Thrusters News

The TMS Ship Finance and Trade Conference 2025 brought together global industry pioneers, financial experts, and policymakers for transformative discussions on the future of maritime trade, finance, and sustainability. The conference served as a vital platform for addressing key challenges, exploring financial innovations, and advancing sustainability-driven solutions for the maritime sector. Challenges for maritime decarbonisation Al-Maghafi cautioned that these changes might slow sustainab...

ABB has secured orders from shipbuilders in China and South Korea to equip 18 and 12 liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers, respectively, with permanent magnet shaft generator technology. The ships are due for delivery between 2028 and 2030. Enhancing operational efficiency by utilising the power from the main engine, ABB’s permanent magnet shaft generator system improves fuel economy compared to solutions where power is provided by auxiliary engines. Magnet shaft generator solution The...

NorthStandard has finished a challenging year for global marine insurance, reporting an increase in poolable tonnage and continuing progress towards meeting its strategic goals. Marine insurers worldwide saw a rise in the number of large claims in the year ending 20 February, alongside compromised Asia-Europe ship routeing choices and a growing number of ‘shadow’ tankers seeking cover outside the International Group of P&I Clubs system. NorthStandard’s premium income Nev...

AAL Shipping, a multiple award-winning project heavy lift cargo operator headquartered in Singapore, has chosen ABB Ability™ OCTOPUS – Marine Advisory System to optimise operations of their advanced fleet of Super B-Class heavy lift vessels. ABB’s technology will help enhance the safety and efficiency of its cargo-carrying operations. Super B-Class vessels AAL has currently four 32,000 deadweight tonnage ships in operation and four due for delivery by 2026. The third-generat...

A pioneering nuclear propelled containership designed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has received approval in principle from ABS. The groundbreaking design for a 15k TEU vessel uses a propulsion system comprised of a molten salt reactor (MSR) for heat and a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) system for power generation. Net zero by 2050 ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements. ABS published the industry’s first comprehensive requirements...

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a Lifecycle Agreement with CMA Ships, a subsidiary of pioneering French shipping company CMA CGM. The agreement covers 14 large LNG-fuelled container ships already in operation. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q1 2025. In today’s global environment, owner and operators of container vessels are focused on optimising operations and maintenance more effectively so that their vessels can continue to operate flexibly, and in the mo...

Sentinel Marine has secured an extension of its contract with INEOS, continuing the Cromarty Sentinel’s operations in the Southern North Sea (SNS) for an additional three years. The vessel will continue to provide vital support to the Breagh and Clipper South platforms, with the agreement including options for two further one-year extensions. Additions to Sentinel Marine’s fleet Cromarty Sentinel, one of the uniqueadditions to Sentinel Marine’s fleet, was delivered in March...

Goltens Worldwide, a pioneering provider of specialised marine services, is pleased to announce a new distribution agreement with Denmark-headquartered Marine Fluid Technology A/S (MFT) covering MFT’s SEA-Mate® Blending-on-Board (BOB) system, SEA-Mate® Filter system and other SEA-Mate® products across key maritime markets in Singapore, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and the Middle East including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. Critical factors in the maritime T...

Dutch company Econowind, based in Zeewolde, has secured €1 million in development capital from Invest International to advance and test its VentoFoil XL, a 24-30 metre high steel wind sail inspired by aviation technology. Similar to aeroplane wings, these innovative sails are designed for large vessels, harnessing wind power to reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions by up to 15%.  Introduction of the XL model The first of two XL prototypes is expected to be fully developed a...

Marcura unveils a bold new look and new AI capabilities, part of a broader transformation to connect its industry-pioneering solutions and drive greater efficiency for customers. Marcura powers some of the most trusted solutions in maritime, including DA-Desk, ShipServ, MarTrust, ClaimsHub, and PortLog. Collectively, the pioneer in digital maritime solutions handles 200,000 port calls annually, manage over 6 million SOF events, facilitate $21.6 billion in payments and pay 36,000 crew digitally....

James Fisher & Sons plc, a pioneering provider of specialist services to the energy, marine and defence industries, launches a new legal entity in Japan, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Japan and its footprint in North East Asia. The move furthers James Fisher’s intention to bring its integrated offering and innovative, sustainable solutions to the country’s energy transition, maritime security and defence needs. Japan’s industrial ambitions Fisher can use both i...

Kongsberg Maritime has won a major contract to supply an integrated package of equipment for Bibby Marine’s new eCSOV, the world’s first full-electric offshore vessel. Kongsberg Maritime’s comprehensive package will be at the core of this advanced vessel’s systems. The company will provide full-electric rim-drive propulsion with azimuth and tunnel thrusters. Integrate with the battery system The new eCSOV will feature the largest-ever battery facility on...

Frequentis marks the debut of its LifeX3020 solution in Southeast Asia, improving emergency call handling and response coordination across three major centres and nationwide blue light agencies. This effort supports Malaysia’s Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999) project, an upgrade designed to replace the current Malaysian Emergency Response System (MERS999). The initiative underscores Malaysia’s strong commitment to enhancing public safety across the nation. Responses f...

Ocean Network Express and Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd are pleased to announce a new agreement for sustainable shipping solutions through ONE's green shipping service, ONE LEAF+.  This collaboration demonstrates how the industry can advance sustainable supply chain practices and marine transportation to deliver environmental benefits. Scope 3 GHG emissions As a freight forwarder, Yusen Logistics will offer this green shipping option to customers Under this agreement, ONE will use susta...

NorthStandard has announced an exclusive collaboration with pioneering maritime digital decarbonisation experts BetterSea. The new partnership will allow NorthStandard members heavily discounted access to the BetterSea FuelEU Maritime Compliance service, including its in-house digital support resources. GHG intensity of energy New FuelEU Maritime reporting requirements for shipping companies began on January 1 2025 The new FuelEU Maritime reporting requirements for shipping companies began...

Ocean Network Express is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its corporate history with the naming of ONE Sparkle, the company's first owned and operated new building container vessel. Says Jeremy Nixon, CEO, "The naming of ONE Sparkle represents another important milestone for ONE. This vessel is our first owned newbuilding, and it also showcases our commitment to sustainable shipping with its innovative design and alternative fuel capabilities. As we expand our owned fleet, these a...

Technology group Wärtsilä and international consulting and engineering company Elomatic have signed a licencing and cooperation agreement covering the intellectual property rights, technology, and use of the trademark of Elomatic’s unique Elogrid solution. Elogrid is a transverse thruster grid technology, which is designed to reduce vessels’ fuel consumption while also enhancing thrusters’ performance. This technology improves both the water flow along the hull lines...

Avikus, HD Hyundai's autonomous navigation technology developer, announced that it has joined forces with cartography innovator Savvy Navvy to add powerful functionality to its recently released NEUBOAT Dock II. Designed for yachts over 40-feet such as sportfishing vessels, power catamarans, centre consoles and sailing vessels, NEUBOAT Dock II gives boaters a bird’s eye view for easy docking, single or multiple camera views, object detection and a docking assist path. As part of the partn...

Strategic Marine, a pioneering provider of specialised aluminium vessels, is proud to announce the signing of a new contract with Odyssey Group to build a state-of-the-art multi-purpose survey vessel. Incorporating the proven success of new technologies for operational use in Australia. Under the terms of the agreement, Strategic Marine will construct the advanced survey vessel tailored to meet Odyssey Group’s specific operational needs. Recovery of survey equipment The vessel will also...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has concluded a contract with the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA) for the construction of an offshore patrol vessel (OPV). The vessel will be built at MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, with completion and delivery scheduled for March 2028. Ability of maritime rescues This project is based on a grant agreement concluded in March 2024 between the Government...

The World Shipping Council welcomes the balance between sustainability and competitiveness struck in the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass released that will form the basis for the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal.  WSC, however, called on the Commission to recognise that liner shipping is investing in Europe and urged the Commission to support the sector on its path to decarbonise supply chains, fostering open trade and protecting critical sea lanes...

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...

A new design for an ammonia floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit that features onboard carbon capture technology for blue ammonia production has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The design comes from MODEC, Inc. (MODEC), in collaboration with Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO). ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. Emissions of offshore operations It is produced by combining hydrogen, which is derived as a byproduct of carbon...

The long-term environmental impact of the Sounion vessel disaster, both of the vessel and the Red Sea, were at the forefront of the critical salvage operation, noted Ambipar Response, the emergency response division of Ambipar Group, who led the spill response and pollution prevention effort for the stricken 164,000 dwt tanker (IMO: 9312145) in August 2024. After being struck by multiple missiles from Houthi rebels during a routine transit through the Red Sea, Sounion was left stranded and abla...

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...

Pioneering bunker trading firm, Glander International Bunkering, has introduced a tool to help users calculate key data for compliance with FuelEU Maritime, which came into effect on January 1, 2025. FuelEU Maritime aims to reduce carbon emissions in the shipping sector by incentivising the use of alternative fuels and imposing penalties for non-compliance. FuelEU Maritime guidelines With the new Compliance Calculator, Glander International Bunkering helps users understand potential penalties...

When users want to stay competitive and compliant, there are many choices regarding upgrades, conversions, services, and repairs. This kind of work involves different expertise and knowledge and, of course, the facilities needed to carry out the projects. Aftermarket services Ulstein offers several aftermarket services to provide our customers professional access to retrofits, conversions, service and maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.  The close cooperation between design, engineering...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released a new report offering key recommendations to consider as the industry looks to adopt onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology. The report highlights the regulatory and safety considerations for the adoption of onboard carbon capture while also recognising the importance of developing a secure and scalable downstream carbon value chain and increasing carbon capture system cost-effectiveness. Key recommendations Based on the finding...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), a pioneering international classification society, is proud of its growing role in advancing India's defence capabilities through its participation in major new construction projects for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, thereby taking a major step forward in realising a self-reliant defence manufacturing capability, as envisioned under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Major new construction vessels Recently, ‘steel-cutting’ took plac...

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Publications is proud to announce the release of the sixth edition of the ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations, an essential resource that has been setting the standard for safe and efficient helicopter/ship interactions for almost 50 years. Recognised as the go-to reference for shipping companies and crew, the Guide has been meticulously updated with input from pioneering experts in both the maritime and aviation sectors, including the Civil Aviation...