Skills - News

MAN Energy Solutions and Doen WaterJets (DOEN) have agreed to join forces to offer a fully integrated propulsion system solution to the Australian Army’s LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel Phase 1A (LMV-M) programme to acquire a medium landing craft suitable for a range of missions in Australia’s northern waters and beyond. This cooperation spans the full product lifecycle including propulsion system design, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and commissioning, through to spare pa...

The Saildrone Voyager, a 10-metre commercial uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), is the first autonomous asset built to ABS Class using the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions. ABS presented the Class certificate to Saildrone at their headquarters in Alameda, California. The Voyager is a marine vehicle developed by Saildrone, a provider of ocean data for climate, mapping and maritime security applications using uncrewed autonomous assets. ABS issued Approval in Principle (A...

Team Electric has signed an agreement with Remontowa Shiprepair Yard, Gdansk to provide electric systems consultancy and installation services for three Polsteam Ro-Pax ferries, in support of the project marking the extension of the Polish yard’s services to the new building market. The three-year agreement coincides with the Finnish turnkey engineering solutions provider opening Team Electric (Poland), Gdynia as a subsidiary. Battery power and hybrid propulsion With a capacity of 4100...

The UK government announces its support for measures designed to protect the world’s ocean and improve the conservation of marine biodiversity. Ahead of International Seabed Authority (ISA) negotiations and a month ahead of COP28, the UK government has announced its support for a moratorium on the granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects – which involve the extraction of minerals such as precious metals, copper and cobalt – by the ISA. Sufficient scienti...

OMT, the market pioneer in fuel injection for the two-stroke engine sector, has strengthened its ability to support shipping’s decarbonisation following the acquisition of the company in its entirety by Accelleron, completed on July 20, 2023. OMT will continue to operate its global business independently as a stand-alone unit, retaining all employees, the company structure and the brand name. Together, Accelleron and OMT will advance the energy transition in shipping. Both companies remai...

Accelleron has supported a turbocharger overhaul on the hospital ship - MV Africa Mercy, operated by the non-governmental organisation - Mercy Ships. The support, in the form of discounted labour, will enable the vessel to continue its mission of delivering free medical care and training to people without access to safe surgery, including in some of the world’s most vulnerable developing economies. The 43-year-old vessel, which houses five operating rooms and a recovery ward for more than...

A new £100,000 Challenge Fund competition has opened for Belfast’s digital and creative companies, aimed at animating the city’s Maritime Mile. Developed by Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office, in partnership with the Maritime Belfast Trust, the fund is part of the Belfast HUB-IN (Hub of Innovation) project. HUB-IN HUB-IN is all about exploring how digital innovation can help to sustain, enhance, and preserve the rich and unique heritage along Belfast’s...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has introduced a new ultra-low emissions version of its already efficient Wärtsilä 31DF engine. Whilst operating on LNG, this new version can further reduce methane emissions on a 50 percent load point by up to 56 percent and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by up to 86 percent. On a weighted average, this new technology can reduce methane emissions by 41 percent more than the standard Wärtsilä 31DF engine, which has already the lowest emission leve...

Classification society DNV acting as third party has issued a statement of qualified technology to SBM Offshore for its carbon capture plant or CO2 capture solution for FPSOs developed in partnership with MHI. The statement verifies that the designated technology is feasible for the intended application and that the technical claims are adequately substantiated. The statement is valid until 15 September 2027. This represents another milestone for SBM Offshore and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (M...

Wallem Group, a pioneering global maritime partner, is proud to have welcomed two dual-fuel vessels, Angleviken and Askviken, into management in the last few months. The two LR2 tankers, delivered by Guangzhou Shipyard International, demonstrate Wallem’s commitment to building its expertise in managing and operating the vessels of the future and being a partner to clients who drive decarbonisation in the maritime industry. Wallem is also preparing to take delivery of multiple newly built...

During the three-day summit, many Indian ministers, government officials and international maritime communities discussed and deliberated key issues of the maritime sector - emphasising the importance of the Indian maritime sector and the need for collaboration to achieve sustainable growth - Shri Narendra Modi, Honorable Prime Minister of India, inaugurated the summit on 17th October 2023. The summit was a flagship event aimed at propelling the Indian maritime economy by promoting global and r...

Peel Ports Group is committed to nurturing young talent and investing in the industry's future. They are, therefore, thrilled to announce the addition of nine new early careers apprentices, who have joined their London Medway and Port of Liverpool teams, since the start of the academic year. These apprenticeships span various disciplines, including administration, operations, and engineering. Throughout their apprenticeships, the talented young recruits will have the opportunity to learn practi...

ABS is joining Mencast Marine (MMPL), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) on a project to manufacture and class a 3D-printed propeller. The collaborative project builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by ABS and MMPL that is focused on additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, for critical maritime components. WAAM techniques ABS is committed to supporting these inn...

An eye-catching new headquarters building in Southampton Docks has a familiar look to it-it is built entirely out of converted shipping containers more often seen on ships crossing the world’s oceans.  The new 3,500 square foot, two-storey depot terminal office for Solent Stevedores has been constructed by Southampton-based Willbox from 11 steel containers professionally converted to office use and then welded together. Construction of the new building The new building is designed...

When Royal IHC, a pioneering Dutch supplier of vessels, equipment, and services for the maritime industry, sought to decarbonise its range of Beaver® cutter suction dredger (CSD) ships, it turned to WEG. Royal IHC’s step toward a more sustainable future was to develop an all-new fleet of electrically powered Beaver CSD vessels. But to power them, it needed a high-performance electric motor that suited the Beaver’s technical specifications. Royal IHC chose WEG’s WGM20...

Wilhelmsen Port Services has achieved sole ownership of Sweden's Gothenburg Ship Agency AB, solidifying its presence in Sweden and further enhancing its global services. This strategic move follows its acquisition of Vopak Agencies, marking a significant step in expanding its offerings and commitment to serving customers in Sweden and the Baltic Sea region. As part of its acquisition of Rotterdam-headquartered Vopak Agencies in December last year, Wilhelmsen Port Services inherited a 50% stake...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a parcel layout concept for a hydrogen-fueled multi-purpose vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., MOL Drybulk Ltd., Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Japan Engine Corporation. This is the world’s first AiP certification for a ship equipped with a large low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fueled engine as the main propulsion engine. Growth and building of the vessel According to the companies, demon...

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of Wilhelmsen, Carl Schou, believes there are great opportunities for ship managers ahead. In an interview with Naftemporiki, one of Greece business news publication, Carl Schou discusses the significant challenges faced by the maritime industry today. Question: What exactly is the role and responsibilities of a third-party management company when taking over a shipowner's fleet? Carl Schou answered, “When a third-party management company t...

Nexans Marine Operations AS has returned to Ulstein Verft AS to build a new and updated version of the DP3 cable laying vessel MS “Nexans Aurora”. The new vessel will share the same comprehensive propulsion and manoeuvring package from Brunvoll. Brunvoll’s delivery for the new cable-laying vessel will share the same specifications as the previous delivery, consisting of three azimuth propulsion units, two tunnel thrusters, and a retractable azimuth thruster. All the thrus...

ClassNK has released a white paper 'Pathway to Zero-Emission in International Shipping – Understanding the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy'. In July 2023, the IMO adopted the ‘2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships’, which includes goals such as achieving net-zero GHG emissions by or around 2050. While the strategy sets numerical targets for reducing GHG emissions as well as indicative checkpoints, the maritime industry has not yet reached a common understanding of w...

Atlas Copco Group has acquired ACJ, s.r.o., a compressor distributor in Samorin, near Bratislava in western Slovakia. The company has 14 employees and offers sales and service of compressors, dryers, and other compressed air equipment to the general industry. Compressed air equipment “The acquisition will extend our service and sales offering in Slovakia, which is a market where we see a potential for growth,” said Vagner Rego, the Business Area President of Compressor Technique....

The Board of Directors of Wallem Group today announced that John-Kaare Aune will be stepping aside as Wallem Group’s CEO and after a period of transition will leave in January 2024. Having joined Wallem in 2019 as Managing Director, Shipmanagement, John-Kaare Aune was appointed as Group CEO in January 2021. Nigel Hill, Wallem Group Chairman, said, "On behalf of the Wallem Board, I would like to thank John for his leadership and dedication over the past three years as CEO. We are grateful...

MAN Energy Solutions has announced a partnership with industry leaders and research institutes that will develop engine concepts for hydrogen-fuelled, medium-speed engines in the maritime sector. Dubbed ‘HydroPoLEn’, the project is supported and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It aims to transform propulsion systems within shipping and develop key technologies such as injection, ignition and advanced tribological systems, while part of i...

Elcogen, the European manufacturer of technology that enables delivery of efficient, affordable green hydrogen and emission-free electricity is pleased to announce that Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (“KSOE”), a company incorporated in the Republic of Korea and a member of HD Hyundai Group (“HD Hyundai”) has signed a strategic investment in Elcogen of €45m with closing subject to, amongst other things, Elcogen obtaining the approval of its sh...

Dafo Vehicle, a pioneer in safety for vehicles in high-risk industries, has promoted Fredrik Rosén to the position of Business Line Manager for Material Handling. As a key member of Dafo Vehicle since the division’s inception, Rosén has played an integral role in Dafo Vehicle’s success. His transition from Business Manager - Middle East and Africa and Marketing Manager reflects a strategic change in the business to focus and strengthen the support and knowledge in this...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) (together with NCL Corporation Ltd., ‘Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’, ‘Norwegian’, ‘NCLH’ or the ‘Company;) announced the appointment of José E. Cil to its Board of Directors (the ‘Board’) as a new Independent Director, effective October 6, 2023. With Mr. Cil’s appointment, the Board has expanded from eight to nine members, seven of whom are independent. Mr. Cil will serve as a member...

International law firm - Norton Rose Fulbright’s Global Co-Head of Transport and Head of the Paris Banking team, Christine Ezcutari, has been awarded the Commandeur de l’Ordre du Mérite Maritime (Commander of the Order for Maritime Merit). The Order for Maritime Merit, established in 1930, is awarded to those who have distinguished themselves in the maritime field.  Shipping and transport financing Christine, who is one of the youngest women ever to receive this presti...

DNV has published new guidelines for the safe installation of onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) systems on board ships, amid growing pressure on the shipping industry to develop effective technologies to reduce emissions as part of the ongoing maritime energy transition. Different methods for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will be necessary to achieve international, regional, and national emissions targets. Post-combustion OCCS on board trading ships is expected to be among the...

Kakinada Container Terminal (KCT) Pvt Ltd, located in the eastern part of India, serves as a vital weather terminal within the Kakinada Deep Water Port in Andhra Pradesh. Customised transport solutions KCT enjoys excellent connectivity via the National Highway to major cities in the vicinity and handles a diverse range of container cargo, from frozen to dry cargo. The terminal is a key hub for the rice commodity, served by the railway line from Raipur to Kakinada. This marks a milestone for...

Babcock’s LGE business, the pioneer in liquefied gas, has secured contracts to provide its innovative ethane cargo handling and fuel gas supply system – ecoETHN®. The contracts are for 15 Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) at Jiangnan Shipyard for shipowners Tianjin Southwest and Pacific Gas. Long-haul ethane transportation Tianjin Southwest will take delivery of nine, while Pacific Gas will take six These latest orders push the total number of ecoETHN® contracts for Babc...