South Africa News

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and The Uttar Pradesh Transport Department have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the UP Inland Waterways Authority. This collaboration aims to develop and regulate inland waterways in Uttar Pradesh, enhancing transportation efficiency and fostering economic growth. Safety and green initiatives IRS will assist the Uttar Pradesh government in formulating the UP Inland Waterways Authority and developing relevant rules based on the...

On the Swedish waters of Volvo Penta’s Krossholmen Test Centre, the company is extensively testing the Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform and setting new standards to examine and refine the offer. The goal is to ensure the system is market-ready and delivers the ultimate experience at sea through flexibility, reliability, and performance. Penta 40 A crucial element of this rigorous approach to on-water testing is a vessel called Penta 40. This 37 m, 199-passenger ferry navigated the...

VSTEP, a provider of maritime simulation solutions, in collaboration with its local partner MAREL Electronics, part of SPACEL, is pleased to announce the extension of a 5-year maintenance and support contract for the Hellenic Navy’s main training hub in Piraeus, Athens. This agreement underscores the commitment to providing continuous assistance and performance checks on VSTEP’s NAUTIS Simulators, further enabling learning by simulation.  Maritime preparedness Since 2...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) applauds the recent adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108). Starting January 1, 2026, these amendments will require mandatory reporting of all containers lost at sea, setting a new standard for maritime safety and environmental protection.  Navigational safety “The new regulations, sp...

From June 1, Unifeeder will offer its customers ‘GreenBox’, a new carbon insetting solution to decarbonise the seaborne sections of their supply chains. The service is an important element in Unifeeder’s wide-reaching sustainability strategy, which aims to cut the business’ emissions by 47% by 2030 and enable customers to accelerate their Scope 3 reductions.   GreenBox Unifeeder Group, a key part of DP World’s Marine Services Division, is already running p...

After 27 years of service, Mr. Lutz Ehrhardt has decided to retire from his position as PhilaPort’s representative in Europe. From his home city of Hamburg, he was The Port of Philadelphia’s liaison with ocean carriers, shippers, and government officials in one of the largest shipping markets in the world. Mr. Ehrhardt will be succeeded by Mr. Uwe Gaede, a well-known shipping major, who was ocean carrier Hamburg’s Süd’s Marketing Director in North Europe for the l...

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited bags orders for the construction of three 70 T Bollard Pull ASD Tugs for Ocean Sparkle Limited, an Adani Harbour Services Limited company. Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of India’s pioneering shipyard, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), has bagged another prestigious order from its existing customer and pioneering Indian tug operator, Ocean Sparkle Limited (OSL), an Adan...

PPG announced that EDR Antwerp shipyard achieved a 40 percent reduction in overspray with the electrostatic application of PPG SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 fouling release coating. The project was carried out on the underwater hull of the RoRo passenger vessel Stena Transporter from Stena Line and is the second successful electrostatic application project for EDR. PPG Sigmaglide coating Electrostatic application has increased transfer efficiency compared to airless spraying Electrostatic application...

Inchcape Shipping Services, a global major in port agency and marine services, is proud to announce the successful acquisition of Grieg Logistics AS from the Grieg Group. This move marks an exciting development, solidifying Inchcape's commitment to servicing customers with quality operations and people in every port. Under the new ownership, Grieg Logistics will continue to operate under the same name for a period and existing management headed by CEO Stig Trygve Andersen. Strengthening active...

According to the latest ABS research, geopolitical instability, scalability of fuel production and retrofits to existing vessels are key factors impacting the shipping industry’s journey to net zero by 2050. The sixth in an annual series, the 2024 Outlook, Beyond the Horizon, Carbon Neutral Fuel Pathways and Transformational Technologies, investigates carbon-neutral fuel pathways and transformative technologies and features an update of ABS’ long-term energy forecast that explores t...

As Posidonia 2024 opens, Norway-based maritime technology business, Shipnet, has announced the launch of Helix, a revolutionary new product designed to transform decision-making in the shipping industry through advanced data analysis.  Helix provides a digital representation of your shipping business, enabling seamless integration and analysis of data from various sources such as safety, pricing, and procurement. By leveraging these diverse data inputs, Helix uncovers actionable insights t...

The first of two new £25 million ship-to-shore cranes arrived aboard a vessel at its new home in a major boost for productivity at the Port of Greenock. The 932-tonne structure was transported to the west-facing freight port following a 1-day journey from Cork in Ireland, where it was built. Work will shortly begin to install the vital infrastructure at the port, and it will be fully operational later this year following stringent testing. Crane capability The cranes will help accommoda...

ICEX Spain Export and Investment is firmly committed to companies working in the field of logistics and supply chain and, as part of its internationalisation strategy, is organising a ‘Conference on Technological Solutions for Global Value Chains’, with the collaboration of the Port Authority of València (PAV). The conference, which is being held today 30 May in València, is the third in a series of travelling sessions throughout Spain that began last year in Madrid an...

The complex decarbonised systems of the future will require autonomous management systems for viable exploitation. These were among some of the key insights shared with delegates at a one-day Automation Summit, part of Singapore Maritime Week earlier in 2024, which was led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s national metrology institute, and Lloyd’s Register, the maritime industry consultancy and services provider. Autonomous ship technology Potential efficiency ga...

ABS and representatives from an HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) consortium signed a pioneering joint development agreement (JDP) that paves the way for the onboard manufacture of repair parts. Using a digital library for the design process and 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), the consortium aims to support rapid maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) on sailing merchant vessels focused on metallic materials. Project partners include ABS; HHI; CScam, 3D print...

A research project that brings together The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (CARES), Laskaridis Shipping Co. Ltd and Metis will evaluate the real impacts of the fuels offered to solve shipping’s decarbonisation dilemma. The International Maritime Organisation’s strategy for greenhouse gases aims at ships reaching net-zero GHG emissions by around 2050 and ensuring uptake of near-zero GHG fuels by 2030. However, reliable real-world data regarding the...

Inchcape Shipping Services, a global pioneer in port agency and maritime services with over 177 years of maritime experience, introduces OneCape DA, an independent specialist disbursement account management solution designed to navigate the operational complexities of port calls, freeing customers to focus on their strategic priorities. The expert team manages all aspects of disbursement accounts, ensuring clients only pay what is necessary. They understand the maritime industry, its network, a...

The expansion of the SolarDuck office in Tokyo signifies its commitment to the Japanese market and serves the Asia Pacific region to accelerate commercialisation. Building on success with first demonstrator delivered in Tokyo SolarDuck gearing up hiring efforts to support its expansion in the region Kick-off event with stakeholders to mark the next stage of growth for SolarDuck Business development activities The regional office will oversee business development activities over the enti...

Tototheo Maritime, a group of companies at the forefront of maritime satellite communication technologies, proudly announces its strategic rebranding to Tototheo Global. This significant milestone marks Tototheo’s evolution to a pioneer in technology solutions. Tototheo Global is now set to deliver comprehensive, innovative services across multiple sectors, including land, sea, and air, with a strong emphasis on connectivity, IoT, AI-driven analytics, and custom software development. The...

Watson Farley & Williams advised EDT Shipmanagement Ltd. on a US$24m sale and leaseback financing transaction in connection with a 91-loa multipurpose platform supply vessel Peridot (built 2005). The vessel, initially purchased by EDT from the Israeli government, was sold to the financing lessor and then subsequently leased back from them under a five-year fixed rate bareboat charter with purchase options exercisable at certain points during the lease period. WFW Athens Maritime team The...

MAN Cryo has been contracted by Torghatten Nord A/S, the Norwegian ferry company, to work on a project encompassing the design and engineering of two hydrogen-powered newbuild RoPax ferries. The project stems from a Norwegian government initiative for major vessels operating on the challenging mainland-Lofoten Islands crossing to become emission-free. Part of MAN Energy Solutions and a pioneering expert within engineering solutions for cryogenic equipment for the storage, distribution, and...

Peel Ports Clydeport has signalled its intention to invest up to £150 million in the redevelopment of the Hunterston marine yard in Ayrshire, as it prepares the site to support the UK’s offshore wind sector. Hunterston PARC is being prepared for occupancy as it seeks to attract major offshore wind projects, amid growing demand for the offshore wind supply chain on the UK’s west coast. Redevelopment of the site A formal planning application for the redevelopment of the site h...

Mark Jackson, CEO of the Baltic Exchange, has been appointed Deputy Chair of the London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) Steering Group. He will support LISW25 Steering Group Chair John Hulmes in overseeing the running of the 2025 event. International shipping knowledge Welcoming Mark’s appointment, John Hulmes said he would bring a wealth of international shipping knowledge and expertise to the role. He stated, "Mark’s international credentials are unquestioned and...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is pleased to announce its successful collaboration with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) on the pioneering technology demonstration of an Autonomous Navigation system with dual navigation capabilities on MDL the tug MT Andaman. IRS team led by Mr. R. Srinivas, VP & HOD Electrical & Control System, conducted a thorough review of the autonomy concept, system documentation, software quality documentation, and a detailed risk assessment by IRS Guide...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed two Lifecycle Agreements covering two ferries owned by Japanese operator - Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd (SNF). The vessels are each powered by four Wärtsilä 31 engines. The agreements are designed to provide optimal operational support in ensuring reliable and efficient performance for the ferries, that serve the busy Yokosuka and Shinmoji route. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in April 2024. Sustainable transport As ferrie...

The first U.S.-flagged Jones Act offshore wind farm service operation vessel (SOV) was christened and launched in a ceremony at the Port of New Orleans. The ABS-classed ECO Edison was engineered and constructed by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) for long-term charter to service offshore wind farms in the northeast United States. EPA Tier 4 emission standards ECO will operate the 80-metre-long vessel, which is capable of housing 70 passengers/wind turbine technicians. The SOV operates...

Metis is launching a completely revised version of its analytics platform, whose additional information layers, advanced filtering, and intuitive navigation also come with a new ‘look and feel’, which enhances user experience and helps clients better manage their ship and fleet performance.  New KPIs Fresh developments cover additional fleet- and vessel-level summary dashboards, as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide improved overviews in specific domains o...

Marflet Marine (Marflet), one of Spain’s longest-standing private shipping companies, has signed a contract with bound4blue for the installation of four 22 m eSAILs® on the 49999 DWT oil and chemical tanker Santiago I. Agreed as part of Marflet’s ongoing decarbonisation strategy, the installation will enable Santiago I to dramatically reduce conventional fuel use, optimising operating costs and cutting GHG emissions. Autonomous efficiency The contract makes Marflet the first S...

X-Press Feeders, the world's largest independent common carrier, along with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and PSA Singapore has achieved a historic milestone towards sustainable shipping with the arrival in Singapore and successful refuelling of X-Press Feeders’ first dual-fuel vessel. This vessel, the first to dock and refuel with green methanol in the Port of Singapore, underlines the nation's commitment to supporting the transition to renewable fuels in the global mariti...

Cochin Shipyard Limited bagged another prestigious international order from its existing UK-based offshore renewable operator, North Star Shipping for the construction of hybrid Service Operation Vessels (‘SOVs’) to be deployed for a contract with Siemens Gamesa to be deployed at the Scottish Power Renewables East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm located off the Suffolk coast. The shipbuilding contract also has the option to contract two more such vessels. North Star earlier in the...