1. Lloyd’s Register awards its first VC-L+ descriptive note for vessel connectivity. Lloyd’s Register has awarded its first VC-L+ Descriptive Note for vessel connectivity to Neda Maritime’s vessel, MT ASCONA. This is the first LR vessel to complete the verification.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/lloyds-register-awards-its-first-vc-l-descriptive-note-for-vessel-connectivity/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/lloyds-register-awards-its-first-vc-l-descriptive-note-for-vessel-connectivity/
2. Red Sea ransom: How emails power Houthis’ $2 billion piracy operation. The Houthis have turned extortion into a structured business, offering shipowners a ‘customer-relations’ email address to negotiate payments for safe passage
The Red Sea, a vital artery for global trade, has become a battleground for modern piracy that blends technology, geopolitics, and commerce.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/red-sea-ransom-how-emails-power-houthis-2-billion-piracy-operation/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/red-sea-ransom-how-emails-power-houthis-2-billion-piracy-operation/
3. OpenAI co-founder Sutskever’s SSI in talks to be valued at $20 billion, sources say. SSI in talks to raise funding at $20 billion valuation, up from $5 billion last September
SSI focuses on ‘safe superintelligence’ with no revenue yet
Sutskever’s track record and SSI’s unique approach pique investor interest.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/openai-co-founder-sutskevers-ssi-in-talks-to-be-valued-at-20-billion-sources-say/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/openai-co-founder-sutskevers-ssi-in-talks-to-be-valued-at-20-billion-sources-say/
4. Chinese vessel orderbook tops 123 billion. To mark the Lunar new year, we take a look at the Chinese newbuilding orderbook, using VesselsValue data. The infographic highlights the Chinese orderbook by top Chinese ordering companies and insight into the ships currently being built at Chinese yards.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/chinese-vessel-orderbook-tops-123-billion/
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/02/12/chinese-vessel-orderbook-tops-123-billion/
5. Hanwha Ocean building LNG carriers for its shipowning arm. South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has signed contracts to build two LNG carriers for its affiliate Hanwha Shipping.
The Okpo-based yard formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is scheduled to deliver the vessels by the end of September 2027.
https://splash247.com/hanwha-ocean-building-lng-carriers-for-its-shipowning-arm/
https://splash247.com/hanwha-ocean-building-lng-carriers-for-its-shipowning-arm/
6. Euroseas agrees charter extension for feeder boxship. Nasdaq-listed Greek boxship owner Euroseas has inked a charter contract extension for one of its feeder containerships.
Euroseas won a charter for the 1,740 teu EM Hydra for a minimum period of 24 to a maximum period of 26 months at the charterer’s discretion, at a gross daily rate of $19,000.
https://splash247.com/euroseas-agrees-charter-extension-for-feeder-boxship/
https://splash247.com/euroseas-agrees-charter-extension-for-feeder-boxship/
7. US box imports soar ahead of new tariffs. US box imports reached a record high in January with deliveries from China up for a second month, according to Canadian logistics and supply chain management tech specialist Descartes.
Imports in January stood at 2,487,470 teu, surpassing the previous record in January 2022 by 21,455 teu.
https://splash247.com/us-box-imports-soar-ahead-of-new-tariffs/
https://splash247.com/us-box-imports-soar-ahead-of-new-tariffs/
8. Red Sea Ship Traffic Is Yet to Pick Up as Ceasefire Risks Swirl. Ship traffic through the Red Sea has remained slow in recent weeks despite a prolonged period without attacks from Yemen’s Houthis. While there haven’t been any incidents since the rebel group announced a truce last month, the number of vessels sailing through the Gulf of Aden remains unchanged, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center, which collates information on the militants’ attacks from multiple navies.
https://gcaptain.com/red-sea-ship-traffic-is-yet-to-pick-up-as-ceasefire-risks-swirl/
https://gcaptain.com/red-sea-ship-traffic-is-yet-to-pick-up-as-ceasefire-risks-swirl/
9. Suspected Pirate Attack off Somalia Highlights Ongoing Maritime Security Concerns. A Yemeni-flagged dhow has reportedly fallen victim to a suspected pirate attack off Eyl on Somalia’s northern Puntland coast, according to the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA.
The incident, which occurred on February 9th, is currently under investigation. EUNAVFOR ATALANTA said it is coordinating with maritime security partners in the region.
https://gcaptain.com/suspected-pirate-attack-off-somalia-highlights-ongoing-maritime-security-concerns/
https://gcaptain.com/suspected-pirate-attack-off-somalia-highlights-ongoing-maritime-security-concerns/
10. Yara and NYK Sign Historic Contract for World’s First Ammonia-Fueled Gas Carrier. Yara Clean Ammonia Switzerland SA has signed the world’s first time-charter contract with NYK for an ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC).The 40,000m³ carrier, scheduled scheduled for delivery in November 2026, marks a crucial step forward in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from marine transportation while supporting the growing demand for ammonia in various sectors, including power generation and as a marine fuel.
https://gcaptain.com/yara-and-nyk-sign-historic-contract-for-worlds-first-ammonia-fueled-gas-carrier/
https://gcaptain.com/yara-and-nyk-sign-historic-contract-for-worlds-first-ammonia-fueled-gas-carrier/