Fiji News

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised Viking Ocean Cruises (“Viking”) on the delivery of the ocean ship - 'Viking Vela' from Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, Italy. The 'Viking Vela', the 11th ship delivered to Viking by the Fincantieri Group, is built according to the latest navigation and safety regulations. It is also equipped with high-efficiency engines and systems that minimise the pollution of exhaust gases and that meet the strictest environmental requiremen...

Kongsberg Digital and PSA Marine Pte. Ltd. have entered into a strategic collaboration to enhance maritime harbour pilot training, leveraging cutting-edge simulation technology to equip PSA Marine’s harbour pilots with advanced skills to navigate the growing complexities of maritime operations, including autonomous ships and sustainable propulsion systems. Integrated marine services Headquartered in Singapore, PSA Marine provides integrated marine services, which are primarily pilotage a...

Leask Marine was delighted that Haventus put their trust in their team to support their shared vision to return the Port of Ardersier to a fully working commercial port.  The Leask team spent the 2024 summer season performing a UXO and debris clearing campaign with their marine spread consisting of vessel & barge fitted with excavators, hoppers, graders, and metal detectors to remove any potential debris ahead of the dredging campaign in 2025.

As part of its strategy to penetrate new and emergent markets, Thordon Bearings has appointed Axioma servisas as its sales, service, and distribution lead for Lithuania.Lithuania has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU over the past five years. The country continues to actively develop its maritime, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors, as part of government policy to strengthen the country’s industrial competitiveness. Technology solutions Vilnius-headquartered...

Hexagon announced an agreement to acquire Septentrio NV, an OEM provider of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies, to drive innovation and expand the market reach of Resilient Assured Positioning solutions. High-accuracy and performance Combining Septentrio's pioneering GNSS platform with Hexagon’s extensive positioning portfolio, including sensor fusion, anti-jamming, correction services, and perception technologies, will enable cutting-edge solutions for diverse mark...

Vigor announced Mark Norris has joined the company as Vice President of Marine Fabrication. Norris will oversee one of the pioneering and most innovative marine vessel fabricators in the U.S., which is currently in production on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light), or MSVL, the U.S. Army’s new generation landing craft. He will be responsible for growing and maintaining an experienced, skilled team, while leading Vigor’s defence and commercial marine fabrication projects....

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has announced a new leadership structure to execute on its multibillion-dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. Jason Montague has been appointed Chief Luxury Officer for NCLH, effective February 17, 2025, overseeing both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, capitalising on his extensive industry expertise and strong track record previously pioneering these brands. This appointment underscores NCLH’s focus on it...

Steel cutting ceremony of the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) for Indian Navy was held on 16 Dec 2024 at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. Commodore S Parthiban, Warship Production Superintendent, Warship Overseeing Team (WOT), Kochi, conducted the steel cutting of the first steel plate for Ship No. BY-531. Shri KN Sreejith, Director (Operations), Shri Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director (Ship Repairs), Shri S Harikrishnan, Executive Director (Shipbuilding) of CSL, and senior officia...

Adani Ports & SEZ, through its subsidiary, Ocean Sparkle Limited, has placed an order for 8 nos of 70 T Bollard Pull ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) Tugs on Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) – the pioneering shipyard in India. This is in addition to the 3 nos of the 70 T Bollard Pull Tugs already under construction at Udupi-CSL for Ocean Sparkle Limited, totalling 11 Tug orders on Udupi-CSL. Designs of Robert Allan Limited The 7...

Strategic Marine is proud to announce the signing and delivery of its first Surface Effect Ship (SES) to All Energies Services (AES), a groundbreaking moment in the company’s advancement within the offshore oil and gas sector. The contract marks a major step in Strategic Marine’s ongoing collaboration with AIRCAT Vessels, ESNA – Espeland and Skomedal Naval Architects, and AES bringing a revolutionary 35-meter SES vessel to life. Surface Effect Ship This high-perfor...

A rescue deal for the Belfast-based shipbuilder, which could be announced as early as on Thursday, 19th Dec 2024, is expected to include job guarantees for its workforce of more than 1,000 people. Sky News has learned that ministers hope to announce that Harland & Wolff (H&W) and its four UK shipyards are being acquired by Navantia, S.A., S.M.E, the Spanish shipbuilder, after months of negotiations. H&W’s assets and sites Navantia’s board is expected to meet to ratif...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) concludes 2024 with remarkable achievements across sustainability, innovation, and maritime safety, making its Golden Jubilee year a testament to its legacy and vision. From spearheading decarbonisation projects to reviving India’s maritime heritage, IRS has reinforced its leadership role in the global maritime sector. Step in maritime innovation It classed a next-generation electric ferry, furthering the push for cleaner maritime transport In line wit...

ABS and Akselos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance engineering and certification processes for floating offshore wind projects. The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on solutions aimed at optimising design, reducing costs, and improving efficiency for the floating wind sector globally. Akselos' simulation technology The alliance utilises ABS's expertise in offshore credential and type with Akselos' technology The collaborati...

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) marked a transformative year in its 2023-2024 Annual Review, launching major initiatives while reaching record membership levels amid growing industry challenges. Outgoing Chairman Dimitri Fafalios reflected on key developments during 2024, including the August launch of the Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence (DBCE) and its DryBMS portal, demonstrating the sector's dedication to operational excellence. Latest Bulk Carrier Casualty R...

Ingeteam has been awarded a new contract to support the green hydrogen sector in Australia. Ingeteam will supply six rectifiers to help develop Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology for its customer, Fortescue, in Queensland. In its role as a technology partner, Ingeteam will provide three full skid solution units, equipped with six INGECON H2 E series rectifiers, to supply up to 12 MW of energy to each of the electrolysers. It will also involve commissioning the highest curr...

WEG celebrates the remarkable achievement of supplying two thousand generators to Vestas one of the vital components of the turbines produced by the Danish company, further strengthening its contribution to the clean energy sector in Brazil. The equipment, designed to operate in Vestas wind turbines, is installed in various wind farms across the country, highlighting the shared commitment of both companies to sustainability and the development of Brazil’s renewable energy matrix. WEG&r...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) Board of Directors has elected Soren Toft, CEO of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, as the new Chair of the World Shipping Council Board. Randy Chen, Vice Chairman of Wan Hai Lines, has been elected Vice Chair. Soren Toft and Randy Chen will serve a two-year term, effective immediately. The new Chair and Vice Chair succeed Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG, and Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE, who have served as Co-Chairs of the WSC Board...

ABS will deliver audits of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) on behalf of the Italian Administration from January 1, 2025, following an agreement signed at Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport. ABS statutory activities As a Recognised Organisation of the Italian Administration, ABS will conduct statutory activities, including approval of Ship Security Plans, security verifications, and issuance of Interim International Ship Security Cert...

Langstone Harbour, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has completed the successful installation of a comprehensive marine environmental monitoring solution provided by OceanWise. Langstone Harbour, located between Portsmouth and Chichester on the southern coast of Hampshire, is renowned for its rich wildlife and is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). Managed by the Langstone Harbour Board, it is a hub for a range of activities, including commercial shipping, fis...

Brunvoll has secured another contract with Myklebust Shipyard for the delivery of a comprehensive thruster package. This confirms the option for an additional vessel for REM Offshore, originally announced in May of this year. Like the previous contract, this agreement also includes an option for a third additional vessel. Brunvoll’s thruster package Brunvoll’s thruster package consists of two propulsion azimuth thrusters and a tunnel thruster Brunvoll’s thruster packag...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, has signed a three-year Service & Maintenance Agreement with Greek fleet-owner GasLog LNG Services. The agreement covers five 180,000 m3 LNG Carrier vessels, all of which are fitted with Wärtsilä mixed refrigerant (MR) Reliq liquefaction plants. The signing took place in December 2024, and the order was booked by Wärtsilä in the same month. Wärtsilä digital services...

Swiss marine power company WinGD has reached a milestone in realising its X-DF-M methanol-fuelled engine design, running the first commercial engine at full load on more than 95% methanol fuel. The ten-cylinder, 92-bore 10X92DF-M engine was run on a testbed at CSSC-MES Diesel (CMD) in Shanghai in mid-December. Newbuild X-DF-M engine The single-fuel 10X92-B engines on earlier vessels in the series will be converted for methanol The engine will be installed on the fourth of a series of 16,000...

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a substantial contract to provide an integrated package of electrical, control, safety and propulsion systems for the Golar Mk2 Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG) project. Valued at more than $25 million USD, this contract will see Kongsberg Maritime technology form a key part of the new onboard systems for a major rebuild project in which Golar’s LNG tanker Fuji LNG, will be lengthened by nearly 100 metres and converted to a FLNG vessel. The work is bein...

“Many of our sustainable transportation programs and initiatives tend to become mode-centric, but it is critically important to optimise the overall sustainable freight transportation across modes from origin to destination, which requires a system of systems focus.” That was the message to U.S. transportation industry and Government pioneers from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki at the Sustainable Freight Workshop at the White House. Marine transportation mode Advant...

Technology group Wärtsilä’s focus on supporting the marine industry’s efforts to decarbonise operations continues to drive concrete steps forward. The latest order is to supply a complete propulsion package for a 38,000 DWT methanol-ready cement carrier vessel. When built, this will be the world’s largest vessel of its type, and the first with a methanol-ready notation. The order has been placed by NovaAlgoma, a joint venture between the Italian Swiss-based, Nova Mar...

DNV has released a competence standard (ST) for methanol and a recommended practice (RP) for ammonia, to enable crew and shipowners to tackle the safety risks and challenges posed by the introduction of new alternative fuels and technologies through shipping’s decarbonisation. While new fuels and technologies are key to achieving maritime decarbonisation, their adoption necessitates robust safety and competence frameworks. DNV’s Insights platform The number of vessels typed with a...

ABS has awarded Hanwha Ocean Approval in Principle (AIP) for its Pre-FEED Standard FPSO Design intended to create an asset optimised for deployment in the deep waters of West Africa. The FPSO design is 340 m long and capable of storing approximately 2.38 million barrels of crude oil, with a daily crude oil production capacity of 190,000 barrels. Developed to accommodate topsides for crude oil and or gas production facilities, the hull is designed to operate for up to 20 years without the need f...

Guy Hindley has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Baltic Exchange Council, with effect from 1 January 2025, following the leadership of Lord Jeffrey Mountevans who has held the position for the past two years. Guy Hindley, who has served on the Baltic Exchange Council since January 2019, has a long and distinguished career in the maritime sector, including his role as Managing Partner of Dry Cargo division at Howe Robinson, where he has been a key figure since for nearly four decades.&n...

Ulstein Verft is pleased to welcome BS Offshore back at the shipyard. This will be their first ULSTEIN SX222 CSOV. The hull arrival marks a significant milestone in constructing this state-of-the-art vessel, designed to support the growing offshore wind industry.  The SX222 design, known for its superior operational performance and seakeeping abilities, will ensure the vessel meets the highest efficiency and safety standards. New innovative offshore vessels The vessel is now po...

ABS Wavesight™, the ABS-affiliated Software-as-a-Service company, is pleased to announce that UNI-FLEET SDN BHD, a specialised shipping company operating tanker vessels primarily focused on the transportation of ammonia across Asia, has chosen to implement Nautical Systems (NS) Maintenance Manager and Purchasing Manager modules to revolutionise their maintenance and inventory processes. Integration of NS Maintenance “We’re excited for the opportunity to support UNI-FLEET with...