Christmas Island News

The ABB-powered all-electric tug eWolf has been christened this week at the Port of San Diego, California, marking a new chapter in vessel electrification in the United States. Owned and operated by Crowley, eWolf features an end-to-end electric propulsion system from ABB including a 6.2-megawatt-hour energy storage system (ESS). This allows the vessel to achieve 70 short tons of bollard pull with zero emissions and complete a full day of work on a single charge. Given electricity is cheaper t...

ABS and FibreMax signed a pioneering agreement to collaborate on stiffness-driven mooring tendons for the offshore wind market. The collaboration, which is principally focused on floating offshore wind assets, will see ABS provide qualification of FibreMax’s fibre and small rope testing. ABS will evaluate test methods for accuracy in predicting the parameters needed to perform representative analysis, focusing on stiffness. FibreMax will provide expertise on stiffness, based on its p...

260 registered participants and 115 institutions from 41 different countries. These are the main figures of the IAME 2024 Annual Conference whose inauguration was held at the Port Authority of Valencia this morning.  The Conference was inaugurated by Francesc Sánchez, president of the Valenciaport Foundation; Antonio Torregrosa, director of the Valenciaport Foundation; Rosa María Donat, vice-rector of Innovation and Transfer of the University of València; Enrique Belda...

A delegation of European representatives of the Environment visited this morning the Port of Valencia. Led by Patrick Child, deputy director general of Environment of the European Union (EU), the group of ten officials -from six different EU nationalities-, three representatives of the City of València, and Maider Etxebarria, mayor of Vitoria, have toured the site in order to see the environmental projects that Valenciaport has underway. Along with Child, have visited the Port of Val&e...

HMM, Korea's largest and the world's eighth-largest container carrier, has announced a strategic partnership with CargoX, a pioneering provider of electronic trade document solutions. This collaboration introduces electronic bill of lading (eBL) features on the HMM digital service platform. Through this partnership, HMM customers will benefit from the advanced functionalities of the CargoX Platform, which will be integrated into HMM's digital services. This integration aims to modernise and str...

Vard Marine Inc. (VARD), a Fincantieri company, has proudly launched VIGILANCE, as their solution to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDV) under Pillar Two of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). In conjunction with Team Vigilance partner companies - Thales Canada, Ontario Shipyards, SH Defence, and Fincantieri, VIGILANCE will provide the RCN with a lightweight and operationally flexible military asset that is highly...

Ocean Network Express (ONE) together with Hutchison Ports Gdynia (GCT) and The North Event, have successfully organised their 4th annual ONE Terminal Run on Sunday 23rd June, 2024. The initiative connects members in the maritime industry in the spirit of fundraising and wellbeing. This year, the race around the GCT terminal in Gdynia, Poland, welcomed approximately 1,300 runners and over 3,000 supporters, including children to join the children’s run. The day saw the adults joining togeth...

ORBCOMM announced the latest generation of its reefer container monitoring solution featuring the CT 3600 device, enabling a new era of intelligent reefer management for shipping lines, container leasing companies and more. “Maritime IoT deployments can be a challenging experience for shipping lines. There are complex technology stacks and the sheer device count of mass deployments to worry about, not to mention third-party installation costs,” said Christian Allred, ORBCOMM SV...

MAN CEON, the digital platform of MAN Energy Solutions, received the ABS Cyber Security Product Design Assessment (PDA) certificate. MAN CEON connects machinery to Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Amazon-based cloud storage platform. The data transmitted is used to provide up-to-date information including the efficiency of components and systems, availability of those systems and real-time monitoring from shore. ABS CyberSafety® Program The PDA is part of the ABS CyberSafety® Program th...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched a white paper urging maritime organisations to strengthen their cyber defences - as the industry continues to adopt connected technologies for digitalisation, decarbonisation, and crew welfare. The whitepaper explores the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)’ new unified requirements (URs) for cyber security. Compiled in collaboration with pioneering classification society and IACS member ClassNK, IACS Unified Requi...

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a global pioneer in maritime safety solutions, has secured a new order for 11 ambulance boats from the Hellenic Coastguard, expanding the coverage provided by VIKING Norsafe vessels to support emergency services for Greek island communities. The new VIKING Munin-S1200 ambulance boats will be used to support emergency services and auxiliary healthcare in remote areas, including the islands of Thassos, Psara, Agios Efstratios, Fournoi, Kea, Lipsi, Kasos, North Evia,...

Watson Farley & Williams advised long-standing client TUI Cruises GmbH on the delivery of Mein Schiff 7, its seventh ship in the Mein Schiff series built at Meyer Turku’s shipyard in Finland.  At ca. 112,000 GT, the 315 metres long, MEIN SCHIFF 7 is a showcase for modern, sustainable shipping. It has been fitted with cutting-edge technology to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and is also equipped with methanol capability and a shore power connection. Representation of TUI Cruises...

Hanwha and Accelleron have performed an engine part load optimisation (EPLO) for Höegh Autoliners supporting long-term energy efficiency for its 7,850 CEU (Car Equivalent Units) car carrier Höegh Detroit. The success of the project to improve the vessel’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating has led to an order for EPLOs on a further seven vessels owned or operated by Höegh. At a recent sea trial, EPLO demonstrated a fuel saving of 10g/kWh, equivalent to 5% of total fuel...

WEG has just released its Integrated Annual Report, highlighting its financial results, commitment to sustainability and innovation strategies in 2023. The company ended the period with around 40 thousand employees distributed across 52 manufacturing sites in 15 different countries. Achieved net revenue of 32.5 billion, reporting a solid year with consistent revenue growth. Reducing carbon emissions In the document, the company highlights its growing quest to maintain sustainability aligned w...

Safe and efficient DESMI mag-drive centrifugal pumps enable leakage-free methanol fuel systems for ships, reducing vessel carbon emissions and climate impact. With every year that passes, emission regulations tighten in the shipping industry. Ship owners who want to stay in business need to look for ways of reducing carbon emissions to comply with the targets defined in the IMO GHG Strategy and other regulations. A promising but toxic alternative Running on alternative fuels is one of the mos...

In a pioneering achievement, DESMI has secured third-party validation for the effectiveness of its aquaculture UV treatment systems from DNV, a global major in quality assurance and risk management. This marks a significant advancement in the aquaculture industry, ensuring greater transparency and trust in UV treatment technologies. On February 16th, 2024, DESMI achieved a milestone by receiving DNV validation for the UV doses applied by its UV treatment systems, specifically designed for aquac...

Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM), a renowned provider of global voice and data satellite communications, has announced expanded commercial availability of its Satellite Time and Location (STL) service, the leading alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solution. Driven by increased commercial demand, Iridium partners are now authorised to sell the service in parts of Europe and Asia Pacific, helping to protect locally relied upon GNSS systems, like GPS and Galileo, with a signa...

International®, AkzoNobel’s marine coatings brand has announced that a new cable-laying vessel, the Monna Lisa, owned by Prysmian, is to be coated in the Intergard® 7500 primer and Intersmooth® 7465Si antifouling solution. This decision is estimated to reduce the vessel’s carbon emissions (CO2) by 672 tonnes over the dry docking period and lower Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) by more than 11 tonnes during construction. By utilising Intergard 7500, a high-solids un...

The performance of Hempel’s cutting-edge silicone-based hull coating solution, Hempaguard X7, and its ability to accelerate decarbonisation efforts in the maritime industry are now third-party validated by DNV. Since its launch in 2013, Hempaguard has provided vessels around the world with significant energy efficiency compared to the industry average and contributed to substantial reductions in carbon emissions. With this external validation by DNV, Hempel is now better able to demonstra...

Ingeteam’s first project for an electrolyser manufacturer’s test bench has been a great success. The project was the first 100% renewable hydrogen production facility to which the Basque technology company supplied capital equipment in mid-2022. Following system commissioning and several months of operation, its success constituted a green light for further projects with the same customer to generate hydrogen for their mobility solutions. Test bench project Such test bench project...

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised the lenders, led by Citi, on the financing and subsequent delivery of Royal Caribbean’s latest flagship vessel, “Utopia of the Seas”. The Norton Rose Fulbright team advised on all aspects of the transaction, including the original financing arrangements and, most recently, the delivery of the vessel. The vessel is the latest Royal Caribbean vessel financed under a French ECA-supported receivable purchase financing and post-deli...

Yarden Gross, CEO and Co-founder of maritime technology start-up Orca AI champions the rapid – but responsible – deployment of smart, cost-effective digital tools to tackle climate challenges in the shipping industry. Leveraging machine learning and data insights, AI solutions are a vital front line in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. AI solutions "AI solutions are crucial for squeezing every last drop of efficiency out of the existing fleet amid increasing pressure to dec...

North, a pioneering provider of smart integrated solutions, has been awarded contracts to the value of £1 million by the Port of Aberdeen to improve the safety, connectivity and sustainability of Scotland’s largest berthing port. The contract includes the upgrade and expansion of the port’s CCTV and security systems and the deployment of private 5G, public Wi-Fi and IoT networks to support a range of solutions to improve operations and customer experience. Marine infrastructu...

The shipping community is appalled and deeply saddened with the tragic news that, yet another seafarer seems certain to have been killed in a drone boat strike on Wednesday 12 June while on board the MV Tutor in the Red Sea. They utterly condemn these assaults which directly contravene the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation. Thoughts and condolences go to the family and loved ones of the seafarer who tragically lost their life. It is deplorable that innocent seafarer...

Oceania Cruises, the world's pioneering culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has revealed the next chapter in its culinary story as it highlights new Relaxed Yet Refined dining venues aboard its eight small, luxurious ships. New sushi and Indian cuisine offerings at Terrace Café and a revamped poolside lunch menu at Waves Grill are in the spotlight as the line redefines The Finest Cuisine at Sea. Winning specialty restaurants Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises, co...

Pioneer shipowner Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN), which has been a publicly-listed maritime company for more than 30 years, has given its backing to the highly anticipated Headline Conference of London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25). The LISW25 Headline Conference will once again be held at the prestigious London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization and will be attended by some of the world’s most prominent shipping and government leaders. There will be much...

Defence giants HII and Babcock have formed a ground-breaking new joint venture and entity – H&B Defence – to accelerate the development of critical sovereign capability for the once-in-a-generation AUKUS conventional armed, nuclear-powered submarine program. H&B Defence combines nuclear submarine and shipbuilding experience from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to support the nation’s inaugural nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS. Skilled...

As part of a CEF Study project co-funded by the European Union, Port of Rotterdam, in collaboration with the municipality of Rotterdam and various partners in the port of Rotterdam, is conducting four feasibility studies for shore power. This takes place at four large terminals in the port of Rotterdam; the ECT (Amazonehaven), APMT2 (Amaliahaven), VOPAK (Vlaardingen) and the Cruise terminal (Wilhelminakade). The studies consist of different parts; detailed technical studies, environmental and s...

The marine tech company Frugal Technologies is advancing its class-approved Frugal Propulsion, a cost-, fuel-, and emissions-saving system for large vessels. The solution also shows temperature, pressure - and vibration deviations, helping engineers and shipowners make smarter decisions. AI-based control system With an artificial intelligence-based control system, Frugal Technologies has helped shipping companies such as Uni-Tankers, Christiania Shipping, and Royal Arctic Line reduce fuel con...

SRC Group and GREEN MARINE have signed a collaborative agreement that brings two of the strongest advocates of methanol as a marine fuel together to develop and deliver Methanol Superstorage to market. SPS Technology The cooperation aims to realise the benefits available to SRC’s Methanol Superstorage solution, which has been turning heads among owners, builders, repairers, class societies, and insurers since its launch. Using the SPS Technology Sandwich Plate System instead of traditio...