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Sanctioned Russian oil tankers left stranded off India as refineries turn them away

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At least four tankers carrying Russian oil are reportedly idling off India’s western coast after local refineries refused to accept the shipments, Bloomberg reported on August 1, citing vessel tracking data.

The Achilles and Elyte tankers, each carrying around 700,000 barrels of Urals crude, are anchored near the port city of Jamnagar. The vessels loaded their cargo in late June from the Russian ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga and were scheduled to offload on August 2 and 3. Both ships are under EU and UK sanctions, raising compliance concerns for potential buyers.

Two additional tankers—Destan and Horae—are also waiting offshore with Russian oil loaded between June 24 and July 1. The Destan, which is also sanctioned by the EU and UK, is expected to reach the port of Sikka in the coming days. The Horae, not currently subject to Western sanctions, has yet to declare a destination.

According to Bloomberg more than a third of India’s oil imports come from Russia, making it one of the country’s most significant energy partners. However, the flow of Russian crude has come under renewed scrutiny following the EU’s latest round of sanctions in mid-July.

This week, the Trump administration cited India’s continued purchases of Russian oil as grounds for imposing steep import tariffs, also warning of further unspecified penalties. In response, New Delhi has asked domestic refiners to prepare and share contingency plans for sourcing crude from alternative suppliers, Bloomberg reported.

Despite mounting pressure, remains confident in its energy security. Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said the country can meet its oil needs through alternative sources if Russian supplies are affected.

“I’m not worried at all. If something happens, we’ll deal with it,” Puri said at an industry event in New Delhi. “India has diversified the sources of supply and we have gone, I think, from about 27 countries that we used to buy from to about 40 countries now.”

Earlier, it was reported that the US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a major escalation of sanctions on Russian oil exports, including the introduction of a sweeping 500% global tariff on Russian crude.

According to the report by The Times, Trump is now “closely studying” a proposed bill that would impose the tariff not only on Russia, but also on countries such as China, India, and Turkey that continue to import Russian energy.

Source: united24media

Saipem: extension of contract with Aker BP for drilling activities offshore Norway

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Saipem informs that Aker BP has exercised the option for the extension period under the existing contract for the semi‑submersible drilling unit Scarabeo 8, originally awarded in March 2022.

This option, which is in direct continuation of the previous one-year contract extension, prolongs the contract until December 31, 2027.

The Scarabeo 8, a sixth‑generation drilling unit owned by Saipem, is designed to operate in demanding offshore environments.

It is equipped with a dynamic positioning system (DP) and an advanced mooring system, fully compliant with the strictest regulatory standards. The unit has a proven track record in projects with major oil companies, operating across the Norwegian Continental Shelf including the Barents Sea.

MODEC secures AiP for an innovative offshore wind turbine design from ABS

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MODEC received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping for its groundbreaking concept, “iTLP2-FOWT”, referred to as “i-TLP™2”.

This development is part of MODEC’s commitment to contributing to the energy transition by providing innovative offshore wind turbine solutions that deliver electricity at Low Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).

In addition to CAPEX reduction, the development of i-TLP™2 is guided by the following principles:

  • Use of turbines already available on the market.
  • Maximum power output from limited wind farm area.
  • Fast, large-scale supply —quickly operational.
  • Installation on any seabed.

Currently, bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines are typically installed at sea depths of up to 50 meters. Beyond this depth, floating offshore wind turbines, such as semi-submersible and spar designs, have been used. However, these floating concepts involve catenary mooring; which demand turbines to cope with large waveinduced motion and require a large footprint for each unit.

With its TLP-oriented features, i-TLP™2 minimizes floater motions and seabed footprint. It incorporates significant improvements from the first-generation MODEC TLP, enabling rapid construction and turbine integration at land-based sites, as well as in-situ heavy maintenance of the turbines after installation.

“Our goal is to deliver a solution that enables affordable electricity with low greenhouse gas emissions,” said Koichi Matsumiya, Chief Technical Officer of MODEC. “We chose not to announce the previous i-TLP1 design, despite its lower LCOE compared to semi-submersibles and first-generation MODEC TLP, because we aim to address all known challenges. We also strive to tackle unknown challenges with humility to deliver the best solution we can. To make the concept into reality, we seek partners to help us demonstrate our concept through practical applications.”

MODEC is also developing an innovative bottom-fixed wind turbine platform concept, designed to install up to 100 meters water depth. While recognizing significant challenges that exist compared to the development of i-TLP™2, MODEC is committed to addressing these challenges with humble and diligent efforts. The company will continue to explore innovative solutions to advance further its deep-water bottom fixed concept.

Stena Bulk completes reflagging of Stena Sunrise to Swedish flag

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Leading tanker shipping company Stena Bulk has today announced that its Suezmax tanker, Stena Sunrise, has been officially registered under the Swedish flag during a ceremony in Singapore. 

The vessel is the first Suezmax tanker in modern times to operate under the Swedish flag, marking a significant step for Sweden’s maritime presence in the global crude oil trade.

This milestone represents a historic moment for Sweden’s shipping industry. While Swedish shipyards built several large crude carriers during the 1970s and 1980s, most were delivered under foreign flags. Over the past few decades, Sweden has had very limited representation in the largest crude tanker segments, with rare exceptions including the ULCC TT Nanny (1978–1984) and VLCC Vanadis (in the early 1990s), which briefly operated under Swedish registry.

Based on available records and internal knowledge, Stena Sunrise becomes the first Suezmax-class vessel to be flagged in Sweden and among only a handful of large crude carriers ever to do so.

The reflagging ceremony was attended by the Swedish Ambassador to Singapore, Anders Sjöberg, and the General Manager and Head of Stena Bulk Singapore, Johan Zander, who participated in the formal handover of the Swedish flag onboard the vessel. 

Stena Sunrise is the first of five Suezmax tankers that Stena Bulk plans to transition into the Swedish Register of Shipping. The remaining vessels – Stena Superior, Stena Suede, Stena Surprise, and Stena Sunshine – will be reflagged in the coming months in accordance with commercial and operational schedules.

Erik Hånell, President and CEO of Stena Bulk, said: “We’re proud to see Stena Sunrise officially come under the Swedish flag and to have celebrated this milestone with a ceremony in Singapore. This step has only been made possible by the strong collaboration we have enjoyed with Swedish government authorities and maritime unions. We are excited to continue working together to bring four more of our Suezmax tankers under the Swedish flag in the coming months.” 

As Stena Sunrise officially joins the Swedish fleet, the occasion underscores how public–private cooperation can drive meaningful progress in revitalising Sweden’s role in international shipping.
 

Port of Oakland applauds expansion of free water shuttle between Oakland and Alameda

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The Port of Oakland celebrates the expansion of the Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle, a free pilot program initiated by the City of Alameda, offering public water transit between Oakland’s Jack London Square and Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, at the foot of 5th Street in Alameda. 

As of July 8th, the service now includes Tuesdays and extended weekend hours—increasing total weekly trips by 35%.

“We’re excited to see such strong demand for the water taxi in just its first year,” said Jonathan Veach, Chief Real Estate Officer for the Port of Oakland. “This expansion underscores the growing need for transportation options that reduce congestion and strengthen connections between Alameda and our waterfront businesses. The Port is proud to support enhanced mobility, and we see the shuttle as a vital part of our broader vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and well-connected waterfront.”

Initiated by the City of Alameda and partially funded by the Port, the shuttle operates Tuesday through Thursday from 7:20 a.m. to 8:03 p.m., and extends service Friday through Sunday from 7:20 a.m. to 10:16 p.m. Each vessel accommodates 31 passengers and 14 bicycles, and all rides are wheelchair accessible and free of charge.

The Oakland dock is located at the foot of Broadway in the heart of Jack London Square, a vibrant waterfront destination known for locally owned restaurants, independent retailers, live music, outdoor events, and year-round markets. With expanded shuttle service, it’s now even easier to reach Jack London Square—whether for a weekday lunch meeting, a weekend outing, or an evening event.

Launched in July 2024 as a two-year pilot program, the service has already logged more than 100,000 rides. Its early success earned the 2025 Transportation Planning Award of Excellence from the American Planning Association – California Northern Section. Additional work is underway among regional transportation partners to support continued growth of the service and the eventual integration into the broader Bay Area public transit network.

“The shuttle isn’t just about transit—it’s about connection,” said Matt Davis, Chief Public Engagement Officer for the Port of Oakland. “We’re creating stronger ties between our communities, supporting local economies, and giving people an enjoyable way to travel across the Estuary.”

Boskalis-Allseas consortium awarded large offshore natural gas pipeline project in Taiwan

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Boskalis and Allseas announce that their 50/50 consortium has been awarded a large contract by CPC Corporation Taiwan for the second offshore gas pipeline from Yongan to Tongxiao (YT2). 

The total contract value is approximately EUR 1.2 billion. This energy project is intended to support the acceleration of energy transition in Taiwan and improve the gas supply capacity in northern Taiwan.

Under the contract, the consortium will design, construct, install and pre-commission the new YT2 36-inch offshore natural gas pipeline, which will run approximately 232 kilometers parallel to the existing YT1 pipeline, connecting the Yongan LNG terminal in the Southwest with the Tongxiao transfer station in the Northwest. The comprehensive scope of work includes trenching, pipeline installation with 34 crossings over existing and future infrastructure and assets, backfilling and two landfalls.

Within the consortium, Boskalis will be responsible for the landfalls and associated microtunnelling activities, as well as nearshore and offshore trenching, backfilling, and the installation of rocks for the 34 pipeline crossings. For these activities, Boskalis will deploy two large hopper dredgers, a large backhoe dredger, and a subsea rock installation vessel.

Allseas will carry out the pipeline installation and pre-commissioning, including the pre-lay installation of concrete mattresses. For these activities, Allseas will deploy two of the most advanced pipelay vessels in the industry.

Project execution is scheduled to commence in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2028.

Carbon Ridge and Scorpio Tankers deploy first centrifugal carbon capture

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Carbon Ridge has achieved a shipping industry first with the successful deployment of a centrifugal onboard carbon capture system (OCCS) aboard an LR2 product tanker owned by Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Conducted in partnership with Scorpio Tankers Inc., a global leader in the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products, the pilot aboard the vessel signals a significant milestone in the development and scaling of advanced OCCS solutions within the shipping industry.
 
The pilot commenced in July at Besiktas Shipyard in Turkey aboard the STI SPIGA.

Carbon Ridge’s technology offers a modular design that reduces both initial capital investment and ongoing operational costs while delivering superior capture efficiency compared to conventional technologies. The technology’s compact design means that space requirements are reduced by up to 75% compared to conventional OCCS columns, while its flexible installation options – vertical or horizontal, depending on vessel constraints – accommodate the requirements of shipping’s diverse and globally operational fleet. Captured CO2 is compressed, liquefied, and stored safely for the duration of the voyage.

Combining optimized onboard OCCS technology with an end-to-end logistics solution for captured CO2, Carbon Ridge offers a turnkey solution that ensures full value-chain compliance with maritime and regional regulations.

Designed for both retrofit and seamless newbuild integration, the technology is future-proof and scalable, agnostic to fuel type, and offers ship owners flexibility within their fleet decarbonization strategies without requiring major propulsion system overhauls. By integrating proven centrifugal technology into a compact, purpose-built system for the marine environment, Carbon Ridge is unlocking a scalable pathway for shipowners and charterers to meet increasingly stringent regulatory and climate targets.

Carbon Ridge also completed an additional financing led by Katapult Ocean and Alfa8, with participation from Crosscut Ventures and Berge Bulk. This brings the company’s total funding to over $20M USD.
 
Speaking on the pilot, Chase Dwyer, CEO and Founder, Carbon Ridge said:

“Unlike other CCS solutions, which are designed to be deployed on land and then adapted for ocean operation, we have specifically designed and developed this technology for the maritime industry. The centrifugal carbon capture system is unlike anything that has been deployed on a vessel before and, offers a cost-effective, flexible and modular solution to support the maritime industry in its decarbonization efforts. Our ambition is to lead the way for CCS in shipping, and we are excited to see the results of this deployment with our partner Scorpio Tankers.”

Cameron Mackey, Chief Operating Officer of Scorpio Tankers Inc. said:

“We’re proud to be part of this pilot project with Carbon Ridge, as they not only represent the leading edge of CCS technology, but they also have the requisite understanding of our industry to develop and implement practical solutions. We look forward to the results of the pilot and our continuing partnership as we face the challenges of decarbonisation for shipping.”

 

First monopile stands at 660 MW Nordseecluster A offshore wind farm in Germany

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The Nordseecluster offshore wind project has reached a significant milestone: the first turbine foundation has been successfully installed around 50 kilometres north of the German island of Juist.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO RWE Offshore Wind:

“With the 1.6-gigawatt Nordseecluster we together with our partner Norges Bank Investment Management are delivering what is currently the largest offshore wind project off the German coast. Installing the first monopile is a significant milestone for the entire team, following years of planning and preparation. My thanks go to our supply chain partners and all colleagues who contributed to this success.”

The monopiles were shipped from the heavy-lift terminal in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, to the construction site in the German North Sea by Van Oord’s brand-new offshore installation vessel Boreas. Four monopiles can be loaded in one shipment. Each monopile foundation measures 85 metres in length and weighs approximately 1,500 metric tons, which is roughly equivalent to the weight of 1,000 small cars.

Rather than using a monopile foundation topped with an overlapping separate transition piece, extended single monopiles are installed and secondary steel structures, which include e.g. boat landings, will be fitted offshore. This so-called transition piece-less design significantly reduces the total amount of steel needed.

The Nordseecluster will be constructed in two phases. Foundation installation works for Nordseecluster A as now kicked-off with the successful installation of the first monopile.

Installation of the 44 wind turbines is expected to start in 2026, with commercial operation beginning in early 2027. After full commissioning Nordseecluster A will have a total capacity of 660 megawatts (MW). The second expansion stage, Nordseecluster B, will contribute an additional 900 MW through its 60 wind turbines, commencing commercial operation in early 2029.

With a total capacity of up to 1.6 gigawatts (GW) Nordseecluster will be able to generate enough green electricity to supply the equivalent of 1.6 million German households. Nordseecluster is a joint offshore wind project between RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%). RWE is responsible for the construction and operation of the Nordseecluster offshore wind farms throughout their entire life cycle.

Marella Cruises contracts V.Ships Leisure for ship management services

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 to providing Marella Cruises with local expertise backed by global scale, reach and experience.

V. will leverage its ShipSure platform to enable data-driven decision-making across fleet maintenance and operations, supporting more efficient and proactive management and giving Marella Cruises enhanced transparency to the operations.

Marella Cruises will benefit both from V.’s end-to-end management services and from V.ERDE, our dedicated decarbonisation and environmental compliance programme.

Adrian Hibbert, Cruise Operations Director at Marella Cruises, commented: “Throughout the tender process, we were hugely impressed by the calibre of the team at V.Ships Leisure and the depth of their industry expertise. We look forward to working together to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable operations across our fleet.”

Per Bjørnsen, CEO of V.Ships Leisure, said: “This contract is a clear endorsement of our talented team, commitment to ESG and our digital first approach. Above all, it’s testament to our track record and further reinforces our leadership in the cruise sector. We are extremely proud to be working with Marella Cruises and are looking forward to collaborating to achieve operational excellence.”

NYK begins continuous use of bio-LNG fuel on car carriers

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As part of its commitment to realizing a decarbonized society, NYK has commenced the continuous use of bio-LNG fuel on its LNG-powered car carriers. 

The bio-LNG is supplied by Titan Supply B.V. (Titan) at the port of Zeebrugge in Belgium. The first vessel to receive the fuel was Daisy Leader on June 15, and the second was Sumire Leader on July 18.

Bio-LNG, also known as liquefied biomethane, is purified liquefied methane gas (biogas) produced from biomass feedstock, such as animal manure and food wastes. By capturing methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the entire life cycle can be significantly reduced. The bio-LNG fuel supplied by Titan under the mass balance method is recognized as carbon neutral in the whole process from production to consumption (well-to-wake) and is ISCC EU certified, an international standard for sustainability, ensuring compliance with EU regulations and traceability throughout the supply chain.

NYK has long been at the forefront of efforts to decarbonize the shipping industry through the operation of LNG-fueled vessels and usage of biofuel. In November 2023, the NYK Group Decarbonization Story  was released, outlining the goal of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. The expanded use of bio-LNG fuel is one of the key initiatives to achieve this goal. NYK remains dedicated to proactively utilizing bio-LNG and other environmentally friendly fuels to pave the way toward a sustainable future for marine transportation.

Titan CEO Niels den Nijs said:

“I would like to express my sincere respect for NYK’s decision to start using bio-LNG fuel. Titan’s mission is to provide solutions to help the shipping industry transition to cleaner fuels. We are very pleased to be able to accelerate our decarbonization efforts together with NYK through this replenishment.”

NYK Fuel Group General Manager Kaori Takahashi said:

“We are very pleased to begin the continued use of bio-LNG fuel. Bio-LNG fuel is a highly effective option for decarbonizing the shipping industry, and we will continue actively promoting its use. This initiative will be an important step toward reducing our environmental impact further and achieving a sustainable future.”

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