South Africa News

Swiss marine power company WinGD has completed type approval and factory acceptance testing for its X52‑S2.0 engine, bringing a new option to shipowners in need of compact, medium-bore two-stroke engines. The tests at Yuchai Marine Power Co (YCMP) confirmed the engine’s performance and compliance, while the prototype project validated its ease of assembly and maintenance. X‑S series The X‑S series succeeds the well-established RT‑flex50 and RT‑flex58 engines and is available in 52cm and...

The Valencia Containerised Freight Index (VCFI) for the month of June decreases slightly in a scenario in which the activity of the maritime sector is marked by the geopolitical situation, but in which an improvement in the world economy is observed.  Thus, in the sixth month of the year, this price index, which is based on export prices recorded by the Port of València in 13 geographical areas around the world, stood at 1,585.67 points, representing a monthly decrease of -1.30% and...

Columbia Group (Columbia Ship Management) and Crowley have signed a strategic cooperation agreement that broadens both companies’ ship management solutions for customers, leveraging their extensive, industry-renowned expertise across the maritime, logistics and energy sectors. Under the alliance, customers will be able to capitalise on the capabilities of both organisations for more efficient and greater scale of international management services. Columbia and Crowley form strategic alli...

PD Ports has made its largest-ever donation through its employee charity and community fund, in support of a member of the team and his family who use the services of Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice. The grant of £7,500 for the purchase of a specialist bed was made following a request by Mike Lee, a business development analyst, who made an application to PD Ports’ Find It Fund It initiative after seeing the impact of the work done by Zoe’s Place as they support his daughter,...

On July 5th, ClassNK received report from Hitachi Zosen Marine Engine and IMEX that improper rewriting of data concerning fuel consumption rate had been conducted during the shop trial of marine engines manufactured by them. According to these companies, 950 engines from Hitachi Zosen Marine Engine and 414 engines from IMEX had improper rewriting, and about 60% of these engines had been installed to vessels under ClassNK registry. Data concerning fuel consumption rate This inappropriate condu...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing maritime safety through the development of a ship trajectory prediction tool. The trajectory prediction of disabled ships is a critical aspect of maritime safety, facilitating early warnings and rescue operation planning. Understanding and predicting the movement of disabled ships and floating objects drifting in the open sea, under the...

Say goodbye to scribbled handwriting, disjointed data sources and a huge administrative burden, and hello to simple mobile solutions. NAVTOR continues its drive to “make life easy” for vessel crews, management teams and shipowners with the next generation of digital logbooks. Amitabh Sankranti, Shipping Analytics Director at NAVTOR, explains.  Logbooks. One word with a million associations; and most of them far from positive. Essential tools for compliance, treasure troves...

In a few weeks from now, Fender Innovations will be travelling Eastwards again to participate in SMM Hamburg 2024. Taking place from September 3 to 6, 2024, the port city of Hamburg will be hosting this amazing international exhibition for maritime innovation again and they’re looking forward to meet everyone there! Fender Innovations at SMM Hamburg 2024 Visitors can find the Fender Innovations Group in Hall B7, at Stand 718 for a personal update about the company’s latest develop...

Spire Global, Inc. (‘Spire’ or ‘the Company’), a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, was awarded a CA $1.41 million contract by the Government of Canada (GoC) for the provision of global automatic identification system (AIS) ship tracking data. The one-year contract includes options for two additional years, extending the total potential contract value to nearly CA $4.23 million. Spire Global secures contract for ship tracking data &ldquo...

A collaboration between ABB and Arkitech has brought significant efficiency gains for the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system on board MSC Magnifica. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse data from over 1,500 sensors on the MSC Cruises ship, this technology enables up to 12 percent increase in chiller efficiency to achieve monthly energy savings of 100 MW by the 15-year-old ship, while maintaining optimal air-handling unit performance. Energy effici...

The company has started producing medium voltage (MV) soft starters at one of its facilities in South Africa, reducing delivery times for customers and boosting local manufacturing. The SSW7000 soft starters are produced at WEG's manufacturing unit in South Africa, with high-efficiency standards. The SSW7000 line is well recognised in the market and widely used in pump and fan applications in the mining segment. WEG's soft starters With the growing demand for WEG's medium voltage soft start...

Sir Keir Starmer has been appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after the Labour Party secured a majority in the House of Commons in yesterday’s general election. Maritime UK’s Chief Executive, Chris Shirling-Rooke has shared his congratulations and also urged the newly appointed Prime Minister to prioritise the interests and economic prosperity of coastal communities in the Government's upcoming plans and agenda. In the Maritime Manifesto 2024, Maritime UK outlined its a...

IMO’s Technical Cooperation Committee has made headway towards finalising a streamlined, comprehensive strategy for the organisation’s technical support for Member States. Meeting in London from 24 to 28 June, the Committee finalised a revised draft of the IMO Capacity-Development Strategy, aimed at enhancing the maritime capabilities of IMO's Member States, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.  Revised draft strategy Addressing the Mem...

The CO2 Efficient Transport via Ocean (CETO) joint industry project (JiP) concluded recently with the release of a report setting out the findings of the Technology Qualification performed in the study. The project partners, which included Equinor, Gassco, Shell, TotalEnergies, and DNV, have found that there are no technological showstoppers to a low-pressure CO2 ship transport chain. CETO was funded by the project partners and Gassonova through the CLIMIT-Demo programme. Carbon Capture and St...

With the support of RWE, the Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck, has installed its offshore floating solar (OFPV) project, Merganser. The pilot project aims to test and demonstrate the structural, mooring, and electrical designs and acquire knowledge about manufacturing, assembly, offshore installation, and maintenance methodologies required for large-scale commercial deployment of OFPV.  Merganser Merganser has a capacity of 0.5 megawatt peak (MWp) and is located in the Dutch North Sea,...

ClassNK has issued its first type of approval certificate under new IACS cyber resilience measures. The new certificates have been issued to the following products: Applicants Products Rosemount Tank Radar AB(an Emerson company) Rosemount CMS System Kongsberg Maritime AS K-Chief & K-Safe Kongsberg Maritime AS AutoChief 600& K-Steering Unified Requirements (UR) IACS has established two Unified Requirements (UR), UR E26 for ships and UR E27 for on-board s...

Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to announce that they have launched the China Calcutta Service (CCS), the first in the market to link South China to Calcutta directly. The weekly service started on July 2, 2024, from Xiamen. PIL’s continued commitment Mr. Surendran Mathilagath, General Manager of Intra-Asia Services at PIL, said, "PIL is pleased to be a pioneer in offering a direct China to Calcutta service, supporting the high growth and trade in these two economies. Th...

Strategic Marine announced that Louis Dreyfus Armateurs has placed an order for an additional pair of newly built 27M Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), expanding its fleet from five to seven high-specification vessels. These additional new units, sister ships to Acti’Vent and Esti’Vent, will be constructed by Singapore-based Strategic Marine, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two companies. Technological advancements The new 27M Crew Transfer Vessels, inspired by the accl...

Small Hydroelectric Plants (SHPPs) are considered excellent renewable energy resources and represent around 3% of the Brazilian electricity matrix, representing 6.7 GW, according to the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). In this important segment, WEG supplied two 5,226 kW Francis turbines and two 5,550 kVA generators. The equipment was installed at the Macacos SHPP, in Jaguariaíva, in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and operated by Pesqueiro Energia S.A. Turbines and generato...

Port of Rotterdam Authority will contribute to the redevelopment of the lands owned by the state-owned company Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK). In addition to traditional uses, these lands will be used for several new future-proof sustainable economic activities. The Port of Rotterdam Authority is seconding a manager for this purpose on request of RdK. He will lead the team responsible for redevelopment and attracting new business.  Sustainable industry In 2023, the Council of Ministers...

A multi-faceted, comprehensive conference programme addressing the industry’s most pressing issues will once again captivate SMM visitors this year. The pioneering international maritime trade fair will put decarbonisation, digitalisation, recruiting as well as maritime security and defence at the top of its agenda. For the first time, the conferences will take place on the four Transition Stages, freely accessible to all visitors: Green Stage, Open Stage, Cruise & Ferry Stage and Dig...

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) opened the first test field for hydrogen-powered port logistics as well as the corresponding hydrogen refuelling station in the Port of Hamburg today. The test field at the Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT) is another milestone on the path to decarbonising logistics. Together with its partner companies from the Clean Port & Logistics cluster, HHLA is testing the reliability of hydrogen to supply heavy goods vehicles during operations. Hydrogen-power...

Seven nationalities, twenty-one students, twelve days and more than seventy hours of training. These are the figures of the course hosted by the Port of Valencia in the framework of the ‘Train For Trade’ programme, organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Under the name ‘Training of Trainers' workshop. Course on modern port management’, its content -developed by experts from Valenciaport and the port community of Valencia- focuses on...

The business of Mont-Tech Ltd. (Mont-Tech), a Czech engineering company offering customised engineering solutions for assembly automation, has become part of Atlas Copco Group. The company is headquartered in Brno, Czech Republic and has 27 employees. During 2023 Mont-Techs revenues amounted to 3.5 MEUR (40 MSEK). Mont-Tech business "With this acquisition, we will further strengthen our competence and know-how of assembly automation and better serve our customers in this area an...

Extending its trusted relationship with the U.S. Government, Crowley announces the award by U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) of a $ 2.3 billion, seven-year contract to continue serving the military’s transportation and logistics needs under the Defense Freight Transportation Services program. Crowley was awarded the original Defense Freight Transportation Services (DFTS I) contract in 2017. One of the largest logistics contracts under the federal government, DFTS encompasses all f...

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a six-year Lifecycle Agreement with Malaysia-based Nautica Ship Management. The agreement covers two vessels, the MTT Saisunee & MTT Senari, and is designed to ensure that the ships’ exhaust gas treatment systems operate at maximum efficiency. The vessels are feeder container vessels and are fitted with Wärtsilä hybrid scrubber systems. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2 2024. Sustainable operations "It...

ClassNK has released its annual report on Port State Control. The report is prepared to enhance awareness of the present state of PSC and improve future onboard maintenance and inspections as well as Safety Management Systems. Statistics and data analysis The report includes statistics and data analysis on ships detained by PSC, as well as typical defective photos. In 2023, 419 PSC detentions were reported for 398 ships classed by ClassNK. ‘Fire safety deficiencies’ such as &lsquo...

Oceania Cruises, the world’s renowned culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, is offering up to 40% off 50 global voyages in its Annual Summer Sale, which runs through August 26. The promotion offers travelers ultimate value along with the chance to explore some of the most sought-after and idyllic parts of the world aboard the line's eight ultra-premium small ships, which are perfectly sized to call on off-the-beaten-path ports, as well as landmark cities across six continents. O...

The 2024 edition of The Future of Maritime Safety Report from Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, reveals that Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress calls decreased by 7.6% in 2023 over the previous year. Despite this decline, the service was still triggered on 788 occasions and remains close to the six-year average of 799 calls per year. This statistic underscores the ongoing challenges in maritime safety and the need for real improvements. Overcoming operational c...

Consort Bunkers Pte. Ltd., ClassNK, Yanmar Asia (Singapore) Corporation Pte Ltd, and Taiko Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate towards introduction of more bunkering ships capable of handling alternative fuels. Biofuel/methanol bunkering tankers Singapore-based Consort Bunkers placed an order with COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Guandong) Co., Ltd. to construct four 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 tankers, ready for biofuel and methanol bunkering. Incorpor...