Chinese imports of iron ore keep falling, while its crude steel production keeps growing, according to data compiled by BIMCO. China’s increased use of scrap metal for its production of crude steel is fundamentally critical to the dry bulk shipping industry. Mostly Capesize ships are impacted by this, way beyond the temporary iron ore export disruptions in Brazil and Australia.

Austal has commenced construction of Bañaderos Express, the second of two 118-metre high-speed passenger trimaran ferries for Fred. Olsen Express in the company’s Philippine shipyard.

Shearwater GeoServices has been awarded a multi-project marine seismic 3D and 4D acquisition contract by Shell International Exploration and Production.

Austal has delivered the second Guardian-class patrol boat to the Australian Department of Defence, which then presented the vessel to the government of Tuvalu.

As I discussed in part 2 of this series, the Anzacs are high-quality frigates. They will likely age gradually but gracefully over the next 24 years on their journey to eventual retirement. But the issue of quantity might be more problematic than quality. Often you just need presence: a ship at sea in the right location, whether patrolling a sea lane, monitoring a patch of ocean, or just waving a flag. No matter how good its quality is, a ship can’t be in two places at once.

Undertaking multiple roles within a single industry segment is one thing, but Poppa G takes things to the next level by operating as a commercial fishing boat, offshore service vessel, and passenger charter craft.

Maersk Drilling’s ultra-deepwater semi-submersible rig Mærsk Deliverer has been awarded a contract by Inpex Australia and joint venture participants for drilling at the Ichthys gas and condensate field in the Browse Basin offshore Western Australia.

In part 1, I discussed how the Anzac class of frigates is only halfway through its service life and the last of the class now needs to remain in service until 2042–43 as the new Hunter class is rolled out. The key question, then, is can the Anzacs remain a relevant frontline capability for another 24 years?

Moving from the Collins-class submarines to the Attack class is not the only long and complex capability transition that the Royal Australian Navy is embarking upon. The journey from the current Anzac-class frigates to the future Hunter class also presents a set of challenges.

The Australian Government has approved a deed of licence to allow Offshore Energy (OEPL) to undertake resource exploration for an offshore wind farm.