South Africa News

Daphne Technology SA, a pioneer in climate deep-tech solutions, is announcing the launch of its new entity, Daphne Solutions SA. This strategic spin-off is positioned to better serve customers by offering project engineering solutions integrating its innovative technologies for sulphur removal and carbon management through circular economy initiatives. SulPure® technology As a spin-off of Daphne Technology, Daphne Solutions will take over key projects, such as the SulPure® technology,...

Norway-based maritime technology business, Shipnet, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointments of a new Finance Director and HR Director. Paula Summers, who joins as HR Director, boasts over 15 years’ experience within HR roles partnering with business pioneers in the retail, manufacturing and nuclear energy sectors. This includes Ethel Austin, Glen Dimplex Consumer Appliances (including brands like Stoves, Belling, Morphy Richards and Roberts Radios) and Caven...

The United States Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Office of Environment and Innovation has selected ABS to establish and maintain the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (Center) under a five-year cooperative agreement. Decarbonisation and digitalisation Authorised by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation is intended to support the adoption of clean energy on U.S. vessels through a wide-ranging program of research and development and training support. ABS Chairman...

WEG, a pioneer in industrial solutions, recently completed the overhaul and recovery of a vertical mill gearbox at Cimento Tupi in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The service was carried out at WEG's plant in Sertãozinho, São Paulo. The gearbox, weighing more than 60 tons, drives Cimento Tupi's main mill, which has a nominal capacity of 300 tons per hour of flour. This critical equipment operates 24/7, making regular maintenance essential for continuous and safe operation. Electrical and m...

The Panama Canal’s 2024-2025 cruise season began on October 7, 2024, with the northbound passage of the passenger vessel Brilliance of the Seas, which is navigating a 15-day itinerary between Los Angeles and New Orleans. This repositioning transit marks the start of more than 225 transits through the Panama Canal expected for this season. According to Albano G. Aguilar, Specialist in Market Analysis and Forecasting at the Office of Corporate Affairs, “An increase in transits is expe...

Robert Allan Ltd. is pleased to announce that the RAmparts 2300 tug SN Cariri was successfully delivered to Sulnorte Serviços Maritimos in August 2024. The RAmparts 2300 series tug was recently completed at Estaleiro Rio Maguari (ERM) in Belém, Brazil. As the seventh RAmparts 2300 built by ERM in recent months, it showcases the success of their tug construction program based on Robert Allan Ltd.’s designs. This design also marks an important milestone for both Robert Allan...

Vard, a Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group and one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, has signed a new contract for the design and construction of one tailor-made Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) for Navigare Capital Partners. This contract, established in close collaboration with Norwind Offshore, is a continuation of Vard’s long-standing relationship with the two parties and represents the first option to be exercised from the...

Hoppe Marine GmbH (Germany) and Metis (Greece) have entered into a strategic cooperation in the field of onboard Data Acquisition. More specifically the cooperation ensures the seamless integration of Hoppe’s data collection systems with the Metis cloud-based performance management platform. This partnership aims to expand the use of high-frequency data analytics in vessel performance management, offering customers greater flexibility for real-time monitoring and strategic decision-making...

Eco Wave Power Global AB, a publicly traded onshore wave energy technology company announces that it signed an agreement for the sale of the first wave energy generation unit with I-Ke International Ocean Energy Co., a subsidiary of Lian Tat Company, a maritime engineering company, with the purpose of bringing Eco Wave Power’s wave energy technology to Taiwan. According to the terms of the agreement, I-Ke will be providing the full financing for the 100KW pilot project, by buying a turnke...

Bronze bearings in the stern roller of the Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) Vessel ES Kestrel have been replaced with grease-free SXL bearings from Thordon Bearings while the vessel remained afloat and operational. The replacement was undertaken in May 2024 by Thordon’s Dubai-based distributor Ocean Power International (OPI) for the AHTS owner Echo Cargo & Shipping of U.A.E. While typically checked during routine drydocking, the vessel’s stern roller was experiencing turning is...

Fugro acquires VSTEP’s NAUTIS simulator to advance the training of remote operators for their uncrewed surface vessels, further solidifying VSTEP’s position as a pioneer known for its unparalleled customisation and flexibility. Fugro, a pioneer in Geo-data, has partnered with VSTEP to enhance the training capabilities for their remote operators. The acquisition of VSTEP’s NAUTIS Simulator allows Fugro to train personnel on their uncrewed surface vessels (USV) using a fully cus...

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has achieved key progress in negotiations towards a set of binding global regulations on the IMO net-zero framework, aimed at achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction objectives set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.  GHG reduction At the conclusion of the 82nd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee held from 30 September to 4 October 2024, Member States had identified further a...

The Port of Greenock has officially unveiled its new £25m ship-to-shore cranes as the investment boosts productivity at the facility. Owner Peel Ports Clydeport welcomed guests to the port today for a ceremony to celebrate the biggest-ever investment in Greenock’s container facilities. The west-facing freight port’s new infrastructure is already benefitting customers, with one vessel recently departing 13 hours earlier than planned because of the quicker turnaround ti...

Jumbo is pleased to announce the successful installation of two mechanical sails to the Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV) Jumbo Jubilee. The wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) solution is the latest in a series of innovative technologies installed on the vessel in a bid to boost fuel efficiency and cut carbon.   Jumbo is committed to advancing sustainable heavy-lift shipping with innovative energy-saving and decarbonisation initiatives across its fleet, says Jumbo Maritime CEO Daan Kornn...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) held a commemorative event of its Golden Jubilee celebrations at Visakhapatnam, on 3rd October 2024. The event was attended by a distinguished group of senior maritime professionals and stakeholders from the East Coast of India, with large attendance from the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, shipyards, and shipowners, including representatives from Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Hyderabad and Chennai. This was the second celebratory event in IRS&rs...

BERG Propulsion has unveiled the OpWind® software system to help crews combine the operation of sails and propellers in the most efficient way in all sea conditions. OpWind OpWind automatically ensures that engine efficiency can be optimised concerning propeller rpm and blade pitch angle when wind propulsion is also used to propel a vessel. The approach saves even more fuel than would otherwise be the case. The system automatically senses any sail contribution to propulsion based on a ves...

SRT Marine Systems plc (SRT), a global provider of maritime domain awareness systems and technologies for security, safety, and environmental protection, is pleased to advise that it has received a formal contract award notification from a Sovereign Government Ministry for a contract worth US$ 213 million to deliver an integrated SRT maritime surveillance system.  The award is subject only to completion of the formal contract and associated performance bond, which are now underway and expe...

Port of Rotterdam Authority and Swietelsky Rail Benelux B.V. have signed the contract for the construction of a bundle of six tracks suitable for 740-meter trains as part of the new Maasvlakte-Zuid railway yard. This project was developed in close cooperation with ProRail and with the use of a European Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) subsidy. Swietelsky starts construction in the spring of 2025, with commissioning planned for mid-2027. Efficient rail development Construction of the railway...

Strategic Marine, an aluminium shipbuilder, is proud to announce the successful delivery of the Amarco S1, marking a significant milestone in the partnership with Bruneian offshore operator - Amarco Sdn Bhd (AMARCO). This delivery showcases Strategic Marine's expertise in designing and building the latest 4th Generation Fast Crew Boat (FCB) for long-term operations in Brunei's offshore oil and gas sector. Amarco S1 The Amarco S1 brings advanced maritime technology and sustainability features...

The event, hosted by Alfa Laval, takes place online on 15 October from 9 to 11:15 am CET. Industry professionals are invited to join and gain insights from thought pioneers on key topics relating to the maritime industry. As achieving net zero targets climbs to the top of the maritime industry agenda, the Marine Innovation Summit 2024 allows the Marine industry to connect with industry experts as they unravel the route to sustainable shipping. Sustainable shipping The Summit will discuss tran...

On 26 September 2024, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) signed a letter of intent in the presence of Hamburg’s First Mayor - Dr. Peter Tschentscher to intensify their cooperation in the areas of digitalisation, decarbonisation and cyber security. HPA and MPA sign letter of intent The letter of intent, signed by Jens Meier, CEO of the HPA, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the MPA, marks the beginning of a strategic partnership betwe...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for five new Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) vessels. The order has been placed by Jiangnan Shipyard, and the ships are being built for Chinese owners. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3, 2024. Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply The order follows a similar order for Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems placed by the yard in 2023 for four VLECs. The new 99,000 m3 capaci...

The industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants have been unveiled by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) at a forum for nuclear industry pioneers held jointly with Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Held at ABS’ world headquarters in Texas, the event saw presentations on the latest reactor technologies from companies and the publication of a detailed study from ABS and Herbert Engineering modeling the design, operation, and emissions of a floating nuclear...

The delivery of the fourth Multipurpose Combat ship (PPA) “Giovanni delle Bande Nere” took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). The ceremony was attended, among others, by Vice Admiral Andrea Gueglio, Director of the Italian Navy Military Personnel Directorate, by Admiral Chief Inspector Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of the Naval Armaments Directorate - NAVARM, and Mr. Joachim Sucker, OCCAR Director, welcomed by Attilio Dapelo, Senior Vice President Oper...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised MET Group (“MET”) on its investment, by way of a partnership agreement with Celsius Group (“Celsius”), in one modern LNG carrier to be constructed by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu). The LNG carrier is scheduled to be delivered in 2027 and will support MET’s growing LNG activities. The purchase supports MET’s strategy to enhance its ability to supply its customers with LNG from various sources...

In late April this year, the OCCS system installed on Evergreen's neopanamax container vessel successfully captured CO2 from its exhaust gas emissions. The captured CO2 was offloaded to a shore facility and was recycled. ClassNK confirmed an amount of the offloaded CO2, and deducted the amount from the ship's annual CO2 emissions in CII assessment under the direction of the Flag Administration of the Panama Maritime Authority. This series of initiatives anticipates practical operations that ma...

ABS presented an approval in principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its new design of an ammonia floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. Called Samsung Ammonia Blue, the concept features advanced safety components with an expected production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum of ammonia. Class and statutory requirements ABS completed design reviews on the topside process, interface system and layout based on class and statutory requirements. “With o...

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to pioneering Japanese companies at Gastech 2024 for two liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier designs with Type-C cargo tanks that do not require performing post-weld-heat-treatment based on the demonstration of an engineering critical assessment (ECA). ABS reviewed the drawings based on class and statutory requirements for the two designs, a 50K cubic metre carrier and a 23K cubic metre carrier, featuring Type-C cylindrical tanks made of carbon ma...

KR (Korean Register) has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for the Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), a passenger and cargo transport vessel dedicated to offshore wind farms, developed by MARCON, a Korean maritime service company. CTVs are widely used in Europe for transporting workers and equipment necessary for offshore wind farm construction and maintenance. However, the use of diesel engines has raised concerns about carbon emissions. Hybrid electric propulsion system The CTV that received AIP...

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America’s premier technical trade event for the recreational marine industry announced that it has hired Aaron Porter as Editorial Director. Porter is a Maine-based maritime journalist and sailor who was the editor of Professional BoatBuilder magazine for the last 14 years. Facets of the marine trades With a background reporting on fisheries and the boatbuilding industry in Maine and Maritime Canada, and sail...