Skills - News

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to ‘D-VESSELKEEPER: EEM and PHM' developed by WinKong Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with the product can be given the 'DSS' notations (EE+Sn, MM), which indicate ships with advanced digital technology. Innovative functions In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ...

Serco, Exail Robotics Belgium, and Naval Group Belgium in Serexna consortium awarded the key maintenance contracts for Belgian and Dutch Mine Countermeasure Fleets Serexna, the consortium formed by Serco, Exail Robotics Belgium, and Naval Group Belgium, is pleased to announce the award of the 24NSPER contract for the maintenance of the Belgian and Dutch navies' Mine Countermeasure (MCM) vessels. MCM vessels and unmanned systems This contract includes the current MCM minehunters...

Penta-Ocean Construction, a prominent Japanese general contractor, has commissioned Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V. to design its new heavy lift vessel for offshore wind foundation installation. The customised ULSTEIN HX118 design will feature a 5,000-ton Huisman main crane and the ULSTEIN U-STERN™, which enables installation of increasingly larger monopile foundations. Ulstein's successful track Following feasibility and concept studies in 2023, Penta-Ocean Construction selected Ul...

Swiss marine power company - WinGD has seen key parameters in line with expectations during early testing of its new X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engine design. A 52-bore single-cylinder version of the X-DF-A engine is running at the company’s Engine Research and Innovation Centre (ERIC) in Winterthur, with final validation to be completed in time for the first engine deliveries in June 2025. Ammonia combustion system Single-cylinder testing will allow rapid validation of the ammonia combusti...

In a landmark deal, Ulstein Design & Solutions AS has secured its largest aftermarket design contract to date for the cable-laying vessel Orient Adventurer. The contract, awarded by Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), involves both basic design and engineering provided by several of the companies in Ulstein. Planning and installation "We have worked with Ulstein before and find the people very professional. Ulstein knows the vessel well, and it's an insurance to know that everything will work when...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) commemorated its Golden Jubilee with a grand celebration in Mumbai, reflecting on its remarkable journey of 50 years of innovation, service, and leadership in the global maritime sector. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Honourable Union Cabinet Minister for Ports Shipping & Waterways, graced the occasion as a Chief Guest along with Guest of Honour Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, Capt B K Tyagi, CMD, The Shipping Corporation of India, Shri...

NorthStandard has launched a new H&M and P&I product for smaller commercial vessels, typically up to 10,000 gross tonnes. The new offering will also include War, Loss of Hire and other ancillary Hull covers and will be serviced by NorthStandard’s Sunderland Marine and Coastal & Inland teams together. The new product is available across the global marine insurer’s network worldwide, with momentum expected to build around NorthStandard’s established regional strength...

MAN Energy Solutions will deliver a 50 MWel methanation reactor for the Ren-Gas Tampere e-methane plant. The equipment delivery will consist of a catalytic methanation reactor designed and manufactured at MAN Energy Solutions Deggendorf, Germany.   Ren-Gas, the pioneering green hydrogen and e-methane project developer in Finland, has announced the selection of MAN Energy Solution as one of the key technology providers for the Tampere Power-to-Gas project. MAN’s advanced techn...

According to new research on cybersecurity in the energy sector, energy companies are taking cyber threats seriously at the highest levels. Two in three energy professionals (65%) say their leadership views cybersecurity as the greatest current risk to their business. More than two-thirds of energy professionals (71%) expect their company to increase investment in cybersecurity this year.  Cybersecurity According to the latest Energy Cyber Priority report from DNV Cyber, energy companies...

The ULSTEIN SX216 vessels showcase Ulstein's commitment to innovation and excellence in maritime design. They are specifically tailored to meet the demanding needs of the offshore wind industry.   TWIN X-STERN® design The ULSTEIN TWIN X-STERN® design features two sterns and four main propeller units, two at each end, resulting in excellent operability with either end towards the weather. This design improves fuel efficiency, dynamic positioning capability, manoeuvrabili...

Technology group Wärtsilä has introduced its new EnviroPac feature for the Wärtsilä 34DF constant-speed engine. The feature is designed to significantly reduce methane emissions while maintaining the engine’s high-power output and compliance with IMO Tier 3 NOx requirements.  The first order for engines with this new feature has been placed by the French shipping company CMA CGM. The engines will be installed in eight new LNG-operated container vessels being built...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released a new report offering key recommendations to consider as the industry looks to adopt onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) technology. The report highlights the regulatory and safety considerations for the adoption of onboard carbon capture while also recognising the importance of developing a secure and scalable downstream carbon value chain and increasing carbon capture system cost-effectiveness. Key recommendations Based on the finding...

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, extends its heartfelt appreciation to its 2024 Anchor Sponsors for their remarkable generosity. Anchor Sponsors make an annual commitment to the Foundation at leadership levels that play an integral role in supporting Coast Guard members and families who serve the nation. Coast Guard Foundation’s mission The Foundation is proud to re...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), a pioneering international classification society, is proud of its growing role in advancing India's defence capabilities through its participation in major new construction projects for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, thereby taking a major step forward in realising a self-reliant defence manufacturing capability, as envisioned under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Major new construction vessels Recently, ‘steel-cutting’ took plac...

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Publications is proud to announce the release of the sixth edition of the ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations, an essential resource that has been setting the standard for safe and efficient helicopter/ship interactions for almost 50 years. Recognised as the go-to reference for shipping companies and crew, the Guide has been meticulously updated with input from pioneering experts in both the maritime and aviation sectors, including the Civil Aviation...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its EnergoFlow solution and Fixed Pitch Propellers (FPP) for three Pure Car/Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels owned by Sallaum Lines – an international RoRo cargo operator. The combination of these upgrade solutions will notably improve the propulsion efficiency of these existing vessels, in turn reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2024. 2050 Net-zero goals To meet th...

DNV has launched a new family of class notations, Autonomous and Remotely Operated Ships (AROS), providing a framework for how autoremote vessels can achieve equivalent or higher safety compared to conventional vessels. Autonomous shipping, ranging from remote control operations to fully unmanned vessels, marks a major advancement in the maritime industry. Regulatory frameworks While these progress hold great promise, regulatory frameworks are still being developed These solutions can delive...

Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a pioneering maritime data, insights and analytics provider, announces the acquisition of Infospectrum, an independent provider of counterparty risk appraisal reports & data, due diligence research and KYC intelligence.  This acquisition expands Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s ability to deliver market-pioneering analysis and risk management intelligence solutions. The integration of Infospectrum’s comprehensive counterparty risk appr...

KR (Korean Register) has awarded the world's first Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD KSOE for its breakthrough vacuum-insulated large-scale liquid hydrogen tank system, marking a significant advancement in clean energy transportation technology. The AIP follows the successful completion of validation tests, demonstrating the system’s feasibility and innovative design. The transition to a hydrogen-based society demands advanced technologies for the large-scale transportation and storage of...

Gibdock has announced the launch of Gibdock Yachting as a dedicated division focusing on a key area of business growth for the Gibraltar ship repair and maintenance yard. Gibdock Yachting will build on Gibdock’s long-standing expertise in maintaining and refitting superyachts. It will also work in a strategic partnership with BWA Yachting - the world’s largest superyacht agency and yachting services provider – to communicate the yard’s reputation for high quality and on...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised the Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure ('ESMI') fund on a sale and lease back transaction to be entered into with Mainport Shipping Ltd ('Mainport') for the pre- and post-delivery lease financing of the hybrid survey and ROV support vessel - 'Geo Master'. The vessel is currently under construction at Neptune Construction B.V., a shipyard in the Netherlands. Supporting the growing European offshore wind market, the vessel is scheduled for deliv...

According to the latest data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights (AFI) platform the maritime industry’s exceptional newbuilding year 2024 drove a significant rise in orders for alternative-fuelled vessels. A total of 515 such ships were ordered, representing a 38% year-on-year increase compared to 2023, underscoring the industry's growing commitment to decarbonisation. Demands for sustainable practices The growth in alternative-fuelled vessel orders has been heavily driven by th...

Figures across the dry bulk shipping sector have joined in paying tribute to Dimitri Fafalios, who concluded his chairmanship of the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) on 31 December 2024, after six years of distinguished leadership. Fafalios's pivotal role Industry pioneers have praised Mr. Fafalios's pivotal role in strengthening international shipping standards during a period of unprecedented change, noting his success in expanding INTERCARGO's influence, while...

Vigor announced Mark Norris has joined the company as Vice President of Marine Fabrication. Norris will oversee one of the pioneering and most innovative marine vessel fabricators in the U.S., which is currently in production on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light), or MSVL, the U.S. Army’s new generation landing craft. He will be responsible for growing and maintaining an experienced, skilled team, while leading Vigor’s defence and commercial marine fabrication projects....

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has announced a new leadership structure to execute on its multibillion-dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. Jason Montague has been appointed Chief Luxury Officer for NCLH, effective February 17, 2025, overseeing both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, capitalising on his extensive industry expertise and strong track record previously pioneering these brands. This appointment underscores NCLH’s focus on it...

Steel cutting ceremony of the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) for Indian Navy was held on 16 Dec 2024 at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. Commodore S Parthiban, Warship Production Superintendent, Warship Overseeing Team (WOT), Kochi, conducted the steel cutting of the first steel plate for Ship No. BY-531. Shri KN Sreejith, Director (Operations), Shri Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director (Ship Repairs), Shri S Harikrishnan, Executive Director (Shipbuilding) of CSL, and senior officia...

Strategic Marine is proud to announce the signing and delivery of its first Surface Effect Ship (SES) to All Energies Services (AES), a groundbreaking moment in the company’s advancement within the offshore oil and gas sector. The contract marks a major step in Strategic Marine’s ongoing collaboration with AIRCAT Vessels, ESNA – Espeland and Skomedal Naval Architects, and AES bringing a revolutionary 35-meter SES vessel to life. Surface Effect Ship This high-perfor...

A rescue deal for the Belfast-based shipbuilder, which could be announced as early as on Thursday, 19th Dec 2024, is expected to include job guarantees for its workforce of more than 1,000 people. Sky News has learned that ministers hope to announce that Harland & Wolff (H&W) and its four UK shipyards are being acquired by Navantia, S.A., S.M.E, the Spanish shipbuilder, after months of negotiations. H&W’s assets and sites Navantia’s board is expected to meet to ratif...

ABS will deliver audits of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) on behalf of the Italian Administration from January 1, 2025, following an agreement signed at Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport. ABS statutory activities As a Recognised Organisation of the Italian Administration, ABS will conduct statutory activities, including approval of Ship Security Plans, security verifications, and issuance of Interim International Ship Security Cert...

Langstone Harbour, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has completed the successful installation of a comprehensive marine environmental monitoring solution provided by OceanWise. Langstone Harbour, located between Portsmouth and Chichester on the southern coast of Hampshire, is renowned for its rich wildlife and is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). Managed by the Langstone Harbour Board, it is a hub for a range of activities, including commercial shipping, fis...