African court has ordered the auction of the country’s historic polar research vessel S.A. Agulhas. The vessel had served as South Africa’s research base for 35 years before its retirement and a sale, which had promised to revitalize the vessel. After completing two scientific charters in the first half of this year, S.A. Agulhas, however, came under judicial arrest in the Port of Durban. The vessel had been facing financial difficulties, which led financial creditors to take legal...

Tugs & Salvage

The derelict freighter just off Puerto Montt (Ruben Vega / VesselFinder)

Aging Freighter Sinks at Anchor in Puerto Montt

A derelict freighter has partially sunk at anchor in Puerto Montt, Chile, creating a risk of possible diesel pollution in a pristine region. According to local media, the freighter Fusion took on a list at her permanent anchorage in a sheltered bay at Puerto Montt, and on Saturday she was found partially submerged. (Local outlet Soy Chile suggests the vessel was aground on a soft bottom, and listed during an unusually high tide.) The ship is less than 100 feet...

Government

SECNAV Unveils New U.S. Frigate Program Based on USCG Cutter

Three weeks after announcing that they were canceling the Constellation-class frigate program, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced a new program designed to quickly get ships into service cost-effectively. The new FF(X) small combatant Phelan announced would be based on the Legend-Class National Security Cutter, and he predicted the first hull would be in the water in 2028. In a video statement posted online, Phelan called the cutter a proven design that is already protecting America. He cited the...

Corporate News

Damen Delivers New Tugs to the Fairplay Towage Group and Louis Meyer

[By: Damen Shipyards Group] On 21 November, Damen Shipyards Group delivered three new tugs, consisting of an RSD Tug 2513 named Fairplay-98, and two ASD Tugs 2312 named Fairplay-86 and Fairplay-87. The RSD Tugs 2513 and one ASD Tug 2312 have been delivered direct to the Fairplay Towage Group, while the other ASD Tug 2312 was delivered to Neue Schleppdampfschiffsreederei Louis Meyer GmbH & Co. KG. This vessel has also joined the Fairplay Towage fleet on a long-term bareboat charter....

Cruise Ships

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

[By Maikel Arts] As the cruise industry embraces LNG, the focus has shifted from proving feasibility to tackling methane slip. New engine technology, independent validation, and how the cruise sector is operating high-profile vessels such as MSC’s World Europa, Princess Cruises’ Princess Sun and Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas are showing how LNG is maturing into a credible, scalable fuel solution for passenger shipping. All of these ships use the latest advanced Wärtsilä engines, demonstrating how technology and operational...

Ports

Positive Steps

Container cargo exporters and importers need to have their heads on a swivel when looking back at what happened in the first six months of 2025 and looking forward to the rest of the year. Uncertainty over cargo volumes in upcoming months is widespread as the issues of trade, tariffs and a return to normalcy in trade lanes like the Red Sea keep industry analysts vigilant. But despite some unpredictability in the future direction of global trade, container ports continue...

Shipping

South Africa’s Historic Polar Research Vessel Set for Auction

Tugs & Salvage

Aging Freighter Sinks at Anchor in Puerto Montt

Government

SECNAV Unveils New U.S. Frigate Program Based on USCG Cutter

Corporate News

Damen Delivers New Tugs to the Fairplay Towage Group and Louis Meyer

Cruise Ships

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

Ports

Positive Steps

Offshore

Court Denies Motion for Injunction of BOEM’s Review of Maryland COP

A federal court judge in Maryland has denied a request by offshore wind developer US Wind for a preliminary injunction against the federal government in its ongoing fight to save its planned offshore wind project off Ocean City, Maryland. It is the latest twist in the ongoing court battle over Maryland’s first offshore wind project and the broader battle against the Trump administration’s efforts to derail the industry and revoke existing permits. US Wind, which is a partnership between investment...

Shipbuilding

Austal Defense Finalized $680M First Government Contract

Environment

Norway Grants Over $120M for Hydrogen and Ammonia Ships and Bunkering

Norway announced a new round of financing grants valued at more than $120 million as it continues to support the conversion to zero—emissions fuels in shipping and other segments. Providing the support through Enova, a state enterprise owned by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway seeks to build new industry and develop leadership in the new segments of the economy while reaching its goals for decarbonization. The new round focuses on seven ships, which it views as pioneers in...

Business

Shaping Class for the Future

This has been a significant year for ClassNK and for Hayato Suga, who stepped up to the role of President & CEO in March. Drawing on 40 years of ClassNK experience, the new CEO suggests shipping needs additional support from classification societies at a time when "boundaries between industries are becoming increasingly blurred due to environmental challenges and digital transformation." "It is our responsibility to work with customers to provide certification and related services in a timely manner that meet...

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Video: Ukraine Claims First Strike in the Mediterranean on Shadow Tanker

U.S. Navy Test-Launches an Iranian Drone Clone From a Ship's Helideck

Port of NY/NJ Reaches Landmark Agreement Extending Maher Terminals Lease

Report: White House Solicits U.S. Oil Firms' Interest in Venezuelan Assets

Austal Defense Finalized $680M First Government Contract

South Africa’s Historic Polar Research Vessel Set for Auction

Aging Freighter Sinks at Anchor in Puerto Montt

SECNAV Unveils New U.S. Frigate Program Based on USCG Cutter

Damen Delivers New Tugs to the Fairplay Towage Group and Louis Meyer

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

Positive Steps

California Protects Blue Whales and Blue Skies With Historic State Law

One Event. World Of Maritime. This February, Copenhagen is the Place to Be

Drew Marine Insights Tour: Connecting Expertise with Shipboard Challenges

South Africa’s Historic Polar Research Vessel Set for Auction

Aging Freighter Sinks at Anchor in Puerto Montt

SECNAV Unveils New U.S. Frigate Program Based on USCG Cutter

Damen Delivers New Tugs to the Fairplay Towage Group and Louis Meyer

Op-Ed: LNG Has Matured Into a Proven Solution for the Cruise Industry

Positive Steps

Court Denies Motion for Injunction of BOEM’s Review of Maryland COP

Austal Defense Finalized $680M First Government Contract

Norway Grants Over $120M for Hydrogen and Ammonia Ships and Bunkering

Shaping Class for the Future

Maritime Industry Conferences and Events

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Maritime Industry Conferences and Events