Over the weekend, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro threatened to "liberate" the island of Puerto Rico from the United States, an unexpected and unusual threat.

"Just as in the north they have a colonization agenda, we have a liberation agenda," said Maduro at an event in Caracas. "And our agenda was written by [Latin American independence leader] Simón Bolívar. The freedom of Puerto Rico is pending, and we will achieve it."

Last week, Maduro took the oath of office for his third term, following an election that was criticized by international observers for widespread irregularities; publicly available vote tallies suggest that he likely did not win the majority of the vote. The U.S. does not recognize him as Venezuela's legitimate leader and has long accused Maduro of human rights abuses, vote-rigging and cocaine smuggling. He was indicted on narco-terrorism charges in a U.S. federal court in 2020, and on Friday, the Biden administration increased the bounty for Maduro's capture to $25 million.

Puerto Rico is more than 400 nautical miles away from Venezuela's shores, and the ability of the Venezuelan armed forces to project power is limited by the size of its navy; Venezuela has four tank landing ships with which to mount an amphibious operation, all built in the 1980s. After years of U.S. sanctions, this fleet's operational status is unknown. While the threat of a Venezuelan invasion may be limited, Puerto Rico's governor has called on the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Donald Trump to push back on Maduro's aggressive statements. 

"A few days after holding an illegitimate swearing-in ceremony, the socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro publicly proposed an invasion of Puerto Rico," wrote Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón, noting that Puerto Ricans have voted to remain part of the U.S. "I trust your incoming administration will swiftly respond and make it clear to the Maduro regime that, under your leadership, the United States will protect American lives and sovereignty and will not bow down to the threats of petty, murderous dictators."

Multiple elected officials from the mainland U.S. have also voiced outrage at Maduro's threat.

"Maduro's a brutal dictator," said Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL). "Now, he has the audacity to threaten Puerto Rico and American national security. We must support Venezuelans fighting for freedom and hold Cuba, China, Russia and Iran accountable for propping up this murderous regime."

Top image: The Korean-built LST Capana, delivered to Venezuela in 1983 (Carlos E. Perez / CC BY SA 4.0)

 

The British government has issued a statement after another round of negotiations between the UK and Mauritius over the draft deal that had been agreed between the two countries over the Chagos Island military base in the Indian Ocean. A change of government in Mauritius following a general election last November derailed the provisional agreement.

At stake is not the continued US use of the base, more a concern that the changes in sovereignty in the agreement would undermine its operational effectiveness – for example, by limiting the types of munitions that could be stored at the base, or by restricting the types of operations which could be mounted from the base. Mauritius is a member of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, and might also object to the use of the Diego Garcia lagoon by nuclear submarines. Under the AUKUS agreement, the UK also intends to base a nuclear submarine in Western Australia, and Diego Garcia would be within its patrol range and the nearest UK sovereign territory under present arrangements.

The statement acknowledged that both sides were keen to conclude a deal, it being understood that there is pressure to do so before President Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

However, briefings to journalists from the two sides differ on the exact state of negotiations.

The new government of Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam apparently had three areas of objection to the draft: the length of the 99-year lease of Diego Garcia’s sovereignty which would permit the United States to continue its operations, the nature of sovereignty which the UK would enjoy – and the amount of money which the UK would have to pay annually to Mauritius, effectively as rent.

The Mauritian side has apparently agreed to revised terms over the first two issues, with the amount of money the remaining area of contention. The UK had originally offered to pay $110 million annually for 99 years, but Ramgoolam sought $975 million annually.  The two sides are still apparently negotiating a final figure.

While press speculation focuses on a final deal between the two sides being agreed before Monday, January 20, the day of the Presidential Inauguration, this would still leave two hurdles to overcome. The United States would still need to consent to any alterations made to the original agreement, and before coming into force a Treaty would have to be approved by the UK Parliament. It would seem impossible for these two steps to be completed within the next week, leaving time for the new US Administration to raise objections. 

It would be a more diplomatic approach to wait for the new administration’s approval before announcing any new agreement. Although President Trump has spoken of his territorial ambitions concerning Greenland and the Panama Canal Zone, he is not known personally to have made any pronouncements over Diego Garcia; but his incoming Secretary of State has made clear his objections to the deal, which is seen as pandering unnecessarily to Chinese interests.

The negotiations come at a tense time in the Mideast, which is the raison d'être for having an American base within range. Iran has been conducting extensive land, sea and air exercises, and massive internal security operations, ahead of what it sees as a period of increased risk associated with a change in administration in the U.S. It may be of significance that it has stationed a spy ship, the MV Saviz, in the northern Indian Ocean to cover approaches from the south. According to Nesda commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, this patrol sector is to be reinforced with the presence of IRINS Sahand (F74) once its refurbishment post-capsize and its participation in next week’s major naval exercise is complete.

 

After a NATO summit on Baltic Sea security in Helsinki, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters that the "shadow fleet" tanker Eagle S was just minutes away from inflicting more damage on subsea infrastructure when Finland intervened in her voyage. 

"Had it continued for another 12 minutes, the carnage would have been much worse than the four basic cables that were there," he said. 

Eagle S and nine members of her crew are suspected of breaking four subsea data cables and one power cable linking Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. According to Finnish police, the vessel dragged its anchor under power for about 50 nautical miles to sever these links on the seabed.

After the first outages were reported, Finland's armed forces quickly deployed a military helicopter with a police tactical boarding team, and the authorities convinced the Eagle S' crew to divert into the jurisdiction of Finland's territorial seas. The tanker was then detained and taken to a secure anchorage for investigation. The anchor was recovered from the seafloor and shows signs of damage.

Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said last week that the Eagle S could have continued on to damage the Estlink 1 subsea power cable and the Balticconnector gas pipeline if no one had intervened - but Stubb's statement Tuesday was the first to acknowledge just how close the tanker came to dredging up other targets on the seabed. 

The Finnish technical investigation is coming to a close, and police are now focusing on analyzing evidence and determining whether there was intent to cause disruption. On Monday, the EU's technological sovereignty and security chief told Bloomberg that there is no chance that the repeated damage to subsea infrastructure in the Baltic could be an accident. 

"It can’t really be by accident if these are happening many times a year," European Commission EVP for tech security Henna Virkkunen said. 
 

 

The Black Sea container terminals of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine handled 979,000 TEU in the first nine months of 2024, including empty containers and transshipment. This is an increase of 14 percent compared to the same period last year, and the jump reflects the revival of containerized trade to and from Ukrainian ports. (This review considers laden container trade by sea only, since waterborne container traffic in Ukraine is about 25 percent of the total.)

Laden container turnover increased in all these countries, and the highest growth was achieved by Ukraine (79 percent).

 

During this period, 53 percent of full containers handled were imported, with 47 percent of the volume being exported. It is estimated that the share of laden containers was 77 percent and empty containers made up 22 percent. 

Import volumes to the aforementioned countries increased by 19 percent compared to 2023. The highest import volume increase was shown by Ukraine – 116 percent, a record rate of growth. 

In Romania there was an increase of 23 percent, while in Bulgaria there was a decrease of about three percent. Exports from these countries increased by nearly 10 percent, mainly because of Ukrainian and Bulgarian export volume growth of 64 percent and 14 percent (respectively). There was a slight increase in laden export volume in Romania. 

Thus, the percentage of laden volume handled by each country in the first nine months of 2024 was distributed as follows: Romania – 70 percent, Bulgaria – 22 percent, Ukraine – eight percent. 

It is worth noting that significant volume growth in Ukraine was driven by the restoration of direct container feeder connections. In the beginning of 2024, a local forwarding company deployed a few vessels transshipping containers from Constanta to Chornomorsk port. Later on, MSC and Maersk deployed their own vessels from Tekirdag and Port Said, respectively.

 

Historically, Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM were leading carriers in the Black Sea region, and their total share of the market was more than 60 percent in recent years.

As for the other countries of the Black Sea, laden container turnover in Novorossiysk increased by seven percent to 570,000 TEU. About 40 percent of this volume was transported by MSC and Turkish carriers in the Black Sea, while the other 60 percent were transported by local carriers in Russia. Georgia's total volume in 9m 2023 reached 518,000 TEU, while our estimation is about 15 percent lower for 9m 2024, when the total volume is expected to reach about 440,000 TEU.

The forecast of container turnover growth in the Black Sea region for 2024-2025 shows that growth will amount to 5-7 percent and will exceed 3 million TEU in 2025. The major driver of that growth will be further restoration and expansion of direct container connection to Ukrainian ports.

Vassiliy Vesselovski is the CEO of Ukrainian shipping intelligence firm Informall BG. Daniil Melnychenko is a Data Analyst with the firm, and Alexander Khromov is a Project Manager.

 

The Coast Guard is keeping watch on an effort to refloat a large yacht that went aground over the holidays off Culebra, Puerto Rico. 

At about 1030 hours on December 30, watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a report from a Coast Guard boat unit reporting that an 80-foot yacht - the Runaway - had run hard aground on a reef near Ensenada Honda, a large bay on the island's south side. The vessel was taking on water, and there were four people and two dogs aboard.  

A Coast Guard response boat arrived on scene and provided the skipper with a dewatering pump to attempt to control flooding aboard the yacht. While two of the yacht's crew remained with their vessel to coordinate salvage efforts, the Coast Guard boat crew transported two passengers to safety in St. Thomas, USVI. 

As of Friday, the owner has completed the removal of about 160 gallons of fuel and lubricant. The fuel was donated to a local fishing village in Culebra, according to the Coast Guard. 

"Now that the bulk of petroleum products on board this vessel has been successfully removed, the priority is to have the vessel removed from the reef as soon as it is safely possible," said Lt. Cmdr. Ray Lopez, Coast Guard Sector San Juan Chief of Incident Management.

The Runaway's hull was penetrated on the port quarter during the grounding. The flooding is contained, the Coast Guard said, and poses no immediate threat to the rest of the vessel. The responders have anchored the wreck fore and aft to prevent further movement on the reef. 

The affected reef area is home to three species of endangered coral, along with sea turtles and manatees. To reduce environmental risk, NOAA is involved in the salvage response and has provided the salvor with best practices to avoid harm. Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources personnel have conducted an initial assessment of the reef, and is helping review the salvage plan. 

The response is the second time in a year that the Coast Guard has responded to a yacht grounding on a reef off Culebra. On July 21, 2024 the catamaran sailing yacht Obsession went aground off Flamenco Beach, a popular vacation destination on the island. One pontoon was flooded and the crew could not refloat their own vessel. The Coast Guard took over the response and tapped the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) to finance a cleanup, which was awarded to Resolve Marine.  

 

An innovative project to build the first fully electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) is shifted to a different shipyard as it works to meet the terms of the UK project. Bibby Marine is leading the project which received $25 million in the UK’s Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure scheme (ZEVI) and was initially required to have the vessel in operation between 2025 and 2028.

Bibby Marine announced that it has signed a new shipbuilding contract with Spain’s Armon for the construction of the pioneering vessel. In April 2024 it was reported that Gondan Shipbuilders also in Spain had been awarded the contract after a tender. The Asturias shipyard in Spain won out over a variety of yards in the UK and internationally. Bibby cited the timeline, budget, and quality reputation as the deciding factors in the tender, but now says the new contract follows an “amicable move away from the original shipbuilders.”

They had previously reported the vessel would be completed by 2026. They did not comment on timing based on the change in shipyards.

In the project proposal, the team called for a 295-foot vessel that would be primarily powered by electricity and batteries and have dual-fuel methanol-powered engines as backup. The ship will be ready for offshore charging and can recharge its batteries at night.

With the capability to operate solely on battery power for a typical full day of operations, Bibby reports the range of the vessel will allow for passage from field to port and return. The vessel is reported to be primed for efficient in-field operations, setting a new standard in the offshore wind industry. The project highlights that integrating digitalization and AI into the vessel’s design are key to maintaining and improving its efficiency over its life.  

“We are excited to launch this vessel, as we understand that its delivery will be a game changer for our industry, speeding up our journey to achieve net zero emissions and leave other operators in our clean wake,” said Nigel Quinn, CEO of Bibby Marine.

Designs for the vessel were developed by Longitude Engineering based on one of its existing vessel concepts. The project sought to develop designs for converting a traditional ship to zero emissions during normal operations.

“This project marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards sustainable maritime operations, and we are proud to partner with Bibby Marine in bringing this groundbreaking vessel to life,” said Laudelino Alperi, CEO of Armon. “The complexity of the eCSOV underscores its importance, not only as a technological challenge but as a statement of commitment to a cleaner and greener future.”

Other participants in the project include the Prot of Aberdeen, ORE Catapult, Kongsberg, DNC, Shell, and Liverpool John Moores University.
 

Once described as Australia’s largest live export business, Wellard announced the sale of its final ship as it shuts down shipping operations. The move comes as live export continues to be under pressure and is scheduled to become illegal in Australia and elsewhere.

Wellard traces its origins to Italy and the first shipment of livestock in 1950. Its first shipment from Australia took place in 1979 and the following year it was incorporated as Wellard. In an industry known for old, dilapidated vessels, the company turned to purpose-built newbuilds including Ocean Drover (13,500 dwt) which when built in 2002 was the largest purpose-built livestock carrier. The company highlighted its capability of transporting 75,000 sheep or 20,000 cattle along with advanced ventilation, feed, and water systems.

The vessel which is registered in Singapore carried its one-millionth head of cattle in October 2015, and by late June 2022, marked its 200th journey. The company reported the vessel had transported nearly 1.8 million cattle and more than 5 million sheep, traveling over two million nautical miles as it turned 20 years old.

Pressure on the industry grew and in recent years there has been an increased focus from animal rights activists which documented poor conditions in the industry. After years of pressure, New Zealand banned live export in 2023 followed by moves in Great Britain. Australia has limited the trade and is scheduled to end the export of sheep in 2028.

Wellard which had recently had a fleet of five vessels began selling capacity in 2017. Down from five ships, they reported the sale in 2024 of the Ocean Ute (7,300 dwt) leaving it with a single ship, Ocean Drover. The business in 2020 had reduced operations and transitioned to chartering and logistics working with importers and exports. 

In September 2024, Wellard’s board reported it was commencing a strategic review. They said they would explore the long-term future of the company as well as the future and future commercial environment.

The Ocean Drover was cited as its flagship and the best in terms of profitability and capacity. The ship was operating between South America and Turkey with the company reporting it has charter commitments till June 2025.

Wellard agreed to sell the Ocean Drover for $50 million to Meteors Shipping, a Marshall Islands company controlled by Göktaslar Et-Et Ürünleri Yan Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, a significant Turkish agribusiness with which Wellard has conducted business for some time. As the last asset of the company, the sale will require the approval of Wellard shareholders and is expected to be completed in July 2025.

The company plans to distribute the proceeds to shareholders. The board said it was exploring the future and was also considering delisting the company from the ASX (Australia Securities Exchange). They highlight the sale price of the vessel is substantially above the current net book value.

Once having highlighted the growing international demand for beef, sheep meat, and dairy products, Wellard is bringing an end to its 46-year involvement in the global live export industry.
 

 

Norway has awarded 53 new offshore oil and gas E&P licenses for acreage on its continental shelf, with 20 different companies participating in the auction round.

The so-called APA round of predefined auction areas covered mature producing regions in the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea (along with one single permit in the Bering Sea). It favors tieback developments to existing platforms. Awardees in this round included Aker BP, Shell, and a host of independents; Equinor was a clear winner with 27 licenses, more than half the total. 

Norway's energy minister, Terje Aasland, announced the results at an annual meeting of the Norwegian Petroleum Association. Protesters with Extinction Rebellion and other environmental groups blockaded the venue's doors during his speech. 

"If we are to uphold a stable production in the years to come, we must explore more and invest more," he said in an address. "We must continue to make new discoveries in order to maintain Norway as a reliable and stable supplier of gas and oil to Europe."

Norway's oil and gas exports are critical to European energy security, particularly when it comes to natural gas. Norway now supplies nearly a third of the EU's natural gas imports, providing an essential replacement for Russian volumes. Following the invasion of Ukraine, a disagreement over payment terms led Russian state gas producer Gazprom to shut off the tap on most of its exports to Western Europe, ending a steady and inexpensive energy supply chain that had been in place since the Cold War. 

Last year, driven by strong demand from the EU, Norway's natural gas production hit a new record of 124 billion cubic meters, even higher than the surge in output in 2022. Equinor's giant Troll and Johan Sverdrup fields led the way, and 92 other fields contributed with low downtime and steady output. (Troll alone put out 42.5 billion cubic meters, Equinor said.)

"It has been a great year," Norwegian Offshore Directorate chief Torgeir Stordal told E24. "We have set a new production record for gas and exported more gas than ever to a Europe that is in great need of it."

The directorate believes that this high level of production can be sustained for up to three years before it declines, buying breathing room for Europe. Producers are investing $23 billion in projects on the Norwegian shelf in 2025, the highest amount since 2014 - the year the offshore downturn began. 

 

NATO conducted a Baltic Se Allies Summit today in Helsinki and agreed to the request from Finland and Estonia to increase surveillance efforts to protect key underwater assets and deter future efforts of sabotage. The heads of state issued a joint statement expressing their concern while saying they were determined to deter, detect, and counter any attempts at sabotage.

The summit, which included the leaders from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden, focused on the issues after the incident with the cables between Finland and Estonia on December 25. The leaders said they used the meeting to address the recent increase in serious incidents damaging critical undersea infrastructure. It followed a declaration of solidarity issued on December 30.

Named “Baltic Sentry,” the effort will involve a range of assets from NATA, including frigates and maritime patrol aircraft. Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte also announced the deployment of new technologies, including a small fleet of naval drones, and highlighted that NATO will work with Allies to integrate national surveillance assets – all to improve the ability to protect critical undersea infrastructure and respond if required.

The Command Task Force – Baltic said it is working towards establishing an integrated regional picture of critical infrastructure in the Baltic. They said this would also contribute to NATO’s protection efforts.

“Baltic Sentry will deliver focused deterrence throughout the Baltic Sea and counter destabilizing acts like those observed last month,” said U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe. “It is indicative of the Alliance’s ability to rapidly respond to such destabilization, and shows the strength of our unity in the face of any challenge.”

The ministers in their statement said the operation would run indefinitely and that it would aim to improve situational awareness and deter hostile activities. They welcomed the efforts of the Allies saying it would see additional assets at sea, in the air, and below the surface, involved to enhance vigilance and deterrence.

“Russia´s use of the so-called shadow fleet poses a particular threat to the maritime and environmental security in the Baltic Sea region and globally,” the ministers said in their joint statement. “This reprehensible practice also threatens the integrity of undersea infrastructure, increases risks connected to sea-dumped chemical munitions, and significantly supports funding of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.”

Days after the incident last month, the Baltic nations of Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, and Finland, all reported they had launched new efforts to monitor and protect critical undersea infrastructure. The leaders of Finland and Estonia spoke and concluded to make a call on NATO to also increase its efforts in the region citing not only the damage on Christmas Day but previous incidents including a Chinese cargo ship that damaged underwater assets in 2023.

Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkevics highlighted the challenge of monitoring all the vessels transiting the Baltic. Rinkevics noted that 2,000 ships are crossing the Baltic every day, admitting it was not possible to ensure total protection. He said this effort however is designed to be a bold signal.
 

 

Piracy at sea is less common than it used to be, according to the ICC's International Maritime Bureau, but the risk to crewmembers remains high - particularly in hotspot regions like the Singapore Strait. 

In 2024, piracy levels remained about the same as in 2023 and 2022, holding steady at about 116 incidents. Out of these run-ins, 94 attacks resulted in a boarding, six ships were hijacked and three were fired upon by pirates. 13 unsuccessful attempted attacks were reported. 

Kidnapping remains lower than it was in the years of peak pirate activity off Somalia and Nigeria. 12 crewmembers were kidnapped last year (all in the Gulf of Guinea), a rate that was about the same as in 2023. 

However, hostage situations are on the rise. In 2024, a total of 126 seafarers were held hostage, nearly three times the number reported in 2022. Another 12 crewmembers were threatened last year, and one was injured in an attack.  

These cases reflect a resurgence of activity in the Singapore Straits, a hotspot with a centuries-long history of piracy. Last year, 43 attacks were reported, including 11 incidents in which a large merchant ship over 100,000 dwt was targeted - a departure from the normal target selection of low-freeboard tugs and freighters. 13 crewmembers were taken hostage in these incidents, and reports of knife and gun possession increased. 

New areas of concern include the waters of the Indonesian archipelago and the anchorage areas off Chittagong and Mongla, Bangladesh, which saw increased pirate activity last year. 

“While we welcome the reduction of reported incidents, the ongoing threats to crew safety remain a significant concern. Safeguarding routes and ensuring the security of seafarers, who are essential to maintaining global commerce, is vital," said ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO. "This requires a collaborative effort, with continued regional and international naval presence being crucial to this endeavor.”

The IMB called on shipowners to maintain vigilance and improve the timeliness of incident reporting, which helps other stakeholders to take action and prevent future attacks. 

 

InterManager is concerned by the increasingly harsh treatment of ships’ crew in some parts of the world. The trade association for the ship management sector is starting an effort to collect data and highlight to the IMO and other industry stakeholders the harsh treatment of seafarers including the number of cases where seafarers are being “criminalized” for events involving their ships.

“There is a concern within the shipping industry that seafarers are being unfairly detained when authorities find something wrong with their ship, often when drugs are found onboard but also in other circumstances. Most frequently senior officers are detained, although the whole crew can be, and held without charge for long periods of time and often without any proper legal representation or assistance,” said Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager.

The initial data compiled by InterManager identified 118 cases of criminalization but it suspects there are many more. The limited initial data it reports shows that the number of cases has increased, peaking in 2023 at 23 cases, with a further 17 in 2024.

They cite as an example, Captain Andrzej Lasota, a Polish citizen, who spent two years in jail in Mexico without a trial. He was charged with “negligence in failing to be aware that the ship he commanded may have been carrying prohibitive substances” after 240kgs of cocaine was found buried in his ship’s coal cargo. The drugs were discovered by a ship’s officer and reported by the master to the authorities after he had stopped cargo work. The whole crew was arrested by armed military forces and held for three months, while Captain Lasota was incarcerated for longer, facing a possible 20 years for drug trafficking. He was eventually released from a harrowing jail term of 592 days without charge, in poor health, and having lost over 50 pounds in weight.

There are other similar examples of crews being held in Europe after the discovery of drugs aboard their vessels. Turkey sentenced a captain and the vessel’s first mate to long jail time when cocaine was found on their ship. India held the crew of a Vietnamese cargo ship for a year without charges when cocaine was seized from the ship during a port call. It led to one engineer jumping overboard in an apparent suicide attempt and after 12 months the crew went on strike to win its release.

“No one deserves to be treated like that while just going about their daily work,” said Capt Szymanski. “This is an issue which needs to be addressed at the highest levels, and we are pleased to see the IMO taking seafarers’ concerns seriously on this matter.”

The association reports that senior officers are most at risk of criminalization. Statistics collected so far it says reveal that in 63 percent of cases, the ship’s master was the one imprisoned. Tanker crews represent the most frequent vessel type on which arrests occurred (29 percent), followed by bulk carriers (19 percent), and general cargo vessels (14 percent).

Criminalization occurs across the globe says InterManager. Cases are most frequent in Asia, with a significant number occurring in both Europe and the Americas.

InterManager plans to collate statistics on criminalization incidents and is asking others to submit information. It plans to share the data with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and other shipping industry stakeholders.
 

 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced its plan to initiate an environmental review of the next U.S. offshore wind farm plan just six days before the presidential transition which many fear will put the industry at risk. BOEM reports it will publish a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction and Operations Plan submitted by Vineyard Mid-Atlantic, marking the 14th COP review initiated under the Biden administration.

The Vineyard Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind project is in one of the six lease areas within the New York Bight Wind Energy Area. The lease was won with a bid of $285 million from Vineyard Offshore, an affiliate of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in the February 2022 auction.  The total lease area is 43,000 acres and is located approximately, 20 miles offshore New York and 36 miles offshore New Jersey.

BOEM is commencing a 45-day public comment period and scheduled public sessions for February. The period will end on March 1.

The review will be looking at the lease area which could generate over 2,000 megawatts of electricity from up to 117 wind turbines, enough to power more than 700,000 homes. The power would be supplied to New York State. BOEM previously approved in February 2024 the Site Assessment Plan by Vineyard Mid-Atlantic and the construction plan shows online it was last updated on January 8, 2025.

Vineyard Offshore proposed to New York State to develop the Excelsior Wind project that would supply 1,350 megawatt (MW) offshore wind as part of the lease area. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) previously selected the project in the third offshore wind solicitation, announced in October 2023, although NYSERDA ultimately did not issue contracts for those awards. The project was resubmitted in September 2024 in the renewed solicitation.

The project is set to move forward in its permitting process despite the promises from Donald Trump to stop offshore wind power development. Last week in a press conference Trump said his energy policy would seek to have “no windmills” built. He has been a vocal critic of the industry questioning the economics and making unfounded claims that “windmills” cause cancer and are killing whales.

In a press release, U.S. Congressman Jeff Van Drew from New Jersey, announced yesterday, January 13, that his office has drafted an executive order for Trump’s review to pause offshore wind farm development. The executive order would halt offshore wind activities for six months as the federal government reviewed the industry, Van Drew said while laying the groundwork for permanent measures against the projects. He says the proposed order is expected to be finalized within the first few months of the administration.
 

 

Ocean fertilization has the potential to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at low cost and vast scale, simply by feeding phytoplankton with trace minerals to induce blooms. But critics believe that the technique has the potential to create serious risks to marine ecosystems, like red tide blooms or unpredictable changes in plankton composition - and might not generate a net greenhouse gas reduction. A high-profile startup from Israel's tech scene, New York-based Gigablue, thinks it has solved these problems by optimizing distribution and coating a tailored mixture of nutrients onto tiny particles.

Gigablue’s carbon removal system consists of a proprietary substrate particle, coated with a nutrient shell. Phytoplankton feed and thrive on the nutrients until they have multiplied to a large enough mass, and then the substrate sinks to depths in excess of 1,000 meters (the threshold for long-term sequestration). This way, the fertilizer stimulates plankton growth at the surface, but also ensures that the microscopic creatures end up at the bottom where their stored carbon will remain - a natural process, accelerated through science.  

To maximize impact, the company uses AI to sift through massive oceanographic data sets, identifying the best possible locations and nutrient combinations. The selected nutrients match existing substances in the water column, augmenting factors that are already present. 

Creating a creditable carbon removal also requires measurement and verification, and Gigablue has a scientific methodology for assessing how much carbon it sinks to the bottom. The technology has been reviewed by New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) to make sure it delivers reliable, measurable carbon sequestration.

Early customers include SkiesFifty, a firm serving the decarbonization needs of the aviation industry. This week, the company announced the purchase of 200,000 carbon credits from Gigablue, deliverable over four years.

"The agreement validates the scalability and effectiveness of our technology," said Ori Shaashua, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Gigablue. "We are harnessing the basic building blocks of life on Earth – water and sunlight – to create a financially sustainable carbon removal solution. This will be the largest marine carbon dioxide removal offtake agreement to date and proves our technology's viability in the market."

[By: Value Maritime]

Value Maritime and its partners in the Maritime Efficient & Easy Carbon Capture (ME2CC) project are pleased to announce the receipt of funding from the Maritime Masterplan 2024. The funding will contribute to the development, construction and demonstration of a first-in-kind compact, modular carbon capture system to be installed aboard the LNG vessel Samskip Kvitbjorn. 

The Samskip Kvitbjorn operates on a fixed route from Rotterdam along the Norwegian west coast to Hammerfest, making it a vital part of Samskip’s sustainable logistics initiative in one of Europe’s most environmentally sensitive regions. By retrofitting the Samskip Kvitbjorn with Value Maritime’s CO2 capture system, the consortium will ensure it meets the low-emission requirements set by the EU and Norwegian authorities.

The ME2CC consortium, headed by Value Maritime, consists of Samskip Holding, B2B Marine, Fusie Engineers, Devoteq, Brusche Process Technology, Heatmaster, and Yard Energy Group. The partners are using the knowledge gained in the development of the first small-scale carbon capture (CC) system, installed aboard the vessel Nordica two years ago.

Innovative compact design
The ME2CC project aims to create a scalable, compact CC system that utilises patented techniques to reduce the system’s height and footprint by up to one-third compared to existing absorption technologies, while maintaining low pressure drop.

This innovative approach, combined with the use of hot flue gas for onboard electricity generation, enhances both operational efficiency and emission reduction.

By capturing CO2 emissions and simultaneously reducing fuel consumption, the ME2CC system addresses two critical challenges for the maritime industry: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering operating costs. 

Centralised regeneration and downstream applications
Captured CO2 will be offloaded in port and transported to land-based CO2 hubs. These hubs represent a significant step forward in the development of onshore CC infrastructure. They utilise economies of scale and renewable electricity to regenerate the CO2, improving system efficiency and minimising costs and environmental impact. The processed CO2 will be prepared for valuable downstream applications, including use in agriculture and other industries.

This modular and scalable system is designed to accommodate a wide range of vessel types, from shortsea and inland shipping to large offshore vessels. The modular design also facilitates easy installation and removal, enabling leasing models for carbon capture technology.

Driving maritime decarbonisation
The ME2CC project represents a critical step forward in maritime decarbonisation. By providing a low-CAPEX, low-OPEX solution, the consortium aims to enable rapid adoption across the maritime sector. With its potential to deliver significant emissions reductions in the short term, the project supports both industry competitiveness and global climate goals.

Christiaan Nijst, Co-Founder & Director of the Value Group, stated: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding, which provides an important stimulus to the ME2CC project, and to the maritime energy transition. The combination of low costs for shipping companies and the compact, modular nature of this solution makes it highly scalable and widely applicable. This initiative underscores our commitment to driving meaningful change in the maritime industry.”

“We have spent years actively pursuing sustainable solutions across our fleet, and the retrofitting of the Samskip Kvitbjorn aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of shipping,” said Erik Hofmeester, Head of Vessel Management at Samskip. “Working alongside Value Maritime and the ME2CC consortium members, we are ensuring that the Samskip Kvitbjorn meets the low-emission requirements set by the EU and Norwegian authorities, all while continuing to provide reliable service for our customers.”

“We are very pleased that this ambitious consortium, ME2CC, is part of the first call within the Maritime Masterplan. Development and demonstration of Onboard Carbon Capture with an LNG energy system will certainly lead to a more sustainable maritime future.” Fokke van der Veen, Program Manager Energy systems at Maritiem Masterplan.

[By: Fincantieri Group]

Fincantieri announces the closing of the acquisition of Leonardo S.p.A.'s Underwater Armaments & Systems ("UAS") business line through the purchase of the entire share capital of the newly established company WASS Submarine Systems S.r.l. ("WASS"), into which the UAS business line had been previously contributed.

The transaction reinforces Fincantieri Group's strategy focused on growth in the naval defence business and the development of the underwater domain, strengthening its position as a leading technology integrator in the dual-use sector.

As foreseen by the preliminary agreement signed with Leonardo on May 9, 2024, and in line with the terms disclosed on that date, Fincantieri has paid today 287 million euros, representing the fixed component of the acquisition price. The variable component, linked to the growth targets of the UAS business line in 2024, will be determined following the approval of UAS’s final results for the 2024 fiscal year, for a total Enterprise Value of UAS, including the fixed component paid today, of up to 415 million euros, subject to standard price adjustment mechanisms.

With this acquisition Fincantieri integrates unique expertise in underwater acoustic technologies and advanced weapons systems, consolidating its leadership in the underwater domain. These innovative capabilities open new prospects for growth in the military and civilian sectors, with a focus on critical infrastructure security and the adoption of cutting-edge industrial applications and solutions.

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented: "The acquisition of WASS Submarine Systems represents a decisive step for Fincantieri in strengthening its technological leadership in the underwater domain, a crucial sector for the future of maritime security and technology. By integrating advanced expertise in acoustic and underwater weaponry systems, we have expanded our ability to develop innovative solutions for naval defence while ensuring the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, such as submarine cables and offshore energy facilities. This confirms our goal to lead the evolution of advanced ship technologies, responding to global challenges with entrepreneurship and strategic vision."

[By: Fleet Management Limited]

Fleet Management Limited (“Fleet” or the “Company”), a part of The Caravel Group Limited (“Caravel” or the “Group”), announces the opening of a new office in Athens, Greece, as well as a strategic leadership appointment to strengthen client engagement in Japan.

Captain Rajalingam (‘Raja’) Subramaniam formally assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2025. He said: “This announcement demonstrates our intent to sustain and grow our presence in key regions and segments. Coupled with our ambitions to uphold excellent client partnership, in their location, their language. Our team aspires to be a truly global business.” Dr. Harry S. Banga, Chairman and CEO of The Caravel Group, iterated his support for the latest additions to Fleet’s global network: “Our business is a people business where long-term relationships matter deeply. The clients and partners of Fleet Management deserve the best service, and we will continue to make strategic investments and commit resources to deliver on this pledge.”

The new Athens office in Glyfada will serve as a hub for ship management operations, including technical management, crew management, safety and quality assurance. It responds to increasing demand for comprehensive and reliable ship management services in the region. Greece’s strategic location and rich maritime tradition positions it as a strong base for reaching clients across Europe. Yannis Maroulis, General Manager for Business Development, joined in December 2024 to open the office and support European customers.

In Japan, Fleet Management announces the senior appointment of Kazutomi Uchida to spearhead client relationship management and business development for Ship Management and Newbuilding in Tokyo, Japan. He brings over 35 years of experience in the shipping industry to the role, and he will draw on the strengths of Fleet’s global network to support key Japanese clients.

Mr. Angad Banga, COO of The Caravel Group, highlighted the importance of the latest addition to Fleet’s leadership bench: “Japan is a vital market that already accounts for nearly a third of Fleet Management’s business. Uchida-san is a longstanding and trusted partner to Fleet and well-known across the industry. We are confident that his appointment will deepen our partnerships in Japan as we continue to grow there.”

The company’s first announcement of 2025 signals Fleet Management’s firm commitment to strengthen its partnerships and invest in performance and client service. Its global network is crucial to delivering 24/7 support to clients and the 650 ships under management around the world.

 

The containership Dali which became notorious for its allision destroying Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge has completed repairs and is preparing to return to service. The ship was operating under charter to Maersk at the time of the incident and according to the shipping line’s online scheduler, she returns to service on January 17.

Dali spent the past two months at China’s Fujian Hudong Shipyard arriving there on November 13 after a nearly two-month voyage from Norfolk in the U.S. where she had unloaded after the salvage was completed. The shipyard highlights the work was completed 10 days ahead of the initial schedule with the Dali heading out on sea trials on January 12.

The 10-year-old containership (116,851 dwt) registered in Singapore traveled empty to China after offloading its containers in Virginia and undergoing initial repairs. Port officials in China emphasized the close coordination required to bring the vessel into port due to the extent of the damage.

The yard highlights the extensive damage to the vessel required the development of a comprehensive repair strategy and coordination between multiple departments. The repairs to the bow and forward section included the structural damage, the machinery, and anchors, as well as the thrusters. Work was also performed on the number one cargo hold and the yard reports overhauling the hydraulic and electrical control systems. It is unclear how the work addressed the numerous electrical system issues and make-shift repairs identified by investigators and the subject for the civil damage claims in Maryland’s courts.

Maersk’s online schedule shows the vessel arriving in Shanghai on January 17 and then making port calls in Ningbo and Gwangyang before proceeding to South Korea. She will cross the Pacific bound for Panama, Colombia, and Peru where she will arrive in late February.

Maryland’s court schedule called for the civil case to begin taking witness statements and assembling evidence in 2025. The goal was to wind down all the preparations by early 2026 and move to pre-trial ahead of the first of two court cases. The first phase scheduled for June 2026 is to consider the issue of limited liability and then in the second phase assign value to the multitude of claims.

[By: Thordon Bearings]

As part of its strategy to penetrate new and emergent markets, Thordon Bearings has appointed Axioma servisas as its sales, service and distribution lead for Lithuania.

Lithuania has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU over the past five years. The country continues to actively develop its maritime, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors, as part of government policy to strengthen the country’s industrial competitiveness.

Vilnius-headquartered Axioma servisas, which has been servicing, maintaining, installing and commissioning technology solutions for companies across the Baltic’s industrial sectors for more than two decades, is tasked with expanding Thordon’ presence across the country.

Malcolm Barratt, Thordon Bearings’ Regional Manager - Southern Europe & Gulf Med, said: “We have had a market presence in Estonia and Latvia for some years, but this is the first time we have an approved distributor for Lithuania, a country on the cusp of economic and technological evolution. Axioma servisas ticks all the boxes for us. The company has established a sound reputation for engineering excellence in most the markets we serve.”

Axioma servisas officially joined Thordon’s authorized distributor network on January 1, 2025. They are responsible for the sale, supply and servicing of Thordon’s complete product portfolio of water-lubricated and grease-free bearings and seals.

With GDP projected to grow by 2.9% in 2025, there is enormous potential for Thordon’s products across all of Lithuania’s industrial sectors, which are now very much in expansive mode, explained Gintautas Gaizauskas, Director of Axioma servisas’ Commercial Department.

“The Klaipeda seaport is being developed following a €65 million investment; new renewable energy sources and infrastructure projects have received funding to ensure the country is climate neutral by 2050; and government incentives have bolstered manufacturing capabilities, making Lithuania a very attractive prospect for international manufacturing.”

Gaizauskas furthered that the country’s maritime sector is an area with potential for both Thordon and Axioma servisas.  

“Lithuania will become a major international logistics hub capable of handling much larger vessels and a more diverse range of cargoes and commodities,” he said.

“More vessels are being built and repaired in the country and there is a significant commitment to ‘Green Shipping’ in support of energy transition. Thordon’s product line fits very well with all of the developments taking place to bolster Lithuania’s environmental sustainability.”

For more than 20 years, Axioma servisas – the largest engineering services company in the Baltic region – has been installing, maintaining and repairing various mechanical, electrical and automation equipment, helping to prevent major breakdowns and downtime.

The proximity of Lithuania to Thordon’s manufacturing site in Slupsk, Poland, adds another dimension to both companies, as Barratt explained.

“Since 2012, when we invested in the Slupsk facility, we have expanded the plant to facilitate production of Thordon products, reducing the time and costs involved in getting our products to European markets. This is a particular boon for shipowners, managers and builders with existing and planned operations in Lithuania and the Baltic States.”

[By: EST-Floattech]

EST-Floattech is to announce that its battery systems have been selected for Damen Shipyards’ Multi Cat 1908 Electric (MuC 1908 E).

Proven design in a new innovative concept
The Damen MuC1908 E combines proven, versatile design with EST-Floattech’s robust and reliable technology to deliver a zero-emission solution for workboat operations. As this is the first fully electric Damen Multi Cat, it is based on a solid foundation since the Damen Multi Cat 1908 is a proven product within the Damen portfolio that has been in operation all over the world for over a quarter of a century.

The battery system
As a trusted partner in maritime energy storage, EST-Floattech will supply its Octopus Series High Energy battery system as energy storage solution that enables the vessel’s fully electric propulsion and equipment usage. The reliable performance and optimal energy efficiency of the battery system are specifically designed for these types of large-scale applications and heavy-duty operations and are recommended for systems up to 10MWh. For the MuC1908 E, the High Energy battery system, with a capacity of nearly 2 MWh, powers the vessel’s fully electric propulsion and equipment. It ensures the vessel can sail for up to ten hours on a single charge, with speeds up to 7 knots or provide bollard pull to 7 tonnes. As a multi-purpose workboat, the MuC 1908 E supports activities such as towing, dredging, and anchor handling with zero operational emissions.

Shared commitment to maritime sustainability
Jeroen van Woerkum, Managing Director at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld, explains: "With our commitment to increased maritime sustainability, we wanted to create a versatile workboat that could bring zero-emissions performance to a wide range of operations. Therefore, selecting EST-Floattech's Octopus Series High Energy battery system for the Multi Cat 1908 Electric was a strategic decision. The system's modular design and high energy density align perfectly with our goals for efficiency and sustainability in maritime operations."

Jelle Meindertsma, Sales Manager at EST-Floattech, commented: "We are proud to collaborate with Damen Shipyards on the Multi Cat 1908 Electric. This project highlights the potential of our battery solutions in large applications and shows the impact of innovation in maritime electrification. The Damen Multi Cat 1908 Electric is an excellent example of the industry’s ability to embrace

[By: Alabama Shipyard]

Alabama Shipyard is pleased to announce the arrival of the USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206) for its Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA). On Thursday, January 9 th , 2025, we proudly welcomed this critical vessel to our facility, where it will undergo essential maintenance and repairs to ensure its continued operational excellence.

The PSA is a significant phase in a ship’s lifecycle, typically conducted approximately one year after delivery. It is designed to address any issues or enhancements identified during the vessel’s initial operational period, ensuring the ship is fully prepared for its ongoing mission. The USNS Harvey Milk is the second ship in the John Lewis class of fleet replenishment oilers operated by MSC. The vessel provides fuel, food, supplies, repair parts, and materials to U.S. Navy and allied ships at sea. This capability enables warships to remain at sea for extended periods of time to execute their assigned missions.  Alabama Shipyard is honored to contribute to the readiness and reliability of such an important asset to our nation’s defense.

"We are proud to support the USNS Harvey Milk and its vital role in maintaining our naval fleet’s operational capabilities," said Greg Wagner, CEO at Alabama Shipyard. "Our team is committed to providing the highest quality service to ensure the success of this and every vessel we have the privilege to work on."

Alabama Shipyard remains dedicated to supporting the U.S. Navy and maritime industry with world-class repair, maintenance, and modernization services. Hosting the USNS Harvey Milk reinforces our commitment to excellence and our role in sustaining the strength of our nation’s fleet.