Crews - News

Thirty women from maritime administrations across the globe have completed the first-ever Leadership Accelerator Programme (LEAP) run by Maritime SheEO, designed to equip women with leadership skills and the confidence to progress in their careers. A virtual graduation ceremony for participants was held on 30 June 2022. The programme, which ran over eight weeks, was announced in November 2020 and launched on International Women's Day in March 2022. It was part of the IMO's Women in Maritime pro...

The USA (United States of America) is already a top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), but the current global energy landscape is requiring a huge effort from the industry community, in order to build additional infrastructure in record time. Natural gas is methane and the liquefaction process is used for transportation on long distances, such as between continents, where pipelines solutions are not viable. The volume of the LNG is 1/600th of its volume as gas. Building modular floating...

ClassNK has released the "Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edtion 2.0)," which sets forth safety requirements for ships fueled by methanol, ethanol, LPG and ammonia. In particular, specific requirements for ammonia-fueled ships have been added to provide guidance for the design of alternative-fueled ships. These guidelines comprehensively describe safety requirements for methanol, ethanol and ammonia-fueled ships. Taking into account the risks posed by the use of alternative fuels...

International Maritime Organization (IMO) representatives at the United Nations Ocean Conference 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal (from June 27 to July 1, 2022) have highlighted the IMO’s ongoing commitment to preserving the world’s ocean and combating climate change. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim emphasized shipping’s truly international nature. He said, “The ocean truly sustains us all, and the maritime sector connects us all. A greener, resilient maritime sector is essenti...

Hanseaticsoft, part of Lloyd's Register’s Maritime Performance Services division, a global provider of ship management software and Kaiko Systems, a renowned provider of a user-friendly data collection and analysis tool, have announced that they will be integrating their systems to ease technical management and increase collaboration between vessels and staff on shore. Hanseaticsoft offers a cloud-based management system for shipping and ship management companies, Cloud Fleet Manager (CFM...

Tokyo-based Classification Society - ClassNK has released the latest ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’, which has been published for contributing to the development of the maritime industry, through the outcome of R&D (Research & Development) and technical activities. ClassNK Technical Journal The latest issue ‘ClassNK Technical Journal No.5 2022 (I)’ focuses on ‘Zero-Emission Ships’, including efforts of the planning and design of next-generation greener...

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. ...

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...

Orbital Marine Power (Orbital), the renewable energy company focused on the development and global deployment of its pioneering floating tidal turbine technology, has reached a significant operational funding milestone. New investment secured from the Scottish National Investment Bank and individuals via the Abundance Investment platform will finance the ongoing operation of the O2, the company’s 2MW+ floating turbine. These debt facilities will be serviced by the long-term sale of electr...

Tokyo-based Classification Society – ClassNK has released the latest version 2.0.0 of ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’, a mobile app to assist the improvement of Port State Control (PSC) performance and ship management systems, provided free of charge. ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ app Based on the database of PSC reports inputted by ship managers, ship owners and ClassNK, ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ mobile app provides various functions, in order to help...

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...

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...

The Seafarers’ Charity, a significant funder of maritime safety and welfare initiatives, is celebrating Maritime Safety Week (4-8 July) with the launch of a new safety drill competition and is calling on everyone who works at sea to get involved by practicing and improving their crew muster drill. If users are a Marvel at the essential muster drill on the boat, users can enter the competition by posting a photo or video of their best time for their Muster Drill on their social med...

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...

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...

Chris Cooper has been appointed President of Neste US, effective from 1 July 2022. In his new role, he is responsible for supporting and aligning regional business strategies to deliver strategic growth targets, and he acts as Neste’s primary representative for the external community in the US. At the moment, Chris Cooper is holding the position of Vice President of Americas of Neste Renewable Aviation. Accelerate renewable growth strategy “The US presents important opportunities...

It’s perhaps easy to take for granted that ships today can communicate rather easily with their shoreside offices. What is often overlooked, however, is the growing importance of being able to instantly share data between ship and shore and with all relevant stakeholders. The close integration of onboard operations and the shoreside offices is faster and easier than ever thanks to high-speed internet connections. It is also, at the same time, significantly more essential than it has been...

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...

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...