Navigation, communication and electronics News

This year, like any other Maritime UK is taking a stand to support women in the sector, urging the industry to get involved in Women in Maritime Day. International Day for Women in Maritime 2024 (18th May) celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector. Enhancing safety measures This day shines a spotlight on the progress of industry has made over the last year, but also the changes we as an ind...

Brunvoll is an essential partner in Hurtigruten's Sea Zero project, driving the maritime industry towards emission-free transits. Together with Hurtigruten and the other industry partners, we are exploring game-changing propulsion and autonomy solutions, and defining the fjord cruise vessel for the future. Zero-emission sea journeys “We are delighted to take part in this project aimed towards zero emission sea journeys along the longer Norwegian coast,” says Kåre Øyvi...

Harbor Lab, the maritime software company modernising the outdated accounting practices hampering the $14 trillion shipping industry, has raised a $16 million Series A funding round led by European VC Atomico.  With participation from existing investors Notion Capital, Venture Friends, SpeedInvest and The Dock, and new investors Endeavor Catalyst and maritime VC TMV, the round follows a Seed round of €6.1 million. It takes total funding for the Greek startup to some $22.5 million. A...

Complete with over 100 user-requested features, streamlined vessel applications and enhanced user experience, ABS has launched Eagle Unified™, an industry-renowned structural design verification software tool. The launch is the latest in a series of investments in major new engineering capabilities that have been delivered by ABS in recent weeks. LNGC capabilities Eagle Unified™ is a single tool that can support multiple vessel types, with containership Eagle Unified™ is a...

A new feeder fleet of two tugs and two barges dedicated to serving a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) from Maersk Supply Service (MSS) has been ordered by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to ABS Class. The innovative system is designed to deliver components to the construction site, allowing the ABS-classed WTIV to remain on location, promising faster wind farm installations. Offshore wind components Designed to serve the U.S. offshore wind market, the novel articulated tug/barge (ATB) co...

Maersk has inaugurated a specialised cross dock warehouse in Rotterdam on its Maasvlakte II terminal. It will accelerate the flow of cargo significantly from arrival on a vessel to the point of sale, especially in the Benelux, German and French hinterland. Warehouse features After discharging containers from an arriving vessel, the products can be unpacked, transloaded to conventional trucks, and dispatched to their final destination within hours. Maersk welcomed Starbucks as the first custo...

Orbital Marine Power (Orbital), the renewable energy company focused on the commercial deployment of its innovative floating tidal turbine technology, has selected Global Energy Group as preferred supplier to lead the manufacture and assembly of turbines for the company’s initial Orkney projects which have secured contracts under the UK Government’s Contract for Difference auction rounds 4 and 5. Turbine manufacture It is anticipated that turbine manufacture will start at Global...

Trade moving through the Port of Long Beach gained momentum in April 2024, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year cargo growth at the nation’s second-busiest seaport. Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 750,424 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, up 14.4% from April 2023. Imports rose 16.3% to 364,665 TEUs and exports declined 19.9% to 98,266 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the Port increased by 30.7% to 287,493 TEUs. Operational excellence “...

High Eye is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the journey of innovation and growth: the selection of the Airboxer VTOL UAV by the Dutch Navy. After an extensive study of maritime VTOL UAV systems, the Dutch Navy recognised the Airboxer's suitability for the challenging maritime domain. With over a decade of development, the Airboxer has evolved to its current level through dedication and craftsmanship. They are immensely proud that the Dutch Navy acknowledges the qualities of the...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched a new report Digital Wave: Transforming Vessels into Floating Offices and Remote Homes. The report explores the growing importance of ‘always-on’ onboard connectivity as ships and their crew become increasingly reliant on digital technology.  In an era that sees ships functioning as ‘floating offices’, a reliable network connection optimises vessel operations and enhances life on board. Equally, the consequences of a...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has designed and delivered controllable pitch propellers for Stena’s new Ro-Pax vessel, Ala’suinu, which has completed sea trials. Following these sea trials, Ala’suinu became the first Ro-Pax vessel to fulfil the DNV Silent(E) notation, satisfying the criteria in the operating conditions at 11 and 18 knots. This environment class notation from DNV was introduced to protect sensitive marine ecosystems, applying to vessels that demonstrate...

Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd's Register, the global provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, for the design of its cutting-edge multi-megawatt containerised fuel cell power plant solution. RFC500 design, build, and test Ricardo designed and developed the technology as part of the Sustainable Hydrogen Powered Shipping (sHYpS) project, for which...

Brunvoll has signed a contract with VARD for the delivery of a comprehensive propulsion and manoeuvring system for Cyan Renewables new Service Operation Vessel (SOV). Azimuth propulsion thrusters The vessel will have the first azimuth propulsion thrusters from Brunvoll with an 8-degree tilted propeller and nozzle, for enhanced performance during dynamic positioning operations. The delivery for the new SOV consists of two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two retractable azimuth thrusters, a...

Major provider of secure maritime data communications software, GTMaritime, has unveiled an enhanced version of GTDeploy – the advanced fleet-management and diagnostics tool that helps owners get the best out of their operating systems. With unparalleled visibility into vessel assets and computer systems, IT teams now have a range of new key features to optimise performance, streamline operations, and mitigate cyber-security risks. Functionality of upgraded solution The upgraded solutio...

ABS, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (HD KSOE), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd. (HHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the technical feasibility for medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) power systems on ships. The agreement opens the door to collaboration on design assessment, new technology qualification as well as the development of rule guidance to provide clear directives on technical requirements, safety standards, and...

Shipping company ACL’s new transatlantic service in partnership with BG Freight Line and Peel Ports Group will have transit times up to two weeks faster than any similar service traveling between Dublin/Belfast and North America via a UK or Continental transshipment port. Service access and upgrade The partnership will offer importers and exporters quicker access to/from the USA and Canada with direct calls at the major ports of Halifax, New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk via the Port...

GIS is defined as “A geographic information system (GIS) that integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analysing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.”  In a simpler form, GIS are tools that enable users to look at data in a spatial context showing how the data relates to each other by location. Data is everything It can reveal relationships, patterns, and trends that users may not be able to visualise from a list of num...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is pleased to announce that it has promoted eight lawyers to counsel. They are: Nerina Erasmus – Corporate Nerina’s practice focuses on domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and private equity transactions, with particular expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. She is dual-qualified in England & Wales and South Africa. Valentina Keys - Environment, Health & Safety She also specialises in providing stand-alone...

Tokyu Land Corporation and SolarDuck B.V., in collaboration with Kyocera Communication Systems Corporation, have completed the installation of Japan's first offshore floating solar photovoltaic (OFPV) power plant on the sea surface, under the Tokyo Bay eSG Project (the Project), an initiative of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Policy Planning Bureau.  This project is a demonstration project by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that aims to realise the world's most advanced energy gener...

ABS has issued a New Technology Qualification (NTQ) for an innovative ammonia-to-electrical power system from Amogy. The Amogy ammonia-to-electrical power system splits, or 'cracks', liquid ammonia into its base elements of hydrogen and nitrogen, funneling the hydrogen into a fuel cell generating high-performance power. Sustainable, clean energy solution  The technology represents a sustainable, clean energy solution tailored for industries, such as maritime shipping and power generation...

The Fuel EU Maritime Regulation (FEMREG) looms large as shipping companies must decide their fuel compliance strategy and submit their monitoring plans before September. Slow steaming will not be enough to make ‘shipping companies’ compliant and WFW explains why. WFW discusses the basics and offers our expert steer on how best to prepare rather than react.  Background FEMREG’s overarching purpose is to accelerate the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in shipping. It...

Accelleron has renewed its service agreement with the world’s biggest engine builder - HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD) and its lifecycle service company - HD Hyundai Marine Solution (HMS). The agreement, continuing a collaboration that started in 2024, will ensure that owners of engines built by HHI-EMD and vessels or power plants serviced by HMS can benefit from Accelleron’s turbocharger service expertise, spare parts, lifecycle upgrades, and e...

The ABS-classed Liza Unity continues to collect industry firsts by receiving the first REMOTE-CON notation for an FPSO from ABS. The REMOTE-CON notation demonstrates the vessel’s alignment with remote-control functions and signifies that the design and construction of the offshore asset are assessed against and adhere to the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions.  Liza Unity The Liza Unity is the second FPSO to be built for ExxonMobil Guyana’s Stabroek...

ABS and Seatrium have enhanced their long-running partnership on cutting-edge marine and technology projects with the signing of a three-year Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). State-of-the-art projects Entitled 'Accelerating Decarbonisation and Energy Transition', the agreement is the foundation for further collaboration on a succession of state-of-the-art projects under four broad themes: decarbonisation, electrification, new energies, and d...

The construction of the new Rodman 80 for Fred. Olsen Express continues its course and yesterday was successfully launched at the Rodman Polyships facilities, thus concluding the final phase of installations and assembly of the main equipment. The event brought together members of the Shipping Company’s management, such as the General Manager of Fred. Olsen S.A., Andrés Marín; the Fleet Manager, Juan Ignacio Liaño; the Head of the Technical Department, Iván Fer...

Vessel lifecycle management provider ACEL Group of Norway enlisted Finnish power electronics specialist The Switch, a BEMAC Group company, to supply its robust single drives as part of an extensive midlife upgrade of the multipurpose offshore vessel Island Frontier (built-in 2003).  Vessel upgrade The upgrade prepares the ship for another 20 years of demanding operations amid an increasing appetite for retrofits versus new builds. ACEL Group subsidiary Haf Power Solutions (HPS)’s c...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised the Blue Ocean maritime strategy managed by EnTrust Global (EnTrust) on its acquisition of Norwegian alternative investment fund manager - Offshore Merchant Partners (OMP) from HitecVision. EnTrust EnTrust is a major global alternative asset management firm. Co-founded in 1997 by Chairman and CEO - Gregg S. Hymowitz, EnTrust offers a diverse range of alternative investment opportunities across strategies, including private debt and real asset...

Classification society - DNV announced at OTC Houston that its new rules and standards for the offshore industry will be published in July, after receiving industry feedback. The new DNV rules cover several segments, including underwater systems and installations, offshore units, diving systems, structural design, and drilling systems. The DNV rules and standards undergo an extensive external hearing process, before their publication and entry into force.    Rules and standardised pr...

ClassNK has released the report – ‘ClassNK Alternative Fuels Insight’, which summarises the characteristics and latest trends of alternative fuels to support their customers’ future fuel selection. Amidst the pressing need for society-wide reduction of GHG emissions, regulations aimed at further promoting GHG emission reductions in international shipping are being introduced. This heralds the arrival of an era where GHG emissions from ships will incur costs. Adoption of...

NorthStandard announces the departure of James Bean, a senior executive team member, following his decision to accept a role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The London P&I Club. NorthStandard will not be replacing him as one of two Chiefs of geographical sectors. Steve Cockburn who currently shares the position with James, will assume sole responsibility. Jeremy's comments “It is with mixed feelings that we share this news,” said Jeremy Grose, Co-Managing Director of North...