Digital transformation - News

Boskalis put into service a large-scale shore-based power facility at its Waalhaven location in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This service centre is equipped with berths where Boskalis handles the mobilisation and demobilisation of vessels for a variety of its own projects. Going forward, moored vessels will cease to use diesel-powered generators and transition to green shore-based power. Additionally, Boskalis will utilise Rotterdam Shore Power’s shore-based power installation to power a range...

Trade in Africa has become a popular talking point; with infrastructural, innovation, and technical challenges dogging the process, impacting economic growth, thwarting intra-country business, and slowing the development of regional economic corridors. It has become clear that a sustainable trade environment is needed to boost trade, which is currently low in comparison to international trade. African Continental Free Trade Area The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) came into force...

ABS has been honoured with an award from the Coast Guard Foundation at the annual Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event, recognising ABS’ legacy of support and commitment to the service. Low-carbon shipping Accepting the award on behalf of all ABS employees, Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO said: “ABS and the U.S. Coast Guard have a unique, special and significant relationship forged by a common focus on safety, security, protecting the environment and service." &ldquo...

Karstensens Skibsværft and Klondyke Fishing Company have chosen a broad equipment range from Brunvoll for the new fishing vessel “Chris Andra”. This is yet another contract between Brunvoll and Karstensen Skibsværft in the fishing vessel range, and delivery of the complete vessel will happen in 2026. The delivery to Karstensens Skibsværft includes several advanced Brunvoll products: the Integrated Costa Propulsion with controllable pitch propeller and gear, tunnel...

Intellian Technologies, a provider of multi-constellation, satellite user terminals, and communications solutions, and Marlink, the network and digital solutions company announce the renewal of their existing strategic partnership.  This agreement will continue to support the connectivity landscape across maritime, land, and military sectors, delivering cutting-edge network solutions over the next five years.  Satellite communications Marlink has long been recognised for its pioneer...

As the curtains fall on Europort 2023, memories linger of an event that saw stakeholders from across the maritime world connect on the key themes of energy transition and digitalisation, as well as the human capital and finance needed to support them. Europort 2023 Europort has drawn to a close after four busy days of conferences, networking, and awards ceremonies that also saw a series of new and innovative products introduced to the maritime and offshore markets. In 2023, 24,470 visitors an...

On 3 November 2023, Managing Director of PIL China - Klaus Ku has retired from his role after serving Pacific International Lines (PIL) for close to 30 years. Succeeding him as Managing Director is Anderson Luo, who has joined PIL China on 8 October 2023. Lars Kastrup, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PIL, said, “On behalf of all at PIL, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Klaus for his long and loyal service in leading PIL China to what it is today. His deep knowledge of C...

Babcock has announced a new charity partnership to assist serving soldiers, veterans and their families. We’re pleased to be joining forces with the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), the British Army’s national charity, to support a number of its key events. Supplying mobility equipment The partnership will play a significant role in supporting ABF to continue in its mission to provide lifetime support to individuals in need through a variety of initiatives including, supplying mobility...

The seven industry bodies dedicated to container safety, collaborating as the Cargo Integrity Group, highlight an independent study carried out by researchers at Italian University Politecnico di Torino into shipper and forwarder application of the CTU Code. The 2023 survey yielded encouraging signs of adoption and highlighted several convincing arguments – including financial benefits for its use. Several convincing arguments The survey highlights multiple benefits to CTU Code users...

Brunvoll, a global provider of propulsion and manoeuvring systems, has been selected to deliver a range of equipment for a new compact service vessel designed by Marin Design AS for Moen Marin for the aquaculture industry, including main propulsion, tunnel thrusters, and Brunvoll’s BruCon control system. The vessel is designed for high bollard pull, and the additional power will make the vessel more attractive in a demanding sector. New single-hull multi-purpose vessel The new compact s...

A new study by cross-border shopping platform UBuy Switzerland reveals the states where is most costly to ship to are Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The study compared shipping costs from everywhere in the world to all European countries and then calculated the average to discover which countries are most expensive to ship to. Average shipping costs Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia share the top spot with an average of €143.74. As the three countries are neighbours in the Caucasus reg...

An innovative programme from Seatrium to promote the energy transition and develop next-generation skills in Singapore has selected Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, to be its first Visiting Professor. Seatrium Professorships at the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering (NUS CDE) seek to attract top talents from the energy transition and sustainability sectors to Singapore to promote knowledge transfer and support the development of innovative technolo...

MAHI has become the latest company to join One Sea, bringing further expertise to the growing association whose mission is to advance understanding of maritime autonomous surface ships. In what is proving to be a period of significant growth for One Sea, MAHI is the fifth new member in the past 12 months alone. MAHI also becomes One Sea’s first member from Belgium, adding to a list that now includes representation from eight countries across three continents. MAHI and MAHI Sense MAHI is...

A seamless application of shipping’s first antifouling coating to successfully integrate highly durable graphene provides further evidence that Gibdock’s remains ahead of the curve as a ship repair and conversion yard geared up for a sustainable maritime future. The Gibraltar yard recently hosted the Vulica Shipping Company-owned bulk carrier - Donald M James for a 30-day project, which brought a first opportunity to work with a new type of coating from GIT Coatings (Graphite Innova...

Three senior appointments by Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) have reinforced the international maritime law firm’s strategy to grow both its litigation and transactional activities. All three individuals joined CJC’s London office from another maritime law firm. Highly experienced dispute resolution specialist Chris Kidd has joined CJC as Director, at the Partner level, with immediate effect. In two further appointments, Stuart Plotnek has joined CJC’s transactional team as Mana...

A multidisciplinary panel of maritime-industry representatives discussed the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in shipping during the thought-provoking Opening Summit of Europort 2023. Exploring artificial intelligence in the maritime industry, the Opening Summit of Europort 2023 set the scene for a four-day event expected to welcome upwards of 25,000 visitors and more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 70 countries. Opening Summit’s panel discussion Proceedings began...

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has successfully concluded Phase 1 of its joint industry project (JIP) aimed at establishing offshore substation standards for the growing floating wind sector. The collaborative industry effort has brought together 38 participating companies (including transmission operators, developers, component suppliers, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation contractors, and yards) to tackle the distinctive challenges associated w...

Technology group - Wärtsilä will supply the Cargo Handling Systems for five new very large LPG carrier vessels to be built at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) yard in South Korea. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q3, 2023. The ships have been contracted by Norwegian ship owner - Solvang, in a joint venture with Gunvor Group Ltd, in Geneva. The VLGCs are of Panamax size and form the next generation of eco-vessels. Partnership with HHI and Solvang The Wärtsil&aum...

ABS and Seatrium Limited (Seatrium) have taken the next step on a pioneering journey to advance the use of smart functions with the assignment of a structural health monitoring notation to a self-elevating drilling unit (SEDU). ADMARINE 686 is the world’s first SEDU to receive the ABS SMART (SHM) Notation, recognising its ability to monitor and analyse the condition of a range of key structural elements, supporting physics-based analysis and simulation for a holistic structural health ass...

The Saildrone Voyager, a 10-metre commercial uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), is the first autonomous asset built to ABS Class using the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions. ABS presented the Class certificate to Saildrone at their headquarters in Alameda, California. The Voyager is a marine vehicle developed by Saildrone, a provider of ocean data for climate, mapping and maritime security applications using uncrewed autonomous assets. ABS issued Approval in Principle (A...

Wärtsilä plans to further streamline its marine business portfolio by divesting its Gas Solutions business unit. Gas Solutions is a pioneering provider of gas processing systems. However, the business unit has limited synergies with the rest of Wärtsilä’s marine product portfolio. Therefore, Wärtsilä plans to move Gas Solutions to the Portfolio Business in preparation for a divestment. The net sales of Gas Solutions was EUR 293 million in the 12-month pe...

Team Electric has signed an agreement with Remontowa Shiprepair Yard, Gdansk to provide electric systems consultancy and installation services for three Polsteam Ro-Pax ferries, in support of the project marking the extension of the Polish yard’s services to the new building market. The three-year agreement coincides with the Finnish turnkey engineering solutions provider opening Team Electric (Poland), Gdynia as a subsidiary. Battery power and hybrid propulsion With a capacity of 4100...

OMT, the market pioneer in fuel injection for the two-stroke engine sector, has strengthened its ability to support shipping’s decarbonisation following the acquisition of the company in its entirety by Accelleron, completed on July 20, 2023. OMT will continue to operate its global business independently as a stand-alone unit, retaining all employees, the company structure and the brand name. Together, Accelleron and OMT will advance the energy transition in shipping. Both companies remai...

Accelleron has supported a turbocharger overhaul on the hospital ship - MV Africa Mercy, operated by the non-governmental organisation - Mercy Ships. The support, in the form of discounted labour, will enable the vessel to continue its mission of delivering free medical care and training to people without access to safe surgery, including in some of the world’s most vulnerable developing economies. The 43-year-old vessel, which houses five operating rooms and a recovery ward for more than...

A new £100,000 Challenge Fund competition has opened for Belfast’s digital and creative companies, aimed at animating the city’s Maritime Mile. Developed by Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office, in partnership with the Maritime Belfast Trust, the fund is part of the Belfast HUB-IN (Hub of Innovation) project. HUB-IN HUB-IN is all about exploring how digital innovation can help to sustain, enhance, and preserve the rich and unique heritage along Belfast’s...

The transportation of hydrogen, a key fuel of the energy transition in maritime, is another step closer to supporting projected market demands thanks to newly published industry-pioneering requirements from ABS. The ABS Requirements for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers address safety and technical standards for vessels carrying liquefied hydrogen, expanding on the corresponding IMO Resolution MSC.420(97) that was adopted in November 2016. ABS publication provides further support on criteria T...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has introduced a new ultra-low emissions version of its already efficient Wärtsilä 31DF engine. Whilst operating on LNG, this new version can further reduce methane emissions on a 50 percent load point by up to 56 percent and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by up to 86 percent. On a weighted average, this new technology can reduce methane emissions by 41 percent more than the standard Wärtsilä 31DF engine, which has already the lowest emission leve...

ABS shines a light on the maritime industry’s complex regulatory environment in a major new report summarising the latest global regulatory developments and guidelines, as well as their impact on the maritime industry. From reductions in the carbon intensity of shipping to the use of future fuels and autonomous ship capabilities, the IMO and regional regulators continue to pursue unified regulatory consensus to improve safety, efficiency and technological leadership in the maritime indust...

ABB and Carnival Corporation & plc have signed a long-term partnership agreement to collaborate on continued operational excellence and ship performance across the cruise company’s fleet using systematic maintenance planning, critical spare management, and cutting-edge digital solutions for condition monitoring. The contract was booked in Quarter 3 (Q3) 2023. Azipod® XO propulsion systems The 15-year agreement covers maintenance for Azipod® XO propulsion systems powering ves...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group company based in Yokohama, Japan, has held a christening and launch ceremony for the FUGAKU MARU, a roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ship under construction for FUJITRANS Corporation. The ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant of MHI’s Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The handover is scheduled for April 2024 following completion of outfitting work and sea trials. The new vessel...