Skills - News

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...

Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK), a pioneering specialist insurer, now announces the appointment of Olivia Jackson as a Cyber Underwriter within its Cyber & Enterprise Risk team. Jackson joins from Liberty Specialty Markets, where she served as a Cyber Underwriter, managing renewal portfolios and seeking new business across varied territories, industries, and coverage sizes for both primary and excess accounts. In this role, she managed the MENA portfolio for Liberty's London and Dubai teams and cul...

JLA Media Ltd has rebranded as JLA Communication and responded to growing demand to offer reputation management to maritime, offshore and logistics executives by adding JLA Reputation to its portfolio of services. Brought to market by the pioneering team of PR and communications professionals in the sector, JLA Reputation offers full consultative services for industry pioneers. Focusing on the opportunities and challenges individuals face in their public and media engagement...

ABS completed a four-year effort to develop a training module to enhance safety training for commercial fishermen. The project delivered a web-based training platform with materials focused on six major categories of safety risks related to fishing vessel dynamic stability. Computational fluid dynamics and modern rendering techniques were adopted to make the simulations as realistic as possible. Awareness of safety risks “This work shows the unwavering efforts of ABS to promote the secu...

ABS Chairman and Chief Executive, Christopher J. Wiernicki was named International Personality of the Year at the Lloyds List Greek Shipping Awards, the second time he has received the honour. The accolade followed ABS being named Number One Classification Society by Gross Tonnage in the annual Lloyds List ranking of the Top 10 Class Organisations. ABS’ flagship global locations Wiernicki, who this week was also placed 72 in the Lloyds List ranking of the Top 100 People in Shipping, sai...

ZeroUSV has announced the start of construction at Manor Marine, Portland of the Oceanus17, a new class of large, ultra-long distance, high payload USV’s, delivering on the core ambitions of the National Shipbuilding Office: to position the UK as a hub for rapid innovation and high-tech manufacturing.
 Compressing traditional defence acquisition timelines, where typical “flash to bang” from design to prototype can often take years, Oceanus17 breaks that cycle by utilising...

Cyan Sentinel has strengthened its long-term commitment to developing future maritime officers, with cadets praising the company’s support, culture and hands-on experience across its fleet. The company has now supported and sponsored 43 cadets through its cadetship programme, with seven completing their training this year. A further 10 new cadets – six deck and four engineering – joined the programme in August and September. Willingness of crews and officers Recent cadets hi...

IMTRA, the globally renowned manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced the addition of United States Coast Guard Veteran - Steve Baxter and marine industry professional - Alden Tangen to its commercial sales team. Prior roles of Steve Baxter Steve Baxter joins IMTRA as the Gulf Coast Commercial Sales Manager after 27 years of service in the United States Coast Guard. During his time in the USCG, he held several key...

In September 2025, Alfa Laval inaugurated a new and expanded service centre in Zhoushan, China. The facility places vital services, spare parts and skilled service engineers in one of the world’s largest and busiest dry dock hubs, used by vessels from near and far. As Alfa Laval strengthens its global service footprint, the centre is the latest example of a deepening service partnership with marine customers – no matter where they sail. Regional resources with worldwide impact Shi...

Marketing in Maritime, the specialist networking and development community for marketing and communications professionals in the marine and energy sectors, has appointed Kae-Ley Brann to a new role of Business Manager. Kae-Ley joins at a pivotal time in the Marketing in Maritime journey, as it prepares to embark on an ambitious new chapter as a community-led professional development platform. As Business Manager, Kae-Ley will steer the evolution of Marketing in Maritime’s new ‘MiMb...

Peel Ports Group has achieved a 48% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions in the last five years, putting the UK’s second-largest port group on track to realise its ambitious goal of becoming net-zero across its port operations by 2040. The Group’s third annual ESG and Sustainability report, which covers the 2025 financial year (FY25 – the 12 months ending 31 March 2025), details its progress against various ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals, wi...

The ABS Board of Directors has elected John McDonald as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ABS at a board meeting on November 11. In the culmination of a well-planned succession process, McDonald, the serving ABS President and Chief Operating Officer, will take over on January 1, 2026, when present ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki retires. McDonald said: “I am honored to lead this remarkable organisation. I do so with deep respect for the legacy of technical exc...

Peel Ports Group has achieved a 48% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions in the last five years, putting the UK’s second-largest port group on track to realise its ambitious goal of becoming net-zero across its port operations by 2040. The Group’s third annual ESG and Sustainability report, which covers the 2025 financial year (FY25 – the 12 months ending 31 March 2025), details its progress against various ESG (environmental,  social, and governance) goals,...

The maritime community came together at Europort 2025, Rotterdam this week to focus minds on the ideas, innovation, and international collaboration needed by an industry that is simultaneously challenged by accelerating energy transition and digitalisation, financial uncertainty and the test of attracting next generation talent. The successful 42nd edition of Europort concluded following four intense days of conferences, networking, award ceremonies and high-powered panel discussions that asses...

Technology group - Wärtsilä and Sinocrew Maritime Services, a globally renowned provider of integrated crew management and marine training services to the international shipping industry, have inaugurated an advanced maritime simulation suite in Beihai, China. The new simulation suite will provide advanced, simulation-based training to equip seafarers with the skills needed for the safe adoption of new decarbonisation technologies and will support the transformation of the maritime in...

NorthStandard has appointed Jack Marriott Smalley as its new Head of Underwriting for Asia Pacific, with effect from 3 November, 2025. Mr Marriott Smalley brings over 14 years of underwriting experience at NorthStandard to the role, including 11 years in Singapore, most recently serving as Head of Southeast Asia Pacific. His engagement with members, brokers, and partners has been pivotal in strengthening the Club’s presence across the region. Key leadership role In a key leadership role...

Wallem Group, a major global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters to Hong Kong. The celebrations will be marked by a special event on 12 November 2025 in the presence of Guest of Honour Hong Kong Finance Secretary, commemorating 100 years since the relocation – 22 years after Norwegian shipbroker and agent Haakon Wallem formed Wallem & Co. in 1903. By 1925, Haakon had earned the nickname ‘Typhoon Wallem’, reflecting his energy and busi...

Maritime industry pioneers explored the opportunities and critical challenges in the revitalisation of U.S. shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure at the ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting. The committee heard from ABS specialists on key regulatory, technology and market factors driving a wave of change for the global industry, making training to upskill seafarers in dynamic fuels, digital systems, and energy efficiency technologies more important than ever. Christopher J. Wiernick...

ABS has appointed David Wechsler, a Founding Partner of the firm that became Hitachi Consulting, as the new Chief Executive Officer for ABS Group. Wechsler has a distinguished 35-year career in management consulting leadership positions across manufacturing, consumer products, sustainable energy, automotive, technology and services industries. He has grown multiple consulting practices, demonstrating expertise in heading complex operations and driving growth. Wealth of experience Christopher...

Seatrade Maritime announces the return of Crew Connect Global, the premier conference and exhibition focused on maritime crewing, training, and technology, bringing together pioneers, officials and seafarers to address challenges in crewing and ship management. This year's Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global conference, taking place on 11-13 November 2025 in Manila, Philippines, will tackle key issues in the crewing sector and will shine a light on the latest technology. From geopolitical di...

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced that this year’s show, which closed on Thursday, October 9, saw year-over-year growth in attendance, reinforcing its position as North America’s premier marine event. From networking events to insightful seminars and bustling docks and booths, IBEX 2025 brought decision makers together to move the industry “Fast Forward.” South Florida marine technical programs IBEX 2025 welcomed 7600 prof...

ABS hosted the second edition of the Middle East Women in Maritime Summit at the Address Dubai Mall, gathering more than 150 industry professionals to celebrate the expanding role of women in the region’s maritime sector. Themed “Advancing Women in Maritime – Challenges and Opportunities,” the summit showcased stories of leadership and mentorship across the Middle East’s fast-growing maritime ecosystem. Keynote address Guests of honour included Her Excellency Eng...

NorthStandard has announced Michael Hustler as its new Head of Asia Pacific, in an appointment which reinforces the global marine insurer’s focus on growth, service expansion and diversification in the region. With a formal start date of 27th October, Mr Hustler brings 16 years of Claims and Underwriting with NorthStandard to his new role – most recently as Head of Underwriting, Asia Pacific. As Head of Asia Pacific, he replaces David Roberts, who will leave NorthStandard in Fe...

In a landmark deal to deliver immersive, next-generation training at scale to the maritime industry, ABS has signed an agreement to purchase the MetaSHIP intellectual property and related vessel simulator software assets from Orka Informatics as part of the strategic growth plan for ABS Training Solutions. The acquisition, subject to Turkish regulatory approval, will allow ABS to expand its highly realistic digital training program, which can be delivered on board, in port or at home, as well a...

The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International) and BIMCO, the global trade association whose members represent 64% of the world’s tonnage, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise collaboration in promoting diversity, sustainability, and professional excellence across the maritime industry. Working together, WISTA International and BIMCO aim to address shared industry challenges and create opportunities for professionals throug...

Q&A with Pasi Lehtonen, Executive Vice President, Offshore Solutions, MacGregor How well is MacGregor positioned in the offshore sector under Triton’s new ownership? MacGregor’s lifecycle-focused strategy is closely aligned with Triton’s commitment to sustainable growth and value creation, and with the support of our new owner, we are strategically positioned across the maritime and offshore sectors to deliver lasting value. Our solutions are proven, by performance,...

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has secured a major grant worth US$450,000 from The TK Foundation to create the world’s first free global e-learning system for the maritime search and rescue (SAR) sector. The project marks a major milestone in international efforts to strengthen the capabilities of key SAR and shipping personnel, and close critical training gaps for those who continue to put their lives at risk at sea.  To ensure equitable access and long-term su...

ClassNK has agreed to collaborate with GTT Training Ltd. (GTT Training), a GTT subsidiary dedicated to the training of professionals in the LNG and future fuels industry. Under the framework of the ClassNK Academy, ClassNK invites lecturers from GTT Training to provide specialised training courses on alternative fuels, focusing on LNG. Efficient handling of alternative fuels GTT Training specialises in providing training based on GTT's technology and know-how GTT is a technology and engineer...

ABS has launched the Saudi Arabia Technology Center dedicated to industry-pioneering work on smart systems, robotics, AI and advanced digital technologies. Launched during the Saudi Maritime Logistics Congress, the pioneering research centre supports the Kingdom’s maritime strategy for global pioneership in shipping. Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer said: “We are witnessing unprecedented technology innovation in our industry, and this centre will...

Kongsberg Maritime has been awarded the official tender to deliver a state-of-the-art K-Sim Engine Full Mission and Desktop Simulator system to Aboa Mare Maritime Academy and Training Centre in Turku, Finland. The delivery, scheduled to be completed in Q1, 2026, will include some of the most advanced simulator models available, covering both conventional and next-generation propulsion technologies, such as hybrid, dual-fuel, battery, and methanol-fueled engines. Maritime industry’s green...