South Korean marine engine makers surpass domestic shipyards in growth

Recently, Chosunbiz reported that South Korea's two leading marine engine manufacturers—Hanwha Engine and HD Hyundai Marine Engine—have already secured orders in the first half of this year that match their total order intake for all of 2025.

Two More Suezmax Tankers! Turkish Owner Ditaş Places Order

According to follow-up reports from Shipping Watch, South Korea’s DH Shipbuilding has disclosed that it has secured orders for two additional Suezmax tankers, bringing its total new orders for this year to a record 17 vessels.

Tanker Market: Efficiency Losses May Push Freight Rates Higher Again

Despite claims by the Houthis that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has not been closed and that recently announced maritime measures are directed only at Saudi vessels, many tanker operators may think twice before sending their ships into the Red Sea.

LNG Carrier Deliveries Drive Earnings Surge! Hanwha Ocean's Q2 Operating Profit Up 98% Year-on-Year

On July 27, Hanwha Ocean released its earnings report, showing that its second-quarter operating profit nearly doubled year-over-year, driven by batch deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, steady progress on various large-scale shipbuilding projects, and significant revenue recognition from the completion of an offshore engineering project.

LNG carrier deliveries fuel a significant leap in earnings! Hanwha Ocean reported a 98% year‑over‑year increase in operating profit for the second quarter.

On July 28, Monaco-based Greek shipowner Safe Bulkers released its financial results for the second quarter of 2026.

$150 Billion! South Korea and the US Establish Shipbuilding Center

On July 29, 2026, South Korea and the United States held an inauguration ceremony for the “Korea-US Shipbuilding Cooperation Center (KUSPC)” in Washington, D.C. The center is a follow-up body established after the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the “Korea-US Shipbuilding Cooperation Initiative (KUSPI)” in May of this year. It also serves as the executive coordination body for the “Korea-US Maritime and Shipbuilding Growth Alliance (MASGA) project,” which is part of the total $150 billion cooperation program announced in July 2025 under the framework of the US-Korea trade agreement.

The volume of this dangerous cargo is skyrocketing, but trouble is also on the horizon

According to data from Signal Ocean, global seaborne nickel ore trade volume in the second quarter of this year increased by more than 22% year-on-year, reaching 26.1 million tonnes. The rapid expansion of nickel ore shipping has brought more employment opportunities for supramax and ultramax bulk carriers, while also drawing renewed attention to one of the shipping industry's most dangerous cargoes.