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Woodside and PETRONAS strengthen partnership with 15-year LNG supply agreement

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Woodside Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd and PETRONAS have finalised a fully termed sale and purchase agreement (SPA) for the supply of 1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Malaysia from 2028 for a period of 15 years.

This milestone marks the successful conversion of the non-binding Heads of Agreement (HOA) signed in June 2025 into a binding commitment, reinforcing the shared ambition of both companies to deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain.

Under the agreement, LNG will be supplied from Woodside’s global portfolio, which may include volumes from the recently approved Louisiana LNG project in the United States.

Woodside Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer Mark Abbotsford said:

“Finalising this long-term LNG supply agreement with PETRONAS represents a strategic milestone for Woodside as it is our first long-term LNG supply arrangement with Malaysia.

“The agreement is another demonstration of the strength and flexibility of Woodside’s diversified global portfolio and reinforces our position as a trusted energy supplier in Asia, supporting long-term value creation and regional prosperity.”

The SPA also supports PETRONAS’ efforts to enhance energy security in Peninsular Malaysia by integrating upstream gas developments with LNG imports to meet rising demand from the power and industrial sectors, driven by data centre growth, the wider adoption of artificial intelligence technologies and the transition away from coal-fired generation.

PETRONAS Vice President of LNG Marketing & Trading Shamsairi Ibrahim commented:

“As a responsible energy company, PETRONAS is committed to safeguarding Malaysia’s energy security while advancing the transition to a lower carbon future. We see natural gas as a long-term solution in this journey, and our collaboration with Woodside Energy represents an important step towards ensuring reliable and flexible supply for Malaysia’s growing economy, while enhancing PETRONAS’ global portfolio to deliver energy responsibly and sustainably.”

Woodside and PETRONAS share a long-standing relationship, having previously collaborated on exploration studies, research and development initiatives, and both spot and mid-term LNG transactions.

Van Oord reinforces the coast of Noord-Beveland with Bio-LNG hopper dredger

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For coastal maintenance, an LNG-powered trailing suction hopper dredger will deposit 1 million cubic metres of sand on and just in front of the beach. For the first time in the Netherlands, this replenishment is being carried out by a trailing suction hopper dredger that runs largely on Bio-LNG.

Rijkswaterstaat awarded the beach replenishment contracts for Heemskerk, Goeree Westkop, and Noord-Beveland to Van Oord in March of this year. These contracts are part of the Coastline Care programme, which focuses on strengthening the Dutch coastline through regular sand replenishment.

Van Oord, together with client Rijkswaterstaat, is committed to executing the work in a way that minimises emissions. For the first time in the Netherlands, the replenishment is being carried out with a dredger that runs largely on Bio-LNG, resulting in a significantly lower CO₂ footprint compared to conventional fuels.

Bio-LNG is produced from sustainable bio-based materials, including organic household waste and agricultural waste. The bunkered fuel is certified under the ISCC EU certification system, which ensures compliance with the European Union’s legal requirements for sustainable fuels.

By deploying the LNG hopper dredger powered by Bio-LNG, Van Oord emphasizes its pioneering role in the sustainability of the maritime sector. As the first maritime contractor with climate targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Van Oord is actively working on decarbonisation to achieve its net-zero ambition. In close collaboration with clients and stakeholders, we continue to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for our projects worldwide.

Saipem awarded new offshore contract for Sakarya gas field development

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Saipem has been awarded a new offshore contract by Turkish Petroleum OTC for the third phase of the Sakarya gas field development project in Turkey. 

Sakarya is the largest offshore natural gas field discovered in Turkey and is located about 170 km off the coast of Filyos, Zonguldak. The third phase of development entails a new dedicated floating production unit (FPU), fed by 27 wells located in the Sakarya and Amasra fields, connected by a new trunkline to the onshore facility located in Filyos, on the Turkish Black Sea coast.

Saipem’s scope of work encompasses the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of 8 rigid flowlines and a 24-inch diameter Gas Export Pipeline (GEP), approximately 183 km long, connecting the offshore field, at a maximum depth of 2,200 meters, to Filyos. The overall duration of the contract is approximately 3 years, while the offshore campaign will be conducted by Saipem’s Castorone pipelay vessel in 2027.

Saipem has successfully completed the first phase of the Sakarya field development project awarded in 2021 and is finalizing activities related to the second phase awarded in 2023. With the signing of this new contract, the company further consolidates its presence in Turkey and its involvement in a strategic project that contributes to the country’s energy independence.

Drones attack Russia’s largest oil port, fire erupts on ship at Primorsk

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As a result of the attack, a fire broke out on one of the ships. A blaze also occurred at a pumping station within the port.

The region’s governor, Alexander Drozdenko, stated in the morning that Russian air defenses had allegedly shot down 30 drones over the region.

“A fire on one of the vessels at the Port of Primorsk is being extinguished. The fire suppression system was activated,” the official wrote on Telegram.

Later, he reported that the fire on the ship had been fully extinguished.

Just half an hour later, the governor also announced that the fire at the pumping station in the Port of Primorsk had been extinguished.

The residents of Russia’s Leningrad region and the city of St. Petersburg reported continued explosions as of 7 a.m. and described it as one of the largest drone attacks on the region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Astra.

Source: militarnyi

MODEC awarded AiP from Bureau Veritas for LCO2 Floating Storage and Injection Unit

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The FSIU would be able to receive LCO₂ transported in low pressure condition, store, and inject it into subsea wells at high pressure for permanent sequestration, which eliminates a need for onshore LCO₂ receiving plant and pipeline to injection wells. 

The unit is engineered for a maximum CO₂ injection capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with a minimum total tank storage capacity of 100,000 m³.

To support uninterrupted injection operation, the FSIU will feature both tandem loading at the aft and simultaneous side-by-side loading at the midship port side, enabling flexible and efficient LCO₂ transfer from LCO₂ carriers, up to 90,000 m3 capacity (tandem) and up to 50,000 m3 (side-by-side). 

The FSIU hull was developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (MSB), while the mooring system incorporates a SOFEC External Turret to allow dual loading operation as well as station keeping in non-directional environment as often found in Southeast Asia. The FSIU will also be equipped with diesel engine generators integrated with a carbon capture system on the topside, minimizing operational CO₂ emissions.

This concept was developed in collaboration with Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. (“MOL”), to leverage their experience and market position with LCO₂ carriers and its proven methods of safe storage, transport and offloading.

By serving as an offshore storage and injection hub, the FSIU enables the sequestration of CO₂ into qualified reservoirs. By offering large-scale, flexible, and reliable offshore CO₂ storage, this solution supports the global transition to low-carbon energy.

This collaborative approach is positioned as a further example of a “Concept Design of Floating Alternative Energy Production Facility” as stated in the Mid-term Business Plan 2024-2026“Explore a Sustainable Future with Innovation”. The concept of carbon storage and injection is achieved by leveraging MODEC’s expertise in overall layout, hull design and mooring technology, cultivated in Oil & Gas FPSO projects, with MOL’s expertise in LCO₂ transport. This FSIU is designed for a wide range of offshore field locations and potential clients.

For the purpose of this AiP, BV’s technical experts conducted a comprehensive design review of the LCO₂ FSIU. The review encompassed critical safety aspects associated with the hull structure, mooring system, and LCO₂ storage, handling, and injection systems. By rigorously assessing the design against applicable BV Rules and international regulations, BV’s technical experts validated the FSIU’s technological and operational feasibility.

MODEC considers this AiP as further demonstration of a floating solution for alternative energy production and will continue to strive to refine and mature this concept to address the key challenges for commercialization identified during this development. We will contribute to the effective reduction of emissions through innovative, technically sound and cost-effective solutions, continuing in striving to achieve the decarbonization of the global energy supply chain through developing new technologies for a sustainable future.

Arata Kamishohara, VP Business and Project Development at MODEC noted:

“While this FSIU is a new concept, each component on the unit is not necessarily new to MODEC. MODEC has experience of CO₂ injection (removed from pre-combustion produced gas) and dual (oil) offloading system. All the utility systems are similar to what we do on FPSOs every day.
We collaborated with MOL, who cover the transportation portion of CCUS value chain, for interfaces between LCO₂ carriers and the FSIU.
With this, we are planning to achieve $5/tCO₂ or less, which I don’t think is a stretch target.”

Matthieu de Tugny, Executive Vice President, Industrials and Commodities at Bureau Veritas, said:
“We are delighted to award this Approval in Principle to MODEC for its innovative Floating Storage and Injection Unit concept. This project demonstrates how established offshore expertise can be applied to enable safe, reliable and scalable carbon storage solutions. Bureau Veritas is committed to supporting the development of technologies that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future, and this AiP reflects our role in helping industry stakeholders bring practical maritime solutions to market with confidence.”

Wärtsilä to power Denmark’s first high-speed electric ferries

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Technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to deliver a fully integrated electric propulsion system with waterjets for two new high-speed catamaran ferries being built for Danish ferry operator Molslinjen. 

The battery-electric vessels are being built at the Incat shipyard in Tasmania, with Wärtsilä supplying the integrated electric propulsion system, the DC power conversion system, its energy management and automation systems, eight electric propulsion motors and waterjets, as well as the Wärtsilä ProTouch propulsion control system for smooth and efficient sailing. 

“This is a major project that supports the ferry industry’s move towards more decarbonised operations. With these electric ferries built by Incat and powered by Wärtsilä’s electrification technology, we aim to remove thousands of tons of CO₂ emissions from Denmark’s climate footprint each year,” comments Kristian Durhuus, CEO, Molslinjen. 

Ferries play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for more sustainable transport options, with ship electrification being a key solution for enabling the sector to transition towards net-zero emissions.  

“Our partnership with Molslinjen and Incat not only brings electric vessels to the Kattegat route, but also continues our joint commitment in accelerating the industry’s path towards net-zero emissions shipping. Wärtsilä’s values and principles in shipping are deeply rooted in sustainability, innovation, and performance, and through our experience in vessel electrification, we have already delivered solutions for 150 hybrid-electric ships, with this number continuing to grow,” explains Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation. 

The two ferries will each measure 129 meters in length and 30.5 meters in width, accommodating up to 1,483 passengers and 500 cars. The addition of these new vessels will increase total capacity for cars and passengers on the Kattegat route by more than 25 percent.

“We’re not just building ships – we are building the future,” says Stephen Casey, CEO, Incat Tasmania. “Large-scale, low-emission transport solutions are not only possible, but are ready now. Incat Tasmania has always been at the forefront of innovating and pioneering new technology and design. The vessels address the market’s needs and requirements by utilising batteries, making this a very viable option for owners and operators looking to increase the sustainability of their fleets. Wärtsilä is a key player in the success of this project, supporting our goal of large-scale, low-emission transport with a completely integrated propulsion package.” 

The eight electric driven waterjet configuration feature low weight, shallow draft operation, low maintenance and easy access, safety and reliability, as well as superb manoeuvrability as a result of its integrated steering and reversing with quick response times. The waterjets have been designed for the highest overall propulsion efficiency. As the power is divided over more jets, the power density is lower, which means a higher efficiency. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in 2026.

Twelfth high-speed ferry designed for Tanzania’s Azam Marine hits the water

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Kilimanjaro IX, a state-of-the-art 53-metre fast ferry designed by global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther for Azam Marine has been successfully launched by AFAI Southern Shipyard in Guangzhou, China and is now set for sea trials.

The vessel is the twelfth (12th) high-speed ferry designed by Incat Crowther for the Tanzanian operator and will service Azam Marine’s popular routes to and from Dar-es-Salaam on the Tanzanian mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Tanga.

Azam Marine tasked Incat Crowther with both design and quality assurance services throughout the design, build and sea trials of Kilimanjaro IX. Incat Crowther’s in-depth quality assurance process has seen the digital shipbuilder implement a rigorous risk assessment and quality review process throughout every stage of the project to reduce and mitigate potential risks. Incat Crowther’s service included a dedicated resource to Azam Marine throughout the project to coordinate a formal review programme with AFAI Southern Shipyard to ensure Kilimanjaro IXwas successfully delivered on time, and on budget.

The design of Kilimanjaro IX is based on the successful Incat Crowther-designed ferry platform that has formed the basis of Azam Marine’s growing fleet, while featuring a number of design enhancements that improve operational efficiency and the customer experience. Incat Crowther visited the existing fleet in Tanzania to collaborate with the operations and maintenance teams on a comprehensive change register, capturing key opportunities for improvement. These enhancements were incorporated into the vessel specification and design. The implementation was closely monitored by our quality assurance team on site at the shipyard. This rigorous process gave the owner confidence that every upgrade was executed to the highest standard and in full alignment with their operational requirements.

Capable of transporting 679 passengers at speeds of up to 37 knots, Kilimanjaro IX offers spacious and comfortable indoor seating for 334 passengers on the main deck with 40 additional seats on the fore deck and space for 11 standing passengers on the vessel’s aft deck. The vessel’s air-conditioned main deck also features large luggage storage areas, a kiosk and five bathrooms, including one that is wheelchair accessible.

The vessel’s upper deck features covered outdoor seating for 200 passengers as well as a large, air-conditioned VIP cabin for 72 passengers in two distinct categories – a 56-seat VIP class, and a 16-seat Royal class. The upper deck also features a large kiosk, four bathrooms and the vessel’s wheelhouse.

Abubakar Aziz Salim, Chief Executive of Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries said: “Incat Crowther has been a trusted partner for our business as we have expanded our fleet. The eleven previous vessels designed by Incat Crowther have been robust, reliable, easy to maintain and fuel-efficient. The launch of Kilimanjaro IX is an important milestone as we grow to meet customer demand. Incat Crowther’s in-depth quality assurance process has ensured this project travelled smoothly from commissioning through to design, construction and trials. We’re looking forward to seeing Kilimanjaro IXin sea trials and welcoming the vessel into service next year.”

Brett Crowther, CEO of Incat Crowther said: “In addition to providing bespoke design support, this project has seen Incat Crowther’s team work closely with our shipbuilding partners at AFAI Southern Shipyard by providing project and quality management services. This partnership sees an Incat Crowther expert regularly on the ground throughout the build phase of the project to streamline communication and has ensured Kilimanjaro IXwas delivered to plan.“

Kilimanjaro IX will undergo sea trials in late 2025 and enter service in early 2026.

Norse Ship Management deploys Inmarsat`s solution to enhance operational connectivity experience

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Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, together with distribution partner Station Satcom have secured an order to install NexusWave on a bulk carrier managed by Singapore-based Norse Ship Management as the ship manager looks to meet the growing demands for crew and business connectivity across its fleet.

In line with Norse Ship Management’s digitalisation objectives, NexusWave provides uninterrupted remote access to business-critical applications and real-time engine-monitoring, ensuring seamless data exchange between ship and shore. The fully managed bonded connectivity service offers unlimited data and global coverage, enabling the crew to experience a home-like internet on board, where web-based applications perform as smoothly as they do on land.

Capt. Akshay Yadava, Managing Director, Norse Ship Management, said: “Crew welfare is our top priority, and providing a home-like internet experience onboard is increasingly vital to keeping our crews happy and motivated. With growing traffic demands on the commercial side and the need to ensure consistent, high-speed connectivity, we have selected NexusWave to upgrade our current system. We look forward to a continued successful collaboration with Station Satcom.”

NexusWave’s unique network bonding technology is designed to allow applications to leverage the combined speed and capacity of all available network underlays simultaneously, rather than relying on a single network at a time. This means ship owners and managers benefit from reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity.

Anshul Khanna, Director Station Satcom Private Limited, said: “We are proud to be entrusted by Norse Ship Management to deliver NexusWave across its fleet. This partnership reflects Station Satcom’s commitment to enabling smarter, safer, and more connected maritime operations. Our integrated deployment approach ensures Norse benefits from a single, robust platform tailored to its evolving digital needs.”

Justin Yi, Regional Director, Inmarsat Maritime, said “Norse Ship Management’s decision to adopt NexusWave highlights its forward-thinking approach to digitalisation, with a clear commitment to enhancing crew welfare and operational efficiency. We extend our thanks to Station Satcom for its expert support in successfully delivering this deployment.”

Recovery begins of fallen containers at Port of Long Beach

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Cargo operations have been temporarily suspended at Pier G, as operations continue to ensure the safety of dockworkers and other Port personnel.

A Unified Command has been established to respond to an incident Tuesday morning that caused an estimated 67 shipping containers to fall off the cargo ship Mississippi and into the water at Pier G within the Port of Long Beach just after 9 a.m.

Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Long Beach Fire Department, Long Police Department, Port of Long Beach, Army Corps of Engineers and other commercial representatives are responding to the incident.

A smaller clean air barge was connected to the Mississippi at the time of the accident and was damaged by several fallen containers.

No injuries have been reported. No other terminals or Port operations have been impacted.

Cargo operations have been temporarily suspended at Pier G, as operations continue to ensure the safety of dockworkers and other Port personnel.

The Coast Guard established a safety zone 500 yards around the Mississippi and is issuing marine safety broadcasts every hour to alert other vessels of the navigation and safety hazards.  The Coast Guard is also leading the effort to determine the cause of the incident.

Two sunken cargo containers were retrieved from the bottom of the basin on Wednesday. Additionally, responders secured the source of a fuel leak originating from an at-berth emissions control barge moored alongside the container vessel. The tank contained about 2,000 gallons of renewable diesel.

Cargo operations at the Port have been mostly unaffected by the incident, except in a 500-yard safety zone placed around the Mississippi, which was carrying 2,412 containers at the time of the incident. Containers began falling at 8:48 a.m. Tuesday. The Coast Guard, Jacobsen Port Pilots and the Port of Long Beach are working together to facilitate navigation in accordance with the safety zone.

There are 22 cargo terminals at the Port of Long Beach. Six handle containers.
 
“Although this incident was at one berth at the Port, we will continue to act with caution as we recover containers and restore full operations at the Pier G terminal as quickly and safely as possible,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Thanks to the quick response by all involved – first the workers and companies right at the docks working the ship, then on to all of the agencies who have responded to protect life, safety and commerce.”

Van Oord’s scope of work on Fish Migration River successfully completed

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Van Oord has successfully completed its work on the Fish Migration River at the Afsluitdijk. This marks an important milestone in the development of this innovative nature restoration project, which contributes to fish migration between the Wadden Sea and Lake IJsselmeer.

The final part of Van Oord’s contribution comprised the completion of the dam separating the Fish Migration River from the IJsselmeer. The construction of this river was commissioned by the Province of Friesland.

The dam, the final component constructed by Van Oord, surrounds the Fish Migration River and protects it from wind, waves and currents. In addition, the dam plays an important role in managing brackish water in the river. Van Oord previously implemented the estuary on the Wadden Sea side and the Lake IJsselmeer side. In addition, as part of the Afsluitdijk dyke reinforcement project carried out by construction consortium Levvel (consisting of BAM, Van Oord, Rebel and Invesis) and commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, Van Oord was also involved in the implementation of the gap through the Afsluitdijk. The gap in the Afsluitdijk allows migrating fish from the sea to access the new tidal system.

Matthijs de Vries, Executive Councillor of the Province of Friesland, said:

‘The province and Van Oord have worked closely together over the past few years, from design to execution, with this contour as a wonderful result. Ahead of us lies the final and biggest step: the construction of the meandering river in Lake IJsselmeer. I look forward to the completion of this unique project.’

For the construction of the dam, Van Oord used raw materials from the immediate area as much as possible. The sand was extracted from the Lake IJsselmeer with cutter suction dredger Biesbosch. A total of 400,000 cubic metres of sand was extracted from the sea bed right next to the Fish Migration River, eliminating the need to buy and bring in raw materials. This prevented about 400 shipping movements, or 18,500 truck movements. Some 20,000 tonnes of quarry stone used for reinforcing the Afsluitdijk was also reused. The use of area-specific material also contributes to the success of fish migration: The sand and rock have the same smell and taste as the environment, which helps fish with their orientation.

One more step in the construction of the Fish Migration River will follow: the construction of the meandering river. The Province of Friesland is expected to start implementation in 2026. 

Ronald de Geus, Director Dredging & Infra at Van Oord, said:

‘The successful completion of our contribution to this project is an important milestone for Van Oord. In close cooperation with the province of Friesland and many other stakeholders, we have worked for many years to ensure the sustainable implementation of the Fish Migration River. This project shows how innovative marine engineering and ecological recovery can reinforce each other, and really puts the Netherlands on the map. We are proud of the collective effort and of our contribution to this special initiative.’

About the Fish Migration River

The Netherlands will be the first country in the world to get a Fish Migration River. This is a unique artificial tidal system at Kornwerderzand, which is being built right through the Afsluitdijk. To grow up and reproduce, migratory fish need both salt and fresh water. This link ensures that fish can migrate from salt to fresh water and vice versa through the Afsluitdijk whenever they want. Not only fish will benefit from the Fish Migration River. The creation of the river will increase the amount of flora and fauna in the area, making the Lake IJsselmeer healthier. Apart from being a fish passage, the Fish Migration River will also be a beautiful nature and cultural area where visitors can undertake various activities.