Skills - News

Strategic Marine is proud to announce the successful delivery of two new StratCat 27 Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) to Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), expanding their high-specification offshore wind support fleet. The newly delivered vessels, sister ships to Acti’Vent and Esti’Vent, will be deployed in the growing offshore wind sector in France and Europe. Needs of offshore renewables Built at Strategic Marine’s Singapore shipyard, these 27-metre aluminium catamarans are...

As the maritime industry scans the horizon for scalable zero-emission fuels, low-emission ammonia is looming ever larger as a potential solution for deep-sea operators. Here, Hans Olav Raen, CEO of Yara Clean Ammonia, explains the universal appeal of the power source, while outlining why his company has the experience, knowledge, and global vision to help fuel the future of sustainable shipping. Zero-emission fuel “No one is better positioned than Yara to capture value in the clean ammo...

Fincantieri and TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, celebrated the launch of “Mein Schiff Flow” at the Monfalcone shipyard. The vessel is the second of two next-generation InTUItion class cruise ships, designed for dual-fuel operation (Liquefied Natural Gas – LNG and Marine Gas Oil – MGO). A sister ship to “Mein Schiff Relax”, delivered in February, the new unit is scheduled to enter service in mid-2026. Moderni...

ABS has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Light Structures for its new hull monitoring concept, ARGUS-VM. The ARGUS-VM concept received a SMART (SHM) Tier 1 AIP from ABS, which provides industry recognition that the product complies with the functional and system requirements listed in the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units. Range of shipowners ARGUS-VM provides virtual sizes of hull responses using vessel data from existing onboard systems Unlike trad...

Brunvoll has signed a contract with VARD for the delivery of an extensive propulsion and manoeuvring system for Dong Fang Offshore’s new Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel (OSCV). The contract is for delivery for one vessel, with one additional vessel as an option. Brunvoll’s delivery for the vessel consists of two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two resiliently well-mounted tunnel thrusters, and a retractable azimuth thruster. The scope also includes Brunvoll’s Propulsion and...

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces, is set to welcome global naval pioneers, defence ministers, chiefs of staff, government officials, and industry executives from around the world for its ninth edition, taking place from 19 to 22 January 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Held under the theme &...

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), aboard the Office of Naval Research (ONR)-owned research vessel (R/V) Atlantis, visited and documented the final resting places of two U.S. Navy sunken military craft off San Diego with the human-occupied vehicle (HOV) - Alvin in late February 2025. Alvin, carrying a science observer from both NHHC and ONR, was piloted by WHOI to explore the World War I-era submarine USS F-1 (SS 20), which serves as t...

As the global shipping industry races to decarbonise and digitalise, Simon Fotakis, Director of Technology Sales at SmartSea, powered by SITA, and a Certified Information Services Security Professional (CISSP) is calling on the industry not to forget about the importance of cybersecurity. Despite increasing digital integration, the maritime sector remains highly vulnerable to cyber threats, many of which target poorly protected onboard IT systems rather than core navigation or pr...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its Wärtsilä 20 main engine and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for a new 40.9-metre long state-of-the-art fishing vessel, specifically designed for lobster fishing. The vessel, which will operate in North Atlantic waters, has been ordered by Canadian operator Clearwater Seafoods and will be built at the Hvide Sande Shipyard in Denmark. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2 2025.  Services for the fi...

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade grew by 2.4% in 2024 to 411.24 million tonnes (MT), connecting 22 exporting markets with 48 importing markets. Asia Pacific remained the largest exporting region with 138.91 MT in 2024, adding 4.10 MT over 2023. European LNG imports declined sharply, falling 21.22 MT year-on-year to 100.07 MT, driven by high storage levels at the start of the year, sluggish demand, and steady pipeline flows. However, LNG demand rebounded in Asia, with China and India pos...

Wallem Group, a major global maritime partner, has published a new whitepaper to ensure ships, ship systems, and crews are fully prepared to load, store, and use biofuels in everyday vessel operations. ‘Marine Biofuels: Adoption, use, and best practice’ recognises the contribution that biofuels can make to maritime decarbonisation, while also offering comprehensive guidance on the precautions owners and crew need to consider before and during use. Biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas...

Skyports Drone Services (Skyports), the pioneer in drone delivery and inspection services for healthcare, maritime, logistics and energy use cases, has been conducting a series of Proof-of-Concept Ship-to-Shore beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights and deliveries in Michigan’s Great Lakes region. Conducted in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) and Newlab, the trial is operating fr...

Artemis Technologies, a pioneer in high-performance maritime innovation, alongside Orkney Ferries and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), are pleased to announce the arrival in Orkney of the fully electric hydrofoil vessel – the Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL, named ‘Zevi 1’. The arrival of the Belfast-built Artemis EF-12 Workboat XL is an important landmark in the Electric Orkney project, which aims to demonstrate the benefits of electric-powered hydrofoil workboats and pass...

Marcura and Sedna now announced a partnership giving chartering and operations teams direct access to Marcura’s ClaimsHub from inside Sedna’s email platform Stream. Integration with PortLog is planned for the next phase of the rollout. Together, these tools will help shared customers reduce system switching, speed up decisions, and minimise operational risk. Chartering and operations teams Chartering and operations teams spend much of their day in email, reviewing instructions, ma...

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its design of a multi-purpose liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating facility for deep water (MLF-O). Called MLF-O, the next-generation design from SHI optimises the production facility for deepwater areas with a wave height of nine metres. According to SHI, the design has the advantage of providing faster delivery and cost-effective efficiency compared to onshore plants. ABS completed design reviews based on class an...

Strategic Marine, a pioneer in aluminium shipbuilding, is proud to announce the successful delivery of the first 27m Z-Bow Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) to Taiwan as part of a contract with Ventus Marine Co., Ltd for two state-of-the-art vessels. This milestone marks Strategic Marine’s continued commitment to supporting the offshore wind industry with innovative and high-performance vessel solutions. Offshore wind operations The vessels, designed in collaboration with renowned naval archit...

During the DEEPDIVE - Analyst and Investor Underwater Day held today in Milan, Fincantieri presented its long-term strategic vision for the development of its underwater segment to the financial community, outlining a clear, ambitious, and already well-advanced path of industrial growth. Accounting for about 4% of Group revenue in 2024, the segment is set to double in 2027, reaching 8%, with expected revenue of approximately 820 million euros and est...

They are pleased to announce that Grieg Logistics, which Inchcape Shipping Services acquired in June 2024, will officially change its name to Inchcape Shipping Services on 19 May 2025. This rebranding marks Grieg Logistics' full integration into the Inchcape family, uniting the strengths under one global brand. While Grieg Logistics' name is changing, the commitment to excellence remains steadfast. The dedicated team and exceptional customer service that has defined Grieg Logistics will continu...

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has a long and proven legacy of designing and delivering world-class frigates. Since 1980, 78 vessels have been delivered across 11 different classes, demonstrating deep expertise, innovation, and reliability in naval shipbuilding. Ulstein Group also brings a strong legacy in designing the most advanced marine platforms for demanding operations. With decades of experience in offshore and specialised vessels, Ulstein is known for innovation, safety, and performance in...

Hyundai Global Services (HGS) announces the signing of a contract to deliver its Smart Ship and Satellite Communications package to KSS Line's shipping fleet, supported by Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress and digital solution Fleet Connect. This is the first time that the Integrated Smart Ship (ISS) solution from the world’s largest shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), will be delivered as a single package with a satellite communications service. The Smart Ship and Satellite Communi...

Sea trials are performed in northern waters – typically at depths of 200-300 metres off the coasts of Norway, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland. Responsibility for conducting sea trials lies with the Development Test and Verification (DTV) department. During a heavy weather sea trial, test participants are stationed for more than two weeks in challenging conditions on a mother ship with a shared bath and toilet – i...

Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) served by liferafts is an efficient and widely used method for mass evacuation at sea.  With passenger ship capacities increasing, the ability of MES to evacuate hundreds of people in a matter of has been tested exhaustively in Beaufort Sea State 6 conditions. MES and liferafts MES and liferafts – five things they need to know To be compliant, liferafts must be designed in accordance with SOLAS Chapter lll and the LSA Code. All VIKI...

Immersion suits are a crucial safety tool for survival in cold water, designed to protect the wearer by minimising body heat loss. These suits are available in two types, offering either one-hour or six-hour insulation, which helps to prevent hypothermia in freezing waters. Why immersion suits are designed Combination of features makes immersion suits an essential part of cold-water survival gear Made from waterproof materials, immersion suits cover the entire body, except for the face, ensu...

ClassNK has started offering the 2025 edition of ClassNK Academy's e-learning content. These courses help new employees understand the maritime industry, deepen engineers' knowledge of ship stability, performance design, and structural strength, and enhance cybersecurity awareness for crew members and IT staff. Each course is available on the ClassNK Academy website, making it possible to learn the necessary knowledge anytime, anywhere. Audits of ship management systems ClassNK Academy was es...

Intellian’s eagerly-awaited C700 Iridium Certus® maritime terminal has now been launched and is expected to quickly secure a reputation as the most powerful and technically advanced Iridium Certus® terminal on the market. With its best-in-class RF performance, the C700 can deliver out-of-the-box uplink speeds of 352kbps and downlink speeds of 704kbps by default, with equally impressive low-elevation-angle RF efficiency thanks to its unique 12-patch phased array antenna technology....

While cruises are stuck in port for the next few months, the overall maritime mobility satellite market remains resilient, and increased bandwidth demand from shipping vessels offers a need that antenna companies can meet. Cruises seemed to be a key part of the pandemic’s spread around the world.  A review by The Washington Post of cruise line statements, government announcements, and media reports found that the coronavirus infected passengers and crew on at least 55 ships, abo...

Satcomms is one of the most competitive and challenging sectors in the superyacht industry. Mobile communications on shore are developing at a tremendous pace, with users now able to experience similar connection speeds when roaming as they do in the home or office, and these high expectations continue when an owner or their guests and crew board a yacht. Yet delivering seamless and efficient connectivity at sea is a demanding task: gaming, video streaming, 8K TV, on-board cinema, socialising...

Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd, an industry pioneer in wind-assisted propulsion systems, has announced that it is collaborating with Hafnia Limited, Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), and DNV to develop the integration design of Rotor Sails suitable for installation on 50,000 dwt Medium-Range (MR) tanker vessels. The companies signed a Joint Development Project (JDP) in April 2025 to develop a new generation of efficient and environmentally friendly Rotor Sail vessel designs to increase th...

As the FuelEU Maritime regulation enters into force, the shipping industry may be looking at a surprising upside.  Instead of acting solely as a cost driver, the regulation could create a net financial gain, potentially around €250 million, according to a recent analysis by maritime data and compliance firm OceanScore. “FuelEU isn’t just another penalty,” said Albrecht Grell, Managing Director at OceanScore. “It’s structured in a way that can push money b...

How does ammonia behave when it leaks in an engine room? How does a cloud of escaped ammonia disperse during bunkering operations? These and many other critical safety questions that must be understood if ammonia is to become widely adopted as a marine fuel are addressed in the latest industry-leading ABS research. Risks associated with ammonia dispersion Safety Insights for Ammonia as a Marine Fuel brings together the findings of advanced ABS research into the performance of ammonia on...