Digital transformation - News

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the designs of a cable jointing vessel and a cable burial vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. In Japan, the expansion of wind power generation utilising offshore areas and surrounding islands with favourable wind conditions and relatively limited site constraints is expected as part of efforts to increase the share of renewable energy. Reinforc...

Indian Register of Shipping has reported a strong year across defence, merchant marine, digital innovation and research during 2025, reinforcing its position as a key technical partner for governments, shipowners and shipyards at a time of accelerating change for the maritime sector. In merchant marine, IRS recorded broader engagement in international projects. It completed its first new construction project for Penguin Shipyard in Singapore, delivered its first Korean owner Korean-built v...

Orbit Communication Systems, a pioneering global provider of mission-critical land, airborne and maritime SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and advanced communication systems, announced it has received a new order valued at approximately $2.4 million from a pioneering European defence integrator. The order is for the supply of OceanTRx4 MIL satellite communication systems for military maritime platforms operated by a leading NATO navy. System deliveries are scheduled to comm...

KBR announced now that it has been awarded a contract for its PureMSM green methanol technology by Fikrat Al-Tadweer for a pioneering biomethanol plant in Saudi Arabia for transforming landfill-gas into clean fuels.   KBR’s PureM solution is designed for commercial-scale deployment with a low cost of renewable methanol production. The technology can utilise a wide range of feedstocks, including biogas, gasification-derived syngas, hydrogen, and pure CO₂, enabling flexibility and effi...

ABB has collected its ‘Generations’ articles for 2025 into a single publication to offer an overview of insights and perspectives on energy efficiency and digitalisation in a pivotal year for maritime decarbonisation.  Generations 2025 explores how market imperatives, research, technology developments, and regulatory decisions have shaped both opportunities and challenges for maritime stakeholders, as the global industry strives toward a green transition. Latest developments i...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the main engines for two new pusher tugs being built for Brazilian operator AMAGGI. The ships are under construction at the Beconal shipyard, located in Manaus, Brazil, and are designed with a focus on decarbonised operations. The engines will run on biodiesel, a capability that was a key factor in securing this contract. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q4 2025. Fuel flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines "The fuel flexibi...

Ocean Infinity has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of the final vessel in its fourteen-vessel Armada fleet - closing a chapter that began in 2020 with a bold ambition to redefine offshore operations. Over the past five years, Ocean Infinity has built and deployed a fleet of cutting-edge lean crewed vessels unlike anything the industry has seen before. This latest delivery completes the 86-metre class of Armada ships, following the successful introduction of the 78-metre class...

Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division is supplying a total of eight mtu emergency power generators for two fully electric fast ferries belonging to the Spanish shipping company, Baleària. From 2027, the ships will cover the 18 nautical miles between Tarifa in Spain and Tangier in Morocco using electric power, thereby opening up the first “green corridor” between Europe and Africa. The project is considered a milestone for CO2-neutral mobility at sea and is supported by a...

Helm Operations announced that it has reached 400 customers and more than 10,000 vessels and assets running on Helm CONNECT worldwide, marking a major milestone for one of the maritime industry’s most widely adopted maintenance and operations platforms. The achievement reflects Helm’s expanding role as the operational foundation for fleets across towing, offshore support, passenger vessels, barges, dredging, and other specialised service segments. As more operators in more verticals...

ABB has verified a major advancement in vessel Dynamic Positioning (DP) technology, following successful Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) proving trials and sea trials on board the new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Norse Wind. By integrating ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control – a ship control system that unifies dynamic positioning, manoeuvering, and transit functionalities into one intuitive interface – with Azipod® propulsion units, the vessel showcases...

Mintra, a pioneer in digital learning and workforce management solutions for the maritime and energy sectors, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of SQLearn, a pioneering Greek provider of online maritime training solutions. This strategic acquisition marks the next phase in Mintra’s commitment to support the maritime industry’s digital transformation, with a special focus on Greece and beyond. Advanced training delivery tools With decades of internat...

The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) has signed an agreement with Al Abdulghani Motors, appointing the company as the “Platinum Sponsor” of the ninth edition of the event, scheduled to take place from 19–22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The four-day event will be held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, The Amir of the State of Qatar, Head of...

SMT Shipping, a pioneering global bulk cargo operator, has implemented Spinergie's Smart Fleet Management (SFM) system to reduce crew workload and improve onboard data accuracy. Approximately 30 SMT Shipping vessels use Spinergie reporting across the company’s global operations. The system frees crew members from repetitive, time-consuming reporting tasks while ensuring SMT Shipping remains fully compliant with evolving regulatory requirements. Digital reporting tools Spinergie has desi...

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd. for remote control functions for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units. ABS completed design reviews based on the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote-Control Functions. Offshore Technology Collaboration Agreement (OTCA) The project is part of the Offshore Technology Collaboration Agreement (OTCA) between ABS and Hanwha Ocean, which enables the companies to collaborate on a series of cutting-edge projects...

As the maritime industry prepares to enter 2026, technology group Wärtsilä has identified four important trends that will affect global shipping in 2026.  From the rise of digitalisation and big data to the growing importance of flexible decarbonisation strategies, these trends are set to redefine competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability for vessel owners and operators worldwide: Lifecycle optimisation: With rapid technological advances and evolving regulation...

IKEA Supply AG has joined DCSA+, the Digital Container Shipping Association’s partnership programme for advancing digital standards across the container shipping industry. As the first shipper to participate, IKEA Supply AG adds the cargo owner perspective to a growing community of carriers, forwarders, terminals, feeders and technology providers working together to improve interoperability and data exchange through shared standards. Global container shipping operations IKEA Supply AG...

DNV has awarded Jiangnan Shipyard an Approval in Principle (AiP) for its Jiangnan Intelligent System JNIS (DATA) under the D-INF(S) class notation. Jiangnan received the recognition for their standardised onboard data platform which is aligned with ISO 19847 and ISO 19848. The accelerating digital transformation of the maritime industry depends on trusted, high-quality data collected systematically from sensors, control systems, and other onboard sources. But as vessels generate increasingly la...

Inmarsat Maritime, a ViaSat company, has unveiled the next phase in the evolution of its NexusWave bonded connectivity service, following the successful launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite and in anticipation of the launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 3 satellite. As the two ViaSat-3 satellites are scheduled to enter service in 2026, NexusWave customers will benefit from a dramatic increase in available bandwidth via a new generation of maritime terminal, with additional capacity expected from...

Ocean Network Express (Europe) Ltd. announces the official opening of its Greece Branch, which will commence full operations on 1 December 2025. The establishment of ONE Greece marks the next phase in ONE's ongoing investment in the Greek market. As one of the world's most significant maritime hubs, Greece plays an essential role in global shipping and the opening of the new branch reflects ONE's continued commitment to supporting customers and strengthening its presence in the Mediterranean re...

U-Boat Worx, the world leader in private manned submersibles, has dispatched its revolutionary Super Sub to Curaçao, where it will undergo final sea trials and validation dives ahead of delivery to its owner. The Super Sub represents a new era of underwater performance. With a top speed of 9 knots, it is the fastest submarine ever built for private use, offering an unparalleled blend of power, agility, and panoramic visibility. The Curaçao testing program will validate the sub&rsq...

Singapore is named the world’s top container port in the first edition of the Leading Container Ports of the World (LCP) report, an independent global benchmark published by DNV and Menon Economics. Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan follow in second and third place, with Rotterdam and Busan completing the global top five. Maritime transport carries close to 90 percent of global trade by volume, and container ports alone handle more than 80 percent of non-bulk merchandise. Currenlty, these port...

Raymarine – a global pioneer in high-performance marine electronics — announced the official release of the Pathfinder ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System). The IMO-compliant Pathfinder ECDS is a premier maritime navigation solution for use both as a primary and backup navigation system for all vessel types, from workboats to large cargo ships and superyachts. Pathfinder ECDIS is the culmination of Raymarine’s marine hardware innovation and Chartworld’...

OrbitMI, a renowned provider of maritime SaaS software, announced the launch of its Vessel Reporting Analysis, a structured assessment designed to help shipowners and operators understand how closely their vessel reports align with industry vessel reporting standards. The assessment identifies data gaps that affect compliance, operational efficiency, and the accuracy of performance and emissions reporting. As more maritime workflows depend on reliable data — across compliance, charte...

LOOKOUT, the award-winning pioneer in AI marine perception, now announced LOOKOUT 3.0, a major upgrade to its industry-defining camera and object-recognition platform. Engineered for premium recreational boats, commercial fleets, and professional operators, LOOKOUT 3.0 introduces breakthrough features that materially improve safety, confidence, and decision-making on the water. System integrates real-time video LOOKOUT continuously scans the water using AI to identify and track hazards, inclu...

Nauticworx, the pioneering digital platform for offshore workboat chartering, announces major updates. Incorporating feedback from the market since its inception in September 2024, the platform has not only attracted large fleets and projects, but has now also become faster, and easier to use. In addition, charterers can now - costless - join and enjoy the full benefits of the platform. With this step, Nauticworx aims to enhance the platform’s practical value: find available workboats on...

With a mission to power the future ocean economy through unparalleled opportunities for business, networking and collaboration, Oceanology International 2026 opens visitor registration (18th November). The world’s pioneering forum for ocean science, engineering and technology returns to Excel London from 10th to 12th March 2026, connecting more than 8,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors from over 80 countries. Breakthrough solutions in ocean exploration Visitors can register...

The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has published the first API-based standard developed under DCSA’s framework for verified gross mass exchange, designed to simplify compliance, increase transparency, and accelerate digitalisation across container shipping. The Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirement, mandated by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOLAS Convention since 2016, ensures containers are weighed before loading onto a vessel. Currently, VGM data...

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Petrobras for its safety-enhancing “sandwich hull” design concept for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) tanks. The design uses parts of longitudinal and transverse elements constructed with steel-concrete-steel sandwich structures that allow tanks to remain free of internal obstructions, promising to improve operational efficiency during tank inspections and enabling activities to be performed using remotely operated tools...

The maritime industry is experiencing a period of significant transformation, driven by rapidly evolving regulations, increasing commercial pressure, and a global shift towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response, DNV and the World Maritime Merchants Forum (WMMF) ESG team have published a new guide to help shipowners navigate these evolving challenges, an effort supported by industry organisations in Hong Kong and worldwide. The "Net-Zero Guide: Practical Approaches for Global...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for 'Safety Berthing/Unberthing Assistance System' developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the 'Berthing and unberthing Assistance System-Human Machine Interface'. ClassNK has also confirmed that the 'a-SAFE' notation (BSS)-Berthing Support System, which indicate ships with advanced safety measures, can be applied to ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with Berthin...