Maritime Industry Briefing: LNG Fleet Moves, Arctic FPSO Contract, Chinese Yard Profits, and US Regulatory Reform

## Maritime Industry Briefing ### Lila Global Expands Vintage LNG Fleet Amid Market Disruption Singapore-based Lila Global is doubling down on ageing steam-powered LNG tonnage, acquiring a second vintage carrier as the global LNG trade faces significant structural shifts. According to Splash247, the company has added the 18-year-old, steam-powered LNG carrier *Tangguh Batur* (145,700 cu m) to its fleet, following an earlier acquisition reported this month. The move signals growing investor appetite for older, less fuel-efficient LNG vessels, which have found renewed commercial relevance amid ongoing disruption to global LNG trade patterns. Steam-powered carriers, long considered obsolete compared to modern dual-fuel tonnage, have attracted opportunistic buyers willing to deploy them on shorter or spot voyages where operating economics remain viable. --- ### Aibel Wins FEED Contract for Wisting FPSO Topsides Norwegian engineering and construction specialist Aibel has secured a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the topsides of the planned Wisting FPSO, set to operate in the Barents Sea. Splash247 reports that Equinor and its project partners awarded the contract following a competitive tender process. The Wisting field, located in one of the world's most challenging offshore environments, represents a significant development milestone for Arctic hydrocarbon production. The FEED phase will be critical in defining the technical scope and cost framework before a final investment decision is reached. The contract reinforces Aibel's position as a leading contractor for complex Norwegian continental shelf projects. --- ### CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering Posts Record Order Performance China's CSSC Offshore & Marine Engineering is on course for a standout financial year, with Seatrade Maritime reporting that the company has already achieved 217% of its annual order target within just nine months. The surge has been driven primarily by robust container ship newbuild demand, reflecting the continued wave of ordering activity that has characterised the global shipbuilding market in recent years. The performance underscores the dominant position Chinese yards continue to hold in the commercial shipbuilding sector, particularly as carriers seek to renew and expand fleets ahead of tightening emissions regulations. --- ### FMC Moves to Ease Industry Engagement Restrictions The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is proposing changes that would allow more direct and informal dialogue between the regulator, ocean carriers, and shippers, according to Seatrade Maritime. The proposed reforms represent a notable shift in regulatory posture, potentially streamlining communication channels that have historically been constrained by formal procedural requirements. Industry stakeholders are likely to welcome greater access to regulators, particularly as the shipping sector continues to navigate complex supply chain challenges and evolving compliance obligations under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.