Maritime Industry Briefing: Offshore Seismic Expansion, Tanker Newbuilds, and Nuclear Propulsion Strategy

## Maritime Industry Briefing ### TGS and SLB Launch Major 3D Seismic Survey Offshore Brazil Oslo-listed seismic data specialist TGS has announced the launch of the Pelotas Sul Phase 1 multi-client 3D seismic survey in the Pelotas Basin, located offshore southern Brazil. According to Splash247, the survey covers approximately 13,500 square kilometres and is being undertaken as a joint venture with energy services giant SLB. The Ramform Tethys vessel has been mobilised for the survey, signalling the operational commencement of what represents a significant expansion of multi-client seismic coverage in the region. The Pelotas Basin has attracted growing interest from exploration companies in recent years as Brazil continues to develop its offshore hydrocarbon potential beyond the established pre-salt provinces. Multi-client 3D surveys of this scale provide critical subsurface data that underpins exploration licensing rounds and investment decisions by major oil and gas operators. --- ### Ardmore Shipping Deepens Newbuilding Commitment at Wuhu Shipyard Product and chemical tanker owner Ardmore Shipping has placed orders for two additional tankers at China's Wuhu Shipyard, further extending its fleet renewal and growth programme. Seatrade Maritime reports that the anticipated delivery timelines for the newbuildings stretch into late 2028 and beyond, reflecting the continued pressure on global shipyard capacity as orderbooks remain heavily subscribed. The move underscores Ardmore's confidence in the medium-term tanker market outlook and its established relationship with Wuhu Shipyard. With delivery slots increasingly scarce across major Asian yards, operators that have secured berths well in advance are positioned to benefit from fleet modernisation ahead of tightening environmental regulations. --- ### NTNU Develops Nuclear Propulsion Strategy for Commercial Shipping Norway's leading technical institution, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), is developing a zero-emission strategy centred on nuclear propulsion for commercial vessels, according to Seatrade Maritime. The university is working to build a framework it hopes will support the proliferation of atomic-powered ships as the maritime sector faces mounting pressure to decarbonise. Nuclear propulsion has long been discussed as a potential pathway to deep decarbonisation in shipping, particularly for long-haul trades where battery and hydrogen solutions face energy density limitations. NTNU's academic and strategic engagement adds institutional weight to the conversation at a time when regulators and shipowners are actively evaluating alternative fuel and propulsion technologies ahead of IMO's 2050 net-zero targets. --- *Note: A press release regarding turbojet engine production by Destinus was received via industry feeds but has been assessed as outside the scope of maritime industry coverage and has not been included in this briefing.*