1. Seaspan Advances Canadian Coast Guard’s Multi-Purpose Icebreaker Program, Eyes U.S. Contract. Seaspan Shipyards has completed a critical milestone in the Canadian Coast Guard’s ambitious Multi-Purpose Icebreakers (MPI) program, successfully concluding the Functional Design Review Meeting for the first six vessels in the program. The North Vancouver-based shipbuilder is now advancing to production drawings in preparation for future construction.
https://gcaptain.com/seaspan-advances-canadian-coast-guards-multi-purpose-icebreaker-program-eyes-u-s-contract/
2. Compliance must be more than box-ticking exercise,’ says Columbia Group following IMO’s calls for serious reform of ISM Code. The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has sent a clear message: the ISM Code is overdue for serious reform.
The committee has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the guidelines governing safe ship management—guidelines that, despite their critical importance, no longer reflect the realities of life at sea, says Columbia Group.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/08/07/compliance-must-be-more-than-box-ticking-exercise-says-columbia-group-following-imos-calls-for-serious-reform-of-ism-code/
3. Korea, China compete for 4 Tril. Won French Container Ship Contract. Korean and Chinese shipbuilders are engaged in a fierce battle over 12 container ships worth approximately 4 trillion won to be ordered by France. With global orders for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers declining this year, container ships are filling the order backlogs of major shipyards, intensifying the competition between Korea and China.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/08/07/korea-china-compete-for-4-tril-won-french-container-ship-contract/
4. The Swedish Club releases ‘Our Family and the Sea: A Check Your Pulse Wellbeing Guide for Seafarers and Their Loved Ones’ – an essential support for families navigating life at sea. One of the key factors impacting seafarer wellbeing is their relationship with their family. This stems not only from missing the daily contact, but additionally from the strain of navigating a long-distance relationship over extended periods of time.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/08/07/the-swedish-club-releases-our-family-and-the-sea-a-check-your-pulse-wellbeing-guide-for-seafarers-and-their-loved-ones-an-essential-support-for-families-navigating-life-at/
5. Elbdeich steps up fleet growth with newbuild brace. German shipowner Elbdeich Reederei has placed an order for two 5,100 teu widebeam containerships at a shipyard in the Far East, with delivery scheduled for 2027.
The vessels will comply with IMO Tier III standards and be fitted with a range of fuel-saving devices, the company said without disclosing the builder or pricing details.
https://splash247.com/elbdeich-steps-up-fleet-growth-with-newbuild-brace/
6. North Star orders SOV pair at Vard. UK-based offshore vessel operator North Star has returned to Norwegian shipbuilder Vard with an order for two new service operation vessels (SOVs) to support offshore wind operations across the UK and Europe.
https://splash247.com/north-star-orders-sov-pair-at-vard/
7. Shadow tanker fleet still growing by 30 ships a month despite increased sanctions. Despite a torrent of sanctions from the US, UK, and EU this year, the shadow tanker fleet continues to expand at pace, according to new figures from broker BRS.The so-called grey fleet (see BRS methodology for assessing what constitutes a grey tanker at end of article) — comprising oil tankers over 3,000 dwt — has swelled to 1,140 ships totalling 127.4m dwt, up from 930 ships (109.6m dwt) just six months ago. This marks an average growth rate of 30 vessels per month, even as Western authorities unleash the most aggressive sanctions seen for many years.
https://splash247.com/shadow-tanker-fleet-still-growing-by-30-ships-a-month-despite-increased-sanctions/
8. Russia’s Crude Shipments Rebound Ahead of Trump Sanctions Threat. Russia’s crude exports hit a one-month high, driven by a surge in weekly flows that coincided with a sharp drop in refinery runs. The increase came before President Donald Trump’s threat of secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian oil if Moscow fails to make a swift peace with Ukraine.
https://gcaptain.com/russias-crude-shipments-rebound-ahead-of-trump-sanctions-threat-2/
9. Australia Selects Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-Class for Future Frigate Fleet. The Australian Government has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ upgraded Mogami-class frigate as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet of general purpose frigates, accelerating the delivery of a larger and more lethal surface combatant fleet.
https://gcaptain.com/australia-selects-mitsubishi-heavy-industries-mogami-class-for-future-frigate-fleet/
10. Vilma Vaitiekunaite Joins Chapman Freeborn as Vice President Passenger in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Chapman Freeborn, a global leader in aviation charter solutions and part of the Avia Solutions Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vilma Vaitiekunaite as Vice President Passenger – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/08/07/vilma-vaitiekunaite-joins-chapman-freeborn-as-vice-president-of-passenger-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/