In cooperation with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the American Navy has succeeded in making the first submarine prototype. Engineers and designers will inspect the prototype for possible errors. The printing lasted 4 weeks and the entire project began in August 2016. The prototype is 9 meters long and has an estimated value of approximately 60-70 thousand dollars.

The Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has won a contract to build up to eight gas carriers for the Vitol oil trading company. According to the deal, the shipbuilder will construct 2 liquefied petroleum gas tankers. Vitol has the option to order 6 more vessels of the same type. The value of the contract is USD 600 million. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered to their owner in the first half of 2019.

Spot rates in the Asian to Middle Eastern markets are gaining the most traction following the improvement of the container shipments on the route by 1.6%. Despite a bad start of the year, annual trade growth could rebound back by 3%. Drewry said that container ships are needed the most as the number of shipments continues to grow.

The German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has added a new container ship, the Afif, to its fleet. 368 meters long and 51 meters wide, the Afif was delivered in perfect condition. The new large container vessel is the first ship of its class painted in Hapag-Lloyd colors.

The ReCAAP and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost the fight against piracy and robbery against ships in Asia. The first agreement, signed on July 24 in London, would enhance cooperation against maritime crimes.

Fortune Ocean Shipping is looking to expand its fleet with up to six new bulk carriers. The company placed four firm orders with Tianjin Xingang at the price of USD 23.5 million apiece. The contract involves 82,000 dwt Panamax bulkers with a market value of around USD 21.4 million.

The Chinese cargo ship Nan Hui 68 sank on July 23 east of Hong Kong. The cause of the sinking is believed to be shifting of the ship’s cargo amid strong waves and winds. The Nan Hui 68 capsized shortly after. All 12 crew members were rescued.

The inexperience of the crew of the Domingue that sank while assisting a container ship in the port of Tulear was one of the reasons behind the tug’s sinking. The ship's sinking resulted in two deaths. Domingue’s crew lacked experience in this type of operation. The tug had been connected to CMA CGM Simba’s port quarter to help pull the vessel’s stern off the berth, and sometime after that the Domingue girted and capsized, killing two crew members.

The VTB 26 cargo ship, carrying 4,700 tons of coal and 13 crew members on board, capsized and sank in the Cua Lo anchorage. The strong waves which were hitting the hull of the ship were caused by a typhoon. According to the latest update, 7 people have been rescued, 3 have been found dead and 3 are still missing.

The financially troubled Rickmers Trust Management will sell nine ships to the Navios company. The remaining 9 of 14 ships will be sold to Navios for USD 54 million. The sale of the first five container ships was completed in late May.