Lone Star affiliate completes sale of Vigor Marine Group to Antin Infrastructure Partners
An affiliate of Lone Star Fund XI, L.P. has completed the sale of Vigor Marine Group to Antin Infrastructure Partners, MarineLink reported on 18 August 2026.
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Weaker second‑hand demand may send older bulkers and steam‑turbine LNG ships to breakers, report says
A short drop in second‑hand interest for ageing bulk carriers and reduced demand for steam‑turbine LNG ships may give recyclers a temporary increase in available tonnage, MarineLink reports.
Hornbeck Offshore and Deployable Energy sign MoU to pursue Unity nuclear battery across five maritime markets
Deployable Energy and Hornbeck Offshore have agreed a memorandum of understanding to pursue the use of the Unity Nuclear Battery across five strategic maritime and offshore markets, according to MarineLink Maritime News on 18 August 2026.
Signatory states agree Combined DCoC Task Force to counter piracy in Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden
MarineLink reports that signatory states to the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment have agreed to establish a Combined DCoC Task Force aimed at protecting shipping from a reported resurgence of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
American Cruise Lines names two U.S.-built riverboats
MarineLink reported on 18 August 2026 that American Cruise Lines has named two new U.S.-built riverboats: American Beauty, due to launch on the Mississippi in 2028, and American Rhapsody for the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Corvus Energy partners with Belga Marine to boost local battery-system support in Brazil
Corvus Energy has formed a strategic alliance with Belga Marine to provide on-the-ground technical support, aftermarket services and spare parts storage for battery systems in Brazil, MarineLink reported on 18 August 2026.
Nine shipbreaking workers killed in Bangladesh after toxic-gas exposure
Nine workers died after exposure to toxic gas inside the LNG carrier MT RASI at Ferdous Steel in Chattogram on 14 August 2026, a report and NGO statement say.
Baltic Dry Index rises for second session, capesize also edges higher
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk freight index rose for a second session on 17 August 2026, with capesize rates also increasing, sources indicated.
Panama Canal marks 112 years, reaffirms strategic, sustainability and local aims
On its 112th anniversary the Panama Canal emphasised a strategy to bolster its strategic trade role while pursuing sustainability and benefits for the people of Panama, sources indicated on 17 August 2026.
Second ADNOC-linked vessels struck by UAVs in under a week, report says
reports two ADNOC-affiliated vessels were struck by unmanned aerial vehicles in the Strait of Hormuz on 14 August; no injuries were reported and the UAE ministry condemned the attack.
Signatory states agree to form Combined DCoC Task Force to tackle piracy in Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden
Signatory states under the Djibouti Code of Conduct and Jeddah Amendment have agreed to create a Combined DCoC Task Force to provide a regional mechanism for coordinated maritime action against a reported resurgence of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
S&P data show single ship transit through Strait of Hormuz on 16 August
reports, citing S&P Global Commodities at Sea, reports that only one vessel crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 16 August, a record low in the dataset, while Bab al‑Mandab transits slipped from 40 to 37 over the same period.
Ningbo Containerized Freight Index quoted at 2487.4 for week ending 14 August 2026
Sources published the NCFI report on 17 August 2026, listing the Ningbo Containerized Freight Index at 2487.4 points for the week ending 14 August 2026 and citing a weekly data chart from the Ningbo Shipping Exchange.
Three firms join Silver sponsor ranks for London International Shipping Week 2027
Shipping Innovation has named additional Silver and Bronze sponsors for London International Shipping Week 2027; reports The Swedish Club, Brookes Bell and Cambiaso Risso Group among the Silver tier.
UK extends emissions trading to shipping
Sources indicated on 17 August 2026 that the United Kingdom has expanded its emissions trading scheme to include the shipping sector, applying a market price to maritime greenhouse-gas output.
Xclusiv: dry bulk S&P reported highly active in first seven months of 2026
Sources carried Xclusiv Shipbrokers Weekly on 17 August 2026, noting that the dry bulk sale and purchase market had been highly active in the first seven months of the year, with 496 bulk deals recorded.
Seven dead, 50 rescued from wooden boat in international waters off Libya
The charity ship EMERGENCY recovered 50 people from a wooden boat in international waters off Libya on 17 August 2026; seven were found dead and two survivors required urgent medical evacuation, MarineLink reports.
MCA safety bulletins underline timely action on maritime risks
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency says its safety bulletins are targeted, time sensitive alerts that can prompt action across the maritime sector.
MCA safety bulletins: rapid alerts that may require industry action
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency describes its safety bulletins as targeted, time-sensitive alerts that can prompt industry action.
Port of Auckland lays first deck panel at Bledisloe North, signals final construction phase
The Port of Auckland has laid the first precast panel slab at Bledisloe North, starting deck laying and entering the final phase of construction on the city’s first big-ship multi-use wharf, Port Technology International reported on 17 August 2026.
DP World completes delivery of three MHCs to Port of Tartous
Three mobile harbour cranes have been delivered to the Port of Tartous under DP World’s $800 million investment programme, a move the reporting says should raise cargo-handling capacity by about 40 per cent.
Natasha Griffin named CEO of CMA CGM North America
CMA CGM Group has appointed Natasha Griffin as chief executive of its North American arm, which will be based in Norfolk, Virginia and oversee the Group’s shipping, logistics, intermodal and supply chain activities.
ADM to expand storage and berthing at Port of Greenock
ADM will increase its Scottish port facilities with new storage and berthing at Peel Ports' Port of Greenock, complementing its King George V Dock operations in Glasgow, Port Technology International reported on 17 August 2026.
Gulf of America continues to be the principal testbed for offshore technology
Drawing on a MarineLink Maritime News report of 17 August 2026, this piece outlines how US-based engineers, mariners, fabricators and regulators have made the Gulf of America a long-standing proving ground for offshore energy innovation.
USC Global Supply Chain Institute honours Port of Los Angeles and Gene Seroka
The USC Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute has presented its Global Supply Chain Leadership Excellence Award to the Port of Los Angeles and executive director Gene Seroka for leadership during periods of supply‑chain disruption, sources indicated on 17 August 2026.
Palm oil rises to highest since April as demand prospects firm
Malaysian palm oil futures jumped more than 2% to about MYR 4,820 per tonne on 17 August 2026, their strongest level since early April, as sentiment was lifted by firmer edible oils on Dalian and higher imports into India.
Oil nears $90 as Lebanon fighting and vessel attacks raise supply fears
ICE Brent traded just below $90 per barrel in early Asian trade on 17 August 2026 as renewed fighting in Lebanon and attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz stoked fears of regional supply disruption, according to reports.
MOBY Robotics enters subsea swarm robotics market for mineral recovery
MOBY Robotics, established in 2025, has positioned itself as a new player in subsea swarm autonomous robotics with ambitions to lead in discovery and recovery of seabed minerals, amid a recent acceleration in interest for deep-ocean critical minerals.
End of summer wind events strain CSOV availability
MarineLink reported on 17 August 2026 that recent wind events and multiple contract expiries at the end of the northern hemisphere summer are tightening the crew supply and offshore support vessel market as owners reposition tonnage for winter and the following summer.
Genoa and Savona‑Vado handle 31.1m tonnes in H1 2026 as transhipment slides
Port Technology International reports a 1.9 per cent year‑on‑year fall in combined throughput to 31.1 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, with transhipment activity cited as a key contributor to the decline.
HHLA H1 EBIT falls 35% as Hamburg terminal modernisation and rail works weigh on volumes
HHLA said earnings before interest and tax fell 35 per cent in the first half of 2026 as automation works at Hamburg terminals and rail network construction coincided with geopolitical and macroeconomic pressures; group container handling fell to 2.95 million TEUs.
Maersk holds Felixstowe EFS at £3.82 for September
Maersk has confirmed the Emergency Fuel Surcharge at the Port of Felixstowe will remain £3.82 per import laden container from 1 September 2026, with a further review scheduled ahead of October, Port Technology International reported on 17 August 2026.
NWSA receives second battery-electric forklift at EB-1 terminal
The Northwest Seaport Alliance has placed a second battery-electric forklift into service at the East Blair One terminal in Tacoma Harbour, a deployment supported by a $2.63m Washington State Department of Transportation Port Electrification award.
EJMT meeting in Lamongan advances East Java links to Eastern Indonesia, says report
Industry representatives met at ICTSI’s East Java Multipurpose Terminal in Lamongan to discuss freight development, market access and transport connections to Eastern Indonesia, Port Technology International reported.
UK MCA publishes form MSF 4736 for ship mortgage registration
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency published form MSF 4736 on 14 August 2026 to record a mortgage deed with the Register of Shipping and Seamen during ship registration.
UK MCA publishes guidance titled "Ship security" explaining management and compliance
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency published guidance on 14 August 2026 explaining how ship security is managed in the UK and how to comply with UK regulations on ship security.
MMO publishes guidance on 2025 technical conservation and landing obligation rules
The UK Marine Management Organisation published guidance on the 2025 technical conservation and landing obligation regulations on 13 August 2026, covering rule application, selling undersize fish, reporting and quota management.
UK port freight edges higher as deep-sea routes gain ground
Official 2025 figures show imports rising and exports falling, while deep-sea traffic grew against a decline in short-sea tonnage and units.
Southampton handled 86% of UK international cruise passengers in record 2025
Final Department for Transport statistics put UK international cruise passengers at 3.1 million, with Southampton accounting for 2.6 million.
Permanent Secretary visits Felixstowe to view autonomous trucks and investment plans
On 2 July 2026 the Port of Felixstowe hosted Department for Transport Permanent Secretary Jo Shanmugalingam for a visit that included demonstrations of autonomous trucks and briefings on investment, resilience and decarbonisation.
Los Angeles and Shenzhen formalise sister‑port partnership focused on green tech and logistics
A memorandum signed on 9 July 2026 establishes a sister‑port relationship between the Port of Los Angeles, Shenzhen Port Group and Yantian International Container Terminals with a focus on green technology, logistics and workforce collaboration.
Government proposes National Minimum Wage equivalence and work-time limits for Channel seafarers
A Department for Transport consultation would guarantee pay equivalent to the National Minimum Wage for journeys between the UK, France and the Channel Islands and introduce limits on sea-work and rest periods, while several operators have secured Seafarers' Charter status.
IMO committee backs new checks to counter fraudulent ship registration
Proposed guidelines would strengthen verification, ownership records and oversight after the IMO reported 529 ships falsely flying a country’s flag.
Commission publishes EU ports framework to strengthen competitiveness, resilience and sustainability
The European Commission has adopted a framework to improve competitiveness, security and sustainability across European ports, setting out measures on permitting, electrification and energy partnerships.
UK Ship Register falls as trading fleet slips in world rankings
Official figures show a smaller UK register at the end of 2025, while the wider Red Ensign Group would have held a stronger combined position by deadweight tonnage.
Future carrier John F. Kennedy completes builder’s sea trials at Newport News
The future USS John F. Kennedy, the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford class, has left Newport News Shipbuilding for Builder's Sea Trials, where Navy and shipyard teams jointly evaluated systems and trained pre-commissioning sailors.
Los Angeles port pairs a strong container year with a new investment agenda
The Port of Los Angeles reported 10.2 million container units in 2025 and set out plans spanning a proposed terminal, a cruise centre and zero-emission equipment.
Singapore port sets a record while preparing for another demanding year
Singapore handled a record container volume in 2025, with its maritime authority linking the result to a programme of industry collaboration for future readiness.