United States of America (USA) News

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published a comprehensive report titled "Safe Carriage of Electric Vehicles," addressing the critical issue of transporting electric vehicles (EVs) on Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels. With the increasing number of EVs being transported on vessels and rising safety concerns regarding onboard EV fires, the industry needs to be better prepared to detect, prevent and react to fires on board. Characteristics of EV fires There are no international...

Concordia Damen is proud to announce that it has been awarded a contract by ‘Koninklijke Van der Wees Transporten’ for the construction and delivery of an innovative RoRo pontoon, to be named Lastdrager 29.  In addition, the Werkendam-based shipyard will build two coupling pontoons for Van der Wees. This project marks another milestone in the long-standing collaboration between Concordia Damen and Van der Wees, following the successful delivery of the Pieter van der Wees five y...

Avikus, HD Hyundai’s specialised Autonomous Navigation Technology subsidiary, announced its innovative smart navigation and docking solution, NEUBOAT, has been selected 2025 Product of the Year at this year’s Korea International Boat Show (KIBS), held February 28 through March 2 in Seoul, South Korea. Spanning three full halls of the sprawling Kintex Exhibition Centre in Goyang, KIBS attracts an average of 65,000 visitors over its three-day run and has grown to rank among the most i...

To help businesses streamline heavy lifting operations with safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions, Hendrik Veder Group UK has strengthened its strategic alliance with Lift-Tex®. This partnership will ensure that industries reliant on heavy lifting across the UK, including maritime, shipping, construction, oil and gas, and renewables, will gain direct access to the Lift-Tex® advanced Extreema® round sling product line, known for its superior strength, flexibility, and e...

Swiss marine power company WinGD has completed shop tests of its groundbreaking variable compression ratio (VCR) technology. The results confirm that methane reductions from new X-DF engines with VCR technology deliver similar ship greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to high-pressure dual-fuel technologies, while delivering a total system cost and fuel cost advantage for several vessel applications. Dual-fuel engines in maritime The reduction is expected to be even greater for engines with a large...

Kongsberg Maritime has secured its latest upgrade project to convert the double-ended car ferry MF Hamlet to emission-free battery-powered operation. The ferry, operated by Öresundlinjen, on the route between Helsingør, Denmark, and Helsingborg, Sweden, will see a major upgrade including installation of large battery packs and new permanent magnet motors for the azimuth thrusters. Primary goals of the project The primary goals of the project include achieving zero emissions, enabl...

NorthStandard has appointed Kate Kwiatkowska as its new Head of Sustainability to drive forward a key part of the marine insurer’s long-term strategy. Joining from Fintel plc, where she served as Head of ESG and Corporate Marketing, Kate will be responsible for engaging with NorthStandard members, brokers, employees, and other stakeholders, developing the role sustainability plays in overall strategy and reviewing the Club’s sustainability priorities on an ongoing basis. She will al...

Cummins Inc. has received Approval in Principle (AIP) from DNV for its methanol-ready QSK60 IMO II and IMO III engines, available in power ratings from 2000 to 2700 hp (1491-2013 kW). The approval, granted in June 2024, validates Cummins' retrofittable methanol dual-fuel solution for the global marine market, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of safety and performance. Integrated with battery technology Following extensive field testing, Cummins plans to launch the retrofit kits...

Scheduled for February 18-19, 2025, at the AC Bella Sky Convention Centre in Copenhagen, the World Maritime Forum 2025 will gather industry pioneers, policymakers, and innovators to explore the future of global shipping.  Recognised as a premier event in the maritime sector, the forum is dedicated to tackling critical challenges, while fostering collaboration and industry growth. Maritime trends and long-term prospects The conference will focus on essential topics like decarbonisation an...

Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) announced Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry pioneer with a global fleet, has become the latest member to join the cross-sectoral methane abatement initiative. The company is expected to provide valuable insights and support MAMII's ongoing efforts to develop and implement effective methane emission reduction strategies across the maritime industry. Reduction of methane emissions Addressing methane emissions is a key priority...

The Dark Fleet refers to a network of vessels that operate outside of standard maritime regulations, often used to transport sanctioned goods such as oil. These shadowy vessels are also referred to by terms such as Parallel Fleet and/or Shadow, Gray or Ghost fleet. The terms are all manifestations of the same thing – ships that are owned, structured, and operated to avoid exposure to sanctions. Fleet of ships “In fact I would prefer that we use the term Parallel Fleet because it m...

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has been awarded a contract to deliver a 100T AHC crane for a Dive Support Vessel owned by Jana Marine Service Company. The contract, which was booked in the fourth quarter 2024, is not reported as part of Cargotec’s orders received, as MacGregor is reported as part of discontinued operations. The crane delivery to the Guangzhou Salvage shipyard is scheduled in the second quarter 2026, with vessel delivery later that year. MacGregor's local sales team M...

Marcura, the pioneer in digital maritime solutions, has acquired Shipster, a start-up specialising in AI-driven document intelligence. The acquisition further strengthens Marcura’s AI-powered automation roadmap, enabling it to accelerate in line with evolving customer needs and scale to support the growing complexity of maritime workflows. AI-powered automation Shipster’s expertise in agile AI experimentation will help Marcura further refine data extraction Marcura has already em...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, announced that Toei Reefer Line Ltd, a leading supplier of sashimi-grade tuna, will install NexusWave on board the company’s sophisticated factory vessels to support its evolving crew and business connectivity requirements. Expert Crew, Unmatched Quality To maintain a level of quality consistent with the high expectations of its end customers in the Japanese consumer market. Toei Reefer Line employs specially trained personnel to load and operate its...

With increasing regulatory pressure and rising fuel costs, the shipping industry must accelerate decarbonisation while ensuring operational and economic viability. Energy-efficiency measures can play a crucial role in reducing fuel consumption and facilitating the transition to alternative fuels as they become available. To help shipowners identify the best solutions for their fleet, DNV has published a report offering a comprehensive overview of currently available energy-efficiency measures a...

Norwegian chapter of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) recently held its Annual General Meeting in Oslo at the office of law firm Thommessen, with over 50 members attending in person and a record number of proxy votes. Five board positions were elected from a record total of 13 candidates present. Capt. Jaquelyn Burton, EMBA, AFNI, Director of Experience Design at Kongsberg Maritime, was selected as President and is both the first non-...

A new deep water bulk berth has been opened at the Port of Liverpool which will give a major boost to the port’s cargo handling operations. The first deep water bulk berth to be opened at the port in 40 years is located at Peel Ports Group’s Alexandra Complex, and represents an investment of £2 million by Peel Ports as part of its ongoing development of the Alexandra Complex. Bulk storage and handling requirements The new addition will increase the vessel handling capacity o...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, will supply the cargo handling systems for three 45,000 m3 capacity gas carrier vessels being built at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in Korea. The order was placed by HMD and booked by Wärtsilä in Q1, 2025. Two of the ships have been contracted by Singapore and Hong Kong headquartered ship owner/operator Purus, and the third by Pasco Gas, based in Istanbul, Turkey. Both owners have previously or...

The Dynamic Positioning Digital Survey (DPDS) from Kongsberg Marine has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The DPDS application from Kongsberg continuously gathers data from a vessel’s dynamic positioning (DP) system, allowing annual DP surveys to move from in-person assessments on the vessel in a fixed timeframe to remote analysis onshore across a wider, more flexible timeframe. Evolution of digital solutions Per Kongsberg, the DPDS app contributes to reduced vessel downtim...

The impact of carbon capture and digital technologies as well as IMO Mid-Term Measures and FuelEU on the cost of compliance led the discussion at the ABS Middle East Regional Committee Meeting. The committee welcomed Khalid Alhammad, President of Bahri Ship Management, who started his term as chairman of the ABS Middle East Regional Committee. Environmental sustainability and excellence Alhammad said: “This forum has an important role in fostering collaboration among industry pione...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) is advising InfraVia Capital Partners (“InfraVia”), through its InfraVia European Fund VI, on its acquisition of a majority stake in Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (“LDA”), the French family-owned group specialising in high value-added industrial marine services. Expected to be completed in H1 2025, the transaction is subject to prior consultation with employee representative bodies and the usual regulatory approvals. New modes...

COLI Shipping & Transport (Guyana) Inc., part of COLI Group, has successfully completed its first major logistics projects, marking a significant milestone for the company’s operations in the region. With Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy and growing Oil & Gas sector, COLI Guyana is positioning itself as a trusted logistics provider for project cargo, heavy-lift, and specialised transport solutions. Terrain crane-with XPD Global The crane measured 16.19 metres in length a...

Kongsberg Maritime will supply the design and integrated equipment package for a new walk-to-work offshore service vessel (OSV), to be built by ST Engineering Marine in Singapore for a leading oil & gas company. The 97-metre vessel of Kongsberg Maritime UT 5520 design will accommodate 106 people and features a motion-compensated gangway to enable safe transfer of personnel between to and from offshore installations. Kongsberg Maritime’s vessel types The new design is a further devel...

With NMDC Group (NMDC), one of the largest dredging and marine contractors in the Middle East. The agreement represents a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between Wärtsilä and NMDC.  It will focus on optimising the availability and operational efficiency of NMDC’s dredging fleet.  The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2025.  Optimizing NMDC’s Fleet for Efficiency This partnership will focus on optimising the availability...

CIBC Innovation Banking announces that it has provided a $20 million USD debt financing to ZeroNorth, a technology company focused on the maritime industry. ZeroNorth will use the funding to fuel its growth strategy through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with the goal of enhancing access to data, acquiring innovative technologies, and expanding market share. Maritime digital transformation ZeroNorth’s customers have optimised 1.5 million voyages through the company’s platform...

Marine Masters announces its involvement in a pivotal offshore installation project for the greenfield Bhasker A & B platforms, designed and constructed by Indian energy company SunPetro. The project, managed by main installation contractor ACE Pipeline and directly overseen by Consolidated Support Services PTE LTD (CSS), involves the development of two wellhead platforms featuring robust jackets with integrated boat landings and topsides.  Subsea and piling operations The Marine Ma...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering vessel. This vessel is jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and LMG Marin AS (a member of the Seatrium Group). As ammonia fuel utilization is expected in shipping for decarbonization, bunkering vessels that supply fuel to ships and related equipment will play an essential role in the supply chain. Fuel engines from IHI Power Systems Additionally, a safety verification was conduc...

Under Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (the Program), which is jointly operated by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK, ClassNK evaluated the LNG-fueled car carrier ‘OCEANUS HIGHWAY’ (IMO No. 1046049), owned by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" LINE). DBJ provided financing to "K" LINE. In the shipping industry, where environmental regulations are becoming stricter as the industry moves towards decarbonisation, ClassNK evaluates ships based on a comprehensive scor...

Baltic Exchange, the world's only independent source of maritime market information for the trading and settlement of physical and derivative contracts, and Veson Nautical, a global pioneer in maritime data and freight management solutions, have joined forces to launch the latest version of the official Baltic99 Questionnaire for the dry bulk sector. The questionnaire, which remains the industry standard for collecting and collating detailed information about the global dry bulk fleet, is desig...

ABS approved the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) documents for a deep water floating offshore wind platform design from ECO TLP, Inc. and MOCEAN-Offshore BV. The unique design supports the largest wind turbines on the market and utilises slip-formed cylindrical concrete hulls and a variety of anchor types. Challenges to renewable energy ABS completed design reviews based on class and supporting offshore standards When combined with a hybrid spar tension-leg mooring system, the unit has a...