Regulations - News

ABS continued its long-standing support for the AMVER Awards by sponsoring a ceremony recognising the contribution of Norwegian owners to the unique AMVER reporting system that supports search and rescue efforts for distress calls at sea. The event honoured 259 vessels from 24 Norwegian shipowners and operators, who were awarded diplomas for their role in maintaining maritime safety and in recognition of the owners’ commitment to assisting in search and rescue activities anywhere in the w...

Classification Society DNV awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates to Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. (Hudong-Zhonghua) for three innovative new vessel designs. The AiPs highlight the ongoing collaboration between the two organisations and reinforce their shared commitment to supporting the continued development of Chinese shipbuilding and the maritime industry’s low-carbon transition and technical advancement. Key shipping segments AiPs represent the ongoing adv...

KR (Korean Register) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HD Hyundai Mipo and HD Korean Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) on June 3 at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo, Norway.  The agreement focuses on applying Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) techniques to the design of Type-C cargo tanks for liquefied gas carriers to ensure their structural safety.  Integrity of cargo tanks Ensuring the structural integrity of cargo tanks has become a critical element...

Liferafts now may look different to those first offered by VIKING in 1960, but expertise is needed to identify the many steps taken in the cause of advancing maritime safety and the reasoning behind any given detail. Lending the experts eye at VIKING is Gert Smedmann Rasmussen – designer, engineer, and maritime safety equipment inventor. A practically-minded man, Gert also sees ensuring that every liferaft is conceived, manufactured and tested for optimized performance as part of his job...

Samskip is revitalising its UK trade strategy with a new direct connection offering more flexibility, efficiency, and multimodal options for northeast England. Samskip is proud to announce the launch of a new shortsea container service calling at the Port of Blyth, enhancing multimodal connections between the UK and key European trade hubs. This strategic expansion strengthens its presence in northeast England, offering shippers a reliable, cost-efficient and sustainable transport alternat...

NCL Nordland, the second of two container vessels that put bio-methanol at the forefront of container shipping’s low-carbon future, has entered service weeks after sistership - Vestland verified that its Berg Propulsion package optimises efficiency regardless of energy source. Owned by MPC Container Ships, these dual fuel 1300 TEU vessels can be operated on methanol and/or MGO, under a 15-year charter to North Sea Container Line in services connecting Norway and Rotterdam. Early movers...

VARD, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, and a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, is proud to announce that it has delivered two of the world's first vessels with cyber notation according to the new mandatory regulations from July 1st, 2024. Both the CSOV Grampian Kestrel to North Star and the CSOV Purus Chinook for Purus are delivered in accordance with the new mandatory cybersecurity requirements and class notation. VARD’s shipbuilding process...

How can the global energy grid keep pace with fast-growing demand from new data centres supporting artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing? Nuclear energy and coastal waters offer a potential answer. The potential for floating nuclear-powered data centres is explored in depth in the latest industry-pioneering research from ABS and Herbert Engineering. Intersection of new nuclear technologies Pathways to a Low-Carbon Future Floating Nuclear Power Data Centre details design considerati...

Strategic Marine is proud to announce the successful delivery of two new StratCat 27 Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) to Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), expanding their high-specification offshore wind support fleet. The newly delivered vessels, sister ships to Acti’Vent and Esti’Vent, will be deployed in the growing offshore wind sector in France and Europe. Needs of offshore renewables Built at Strategic Marine’s Singapore shipyard, these 27-metre aluminium catamarans are...

As the maritime industry scans the horizon for scalable zero-emission fuels, low-emission ammonia is looming ever larger as a potential solution for deep-sea operators. Here, Hans Olav Raen, CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia, explains the universal appeal of the power source, while outlining why his company has the experience, knowledge, and global vision to help fuel the future of sustainable shipping. Zero-emission fuel “No one is better positioned than Yara to capture value in the clean ammo...

Fincantieri and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, celebrated the launch of “Mein Schiff Flow” at the Monfalcone shipyard. The vessel is the second of two next-generation InTUItion class cruise ships, designed for dual-fuel operation (Liquefied Natural Gas – LNG and Marine Gas Oil – MGO). A sister ship to “Mein Schiff Relax”, delivered in February, the new unit is scheduled to enter service in mid-2026. Moderni...

ABS has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Light Structures for its new hull monitoring concept, ARGUS-VM. The ARGUS-VM concept received a SMART (SHM) Tier 1 AIP from ABS, which provides industry recognition that the product complies with the functional and system requirements listed in the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units. Range of shipowners ARGUS-VM provides virtual sizes of hull responses using vessel data from existing onboard systems Unlike trad...

Kongsberg Maritime has entered into a contract with Norwegian shipbuilder - Maritime Partner AS for the delivery of waterjets and control systems for seven new Search and Rescue (SAR) vessels. These vessels are being built for the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), reinforcing a strong Nordic collaboration in support of mission-critical maritime operations. Each of the seven SAR vessels will be equipped with two Kongsberg Maritime S50-3/CA waterjets a...

ABS and the Hydrogen Ship Technology Centre at Pusan National University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint research and technology development of liquid hydrogen carriers and cryogenic engineering. The agreement establishes a cooperative framework for both organisations to share resources and expertise to help develop a liquid hydrogen carrier and hydrogen propulsion systems. Application of hydrogen technology “ABS and Pusan National University's Hydrogen Ship Tec...

IMTRA, the globally renowned manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced it was selected by Silverback Marine to provide Norsap seats and Roca wipers for their Sherpa 24-foot landing craft. Nicknamed the “Swiss Army knife of a workboat” the Sherpa 24 landing craft is designed for marine construction, law enforcement, diving and underwater operations and transportation services. Requirements of the vessel...

Peel Ports Clydeport has invested £3 million in infrastructure to support the growing demand for handling huge wind turbine components for the renewable energy sector at a key facility. The UK’s second-largest port operator has developed a new egress road at its King George V(KGV) Dock in Glasgow, which is designed to improve the movement of such project cargo through the port. Route for oversized cargo More than 100 turbines and 800 wind turbine components will also be processed...

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...

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces, is set to welcome global naval pioneers, defence ministers, chiefs of staff, government officials, and industry executives from around the world for its ninth edition, taking place from 19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Held under the theme &...

SRC Group’s Methanol Superstorage solution has won The Royal Institution of Naval Architects Maritime Innovation Award 2025, recognising its contribution to the adoption of methanol as a mainstream marine fuel. Every year, a panel of RINA judges considers initiatives from academia, as well as industry before giving the prestigious award to the innovation considered the most significant in terms of advancing maritime vessel design, construction, and operations. Methanol superstorage Alig...

As part of its digital transformation journey and commitment to sustainable enterprise development (ESG), U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation has proactively addressed information security risks by aligning with international cybersecurity standards and complying with domestic and global regulatory requirements. With the expert guidance from the Information Security Service Digital United Inc. (ISSDU), U-Ming is proud to announce its successful attainment of the latest ISO 27001:2022 Informatio...

Holland Home of Wind Energy (HHWE) and NMT-IRO are pleased to announce that HHWE will officially merge with NMT-IRO as of 1 January 2026. With strong support from its members, HHWE approved the merger proposal during an extraordinary general meeting. This merger marks a significant step in strengthening the (inter)national positioning of the Dutch offshore wind industry. Dutch offshore energy sector The merger brings together two organisations that have long been committed to promoting and su...

As the shipping industry confronts its most complex decade yet – with decarbonisation, digital transformation and regulatory upheaval all accelerating – pioneers are being forced to rethink the fundamentals of their business. For global professional services firm PwC, that challenge presents both a mandate and an opportunity: to help clients sail through this transition not only with compliance in mind, but also strategic clarity and operational foresight. In a wide-ranging convers...

As the global shipping industry races to decarbonise and digitalise, Simon Fotakis, Director of Technology Sales at SmartSea, powered by SITA, and a Certified Information Services Security Professional (CISSP) is calling on the industry not to forget about the importance of cybersecurity. Despite increasing digital integration, the maritime sector remains highly vulnerable to cyber threats, many of which target poorly protected onboard IT systems rather than core navigation or pr...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its Wärtsilä 20 main engine and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for a new 40.9-metre long state-of-the-art fishing vessel, specifically designed for lobster fishing. The vessel, which will operate in North Atlantic waters, has been ordered by Canadian operator Clearwater Seafoods and will be built at the Hvide Sande Shipyard in Denmark. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2 2025.  Services for the fi...

Marketing in Maritime, the specialist networking community for marketing and communications professionals in the marine and energy sectors, has appointed an Advisory Board to guide the next phase of its evolution. Featuring pioneering experts from across the maritime and marketing industries, the Advisory Board has been created to provide advice and guidance as Marketing in Maritime expands its event activity and prepares to launch a learning and professional development platform to help market...

Since 1946, Torvald Klaveness has consistently challenged the status quo in shipping, combining innovation with robust, purpose-driven solutions aimed at both future-proofing the business and the industry they operate in. In 2022, the company took it a step further by establishing a holding structure and dedicated investment team to put skin in the game across new segments and asset classes. Agility and long-term value  "Guided by a structured strategy focused on diversification, agility...

NAVTOR is continuing to build momentum for its ‘Digital Logbook revolution’, with the news that Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has awarded full flag state approval for the innovative solution.  Japan joins other leading shipping nations, such as Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Malta, Cyprus and Singapore, amongst others, in endorsing the IMO compliant offering for registered vessels. Amitabh Sankranti, Shipping Analytics Directo...

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade grew by 2.4% in 2024 to 411.24 million tonnes (MT), connecting 22 exporting markets with 48 importing markets. Asia Pacific remained the largest exporting region with 138.91 MT in 2024, adding 4.10 MT over 2023. European LNG imports declined sharply, falling 21.22 MT year-on-year to 100.07 MT, driven by high storage levels at the start of the year, sluggish demand, and steady pipeline flows. However, LNG demand rebounded in Asia, with China and India pos...

With Nor-Shipping 2025 just around the corner, Euronext Oslo Børs CEO - Øivind Amundsen shares why Oslo remains the exchange of choice for global shipping companies – thanks to its fast, flexible listings, maritime-savvy investors and a regulatory environment built for efficient capital-raising. When it comes to shipping finance, there’s one stock exchange that continues to punch above its weight – and it’s not in London or New York. “Shipping is part...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, will supply the cargo handling systems for two very large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC) vessels being built at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Korea. The 88,000 m3 capacity vessels have been ordered by a Japanese ship owner. This latest order, which was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2 2025, further strengthens the company’s established position as a supplier of cargo handling systems. “We have good experience...