United Kingdom (UK) News

Unifeeder is pleased to announce that from October 11, 2022, they will launch two new Scandinavian services to ensure weekly transit connections between Wilhelmshaven to/from Fredericia & Aarhus and Wilhelmshaven to/from Oslo & Gothenburg. The two new weekly services connecting Wilhelmshaven to Scandinavia include: Wilhelmshaven - Hamburg - Fredericia - Aarhus – Wilhelmshaven Hamburg - Wilhelmshaven - Oslo - Gothenburg – Hamburg Two new weekly services connect Wilhelm...

The electrification of HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) is entering its final round. In the future, the tractor units deployed on the journeys between block storage and the container rail terminal or the empty depot will be driven by battery power. In order to further reduce CO₂ emissions at CTA, seven new battery-powered tractor units have been ordered and will replace the previously used equipment that runs on diesel. This terminal process will therefore emit no CO₂, nitrogen oxide o...

Rolls-Royce has joined together with ITN Business, New Scientist and UK Space Agency for the programme ‘This Is Space’. The programme features key industry interviews and news-style reports along with editorial profiles. The company has long been a pioneer of innovation, with more than 60 years of nuclear expertise that is now reaching right into the heart of space technology and exploration. Filming took place at the Space Park Leicester with some of the top nuclear experts includ...

Rolls-Royce has completed a major investment in its Pascagoula, Mississippi site that will provide increased capabilities and capacity to support U.S. Navy programs. A new 26,000 ft 2 facility, with foundry and machining equipment provided by a U.S. Department of Defense DPA Title III grant, will increase the company’s ability to manufacture propellers and propulsor components for naval platforms. Authority comment Dan Rediger, Rolls-Royce Head of Naval Operations – Defense said,...

Viasat Inc. a Communications Company and INMARSAT, a provider of mobile satellite communications services, remain committed to working with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to demonstrate how their planned transaction will benefit airline, passenger and enterprise users of In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) in aviation businesses. Working with CMA “There is great interest in ubiquitous, high-performance, affordable IFC, so the CMA’s decision to proceed to a Phase 2...

Babcock International Group, the defence company, has been awarded the contract to deliver, install and provide in-service support for Ardent Wolf, the maritime Communications Electronic Support Measures (CESM) capability for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates. The six-year programme draws upon company’s people’s unique knowledge of CESM and Babcock’s role as the Royal Navy’s principal support partner for the Type 23 fleet. The contract will involve equipment in...

Smart Sound Connect, the world’s first ocean-focussed 5G testbed, has been recognised by the mobile sector as a cutting-edge innovation platform for the development of the next generation of marine technologies. At the 20th Mobile Industry Awards, held at Lancaster House in London on the 22nd September, Smart Sound Connect was named as the 5G Innovation of the Year (Product/Service).   This prestigious award represents a significant endorsement of the network by the mobile industry...

“ESVAGT is very satisfied with the modification of ESVAGT LEAH and ESVAGT HEIDI at Ulstein shipyard, and we appreciate the high-quality workmanship and proactive cooperation with Ulstein Power & Control and Ulstein shipyard throughout the process for both vessels,” comments Kristian Ole Jakobsen, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO). ESVAGT posted a news update on 7 January 2022, after having tried their new additions to their fleet: "Both are fine vessels, and they have done a...

According to a press release from Shearwater, the dual ROV vessel is expected to be available to clients early in the second quarter of 2023 following a conversion of the SW Tasman multipurpose vessel. Designed to deploy ocean bottom nodes in both deep and shallow water the vessel will also be able to provide high-quality source for surveys and conduct towed streamer surveys. Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, the original vessel designers, will provide conversion engineering, with Evotec prov...

Portsmouth International Port will be opening up its doors for a community open day, in celebration of Maritime UK Week. The local community, staff and their families are invited to enjoy a day of exhibitions from port partners, interactive stands and behind-the-scenes access to port operations. The open day will showcase: What the maritime industry does for Portsmouth Maritime skills, jobs and future roles Protecting the maritime and port environment Lifeline operations Portsmouth...

Between January 2020 and March 2021, the average daily data consumption onboard a vessel in the global commercial shipping sector has nearly tripled. Inmarsat’s recent report has shown this consumption to grow from 3.4 to 9.8 gigabytes in just a little over a year. The worldwide maritime digital products and services market is reportedly worth $159 billion. A report by Thetius shows that this is 18% ahead of pre-pandemic estimates.  M2M devices In 2022, the market turnover is...

South East Asia’s largest defence exhibition, IndoDefence 2022 is scheduled to take place from November 2nd to 5th, 2022, at JIExpo Kemayoran in Jakarta, Indonesia.  IEC Telecom is thrilled to participate in this biennial tri-service defence technology and sales exhibition and shine a spotlight on the latest satellite-based security solutions. Satellite communication portfolio IEC Telecom will be displaying its high-precision satellite communication portfolio with solutions th...

Satellite communications have become central to the provision of crew welfare. The Maritime Labour Convention declared internet connectivity at sea to be a mandatory requirement and the International Transport Workers Federation has described crew comms as 'a human right'. With a crew shortage predicted by 2026, the maritime sector is emphasising new working practices to make an ‘office at sea’ attractive to the new generation of seafarers.  Communication solutions Large vess...

The Chief Executive of The Seafarers' Charity, Deborah Layde, was announced as Chair of the Women in Maritime Network. Deborah Layde was appointed to the role of Chief Executive in July 2022, after successfully leading The Seafarers’ Charity’s grant-making programme for 9 years. Proactive approach She describes herself as passionate about seafarers and Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She has led the charity’s approach to EEDI which started with est...

MAN Energy Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (‘NCLH’ including its subsidiaries and brands). The MoU relates to a project to retrofit a medium-speed MAN 48/60 engine to make it capable of dual-fuel diesel/methanol operation. The MoU provides for a multi-stage project with the third and final stage involving the completion of field testing and engine handover to NCLH for commercial operation. Decarbonisation alliance ...

The 51st annual Newport International Boat Show (NIBS) held from September 15th – 18th welcomed thousands of visitors, with the greatest increase in visitor numbers in over a decade. Amidst a busy boat show season, Propspeed attended the 51st annual Newport International Boat Show (NIBS), held on the downtown waterfront of Newport, Rhode Island, from September 15th – 18th. Newport International Boat Show NIBS spans over 13 acres of historic downtown Newport and is one of...

Propspeed, the globally renowned innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, has announced that Propspeed has been proven to make vessels more fuel efficient, improve performance and offset fuel costs. Several Propspeed customers have monitored their performance data, before applying Propspeed and after, and have shared that information back to the company. Demand for fuel-efficient vessels “Seeing how shockingly high fuel costs these days are, boaters are looking for any way to make...

UK Ports has been announced as a Bronze Sponsor for Maritime UK Week. Starting on 10 October, Maritime UK Week 2022 will shine a spotlight on the latest developments in the maritime sector and engage people across the United Kingdom (UK) with the world of maritime.  Responsible for enabling 95% of the UK’s global trade, maritime touches every part of people’s lives. As an island nation, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the maritime sector’s key workers kept the UK supplied with f...

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, announced that it has updated its global health and safety protocols, by removing all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination requirements, effective from Oct. 4, 2022. Given the significant, positive progress in the public health environment, the Norwegian Cruise Line updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organisations. Removal of COVID-19 safety protocols “Heal...

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has signed a partnership agreement with the Commonwealth Secretariat, under which both organisations commit to strengthening the maritime and port sectors in selected developing countries, through activities which will promote and facilitate the adoption of sustainable maritime transport systems and practices. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday (29 September, 2022) by IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim...

Peder Winther joined Wrist Group on October 1st as CEO for the Ship Supply business and will become part of the Global Management Team and the Executive Management together with Group CEO, Jens Holger Nielsen and Group CFO, Anders Skipper. Peder Winther will take daily responsibility for the Ship Supply regions, Global Sales and Marketing, Global Procurement, and Process Excellence. The strengthening of the ship supply business is part of Wrist’s strategic initiatives for future grow...

Following successful trial inspections, OCIMF can announce the countdown to the release of the production edition of SIRE 2.0 has begun. Due to the significance of this change from VIQ7 to SIRE 2.0, OCIMF will not limit the notice to the standard 90-day window. The SIRE 2.0 integrator API is now available. The SIRE 2.0 integrator API is self-documenting and acts as its own test harness. Inspection booking services There are only minimal changes in this version of the SIRE 2.0 integrator API a...

Diesel is the fuel of choice for a range of products including generator sets and engines used in marine, rail and construction and mining equipment, but there are alternatives. With concerns about the climate rising, businesses, shareholders and lawmakers are looking at replacement options for diesel in vehicles and power generation applications. Emission reductions across alternative fuels should also be considered when making a selection. Reasons for popularity Diesel has been the fuel of...

TUI Cruises is back with Hasytec for another ship, to protect the complete seawater cooling system aboard Mein Schiff 3 from fouling, another true green initiative to reduce pollution into the sea. A pleasant visit in Geiranger. TUI cruises’ partner Hasytec is currently aboard conducting the installation of ultrasound antifouling technology. Hasytec DBPi antifouling system The full seawater cooling system will be protected by Hasytec DBPi antifouling system to avoid future use of copper...

Rolls-Royce and yacht/shipbuilder Lürssen are making a strong case for methanol as an environmentally friendly and climate-friendly fuel for yachts. They are already working on specific projects, including the propulsion of a Lürssen yacht using mtu methanol engines from Rolls-Royce. The two companies made the announcement at the Monaco Yacht Show, the world's largest exhibition for large yachts. The companies plan The companies plan to focus on yachts with lengths of 75 meters and...

ClassNK has released a new web application “ClassNK RuleViewer” to view its Rules and Guidances on a browser. The application allows users not only to search and view the latest ClassNK Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel ships and Guidances, which supplements the Rules but also to browse the information associated with individual texts such as application conditions and related articles efficiently. Features  Compared with conventional PDF and paper-based ones,...

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has been announced as a Bronze Sponsor for Maritime UK Week. Starting on 10 October, Maritime UK Week 2022 will shine a spotlight on the latest developments in the maritime sector and engage people across the UK with the world of maritime. Responsible for enabling 95% of the UK’s global trade, maritime touches every part of the lives. As an island nation, during the pandemic, the maritime sector’s key workers kept the UK supplied with food, ener...

Aker Solutions is now a supporter of the Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions Initiative, a global initiative endorsed by some of the world’s largest oil and gas producers to accelerate efforts to eliminate methane emissions from oil and gas assets by 2030. Methane accounts for 30 percent of global warming, and the oil and gas industry is responsible for approximately 23 percent of methane emissions from human activity. Reducing methane emissions from the energy sector is one of the best sho...

Planning of the Blue Water 50th jubilee involved many tasks, one of them being to decide the right gifts for the 2,000 employees of great diversity. At the celebration, all employees received a customised Grünbag Carry Computerbag along with other goodies. Blue Water is implementing several solutions to reduce its CO2 footprint. The fully recycled bags from Grünbag, made from surplus material from tarpaulin production, matched our wish to give a sustainable bag to our employees....

The development of Europe's second-generation polar-orbiting weather satellites has reached another decisive milestone with the installation of the Ice Cloud Imager Instrument (ICI) onto the MetOp-SG-B satellite. The novel sensor has been successfully integrated at Airbus' Satellite Integration Centre in Friedrichshafen, Germany. ICI is one of the five instruments on board this next-generation weather satellite set to improve regional and global forecasting. Operational sensor This instrument...