Maritime Industry Briefing: Polar Logistics, Oil Price War, and Dry Bulk Newbuildings

## Permanent Docking Pier Reaches McMurdo Station After 9,100-Nautical-Mile Tow According to gCaptain, the McMurdo Docking Pier has successfully arrived at McMurdo Station, the United States' research station in Antarctica, after completing a 9,159-nautical-mile journey across the Pacific and Southern Oceans. The permanent docking structure was towed from its construction site in Louisiana to its new home in Antarctica, where it will provide a critical piece of infrastructure for supporting research and logistics operations. ## Russia and Iran Launch Oil Price War for Chinese Buyers as India Retreats The gCaptain report states that Russian and Iranian oil producers are slashing prices in a fierce competition for Chinese buyers after India cut imports by 40%. Nearly 48 million barrels of Iranian crude now sit stranded at sea as China's independent refiners reach capacity limits. This oil price war between major producers highlights the shifting dynamics in global energy markets as sanctions and geopolitical tensions disrupt trade flows. ## Ship Owners Order More Dry Bulk Newbuildings According to Hellenic Shipping News, ship owners have been placing new orders for dry bulk vessels. Seanergy Maritime, a Greek shipping company, has ordered one 211,000 DWT newcastlemax bulker from Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy, with delivery set for mid-2028. This order, along with an additional one from Seanergy, reflects the continued investment in expanding dry bulk shipping capacity to meet anticipated demand.