Surveillance & Maritime News for December 2023

  Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based joint venture for ship design and sales between Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Japan Marine United Corporation, have signed an MOU with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation on the collaborative study for ocean-going liquified CO2 (LCO2) carriers to realise large-scale international transportation in Japan initiated CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Sto...

Now in its ninth year, the Middle East Bunkering Convention (MEBC) returns to Dubai in February to offer expert comment and informed debate about the issues and challenges impacting the global marine fuel sector and, as always, to provide a sharp focus on the evolving Middle East bunker market. From the vantage point of early 2024, MEBC will consider the commercial outlook for the industry amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a tough and complicated sanctions landscape. Speakers at the con...

The Council Port Authority of València has approved an Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting the specifications that include the legal and economic conditions for the tender of the new terminal located in the northern extension of the Port of València. This meeting was held after receiving the ‘green light’ (authorising the contracting) – on Tuesday of this week – from the Spanish Government so that the PAV could approve the specifications which will a...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an Ammonia FSRU (Ammonia Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) jointly developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Ammonia, which does not emit CO2 during combustion, is projected to be widely used as a source of clean energy for decarbonisation, while the development of onshore facilities for storage and regasification is a challenge. FSRU FSRU is a floating facility designed for liquified ga...

Wilhelmsen Ship Management, a provider of third-party ship management services headquartered in Singapore, and Hamburg-based asset manager MPC Capital have agreed to acquire 100% of the company Zeaborn Ship Management. The acquisition is the consistent next milestone in the partnership between Wilhelmsen and MPC Capital and their ship management joint venture Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Ship Management and tanker specialist Barber Ship Management. Zeaborn manages a fleet of around 100 vessels, compr...

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has received a significant order from SM Solutions/Philly Shipyard for cargo handling solutions for three 1822 FEU-sized container carriers. The order is booked into Cargotec's fourth quarter 2023 order intake, with deliveries planned to commence during the fourth quarter of 2024 and be completed within 2026. MacGregor’s scope of supply encompasses design, hardware and supply for hatch covers, lashing bridges, deck stanchions, fixed and removable cell guides i...

Brunvoll’s strategy for production in Norway was established as early as the 1990s, with the forward-thinking Brunvoll family at the forefront. This has led to continuous and significant investments in enhancing the factories’ competitiveness and raising internal expertise to meet customers’ high demands and expectations.  Integrated value chain “We are convinced that having a fully integrated value chain where we have complete control from A to Z is the righ...

ExxonMobil plans to build a pilot plant at the Botlek site in Rotterdam, using carbonate fuel cell technology. These fuel cells have the ability to capture CO2 emissions from industrial sources, before they are released into the atmosphere, while also making valuable by-products. The technology produces low carbon power, heat, and hydrogen as by-products. The CO2 captured will be transported through Porthos and stored in depleted gas fields under the seabed of the North Sea. Performance and us...

Equinor Energy AS has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to provide a total of three compressor bundles and an additional two spare units as replacements for ones from another OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). The bundles will be implemented within existing outer casings on the Troll A platform, one of three platforms operating in the Troll field. Troll field Located 65 km off Kollsnes, SW Norway, the Troll field operated by Equinor lies at a water depth of approximately 300 metr...

SolarDuck is excited to announce that it has secured additional funding for the development and deployment of Offshore Floating Solar power technology. This funding sets the company on a path of continued growth, able to further build on its pioneering position in the Offshore Floating Solar Energy industry, deliver its first commercial projects, and increase its impact as the company works towards its goal of deploying over 1 GW of offshore generated solar electricity by 2030. Sustainable sup...

COLI Group’s subsidiary - Asia Break Bulk (Singapore) has entered into a strategic partnership with CSL Shipping (China). CSL and ABB will work closely together to market CSL’s multi-purpose carrier - ‘Jian Yang Hua Qing’. The vessel has 2 x 250 mt cranes for loading breakbulk, heavy lift and project cargo and is active for both companies as of now. Felix Peinemann, the Managing Director of the COLI Group, states: "This partnership will expand our footprint in the MPP ma...

At the recent COP28 Shaping the Future of Shipping summit organised by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in Dubai on 10 December with over 300 maritime industry CEOs, government ministers, and NGOs present, IAPH President and Hamburg Port Authority CEO Jens Meier called on ports to actively collaborate on knowledge sharing between themselves and the maritime community to accelerate decarbonisation. The summit was hosted under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastru...

Crowley has awarded its Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship to cadets John Van Zanten and Jethro Joseph, both seniors at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA). The scholarship recognises individuals looking to pursue a career in the maritime industry as well as their demonstration of Crowley’s core values of drive, integrity, and sustainability. Jethro Joseph Joseph, from Miami, Florida, is working towards his bachelor’s degree in marine engineering. He served as an...

ClassNK has verified the measurement reports of GHG emissions and environmental data of Tsuneishi Holdings Corporation and 28 group companies and issued verification statements. To address social issues including climate change, accurate measurement of environmental information such as GHG emissions and resource use resulting from a company's business activities is a significant step in assessing and reducing environmental burden. In addition, disclosure of environmental information is...

The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) recognised 85 Crowley vessels and their crews for a cumulative 782 years of safe environmental practices and operations. The Environmental Achievement Awards, presented annually by the CSA, commend vessels and mariners that demonstrate an outstanding safety record with no reportable spills, no U.S. Coast Guard environmental citations or other pollution incidents. Crowley’s long commitment to environmental stewardship is built on safety, tr...

The WECHULL+ project, co-ordinated by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, has received a 2.5 MEUR grant from the EU Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) program. The project will develop and test new floating structures of high-performance concrete, reducing cost and CO2 footprint, as well as improving circularity and reliability, in the offshore renewable energy sector. It is a 3-year project, starting in December 2023, implemented by a consortium of research organizations and companies...

Wärtsilä ANCS, part of technology group - Wärtsilä, has delivered to the Adora Magic City, China’s first domestically built cruise ship, a suite of solutions, including the NACOS Platinum Valmatic automation and control system, valve control system, low location lighting, navigation system, engine and bridge control room console, and smart motor control unit.  Additionally, Wärtsilä has contributed to the vessel's excellence with the delivery of its bow...

Global ferry and port operator, Stena Line has signed a significant deal with Peel Ports Group, a major UK port operator, to operate from Heysham Port for the next 77 years until 2100. The Swedish ferry company runs a twice-daily freight service from Belfast-Heysham providing a vital trade corridor between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. 12 Quays Terminal The collaborative agreement demonstrates the strong working partnership between the two organisations and seeks to further strengt...

ABS joined Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Seatech Solutions International (Seatech), and Shift Clean Energy (Shift), in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop electric tugboats, part of an initiative to achieve India’s goal of becoming the ‘Global Hub for Green Shipbuilding’ by 2030. The proposed E-VOLT 50 tug aims to reduce carbon emissions, improve operational efficiency, and set new benchmarks for performance and environmental sustainab...

Global resin-applications specialist - Bolidt has signed an exclusivity agreement with long-standing customer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, covering all of the French shipyard’s newbuild cruise vessels – in addition to several navy ships, and offshore projects – until 2027. The joint undertaking is the latest in a 32-year relationship that has so far seen Bolidt supply its decking systems to around 100 Chantiers de l’Atlantique-built vessels–primarily cruise sh...

Technology group - Wärtsilä will supply the cargo handling and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) fuel supply systems for a new Medium Gas Carrier (MGC) vessel being built for Turkish ship owner - Pasco Gas. The contract was signed with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) and was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2023. The 45,000 m3 capacity vessel was ordered as an option following an earlier new build contract signed in February 2023. The Wärtsilä scope of supply is the same for both...

The World Shipping Council expressed its thanks to the member nations of the Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition formed to address the maritime security crisis in the Red Sea region. Protecting seafarers The mission of this task force is critical to protecting seafarers and to defending the foundational principle of freedom of navigation. World Shipping Council is grateful that these nations have come together to protect seafarers and the vessels on which they serve, and hope that the coa...

Regional cluster organisation, Mersey Maritime are delighted to announce that they have surpassed their initial pledge of £20,000 for The Hive Youth Zone, a local charity providing essential support for disadvantaged youth. The impressive sum of £43,700 was raised as part of Mersey Maritime’s 20-year anniversary celebrations. Just over 12 months ago, Mersey Maritime pledged to support The Hive Youth Zone. Located just a short distance from Mersey Maritime’s headquarters...

Brunvoll Mar-El will deliver the onshore charging system for the Bergen area fast ferries, more specifically on the Knarvik-Bergen and Kleppestø-Bergen routes. Brunvoll Mar-El has earlier been contracted to deliver the electrical and hybrid system integration for the 3 ferries, and the contracts add up to both onboard and onshore system integration.  Low-emission high-speed vessels Brunvoll Mar-El is a systems integrator in the market for power and weight-optimised low-emission hi...

COSCO Shipping Technology has become the latest company to join the international autonomous shipping association, as One Sea continues to expand its geographical footprint following a period of significant growth in 2023. COSCO Shipping Technology, a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Group, one of the largest shipping and logistics companies in the world, is the sixth company to join One Sea this year. Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in the development of autonomous shipping technolog...

Technology group - Wärtsilä will supply the cargo handling and fuel supply systems for four new 40,000 cubic.metres gas carrier vessels. The ships are being built at the CIMC SinoPacific Offshore & Engineering (SOE) shipyard in China for Norwegian shipowner Avance Gas. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2023. Wärtsilä’s range of complete cargo handling systems for gas tankers are designed to reduce operating costs and improve the vessel’s Energy...

Bureau Veritas (BV), a world pioneer in testing, inspection, and certification, has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to Greek company - ERMA FIRST for its BLUE CONNECT system, a high-voltage alternative maritime power solution that can be housed in a 40 ft container. ERMA FIRST’s system, which can be housed in a container or provided in a stand-alone configuration, enables most ships to connect with different shore power systems based on their required power. BLUE CONNECT can be plugge...

ABB announces the release of the 2023 edition of Generations, which focuses on the experts, companies, and solutions driving the maritime industry toward a more successful and sustainable future. 'Transforming Tomorrow' With 2023’s theme, ‘Transforming Tomorrow’, Generations showcases the technological innovations, expertise, and concepts empowering change in shipping and beyond. It also highlights how ABB is drawing on its people, passion, and pedigree to support the transf...

Harbour Commission approves promotions to fill positions. The Long Beach Board of Harbour Commissioners has approved the appointments of new directors for the Port of Long Beach’s Human Resources and Engineering Design divisions. Khristina Jason, previously the Port’s assistant director of Human Resources since November 2021, will become Director of Human Resources. She joined the Port’s HR Division in April 2021 as Manager of Talent Relations and Engagement, having serve...

At Peel Ports Group, working closely with major cargo owners and shipping lines to find a solution which addresses a long-standing UK cargo flow distribution challenge. The efficient movement of goods is the lifeblood of any economy, and in the UK, the distribution of freight plays a crucial role in sustaining supply chains. However, the unequal distribution of freight by sea across the country poses significant challenges to both efficiency and sustainability. UK’s general productiv...