Surveillance & Maritime News for April 2024

One of Scotland’s major cruise ports is gearing up for another bumper cruise season following the launch of its new £20m visitor centre. Greenock Ocean Terminal and the River Clyde will welcome 79 cruise liners, carrying up to 115,000 passengers throughout 2024, with early bookings for 2025 already heading towards a new record for the port. Regal Princess The cruise port welcomed its first big vessel of the season on April 26, 2024, with the huge Regal Princess, capable of carryin...

SEAONICS will supply 3D Electric Controlled Motion Compensated (ECMC) cranes to two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) under construction for the German ship-owner at Norwegian shipbuilder - VARD.  The order marks the ninth and tenth units sold since the first next-generation ECMC crane was delivered last year. Ambitious new customer The order marks SEAONICS' first equipment delivery to Windward Offshore The order marks SEAONICS' first equipment delivery to Windward Offshor...

Technology group - Wärtsilä will supply the engines for a new Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker. The ship is being designed and built at Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards and will be the flagship of the Canadian Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet. Because of the long operational range required for the vessel’s employment in arctic waters, fuel efficiency was a prime design consideration in the selection of the Wärtsilä 31 engine. Wärtsilä 31 engine The W&a...

Raymarine, a global major in high-performance marine electronics for the recreational boating, marine first responder and law enforcement market, has announced that its best-in-industry Pathfinder Radar system has achieved Type Approval. Issued by the TÜV SÜD BABT Certification Body, the Type Approval confirms that the IMO-compliant Pathfinder Solid State X-band radar system complies with the Marine Equipment Directive for Shipborne Radar Equipment CAT 2 and CAT 3. Commercial vessel...

Chantiers de l’Atlantique has chosen Brunvoll as the supplier of main propulsion for Orient Express Silenseas’ new cruise ships, which are going to become the world’s largest sailing ships. The order is for two vessels, with two additional as an option. The delivery from Brunvoll is a propulsion system consisting of a twin-screw configuration with a controllable pitch propeller with a diameter of 3.9 metres. Controllable pitch propellers The propellers are designed to be ful...

Sines was one of the ports invited by MPA – Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to participate in an exercise that also brought together the ports of Hamburg, Tanger Med, Los Angeles and Seattle. Framed within the international promotion of the NEXUS Agenda, the Port of Sines participated, for the second time, in the Singapore Maritime Week, the most important venue in the ​​technological and innovation sector, focused on shipping, which took place between the 15th and 19th of April,...

Babcock has been awarded the contract to manage the Type 23 class frigate Refit Support Group, allowing the company to take end-to-end responsibility for vessel upkeep and regeneration in preparation for handover to the ship’s crew. This innovative change follows more than five years of close working between the Royal Navy-led Refit Support Group and Babcock. It frees up UK Royal Navy personnel for front-line operations and creates new and exciting roles for 40 Babcock engineering...

The Port of Las Palmas is a key strategic mid-Atlantic maritime and logistics hub serving the offshore energy sector as well as ships sailing to and from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Lately, it has also been playing a vital role in refuelling vessels diverted around Africa from the Red Sea and Suez Canal.  Maritime Week Las Palmas Maritime Week Las Palmas - the second edition of which takes place from 17-19 June at the famous Santa Catalina Hotel in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - will...

The Shipping industry expertise and history come together for London International Shipping Week (LISW25) in the form of Lloyd’s Register which has just signed up for the 2025 running of this popular industry event. In its role as Blue Sapphire Legacy Sponsor, Lloyd’s Register brings more than 260 years of trusted worldwide professionalism and strong industry relationships to LISW25. Efficiency, and resilience Central to its input will be a strong commitment to sustainability,...

Technology group - Wärtsilä will supply the methanol-fuelled auxiliary engines for five new container vessels for COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd and seven new container vessels for the Orient Overseas Container Line. Each vessel will operate with three eight-cylinder and two six-cylinder Wärtsilä 32M engines. This is the Chinese maritime sector’s largest order to date for methanol-fuelled new build vessels. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in December 2023. T...

The Port of Greenock has been awarded a new weekly deep-sea container service that will directly connect Scotland to the Mediterranean market of Turkey. The new call on the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Türkiye-to-and-from-UK West Coast service is an extension of the existing service, which already calls at the Port of Liverpool. Seal of approval The addition of the Port of Greenock to the route is a seal of approval of the port’s market-renowned offering, consolidated by...

ABS Wavesight has appointed software and digital technology pioneer - Staci Satterwhite to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO), a new role for the maritime software as a service (SaaS) affiliate of ABS. Most recently serving as the COO of Khoros, a Vista private equity portfolio company, Staci Satterwhite has extensive and diverse global experience helping develop and transform software and digital solutions. Customer-facing approach “We welcome Staci to ABS Wavesight. Her depth and...

Peninsula, the independent global marine energy supplier, is proud to announce the introduction of the Aalborg, an IMO II chemical tanker dedicated to sustainable fuel distribution in the Western Mediterranean. Aalborg chemical tanker The Aalborg is capable of supplying 100% biofuels (B100), in contrast to traditional fuel barges that cannot exceed 25% bio component. The vessel supplies FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) produced from vegetable oils and allows for neutral emissions (dependi...

Brunvoll has signed two contracts with Karstensen Shipyard for the delivery of propulsion and manoeuvring equipment for three vessels. Two of the vessels are for the ship owner, Faroe Origin, and Brunvoll will supply the main propulsion. The third vessel is for an undisclosed owner and the contract consists of two tunnel thrusters. The vessels will be Karstensens Shipyard newbuild No. 486 and 487. Brunvoll are delivering the main propulsion system with BruCon PTC, Brunvoll’s Propulsion an...

Gelose Marine Services Ltd. has joined Thordon Bearings’ extensive network of authorised distributors to further the ‘greening’ of Nigeria’s fleet of domestic and international vessels with more sustainable bearing solutions. Based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, Gelose has a diverse services portfolio, ranging from maritime security and vessel management to technical support, ship repair, and dry dockings with its own 400t ship lift capability shipyard. The com...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, will supply the cargo handling system for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel being built for Spanish shipowner Scale Gas, a subsidiary of Enagás, the owner and operator of Spain’s gas grid. The vessel is co-financed by the Support for Sustainable and Digital Transport Programme, part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan from the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agen...

The European Commission published a call for proposals under the “Connecting Europe Facility” (“CEF”) transport funding programme to support the deployment of alternative fuels supply infrastructure and contribute to decarbonisation along Europe’s most important transport network (the “TEN-T network”). The programme is closely tied to the new regulatory framework for the transport sector in the EU’s “Fit for 55” package, which sets ambi...

ABB has been selected by the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) to supply a comprehensive grid-to-propeller solution for the new double-ended, hybrid-electric ferry that will provide essential services between the town of Lincolnville and the island community of Islesboro in the United States.  Due to replacing an existing diesel-powered ferry, the new vessel will demonstrate the preference of publicly funded organisations in the US for the high reliability and lower emissions a...

Vestdavit is reaping the benefits of its strategic location in the Netherlands with its Dutch subsidiary boosting revenue by 50% last year as the regional business grows on the back of increasing aftersales and davit commissioning work on newbuilds. And the ball keeps rolling for Vestdavit BV, led by regional Managing Director Magnar Bøyum, as turnover has already risen by 25% in the first quarter of this year, mirroring a similar trend for the overall group that has recorded hu...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised UniCredit S.p.A. (“UniCredit”) on a loan granted to Augusta S.r.l. (“Rimorchiatori Augusta”) to pay for the purchase of the Italian-flagged tugboat Ortigia which recently joined their fleet. Rimorchiatori Augusta is owned by Rimorchiatori Mediterranei, the world’s renowned port towage operator. Built in Turkey and currently registered in Catania, Sicily, the Ortigia has a maximum speed of around 12 knots and a towing c...

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Publications announces the launch of the fifth edition of ‘Shipping and the Environment: A Guide to Environmental Compliance’. This latest edition offers comprehensive updates and expanded insights into the intricate relationship between shipping operations and environmental protection. The fifth edition is a definitive guide, providing a holistic introduction to companies and crew members navigating this complex subject matter. Recognising th...

Global law firm - Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Citibank, N.A. (Citibank), as Coordinator, BNP Paribas, KfW, and Alpha Bank on a $450 million syndicated facility for Danaos Corporation (Danaos). Financial aid The facility will assist with the financing of eight newly built container vessels built by the Daehan, Dalian, and Qingdao shipyards. These container vessels meet the latest IMO requirements for emissions and energy-efficient design, making them Danaos’ most sustainable vessels...

Kongsberg Discovery is pleased to announce that the first production system of their revolutionary long-range Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) HUGIN Endurance has completed factory acceptance testing. Sea trials Sea trials for the first production unit began in September 2023, and over the last months, the Kongsberg Discovery Uncrewed Platforms team has put HUGIN Endurance through its paces, verifying and refining all system capabilities. Sea trials culminated in March 2024 with a successf...

ClassNK has released a new tool, ‘WACDAS (WAve Climate Data Aggregation for Ships)’, for calculating the route correction factors essential for ensuring the safety of container lashing and support container stacking optimisation. Responding to rapid increases in the size of container ships and advances in lashing technology, ClassNK released ‘Guidelines for Container Stowage and Securing Arrangements (Edition 3.0)’ last year to enhance the safety and efficiency of marine...

To further implement its strategy aimed at growth and innovation, Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) acquired a majority share in Roland Spedition GmbH (Roland), one of the largest owner-led container operators for hinterland transport in Austria. HHLA will acquire 51 percent of the shares, while the remaining 49 percent will remain in the hands of both co-shareholders Christian Gutjahr and Nikolaus Hirnschall, who will continue to manage the business. Roland Spedition GmbH Roland Spedi...

Carras (Hellas) S.A. is taking the next step in its sustainability journey by receiving the ABS Biofuel-1 notation for its Aquataurus Ultramax bulk carrier, the first vessel in the world to qualify. The notation is assigned to vessels that use a biofuel blend of up to and including 30 percent biofuel in compliance with IMO and ABS requirements. Biofuel usage Biofuels are liquid hydrocarbon fuels with similar composition and properties to fuel oil, but they are produced from renewable sou...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, has donated a bridge simulator, a system of hardware and screens that allows students to familiarise themselves with realistic weather, traffic, and ocean conditions, to Warsash Maritime School, part of Solent University in Southampton, United Kingdom. Bridge simulator The simulator, which was previously located at Inmarsat’s former headquarters on City Road, London, will allow students to rehearse their responses to distress situations in a realisti...

With around 250 ships taking part, the Hamburg Port Anniversary offers guests a spectacular water programme, all carried out while port operations continue on the Elbe. The unique tugboat ballet, exciting demonstrations, and the magisterial entry and exit parades will make for some wondrous moments, when majestic tall ships and other impressive vessels pass right in front of the eyes of visitors. Guests can experience the top-class programme right up close. Dancing powerhouses When real power...

Ceremonies and celebrations were recently held in Vancouver harbour for a pair of ElectRA 2300-SX battery electric tugs designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Türkiye’s Sanmar Shipyards.  Both tugs are owned and operated by SAAM Towage Canada and represent major milestones in the Port of Vancouver’s goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable, as well as SAAM Towage’s leadership in the drive to the decarbonisation of harbour operations. Neptune terminals...

Technology group - Wärtsilä will supply a range of solutions aimed at minimising the carbon footprint of six new Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels being built for Dubai-based Sallaum Lines DMCC. Part of the order was booked by Wärtsilä in 2023 and the remainder in Q1 2024. The Wärtsilä solutions were selected following a very stringent evaluation process, with sustainability and minimal environmental impact being a prime consideration. Wärtsilä to su...