Christmas Island News

The UK Ministry of Defence has once again confirmed that the Fleet Solid Support ships will, for the most part, be British built. Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: “For the purposes of procurement the Fleet Solid Support ships are considered to be warships. This has significance in the procurement route we choose to adopt and we are not pursuing an international competition."  "This does not preclude international bidders from participating if they can meet the UK&rsqu...

Rolls-Royce has commissioned its first in-house test stand for MTU hydrogen engines at its Augsburg site. “This marks another milestone on the road to climate-neutral products for energy supply,” explained Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division, during the official commissioning in Augsburg. Over the past year and a half, the company has invested around ten million euros at Rolls-Royce Solutions in Augsburg in test bench modernisation, hydrogen infrastruct...

The USA (United States of America) is already a top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), but the current global energy landscape is requiring a huge effort from the industry community, in order to build additional infrastructure in record time. Natural gas is methane and the liquefaction process is used for transportation on long distances, such as between continents, where pipelines solutions are not viable. The volume of the LNG is 1/600th of its volume as gas. Building modular floating...

Peel Ports Group has announced plans for commercial development at Birkenhead Docks, in collaboration with the specialist manufacturer, Finsa UK. The joint venture, worth more than £ 12 million, will see the creation of contemporary logistics space at a new quayside terminal on the West Float, which will encourage further investment into the local area. Plans for the 6.5-acre development will facilitate Finsa UK’s business growth and enable it to centralise its UK operations to...

Stena Line introduces the second of the two large E-Flexer class vessels to be deployed on the route Karlskrona-Gdynia: In December 2022, the brand new Stena Ebba will join her sister Stena Estelle, which will connect Southern Sweden and Poland from August onwards. The twin ferries are the two largest of the E-Flexer class of Stena Line and have an increased capacity of 50% more cabins, 30% more passengers and 15% more cargo vs existing E-Flexer vessels. “The southern Baltic Sea is a key...

Golden Ocean Group Limited, one of the world’s largest listed dry bulk shipowners, announces that it has entered into agreements for the construction of three high-specification 85,000 dwt ECO-type dual-fuel Kamsarmax vessels, which will be equipped with the latest and most efficient propulsion system. Additionally, the Company announces the sale of two Ultramax vessels, Golden Cecilie and Golden Cathrine. Seven newbuilding vessels The newbuilding vessels will have the same specificatio...

The Valencia Container Freight Index (VCFI) for June 2022 has broken its upward trend with a decrease of -2.19% compared to the previous month. Since July 2020, when it fell by 2.72%, the trend has been one of constant growth (except for February 2022 with -0.19%). The Index stands at 4,647.32 points, accumulating a growth of 364.73% since the beginning of the series in 2018. As for the different areas that make up the VCFI, the general trend has been downward, with the Central America and Car...

ClassNK has released the "Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edtion 2.0)," which sets forth safety requirements for ships fueled by methanol, ethanol, LPG and ammonia. In particular, specific requirements for ammonia-fueled ships have been added to provide guidance for the design of alternative-fueled ships. These guidelines comprehensively describe safety requirements for methanol, ethanol and ammonia-fueled ships. Taking into account the risks posed by the use of alternative fuels...

A Singapore home-grown container shipping line incorporated in 1967, PIL is currently ranked 12th in the world with a fleet of around 100 container vessels. Its global trade network spans Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Oceania, supported by offices and agencies in over 500 locations in around 90 countries worldwide. Due to its early forays into China and Africa, PIL has established a unique and strong presence in these countries. Other brands in the PIL group includes Marian...

Within the range of infrastructure works underway to upgrade the Passenger Port of Genoa, quay wall renovation at Ponte dei Mille East begins to take shape. Plans are afoot to equip the berth for the next-generation cruise vessels, thereby providing Stazioni Maritime with an additional mega-cruise pier, alongside Ponte dei Mille West which can already accommodate the ultra-large passenger ships following the recent completion of dredging works. Redevelopment The project foresees the extension...

International Maritime Organization (IMO) representatives at the United Nations Ocean Conference 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal (from June 27 to July 1, 2022) have highlighted the IMO’s ongoing commitment to preserving the world’s ocean and combating climate change. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim emphasized shipping’s truly international nature. He said, “The ocean truly sustains us all, and the maritime sector connects us all. A greener, resilient maritime sector is essenti...

Liquid natural gas (LNG) can avoid concerns about global warming in the maritime industry – to a point. LNG is a carbon-based fuel but yields lower emissions than current fuels used in the maritime industry, thus enabling compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) goals to address greenhouse gas emissions. LNG offers an attractive transition route until even more environmentally friendly approaches become practical, although costs to transition existing vessels to LNG are...

Hanseaticsoft, part of Lloyd's Register’s Maritime Performance Services division, a global provider of ship management software and Kaiko Systems, a renowned provider of a user-friendly data collection and analysis tool, have announced that they will be integrating their systems to ease technical management and increase collaboration between vessels and staff on shore. Hanseaticsoft offers a cloud-based management system for shipping and ship management companies, Cloud Fleet Manager (CFM...

The company Zeleros presented this morning in the Port of Sagunto its SELF (Sustainable Electric Freight-forwarder) project to develop its sustainable container movement system based on the hyperloop initiative, which will have a test track located in the Sagunto area. The event was attended by the president of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), Aurelio Martinez, the mayor of Sagunto, Dario Morena, and the CEO of Zeleros, David Pistoni. Innovation and sustainability The president of Vale...

The president of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), Aurelio Martínez, has stressed the importance of supporting “short sea shipping traffic to promote energy transition, the decarbonisation of roads and the fight against climate change. It is vital for the future of maritime transport to encourage this traffic, which implies a great effort from the public administration, but especially from private companies.” During his speech, the president of the PAV made an analysis...

Marine Resources is partnering with Premier Marinas to attract the next generation of talent into short-term and permanent roles. Premier Marinas own and operate ten marinas, along the South Coast and has a wide range of job roles and career options on offer for those excited to gain a foothold in this thriving sector. "We absolutely love working with leading brands here at Marine Resources and Premier Marinas is just that” said James Ward, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of...

Tokyo-based Classification Society - ClassNK has released the latest ‘ClassNK Technical Journal’, which has been published for contributing to the development of the maritime industry, through the outcome of R&D (Research & Development) and technical activities. ClassNK Technical Journal The latest issue ‘ClassNK Technical Journal No.5 2022 (I)’ focuses on ‘Zero-Emission Ships’, including efforts of the planning and design of next-generation greener...

Together with partners - MPC Container Ships ASA and MPC Capital AG, Topeka has contracted two 1300 TEU carbon neutral container vessels. Both vessels will be delivered in 2024 and immediately move into long-term contracts with North Sea Container Line. Carbon neutral container vessels Benefitting from dramatically reduced emissions, the two new-build ships will replace three of North Sea Container Line’s (NCL) current diesel-powered vessels, which will be phased out of operations. ...

MPC Container Ships ASA is pleased to announce the following company update: MPCC has contracted two carbon-neutral 1,300 TEU newbuildings at Chinese-based shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering for delivery in the second half of 2024. The vessels come with a dual fuel engine setup which enables operation on methanol as well as conventional MGO, allowing MPCC to take a significant leap forward in its commitment to use carbon-neutral solutions in regional container trades together with stron...

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has entered into an agreement to acquire Lithuanian smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer - NanoAvionics. The planned acquisition expands KONGSBERG’s space offering to also have products and technology for manufacturing small satellites. NanoAvionics is a globally renowned smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer with significant global growth in recent years, including expansions into the United Kingdom and the United State...

Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to announce the award of a contract to Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for the construction of four 8,000 TEU Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels. These vessels will each be equipped with an ammonia intermediate ready fuel tank. The four vessels will be delivered progressively in 2025. Contract for 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels We have decided to place an order for an additional four 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels for two key reas...

The latest Neptune Indicator research shows that the number of seafarers onboard vessels beyond the expiry of their contract has decreased slightly to 4.2% from 4.3% in the last month, while the number of seafarers onboard vessels for over 11 months has remained stable at 0.3%. For the eighth consecutive month, Global Maritime Forum observe little change in the numbers reported, as it confirm the entry into a ‘new normal’. The Neptune Indicator also reports a 2.8 percentage point in...

Orbital Marine Power (Orbital), the renewable energy company focused on the development and global deployment of its pioneering floating tidal turbine technology, has reached a significant operational funding milestone. New investment secured from the Scottish National Investment Bank and individuals via the Abundance Investment platform will finance the ongoing operation of the O2, the company’s 2MW+ floating turbine. These debt facilities will be serviced by the long-term sale of electr...

Tokyo-based Classification Society – ClassNK has released the latest version 2.0.0 of ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’, a mobile app to assist the improvement of Port State Control (PSC) performance and ship management systems, provided free of charge. ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ app Based on the database of PSC reports inputted by ship managers, ship owners and ClassNK, ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ mobile app provides various functions, in order to help...

The Clock Building of the Port of Valencia will host next Wednesday 6 July the conference ‘Short Sea Shipping in the Port of Valencia: A competitive, innovative and environmentally responsible option’ in which experts from the maritime-port sector will analyse the logistical and environmental benefits of short sea shipping. The event is organised by the Spanish Association for the Promotion of Short Sea Shipping SPC Spain in collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV)....

The WESMAR HD860 runs in two different modes; a narrow beam searches long-range in searchlight fashion or a wide beam to bottom type the sea floor ahead. It’s a dramatic and very effective tool for fishing, being deployed with high success by captains in Dutch Harbor, Washington, Oregon, and California coasts, and as far south as Mexico.  Fishing vessels “The HD860 is just one of the money-making pieces of gear for vessel owners that we’ll be demonstrating,” said...

One of Orbital’s key objectives is reducing carbon emissions by harnessing an entirely untapped source of renewable energy. In doing so, the company aim to help restore oceans after what has been a disastrous decline in species and ocean health over the past two centuries. UK is fortunate that it has a well-established environmental licensing framework for the deployment of tidal turbines in the marine environment, which has led to extensive environmental characterisation and monitoring o...

A global pandemic, the war in Europe since 1945, rising temperatures caused by climate change, and severe disruptions to global supply chains have created new uncertainties for the maritime sector. The Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit will bring together top decision-makers, thought providers, and experts from across the maritime spectrum and beyond, to make sense of what these challenges mean for the maritime industry and to collectively identify ways in which they can take action t...

The Board of Directors of Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Lars Kastrup as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PIL, effective from 1 July, 2022. As the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pacific International Lines, Lars Kastrup is responsible for leading PIL’s continued growth and development, including its sustainability transformation path towards net zero carbon emissions. Industry veteran appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO)...

The Port of Valencia has welcomed the Iacobus Maris fleet, the sailing ships taking part in the longest maritime Xacobean route in history, which departed from the port of Genoa bound for Galicia. The President of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), Aurelio Martinez, has held a meeting with the honorary consul of Italy, Adriano Carbone to coordinate the presence of the fleet that will remain in the Port of Valencia until Sunday. Lacobus Maris Route The Iacobus Maris Route commemorates the j...