The influence of family-owned businesses remains strong in shipping casting a strong influence on the potential for mergers and acquisitions in the sector.

Singapore-based Punit Oza, Founder of Maritime NXT and a guest presenter on the Seatrade Maritime Podcast, has been elected as Vice President of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS).

Aegean Shipping Management is ordering two tankers from Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Yangzhou shipyard.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has launched a programme to auctions of transits for vessels waiting to pass through the waterway with a winning bid of $1.1 million at the first auction on Saturday.

Angad Banga, the Chief Operating Officer for Caravel Group, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA).

Israeli-linked vessels have found themselves in the crosshairs of Houthi rebels and increased security threats while sailing in the Red and Arabian Seas.

China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has ordered a MAN B&W 7G80ME-LGIM engine for a VLCC that is to be built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co for delivery in April 2026.

Fortitude Shipping, a subsidiary Petredec, has placed an order of up to four ethane/ethylene-capable handysize vessels at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering.

UK-based Purus Marine has placed an order for two very large ethane carriers (VLECs) at a price of $170 million each from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

Stolt Tankers has inked an agreement with China’s Wuhu Shipyard to build six 38,000dwt stainless steel parcel tankers.