According to Moore Stephens' latest Confidence Survey, shipping confidence held steady from March until the end of May 2018. The average confidence level remained the same, at the four-year high of 6.4 out of 10.0 recorded in February 2018. Owners' confidence also remained high at 6.6, while managers’ confidence increased from 6.4 to 6.7.

Russian Sovcomflot and Novatek signed an agreement on transport support for the Yamal LNG, Arctic LNG-2 projects and other Arctic projects of Novatek. The agreement regards the transportation of hydrocarbons such as LNG and gas condensate from Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG-2 project.

AMSA inspectors boarded the vessel 'MV Tomin' in the Port of Yamba, on Monday June 25, and detained it as they judged that it is unseaworthy. Namely, the inspectors found structural leaks and oily waste in the ship, which led them to detain it. AMSA reminded that all ships must comply to MARPOL during international voyages.

The Innovation & Networks Executive Agency of the European Commission signed the Grant Agreement of NAVAIS, which officially started on June, 1 2018. NAVAIS is a research- and innovation program for the shipbuilding industry, which aims to increase efficiency in design and flexibility in production networks.

The ferry 'Yogi Berra' with 18 people inboard ran aground near Wind Hole Point, Jamaica Bay, New York, on Thursday, June 28. The ship became stuck on a sandbar while operating near Wind Hole Point, Jamaica Bay. USCG is now investigating the cause of the grounding, while a USCG marine inspector will carry out an assessment of the vessel’s condition.

The US Coast Guard along with a good Samaritan rescued five boaters on Thursday, June 28, after their 30-foot dive boat capsized 22 miles west of Anclote Island. There are no reported injuries. A US Coast Guard Station Sand Key 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew was launched and transported the boaters from the Two Georges to the RB-M who are now heading to Station Sand Key.

UK P&I Club informs about an oil spill incident. Namely, a tanker was ready to load a petroleum product cargo at an offshore anchorage by ship to ship transfer (STS). During the operation, the cargo hose ruptured causing oil to spray on deck and overboard. A small quantity of oil was released into the sea, because of the effective response of the crew.

US Coast Guard Sector Miami restored the offshore radio communication capability along the South Florida coast. Radio communication was not available since Wednesday, June 27. USCG could not monitor radio traffic offshore, and warned mariners to be extremely careful throughout the Miami Captain of the Port Zone,

The US Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed a bill to enhance maritime safety in response to the tragic loss of the El Faro in 2015. The Maritime Safety Act of 2018, implements the Commandant of the Coast Guard’s final action memo regarding the sinking of the El Faro. The bill includes provisions that require Voyage Data Recorders float free after an accident, among others.

According to the IEA’s latest market forecast, strong demand growth from China, greater industrial demand, and rising supplies from the US, will transform global natural gas markets over the next five years. Namely, global gas demand will increase at an average rate of 1.6% a year, reaching over 4,100 billion cubic meters in 2023.