Crowley has raised the U.S. flag on American Energy, commencing operations of the first domestic liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier to transport U.S.-sourced natural gas to Puerto Rico. The milestone will provide Puerto Rico with increased access to the reliable supply of U.S.-produced LNG, helping address the island’s ongoing power demands. Crowley and Naturgy have entered into a multi-year agreement that provides for the regular delivery of the U.S. mainland-sourced LNG to Naturgy’s operating facility in Penuelas, Puerto Rico. The Crowley-owned carrier American Energy, which has capacity of 130,400 cubic ...

A full-scale trade war is currently threatening global commerce. The United States has imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, and in response, countries such as Canada, China, and the EU have introduced tariffs on American goods. Despite trade tensions between the U.S. and several countries – including those in Europe – Danish Shipping does not foresee a decline in global economic growth in the near future. Despite trade tensions between the U.S. and several countries – including those in Europe – Danish Shipping does not foresee a decline in global ...

Global trade started 2025 on stable ground, but challenges are mounting. The latest Global Trade Update by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), covering data through early March, signals a shifting landscape. In 2024, world trade saw record expansion to $33 trillion in 2024 – up 3.7% from 2023 – driven by developing economies and strong services trade. But looking ahead, new risks loom, including trade imbalances, evolving policies, and geopolitical tensions. The gap between developing and advanced economies is widening. Asia and Latin America remain key trade drivers, but growth ...

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has published new guidance on the use of deck decompression chambers (DDCs) to treat divers with decompression illnesses. The document emphasises the importance of having DDCs at worksites and the development of emergency response plans to ensure immediate treatment, as time is critical for the successful recovery of divers exhibiting decompression illness symptoms. The guidance was developed in response to industry concerns regarding a decline in DDC operational competence, including reports of incidents where divers in need of treatment were not recompressed at the ...

Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI), a weighted average of regional spot container freight rates, decreased 2% in the fortnight to 15 Mar 25 to $604 per 40ft container. Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) declined 2% to $604 per 40-ft container in the first half of March. The IACI, a weighted average of spot rates across 18 major trade routes within Asia, remains 39% higher than in March 2024. Drewry anticipates freight rates to stabilise in the coming weeks as delivery times have improved and logistics operations return to normal after ...

The UP World LNG Shipping Index (UPI) declined by 1.60%, while the S&P 500 dropped by 2.27%. In a broader view, geopolitical risks in shipping routes slightly eased, but LNG spot rates remained low, prompting shipowners to withdraw older steam-powered ships from active markets. Among the index constituents, optimism is growing as stocks like Nakilat, Cool Company, and Awilco LNG showed gains, while others such as New Fortress Energy and Korea Line Corporation faced losses. However, the general trend suggests a potential upside rather than a lasting decline, with investors ...

The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index, which monitors rates for vessels moving dry bulk commodities, fell on Monday to snap a seven-session winning streak on weaker capesize rates. The main index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was down 11 points at 1,658 points. The capesize index fell 89 points to 2,768 points. Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, fell $743 to $22,954. Iron ore futures slumped on Monday, as a series ...

Worldwide, policy-makers and industry leaders are ramping up the decarbonization of “hard-to-abate” sectors such as shipping and the chemical industry. While electrification has advanced this process for passenger cars, buildings and some industries, it remains challenging for energy-dense and high-temperature applications. This is where electro-methanol (e-methanol) stands out. Produced by combining green hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide, e-methanol has a closed carbon cycle: it only emits the carbon dioxide (CO2) it captures during production. As both a sustainable shipping fuel and a chemical feedstock, e-methanol offers a path for some ...

Yesterday, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Comité Maritime International (CMI) launch an updated campaign for ‘Promoting Maritime Treaty Ratification’. There is a long-standing concern that many governments are not ratifying important international conventions despite their adoption at IMO and other regulatory fora. To assist in addressing this issue ICS and CMI have jointly updated their campaign to encourage and support governments to ratify these conventions. The campaign highlights the international maritime Conventions which ICS and CMI believe are significantly important for governments to ratify as a matter ...

Global trade hit a record $33 trillion in 2024, expanding 3.7% ($1.2 trillion), according to the latest Global Trade Update by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which warns that while trade remains strong, uncertainty looms in 2025. Services drove growth, rising 9% for the year and adding $700 billion – nearly 60% of the total growth. Trade in goods grew 2%, contributing $500 billion. Most regions saw positive growth, except for Europe and Central Asia. Growth varied by industry – agri-food, communication technology and transport saw gains, while energy, apparel ...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has today released a report providing recommendations on how to develop and implement a Safety Management System (SMS) for ammonia-fuelled ships. Recognizing the industry’s forecasts on the uptake of future fuels with low to zero carbon emissions, ammonia has emerged as one frontrunner. However, it presents new risks such as toxicity and corrosiveness. To address these challenges, MTF has developed guidelines to close previously identified gaps when implementing the ISM code for safe operation with ammonia as fuel. Key highlights of the report: Guidelines for ...

Spot premiums for high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) were largely stable on Monday, though the 380-cst product traded lower into mid-April. Cash premium for 380-cst HSFO was adjusted below $21 a metric ton, with offers retreating from the previous week. Inter-month spread between the balance-month and April remained steeply backwardated amid a recent rally. The derivatives pricing curve from April and beyond was more reflective of current fundamentals, which maintains backwardation but at a milder scale, trade sources said. Meanwhile, benchmarks for very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) continued to ...

On the occasion of the forthcoming 83rd meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) of the International Maritime Organization, the Belgian Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (KBRV) is releasing a series of videos featuring maritime thought leaders from across its membership. To start off the series is Yvan Vlaminckx, Managing Director of Fast Lines Belgium. Fast Lines is a 100% family-owned short-sea shipping Belgian company with a European reach. Anchored in a longstanding reputation of swift, secure, and professional service, Fast Lines is steered today by Yvan Vlaminckx and ...

Electrical systems integrator Alewijnse and the Technical University (TU) Delft have joined forces to drive progress towards a sustainable world. The partnership focuses on developing energy conversion solutions that contribute to the green energy transition. Leveraging its expertise in electrification and automation, Alewijnse provides a platform for young talent from TU Delft to innovate together, addressing the unique needs of companies in the maritime and industrial sectors. Climate change and globalisation present significant challenges to the maritime and industrial sectors. The demand for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient solutions is greater ...

Titan Clean Fuels (Titan) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have completed the first LNG and liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) bunkering operation of a new multi-delivery contract for MOL’s vehicle carrier fleet. On Sunday the 16th of March, Titan’s Alice Cosulich LNG bunkering vessel delivered 500 tons of bio-LNG and 400 tons of conventional LNG to the Celeste Ace vehicle carrier. The simultaneous operation (SIMOPS) bunkering took place in the Port of Zeebrugge’s International Car Operators (ICO) terminal. Titan’s delivery of ISCC-EU-certified mass-balanced bio-LNG marks the first of a series of bio-LNG ...