Kongsberg Maritime begins trading on Oslo Stock Exchange
Kongsberg Maritime begins trading on Oslo Stock Exchange
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
Kongsberg Maritime ASA, a global leader in maritime technology, today begins trading on Euronext Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KMAR. The company has been spun off from Kongsberg Gruppen ASA.
“This is a defining moment for Kongsberg Maritime,” said Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, CEO of Kongsberg Maritime ASA. “We will write a new book in a company built on more than 200 years of innovation.
Baleària begins sea trials of the fast ferry ‘Mercedes Pinto’ in Gijón
Baleària begins sea trials of the fast ferry ‘Mercedes Pinto’ in Gijón
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
Baleària has started today the sea trials of the Mercedes Pinto fast ferry in Gijón. This is the company’s third dual-engine natural gas-powered catamaran, currently being finalised at the Armon shipyard, and the company expects to receive it in May. The shipping company plans to deploy this new catamaran on routes to the Canary Islands once the acquisition of Armas Trasmediterránea’s assets in the islands has been finalised.
The sea trials, which began today, will continue over the coming days and include tests of the manoeuvrability, speed, stability and engine performance, as well as the functioning of the power and navigation systems.
Oil tankers, cars, and money: the political economy of G7 China policies
Oil tankers, cars, and money: the political economy of G7 China policies
in
World Economy News
24/04/2026
Trade deals by public opinion
In response to growing uncertainty about US leadership of the liberal democratic order, leaders across the Global North are calling for closer engagement with China. Carney, Starmer, and Merz have all emphasised strategic pragmatism during their visits. While expressing openness to Chinese clean-tech investment, each leader highlighted different trade priorities.
High claims risk persists for soya beans
High claims risk persists for soya beans
in
Marine Insurance P&I Club News
24/04/2026
Brazil remains the world’s largest soya beans supplier, accounting for close to 60 per cent of global trade and representing the country’s most valuable export commodity. The Brazil–China corridor continues to dominate seaborne flows, with China firmly established as Brazil’s leading buyer.
After severe disruption in late 2025 driven by intensified phytosanitary enforcement by Chinese customs authorities, Brazilian soya bean exports to China are now gradually stabilising. However, with production and export volumes forecast to set further records in the 2025/26 season, carriers should expect continued regulatory scrutiny and sustained claims exposure.
Record exports
In 2025, Brazil exported a record 108 million tonnes of soya beans, of which approximately 85 million tonnes (68 per cent) were shipped to China.
DNV and SIT sign new agreement to advance Singapore’s remote and autonomous maritime capabilities
DNV and SIT sign new agreement to advance Singapore’s remote and autonomous maritime capabilities
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
DNV and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) have signed a new Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) to jointly support the development of remote and autonomous maritime capabilities in Singapore. The RCA builds on a Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)-funded Joint Industry Project (JIP) focused on shore‑based Remote Operations Centres (ROC) for bunker vessels and strengthens Singapore’s ongoing efforts to boost next‑generation maritime operations.
Under the RCA, DNV and SIT will work together to identify and develop the required technical, operational, and training capabilities that will enable SIT’s Future Ship and System Design (FSSD) Lab to support remote and autonomous vessel functions. The JIP, supported by MPA, will bring together industry and research partners to study how selected vessel functions can be safely monitored
BIMCO: Documentary Committee meets on 29 and 30 April
BIMCO: Documentary Committee meets on 29 and 30 April
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
The BIMCO Documentary Committee will meet in Copenhagen next week to review ongoing projects and consider items for adoption. The two‑day meeting highlights the DC’s structured and collaborative approach to developing BIMCO’s contractual standards.
The extensive agenda for this DC meeting includes both revision and novel contractual projects: Energy Saving Device Retrofit Addendum, HEAVYLIFTVOY, WINDSEACON, Standard Clause for Carriage of Electric Vehicles, RECYCLECON, WRECKHIRE, CO2TIME and Biofuel Clause for Time Charter Parties, Virtual Notice Clause for Voyage and Time Charter Parties and LAYUPMAN.
It will be the committee’s first in‑person meeting of 2026, bringing together Documentary Committee delegates from 26 different countries, industry experts and IG Clubs to review ongoing work and consider projects for adoption.
The meeting continues the DC’s evolving working model, combining p
IBIA statement concerning the forthcoming MEPC 84
IBIA statement concerning the forthcoming MEPC 84
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
The joint statement* issued on Monday 20 April 2026 by shipping associations representing the global commercial fleet, “Shipping Industry United in Support of IMO as its Global Regulator and Successful Implementation of IMO GHG Reduction Pathway,” reiterates full support for the IMO as the global regulator for international shipping.
It emphasises that decarbonization of the maritime sector is a multi-stakeholder endeavour which should and can only be achieved by all stakeholders of the global maritime ecosystem.
IBIA – The International Bunker Industry Association, representing stakeholders across the global marine energy supply chain, aligns with this position. It remains committed to providing meaningful and constructive input to support IMO Member States in developing globally consistent, fit-for-purpose regulations that deliver the Organization’s strategic vision.
IBIA recognises the need f
dship Carriers and NSB Group launchHinode Shipmanagement for new MPP vessels
dship Carriers and NSB Group launchHinode Shipmanagement for new MPP vessels
in
International Shipping News
24/04/2026
The German shipping company dship Carriers and ship manager NSB Group have joined forces by establishing the joint venture Hinode Shipmanagement to manage dship’s next generation of MPP vessels.
Based in Buxtehude, Germany, Hinode Shipmanagement is designed as a focused setup tailored to the specific requirements of a modern MPP fleet. It brings together dship Carriers’ commercial and operational expertise with NSB Group’s technical and ship management capabilities. At the same time, NSB Group continues to expand its maritime portfolio, partnering with dship Carriers, a well-established player in the MPP market.
At the center of the joint venture are six modern D500 newbuildings, currently under construction at Chinese shipyards and scheduled for delivery between June 2026 and the end of 2027.
Russian oil flow to Slovakia via Druzhba pipeline resumes
Russian oil flow to Slovakia via Druzhba pipeline resumes
in
General Energy News
23/04/2026
Bratislava confirmed that the country started receiving crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline early on Thursday, after a three-month halt.
The flow of Russian oil to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline that crosses Ukraine has resumed, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková said on Thursday morning.
The Economy Ministry informs that today at 2 am the reception of oil to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline was resumed,” Saková said in a ministry statement.
This confirmation puts an end to a months-long standoff between Ukraine, the EU and Hungary and Slovakia when the transit of Russian cheap oil stopped after a Russian strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure at the end of January.
The confirmation is set to unblock the €90-billion loan for Ukraine, which has been vetoed by Hungary and Slovakia since February, despite being initially agreed upon in December.
The disbursement is scheduled
U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Rise Slightly, Exceeding Forecasts
Initial Jobless Claims Rise Slightly, Exceeding Forecasts
in
World Economy News
23/04/2026
In a closely watched economic indicator, the latest report on U.S. Initial Jobless Claims revealed a slight uptick, with 214,000 individuals filing for unemployment insurance for the first time last week. This figure surpassed the forecasted 211,000 claims, indicating a modest increase in the number of people seeking unemployment assistance.
The Initial Jobless Claims report is a critical barometer of labor market health, providing insight into the number of individuals who are newly unemployed.