Maritime Vessels Directory

U.S. President Donald Trump has allowed the Navy to build ships overseas and ordered it to abandon a complex system for launching jet fighters from its aircraft carriers and instead return to using steam catapults, the White House said on Thursday.Trump signed a national security memorandum directing the change, which would require the fourth vessel in the Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft carriers to abandon the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) used on the first three vessels. The design change is expected to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.Huntington Ingalls is the primary contractor building Ford-class aircraft carriers.

Innovation: IINO Lines Turns Emerging Tech into Operational Advantage

2 days ago

Technology identification, trial and adoption is cornerstone to running an efficient, cost-effective maritime operation. But with the speed of technological change, particularly in regards to Artificial Intelligence (AI), the process is neither straight nor short. We visited recently with Kenji Togasaki, SVP, Innovation Office, IINO Lines (USA), who’s job it is with his IINO Lines team to scout new technologies and implement them onto the fleet with IINO technical group in Tokyo. Japanese shipowners are renowned globally, world leaders in the design, construction and operation of modern tonnage.

Shuttle Tankers: A Distinct Vessel Breed, a Niche Market

3 days ago

A wave of new investment in dedicated shuttle tankers has been spurred by the age profile of the existing fleet coupled with surging developments in the Brazilian offshore market.Constituting a specialized asset class, dynamic positioning (DP) shuttle tankers are a flexible and cost effective way of lifting and transporting oil from offshore fields, where subsea pipelines are not a practical or economically viable option.Production platforms or floating units are increasingly located in deepwater areas prone to challenging weather and hydrological conditions, and where high extraction rates generate demand for consistent

U.S. Fires to Disable Panama-Flag Ship Accused of Violating Iran Blockade

3 days ago

The U.S. military fired missiles to disable a Panama-flagged cargo ship Tuesday after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated warnings to stop while attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said a U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at the engine room of Vela Nova, disabling the vessel’s steering capability.“As of Aug. 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled 3 non-compliant vessels, and boarded 2,” CENTCOM said.According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, the incident occurred before dawn as U.S. forces sought to prevent the vessel from continuing its voyage.

US Officials Work to Close Supply Chain Gaps as Foreign Investment Grows

4 days ago

U.S. officials on Monday said they are working closely with foreign investors to identify gaps in the U.S. manufacturing supply chain and to help small- and medium-sized businesses scale up to meet rising demand as foreign investments surge.Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Chris Pilkerton and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler told Reuters that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on foreign imports and deregulation were fueling foreign investments in manufacturing, but it was critical to ensure components were also available.

Maritime Reporter and Engineering News (August 2026)