1. Columbia Group announces new C-Level appointments in ‘structural evolution’ to drive forward strategic growth. Columbia Group has announced a series of senior leadership appointments to its executive team as part of its continued transformation into an integrated global maritime services platform.
The move sees Demetris Chrysostomou appointed as CEO Asia Region, Norman Schmiedl as CEO of Columbia Blue, and Simona Toma as Chief of Maritime HR.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/05/13/columbia-group-announces-new-c-level-appointments-in-structural-evolution-to-drive-forward-strategic-growth/
2. Changing restrictions on Russian Gas to Europe would disproportionately impact US LNG exports, new S&P Global Commodity Insights study finds. The United States, which currently supplies half of Europe’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and roughly 15% of the continent’s total gas supply, would be disproportionately impacted if current restrictions on Russian gas and LNG were to change, a new S&P Global Commodity Insights study finds.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/05/13/changing-restrictions-on-russian-gas-to-europe-would-disproportionately-impact-us-lng-exports-new-sp-global-commodity-insights-study-finds/
3. Sweco acquires civil engineering consultancy in the Netherlands. Sweco has signed an agreement to acquire Juust B.V., a Dutch consultancy firm specialising in civil engineering, spatial planning, mobility and urban planning. The acquisition adds more than 30 consultants and engineers to Sweco’s team of 2,200 architects, engineers, and consultants in the Netherlands, thereby strengthening its offering and geographical presence in the southwestern part of the country.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/05/13/sweco-acquires-civil-engineering-consultancy-in-the-netherlands/
4. The port community of Valenciaport advances in its environmental objectives. Efficient management and decarbonised activity. The Port Authority of València is working towards this dual objective together with the 32 companies that make up the working group of the ECOPORT II project.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/05/13/the-port-community-of-valenciaport-advances-in-its-environmental-objectives/
5. JR Shipping poised for dry bulk return with newbuild brace. Dutch owner JR Shipping has set out to return to the shortsea dry cargo sector with two diesel-electric newbuilds to be built at Chowgule Shipbuilding in India.
The Harlingen-based group will be adding 8,500 dwt ships with delivery scheduled for the end of June 2027 and the end of February 2028.
https://splash247.com/jr-shipping-poised-for-dry-bulk-return-with-newbuild-brace/
6. Esvagt and KMC Line firm up Korean offshore wind venture. Danish offshore wind vessel operator Esvagt has officially formed a joint venture with South Korean shipping company KMC Line.
The jv named KESTO will target the growing South Korean offshore wind market, where current plans include as much as 18.3 GW offshore wind to be established by 2030.
https://splash247.com/esvagt-and-kmc-line-firm-up-korean-offshore-wind-venture/
7. Olympic scores long-term CSOV contract with Aker BP. Norway’s Olympic has secured a five-year firm contract with Aker BP for the construction service operation vessel (CSOV) Olympic Notos.
The deal with options for another five years will see the 2024 Ulstein-built unit serve as a dedicated walk-to-work vessel at the unmanned production platform Munin in the Yggdrasil area from the fourth quarter of 2026, becoming the first Tier 1 CSOV to work long-term in oil & gas.
https://splash247.com/olympic-scores-long-term-csov-contract-with-aker-bp/
8. Ocean Shipping Firm Hapag-Lloyd Welcomes China-US Tariff Reprieve. German container shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd HLAG.DE on Monday welcomed an agreement between the United States and China to temporarily slash reciprocal tariffs, saying it expected to be buoyed by a resulting increase in bookings from China to the U.S.
https://gcaptain.com/ocean-shipping-firm-hapag-lloyd-welcomes-china-us-tariff-reprieve/
9. US, China to Slash Tariffs During 90-Day Reprieve for Talks. The US and China will temporarily lower tariffs on each other’s products in a dramatic ratcheting down of trade tensions that buys the world’s two largest economies three months to work toward a broader agreement.
https://gcaptain.com/us-china-to-slash-tariffs-during-90-day-reprieve-for-talks/
10. DP World To Invest $760m in Dominican Republic Port of Caucedo. Dubai-based DP World, a major international logistics company, has announced the launch of a Free Trade Zone in the Dominican Republic. A $760m investment will expand capacity at the Port of Caucedo from 2.5m TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) to 3.1m. The Free Trade Zone will expand onto 225 hectares of thus-far undeveloped land.
https://gcaptain.com/dp-world-to-invest-760m-in-dominican-republic-port-of-caucedo/