Skills - News

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched a white paper urging maritime organisations to strengthen their cyber defences - as the industry continues to adopt connected technologies for digitalisation, decarbonisation, and crew welfare. The whitepaper explores the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)’ new unified requirements (URs) for cyber security. Compiled in collaboration with pioneering classification society and IACS member ClassNK, IACS Unified Requi...

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a global pioneer in maritime safety solutions, has secured a new order for 11 ambulance boats from the Hellenic Coastguard, expanding the coverage provided by VIKING Norsafe vessels to support emergency services for Greek island communities. The new VIKING Munin-S1200 ambulance boats will be used to support emergency services and auxiliary healthcare in remote areas, including the islands of Thassos, Psara, Agios Efstratios, Fournoi, Kea, Lipsi, Kasos, North Evia,...

Hanwha and Accelleron have performed an engine part load optimisation (EPLO) for Höegh Autoliners supporting long-term energy efficiency for its 7,850 CEU (Car Equivalent Units) car carrier Höegh Detroit. The success of the project to improve the vessel’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating has led to an order for EPLOs on a further seven vessels owned or operated by Höegh. At a recent sea trial, EPLO demonstrated a fuel saving of 10g/kWh, equivalent to 5% of total fuel...

WEG has just released its Integrated Annual Report, highlighting its financial results, commitment to sustainability and innovation strategies in 2023. The company ended the period with around 40 thousand employees distributed across 52 manufacturing sites in 15 different countries. Achieved net revenue of 32.5 billion, reporting a solid year with consistent revenue growth. Reducing carbon emissions In the document, the company highlights its growing quest to maintain sustainability aligned w...

International®, AkzoNobel’s marine coatings brand has announced that a new cable-laying vessel, the Monna Lisa, owned by Prysmian, is to be coated in the Intergard® 7500 primer and Intersmooth® 7465Si antifouling solution. This decision is estimated to reduce the vessel’s carbon emissions (CO2) by 672 tonnes over the dry docking period and lower Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) by more than 11 tonnes during construction. By utilising Intergard 7500, a high-solids un...

North, a pioneering provider of smart integrated solutions, has been awarded contracts to the value of £1 million by the Port of Aberdeen to improve the safety, connectivity and sustainability of Scotland’s largest berthing port. The contract includes the upgrade and expansion of the port’s CCTV and security systems and the deployment of private 5G, public Wi-Fi and IoT networks to support a range of solutions to improve operations and customer experience. Marine infrastructu...

The shipping community is appalled and deeply saddened with the tragic news that, yet another seafarer seems certain to have been killed in a drone boat strike on Wednesday 12 June while on board the MV Tutor in the Red Sea. They utterly condemn these assaults which directly contravene the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation. Thoughts and condolences go to the family and loved ones of the seafarer who tragically lost their life. It is deplorable that innocent seafarer...

Oceania Cruises, the world's pioneering culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has revealed the next chapter in its culinary story as it highlights new Relaxed Yet Refined dining venues aboard its eight small, luxurious ships. New sushi and Indian cuisine offerings at Terrace Café and a revamped poolside lunch menu at Waves Grill are in the spotlight as the line redefines The Finest Cuisine at Sea. Winning specialty restaurants Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, co...

Defence giants HII and Babcock have formed a ground-breaking new joint venture and entity – H&B Defence – to accelerate the development of critical sovereign capability for the once-in-a-generation AUKUS conventional armed, nuclear-powered submarine program. H&B Defence combines nuclear submarine and shipbuilding experience from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to support the nation’s inaugural nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS. Skilled...

SRC Group and GREEN MARINE have signed a collaborative agreement that brings two of the strongest advocates of methanol as a marine fuel together to develop and deliver Methanol Superstorage to market. SPS Technology The cooperation aims to realise the benefits available to SRC’s Methanol Superstorage solution, which has been turning heads among owners, builders, repairers, class societies, and insurers since its launch. Using the SPS Technology Sandwich Plate System instead of traditio...

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have emerged as significant priorities within the maritime industry's pursuit of sustainability. However, the industry's genuine commitment to embracing diversity, particularly concerning sexuality and gender, remains a topic of exploration. LGBTQ+: Beyond acronyms The LGBTQ+ community, comprising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer individuals and many other inclusive identities, has long fought for societal acceptance. Historical taboos, social s...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received orders from Toyofuji Shipping Co., Ltd. (Aichi Prefecture) and Fukuju Shipping Co., Ltd. Shizuoka Prefecture) for Japan's first methanol-fueled roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo ships. The two ships will be built at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, with scheduled completion and delivery by the end of fiscal 2027. The ships will be approximat...

Watson Farley & Williams advised Crédit Mutuel Impact and Atlante Gestion on their equity investment in SO TOWT to finance the construction of six new sailing cargo ships for TOWT TransOceanic Wind Transport (“TOWT”), the pioneering French low-carbon shipping company. The six new vessels are being built in Brittany’s Piriou shipyards for delivery in 2027. Once operational they will join the first two vessels of TOWT’s fleet, which are expected to enter commerc...

Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division is expanding its mtu engine programme for military land vehicles to include a hybrid powerpack for special tactical requirements and a 10-cylinder, over 1.100 kW power output, version of the mtu Series 199 which has been extremely successful with NATO forces. Both concepts will celebrate their premiere at the Eurosatory defence trade fair, which takes place in Paris from 17 to 21 June. Rolls-Royce's strategic initiatives Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO o...

FuelEU Maritime, an EU regulation aimed at promoting the decarbonisation of fuels used on board ships, has entered into force and will apply to all ships above 5,000 gross tonnages calling at EU ports from January 1, 2025. FAQs on the FuelEU maritime In this 'FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (2nd Edition)', the explanation regarding the responsible entities under the regulation and the necessary regulatory compliance timeline for shipping companies have been added, and the contents have been update...

STAR Capital, a pioneering European investment fund manager, is pleased to announce that the STAR IV Fund has signed an agreement to acquire V.Group, a global provider of mission-critical services to the maritime industry.  STAR will lead a consortium of investors including Ackermans & van Haaren and others to partner with V.Group’s management team. The transaction is subject to regulatory consents and is expected to complete in early autumn 2024. Financial terms have not been di...

Energy Solutions, the provider of cost-efficient sustainable hybrid power solutions, was proud to support the 2024 British Marine Electrical and Electronics Association (BMEEA) annual marine apprenticeship competition held at the Seawork Expo 2024. The three-day show in Southampton, Europe’s largest on-water commercial marine and workboat exhibition was a big success, and excitement built for the apprenticeship competition held on the final day. Marine electrical and electronics The Bri...

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has received a large order for its 50-tonne active heave compensated (AHC) crane to be installed on board MMA Valour, a versatile and flexible multi-purpose platform supply vessel. The vessel has a proven track record in servicing a broad range of offshore work scopes across the energy and offshore wind sectors. The contract has been booked into Cargotec’s second-quarter 2024 order intake, with crane supply scheduled for the third quarter of 2025. Successful d...

Global demand in subsea markets for oil and gas continues to help drive growth at manufacturing, assembly and testing specialist Express Engineering, which is investing in capital equipment and its workforce. The international business, based in Gateshead in the North of England, has been enjoying buoyant growth during the last 12-18 months – growing its workforce while building a record pipeline of new work. With buoyant oil and gas prices and optimistic five-year forecasts from ene...

In 2022, Babcock and Barnacle Systems Inc. (Barnacle), an award-winning manufacturer of remote security and monitoring systems, formed a partnership through an Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) investment to support the completion of Barnacle’s marine vessel remote monitoring and security device known as ‘BRNKL Black’. Following the successful launch of BRNKL Black, both companies committed to building on their partnership and continued to seek additional oppo...

ABS has published a new notation that enables containership operators to load an additional tier of containers on deck with reduced risk of loss due to parametric rolling. CLP-V(PARR) combines the ABS Computer Lashing Program notation with mandatory Parametric Roll guidance to allow operators to optimise stowage and lashing of containers without loss of safety margin. Flexible loading configurations “Optimising container loading is key to efficient vessel operations but also has a found...

Crew proficiency in safe boat handling is vital for effective response with mission-critical naval operations - and US Navy personnel have been put through their paces to get up to speed with advanced davits being supplied by Vestdavit Inc. for a series of newly built expeditionary sea base (ESB) ships. Crew and davit operators serving on the newly commissioned USS John L. Canley (ESB-6) recently participated in operational training conducted by Vestdavit at a naval base in San Diego, Californi...

BERG Propulsion has won a contract covering the hybrid propulsion solution that ensure three wind-assisted Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) ro-ro vessels will maximise efficiency regardless of their mode of operation. Following delivery by China’s Wuchang Shipbuilding from 2026 onwards, the innovative vessels will carry Airbus A320 Family jetliner subassemblies from France (Saint-Nazaire) to the final assembly line in the United States (Mobile, Alabama). The ships have been designed by Delta...

Milaha, one of the largest and most diversified maritime and logistics companies in the Middle East, acquired the NAUTIS simulator to significantly enhance their crew’s ship-handling skills and ensure they are well-prepared for their upcoming duties. The NAUTIS simulator, initially installed at Milaha in 2015, has undergone several upgrades to its TVs and control panels over the years. Testament to Milaha’s dedication The simulator allows for the creation of scenarios...

Strategic Marine, a pioneering aluminium shipbuilder, is pleased to announce the construction of four 27m Z-Bow Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) to Ventus Marine in Europe and Taiwan. This milestone project is the result of a collaborative effort with renowned design firm BMT Limited, showcasing the latest advancements in marine engineering and technology. The contract signing signifies Strategic Marine’s commitment to delivering top-quality vessels tailored to meet the needs of the offshore...

Hefring Marine has announced a new partnership with Loodswezen, aiming to improve the safety and efficiency of the Dutch pilotage associations operations by installing the Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) on its latest pilot tenders. Loodswezen, also known as the Dutch Pilots' Corporation, is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient navigation of vessels through Dutch waters. This includes providing pilotage services for ships entering and leaving ports, navigating through riv...

Focused on egg production since 1947, Granja Ueyama is constantly looking for innovative and efficient solutions to improve the company's operations. Located in the city of Bastos, São Paulo State, the farm counted on WEG Elétrica Luand to implement this energy efficiency project. Air moved by efficiency  The W30 Smart EC, chosen to consolidate the partnership between Granja Ueyama and WEG, stands out as a key part of modernising the exhaust system in poultry faciliti...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched NexusWave, a fully managed connectivity service underpinned by a ‘bonded’ multi-dimensional network, offering high-speed connectivity, unlimited data, global coverage, and ‘secure by design’ infrastructure. Delivered by a single provider, NexusWave is a fully managed service that seamlessly integrates multiple high-speed networks in real-time – Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band, LEO services, and as-available coa...

Accelleron has signed a Turbo LifecycleCare service agreement with Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), an Italian shipping company specialising in coastal navigation and passenger transport in the Mediterranean.  The five-year agreement covers the maintenance and servicing of more than 100 turbochargers across GNV's fleet of 28 ships. Accelleron offers comprehensive support Accelleron will provide comprehensive support, including spare parts and labor readiness, focused on maintaining turbocharger...

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) for a low-pressure, shallow-draft, low carbon footprint 40,000 cbm liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design for ECOLOG Services Ltd. (ECOLOG). This AIP is the result of extensive cooperation within a joint industry project on the detailed design development, taking into account LCO2 critical characteristics, including operational requirements with respect to low pressure and shallow draft. The design maximises energy integration and minimises greenho...