Propellers News

Bolidt has acquired a majority stake in Florida-based Boteka, in a move intended to consolidate Bolidt’s major position in the global cruise industry. As a specialist in prefabricated elements for cruise ships, Boteka has worked exclusively with Bolidt products during a 14-year relationship that has seen the two parties serve major operators including Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Group, and Celebrity Cruises. The collaboration has covered both newbuild and retrofit projects....

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply an integrated hybrid propulsion solution for four new 10,700 DWT geared tween decker vessels being built for Dutch ship owner and maritime service provider Vertom Group. Combining the Wärtsilä 25 medium-speed 4-stroke engine with a hybrid propulsion drive train with PTO/PTI/PTH, the package is designed to optimise vessel propulsion efficiency, while enabling sailing modes on batteries without using combustion power. The 10,700 DWT serie...

bound4blue has taken a major step forward in simplifying the adoption of wind power worldwide, with DNV validation of its ‘wind propulsion system force matrix’ calculation method. This validation provides ship owners, designers, and yards with a trusted, regulation-ready tool to evaluate the performance of bound4blue’s eSAIL®. The validation gives the industry a reliable tool to easily calculate the benefits of bound4blue’s eSAIL® suction sail technology, without...

Announced today at Nor-Shipping in Oslo, a pioneering partnership between Kongsberg Maritime, Solstad, Østensjø, DeepOcean, and Remota will see the launch of a pilot project to explore the potential for remote Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations in the offshore sector. The pilot, set to begin later this year aboard the offshore vessel Normand Sentinel, will explore how remote technology can enhance operational flexibility and expand recruitment opportunities within the maritime in...

Kongsberg Maritime has officially launched K-Sail, a new service that helps vessel owners choose and integrate wind-assist technology effectively. Wind-assist technology has rapidly gained popularity and variety over the past few years as ship owners seek ways to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The new K-Sail service helps owners navigate the complexities of adopting wind-assist technology by focusing on integration and collaborating with various technology partners. Wind assist techno...

RensenDriessen Shipbuilding & Shipbrokers is stepping into the deep-sea segment with the brokerage of two 20,000 m³ sea-going LNG tankers. The dual-fuel vessels, fully compliant with IMO Tier III standards, will be built at a selected Chinese shipyard and delivered in 2027. New chapter for RensenDriessen The project marks a new chapter for the Dutch firm, best known for its inland shipping expertise. With more than four decades of experience in inland vessel design, construction...

Brunvoll has signed a contract with VARD for the delivery of an extensive propulsion and manoeuvring system for Dong Fang Offshore’s new Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel (OSCV). The contract is for delivery for one vessel, with one additional vessel as an option. Brunvoll’s delivery for the vessel consists of two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two resiliently well-mounted tunnel thrusters, and a retractable azimuth thruster. The scope also includes Brunvoll’s Propulsion and...

Strategic Marine, a pioneer in aluminium shipbuilding, is proud to announce the successful delivery of the first 27m Z-Bow Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) to Taiwan as part of a contract with Ventus Marine Co., Ltd for two state-of-the-art vessels. This milestone marks Strategic Marine’s continued commitment to supporting the offshore wind industry with innovative and high-performance vessel solutions. Offshore wind operations The vessels, designed in collaboration with renowned naval archit...

During the DEEPDIVE - Analyst and Investor Underwater Day held today in Milan, Fincantieri presented its long-term strategic vision for the development of its underwater segment to the financial community, outlining a clear, ambitious, and already well-advanced path of industrial growth. Accounting for about 4% of Group revenue in 2024, the segment is set to double in 2027, reaching 8%, with expected revenue of approximately 820 million euros and est...

Sea trials are performed in northern waters – typically at depths of 200-300 metres off the coasts of Norway, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland. Responsibility for conducting sea trials lies with the Development Test and Verification (DTV) department. During a heavy weather sea trial, test participants are stationed for more than two weeks in challenging conditions on a mother ship with a shared bath and toilet – i...

CLdN unveiled one of its newest vessels during a naming ceremony at the Liverpool Cruise Port yesterday, marking its longstanding partnership with Peel Ports Group to regenerate dock infrastructure. The MV Seraphine is part of CLdN’s advanced fleet of larger vessels designed to carry more cargo, while significantly reducing carbon emissions. Partnership with Peel Ports Group CLdN highlighted its ongoing partnership with Peel Ports Group to renovate Brocklebank Dock As part of the celeb...

In an industry first, ABS has published guidance to enable internal examination of tanks beyond the typical five-year requirements to once every 10 years, with options to have additional expanded survey intervals. The new guidance has the potential to maximise operational uptime for site-dependent assets such as floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), floating production and storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs), floating storage and offloading vessels (FSOs) and floating offshore l...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has announced that its breakthrough carbon capture solution (CCS) is now commercially available to the global maritime industry, delivering a step-change in shipping’s decarbonisation journey. According to Wärtsilä’s tests, the new ‘Wärtsilä Carbon capture solution’ is proven to reduce vessel CO2 emissions by up to 70 percent, providing ship owners with an immediate solution to meet increasingly stringent environm...

Xeneta has launched an index-linked contract (ILC) simulator to help shippers navigate ocean freight container market volatility and end procurement inefficiency. The new ILC Simulator – now available in the Xeneta platform – allows shippers to compare traditional fixed-rate contracts with index-linked contracts using sample corridor data or their own historical ocean container freight rates. Shippers and logistics services The simulator is an important first step towards index-li...

VIKING uses a test tower facility to perform onshore full-scale testing of free-fall lifeboats, as required by DNVGL-ST-E406. This avoids the complexity and risk of testing from offshore installations. And the approach is recognised by classification societies and national authorities. Onshore testing to offshore activities The onshore tower facility is increasingly engaged by construction yards that wish to receive fully tested equipment that is ready to be installed on the platform or vess...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has signed an agreement with Sallaum Lines, a pioneering Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo shipping company, to upgrade to Inmarsat Maritime’s NexusWave fully managed bonded connectivity service, making it an early adopter in region. As Sallaum Lines expands its global presence, NexusWave will provide secure, ultra-fast connectivity with unlimited data, complemented by Inmarsat’s Care Premium programme for 24/7 support and maintenance. IoT sensors a...

Brunvoll has signed a contract with Rizhao Gangda Shipyard for the delivery of an extensive propulsion, manoeuvring, and dynamic positioning system for an Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV).  The vessel is owned by Smit Lamnalco, a subsidiary of Boskalis, and will operate for the Austral Maritime Safety Authority. Its mission is to protect the marine environment around the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait – some of the most precious marine areas in the world. Brunvoll twin-screw prop...

Brunvoll expands its product range of tunnel thrusters with its largest thruster to date. This is a response based on trends seen in the cruise industry, where they build larger and larger vessels.  The first delivery of this new size is for three cruise vessels, where each vessel will feature four tunnel thrusters. The contract is with an undisclosed shipyard and shipowner. Powerful propulsion Brunvoll’s delivery for the vessels consists of a total 12 tunnel thrusters of the new F...

The SEA-CARE working group concluded its third session in February by confirming commitments to share key data to secure common objectives. Highlighting a need to look beyond ‘top-level’ data to pinpoint the root causes of casualties, attendees discussed specific datasets that could enrich findings drawn from Inmarsat’s Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress alert data. Crew welfare surveys, for example, offered a precious resource for developing a more ho...

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...

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...

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...

BERG Propulsion is offering the shipping industry its first opportunity to select propeller shafts made using the climate neutral GreenForge® production process, in a maritime sector that is highly exposed to anticipated carbon pricing. Three Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) ro-ro vessels due in service from 2026 to carry aircraft parts across the Atlantic are already set to take advantage of sustainable wind power, courtesy of their rotor sails, while their hybrid propulsion, power manag...

Kongsberg Maritime has signed a significant contract for the design of two multipurpose subsea vessels. The UT7623 SEV (Sustainable Energy Vessel) vessels will be methanol-ready and feature battery hybrid technology. These vessels are the first references for Kongsberg Maritime’s latest subsea construction vessel designs and will feature a fully integrated package of technology including rim-drive propulsion, hybrid power and winch systems. UT7623 SEV vessels UT7623 SEV vessels are...

Swiss marine power company WinGD has completed shop tests of its groundbreaking variable compression ratio (VCR) technology. The results confirm that methane reductions from new X-DF engines with VCR technology deliver similar ship greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to high-pressure dual-fuel technologies, while delivering a total system cost and fuel cost advantage for several vessel applications. Dual-fuel engines in maritime The reduction is expected to be even greater for engines with a large...

The Dynamic Positioning Digital Survey (DPDS) from Kongsberg Marine has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The DPDS application from Kongsberg continuously gathers data from a vessel’s dynamic positioning (DP) system, allowing annual DP surveys to move from in-person assessments on the vessel in a fixed timeframe to remote analysis onshore across a wider, more flexible timeframe. Evolution of digital solutions Per Kongsberg, the DPDS app contributes to reduced vessel downtim...

With NMDC Group (NMDC), one of the largest dredging and marine contractors in the Middle East. The agreement represents a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between Wärtsilä and NMDC.  It will focus on optimising the availability and operational efficiency of NMDC’s dredging fleet.  The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2025.  Optimizing NMDC’s Fleet for Efficiency This partnership will focus on optimising the availability...

Kongsberg Maritime is proud to announce its selection as the lead integrator for a significant green upgrade of the Norwegian Coastal Administration's (NCA) hybrid vessel, OV Bøkfjord. The project will include the installation of Kongsberg Maritime's electric Rim-Drive azimuth thrusters, together with an upgrade of hybrid capacity. Pilotage and navigation technology The NCA is a national agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, responsible for coastal mana...

DNV has appointed Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria as Chief Operating Officer, with effect from 1 January 2025.  "The maritime industry is navigating growing complexities, from its operating environment to the expanding network of diverse stakeholders it serves and interacts with,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV Maritime. “To address these challenges and seize new opportunities, the addition of a COO strengthens our leadership team, ensuring we are well-positioned to me...

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to supply advanced propulsion and manoeuvring technology for two new KCR-70 Fast Attack Crafts for the Indonesian Navy. These vessels are currently under construction at the Sefine Shipyard in Türkiye. Equipment package The Kongsberg Maritime equipment package includes an innovative propulsion system that combines twin controllable pitch propeller (CPP) Promas systems for high efficiency at patrol speeds with a single Kamewa waterjet to provide bo...