Offshore Drilling Rigs and LNG Vessels Dominate Maritime News

## Offshore Drilling Rigs Secure New Contracts According to Offshore Energy, Norwegian state-owned energy firm Equinor has received approval from authorities to use a COSL Drilling Europe semi-submersible rig for drilling operations in the North Sea off Norway. This follows news that 25 of Borr Drilling's 29-strong rig fleet are currently either on hire or have work lined up, with rigs deployed across Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America. "The offshore drilling market continues to show signs of recovery, with major operators like Equinor and Borr Drilling securing new contracts for their rigs," said the editor of gCaptain. "This suggests growing confidence in offshore exploration and production activity in key regions like the North Sea." ## Subsea Trenching Tech Advances Also in the offshore energy space, the 'world's most powerful' subsea trencher has arrived at the Port of Blyth in the UK for final fit-out and commissioning. The new trencher, destined for Danish power cable firm NKT, will be a key tool for offshore wind and interconnector cable installation projects. "Subsea trenching capabilities are critical to expanding offshore wind and grid infrastructure," noted The Maritime Executive. "This new high-powered trencher represents the next generation of subsea equipment to support the growing renewable energy sector." ## LNG-Powered Shipping Expands In other news, French shipping giant CMA CGM has finalized an order for six new LNG-fueled vessels. This follows the company's recent launch of a new R&D hub in India focused on developing sustainable shipping technologies. "CMA CGM's investment in LNG-powered ships underscores the maritime industry's shift toward cleaner fuels to meet emissions reduction targets," said the editor of Offshore Energy. "As a leading global carrier, CMA CGM's initiatives in this space will help drive wider adoption of LNG and other alternative propulsion systems." Overall, the maritime industry news this week highlights ongoing activity and innovation in the offshore energy, subsea infrastructure, and shipping sectors - key drivers of the global blue economy.