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As the summer maintenance season has started, the first Arc7 ice-class gas carriers in service of the Yamal LNG project have arrived at the Fayard A/S shipyard in Odense. The 'Nikolay Urvantsev', chartered to Novatek’s Yamal LNG project, arrived at the drydock on June 26, 2025, and sailed around a week later. The Arc7 LNG carrier 'Fedor Litke (IMO: 9768370)', operated by Dynagas, arrived at the Fayard A/S yard on July 17, following a delivery at Dunkerque, and remained in drydock as of July 24. Repairs and maintenance schedules have been significantly condensed for the Arctic LNG carriers due to their harsh operating conditions along Russia’s Northern Sea Route. The Damen ship repair focuses on hull maintenance, which the LNG carriers regularly require breaking a path through thick Arctic sea ice. The Damen Shiprepair stated that the company was in compliance with all international sanctions legislation against Russia. As the vessels have not been directly sanctioned by the U.S. or the EU the yards’ activities do not violate international law. Though procuring spare parts has become increasingly difficult, suppliers of gas chromatographs and flow meters used on LNG carriers have placed restrictions on the end user and no longer deliver parts to the vessels of the Yamal fleet, related to the fear of sanctions. A number of sanctioned LNG carriers, including an Arc7 and several Arc4 ice-class vessels, have recently resorted to receiving maintenance at Chinese yards. The Arc7 LNG carrier 'Christophe de Margerie' spent months at a Zhoushan Island yard east of Shanghai in summer 2024. Currently two additional sanctioned Russian gas carriers, the 'Sputnik Energy' (IMO: 9256602) and the 'Nova Energy' (IMO: 9324277), remained at Zhoushan yards.

The 'Lochinvar', serving on the route Lochaline-Fishnish, suffered a technical issue that requires further investigation on July 23. As a consequence, the scheduled departures from iLochaline at 9.40 a.m. and from Fishnish at 10 a.m. had to be cancelled. After the issue was resolved, the 'Lochinvar'operated the previously cancelled crossings.

Marine battery supplier Corvus Energy is to install its lithium-ion battery storage systems onboard AIDA Cruises’ ships to reduce fossil fuel use and emissions. In a project that will also involve ABB and Siemens, Corvus will install and commission the battery storage systems on the first AIDA ship in 2020. The companies then plan to then use their findings from the pilot project to successfully fit battery systems onboard other vessels in the AIDA fleet. “Our goal is the emissions-neutral ship operation,” said Michael Thamm, group CEO of Costa Group and Carnival Asia.

Port of Oslo in Norway has signed a cooperation agreement with an environmental non-profit organisation to help it become emission-free. The Port of Oslo, which first talked about its zero-emission ambition in June, will partner with the Oslo-headquartered Bellona Foundation to achieve its zero-emission goal. Emissions in the port are anticipated to be reduced by 85% by 2030 and gradually reduce until they are eliminated. “The Port of Oslo is in full swing with the green transition, and has begun the phasing in of emissions-free solutions,” said Port of Oslo chairman, Roger Schjerva. “It is enthusiastic about working alongside the Bellona Foundation and exchanging ideas and solutions with Bellona’s network of environmental experts and organizations. Maritime transport and urban ports are crucial in reducing the world’s greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.”

As of July 21, the 'Wan Hai 503' remained in a stable condition. Grey smoke was last observed in the vicinity of cargo holds no. 3 and 4 on the afternoon of July 2ß, consistent with previously reported patterns of residual combustion due to unextinguished smouldering cargo. The vessel continued to weather rough conditions with gusting winds over 30 knots and swells. The ship was currently located approximately 238 nautical miles southeast of the Indian EEZ boundary and has been drifting along with prevailing ocean currents in the absence of active tow. The connection with the 'Offshore Warrior' was scheduled to be re-established upon its return from Cochin, where it had proceeded for replenishment of bunkers, stores, and freshwater. Salvage operations continued on board with a 16-member team having boarded the casualty. The salvage team now intended to remain on board continuously to maintain operation tempo and stability. Essential amenities such as cooling appliances and food supplies have already been provided to support extended stays. Dewatering of the engine room, cargo holds, and duct keel continued, with improved control achieved in most spaces. Notably, cargo holds no. 2 and 3 appeaedr dry, while the engine room water level was being maintained at approximately 50 cm. Pumping in hold no. 6 was ongoing. The 'Offshore Warrior wass expected to arrive back on July 22. Once reconnected, it was to re-establish tow and return the vessel toward the Indian EEZ as previously committed to Sri Lankan authorities. The salvage team has also mobilized an additional tug, the 'Advantage Libra', which departed from Khor Fakkan on July 20 with an ETA as of July 27 to augment the operational fleet and provide greater redundancy for towage and salvage work, particularly in the light of an upcoming potential port entry. The 'Advantis Virgo', having suffered propeller issues during prior maneuvers, was planned to return to Colombo for underwater inspections and repair after the 'Offshore Warrior' took over towing duties. Until then, it remainned on standby. Meanwhile, the 'Saksham' was actively engaged in fire watch and boundary cooling as required. The 'Water Lily' continued to serve as the primary platform for safe personnel transfer to and from the casualty. The overall salvage and stabilization picture was cautiously optimistic. The 'Wan Hai 503' has shown structural resilience. The recurrence of grey smoke emissions was anticipated and attributed to residual combustion within affected cargo holds. Given the limitations of safe access to these areas, boundary cooling remained the feasible mitigation approach at present. The emergency towline that parted earlier was recovered and stored aboard the vessel as a precaution. A backup towline was also being prepared. The salvage team’s ability to remain on board continuously marked a positive shift in operations, reducing reliance on the single transfer ship 'Water Lily', and allowing uninterrupted oversight. Planning was also progressing for final stages of casualty removal. The Wan Hai Lines has communicated its decision, based on inputs from ITOPF and shoreline drift modelling, to discontinue contractual ties with SpillTech and MERC for shoreline clean-up, citing minimal ongoing risk. However, MERC remains on standby should future response be necessary. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has taken note and will revert formally upon review.

The 'Lord of the Isles', serving on the route Kennacraig-Islay, suffered a technical issue impacting the' steering system on July 23. As a consequence, the scheduled departure from Port Askaig to Kennacraig at 8.45 p.m. was delayed.

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has concluded an agreement with long-term customer EUROGATE Tanger (EGT) in Morocco to upgrade four ZPMC ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, as part of the terminal’s expansion plans. With a quay length of 821 meters, a terminal area of 400,000 m2 and a water depth of up to 18 meters, the facility is well-equipped to handle the new generation of containerships. The terminal’s equipment fleet already includes several Kalmar machines, including rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs). Furthermore, Kalar will be responsible for the planning, engineering and execution of the entire project, which involves heightening the four STS cranes by 11 meters and extending the booms by six meters. The project with Kalmar will help the terminal serve mega-sized container vessels.

The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) will launch a test voyage of a feeder vessel along the Black Sea container route Batumi-Constanta by September 20. The vessel will sail every 10 days (3 times a month). If cargo volumes increase, the growth in the number of vessels and the regularity of sailings on the line is also expected.

The 'Bute', operating on the route Wemyss Bay-Rothesay suffered a fuel issue on July 22. The departures from Rothesay at 10:000 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and from Wemyss Bay at 11:15 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. had to be cancelled with more crossings at the risk uf disruption. After the issues were successfully resolved, the following sailings, which were initially cancelled, were reinstated: Departure Rothesay - 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Departure Wemyss Bay -3:05 p.m., 5:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.

The 'Isle of Cumbrae', serving on the route Largs-Cumbrae, suffered a technical issue with its ramp on July 21. As a consequence, the scheduled 09:30 a.m.sailing from Largs and the 09:45 a.m. sailing from Cumbrae had to be cancelled, which were later extended until the evening. The 'Loch Shira' continued accodring to timetable, The sailings departed from Largs at a quarter to and a quarter past the hour. Sailings from Cumbrae departed on the hour and half past the hour. Afer the 'Ilse of Cumbrae' was back on service a 15 minute timetable was resumed. On July 22 all sailings operated by 'Isle of Cumbrae' wer liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice due to the ongoing issues with the vessel’s ramp. To expedite the repair on the 'Isle Of Cumbrae's ramp, the vessel was to be relocated to Colintraive. were are expected to be completed by the afternoon of July 23.

Qatar has established an investment partnership with Somalia to build a new port in the latter's country. The Ministry of Transport and Communications in Qatar said that the partnership between Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani) and Somalia will see the construction of the Hobyo Port in the Mudug region of central Somalia. Hobyo Port is expected to bring multiple economic benefits for Somalia. The port could create new business opportunities for the country by bolstering the commercial relationship with new markets in Africa and providing access to global markets, in addition to providing maritime services to vast areas in Somalia. The Hobyo Port is in proximity to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most important sea crossing points. Hobyo is also important due to its location in the Mudug region, which links the south and north of the country.

Gautam Adani is looking to expand his ports empire by closing in on buying a 65-70 per cent stake in Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd, the entity promoted by Hyderabad-based CVR Group to run a private deep-water port at Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore district. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), India’s biggest private port operator, is expected to pay more than ₹5,500 crore to buy the stake which will give it access to the country’s largest waterfront area (for a port) of 12.5 km and a transit storage area of 6,800 acres. It started operations in 2008. Currently, the port has a draft of 18.5 metres, a depth that can accommodate full-loaded Capesize vessel of 200,000-tonne capacity.