1. Why energy prices are finally set to fall next year. Oil prices have been choppy over the past month, with Brent trading briefly above US$70/bbl on the back of geopolitical and sanction risks building in the market. But the move was short-lived, and the market came under renewed pressure following growing noise that OPEC+ will bring further supply onto the market more aggressively than anticipated.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/10/16/why-energy-prices-are-finally-set-to-fall-next-year/
2. China begins charging port fees for US ships, exempts China-built ones. China has officially started collecting special port fees from U.S.-owned, operated, built, or flagged vessels on Tuesday but said Chinese-built ships would be exempted from the levies, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The details published by CCTV clarify the specific provisions on exemptions, including for ships built by China, empty ships entering Chinese shipyards for repair, and other ships that are deemed exempted from payment.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/10/16/china-begins-charging-port-fees-for-us-ships-exempts-china-built-ones/
3. Islands of opportunity – Helicopter charters in Indonesia. Civil helicopter chartering is growing across the APAC region, and Indonesia is no exception. Saladin Siregar, Key Account Management for Passenger Air Chartering, APAC at global charter experts Chapman Freeborn, provides in-depth insights on helicopter charters in Indonesia, explaining why they are a good fit for the country and which sectors are driving growth.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/10/16/islands-of-opportunity-helicopter-charters-in-indonesia/
4. Marinakis in for Hengli VLCC. Greek shipowner Evangelos Marinakis is expanding his VLCC newbuilding programme, signing a contract for a 306,000 dwt supertanker at China’s Hengli Heavy Industries.
The deal, valued by shipbuilding sources at around $118m, aligns with similar VLCC deals struck by owners John Fredriksen and George Procopiou at the Dalian-based yard, with delivery scheduled between 2026 and 2027.
https://splash247.com/marinakis-in-for-hengli-vlcc/
5. Shandong Ocean Shipping bets on capesize segment with two Hengli newbuilds. China’s Shandong Ocean Shipping Group is expanding into the capesize bulker segment with a pair of newbuildings.The maritime logistics arm of Shandong Port Group has returned to Hengli Shipbuilding for the 181,000 dwt vessels as part of a strategic push to strengthen its dry bulk fleet.
https://splash247.com/shandong-ocean-shipping-bets-on-capesize-segment-with-two-hengli-newbuilds/
6. IMO’s green dream meets America’s red line. While the majority of opening statements at yesterday’s opening of the latest Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) were broadly in favour of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Framework (NZF), the US delegation stood out once again for its outspoken opposition to the proposed green legislation.
https://splash247.com/imos-green-dream-meets-americas-red-line/
7. Tanker Diversions From Sanctioned Chinese Terminal May Cause Congestion at Other Ports. Trading firms have diverted at least five more crude oil tankers from a major port in eastern China after the U.S. imposed sanctions on an import terminal there, according to trading sources and shipping data.
https://gcaptain.com/tanker-diversions-from-sanctioned-chinese-terminal-may-cause-congestion-at-other-ports/
8. CMA CGM Places Landmark Order for Six LNG-Powered Containerships in India. The CMA CGM Group has signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India’s largest state-owned shipbuilder, to build six dual-fuel LNG containerships in India, marking the first time a major international container shipping company has ordered LNG vessels from an Indian shipyard.
https://gcaptain.com/cma-cgm-places-landmark-order-for-six-lng-powered-containerships-in-india/
9. Metal Shark and HavocAI Demonstrate Real Autonomy. The partnership addresses the US and allied militaries’ critical needs for heterogeneous fleet coordination – a mixed fleet of different sizes and capabilities to operate cohesively, maximising mission flexibility and asset utilisation.
https://www.seanews.co.uk/technology/metal-shark-and-havocai-demonstrate-real-autonomy
10. DNV Introduces Tender Portal for e-Methanol Procurement.
The tender process consists of two stages – a non-binding qualification phase to identify a shortlist of serious potential offtakers and a second phase of direct negotiations between the shortlisted parties and the producers.
https://www.seanews.co.uk/maritime/dnv-introduces-tender-portal-for-e-methanol-procurement