Albania News

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...

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...

Intellian Technologies Inc., a global technology solutions provider of resilient multi-constellation, feature-rich satellite user terminals and Eutelsat Group. The only GEO-LEO operator in satellite communications, announced today that the new Enterprise Flat Panels are now available exclusively on Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO network. Next-Gen Connectivity Solutions The new series uses Intellian’s innovative antenna technology to deliver enterprise-grade connectivityFeaturing the OW11FM...

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...

The shipping industry is currently navigating a profound transformation driven by environmental concerns, new emissions targets, and evolving regulations. As vessel owners and operators seek to reduce emissions while remaining competitive, determining the right strategy has become increasingly complex. Factors such as alternative fuel availability, fluctuating prices, and an ever-expanding range of technological solutions have made decision-making anything but straightforward. Lack of motivat...

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...

Nor-Shipping 2025, taking place 2-6 June in Oslo and Lillestrøm, has announced a major partnership with Emirates.  The pioneer airline has signed as Lounge Partner, taking charge of the luxurious Emirates Lounge at the exhibition centre, while also offering Nor-Shipping participants and visitors exclusive fares. Exclusive benefits for attendees A first-class meeting place with exclusive benefits, and premium hospitality elevating the Nor-Shipping experience"Emirates is a global br...

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...

Avikus, HD Hyundai’s specialised Autonomous Navigation Technology subsidiary, announced its innovative smart navigation and docking solution, NEUBOAT, has been selected 2025 Product of the Year at this year’s Korea International Boat Show (KIBS), held February 28 through March 2 in Seoul, South Korea. Spanning three full halls of the sprawling Kintex Exhibition Centre in Goyang, KIBS attracts an average of 65,000 visitors over its three-day run and has grown to rank among the most i...

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...

Kongsberg Maritime has secured its latest upgrade project to convert the double-ended car ferry MF Hamlet to emission-free battery-powered operation. The ferry, operated by Öresundlinjen, on the route between Helsingør, Denmark, and Helsingborg, Sweden, will see a major upgrade including installation of large battery packs and new permanent magnet motors for the azimuth thrusters. Primary goals of the project The primary goals of the project include achieving zero emissions, enabl...

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...

Cummins Inc. has received Approval in Principle (AIP) from DNV for its methanol-ready QSK60 IMO II and IMO III engines, available in power ratings from 2000 to 2700 hp (1491-2013 kW). The approval, granted in June 2024, validates Cummins' retrofittable methanol dual-fuel solution for the global marine market, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of safety and performance. Integrated with battery technology Following extensive field testing, Cummins plans to launch the retrofit kits...

Scheduled for February 18-19, 2025, at the AC Bella Sky Convention Centre in Copenhagen, the World Maritime Forum 2025 will gather industry pioneers, policymakers, and innovators to explore the future of global shipping.  Recognised as a premier event in the maritime sector, the forum is dedicated to tackling critical challenges, while fostering collaboration and industry growth. Maritime trends and long-term prospects The conference will focus on essential topics like decarbonisation an...

Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) announced Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry pioneer with a global fleet, has become the latest member to join the cross-sectoral methane abatement initiative. The company is expected to provide valuable insights and support MAMII's ongoing efforts to develop and implement effective methane emission reduction strategies across the maritime industry. Reduction of methane emissions Addressing methane emissions is a key priority...

The Dark Fleet refers to a network of vessels that operate outside of standard maritime regulations, often used to transport sanctioned goods such as oil. These shadowy vessels are also referred to by terms such as Parallel Fleet and/or Shadow, Gray or Ghost fleet. The terms are all manifestations of the same thing – ships that are owned, structured, and operated to avoid exposure to sanctions. Fleet of ships “In fact I would prefer that we use the term Parallel Fleet because it m...

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has been awarded a contract to deliver a 100T AHC crane for a Dive Support Vessel owned by Jana Marine Service Company. The contract, which was booked in the fourth quarter 2024, is not reported as part of Cargotec’s orders received, as MacGregor is reported as part of discontinued operations. The crane delivery to the Guangzhou Salvage shipyard is scheduled in the second quarter 2026, with vessel delivery later that year. MacGregor's local sales team M...

Marcura, the pioneer in digital maritime solutions, has acquired Shipster, a start-up specialising in AI-driven document intelligence. The acquisition further strengthens Marcura’s AI-powered automation roadmap, enabling it to accelerate in line with evolving customer needs and scale to support the growing complexity of maritime workflows. AI-powered automation Shipster’s expertise in agile AI experimentation will help Marcura further refine data extraction Marcura has already em...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, announced that Toei Reefer Line Ltd, a leading supplier of sashimi-grade tuna, will install NexusWave on board the company’s sophisticated factory vessels to support its evolving crew and business connectivity requirements. Expert Crew, Unmatched Quality To maintain a level of quality consistent with the high expectations of its end customers in the Japanese consumer market. Toei Reefer Line employs specially trained personnel to load and operate its...

With increasing regulatory pressure and rising fuel costs, the shipping industry must accelerate decarbonisation while ensuring operational and economic viability. Energy-efficiency measures can play a crucial role in reducing fuel consumption and facilitating the transition to alternative fuels as they become available. To help shipowners identify the best solutions for their fleet, DNV has published a report offering a comprehensive overview of currently available energy-efficiency measures a...

Norwegian chapter of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) recently held its Annual General Meeting in Oslo at the office of law firm Thommessen, with over 50 members attending in person and a record number of proxy votes. Five board positions were elected from a record total of 13 candidates present. Capt. Jaquelyn Burton, EMBA, AFNI, Director of Experience Design at Kongsberg Maritime, was selected as President and is both the first non-...

A new deep water bulk berth has been opened at the Port of Liverpool which will give a major boost to the port’s cargo handling operations. The first deep water bulk berth to be opened at the port in 40 years is located at Peel Ports Group’s Alexandra Complex, and represents an investment of £2 million by Peel Ports as part of its ongoing development of the Alexandra Complex. Bulk storage and handling requirements The new addition will increase the vessel handling capacity o...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, will supply the cargo handling systems for three 45,000 m3 capacity gas carrier vessels being built at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in Korea. The order was placed by HMD and booked by Wärtsilä in Q1, 2025. Two of the ships have been contracted by Singapore and Hong Kong headquartered ship owner/operator Purus, and the third by Pasco Gas, based in Istanbul, Turkey. Both owners have previously or...

The Dynamic Positioning Digital Survey (DPDS) from Kongsberg Marine has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The DPDS application from Kongsberg continuously gathers data from a vessel’s dynamic positioning (DP) system, allowing annual DP surveys to move from in-person assessments on the vessel in a fixed timeframe to remote analysis onshore across a wider, more flexible timeframe. Evolution of digital solutions Per Kongsberg, the DPDS app contributes to reduced vessel downtim...

The impact of carbon capture and digital technologies as well as IMO Mid-Term Measures and FuelEU on the cost of compliance led the discussion at the ABS Middle East Regional Committee Meeting. The committee welcomed Khalid Alhammad, President of Bahri Ship Management, who started his term as chairman of the ABS Middle East Regional Committee. Environmental sustainability and excellence Alhammad said: “This forum has an important role in fostering collaboration among industry pione...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) is advising InfraVia Capital Partners (“InfraVia”), through its InfraVia European Fund VI, on its acquisition of a majority stake in Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (“LDA”), the French family-owned group specialising in high value-added industrial marine services. Expected to be completed in H1 2025, the transaction is subject to prior consultation with employee representative bodies and the usual regulatory approvals. New modes...

COLI Shipping & Transport (Guyana) Inc., part of COLI Group, has successfully completed its first major logistics projects, marking a significant milestone for the company’s operations in the region. With Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy and growing Oil & Gas sector, COLI Guyana is positioning itself as a trusted logistics provider for project cargo, heavy-lift, and specialised transport solutions. Terrain crane-with XPD Global The crane measured 16.19 metres in length a...