Skills - News

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised BNP Paribas, a syndicate of lenders, SACE and SIMEST on the financing of four new cruise vessels for Viking Ocean Cruises. The financing consists of four export credit loan facilities, which are together worth around $2 billion. The facilities are backed by the Italian export credit agency SACE and contain a fixed-rate subsidy offered by SIMEST. Viking Ocean Cruise’s growing fleet The ocean-going passenger cruise vessels are being constr...

Dinnteco America, an established pioneer in lightning protection technology, announced its latest solution for the marine, military, energy, and transportation industries – the Electromagnetic Charge Compensation Device (DDCE). The DDCE is designed to prevent direct lightning strikes by gathering positive charges from its immediate environment, while also gathering negative charges from the clouds and air. Lightning strikes to boat owners The upward path required for lightning can no lo...

OrbitMI, a pioneer provider of maritime SaaS software, announces that Istanbul-based Statu Shipping has deployed its compliance solutions across its fleet of 20 bulk carriers.  Rather than handling compliance as a passive, post-voyage process, Statu Shipping can now monitor and manage compliance outcomes in real time, optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring regulatory adherence throughout the voyage. Reducing CII Impact Using Orbit’s compliance capabilities operators ca...

The Switch, a pioneer provider of innovative power electronics for the marine industry, has signed a multimillion-euro contract with Ålesund-based Vard Electro. It marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge products for innovative system integrators. Future-proof power systems DC-Hub technology holds its role in next-gen maritime electrification for flexible power solutionsThe Switch will supply its DC-Hub technology to multiple vessels on orde...

Michael was raised in the Midwest, where he raced one-designed yachts extensively and sailed collegiately whilst attending the University of Wisconsin. Upon graduating with a BA in English Literature, he worked his way up from chartering in the Caribbean to racing in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Michael then relocated to San Diego in 1992 to take a job as a service representative for Barient/Sparcraft during the America’s Cup. Prior roles of Michael For the past 25...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released a report providing recommendations on how to develop and implement a Safety Management System (SMS) for ammonia-fuelled ships. Recognizing the industry's forecasts on the uptake of future fuels with low to zero carbon emissions, ammonia has emerged as one frontrunner. However, it presents new risks, such as toxicity and corrosiveness. To address these challenges, MTF has developed guidelines to close previously identified gaps when implementing...

HarborLab, the Athens-based maritime technology company, has launched a new AI-powered feature designed to optimise Disbursement Account (DA) analysis and streamline port expense management. This latest innovation, known as HL AI, is part of the company’s drive to fully integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its entire platform ecosystem helping shipowners and operators unlock efficiency and major cost savings in daily vessel operations. Advanced digitalisation systems HarborLab,...

As the shipping industry continues its transition to carbon-neutral fuels, ammonia and hydrogen are emerging as possible fuel options, however mandatory regulations governing their use are not yet in place. DNV’s latest white paper, Safe introduction of alternative fuels – Focus on ammonia and hydrogen as ship fuels, provides shipowners with insights and tools to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and safely implement these fuels. Relevant safety challenges Both hydrogen a...

In recent months, several oil majors have begun to turn away from renewables to refocus on fossil fuels. This will likely lead them to increase their capital budgets for developing deep-sea oil and gas reserves, requiring a balance of new (large-scale) floating production units and commercial vessels to transport products. In this article, they look at the differences between the terms on which commercial vessels are designed, constructed and delivered and those for projects for offshore floati...

Swiss marine power company WinGD has confirmed key parameters for its X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engine design after full-load testing at its Engine Research and Innovation Centre in Winterthur, Switzerland. The performance and emission measurements deliver timely assurance as the first users prepare their vessels and auxiliary systems for ammonia fuel. NOx emissions for operation Emissions data was also urging, with ammonia emissions below 10ppm and N2O below 3ppm The tests confirm engine perfo...

Fincantieri and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the pioneer in innovative cruise travel, celebrated the delivery at the Marghera (Venice) shipyard of Norwegian Aqua, the first ship of the expanded Prima Plus Class that Fincantieri is building for the cruise line. The ceremony was attended by Biagio Mazzotta and Pierroberto Folgiero, respectively Chairman, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, and by Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Fincantier...

Kongsberg Maritime has signed a significant contract for the design of two multipurpose subsea vessels. The UT7623 SEV (Sustainable Energy Vessel) vessels will be methanol-ready and feature battery hybrid technology. These vessels are the first references for Kongsberg Maritime’s latest subsea construction vessel designs and will feature a fully integrated package of technology including rim-drive propulsion, hybrid power and winch systems. UT7623 SEV vessels UT7623 SEV vessels are...

Maritime and offshore energy pioneers from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and throughout South America came together for the first meeting of the ABS South America Regional Committee. ABS is the pioneering classification society among South American and Brazilian shipowners and is the recognised class-of-choice for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units in the region. Maritime and offshore industries Kroustallis reported that ABS has continued to hold the number one position in glo...

Uncertainty about the scale and nature of the IMO’s proposed carbon levy is holding back investment in shipping. That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, during an appearance at the CERAWeek energy conference. Lack of carbon pricing “A carbon levy is a wild card. It will all depend on how it is implemented and enforced. There’s a huge question mark over whether this will deliver for the industry and there is much still to be decided,” s...

Gibdock, Gibraltar’s premier shipyard for naval and government vessels, successfully hosted an exclusive Defence Ship Repair Event at the House of Commons last night, bringing together key stakeholders from Government, industry, and the defence sector. The event was hosted by Lord West, the former First Sea Lord, and featured keynote speeches from The Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement, Tan Dhesi, Chairman of the House of Commons’ Defence Committee and Alan Donn...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has verified its fully managed bonded connectivity service, NexusWave, achieved maximum download speeds of 330–340 megabits per second, with maximum upload speeds of 70–80 Mbps, in real world tests. The trials demonstrated average download and upload speeds of 120–150 Mbps and 20–45 Mbps respectively, with network availability on board NexusWave vessels over 99.99%. Inmarsat Maritime’s NexusWave In addition to unparalleled spe...

Baltic Exchange has introduced a series of green fuel options to its FuelEU voyage and compliance cost calculator as more shipowners, traders and charterers seek to understand the commercial implications of this regulation on their voyage costs. Biodiesel, bio-LNG, bio-LPG, green methanol, green hydrogen and green ammonia have all been added to the calculator, either as green fuel or blend options. Overview of the cost implications Baltic Exchange’s FuelEU Maritime calculator provides a...

The ABS-classed Liza Unity has become the first FPSO in the world to receive the SUSTAIN-2 notation from ABS. The notation is the next level in the vessel sustainability program developed by ABS to help fleets meet the environmental and human elements requirements contained in the strategic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations. Usage of low-carbon fuels SUSTAIN-2 recognises additional attributes such as the usage of low-carbon fuels Liza Unity was the first...

Nexans is a pioneer in the design and manufacturing of cables systems and services, specialising in the offshore wind market and subsea interconnectors. To secure Nexans’ cable deliveries to transmission system operator TenneT's North Sea projects, Eksfin in collaboration with Societe Generale provides a EUR 290 million performance guarantee. Nexans’ legal entity in Norway To support the delivery of subsea power cables for Germany’s renewable energy expansion, Export Finance...

The hull of yard number (Yno) 321 for BS Offshore arrived at Ulstein Verft. This marks the beginning of a new phase in the shipbuilding process. The vessel is designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS for ‘walk-to-work’ (W2W) operations, where personnel walks via a motion-compensated gangway from the ship to a wind turbine. Hull arrival at Ulstein Verft The hull arrival at Ulstein Verft marks a new phase, which includes securing, painting While the hull has been under constru...

For the first time in history, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) International Board will hold its mid-term meeting in India. This landmark event underscores WISTA's dedication to fostering diversity, inclusion, and leadership in the global maritime, trading, and logistics sectors. Transforming maritime operations To commemorate this historic occasion, WISTA India is hosting its first WISTA International EXCO Conference, titled "Navigating Change: The Fu...

Pioneering maritime law firms Hill Dickinson and Alley Maass, both longstanding pioneers in superyacht legal services, have announced a formal alliance to significantly enhance their global capabilities and client services. With headquarters in the UK, Hill Dickinson has a globally renowned maritime law practice, with over 120 specialists across major shipping hubs. Alley Maass, based in Florida, US, has more than 30 years of maritime law experience, advising clients on complex issues related t...

Compliance with global maritime safety regulations is not optional but the reasoning behind a given set of rules can often be opaque, with the user sometimes finding fault with individual requirements or tempted to see a dislocation between dry legal language and real-life situations. But the legalese is a manifestation of the precision regulators bring to their craft and reflects repeated consideration of the same issues, lessons learned from actual maritime incidents and investigations, and c...

VIKING uses a test tower facility to perform onshore full scale testing of free-fall lifeboats, as required by DNVGL-ST-E406. This avoids the complexity and risk of testing from offshore installations. And the approach is recognised by classification societies and national authorities. Onshore testing to offshore activities Regulators are also insisting that the periodic free-fall testing is completed The onshore tower facility is increasingly engaged by construction yards who wish to rece...

VIKING Norsafe rescue boats are used every day by thousands of operators in the oil and gas industry as well as the renewable energy sector. The design and construction of these boats showcase all of VIKING Norsafe's ability and experience. The rescue boats and fast rescue boats provide great maneuverability with low maintenance standby and operation providing the means for effective search and recovery for people at sea. VIKING Norsafe rescue boat MERLIN-615 R and MAKO-655 are available as a...

Elta has launched a new high-performance EC axial fan specifically engineered for the demanding conditions of marine applications. The EMEC Marine Fan has been designed with precision and built to endure the harshest environments, demonstrating Elta’s ongoing commitment to innovation and quality. Challenges to maritime operations With the continuing challenges inherent to maritime operations – including corrosion from saltwater exposure – the need for corrosion-resistant, en...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published a comprehensive report titled "Safe Carriage of Electric Vehicles," addressing the critical issue of transporting electric vehicles (EVs) on Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels. With the increasing number of EVs being transported on vessels and rising safety concerns regarding onboard EV fires, the industry needs to be better prepared to detect, prevent and react to fires on board. Characteristics of EV fires There are no international...

To help businesses streamline heavy lifting operations with safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions, Hendrik Veder Group UK has strengthened its strategic alliance with Lift-Tex®. This partnership will ensure that industries reliant on heavy lifting across the UK, including maritime, shipping, construction, oil and gas, and renewables, will gain direct access to the Lift-Tex® advanced Extreema® round sling product line, known for its superior strength, flexibility, and e...

Swiss marine power company WinGD has completed shop tests of its groundbreaking variable compression ratio (VCR) technology. The results confirm that methane reductions from new X-DF engines with VCR technology deliver similar ship greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to high-pressure dual-fuel technologies, while delivering a total system cost and fuel cost advantage for several vessel applications. Dual-fuel engines in maritime The reduction is expected to be even greater for engines with a large...

NorthStandard has appointed Kate Kwiatkowska as its new Head of Sustainability to drive forward a key part of the marine insurer’s long-term strategy. Joining from Fintel plc, where she served as Head of ESG and Corporate Marketing, Kate will be responsible for engaging with NorthStandard members, brokers, employees, and other stakeholders, developing the role sustainability plays in overall strategy and reviewing the Club’s sustainability priorities on an ongoing basis. She will al...