Prime movers News

ABB has signed a 15-year service agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry pioneer with a global fleet of 67 ships across its five brands travelling to all seven continents, deepening the long-standing partnership to support the company’s ship performance goals. Covering 33 existing ships, the comprehensive agreement includes preventive maintenance and digital solutions to support and optimise propulsion operations, improve vessel safety, maximise fleet availability, and e...

Kongsberg Maritime has been awarded a significant contract by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to supply integrated technology packages for nine new Dynamic Positioning (DP) Shuttle Tankers. The vessels are being constructed for Greek shipowner Tsakos Group and will be a bare-boat charter by Brazilian energy logistics company Transpetro, supporting offshore operations in Brazil’s pre-salt oil fields. Dynamic offshore conditions Each of the nine vessels will be equipped with a comprehensiv...

ABS has developed advanced simulation modelling of thermal runaway in lithium-ion battery fires, in a critical step forward in tackling one of maritime’s biggest emergent safety risks. The cutting-edge model, which has now been validated with Texas A&M University research, replicates the thermal runaway profile at the battery cell level, unlocking detailed insight into the total heat released and guiding the appropriate firefighting response. It is the latest development in ABS&r...

As geopolitical tensions reshape global trade routes and maritime operations, Europort 2025 offers a pivotal platform for the international maritime community to come together, share ideas and navigate a rapidly evolving industry. Taking place at Rotterdam Ahoy, the 42nd edition of Europort will spotlight four core themes driving the future of shipping: Energy Transition, Digitalisation, Ship Finance, and Human Capital. The event will feature an inspiring and diverse programme designe...

Turkish shipowner, Susesea, has successfully upgraded the cylinder lubrication strategy across its fleet of six bulk carriers by adopting Chevron’s Taro® Ultra Advanced 40 (TUA 40). Working closely with Chevron Marine Lubricants and its regional distributor, Petrol Ofisi, Susesea has streamlined vessel operations and reduced cylinder oil feed rates by approximately 33 percent, delivering both technical and commercial benefits. MAN Mark 9 engines Susesea’s engineers rotated bet...

The Nautical Institute (Singapore) is proud to announce its annual conference, returning on 17 July 2025 at Furama City Centre, Singapore, under the timely theme “Maritime 4.0 – Embracing Digitalisation, Sustainability & Wellbeing.” With the maritime industry accelerating its digital transformation while navigating the challenges of climate action and crew welfare, this year’s conference will provide an essential platform for collaboration between mari...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to ‘CMAXS LC-A’ an engine monitoring system and service, developed by MITSUI E&S Co., Ltd. and Mitsui E&S DU Co., Ltd. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology wi...

The Maritime Standard has confirmed the second session of the Transportation & Climate Change Conference (TMS TACCC 2025), scheduled for Thursday, 25th September 2025 at Saadiyat Rotana Resort, Abu Dhabi. Under the main theme “Accelerating Sustainable Transportation: Innovation, Policy & Climate Action,” the conference’s Session 2, titled “Innovations & Technology for Decarbonised Mobility,” will focus on the groundbreaking innovations and enablin...

Advanced technology and marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has successfully launched its innovative NeedleFish Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) at an official event with the Kuwaiti Coast Guard (KCG). Initiated to be a component of its new national integrated maritime surveillance system being delivered by SRT Marine Systems, the NeedleFish by Ocean Infinity is custom equipped with an array of specialist maritime surveillance sensor systems and leverages the company’s world-pioneering so...

Armacell, a pioneer in flexible foam for the equipment insulation market and a pioneering provider of engineered foams, announces that the halogen-free insulation NH/ArmaFlex Smart C is now approved for use at sea. With this International Maritime Organisation (IMO) certification, Armacell adds another trusted solution to its portfolio for safety-critical marine environments. IMO’s stringent fire safety standards Reduced smoke density improves visibility and helps passengers and c...

Condon Claims Management, one of the world’s renowned claims management advisory firms, has acquired US-based Marine Claims Associates LLC in a move that will strengthen its portfolio and enable it to expand its services and presence in the United States. Strategic milestone The acquisition marks a strategic milestone for Condon Claims Management, which is part of the Thomas Miller Group, as the firm continues to broaden its presence in the US market, enabling it to offer greater claims...

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated announced the acquisition of assets of Maretron, including the brand’s Octoplex, MPower and MConnect product lines from Littelfuse, Inc. The purchase will allow Teledyne’s Raymarine business to deliver deeper integration and automation for boat builders as a one-stop-shop, greatly expand product functionality for consumers, and create new and exciting business opportunities for Raymarine and its partners. Maretron’s award-winning products R...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has announced that orders for NexusWave have exceeded 1,000 vessels. Following months of rigorous development and testing, the service has gained incredible momentum in its first six months on the market with global customers adopting NexusWave for their fleets. This milestone underscores the global shipping industry’s strong appetite for a fully managed, high-speed, bonded connectivity service that combines the power of multiple networks with the...

Under Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (‘the Program’), which is jointly operated by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK, ClassNK evaluated the LPG dual-fuel LPG/ammonia carrier, ‘CRYSTAL ODYSSEY’ (IMO 9997177), which is owned by Kumiai Navigation (Pte) Ltd (Kumiai Navigation). DBJ provided financing to Kumiai Navigation. In the shipping industry, where environmental regulations are becoming stricter as the industry moves towards decarbonisation, Clas...

In a major step towards more efficient offshore operations, Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) and ABB have signed an agreement to equip a fleet of shuttle tankers with ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform. Engineered to optimise fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and enable a flexible integration of energy sources, the technology will be the heart of the integrated power system specified for nine newbuild vessels. Fleet of new vessels The fleet of new vessels will be...

Avikus, HD Hyundai’s specialised Autonomous Navigation Technology subsidiary, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Emerson to integrate its NEUBOAT CONTROL Autonomous System with Emerson’s Aventics marine controllers. According to the terms of the MOU, Avikus will use Emerson’s open protocol for its Aventics marine controllers to integrate with its NEUBOAT CONTROL system to provide safety and convenience features such as collision avoidance, ad...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a LCO2/Methanol Carrier jointly developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel, which is being developed for commercialisation, from regulatory and safety perspectives. It marks the world’s first issuance of an AiP for a LCO2/Methanol Carrier. Advanced decarbonisation initiatives Upon confirming compliance with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK...

A new cybersecurity solution from Hanwha Ocean to protect critical infrastructure and operations on board floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. Hanwha Ocean, in conjunction with SIGA Data Security, developed an Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity solution that is specifically designed to protect critical OT systems from cyber threats, enhancing the overall cyber resilience on FPSO units. ABS completed design reviews based on...

ABS opened the doors on its latest training centre, the Hellenic Ship Safety Centre in Athens, harnessing the power of new immersive training techniques, game-based learning and virtual reality environments for the Greek shipping community. Greek shipping pioneers joined ABS executives at the opening celebration for the new facility that features computer simulation stations, collaboration areas and a training room for virtual reality and game-based scenarios and interaction. Immersive learnin...

Bernhard Schulte Offshore (BSO) has taken delivery of the state-of-the-art, commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) WINDEA Curie, yard number 320 from Ulstein Verft. Key features include a motion-compensated walk-to-work gangway and elevator tower, a helideck, and a 3D-compensated crane, making her ideal for diverse offshore projects, including wind, offshore oil and gas. This SX222 design has been developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. Long traditions in maritime innovatio...

The recent collision between the tankers Front Eagle and the Adalynn in the Strait of Hormuz is more than a tragic incident – it’s a stark warning to the maritime industry. Both vessels were operating in an area reportedly impacted by intense satellite jamming and AIS spoofing in the days leading up to the crash. The Adalynn is allegedly part of the so-called 'dark fleet' — a loosely connected group of tankers that operate without AIS transponders, often to obscure their movem...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) is delighted to announce that London Corporate Partner Damian Adams has been appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (“MBE”) in HM The King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List. This prestigious recognition is in honour of his significant contributions to the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. Damian has dedicated over 20 years to the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, serving as a Boar...

“Every owner’s playbook needs to keep a line of sight on three things – regulation, technology readiness timelines and boundary conditions – and must include the elements needed for a short-, mid- and long game such as energy retrofits, electrification and nuclear.” That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, to Greece’s foremost shipowners, ship managers, and charterers at the ABS Hellenic National Committee Meeting. New e...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) takes pride in the delivery of ‘INS Arnala’, the first in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), to the Indian Navy. The vessel was delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, marking a significant milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in defence production. Naval underwater operations The primary role of the warship is to undertake naval aquatic roles, covering underwater survei...

The Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) has announced a partnership agreement with the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies to jointly host the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC). The MENC is a key feature of the ninth edition of DIMDEX which will take place from 19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. DIMDEX 2026 is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar,...

The London P&I Club has announced its financial results for 2024/25, reporting an operating surplus of US$21.3m, while also strengthening its free reserves to US$171.2m. Gross earned premium income increased 12% to reach US$159.8m. The Club’s combined ratio for the period was 101.7%, which contributed to an improved three-year weighted average combined ratio of 103.9%. Meanwhile, the investment return on assets under management and cash was 6.3%, contributing US$24.7m to the operating...

KR (Korean Register) has officially launched a joint working group to establish international standards for the safe discharge of toxic ammonia effluent generated from ammonia-fueled ships. The initiative brings together Korean major shipbuilders—HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), and Hanwha Ocean—as well as the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), a national ce...

Ulstein Group and Larsnes Mek. Verksted are working together to deliver 28 standard vessels for the Norwegian Navy. This marks the beginning of a close collaboration between two of Norway's most experienced and modern shipyards, aiming to deliver the future naval vessels. Joint response and close dialogue Ulstein and Larsnes submitted a joint response and have since had several meetings with NDMA Earlier this year, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) conducted a market survey to ass...

ABB and StarDream Cruises strengthen their longstanding collaboration with a new service agreement covering two of the cruise line’s luxury ships – reinforcing a partnership that has helped the evolution of cruise travel in Asia. The five-year agreement covers maintenance and lifecycle support for the cruise ships - Star Navigator and Genting Dream, measuring 269 and 335 metres, respectively. During this period, Star Navigator will undergo two, and Genting Dream one, drydocking proj...

ABS and HD Hyundai Samho signed a memorandum of understanding for the technical collaboration for an artificial intelligence (AI)-based smart shipyard. The agreement establishes a cooperative framework for both organisations to leverage smart technologies, such as AI, automation and robotics to identify opportunities for process improvement at HD Hyundai Samho shipyard. ABS will utilise its established Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards in the review process. Transforming shipyard...