Prime movers News

Together with partners - MPC Container Ships ASA and MPC Capital AG, Topeka has contracted two 1300 TEU carbon neutral container vessels. Both vessels will be delivered in 2024 and immediately move into long-term contracts with North Sea Container Line. Carbon neutral container vessels Benefitting from dramatically reduced emissions, the two new-build ships will replace three of North Sea Container Line’s (NCL) current diesel-powered vessels, which will be phased out of operations. ...

MPC Container Ships ASA is pleased to announce the following company update: MPCC has contracted two carbon-neutral 1,300 TEU newbuildings at Chinese-based shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering for delivery in the second half of 2024. The vessels come with a dual fuel engine setup which enables operation on methanol as well as conventional MGO, allowing MPCC to take a significant leap forward in its commitment to use carbon-neutral solutions in regional container trades together with stron...

Switzerland’s SBB Cargo International AG, in cooperation with SüdLeasing GmbH, has ordered 20 Vectron multi-system locomotives equipped with the XLoad package from Siemens Mobility. SBB Cargo International will lease the locomotives from SüdLeasing under a long-term rental plan with a flexible term. The contract also includes maintenance of the locomotives by Siemens Mobility. Vectron XLoad is an equipment package developed to improve traction performance and increase trailer lo...

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has entered into an agreement to acquire Lithuanian smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer - NanoAvionics. The planned acquisition expands KONGSBERG’s space offering to also have products and technology for manufacturing small satellites. NanoAvionics is a globally renowned smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer with significant global growth in recent years, including expansions into the United Kingdom and the United State...

Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to announce the award of a contract to Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for the construction of four 8,000 TEU Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels. These vessels will each be equipped with an ammonia intermediate ready fuel tank. The four vessels will be delivered progressively in 2025. Contract for 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels We have decided to place an order for an additional four 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels for two key reas...

The latest Neptune Indicator research shows that the number of seafarers onboard vessels beyond the expiry of their contract has decreased slightly to 4.2% from 4.3% in the last month, while the number of seafarers onboard vessels for over 11 months has remained stable at 0.3%. For the eighth consecutive month, Global Maritime Forum observe little change in the numbers reported, as it confirm the entry into a ‘new normal’. The Neptune Indicator also reports a 2.8 percentage point in...

The Clock Building of the Port of Valencia will host next Wednesday 6 July the conference ‘Short Sea Shipping in the Port of Valencia: A competitive, innovative and environmentally responsible option’ in which experts from the maritime-port sector will analyse the logistical and environmental benefits of short sea shipping. The event is organised by the Spanish Association for the Promotion of Short Sea Shipping SPC Spain in collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV)....

One of Orbital’s key objectives is reducing carbon emissions by harnessing an entirely untapped source of renewable energy. In doing so, the company aim to help restore oceans after what has been a disastrous decline in species and ocean health over the past two centuries. UK is fortunate that it has a well-established environmental licensing framework for the deployment of tidal turbines in the marine environment, which has led to extensive environmental characterisation and monitoring o...

A global pandemic, the war in Europe since 1945, rising temperatures caused by climate change, and severe disruptions to global supply chains have created new uncertainties for the maritime sector. The Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit will bring together top decision-makers, thought providers, and experts from across the maritime spectrum and beyond, to make sense of what these challenges mean for the maritime industry and to collectively identify ways in which they can take action t...

The Board of Directors of Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Lars Kastrup as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PIL, effective from 1 July, 2022. As the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pacific International Lines, Lars Kastrup is responsible for leading PIL’s continued growth and development, including its sustainability transformation path towards net zero carbon emissions. Industry veteran appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO)...

The Port of Valencia has welcomed the Iacobus Maris fleet, the sailing ships taking part in the longest maritime Xacobean route in history, which departed from the port of Genoa bound for Galicia. The President of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), Aurelio Martinez, has held a meeting with the honorary consul of Italy, Adriano Carbone to coordinate the presence of the fleet that will remain in the Port of Valencia until Sunday. Lacobus Maris Route The Iacobus Maris Route commemorates the j...

SMEs who make up 99.8 percent of all businesses in the UK are invited to meet this week with UK government Trade teams at Seawork 2022. SME maritime network Vessel builders and marine technology and services companies are invited to join the maritime teams at stand G39, to find out how the Department for International Trade (DIT), UK Export Finance, and the National Shipbuilding Office can help to develop and win business in the UK and overseas. National Maritime is the UK’s largest SME...

As plans emerge that Maritime UK (MUK) is to support several potential stakeholders to establish a South East regional cluster organisation reportedly led by Dieter Jaenicke, Viking Maritime Group, they do welcome the continued emergence of MUK as a single leadership association for the maritime sector, as it strives to act as a conduit for bringing coherent sector support and reduced bureaucracy to add weight to arguments for infrastructure improvements and destination making, to stimulate econ...

Reinforcing its long partnership in providing solutions for the Brazilian Navy in the most diverse vessels of its fleet, WEG recently supplied two alternators of the G Plus line with a nominal power of 100 kVA, frame 250, and 4 poles. The alternators are responsible for generating energy for the entire vessel of the river transport vessel Almirante Leverger. To meet the protection needs of the application, the alternators were specifically developed with IP44 degree of protection and using fi...

The international marine specialist recruitment company - Marine Resources (Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd) have joined forces with the former President of the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Dr. Thomas Dammrich and the former Editor and Owner of International Boat Industry magazine - Nick Hopkinson. This partnership aims to offer businesses in the leisure marine industry assistance with identifying and recruiting key management personnel. Bespoke head-hunting...

The Normal Amsterdam Water Level (NAP) has been used as the basis for Vessel Traffic Services in the port of Rotterdam for approximately 200 years now. On 1 July, 2022, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will abandon the Normal Amsterdam Water Level (NAP) in shipping communication. Effective from July 1, 2022, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will use the Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide (ALAT) as a reference for water depths and water levels in the admission policy. Internationally,...

Nor-Shipping 2023, which is scheduled to take place from June 6 to June 9, 2023, looks set to build on the success of Nor-Shipping 2022 event, with strong early sales and commitments from numerous national pavilions to return to the exhibiting fold. A total of 14 countries have so far secured dedicated pavilions to showcase local expertise, including Singapore and Japan at Nor-Shipping 2023 exhibition. In addition, individual organisations, such as Siemens, ABB, DNV (with two stands), NCE Marit...

In early June 2022, representatives of shipping companies and Customs authorities from across the globe came together, in order to discuss ways to step up the fight against drug trafficking. The Conference was organised by the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the Container Control Programme (CCP), which is a joint initiative between the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). UNODC 2021 World Drug Report According to the UNODC 2021 World Drug Report, aro...

It’s been another bumper month for long-term contracted ocean freight rates, as the cost of securing container shipments climbed by 10.1% in June 2022. Following on the heels of a record 30.1% hike in May 2022, this now means rates stand 169.8% higher than this time in 2021, with just two months of declines in the last 18 months. Despite a degree of macro-economic uncertainty clouding the horizon, all major trades saw prices moving up, with some corridors showing significant gains. Xenet...

Nauti-craft technology is not only making waves (well actually, quite the opposite!) here in Australia, but is also being developed in some exciting projects overseas. In Wilhelmshaven, a seaside town on the Jade Bight on Germany’s North Sea coast, nauti-craft technology will soon be put to work onboard the WB18, a collaborative project between nauti-craft and German boat-building company, Wallaby Boats. The 18m vessel will fill the role of pilot vessel at the port of Wilhelmshaven, ensur...

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has signed an Exchange of Note(E/N) with the Japanese Government for an Economic and Social Development Programme involving the acquisition of a High-Speed Boat to reinforce services for coastal security in Nigeria, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, as the implementing partner. The Honourable Minister of State Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba signed on behalf of Nigeria, while the Ambassador Ext...

On 29 June 2022, the ceremony for the naming and delivery of CULINES container newbuilding - CUL YANGPU & the signing of the strategic cooperation memorandum on Shipping Industry Fund was held at Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding in Nansha, Guangzhou, China. Huiming Xiang (Chairman at Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding), Kevin Ding (EVP at CULIES), Huiyu Wu (Part Committee Secretary & Chairman at Hainan Financial Holdings), and Jianmin Wang (Port & Shipping COO, Administration Committee of Y...

The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) and the Provincial Council of Valencia have organised the first ‘Cruise Tourism’ training course, aimed at municipal technicians and tourism agents. A meeting point to expand the tourist offer, offered by the destination of Valencia for cruise passengers, with sustainable experiences in municipalities of the province, beyond the city of Valencia, and to work to deseasonalise cruise tourism that calls at the Port of Valencia, in Spain. From the p...

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA)’s Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) has once again received certification as a climate-neutral company from TÜV NORD. This highlights CTA’s pioneering role in the industry as a sustainable, innovative company. In 2019, CTA was the first container handling facility in the world to receive climate-neutral certification. Automated guided vehicles The Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board, Angela Titzrath, explains: “CTA’...

A new report published by Inmarsat, the pioneer in global, mobile satellite communications, indicates that seafarers are largely in favour of greater digitalisation but that a sizeable proportion of those working at sea also fear shrinking job opportunities. Compiled by maritime innovation consultancy Thetius, Seafarers in the Digital Age – Prioritising Human Element in Maritime Digital Transformation draws on the results of a survey of 200 maritime professionals. Basic internet connecti...

Maritime welfare charities are pulling together to publicise the support available to seafarers who have been made redundant, including ex P&O Ferries staff. The Maritime Charities Group Redundancy and Retraining Bursary provides help towards the cost of training to stay in maritime while The Seafarers’ Charity‘s UK Maritime Anchor Fund provides financial help, relationship counselling and mental health and wellbeing support. Taken together this package of measures is helping se...

Neste Corporation has made the final investment decision to invest into new renewable products production capacity in Rotterdam. The decision is based on demand for renewable products growing substantially with customers' higher climate ambitions. Neste’s current 1.4 million ton capacity for renewable products in Rotterdam is the largest in Europe. The Rotterdam refinery expansion investment of approximately EUR 1.9 billion will expand Neste’s overall renewable product capacity by 1...

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and Eneco are going to install shore-based power facilities in the Waalhaven, so that Boskalis work boats moored there can run on green power instead of fossil fuels. A shore-based power installation will be built on the Boskalis site in the Waalhaven, Rotterdam. There are two berths on the quay at this location which are in frequent use. Vessels come to the Waalhaven service centre for maintenance and to be prepared for offshore projects. Reaching climate neutr...

The World Ocean Council will host a side event during the United Nations Ocean Conference on June 27-July 1 in Lisbon, Portugal. Building the Supply, Demand, Marketplace, and Monitoring for Ocean Carbon Sequestration takes place on 30 June, 1:45-2:45 pm | One Sustainable Ocean Pavilion, Ocean Stage. Ocean and coastal ecosystems are, by far, the largest carbon sinks on Earth — they offer the best nature-based solutions for enhanced gigaton-scale carbon sequestration. In order to realize th...

Seafarers are sharing their maritime voyages across social media to mark the Day of the Seafarer 2022.  The maritime world is changing, fast. Ships are now operating greener, with greater digitisation and with more diverse crews. As the lifeblood of the shipping industry, seafarers are at the heart of this evolution, implementing new regulations, learning new skills and adopting safer, more efficient working practices. As the world’s merchant fleet traverses the oceans, the crews onboard...