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A tow pilot’s distraction caused by personal cellphone use resulted in a collision last year with moored barges on the lower Mississippi River, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.The towing vessel William B Klunk was pushing 22 loaded hopper barges on April 17, 2024, when the tow collided with moored barges at a fleeting area near Baton Rouge. Thirteen barges broke away from the William B Klunk tow and three barges broke away from the fleeting area, resulting in damage to the barges, a fleet crew boat and two mooring dolphins. The collision resulted in one minor injury and estimated damages of $810,000.The pilot reported using his personal cell phone during the transit.

Chevron will proceed with its $53 billion acquisition of Hess, after it prevailed in a landmark legal battle against larger rival Exxon Mobil to gain access to the largest oil discovery in decades.Shares of Chevron were up 3.6% in premarket trading, with Hess gaining nearly 7.4%. Exxon shares were up 0.3%.CNBC first reported the arbitration outcome. An Exxon Mobil spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that Chevron prevailed in the mediation over Guyana oil assets.Chevron and Hess did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.

Order intake, exports, and green technology demand fuel confidence for 2025Germany’s maritime equipment and offshore supply industry is posting steady growth in 2024 and setting an optimistic course for 2025, according to new figures released by the VDMA Marine Equipment and Systems Association.With an average turnover increase of 5.5% in 2024, German maritime suppliers are proving resilient in the face of global supply chain volatility, geopolitical tensions, and a fiercely competitive international market.

Chinese shipyards’ market share has dropped from 72% to 52% in the first half of 2025 amid growing concerns over the impact of US Trade Representative (USTR) port fees on Chinese ships, according to the latest report from BIMCO, the world’s largest shipping association.USTR port fees, set to take effect in October 2025, will impact both Chinese owners and operators, as well as ships built in China, BIMCO said.Smaller Chinese-built ships will be exempted from fees, depending on sector-specific criteria, along with exemptions for short haul voyages.Global newbuilding contracting in terms of Compensated Gross Tonnage (CGT) dropped 54% y/y during the first half of 2025.

With all the Legislative fanfare, Executive Orders, Committee meetings, lobbying efforts and media announcements concerning American Shipbuilding, Naval Warfare and Maritime Dominance, it is no surprise that the result of the uproar is shear confusion within the maritime industrial base (MIB).  The April 9, 2025 Executive Order Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance lists more than several reports to the President due within 90 days. Following those initial updates other reports are due at 180 and 210 days. The industry as a whole has not seen references to any of the reports being completed.