1. Italy’s talks with Musk’s Starlink have stalled, minister says. Negotiations on a potential contract between Elon Musk’s satellite internet operator Starlink and the Italian government have stalled, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions, Italy’s defence minister said on Saturday.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is aiming to guarantee encrypted communications between the government, diplomats and defence officials operating in risky areas and Starlink is among the contenders to provide the system.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/26/italys-talks-with-musks-starlink-have-stalled-minister-says/
2. Port throughput index rose 3% in January says Drewry. The Drewry Container Port Throughput Indices are a series of calendar adjusted volume growth/decline indices based on monthly throughput data for a sample of over 340 ports worldwide, representing over 80% of global volumes. The base point for the indices is January 2019 = 100.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/26/port-throughput-index-rose-3-in-january-says-drewry/
3. Stolt Tankers launches a second boat for the ‘Boats to School’ programme in the Philippines. Stolt Tankers has donated funds to build a second boat for the ‘Boats to School’ programme, in partnership with JCI Regatta and the Danao-Danao Integrated Fisherfolks Workers Association in Iloilo Province, the Philippines. The boat will transport children to school on Danao-Danao Island, Concepcion, Iloilo.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/26/stolt-tankers-launches-a-second-boat-for-the-boats-to-school-programme-in-the-philippines/
4. Puertos del Estado organises the 1st Port Sector Congress. Puertos del Estado is organising the 1st Port Sector Congress, in collaboration with the Port Authority of València, to be held from 4 to 6 November in València.
The event arises from the need to bring together in a single global forum all the issues that mark the agenda of the logistics-port sector at a time of change and uncertainty at the geopolitical and international trade level.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/26/puertos-del-estado-organises-the-1st-port-sector-congress/
5. Nortrans pens deal with Saipem for flotel work on Chevron’s Australian project. Singapore-based Nortrans Offshore has been awarded a contract with Italian giant Saipem for work on the Jansz-Io compression project offshore Western Australia.
As part of this project, the company took the 200-person flotel Belait CSS 1 on a long-term bareboat charter.
https://splash247.com/nortrans-pens-deal-with-saipem-for-flotel-work-on-chevrons-australian-project/
6. Floating wind still going strong despite US policy turmoil. The United States’ shift in offshore wind policy is set to create a potential global installation shortfall of 26GW by 2035 as a result, according to TGS’ latest report.The company said in its Quarterly Market Overview Report that the withdrawal of a major market like the US has significant implications globally, with developers and members of the supply chain forced to rethink investment strategies.
https://splash247.com/floating-wind-still-going-strong-despite-us-policy-turmoil/
7. Prosafe sells 41-year-old flotel for recycling. Oslo-listed semisub accommodation vessel owner Prosafe has signed a deal to sell one of its flotels for recycling.Prosafe said that it would be recycling its 1984-built, anchor-moored semi-submersible tender support and accommodation vessel Safe Scandinavia.
https://splash247.com/prosafe-sells-41-year-old-flotel-for-recycling/
8. US Says Russia and Ukraine Agree to Ceasefire in the Black Sea. The US said Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea and to work out mechanisms for implementing their ban on strikes against energy infrastructure.
https://gcaptain.com/us-says-russia-and-ukraine-agree-to-ceasefire-in-the-black-sea/
9. Germany Starts Producing Climate-Neutral Marine Methanol from Wastewater. Globally the shipping sector contributes around 706 million tons of CO2 emissions each year, around 3 percent of the total. The majority of containership vessels, oil tankers, and bulk carriers continue to use heavy fuel oil or marine diesel emitting substantial amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
https://gcaptain.com/germany-starts-producing-climate-neutral-marine-methanol-from-wastewater/
10. Russian Crude Flows Hit Five-Month High While Peace Talks Drag. Crude flows from all Russian ports in the four weeks to March 23 edged up to 3.45 million barrels a day, the highest since the period to Oct. 20. The increase came despite a slump in weekly flows, driven by fewer shipments from the Baltic and Black Sea.
https://gcaptain.com/russian-crude-flows-hit-five-month-high-while-peace-talks-drag/