Vessel Hunter News
Maritime, in motion
Hormuz moves from shutdown to managed recovery
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is recovering under heavy restrictions as the IMO oversees the evacuation of more than 11,000 stranded seafarers, in what Windward calls the clearest sign yet of returning normalcy.
Officer shortage risks exceeding 100,000 by 2030
The shipping industry needs over 113,000 additional certified officers by 2030, according to the BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, which warns of a widening structural shortage.
Integrated Wind Solutions boosts 2026 backlog with new charter awards
Integrated Wind Solutions has secured new charter work for its Skywalker-class CSOVs, adding about 120 days and EUR6m to its 2026 backlog and taking charter cover to 94%.
Ocean Installer bags one of its largest-ever contracts
Ocean Installer has won a fast-track EPCI contract from Var Energi for the Balder Next New Wells project in the North Sea — among the largest in the Moreld subsidiary's history.
Aker Solutions lands long-term offshore services deal in Canada
Aker Solutions has signed a five-year engineering and maintenance agreement with Cenovus Energy for the White Rose field off Newfoundland, valued at up to around $152m.
Carbon pricing is becoming a compliance maze
Overlapping carbon schemes — EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and the IMO framework — risk duplicated reporting and double charging for shipowners. EmissionLink's Philippos Ioulianou on navigating the maze.
France boards another Russian shadow fleet tanker off Sicily
France has intercepted the Russia-linked tanker Deliver off Sicily, stepping up Europe's campaign against the shadow fleet used to move sanctioned Russian oil.
Seized tanker tests the limits of shadow fleet enforcement
Russia has warned of legal action if the UK sells crude from the seized shadow-fleet tanker Smyrtos, in a case testing how far Europe will go to enforce sanctions at sea.
Hormuz reopening plans thrown into doubt after Evergreen boxship attack
A drone attack on Evergreen's Ever Lovely shortly after it transited the Strait of Hormuz has stalled the fragile reopening of the waterway and prompted the IMO to pause its evacuation of stranded vessels.
Volkswagen sells majority stake in Everllence to Bain Capital
Volkswagen has agreed to sell a 75% stake in engine maker Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) to Bain Capital in a deal valuing the business at EUR7.4bn ($8.4bn).
RWE takes control position in Amprion
German utility RWE has raised its indirect holding in transmission system operator Amprion to 55%, expanding into grid infrastructure to support Germany's grid build-out.
Engine shortage returns to haunt shipyards — now with AI bidding for the same parts
A shortage of marine engines is quietly capping shipyard output, echoing the 2007 boom. The new twist: AI data centres are now bidding for generator sets from the same supply chain.
Houthis impose Red Sea ban as Israel and Iran exchange missile strikes
Israel and Iran trade missile strikes and Houthis ban Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, lifting Brent crude and clouding tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Leadership reshuffle at MedcoEnergi as company names new chief executive
Indonesian oil and gas firm MedcoEnergi has appointed Ronald Gunawan as its new chief executive officer. The move follows a broader leadership reshuffle confirmed at the company's annual general meeting of shareholders.…
Panama Canal trims vessel draft, reviving memories of the drought crisis
The Panama Canal Authority will cut the neopanamax draft limit to 49.5 ft from 3 July, citing Gatun Lake levels and El Niño risk and reviving 2023-24 drought fears.
CMA CGM linked to fresh boxship series at Hengli
CMA CGM is reported to have ordered eight 6,000 teu containerships at China's Hengli Heavy Industries, further extending the world's largest liner orderbook.
South Korea's Heung-A books up to six chemical tankers in China
Heung-A Shipping has ordered up to six stainless steel chemical tankers at China's Wuchang Shipbuilding in a roughly $280m deal - its first newbuildings since 2016.
BGN doubles down on LPG shipping with pair of HD Hyundai VLGCs
Energy trader BGN has ordered two more dual-fuel VLGCs at HD Hyundai, lifting its owned LPG fleet to 19 ships and its 2026 VLGC commitments at the yard to six.
Boxship goes down off Batam
The Tanzania-flagged boxship Golden Star 1 has sunk off Batam after taking on water; all nine crew were rescued and Singapore Strait traffic is unaffected.
Lidl-backed carrier switches to German flag as Heilbronn becomes seaport for first time
Lidl's carrier Tailwind Shipping Lines has put its first ship under the German flag, making inland Heilbronn the home port of an oceangoing vessel for the first time.
Norway averts offshore oil strike with last-minute pay deal
Norway has averted an offshore oil strike after unions and producers struck a last-minute pay deal, avoiding a potential cut of about 45,500 boe per day in output.
Safeen Subsea lands offshore installation contract
AD Ports Group's Safeen Subsea has won a contract to install sleepers, riser clamps and risers for an undisclosed but 'major' offshore project in the region.
Petronas forms regional alliance to boost offshore oil recovery
Petronas has signed an MoU with Petronas Carigali, PTTEP, Pertamina and Universiti Teknologi Petronas to jointly pursue enhanced oil recovery across offshore acreages.
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