Corporate News

Fincantieri and TUI AG signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the design and construction of two new cruise ships for the Marella Cruises brand. The value of this agreement, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered as very important. This agreement represents a major step for Marella Cruises, which is venturing into newbuilding for the first time and has chosen Fincantieri as its strategic partner for this transformation....

Achilles, a pioneer in supply chain risk management solutions, and Procureship, the world’s pioneering e-procurement platform, have agreed on a long-term partnership to enhance the ESG capabilities of the shipping industry’s procurement processes.  The latest agreement will bring efficiencies to the supply chain assessment and purchasing process for Procureship members. Procureship provides streamlined purchasing for more than 100 fleet owners and operators, including BW LNG, A...

The Industry Associations of BIMCO, ICS, IMCA, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO & OCIMF, supported by over forty maritime stakeholders, have released a consolidated and enhanced publication, Best Management Practices (BMP) for Maritime Security (MS). As an interactive online publication, BMP Maritime Security consolidates previously published regional publications into a single, comprehensive publication with actionable insights and advice. It focuses on providing a threat and risk management pr...

For an unprecedented fourth time in a row, GAC will be The Ocean Race’s Official Logistics Partner, extending a successful collaboration that has been in place since 2014. For the first time, GAC will support all three major events on The Ocean Race calendar: The Ocean Race Europe 2025, The Ocean Race Atlantic in 2026, and the flagship around the world race starting from Alicante, Spain, in 2027. Comprehensive logistics support Services provided will include a raft of total logistics su...

RightShip, the digital maritime platform providing expertise in safety, sustainability and social responsibility practices, has announced a strategic partnership with marine technology company Mapsea to integrate RightShip’s Safety Score and GHG Rating directly into Mapsea’s advanced navigation and voyage optimisation platform. This collaboration empowers both onshore decision-makers and crew onboard vessels to access real-time safety insights, enhancing operational safety and effic...

ABS Wavesight™, the ABS-affiliated Software-as-a-Service company, proudly hosted its Vision and Value Summit in Singapore. The event brought together users of ABS Wavesight software products, industry stakeholders, and regional experts for a dynamic day of collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking discussions. ABS Wavesight’s commitment Attendees engaged in interactive sessions focused on addressing critical issues The event served as a platform for users and other industry...

Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS, a subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Knutsen Group, has obtained Approval in Principle from ClassNK for the design of liquified CO2 carriers that use the elevated pressure method to store and transport liquefied carbon dioxide at ambient temperature. ClassNK has carried out a design review of this ship in accordance with the Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships, 'Part N', and has issued an Approval in Principle after confirming that t...

Procureship, the pioneer e-procurement platform for the global maritime industry, has signed an agreement with Shipnet. The Norwegian vessel management software provider, to bring its award-winning e-procurement service to its online maritime operation app. Shipnet and procureship unite The deal will enable all Shipnet users to access Procureship’s e-procurement platformThe deal, which was signed during Sea Asia in Singapore on 25 March, will enable all Shipnet users to access Procuresh...

Ocean Network Express (ONE) successfully hosted the fourth Container Shipping Summit in Hong Kong on 26 March 2025. In pursuit of sustainable container shipping development, the Summit brought together academic pioneers in Asia to discuss diverse challenges and encourage industry-academia collaboration to drive change and innovation towards a sustainable future. Implementing growth strategies Yasuki Iwai, Global Chief Officer - Head of Corporate and Innovation of ONE, delivered the opening re...

STAR Information Systems (STAR) is proud to announce the successful signing of an agreement to acquire Arribatec Marine (Infoship), a pioneering provider of fleet technical management solutions. This acquisition strengthens STAR’s presence in the maritime software market and represents an important step forward in the growth journey. Digitalisation within maritime sector Infoship built a strong reputation in supporting digitalisation within the maritime sector Found...

As part of Singapore Maritime Week, DNV has awarded Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC), Approval in Principle (AiP) for their new wide beam ammonia-ready Kamsarmax bulk carrier. The vessel has a shallow draft for flexible port calls, as well as being WAPS (wind-assisted propulsion system) ready. Greenhouse gas reduction goals Green ammonia is emerging as a strong candidate for climate-neutral fuel for shipping Green ammonia is emerging as a strong candidate for the climate...

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) have renewed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in research and development, talent development, workforce upskilling, support for startup maritime businesses, and regulatory alignment. This renewal, signed now, marks a comprehensive and future-oriented collaboration that continues to strengthen Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub while advancing ABS&r...

ABS, in collaboration with pioneering players in the maritime industry, has joined an ambitious initiative from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to tackle challenges facing global shipping. The MIT Maritime Consortium unites academia and industry to support the development of cutting-edge technologies that aim to transform the sector, including alternative fuel and new nuclear technologies, data-powered strategies for efficient operations and decision making, autonomy and cyberse...

DNV has released a new Recommended Practice (RP) to assess the performance of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) for public hearing. The new RP has been developed to provide a basis for reliably determining the ability of different WAPS technologies to deliver efficiency gains when installed onboard, accelerating the maritime industry's journey towards a more sustainable future. Fuel savings and emissions reductions WAPS have emerged as a promising solution for the maritime industry to r...

OrbitMI, a provider of maritime software and data products, has expanded its workflow capabilities through a new integration with CleanQuote, a pioneering vessel cleaning platform. This collaboration further strengthens OrbitMI’s commitment to providing connected workflows by incorporating vessel cleaning and maintenance data into Orbit Reporter via API. Vessel cleaning data Western Bulk can now easily capture and access essential vessel cleaning data Western Bulk, a company operating...

Following an application for summary judgment, the Commercial Court has provided useful guidance on the interaction between the Hague Rules time bar and contractual time bars where the Hague Rules were incorporated by a clause paramount, rather than applying by force of law. Emirates Shipping Line FZE ('The Defendant') sought to argue that the claim by cargo interests became time-barred as a result of contractual provisions providing for a 20 day time bar and a clause that required the claim fo...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has agreed a deal with Anthony Veder to upgrade the pioneering gas shipping company’s entire fleet to Inmarsat NexusWave. Purpose-built for the specialised transport of gases, including petrochemical gases and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and easily identifiable by their ‘Coral’ prefix, Anthony Veder ships operate in both coastal and deep-sea environments, making multi-dimensional high-speed connectivity essential for seamless communications...

Technology pioneer ABB, and the CMA CGM Group, a player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, are collaborating on a new parametric roll algorithm to improve ship safety. The solution integrates a theoretical framework developed by CMA CGM into the ABB Ability™ OCTOPUS Marine Advisory system. Challenge to ship safety New algorithm will help enhance operational safety by reducing the risk of accidents Parametric rolling has been a challenge to ship safety for decades. Particularly...

Increasing incidents of interference with aviation, maritime and other satellite telecommunications services mean states must urgently enhance the protection of a critical radio-frequency band, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) said with ‘grave concern’ in a joint statement. These cases of harmful interference are in the form of jamming and spoofing that disrupt Global Navig...

“The IMO really has to step up now if we are to deliver on the pace and scale of the change required. A lot of this comes down to the question of how we address the significant price differential between fossil and alternative fuels. The IMO holds the keys to all of this, and the time for action is now. Whether we as an industry can make 2050 rests largely with the IMO and how it performs in the coming months.” That was the message to the industry from ABS Chairman and CEO Christoph...

International®, AkzoNobel's marine coatings brand, has published a new whitepaper on how data collaboration between fouling control coating experts and vessel operators can drive more informed decision-making, enhance vessel performance reliability and support sustainability goals for the fleet. The research includes a detailed case study of three Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) vessels tracked over a 60-month service period, all coated with Intersleek® 1100SR, an ultra-high performance foulin...

GAC Norway has launched a new shore excursion service covering all of Norway, including key cruise destinations such as Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen, Ålesund and Tromsø, in response to cruise operators’ drive to provide passengers with authentic experiences that connect them with local culture responsibly. Cruise operators looking to enhance their guest experience with sustainable, exclusive and competitively-priced shore excursions can now partner with GAC Norway to deliver th...

ABS and Pacific International Lines (PIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Singapore Maritime Week that establishes a framework to collaborate on projects related to maritime technology, sustainability and safety management systems. “To make meaningful progress in this era of rapid change, we need strategic industry collaborations like this one with PIL. We look forward to capitalising on our unique strengths and capabilities in maritime compliance and cutting-edge techn...

Fuels of the future and shipping charge points in harbours are at the centre of a major new strategy to make Britain’s shipping fleet net zero by 2050 and drive growth in coastal communities. The Maritime Minister has revealed the Government’s new goals for all vessels that operate in UK waters and dock at UK ports to be carbon-free and help vessel owners, operators and scientists make emission-free voyages a reality. Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy Maritime Decarbonisation Stra...

Brunvoll has signed a contract with VARD for the delivery of a comprehensive package of propulsion and manoeuvring thrusters for five Walk-2-Work Service Operation Vessels, W2W SOVs. The vessels are for an undisclosed international owner. Brunvoll’s delivery for each vessel consists of two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two retractable azimuth thrusters, and two tunnel thrusters. The vessels will also feature Brunvoll’s Propulsion and Thruster Control system, BruCon PTC, for efficien...

Fincantieri, one of the world's pioneer groups in high-complexity shipbuilding, and the Guardia di Finanza signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation to prevent and fight criminal infiltrations and irregularities in the economic and production sectors. The agreement establishes a joint effort to protect legality, with a focus on preventing and combating economic and financial crimes, fraud, corruption, and illegal labor practices. Enhancing transparency and securit...

Current Senior Vice President Hayato Suga has been appointed as President & CEO as well as Representative Director of ClassNK and current Corporate Officer Fumihiko Higashi has been appointed as Executive Vice President, effective 21 March 2025. Former President & CEO Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, while former Chairman of the Board of Directors Koichi Fujiwara has assumed the position of Advisor to the Society. Challenges and digital transf...

Orca AI, a pioneer in maritime technology, celebrates a major milestone as Seaspan Corporation, a containership powerhouse, integrates its cutting-edge SeaPod digital watchkeeper across its entire fleet, to support significant safety improvements and operational cost savings. Rooted in a robust safety culture As part of its digitalisation strategy, Seaspan began using Orca AI's SeaPod digital watchkeeper on select vessels to enhance situational awareness for navigation. An analysis of Seaspan...

IRClass Academy has successfully concluded an intensive Marine Casualty Investigation Training program aimed to enhance the investigative capabilities of maritime professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to conduct thorough and compliant marine casualty investigations. The program provided an in-depth understanding of the purpose, scope, and principal definitions of marine casualty investigations, along with the mandatory responsibilities of safety investigation auth...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has signed an agreement with Solvang to equip the company’s fleet with Inmarsat’s NexusWave fully managed bonded connectivity service to support the pioneering gas shipping company’s evolving crew and business connectivity requirements. Solvang’s fleet, which includes six semi-refrigerated ethylene carriers, eight large gas carriers, and 13 very large gas carriers (including seven newbuilds), depends on reliable satellite connect...