1. For the first time a Cypriot has been elected as Vice – Chair of the IMO Legal Committee. The Shipping Deputy Ministry announces the election of Mrs. Lydia Markari – Kyriacou, Head of the Legal Affairs Unit of the Shipping Deputy Ministry, in the position of Vice-Chair of the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Lydia has been unanimously elected by the IMO Member States at the Legal Committee’s 112th session, which is currently taking place in London.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/27/for-the-first-time-a-cypriot-has-been-elected-as-vice-chair-of-the-imo-legal-committee/
2. NORDEN adds two newbuilding Capesize leases with purchase options. In line with our positive long-term outlook for Capesize freight rates, we are pleased to announce the addition of two Capesize newbuilding leases with purchase options, reinforcing our commitment to building a highly efficient and modern Capesize fleet. This will enhance our ability to serve customers reliably and ensure we remain at the forefront of sustainable and cost-effective shipping against a backdrop of an ageing fleet and historic low orderbook.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/27/norden-adds-two-newbuilding-capesize-leases-with-purchase-options/
3. LVR Flote’s new multi-purpose ice class vessel LAURA. The new multi-purpose ice class vessel LAURA was presented at the Freeport of Riga in the presence of the representatives of the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Economics, the European Commission Representation in Latvia, Latvian ports and other LVR Flote’s cooperation partners.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/27/lvr-flotes-new-multi-purpose-ice-class-vessel-laura/
4. ClassNK appoints new President & CEO and Executive Vice President. Current Senior Vice President Hayato Suga has been appointed as President & CEO as well as Representative Director of ClassNK and current Corporate Officer Fumihiko Higashi has been appointed as Executive Vice President, effective 21 March 2025.
https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2025/03/27/classnk-appoints-new-president-ceo-and-executive-vice-president/
5. MPC Container Ships offloads seven vessels. Oslo-listed tonnage provider MPC Container Ships (MPCC) said in a stock exchange filing that it sold five vessels en bloc, involving three 1,300 teu vessels and two 2,000 teu vessels.
According to Greek media reports, the five vessels were bought by Nikolas Pateras-owned Contships Logistics. The vessels in question are the 2010-built AS Alexandria and AS Anita, as well as the 2008-built AS Filippa, AS Fabrizia, and AS Floriana. Delivery to the Greek firm will take place between April and June 2025.
https://splash247.com/mpc-container-ships-offloads-seven-vessels/
6. Norden bags pair of capesize newbuilds. Denmark’s Norden has firmed up its commitment to the capesize bulker segment through a deal for a pair of newbuildings.
The Hellerup-based shipping giant will take the vessels on charter, with purchase options attached to the contract.
The vessels will be built in Japan, with deliveries set for 2026 and 2027. No further details have been disclosed.
https://splash247.com/norden-bags-pair-of-capesize-newbuilds/
7. Caravel Group buys into Pacific Basin. Hong Kong conglomerate Caravel Group has raided the local stock market to acquire a significant stake in fellow dry bulk giant Pacific Basin Shipping.Caravel Maritime Ventures, part of the Banga family’s Caravel Group, has picked up 388.5m shares, corresponding to a 7.53% stake in the Martin Fruergaard-led handysize and supramax specialist.
https://splash247.com/caravel-group-buys-into-pacific-basin/
8. Global Shipping Insurance May Shift If Russia Sanctions End, Bimco Says. The global shipping industry should be open to working with a new group of insurers that emerged to support Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, provided they follow best practice, according to a leading maritime group.
https://gcaptain.com/global-shipping-insurance-may-shift-if-russia-sanctions-end-bimco-says/
9. Vattenfall Greenlights Construction of Germany’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm. Swedish utility Vattenfall has greenlit construction of the Nordlicht 1 and 2 wind farms off the northern coast of Germany. Together the two projects will become the country’s largest off-shore wind park. With construction to begin in 2026 the project is expected to be operational by 2028.
https://gcaptain.com/vattenfall-greenlights-construction-of-germanys-largest-offshore-wind-farm/
10. EU Transshipment Ban on Russian LNG Takes Effect, Forcing Shift to Ship-to-Ship Transfers. More than three years into the Ukraine War the EU has finally slammed the door shut to the transfer of Russian LNG across its terminals. Ukrainian officials have long called for the bloc to begin phasing out the Russian supercooled gas, but support in Brussels for a full-fledged ban remains haphazard.
https://gcaptain.com/eu-transshipment-ban-on-russian-lng-takes-effect-forcing-shift-to-ship-to-ship-transfers/