Skills - News

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Today we mark significant progress in our journey to creating a greener, cleaner planet with a landmark agreement at the International Maritime Organization."   “We have worked closely with international partners to forge a path for sustainable shipping internationally and secure a prosperous, resilient sector, laying a strong foundation for the future." Development of clean fuels Alexander added: “This deal means t...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for an Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage system (OCCS) developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding. The certification confirms its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives. Interest in CO2 capture the method from exhaust gases is growing alongside fuel conversion as part of efforts to reduce GHG emissions from ships. In response, the development of OCCS is progressing. Safety requirements for OCCS ClassNK will often strive to contribute t...

Brunvoll has signed a contract with Rizhao Gangda Shipyard for the delivery of an extensive propulsion, manoeuvring, and dynamic positioning system for an Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV).  The vessel is owned by Smit Lamnalco, a subsidiary of Boskalis, and will operate for the Austral Maritime Safety Authority. Its mission is to protect the marine environment around the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait – some of the most precious marine areas in the world. Brunvoll twin-screw prop...

Sentinel Marine, a member of the Cyan Renewables Group, has signed a shipbuilding contract with Jiangmen Hangtong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd for the construction of a 65-metre multi-role energy support vessel to join their fleet, with options for a further three vessels. The new vessel will bring the fleet number to 15. The initial vessel in this innovative new class is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2027. The newbuild will be a DP2 vessel with a deadweight of 1,600 tonnes, with 375m² of clear de...

Fincantieri, a pioneer in complex shipbuilding, and Accenture, one of the world’s pioneering professional services companies, have signed an agreement to establish Fincantieri Ingenium, a new joint venture. The company will be owned 70% by Fincantieri NexTech – a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group – and 30% by Accenture. The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024 and combines Fincantieri’s technological expertise in the naval sector...

Technology group Wärtsilä has introduced a new methane slip reduction solution for its Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engine. The new technology, which converts Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel (DF) engines to spark gas (SG) operation, enables a more optimised combustion process, thereby improving efficiency and lowering methane emissions. Wärtsilä 50DF engine Whilst operating on LNG, the new ‘Spark Gas Conversion for Wärtsilä 50DF’ is designed to...

Hefring Marine, an Icelandic pioneer in intelligent marine technology, and Marine AI, a UK-based pioneer in autonomous vessel control systems, announced a new mutually beneficial partnership.  This collaboration aims to enhance autonomous maritime operations by integrating Hefring Marine’s Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) with Marine AI’s GuardianAI autonomy suite.  Hefring Marine’s IMAS Hefring Marine’s IMAS will complement GuardianAI’s exis...

Cargotec Corporation has signed an agreement to sell its MacGregor business area to funds managed by Triton, for an enterprise value of EUR 480 million (“the Transaction”) to support Hiab’s future growth. Cargotec’s shareholders Transformation into a standalone Hiab is expected to take place on 1 April 2025. Cargotec’s transformation project, including listing Kalmar as a separate company, preparing Hiab for its standalone future and finding a solution for Ma...

Technology group - Wärtsilä is set to expand its state-of-the-art technology centre - Sustainable Technology Hub in Vaasa, Finland, with a €50 million total investment.  Expanding the R&D testing capabilities and facilities will enhance Wärtsilä’s ability to meet the growing demand for developing and delivering sustainable technologies in marine and energy and to support fuel applications needed in the future. Smarter engine development Wärtsil&aum...

On its 50th Foundation Day – 4th April 2025, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) marked a historic milestone as India Post released a Special Cover commemorating 50 years of IRS’s excellence in the maritime industry. This prestigious philatelic tribute highlights IRS’s contributions to maritime safety, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance, symbolising its significant impact on the global maritime sector. IRS evolution and commitment IRS released th...

Fincantieri has signed an agreement with Carnival Corporation & plc for the design and construction of two new cruise ships for AIDA Cruises, the pioneering cruise line in the German-speaking cruise market. The value of the agreement for the two ships, subject to financing and other typical terms and conditions, is considered as very important. This marks the first time that Fincantieri will build cruise ships for AIDA Cruises, thus reinforcing its strateg...

Mack Boring & Parts Co., a pioneering provider of marine and industrial power solutions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation. As an authorised Mercury Engine Power Centre, Mack Boring will now provide comprehensive sales, service, and support for Mercury Marine’s innovative lineup of engines. Mack Boring’s commitment This strategic collaboration strengthens Mack Boring’s commitment to delivering best-in-class...

MacGregor is proud to announce the successful delivery of its new type of SWL 250t electric heavy lift cranes to Nordic from Huanghai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The cranes mark a significant milestone in sustainable cargo handling solutions. This next-generation heavy lift crane combines MacGregor and NMF’s extensive experience in the heavy lift industry. Advanced electric drive technology The crane is designed to enhance operational efficiency while significantly reducing emissions, energy...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the maritime cybersecurity solution, ‘CYTUR TM’ and ‘CYTUR SC-P’ (components of Rakuten Maritime) developed by Rakuten Symphony and its partner company CYTUR. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certificatio...

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for the design concept of a retrofitted Kamsarmax bulk carrier, converting it from conventional fuel to methanol dual-fuel, jointly developed by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping. This certification demonstrates the regulatory feasibility of the ship, serving as a meaningful step in advancing the transition of the existing fleet to alternative fuels, as bulk carriers o...

Evidence that verifies the advantages of GravityVibe has been accumulating quickly since MacGregor introduced the augmented gravity self-unloading system to the market in February 2024. Developed to allow bulk carriers to deliver a wider variety of cargo in greater volume, GravityVibe eases the discharge of coarse materials from cargo holds. MacGregor’s decades-long experience MacGregor’s system can discharge various cargo types with slope angles of just 15–20 degrees In co...

The steel-cutting ceremony of the first of two next-generation FREMM frigates of the “EVOLUTION” version, known as “FREMM EVO”, took place today at the Riva Trigoso (Genoa) shipyard. The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Director of the Naval Armaments Directorate - NAVARM, Admiral Chief Inspector Giuseppe Abbamonte, the CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, Giovanni Sorrentino, Fulvio Palermo, Head of Project Management of the Fin...

CIBC Innovation Banking announced that it has provided $10 million in debt financing to Sedna Communications Ltd, an Insight Partners-backed AI-powered workflow automation platform, which specialises in the global trade and supply chain market. The funding will drive AI innovation, expand platform integrations, and support sustainable growth to better serve Sedna’s customers. Maritime and supply chain Founded in 2017, Sedna helps maritime and supply chain businesses extract important da...

Kongsberg Discovery is gearing up to make a splash at Ocean Business 2025, with high profile product demonstrations, a new digital innovation launch, and a range of domain experts on hand to help stakeholders navigate a future of ocean opportunity. The company, a global pioneer in advanced underwater robotics and sensor technology, will base itself at booth N1/P2 for the duration of the show, taking place 8-10 April at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK. Multibeam in action Kon...

Baltic Exchange has launched the maritime industry’s first-ever free Fuel Equivalence Converter, a reliable, easy-to-use digital calculator that helps owners, traders, brokers and charterers to navigate the complexity of the physical properties of the wide variety of marine fuels that are currently available on the market.  The Fuel Equivalence Converter is the latest resource provided by Baltic Exchange to help shipping players understand the cost and commercial implications of gree...

The SEA-CARE working group concluded its third session in February by confirming commitments to share key data to secure common objectives. Highlighting a need to look beyond ‘top-level’ data to pinpoint the root causes of casualties, attendees discussed specific datasets that could enrich findings drawn from Inmarsat’s Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress alert data. Crew welfare surveys, for example, offered a precious resource for developing a more ho...

Increasing demand from shipowners for ABS services in Singapore has prompted ABS to invest in an expanded regional head office housing industry-pioneering research and development capabilities. The opening ceremony was prefaced by a traditional lion dance and reception, which saw ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki cut the ribbon on a facility that is home to the ABS Singapore Innovation and Research Centre, the ABS Global Electrification Centre and one of five ABS Global Sustain...

Eni, an energy company, Fincantieri, a world pioneer in complex shipbuilding, and RINA, a multinational group specialising in engineering consultancy, certification, and inspection, presented the “Sustainable Maritime Transport Outlook” in Rome — in the presence of the Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. The study, focused on the maritime sector, was developed with the technical support of Bain & Company Italy. Net Zero target for 2...

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry’s long-term and consistent commitment to high-quality shipping continues to be recognised by the international community. At INTERTANKO’s North America panel meeting held in Stamford, Connecticut, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) presented QUALSHIP 21 qualifying jurisdictions for this year. For the 21st consecutive year, the RMI remains a qualifying jurisdiction. The RMI is the only of the world’s three largest registries...

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Singapore Maritime Week to advance innovations in applied research in maritime technology and enhance talent development within the global maritime and offshore industries. The collaboration advances applied research in next-generation vessel system design, including ship power simulations with hardware-in-the-loop, shore-to-ship charging technologies, and augmented an...

For an unprecedented fourth time in a row, GAC will be The Ocean Race’s Official Logistics Partner, extending a successful collaboration that has been in place since 2014. For the first time, GAC will support all three major events on The Ocean Race calendar: The Ocean Race Europe 2025, The Ocean Race Atlantic in 2026, and the flagship around the world race starting from Alicante, Spain, in 2027. Comprehensive logistics support Services provided will include a raft of total logistics su...

RightShip, the digital maritime platform providing expertise in safety, sustainability and social responsibility practices, has announced a strategic partnership with marine technology company Mapsea to integrate RightShip’s Safety Score and GHG Rating directly into Mapsea’s advanced navigation and voyage optimisation platform. This collaboration empowers both onshore decision-makers and crew onboard vessels to access real-time safety insights, enhancing operational safety and effic...

ABS Wavesight™, the ABS-affiliated Software-as-a-Service company, proudly hosted its Vision and Value Summit in Singapore. The event brought together users of ABS Wavesight software products, industry stakeholders, and regional experts for a dynamic day of collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking discussions. ABS Wavesight’s commitment Attendees engaged in interactive sessions focused on addressing critical issues The event served as a platform for users and other industry...

Ocean Network Express (ONE) successfully hosted the fourth Container Shipping Summit in Hong Kong on 26 March 2025. In pursuit of sustainable container shipping development, the Summit brought together academic pioneers in Asia to discuss diverse challenges and encourage industry-academia collaboration to drive change and innovation towards a sustainable future. Implementing growth strategies Yasuki Iwai, Global Chief Officer - Head of Corporate and Innovation of ONE, delivered the opening re...

STAR Information Systems (STAR) is proud to announce the successful signing of an agreement to acquire Arribatec Marine (Infoship), a pioneering provider of fleet technical management solutions. This acquisition strengthens STAR’s presence in the maritime software market and represents an important step forward in the growth journey. Digitalisation within maritime sector Infoship built a strong reputation in supporting digitalisation within the maritime sector Found...