Splash Maritime and Offshore News

26/07/2025

Zara founder buys into UK ports

The Financial Times is reporting Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega, founder of the Zara fashion empire, has made his first move into maritime infrastructure, acquiring a 49% stake in UK port operator PD Ports through his investment arm Pontegadea. The deal sees Ortega’s family office partner with...

26/07/2025

NATO warns of surging state-linked cyber threats targeting ports

Ports are facing a deluge of cyber attacks from state-backed hackers, according to a new policy brief from NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE). Handling 80% of world trade and underpinning NATO’s logistics chain, ports are now “magnets” for cyber aggression from Ru...

26/07/2025

CMA CGM and TotalEnergies set up LNG bunker venture at Europe’s busiest port

French liner giant CMA CGM has teamed up with compatriot energy major TotalEnergies to form an LNG bunkering services joint venture at the port of Rotterdam. As part of the 50/50 JV, the two companies will co-own and operate a new 20,000 cu m LNG bunker vessel, expected to enter service by the end o...

25/07/2025

Fredriksen seeks buyer for his famous London residence

Shipping magnate John Fredriksen is officially cutting ties with the UK, listing his palatial Chelsea estate, The Old Rectory, for a reported $337m. The 81-year-old billionaire—formerly the UK’s tenth-richest person—has opted for a new base in the United Arab Emirates, citing frustration over ...

25/07/2025

Next Geosolutions takes over subsea contractor Rana

Italy’s Next Geosolutions (NextGeo) has acquired a controlling stake in fellow subsea contractor Rana Subsea, expanding its reach and capabilities in the offshore energy support segment. The Milan-listed company, part of Naples-based Marnavi Group, has agreed to buy 75.4% of Rana Subsea. The share...

25/07/2025

MOL launches global shipmanagement arm

Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) is consolidating its shipmanagement businesses under a single brand and location, aiming to streamline operations and enhance service quality across all vessel types. The Tokyo-headquartered shipping giant has renamed its Singapore-based LNG management arm, MOL LNG S...

25/07/2025

BIMCO issues clause to tackle US fees on China-linked ships

The Documentary Committee of the world’s largest shipping association, BIMCO, has adopted a standard clause aimed at addressing contractual uncertainties that may arise from the US Trade Representative’s notice of actions to impose fees on Chinese-related ships calling US ports. A BIMCO subcommi...

25/07/2025

HD Hyundai looks to buy back block manufacturer it sold six years ago

25/07/2025

Old panamax bulker gets new life as China’s offshore fish farm

China has rolled out its largest ocean-going aquaculture vessel to date, completing the conversion of a panamax bulk carrier into a mobile fish farming unit for domestic operator Senhai MK. The vessel, Zhedai Yuyang 60001, was handed over by Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding, a unit of China State Shipbuildi...

25/07/2025

OrbitMI acquires AI firm AuQub

Maritime tech innovator OrbitMI has struck a deal to acquire Quebec-based artificial intelligence company AuQub. The acquisition deepens OrbitMI’s investment in intelligent, connected workflows by embedding AuQub’s advanced AI agents into its platform. These agents specialise in automating repet...

25/07/2025

Noble scores $80m drillship gig offshore Bulgaria

Romanian oil and gas producer OMV Petrom and Israeli oil and gas firm NewMed Energy have hired a Noble drillship for two exploration wells in the Black Sea, offshore Bulgaria. The contract was awarded to Noble’s 2011-built Globetrotter I ultra-deepwater drillship. The two wells will be drilled on ...

24/07/2025

Adam Polemis linked to suezmax newbuilds

Prominent Greek shipowner Adam Polemis is back in the tanker newbuilding market with a fresh order for suezmaxes in China, adding to recent transactions around both newbuilds and asset sales from his New Shipping group. Shipbrokers in Europe report that Polemis has signed a deal with CSSC Qingdao Be...