HOS RED ROCK

Seven Japanese companies have agreed to develop an integrated ammonia fuel supply chain and build four ammonia-fueled car carriers, establishing a commercial bunkering operation in Japan's Chubu region to support the vessels when they enter service in 2030.The agreement brings together shipowners NYK Line and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), shipbuilders Imabari Shipbuilding, Shin Kurushima Dockyard, Nihon Shipyard and Kyokuyo Shipyard, as well as energy company JERA.The project encompasses green ammonia procurement, shoreside storage and loading infrastructure, construction of a dedicated ammonia bunkering vessel, and the design, construction and operation of four car carriers.

Singapore's Seatrium has secured an agreement with Keppel's subsidiary RigCo to complete construction work on four offshore drilling rigs under an existing master services arrangement, with the total estimated contract value exceeding $390 million (S$500 million).The four rigs comprise a premium seventh-generation drillship, a harsh environment jack-up and two mid-water semisubmersibles designed for operations in the harsh conditions of Northwest Europe.The construction work will be funded by existing cash retained in RigCo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel.

Borr Drilling's Prospector 5 jack-up rig has sunk offshore Gabon after experiencing a punch-through event during preload operations that caused it to lose stability, leaving five people missing and 110 safely accounted for among the 115 personnel on board.In its latest update on October 26, Borr Drilling said extensive marine and air search and rescue operations were continuing for the five missing individuals, while the 110 personnel accounted for were being brought ashore in Gabon, where care and support was being provided.

HD Hyundai and Kiewit Maritime Co. have announced plans to establish a joint venture to develop a new shipyard in the United States, targeting the start of construction in 2027 and full-scale operations in 2029.The proposed venture, HD Kiewit Shipbuilding LLC, would combine HD Hyundai's shipbuilding technology and shipyard operating expertise with Kiewit's engineering, construction and fabrication capabilities, the companies said.The shipyard is planned for an existing industrial site with deep water and unrestricted access to the Gulf, with the facility potentially supporting up to 3,000 jobs at full operating capacity.

ECTMarine delivered a purpose-built workboat to Arab Potash Company (APC) in Jordan following successful site acceptance testing (SAT).The SAT of the Custom Workboat 104 was completed last week on APC's brine evaporation ponds at the Dead Sea. APC was represented on site by its main contractor, Alghanem.Designed and built in the Netherlands, the workboat was tailored to the conditions at the Dead Sea, where the dense, highly saline brine and the site’s location around 400 metres below sea level posed specific challenges.The Custom Workboat 104 features a forward wheelhouse, an open working deck and a knuckle-boom deck crane.