Seaspan Energy has surpassed 150 ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations less than two years after launching service and now ranks seventh globally by LNG bunkering volume, according to the latest LANSDOWNE Moritz rankings. Since completing its first LNG bunkering operation in December 2024, the company has deployed three LNG bunker vessels on the West Coast and now averages 12 bunkering operations per month, serving vessels in Vancouver, Nanaimo, Royal Roads, Seattle and Long Beach. More than half of all operations have taken place at the Port of Vancouver, underscoring the growing role of British Columbia as a hub for lower-emission marine fuels. Seaspan Energy sources its LNG from FortisBC’s Tilbury LNG facility and says the milestone reflects increasing demand from cruise ships, container vessels, car carriers and tankers seeking cleaner fuel alternatives as the industry advances its decarbonization efforts.

British Columbia's approval of FortisBC's $2 billion Phase 1B expansion of the Tilbury LNG Facility marks an important development for Canada's marine transportation sector, increasing LNG production capacity to meet growing demand for lower-emission marine fuel at the Port of Vancouver and along the Pacific coast. The project is expected to strengthen the port's position as a leading LNG bunkering hub, support the shipping industry's decarbonization efforts by providing an alternative to conventional marine fuels, improve fuel availability for LNG-powered vessels, and enhance the competitiveness of Canada's Pacific Gateway. In addition to creating jobs and economic benefits, the expansion includes a pathway for Musqueam Indian Band equity participation, advancing economic reconciliation while supporting the marine sector's transition to cleaner operations. The project will remain subject to all other applicable regulatory approvals and permitting requirements before construction can begin. Facility construction could start as early as mid-2027 and be in service as early as 2031.

Western LNG has awarded Allseas the contract to install the offshore section of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline in northwest British Columbia. The work includes approximately 50 kilometres of subsea pipeline connecting the onshore gas network to the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG export facility on Pearse Island, with offshore installation planned for 2029. The project will involve deepwater pipelay, shore crossings, trenching, and seabed stabilization. Once completed, the pipeline will provide a new export route for Canadian natural gas, supporting LNG exports, energy security, and economic development in the region.

Strong domestic crushing demand and higher-than-expected exports have significantly reduced Canada's canola inventories despite last year's record harvest. Grain market analysts say crushers are offering increasingly competitive prices to secure remaining supplies, indicating tight availability ahead of the new harvest. Expanded processing capacity and robust export demand have accelerated sales throughout the year. Industry observers believe limited on-farm stocks could help support canola prices as producers begin harvesting the 2026 crop in the coming weeks.

Construction of AltaGas's Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF) near Prince Rupert has faced some weather-related setbacks, underscoring the challenges of building major marine infrastructure on British Columbia's north coast. The propane and butane export terminal is now approximately 85% complete, but more than 450 rig days have been lost due to severe weather, ocean swells, and marine mammal activity, contributing to a 12% increase in the project's estimated cost to $1.5 billion. Despite these challenges, AltaGas remains confident the facility will be operational before the end of March 2027, with the most complex in-water construction work nearing completion. Once operational, REEF will strengthen Canada's energy export capacity and further enhance the Port of Prince Rupert's role as a key gateway to global markets.

PetroChina is reportedly evaluating the sale of part of its 15% interest in LNG Canada to help finance the project's proposed second phase expansion. The move comes as demand for diversified LNG supplies grows amid geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting Middle Eastern exports. The planned expansion would significantly increase production from the Kitimat facility, strengthening Canada's role in global LNG markets. While discussions remain at an early stage, industry interest in Canadian LNG continues to rise as buyers seek more reliable long-term supply sources.

Researchers have identified the bacterial disease tenacibaculosis in wild Chinook salmon off Vancouver Island for the first time, with the disease detected in 16% of fish sampled. The finding could help explain factors contributing to declining Chinook populations, a critical food source for the endangered southern resident killer whales. Scientists say further research is needed to determine how and where wild salmon become infected and to assess broader impacts on Pacific salmon populations. The study also suggests current disease risk assessments for wild salmon may need to be updated.

A cargo ship that had been aground in the St. Lawrence River for nearly four weeks has been successfully refloated following a complex salvage operation led by the Canadian Coast Guard. The Onego Otra (10,872 dwt), which departed Montreal on June 30 carrying grain bound for New Orleans, reportedly suffered a rudder malfunction and ran aground outside the shipping channel near Île Saint-Ours and Contrecoeur. After several unsuccessful refloating attempts, salvors offloaded more than 4,600 tonnes of cargo to lighten the vessel before a renewed effort on July 26 succeeded in returning the ship to the channel. The vessel was then escorted to Sorel by two tugs, where inspections are underway to assess any hull damage. Authorities reported no injuries or pollution resulting from the incident.

A new Clear Seas report examining commercial anchorage use in the Canadian waters of the Salish Sea between 2016 and 2025 found that anchorage demand is driven by a complex combination of factors across the entire transportation supply chain, including port capacity, rail performance, cargo readiness, weather events, and global trade disruptions. Using Pacific Pilotage Authority vessel movement data, the study analyzed where anchorage use has changed, the vessel types and commodities most associated with anchoring activity, and how broader system pressures influence vessel waiting times. The report concludes that anchorages are a critical component of Canada's marine transportation network and that addressing concerns about anchorage use requires a system-wide approach focused on improving supply chain coordination, resilience, and efficiency rather than viewing anchorage activity solely as a marine shipping issue.

Ever wonder why west coast container ports get a terrible rating when it comes to performance? We asked three brilliant BCIT students to help debunk the rankings in the World Bank Container Port Performance Index and explain why we should not judge container terminal operators based on the performance rankings alone. Read their BC Container Terminal Productivity research paper to gain a better understanding of our intermodal supply chain.  Many thanks to the BCIT School of Business project team consisting of Kieler Vanderburg, Jessica Jeong and Misha Laukhin.

The International Sailors’ Society Canada (ISSC) is now accepting nominations for the Captain Oscar G. Pinto Seafarer Welfare Excellence Award, the organization’s first endowed award dedicated to recognizing outstanding contributions to seafarer welfare in Canada. Established through an endowment from Shri Madiwal in honour of Captain Oscar Pinto’s legacy of leadership, mentorship, and advocacy, the award recognizes individuals, organizations, or programs that demonstrate excellence in supporting seafarers through innovative welfare policies, advocacy initiatives, health and wellbeing services, family support programs, improved shore-based services, and industry leadership. Nominations are open until September 30, 2026.

The Government of Canada has launched a new Strategic Exports Office (SEO) within Global Affairs Canada to help Canadian businesses compete internationally and expand into new markets beyond the United States. Working in partnership with Export Development Canada, the office will coordinate government advocacy, market intelligence, financing expertise, and diplomatic support to advance major export opportunities in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, energy, aerospace, and defence. Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu also announced a new Strategic Exports Advisory Council made up of leaders from some of Canada's largest companies and industry organizations. The initiative supports the federal government's goal of doubling exports to non-US markets by 2035, building on recent growth in overseas trade and more than $28 billion in international sales secured for Canadian companies over the past year.

The Canadian Coast Guard is pursuing recovery of a $75,000 administrative monetary penalty issued to the owner of the deteriorating tug MV Breeze under the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act. The owner failed to pay the fine or request a review by the required deadline, prompting the matter to be referred to the Federal Court for debt recovery. The Coast Guard says the action reflects the government's continued efforts to hold vessel owners accountable and address vessels that pose risks to the environment, communities, and local economies.

The Government of Canada has announced a $100 million loan to Millar Western Forest Products through its Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility to help the company manage ongoing trade-related uncertainty. The funding will support near-term operations, including rebuilding log inventories, while helping protect jobs and adapt to changing market conditions. Millar Western operates pulp mills in Alberta and British Columbia and exports the majority of its products to Asian markets. The announcement forms part of broader federal efforts to support Canada's forest sector, a major employer and economic contributor in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has referred two California port-related air quality regulations to Congress for review under the Congressional Review Act, potentially opening the door for their repeal. The rules include California's Ocean-Going Vessels at Berth regulation, which requires increased use of shore power by vessels alongside and mandates significant fleet-wide emission reductions, as well as the Commercial Harbor Craft rule, which imposes stricter emissions requirements on harbour tugs than current US federal standards. The move represents a departure from decades of precedent under which California's Clean Air Act waivers have been respected by administrations of both political parties. Industry concerns regarding the harbour craft rule have focused on the lack of approved diesel particulate filter technology for tugboats and potential operational and safety challenges. Environmental groups have criticized the decision, arguing that it creates regulatory uncertainty and could undermine investments already made to comply with California's cleaner port initiatives

The U.S. Maritime Administration and the Port of Long Beach have signed an agreement to explore the use of small modular reactor (SMR) technology for commercial vessels and port operations. The initiative will focus on developing safety standards, operational protocols, and regulatory frameworks in collaboration with federal agencies. The Port has also partnered with a private company developing barge-mounted reactor technology. If successful, the project could pave the way for the first U.S. nuclear-powered commercial merchant vessel in decades while supporting future growth in cargo volumes and supply chain resilience.

Global seaborne nickel ore shipments have risen sharply, increasing demand for supramax and ultramax bulk carriers as Chinese imports and Indonesian processing requirements continue to grow. The expanding trade is being driven by stronger exports from the Philippines and rising demand linked to stainless steel production and the energy transition. However, industry organizations are also warning of the significant safety risks associated with transporting nickel ore, particularly the danger of cargo liquefaction. Recent guidance has urged strict compliance with cargo moisture requirements amid ongoing concerns about testing practices and several serious maritime incidents.

Global shipping organizations are urging governments to strengthen protections for civilian seafarers as attacks on merchant vessels continue to escalate in the Middle East and Black Sea. Industry bodies warn that commercial ships and their crews are increasingly being caught in geopolitical conflicts despite their civilian status. They have called for respect for international law, freedom of navigation, and enhanced safety measures for vessels operating in high-risk regions. The ongoing security threats have also disrupted trade routes, increased operational risks, and contributed to volatility in global commodity and shipping markets.

A new study published in Biological Invasions warns that the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting lay-up of more than 1,500 commercial vessels could trigger a significant global marine invasive species event. Researchers from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and other international partners found that ships left idle for extended periods accumulate dense growths of algae, barnacles, mussels, and other marine organisms on their hulls. When these vessels return to service, they could transport invasive species to ports around the world, creating what scientists describe as a potential bio-invasion “super-spreader” event. The authors are urging ship operators, port authorities, and regulators to strengthen biofouling management, enhance monitoring at high-risk ports, and improve international coordination to mitigate the ecological and economic impacts of invasive species introductions.

The Houthi movement is reportedly considering imposing transit fees on commercial vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait following its recent declaration of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. According to reports, the proposal is intended to increase pressure on the United States and its allies while expanding Houthi control over a key global shipping route. Industry observers warn that such a move could face strong international opposition and further disrupt maritime trade through the Red Sea. The development adds to ongoing security concerns that have already affected shipping patterns and global energy supply chains in the region.

South Korea is preparing its first container shipping service through the Northern Sea Route, with PanStar Line scheduled to operate the inaugural voyage from Busan to Northern Europe in late August. The service has attracted strong interest from exporters shipping automotive parts, chemicals, steel products, and other cargo, as well as transshipment demand from Japan and China. The route is expected to offer a shorter alternative to traditional Asia-Europe trade lanes amid continued disruption in the Red Sea. The initiative reflects South Korea’s broader efforts to diversify supply chains and explore new maritime trade corridors.

HD Hyundai Samho has delivered its first Very Large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC), the Jane Maersk, to Maersk Tankers as demand for vessels capable of transporting low-carbon fuels grows. The 93,000-cubic-metre vessel is designed to carry both liquefied ammonia and LPG, incorporating advanced safety systems for handling ammonia cargo. The delivery reflects increasing industry investment in ammonia as a future marine fuel and hydrogen carrier. HD Hyundai Samho has secured 22 VLAC orders to date, highlighting growing confidence in the expanding global ammonia trade and the transition to cleaner energy.