Surveillance & Maritime News for January 2025

Kongsberg Digital and PSA Marine Pte. Ltd. have entered into a strategic collaboration to enhance maritime harbour pilot training, leveraging cutting-edge simulation technology to equip PSA Marine’s harbour pilots with advanced skills to navigate the growing complexities of maritime operations, including autonomous ships and sustainable propulsion systems. Integrated marine services Headquartered in Singapore, PSA Marine provides integrated marine services, which are primarily pilotage a...

Leask Marine was delighted that Haventus put their trust in their team to support their shared vision to return the Port of Ardersier to a fully working commercial port.  The Leask team spent the 2024 summer season performing a UXO and debris clearing campaign with their marine spread consisting of vessel & barge fitted with excavators, hoppers, graders, and metal detectors to remove any potential debris ahead of the dredging campaign in 2025.

As part of its strategy to penetrate new and emergent markets, Thordon Bearings has appointed Axioma servisas as its sales, service, and distribution lead for Lithuania.Lithuania has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU over the past five years. The country continues to actively develop its maritime, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors, as part of government policy to strengthen the country’s industrial competitiveness. Technology solutions Vilnius-headquartered...

Hexagon announced an agreement to acquire Septentrio NV, an OEM provider of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies, to drive innovation and expand the market reach of Resilient Assured Positioning solutions. High-accuracy and performance Combining Septentrio's pioneering GNSS platform with Hexagon’s extensive positioning portfolio, including sensor fusion, anti-jamming, correction services, and perception technologies, will enable cutting-edge solutions for diverse mark...

Vigor announced Mark Norris has joined the company as Vice President of Marine Fabrication. Norris will oversee one of the pioneering and most innovative marine vessel fabricators in the U.S., which is currently in production on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light), or MSVL, the U.S. Army’s new generation landing craft. He will be responsible for growing and maintaining an experienced, skilled team, while leading Vigor’s defence and commercial marine fabrication projects....

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has announced a new leadership structure to execute on its multibillion-dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. Jason Montague has been appointed Chief Luxury Officer for NCLH, effective February 17, 2025, overseeing both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, capitalising on his extensive industry expertise and strong track record previously pioneering these brands. This appointment underscores NCLH’s focus on it...

Steel cutting ceremony of the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) for Indian Navy was held on 16 Dec 2024 at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. Commodore S Parthiban, Warship Production Superintendent, Warship Overseeing Team (WOT), Kochi, conducted the steel cutting of the first steel plate for Ship No. BY-531. Shri KN Sreejith, Director (Operations), Shri Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director (Ship Repairs), Shri S Harikrishnan, Executive Director (Shipbuilding) of CSL, and senior officia...

Adani Ports & SEZ, through its subsidiary, Ocean Sparkle Limited, has placed an order for 8 nos of 70 T Bollard Pull ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) Tugs on Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) – the pioneering shipyard in India. This is in addition to the 3 nos of the 70 T Bollard Pull Tugs already under construction at Udupi-CSL for Ocean Sparkle Limited, totalling 11 Tug orders on Udupi-CSL. Designs of Robert Allan Limited The 7...

Strategic Marine is proud to announce the signing and delivery of its first Surface Effect Ship (SES) to All Energies Services (AES), a groundbreaking moment in the company’s advancement within the offshore oil and gas sector. The contract marks a major step in Strategic Marine’s ongoing collaboration with AIRCAT Vessels, ESNA – Espeland and Skomedal Naval Architects, and AES bringing a revolutionary 35-meter SES vessel to life. Surface Effect Ship This high-perfor...

Cammell Laird is delighted to announce it has received the prestigious Gold Award under the MoD’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Signing the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations pledge to honour two main principles which are: no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage at work or in the community compared to other citizens and, in some circumstances, special consideration is appropriate for those who have given most, such as the injured or bereaved. Outstanding s...

MetOcean Telematics is pleased to announce they will be exhibiting at the 2022 Technical Trade Show hosted by the Ontario Technical Investigators Association (OTIA). The event will take place from June 1 to 2, 2022 in Gravenhurst, Ontario. They are looking forward to connecting with the valued partners and clients at the event. Visit the MetOcean Security team at tables one and two. The Ontario Technical Investigators Association (OTIA) aims to: promote education in the field of technical su...

Last week, Cammell Laird welcomed Commodore David Eagles, Head of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), to its facility. Cdre David Eagles joined the RFA in 1988 and has served for over 30 years on various seagoing and staff appointments. Prior to taking up his promotion and appointment as COMRFA, his last sea-going Command was RFA FORT VICTORIA. Four RFA vessels The visit included a tour of Cammell Laird’s facility, where the commodore had the opportunity to view the four RFA vessels curren...

Cammell Laird’s commercial ship repair division has experienced significant growth towards the end of 2023, up by 50% from this time last year. In the last two months alone, the facility has welcomed more than 11 vessels for ship repair works – including new and returning customers. Cammell Laird now operates as part of the wider APCL Group of shipbuilders and ship repairers - which has helped the movement of vessels across all four facilities. Recent shipbuilding contrac...

Cammell Laird will construct the first new Mersey ferry in 60 years in a move that marks a major milestone for the shipbuilder. The Birkenhead facility – which is part of the APCL group – has put pen to paper with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on a deal that will see the new vessel designed and built exclusively on-site. Full electric propulsion The ferry will also have an exhaust after-treatment system, which will operate in excess of UK The state-of-the-art vesse...

Cammell Laird and The Engineering College have welcomed 50 first-year apprentices following a successful recruitment campaign. Building on the success of previous years, this group of apprentices will undertake their training and education with The Engineering College, including spending the first year of their apprenticeship in the college’s industry-standard workshops, learning the foundations of their trade alongside skilled tutors. Long-term sustainability The new apprentices includ...

Cammell Laird has enjoyed a busy three months having welcomed four Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels to its facility. The UK’s first Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ship is one of the latest Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels to undergo maintenance and refitting at Cammell Laird. Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Cammell Laird undertook the conversion of RFA Proteus, formally known as the Topaz Tangaroa, which was purchased by the UK Ministry of Defence for the conversion of Multi-Role Ocean Surveilla...

Ahead of DSEI 2023, Cammell Laird is delighted to announce that A&P and Cammell Laird have been awarded contracts by BAE Systems to build units for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates. The advanced anti-submarine warfare vessels are being constructed at BAE Systems’ site in Govan, Scotland, but will incorporate units built by both A&P and Cammell Laird. Fabrication facilities A&P Tyne - which boasts the largest fabrication facilities on the east coast of England - has bu...

Kelvine Tomlinson has been appointed Director of Procurement at Cammell Laird. He joins from BAE Systems where he worked in senior procurement positions for more than 15 years, on projects such as the F35 programme and Tempest - the UK's Future Combat Air System (FCAS). He also worked extensively in airframe material management. Kelvine Tomlinson With a career that has spanned both the private and public sectors, before joining BAE Systems, Kelvine Tomlinson also held senior commercial and pr...

Over the last three months, Cammell Laird has been undertaking the conversion of RFA Proteus, formally known as Topaz Tangaroa. The offshore support vessel was purchased by the UK Ministry of Defence earlier in 2023 for conversion for Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS). Crane and deck machinery Cammell Laird has been tasked with preparing the vessel for its new role, with works to the crane and deck machinery as well as a full paint scheme and name change. RFA Proteus is the newest member...

As of 8 November 2022, TSG AB is expanding its fleet with an additional vessel on the Baltic and North Sea. The vessel will be deployed on the Stockholm/Norvik – Hull - Rotterdam route. TSG AB's subsidiary SUN Line is investing in strengthening its service and is adding a vessel to the Stockholm/Norvik-Hull-Rotterdam route from 8 November 2022. Demand from freight buyers TSG already has the vessels Alrek, Frej and Odin calling at Västerås – Amsterdam - Hull The company...

UK Customs (HMRC) will change the system for handling import declarations. The new system CDS (Customs Declaration Service) replaces the current system CHIEF. In the spring of 2023, the handling of export declarations will also move to the new system. In order for customs processing to continue without delay, it is important that the recipients, and eventually also senders, register in the new CDS system. They can get more information about CDS from the British Customs Authority. Why is there...

Chris Davies has been appointed as Group Business Development Lead (Commercial Ship Repair) at A&P and Cammell Laird in a newly established position across both businesses. Chris joined A&P Group as a Business Development Manager Marine in 2018 and has a wealth of connections across the maritime sector. Over the last four years, Chris has been responsible for bringing a range of new customers to A&P from both the commercial and offshore sectors. Dock availability to ship owners Ch...

MetOcean Telematics is pleased to announce they will be exhibiting at the National Technical Investigators’ Association (NATIA) 2022: Annual Training Conference & Technology Exhibition, which will be held July 25 – 27, 2022 at the Kentucky International Convention Centre in Louisville, Kentucky. They are looking forward to meeting the US clients and partners at the event and showcasing MetOcean’s latest suite of security products and technologies. Visit the MetOcean team a...

Thor Shipping & Transport AB and Svecon Freight AB are changing their names to Thor Svecon Group AB and at the same time introduce a new visual identity. The name change decided at an Extraordinary General Meeting on March 18, 2022, marks a new phase in the company's development and is another step in strengthening the company's market position and continued growth in line with the strategic plan. Strategy plan "We have great ambitions to continue on this growth journey. In recent years,...

Satcom Direct, the business aviation solutions provider, is celebrating the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) approval of Supplemental Type Certificates, (STCs) for the Satcom Direct Plane Simple™ Ku-band tail-mounted Antenna System. Following a multi-model, (AML) STC approval, Gulfstream G550, G450, GV, and GIV types can now be equipped with the advanced technology terminal. Plane Simple advanced antenna The Satcom Direct Gulfstream G550 is the first aircraft carrying the equipment, d...

Cammell Laird’s Defence Division has enjoyed a busy twelve months, as it continues to provide support to the four Tide Class tankers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). The 39,000-tonne newly built vessels came into service in 2017 and were built to replace the RFA’s single-hulled tankers. Bulk fuel Replenishment Together with RFA’s Wave Knight and Fort Victoria, the four tankers are maintaining the Royal Navy’s dedicated bulk fuel Replenishment at Sea (RAS) capabiliti...

Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation solutions provider, is delivering high-speed connectivity to the world’s first VVIP Airbus ACJ320neo. Acropolis Aviation, the UK-based VVIP charter operator selected SD for its ability to deliver a custom-made connectivity solution that can meet the demanding needs of crew and passengers on board the definitive executive airliner, while also supporting and enhancing ground operations. Consistent network availability A combination of SD hardware...