Surveillance & Maritime News for February 2024

ClassNK has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) for the design of a multi-functional floating offshore windfarm support vessel (MFSV) developed by “K” Line Wind Service, Ltd., a joint venture of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha, Ltd, together with Japan Marine United Corporation and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. Floating offshore wind turbines The installation of floating offshore wind turbines requires mooring works by vessels, with the whole mooring syst...

ABB has won an order with Portsmouth International Port to supply a shore connection solution for visiting ferries and cruise ships.  Shore power system Part of the UK port’s Sea Change project to design, build, and operate a shore power system across its three busiest berths, the installation will serve two ferry berths, each with five connection points and an additional berth shared by ferries and cruise ships. The order was signed in January 2024, with the system due for install...

From vast shipping containers to ocean-going yachts and uncrewed surface vessels, staying connected is more critical than ever. However, maintaining a robust data connection, on the move, can be a formidable task. Tristan Wood, founder of Livewire Digital, explores the power of hybrid networking and how it can help people and vessels constantly on the move to stay connected in even the most remote waters. Communication challenges Communication on the move can present many challenges, especial...

Ocean Infinity, a world renowned company in robotic and uncrewed vessel technology, has announced its attendance and key speaker slot at the Oceanology International 2024 event, which is taking place at London’s ExCel, from 12 - 14 March, 2024. The biennial event brings together key players in the ocean technology industry, providing a platform for businesses, academics, and government representatives to connect, share insights, and explore the latest innovations shaping the future of the...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of the technology group - Wärtsilä, introduces a ground-breaking Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS) for ships able to operate with ammonia fuel. The system is available for both liquid and gaseous fuel. Wärtsilä AFSS The Wärtsilä AFSS is an innovative and reliable system that enables the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. In line with shipping’s transition to decarbonised fuels, ammonia is widely seen as one of the most pr...

At a time when rapid advancements in maritime connectivity and shipboard technology are leaving vessel networks increasingly vulnerable to attack, the International Association of Classification Societies’ (IACS) unified requirements (URs) E26 and E27 aim to minimise the frequency and impact of cyber incidents at sea.  Revised E26 and E27 Initially adopted in April 2022, the URs were withdrawn ahead of their planned implementation on 1 January 2024. However, revised versions of E26...

Founded in 1977 as the Earthforce Environmental Society to tackle elephant poaching in Africa, Sea Shepherd moved into marine conservation with the acquisition of its first ship in 1978. Since then, the international non-profit organisation has engaged in a variety of activities focused on protecting ocean wildlife and ending the exploitation and destruction of marine ecosystems. Mobile satellite connectivity Crucial to Sea Shepherd’s mission is reliable, high-speed mobile satellite con...

Integrated planning for handling inland container shipping in the port of Rotterdam has now been used for over a year. Nextlogic continuously optimises the planning together with the participants. This ensures greater peace of mind, higher handling reliability and shorter port waiting times. Shorter port waiting times Terminals can make better use of their quays and cranes through Nextlogic. Barge operators spend less time on their planning and participating vessels spend as much as 20% less...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has finalised the basic design for an ammonia fuel supply system for the X-DF-A engine, an ammonia-fueled large, low-speed two-stroke marine engine currently under development by WinGD, a Swiss designer and licensor of large marine engines. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will continue to conduct technical studies with WinGD aimed at commercialisation of the system. Undertaking technical studies Mitsubishi Shipbuil...

Poole Harbour Commissioners has been successful in its application to the Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans Funding Competition, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in collaboration with Innovate UK – UK Research and Innovation. The Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans (LIDP) competition is providing up to £6 million in grant funding to support dispersed industrial manufacturers not located in the UK’s existing industrial clusters to decarbonise and...

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the premier shipbuilding and ship repair company in India, delivered the 13th Electric Hybrid 100 Pax Water Metro Ferry BY 137 to Kochi Water Metro. The occasion was marked by the Delivery Protocol Signing ceremony held at CSL, in the presence of directors of KMRL and CSL, along with senior officials from KMRL, CSL, DNV, and IRS.  Shri. Harikrishnan S, Chief General Manager CSL, and Shri. Shaji P Jananardhanan, Chief General Manager KMRL, signed the protocol...

U.S. President Joe Biden has signed an Executive Order aimed at shoring up the cybersecurity of U.S. ports, a move fuelled by mounting concerns about the vulnerability of this critical infrastructure to cyberattacks. This initiative marks a significant shift in policy, empowering key agencies and outlining concrete actions to bolster defences. By empowering key agencies, establishing clear standards, and fostering collaboration, the initiative aims to strengthen U.S. ports against the evolving...

The European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO) adopted its report on the reform of the Union Customs Code (UCC). This core economic legislation determines the efficiency, resilience and competitiveness of the EU’s external border for trade. More than ever getting that right is vital for the EU’s businesses and citizens. Ninety percent of the EU’s external trade relies on shipping, making it vital that the UCC is well adapted to this strategic sector. UCC nee...

Prysmian, the pioneer in the energy transition and digital transformation, launches, in collaboration with Interbrand—a pioneering brand consultancy for nearly 50 years—the group's new brand: a crucial asset that aims to support and amplify Prysmian’s new business strategy. This is a true brand evolution that shapes the Company's direction towards a new era, as part of the strategy “Connect, to Lead,” presented on 5 October 2023 during the Capital Markets Day held...

Danfoss’ new Universal Quick Disconnect (UQD) couplings provide superior performance and reliability for liquid cooling, ensuring peak performance for critical applications. Engineered for the precision cooling requirements of modern data centres, the couplings drive a strong return on investment through robust design, long service life and lower maintenance. Ideal for liquid cooling applications that use smaller hose lines, Danfoss UQD couplings are available in four sizes, as well as va...

Previous suggestions had put the cost of the project at €200m but that has now been increased. The Irish Government has increased the budget for a new naval ship, which will be the largest in the State’s history, to €300m. Last week the Journal reported that the Department of Defence was set to release documents associated with the tender process for the new Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) which will allow the Irish Naval Service respond to large-scale humanitarian crises. Large-scale...

The crucial importance of the maritime industry to the Liverpool City Region was the focus of a full day tour for the Shadow Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP, when he visited the area on Thursday 15th February 2024. Hosted by Mersey Maritime, alongside some of its key partners, he was given a detailed update by the regional cluster organisation for the industry in the North West before embarking on a visit to Cammell Laird and the Port of Liverpool in the afternoon. During lunch, Mr Kane also v...

ABB has been selected by the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard based in Chile to provide a power and propulsion system for Antarctica21’s newbuild boutique expedition ship Magellan Discoverer. Due for delivery in 2026, the vessel is the first hybrid-electric polar cruise ship featuring Azipod® propulsion to be built in the Americas. Accommodating up to 96 passengers and 67 crew members, the vessel will be operating in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia an...

Developer of maritime battery systems EST-Floattech receives an investment of 4 million euros from the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam and existing shareholders Rotterdam Port Fund, PDENH, Ponooc, and Yard Energy. This was announced by Chantal Zeegers, the Alderman for Climate, Building, and Housing in Rotterdam. The ‘Energietransitiefonds Rotterdam’ is the investment fund of the municipality of Rotterdam.  Lithium-ion battery systems EST-Floattech develops and produces...

Tasmania is poised to chart a new course in maritime innovation with the arrival of Ocean Infinity, a global pioneer in marine robotics. Thanks to support from the Government of Tasmania, the Australian island state is on the brink of entering a new era in safer, more environmentally sustainable marine operations.   Ocean Infinity, renowned for its groundbreaking ocean exploration and marine robotics solutions, is set to transform maritime operations across sectors including governmen...

Chemship commissioned its first ship with wind-assisted ship propulsion. This makes the MT Chemical Challenger the first chemical tanker in the world to be equipped with sustainable wind technology. The ship will serve on shipping company Chemship’s Trans-Atlantic route between the East Coast of the United States and the Mediterranean. This week four 16-metre-high aluminium wind sails were installed on board the 134-metre-long vessel. The VentoFoils from Econowind create a direct wind sur...

Team Electric Group has earmarked Romania as a focal point for collaboration with domestic and regional shipyards, and as a new source of highly skilled electrical specialists to serve its continuing global expansion. The European turnkey engineering group recently formalised the basis for its activities in Romania by establishing Team Electric (Romania), with head offices in Galati. The new company brings together some well-known marine engineering professionals based in Romania, headed by Man...

METIS Cyberspace Technology is expanding its portfolio of Data Acquisition, Real-Time Performance Monitoring, and Intelligent Analytics solutions to include the needs of Service Operation Vessels (SOV). The move follows a collaborative project covering fleet performance optimisation with an offshore service provider for wind/oil & gas industries, ESVAGT. Service Operation Vessels (SOV) The SOV fulfills multiple roles - as a transport ship, accommodation vessel, warehouse, and workshop - p...

Unifeeder Group has completed a long-term charter agreement for two additional methanol-capable container feeder vessels. This follows the agreement for two initial vessels announced in October 2023, underscoring the group’s commitment to greener shipping solutions.   1250 twenty-foot TEU vessels The latest agreement is in partnership with German-based ship-owning group Elbdeich Reederei and Norwegian shipowner MPC Container Ships (MPCC), who are responsible for one vessel each...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) expressed gratitude to EUNAVFOR for the launch of Operation ASPIDES, a defencive maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and adjacent international waters.  The Red Sea and the Suez Canal are critical arteries for EU trade, and Operation ASPIDES is expected to play a key role in defending seafarers, and commercial and security interests in the region. Operation ATALANTA WSC strongly appreciates the com...

The organising committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) has announced Fincantieri as the ‘Diamond Sponsor’ for its eighth edition, taking place from 4 to 6 March 2024 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, DIMDEX 2024 is proudly hosted and organised by the Qatar Armed Forces and will be held in 2024 under the theme “Igniting t...

Mersey Maritime, in collaboration with WISTA UK, successfully marked the first regional event for WISTA UK in 2024 with the conclusion of their ‘Diversity in Maritime’ networking evening held on 15th February 2024, at HMS Eaglet in Liverpool. Event features and contributions The gathering brought together industry leaders and professionals for a networking and knowledge-sharing session. As part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations, WISTA UK will continue to host various regional...

The Port of Rotterdam Authority will continue using clean fuel and energy for its vessels and emergency power facilities, such as radar stations. To this end, CEO and ad interim COO Boudewijn Siemons signed a new agreement with VARO Energy Group. In the Port Authority’s tender process for the cleanest usable energy carrier, VARO’s products came out best. Since 2018, the port of Rotterdam has been using VARO’s HVO100 (100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) for its fleet. This biofuel...

Total decarbonisation is the essential goal for Valenciaport. This was the main message conveyed by representatives of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) to the professionals present at the eMobility World Congress, the international mobility fair hosted by Feria Valencia from 13 to 15 February. In their speeches, Raúl Cascajo, head of Environmental Policies of the PAV, and Juan Manuel Díez Orejas, head of Innovation of the PAV, described the infrastructures and projects underwa...

Light Structures’ SENSFIB Hull Stress Monitoring System received the ABS SMART(SHM) Tier 3 Product Design Assessment (PDA) certificate. The SENSFIB Tier 3 Smart Structural Health Monitoring system employs an industry-pioneering, fibre optic, sensor-based approach for structural health assessment and prediction, calibrated and verified using high-fidelity data for improved accuracy and reliability. SENSFIB system Vessels fitted with the SENSFIB system will be eligible to receive the ABS...