The latest maritime news sourced from all over the world and brought to you by Officer of the Watch.
- Trump Administration Support Sparks Revival of Northeast Gas Pipelinesby Reuters on 30/05/2025 at 19:48
U.S. energy company Williams Cos WMB.N said on Thursday it was working with federal and state regulators to revive two previously canceled natural gas pipelines from Pennsylvania to New York.
- U.S. Coast Guard Modernizes Underwater Survey Guidelines to Boost Maritime Competitivenessby Mike Schuler on 30/05/2025 at 16:08
The U.S. Coast Guard has released a significant update to its underwater survey guidance for U.S.-flagged vessels, marking the first major revision since its introduction in 1989. The revised guidance,...
- Transpacific Rates Soar as Carriers Push GRIs and U.S. Trade Policy Waversby Mike Schuler on 30/05/2025 at 15:49
Container spot freight rates on the transpacific trade saw another week of double-digit gains, as carriers forced prices with the détente in the US-China trade war continuing.
- Court Battle Over Trump Tariffs Prolongs Shipper Uncertainty as Holiday Season Nearsby Reuters on 30/05/2025 at 15:44
Importer uncertainty ahead of the vital holiday ocean shipping season remains high, the executive director of the busiest port in the U.S. said on Thursday, as a court battle broke out over President Donald Trump's trade tariffs.
- Tariff Truce Keeps China-US Trade Flowing Across the Pacificby Bloomberg on 30/05/2025 at 15:39
(Bloomberg) — The ceasefire in the tariff fight between the world’s two largest economies is encouraging trade across the Pacific, holding up freight prices three weeks on, even as container...
- Russian Containership Captain Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Tanker Collision Off UK Coastby Mike Schuler on 30/05/2025 at 14:59
The captain of the Portuguese-flagged containership Solong has pleaded not guilty to charges of gross negligence manslaughter following a fatal collision with a U.S.-flagged tanker off Britain’s east coast. Vladimir...
- Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ Readies for Summer as Sanctioned LNG Carriers Receive Permits for Arctic Routeby Malte Humpert on 30/05/2025 at 13:59
In recent days at least a half-dozen sanctioned LNG carriers have received permits to sail Russia’s Northern Sea Route this summer. The vessels include last summer’s “shadow fleet” carriers Arctic Metagas (ex-Everest Energy) and Arctic Mulan (ex-Mulan) as well as recently-reflagged and sanctioned Iris (ex-North Sky), Buran (ex-North Air), Voskhod (ex-North Mountain), and Zarya (ex-North Way).
- Western Oil Tanker Firms Flock Back to Russia After Price Plungeby Bloomberg on 30/05/2025 at 13:57
From Athens to New York, oil tanker companies from Group of Seven nations are flocking back to the Russian oil trade. Tumbling global oil prices this year brought western-owned ships back into legal compliance with a G-7 cap that was designed to curb the Kremlin’s access to petrodollars. At the same time, sweeping farewell sanctions from the outgoing Biden administration temporarily disrupted a so-called shadow fleet of vessels that Russia had been using.
- Trump’s Tariffs Back On After Appeals Court Grants Stayby Reuters on 29/05/2025 at 22:42
A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the most sweeping of President Donald Trump's tariffs on Thursday, a day after a trade court had ruled Trump had exceeded his authority in imposing the duties and ordered an immediate block on them.
- DOE Greenlights Port Arthur LNG Phase II, Marking Trump’s First Export Approvalby Mike Schuler on 29/05/2025 at 21:16
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has approved a final authorization for LNG exports to non-free trade agreement countries from Port Arthur LNG Phase II in Jefferson County, Texas. The...
- Study Reveals Growing Crisis of Fatigue and Healthcare Access Among Seafarersby Mike Schuler on 29/05/2025 at 18:39
A comprehensive study from Cardiff University’s Seafarers International Research Centre has uncovered alarming trends in the maritime industry, highlighting increasing fatigue and inadequate medical care among seafarers on cargo ships....
- Florida Shipyard Lands First-Ever U.S. Navy Contract in Pivot from Offshore Windby Mike Schuler on 29/05/2025 at 17:09
St. Johns Ship Building, a Florida-based shipyard owned by Americraft Marine, has been awarded its first U.S. Navy shipbuilding contract to construct a Dive Support Vessel (DSV). The contract marks...
- US Federal Maritime Commission launches investigation into flags of convenienceon 29/05/2025 at 14:30
The United States Federal Maritime Commission has opened an investigation into whether the vessel flagging laws, regulations, or practices of foreign governments create shipping conditions that have a negative impact on US foreign trade.
- Crew catch-up on Saga ships highlights key member prioritieson 29/05/2025 at 14:08
Nautilus strategic organiser Rachel Lynch and head of international relations Danny McGowan meet members working onboard the Saga-owned vessels Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure during port calls in Dover.
- International Bargaining Forum agrees 2026-2027 pay rise for seafarerson 29/05/2025 at 13:44
The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), which is comprised of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) representing seafarers and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) representing ship managers and owners, has agreed a pay increase for hundreds of thousands of seafarers around the world.
- Maritime unions call for urgent policy reforms as merchant fleets shrink across NATO nationson 28/05/2025 at 11:11
A new report by Nautilus International and the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) has revealed an alarming decline in merchant fleets and seafarer numbers across NATO member nations, potentially undermining the alliance's ability to respond to global conflicts and crises.
- Unsung heroes: when ordinary seafarers achieve extraordinary outcomeson 21/05/2025 at 13:25
Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson reflects on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and how maritime workers have always been – and continue to be – keyworkers and the backbone of Europe's security and resilience
- Seafarers urged to remember their rights when transiting warlike areas, following renewed threat of Houthi attacks in the Red Seaon 21/05/2025 at 11:22
Nautilus is reminding seafarers of their rights when working onboard vessels due to transit the warlike operations area covering the Red Sea, following an announcement by Yemen's Houthi movement that it is imposing a 'maritime blockade' on the Israeli port of Haifa.
- Nautilus calls for crackdown on flags of convenience and a long-term solution to RFA pay and retention challenges at GFTU congresson 21/05/2025 at 11:16
Nautilus International has renewed its call for urgent reform of global shipping practices, especially flags of convenience (FOCs), and for a solution to RFA pay and retention issues, at the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) 106th Biennial General Council Meeting
- Norway introduces zero-emissions requirement from 2026 to world heritage fjordson 21/05/2025 at 10:09
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has decided to introduce a zero-emissions requirement for vessels visiting its five world heritage fjords from next year. This is later than originally planned.
- ITF inspector Helen Meldrumon 21/05/2025 at 09:37
Helen Meldrum, who recently began work as inspector for the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) with responsibility for Scotland, talks about her early experiences helping seafarers get the money they are owed and helping with a serious case of abandonment
- Historic art deco tug The Danny fundraises to stay afloaton 20/05/2025 at 09:49
The SS Daniel Adamson – the UK's last surviving steam tug tender and a vessel of historic national importance – has launched a critical £150,000 fundraising appeal to remain operational and compliant with new safety regulations.
- Will the UK Employment Rights Bill deliver for seafarers?on 19/05/2025 at 14:40
A look at how the UK government's Employment Rights Bill will address some major injustices suffered by maritime professionals, but does it go far enough?
- David Appleton: Decarbonisation discussions hit choppy waters at the IMOon 19/05/2025 at 13:01
The 83rd session of the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee in April this year marked a pivotal moment in our industry's journey towards decarbonisation.
- Prime services for yacht memberson 19/05/2025 at 12:10
Two of the most popular benefits the Union offers yacht crew are the Nautilus Sea Service Record and the Nautilus 24/7 round-the-clock helpline. Rob Coston outlines how these services can work for you
- Illness and injury: are you covered?on 19/05/2025 at 11:53
Nautilus is advising yacht sector members to be mindful of their entitlements in case of illness or injury while working – and to ensure they are covered for any loss of income if disaster strikes. Strategic organiser Cheryl McCann explains why
- Sexual harassment: promoting your personal safetyon 19/05/2025 at 10:29
Sexual harassment is an endemic problem at sea – and sadly, the yacht sector is no exception. Nautilus strategic organiser Laura Molineux presents the Union’s work to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour onboard
- Legal webinar: how yacht professionals can protect themselves after an incident at seaon 15/05/2025 at 12:07
When disaster strikes, yacht crew need to ensure they are protected legally – but what can they do to prepare? Nautilus director of legal services Charles Boyle spoke to Rob Coston about how Union membership can help
- Nautilus caseworker is driving force behind unveiling of Glasgow's first Merchant Navy memorial plaqueon 15/05/2025 at 11:55
A long-overdue tribute to Merchant Navy seafarers has finally been unveiled in Glasgow, thanks to the dedication of Nautilus Welfare Fund caseworker Iain Lindsay.
- Fruitful discussion between Nautilus and CalMac at 17th JCC meetingon 13/05/2025 at 16:22
Nautilus International met with representatives from Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) in Gourock on 17 April 2025 for the 17th Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting.
