United Kingdom (UK) News

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has developed an approach to integrate human factors into its activities. A core human factors principle in support of the company’s focus on reducing risk is the acceptance that people make mistakes and that mistakes become more likely under conditions that make work difficult. Crises such as the current conflict can have a direct and indirect impact on the well-being of personnel. Emotions such as uncertainty, fear, anxiety or sadness...

Unseenlabs, the European pioneer in radiofrequency (RF) signals detection from space, successfully launched its sixth and seventh satellites dedicated to the geolocation of vessels at sea on April 1st and May 3. In total, Unseenlabs has deployed seven satellites since 2019 and will launch other satellites in 2022. The technology embedded in the satellites enables Unseenlabs to provide accurate data for navigational risk assessment, vessel tracking, and searching and rescuing ships in distress....

With a complete range of products for the water industry, WEG solutions stand out for the efficiency and flexibility of their electrical and mechanical projects, adapting to the most demanding customer requirements in several applications. Designed to transport 470 million cubic meters of water annually from various dams, the Majerda - Cap-Bon channel is an important investment for Tunisia. Meeting water demands The pumping station meets the demand for drinking water in large cities like Tuni...

The World Ocean Council (WOC), the City of Barcelona and the Port of Barcelona are partnering to develop the leading global hub for the Blue Economy, which will now include the headquarters for WOC, the global Blue Economy Business and Investment Organization. The World Ocean Council’s events and activities will complement the Blue Economy efforts in Barcelona, Spain and its port, as well as strengthen the city’s leadership commitments. WOC’s Blue Economy events To celebrate...

Babcock’s Vehicle Support Team (Operations), part of the DE&S Organisation, has won a Minister for Defence Procurement Acquisition Award for supporting the deployment of British troops to Mali on Operation NEWCOMBE, which was a collaborative effort involving Army HQ, DE&S, Babcock and other industry partners. The team, comprised of both military and civilian personnel, is responsible for the in-service support of the land vehicle fleet on operations and training worldwide. Urgent...

The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. Celebrating 50 years since 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually at NRG Park (formerly Reliant Park) in Houston, Texas, USA. OTC has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil, and OTC Asia. Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2022 The...

The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) have developed instruments for satellite-based maritime surveillance. KONGSBERG is now procuring three satellites and is establishing Norway's first satellite constellation with unique and world-leading capabilities. KONGSBERG is the Nordic region's largest company in aerospace and is a global leader in maritime surveillance. The company is now taking the next step to develop new technology and...

Fleet Xpress, enhanced by Fleet Edge, brings together the best of Inmarsat connectivity solutions to help global shipping companies harness the full power of a connected maritime ecosystem Shipping companies can harness the full power of a digitally connected maritime ecosystem to support their digital transformation via Inmarsat directly or Inmarsat’s global network of partners. Fleet Xpress Enhanced solution The Fleet Xpress Enhanced solution provides access to a wider portfolio of In...

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA as the lead agency under the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Navy in partnership with the Inter-Regional Coordination Centre ICC Yaoundé has concluded arrangements to host the fifth plenary of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum for the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (GOG-MCF/SHADE). The Gulf of Guinea MCF/SHADE 5th plenary which is scheduled to take place in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja fro...

Vigor has completed a comprehensive modernisation of USS McCampbell (DDG 85) at Swan Island, sending the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer on to its new homeport at Naval Station Everett, Wash. The 18-month, more than $155 million projects were the largest ever completed by Vigor’s Ship Repair team, and the largest of its kind at Swan Island in nearly 30 years. Complex ship repair projects “Our skilled workers at Swan Island were honored to support the U.S. Nav...

OceanWise’s Shane Djokey, who started with the team in September 2020 (slap bang in the middle of the global COVID-19 pandemic!) has been awarded a distinction in his apprenticeship as ‘Software Development Technician’. Shane Djokey has been working with the Technical Team at OceanWise, under the guidance and support of the company’s Managing Director - Caroline Levey and the Line Manager - Steve Bourne, as an Information Systems Apprentice.  ‘Software Develo...

OceanGate Expeditions has announced Inmarsat as the 2022 Titanic Survey Expedition satellite service provider. Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress high speed broadband satellite service will enable OceanGate Expeditions’ crew to instantly connect with scientific and operational resources anywhere in the world and to share important findings immediately, while enhancing safety for the entire operation. Modern wireless communications for maritime vessels Following the tragic loss of life in the...

ClassNK released “Guidelines for Advanced Safety Measures”, “Guidelines for Excellent Living and Working Environment”, and “Guidelines for Installations for Infection Control”. These guidelines outline the requirements for additional class notations for ships adopting measures and equipment related to improving safety as well as the living and working environment onboard. Innovative technologies In 2020, to promote the spread and development of innovati...

The first of the four force replenishment vessels (BRF - Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force in French) of the FLOTLOG program was launched in Saint-Nazaire. The Bâtiment Ravitailleur de Forces (BRF) Jacques Chevallier is the first of a series of four ships intended for the French Navy. The contract was awarded in January 2019 to Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Naval Group. The four vessels will be delivered successively until 2029. FlotLog program The FlotLog program is pa...

CMA CGM announces that it will be launching a new India East Coast Express 2 (IEX 2) service that connects Asia with Indian Subcontinent, effective m/v "Songa Tiger” ETD Singapore on May 30th, 2022. IEX 2 features are the following: Shuttle service from Singapore to Chennai and Colombo Port Rotation: Singapore – Chennai – Colombo – Singapore Connecting Chennai exports via Colombo on CMA CGM's extensive network

Prysmian Group, the globally renowned company in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, is pleased to return to the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2022 in Houston, Texas, from May 2 to May 5, 2022, at booth 2942. At OTC 2022, the company will present its full range of high-tech cables solutions, supporting the energy transition and the development of power generation from offshore renewable sources, namely offshore wind. Deep-water umbilical solutions The Group will also present...

Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division will provide the electric drivetrain systems that will power Auckland’s first two fully electric fast passenger ferries. The project will be the first to be delivered as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with marine technology firm - EV Maritime, which will see the two companies partner to electrify fully electric fast ferry fleets in cities worldwide. Auckland is aiming for an entirely electric fleet of passenger ferries by 2040,...

CMA CGM Group, globally renowned company in shipping and logistics, and WWF France have entered a partnership to decarbonise shipping and logistics, strengthen the fight against illicit trafficking in protected species, and preserve marine ecosystems. This collaboration is true to CMA CGM's commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050 and in line with the numerous initiatives undertaken by CMA CGM, in order to reduce its environmental footprint and fight against ocean pollution. CMA CGM and W...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a large liquefied hydrogen carrier developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Hydrogen is expected to be used as a clean energy source to realise a decarbonised society as its burning does not emit CO2. To contribute to the maritime transportation of hydrogen and usage for marine fuel, which is anticipated to expand its use worldwide, ClassNK has worked on the establishment of necessary standards and certification. Approval in Principle...

An energy crisis unlike anything seen in decades is squeezing more out of those who have the least. As the months roll by, the price of turning on lights, cooking food and heating homes, has jumped dramatically. This is a worry many people, but for those who are struggling already it’s a nightmare scenario. Many seafarers put their lives on hold when they leave their families to go off to work. But their worries follow them. While they struggle through harsh living and working conditions,...

Blue Water Shipping is happy to announce that a new General Manager Sea & Air, Norway has been hired to their office in Oslo, Norway. Morten Würgler has more than 20 years of broad international business and logistics experience within air freight, sea freight, perishables and customer service. Morten Würgler has great international know-how from Denmark, Houston, Texas and Norway under titles of Sales Executive and Senior Director in similar corporations to mention a few. Extens...

April 2022 saw the third consecutive monthly climb in long-term contracted ocean freight rates, with shipping costs rocketing by 11.1% globally to stand 109.9% up year-on-year. The data, revealed in the latest Xeneta Shipping Index (XSI) Public Indices for the contract market, demonstrates how supply chain demand, successful carrier strategies and continued COVID-19 disruption in China are coalescing to ‘pile on the pain’ for shippers worldwide. Xeneta Shipping Index (XSI) Xeneta&...

Wan Hai Lines Ltd. held ship naming ceremonies for WAN HAI 285 and WAN HAI 286 accompanied by a charity donation on 27th April, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a physical ceremony was replaced by an online one. WAN HAI 285 and WAN HAI 286 are the 2nd, and 3rd vessels in a series of 2,038 teu containerships built by China Shipbuilding Trading Co., LTD., and Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard Co., LTD. Ms. Chiu-Mei Cheng, Board Member‧General Manager of TAIWAN KIRIN COMPANY, LIMITED and Ms. Connie Chu, Ma...

States are being urged to take action to bring into force the Cape Town Agreement of 2012, a key international treaty, which will establish an international regime for fishing vessel safety. This will help make fishing safe, sustainable and legal - and make a significant contribution to the protection of fishers, an unacceptable high number of whom lose their lives every year. “We cannot afford to be complacent, when it comes to addressing the safety of fishers and fishing vessels,”...

Matson, Inc., a U.S. carrier in the Pacific, and Greenbrier Gunderson Marine christened and launched a new flat-deck container barge in a ceremony at the Greenbrier Gunderson Marine shipyard in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, April 23, 2022. The new barge, christened ‘Haleakala’ in honour of the landmark crater on the island of Maui, will be deployed in Matson’s Neighbour Island service in Hawaii starting this summer, connecting cargo to and from the U.S. West Coast through its...

The eCommerce surge is shaking up the shipping industry, making speed and efficiency a must. The time has come to move beyond paper and towards widespread adoption of the game-changing electronic Bill of Lading (eBL). Mediterranean Shipping Company - MSC’s Global Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO), Andre Simha will explain more at an upcoming event - TradeTech Europe 2022, during the eCommerce week, organised by the United Nations agency - UNCTAD. Rapid growth of eCommerce eCo...

Oceania Cruises., the culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, revealed its 2024 Collection of voyages to Europe, Alaska, Canada, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Africa, South America, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The Collection encompasses more than 350 itineraries including over 130 Grand Voyages across seven ships and all seven continents. The itineraries are available to preview online and open for reservations on May 4, 2022. Destination-rich itineraries "Next to our re...

£1.06 million in funds has been awarded to a consortium, led by MSE International, in order to address clean maritime challenges in the seaports and shipping sectors. The consortium of nine organisations, which is led by MSE International, will get the £1.06 million funds, as part of the Smart Maritime Land Operations Call. The call was launched in November 2020, as part of a Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) initiative, supported by the Department for Transport (DfT),...

Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. (Yang Ming) took delivery of one new 11,000 TEU container vessel, ‘YM Trophy’. The vessel is chartered from Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and was built by Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. After delivery, YM Trophy will be put into service immediately on Yang Ming’s Trans-Pacific route PS6 to provide efficient transport service between Asia and the Pacific Southwest. Increase operational efficiency To increase Yang Ming’s mid-to-long-term opera...

Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation solutions provider, is strengthening its Asia Pacific network with the opening of a Singapore office. The new location represents the base for Brian Roos, the recently appointed Asia Pacific, Regional Director, and the newly named Regional Sales Manager, Kaviraj (Kavi) Nadarajah. Brian Roos Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, of SD International, Michael Skou Christensen, Roos is responsible for establishing the SD presence in Singapore a...