Expert Commentary & Analysis on Maritime Industry Trends

Maritime communications came a long way before they could deliver the first Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Still, it is fair to say that their forward march has only accelerated in the two-and-a-half decades since. Today, shipping companies rely on satellite connectivity to protect their vessels and people and enable the digitalisation, decarbonisation, and crew-welfare initiatives on which its successes rely.  Low-Earth orbit (LEO) networks Against this background, t...

Aiming to establish minimum requirements for the cyber-resilience of newbuild vessels and their connected systems, IACS unified requirements (URs) E26 and E27 provide a new benchmark for shipping’s response to its growing exposure to cyber-attacks. Officially in force from 1 July 2024 and broadly welcomed by industry, the new URs represent another step forward in strengthening Maritime's resilience to the evolving cyber threat. However, according to a thought-provoking discussion recently...

Demand for ammonia is being transformed by the energy transition. Until recently used as an input for fertiliser and chemical products, new markets for green and blue ammonia are emerging, replacing fossil energy in power generation, steel production and marine fuel. Today some 200m tonnes per annum of ammonia is produced worldwide with 20m tpa transported in LPG carriers. The scale of the emerging and potential demand will see these figures rise; how quickly this can be achieved will determine...

The terms under the new Building Safety Act 2022 became enforceable from October 1st this year.  Here, Bob Glendenning, Fire Design Engineering Manager of Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, examines why creating a ‘Golden Thread’ of information within the new legislation is so important for those involved in the intumescent coatings industry.  Building Safety Act 2022 The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) has been developed as a new framework for the design,...

The terms under the new Building Safety Act 2022 start to become enforceable from October 1st, 2023. Here, Bob Glendenning, Fire Design Engineering Manager of Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, looks at how early engagement can help engineers and those in the supply chain negotiate their way through the challenges it presents. New Building Safety Act 2022 The new Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) has been developed as a new framework for the design, construction, and occupation...

Global transportation networks are becoming increasingly interconnected, with digital systems playing a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of ports and supply chains. However, this reliance on technology can also create vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by the recent ransomware attack on Nagoya Port. As Japan's busiest shipping hub, the port's operations were brought to a standstill for two days, highlighting the potential for significant disruption to national economies and supply cha...

Humans have always sought to make life easier. It is almost what defines us as a species. We have always sought ways to avoid mundane tasks, from making a pot stand so it doesn’t have to be held over fire, to having an automatic out-of-office reply on your email. Automation Since the industrial revolution, systems have become more complex, and we have seen more interest in the automatic control of those systems, one of which is the automatic steering of ships.  One problem with s...

Seafaring is often deemed a ‘risky occupation’ when it comes to both physical and mental health, involving highly demanding work alongside long working hours, often poor social support, and extended periods at sea. In the Sailors Society’s recent 2022 Cadet Report, they found 57% of Generation Z, those born between 1996-2010, cadets from around the world had submitted scores suggesting anxiety, and that most believed loneliness would be the main cause of any mental health iss...

Health and safety are key considerations for all maritime organisations, in particular, for those operating in remote locations or where extreme weather conditions may put workforces at greater risk. With COVID-19 here to stay for the foreseeable future, it is vital that shipping organisations consider both the short and long term safeguarding measures, which are required to protect their workers at sea. COVID-19 management plans Establishing safe working conditions and providing onboard exper...

Covering over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, the oceans are a vital element of our planet’s ecosystem. However, for the millions of vessels that cross them, the aquatic environment can present a problem. Vessels are increasingly using electrical systems to power across oceans, but a component’s design must account for these extreme conditions. Here, David Atkins, project director at marine resistor manufacturer Cressall, investigates offshore resistor design. Importance of...

When I recently read about OceanXplorers, Disney Plus' new series about heroic scientists researching the world of the deep, I was excited—not least for my kids—and quietly dismayed. Our society needs to do for the ocean what Carl Sagan and Neil DeGrasse Tyson did for outer space: familiarise ourselves, get excited, engage and connect. That said, NASA's funding is $22.6 billion, and NOAA received roughly one-quarter of that at $5.4 billion. A decent amount of people reading thi...

With COP26 just around the corner and a year on from the announcement of the UK Government’s 10 Point Plan, the need to become more carbon neutral is as prominent as ever and is now underway in numerous industries across the world. Frequent severe weather events It’s no secret that the weather is changing, with severe conditions happening more frequently and at pace, with soaring temperatures, storms, flooding and even volcanic eruptions all making headlines on a regular basis. Ho...

Ports around the UK continuously command media attention, and most recently, the ongoing disruption to supply chains globally has had a great impact on the day-to-day running of our ports. One example is Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port, which has been forced to turn away ships from Asia because of a lack of capacity. The severe lack of HGV drivers is adding to the problem too. It has been reported that the amount of time goods spend inside Felixstowe port, known in the indust...

The cruise industry has received a vital lifeline in its bid to safely set sail once again. Several pioneering Finnish businesses and organisations have developed new, innovative safety approaches for the sector to adopt, in response to new post-pandemic measures. These new initiatives and research projects are set to bring the industry back from the brink and ensure a safer and successful cruise experience for all. Undertaking health and safety measures Expectations surrounding cruises toda...

In recent months, COVID-19 has put incredible pressure on global supply chains. But it’s not just the pandemic that is causing unforeseen pressure on the UK supply chain. We have an ageing infrastructure, a chronic HGV driver shortage, record-high prices and record low space availability on sea freight options, new rules in trading with the EU, and in addition, a UK-wide shortage of warehousing capacity. While we have had to stay at home, online shopping has peaked and an increasing amou...