Scorpio Tankers Sells Vessels, Cosco Halts Gulf Services, and More Maritime News

## Scorpio Tankers Sells Vessels, Charters Out Two More Scorpio Tankers Inc. has announced a series of vessel transactions, including the sale of three product tankers and the time charter-out of two additional vessels. According to Hellenic Shipping News, the company has entered into agreements to sell two 2015-built, scrubber-fitted MR product tankers - the STI Seneca and STI Osceola - for $35 million each. Scorpio Tankers has also agreed to time charter-out two other product tankers, though the details of those agreements were not disclosed. These moves are part of Scorpio's ongoing fleet optimization efforts, which have included the sale of older vessels to reinvest in more modern, fuel-efficient tonnage. The company continues to actively manage its fleet in response to market conditions. ## Cosco Suspends Gulf Services Amid Regional Tensions Chinese shipping giant Cosco has announced that it is suspending services to and from countries in the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait. As reported by Hellenic Shipping News, the state-owned, Shanghai-based firm is one of several major carriers that have halted operations in the Gulf in recent days. The move comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. Cosco operates one of the world's largest oil tanker fleets, so its withdrawal from Gulf services could have broader implications for regional trade and energy shipments. Analysts will be closely watching how other carriers respond and whether the suspension of Cosco's services leads to disruptions in the global supply chain. ## Hydrogen Shipping Corridor Planned Between Japan and New Zealand A consortium of Japanese companies has announced plans to establish a 'Japan-New Zealand Hydrogen Corridor' to support the commercialization of green hydrogen production and export operations. According to Hellenic Shipping News, the group - which includes Obayashi Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Chiyoda Corporation - will study the feasibility of producing hydrogen in New Zealand using renewable energy sources and then transporting it to Japan. Hydrogen is seen as a key fuel for decarbonizing the maritime industry, and this initiative represents an important step towards developing the necessary infrastructure and supply chains. If successful, the Japan-New Zealand corridor could serve as a model for other international hydrogen shipping routes in the future. ## Other Maritime News Briefs - Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has taken delivery of its first high-specification Newcastlemax vessel, the Genco Stars and Stripes, as part of the company's fleet renewal program. - South Korean shipbuilder HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has secured an order for four new LNG carriers, advancing its goal of reaching 30 LNG carrier orders by 2024.