Corporate News

Technology group - Wärtsilä and Sinocrew Maritime Services, a globally renowned provider of integrated crew management and marine training services to the international shipping industry, have inaugurated an advanced maritime simulation suite in Beihai, China. The new simulation suite will provide advanced, simulation-based training to equip seafarers with the skills needed for the safe adoption of new decarbonisation technologies and will support the transformation of the maritime in...

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) held its Annual General Meeting and Semi-annual meetings at the Four Seasons Astir Palace in Athens on 3–4 November 2025, marking continued growth and important milestones in representing the dry bulk shipping sector. The events coincided with the Association’s 45th Anniversary Gala Dinner, attended by senior figures from the Greek and international maritime community. The meetings brought together members and guest...

MarTrust, part of Marcura, and the crew payments solution supporting more than 150,000 seafarers worldwide, has partnered with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the international not-for-profit maritime organisation providing 24/7 helplines and welfare resources for seafarers and their families. The partnership is designed to improve awareness and access to mental health and financial wellbeing support across the maritime sector. Strengthening crew welf...

ABS and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the international standardisation of smart ship and shipyard technologies related to shipbuilding and ship maintenance, repair and overhaul. Through a series of joint workshops and seminars, the organisations will exchange information to strengthen international standardisation capabilities and streamline certification procedures for Korean equipment manufacturers. The MOU also a...

Classification society - DNV announced it has launched a new Cruise Centre based in DNV’s London offices. The new London Cruise Centre will strengthen DNV’s support for cruise owners, operators, ports and yards throughout Europe and beyond – providing local, time-zone aligned support, alongside DNV’s global technical capabilities and competencies for the entire cruise value chain. Rapid adoption of alternative fuels Cruise line operators are growing their footprint in...

Accelleron has signed an agreement with Hyundai Marine Solution (HMS), the aftermarket and digital division of shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Group, to enter a strategic cooperation on digital solutions. Two Accelleron solutions will cover engine and turbocharger monitoring and optimisation.  Under the partnership, the companies will seek closer integration and further efficiencies across digital tools. These include HD Hyundai Marine Solution's ship management system, Integrated Smart Ship...

HMM has completed three pilots implementing DCSA standards. Working with Genesis, Samsung SDS, and HelloContainer, HMM explored how the Booking and Bill of Lading standards enhance accuracy, visibility and efficiency in digital information sharing. Each pilot tested DCSA standards in live environments, supported by DCSA through onboarding, technical facilitation and partner alignment. It is the first time the carrier has worked simultaneously with several ecosystem partners to validate standard...

ABB has secured a contract with Helsinki Shipyard to supply a complete electric power and propulsion solution for the Polar Max icebreaker, which is expected to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard by 2030. Uniquely, Polar Max will be constructed through an innovative industrial collaboration between Canadian-controlled facilities in Helsinki, Finland and Lévis, Canada. The 22,800-tonne, 138.5-metre vessel is the first shipbuilding project at Helsinki Shipyard under the ownership of...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, is installing NexusWave on board selected Northern Marine Management Ltd (NMM) vessels operated by Stena Bulk and Proman Stena Bulk. This is part of their ongoing strategy to continually improve crew welfare through enhanced communications. Building on existing onboard connectivity provisions, NMM recognises the growing importance of high-speed internet access in attracting and retaining talent and supporting operational performance. The implementation of Ne...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed a nine-year Lifecycle Agreement with Japanese domestic ferry operator Hankyu Ferry. The agreement covers the operator’s two latest vessels, the ‘Yamato’ and the ‘Settsu’, and is designed to ensure their uninterrupted service reliability. The ships’ performance is of particular importance, since Japan’s ferry industry is one of the most advanced and efficient in the world, and operators are required t...

Unseenlabs, the French specialist in space-based radio frequency (RF) detection, announces the upcoming launch of its new satellites, BRO-17 and BRO-20. The mission, titled “LEVEL TWENTY,” is scheduled for liftoff in partnership with Exolaunch, a satellite integration provider, in November from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-15 rideshare mission. Expansion of BRO satellite constellation With the launch of BRO-17 and BRO-20, Unseenlabs is...

British autonomous vessel pioneer, ZeroUSV, has completed its third Oceanus12 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), marking a key milestone in expanding its growing autonomous fleet, available for outright purchase or charter. The new vessel, features striking geometric livery inspired by the dazzle camouflage used by the Royal Navy in the early 20th century. Designed not for concealment but to distort visual range finding and course estimation, the historic pattern has been reimagined to celebrate th...

NorthStandard has appointed Jack Marriott Smalley as its new Head of Underwriting for Asia Pacific, with effect from 3 November, 2025. Mr Marriott Smalley brings over 14 years of underwriting experience at NorthStandard to the role, including 11 years in Singapore, most recently serving as Head of Southeast Asia Pacific. His engagement with members, brokers, and partners has been pivotal in strengthening the Club’s presence across the region. Key leadership role In a key leadership role...

ABS and Siemens Digital Industries Software (DISW) have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the digital transformation of maritime classification processes across ship design and construction. The collaboration will also advance product lifecycle management (PLM) technology to enhance efficiency, data integrity and regulatory compliance throughout the vessel life cycle. Digital twin and simulation capabilities The MOU establishes a framework for both organisations to collaborat...

The ports of Duisburg and Rotterdam are pressing ahead in their close cooperation: A new letter of intent (LoI) between the ports was signed in the presence of Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. With this, the two major European logistics hubs reinforce their goal of jointly developing sustainable transport corridors via waterways as well as future-oriented initiatives for the energy transition – for the benefit of industry and the supply chain b...

The Port Authority of Valencia (APV) has renewed its Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), the most widely recognised environmental standard in the European port sector. Valenciaport was the first European port to obtain this certification in 2003, and this year it has been renewed for the eighth consecutive time. This distinction highlights the port’s environmental management and the joint efforts of the entire port commu...

Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second largest port operator, has announced a fresh £10m investment into its Great Yarmouth site, which is being repositioned as the Port of East Anglia. The newly announced £10m brings this year’s total investment to £70m across the site and will be used to redevelop the port’s Northern Terminal, helping to accommodate the next generation of major offshore wind projects across the region.  UK’s energy transition Th...

More than a quarter of maritime parts and service suppliers have been identified as having high or very-high cyber vulnerabilities, according to new data from Achilles Network. Through Procureship’s integration with Achilles, shipping companies can now access Achilles’ verified ESG and cyber indicators directly inside their procurement workflows, giving them immediate visibility of verified supplier credentials. The long-term partnership between Procureship and Achilles, announced i...

Sperry Marine, a pioneer in navigation solutions for seagoing vessels, has completed the first of five VisionMaster integrated bridge system installations on board a new generation of ships under delivery to one of the most advanced owner-operators in project cargo shipping. Elise is the first of SAL Heavy Lift’s new 14,600 dwt ‘Orca Class’ vessels to combine market-pioneering performance on sustainability with the ability to handle ultra-large loads including some of the worl...

Concordia Damen has received a new contract from Reederei Deymann, one of Germany’s largest inland shipping companies, for the extensive refit of a dry cargo vessel, Hirschhorn. The vessel recently arrived at the Concordia Damen yard in Werkendam, where the transformation project has now started. The project marks another example of the company’s expertise in sustainable fleet renewal. The refit involves the complete renewal of the aft ship. Originally equipped with a single engine...

Dutch maritime solar innovator Wattlab has delivered a seaworthy solar energy system for globally operating shipping, trading, and maritime services company Vertom. The recently delivered ‘MV Vertom Tula’ is a 7,280 dwt diesel-electric multipurpose cargo vessel. The solar system represents a major technical milestone and a step forward for sustainable shipping. Wattlab has delivered and installed 44 Solar Flatracks that will provide power to onboard systems, reducing 20% of the hote...

Confirmation that a propulsion system retrofit is achieving fuel savings of 10 percent has persuaded Norwegian shipowner, Arriva to go ahead with its second ‘Energy & Efficiency’ project with Berg Propulsion. In January this year, long-established Berg Propulsion customer Arriva upgraded the general cargo vessel Norjarl (5,335 gt) to include Berg’s MPC800 control system and Dynamic Drive. The project sought to optimise energy use at a reduced operating speed so that t...

Technology group - Wärtsilä completed the transaction of the Marine Electrical Systems business divestment to VINCI Energies, following the agreement announced on 17 July 2025. Marine Electrical Systems, with an annual revenue of EUR 100 million in 2024, is focused on specialised and complex electrical systems integration onboard vessels. The business and all its 380 employees will transfer to VINCI Energies as of 31 October. Bernd Bertram, Head of Portfolio Business, Wärtsil&au...

The US and China reached a 12-month trade war truce this week, including lowering fentanyl tariffs by 10% and suspending port fees – but it will not halt the decline in ocean container freight rates in 2026. Average spot rates from China to US West Coast on 31 October are down 59% year-on-year at USD 2147 per FEU (40ft container). Spot rates into the US East Coast are down 48% year-on-year at USD 3044 per FEU. Declining spot rates coincide with falling volumes on Transpacific trades,...

Wallem Group, a major global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters to Hong Kong. The celebrations will be marked by a special event on 12 November 2025 in the presence of Guest of Honour Hong Kong Finance Secretary, commemorating 100 years since the relocation – 22 years after Norwegian shipbroker and agent Haakon Wallem formed Wallem & Co. in 1903. By 1925, Haakon had earned the nickname ‘Typhoon Wallem’, reflecting his energy and busi...

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated announced the successful completion of the acquisition of the TransponderTech business from Saab AB. The newly acquired business Teledyne FLIR TransponderTech AB will join Teledyne’s Raymarine, FLIR Marine, ChartWorld and Teledyne CARIS brands, broadening the group’s maritime technology solutions. Maritime communication solutions Based outside of Linköping Sweden, the company will market its products and solutions as FLIR TransponderTech. Th...

Shipping has entered a Maritime 5.0 world defined by rapid change, artificial intelligence, advanced fuels, and digital ecosystems, where decisive leadership is critical for success. That was the message to the industry from ABS Chairman and Chief Executive, Christopher J. Wiernicki in a keynote address at the North American Marine Environment Protection (NAMEPA) Awards at SUNY Maritime College. Set of guiding principles “In this new era, change and technology will dominate our conversa...

Maritime industry pioneers explored the opportunities and critical challenges in the revitalisation of U.S. shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure at the ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting. The committee heard from ABS specialists on key regulatory, technology and market factors driving a wave of change for the global industry, making training to upskill seafarers in dynamic fuels, digital systems, and energy efficiency technologies more important than ever. Christopher J. Wiernick...

The British Ports Association (BPA) has published a new report bringing together a series of case studies from ports across the UK, highlighting the wide range of community and stakeholder projects taking place across the sector.  The report – Ports and their Communities – showcases examples from a variety of ports of all sizes and types, demonstrating how the UK ports industry is making a positive difference in their local areas. From education outreach and environm...

Daphne Technology and Maran Gas, part of the Angelicoussis Group, announce the conclusion of their joint pilot project that marked the first deployment of SlipPure Plasma-Catalytic Methane Slip Aftertreatment system on board the commercial LNG carrier, the Maran Gas Chios. The pilot reflects the commitment of both companies to explore innovative solutions for reducing methane emissions from shipping. Methane slip, the unburned methane released from dual-fuel marine engines, remains a key chall...