Surveillance & Maritime News for January 2025

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised the Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure ('ESMI') fund on a sale and lease back transaction to be entered into with Mainport Shipping Ltd ('Mainport') for the pre- and post-delivery lease financing of the hybrid survey and ROV support vessel - 'Geo Master'. The vessel is currently under construction at Neptune Construction B.V., a shipyard in the Netherlands. Supporting the growing European offshore wind market, the vessel is scheduled for deliv...

Castor Marine is excited to announce that Navarino has acquired 100% of the shares of Castor Marine B.V. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for both organisations, as they come together to better serve their customers with comprehensive, innovative solutions and a shared commitment to excellence.  Both Navarino and Castor Marine are thriving businesses with strong growth trajectories. Each serves a complementary set of customers, with whom they have co-created tailor-made technol...

According to the latest data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights (AFI) platform the maritime industry’s exceptional newbuilding year 2024 drove a significant rise in orders for alternative-fuelled vessels. A total of 515 such ships were ordered, representing a 38% year-on-year increase compared to 2023, underscoring the industry's growing commitment to decarbonisation. Demands for sustainable practices The growth in alternative-fuelled vessel orders has been heavily driven by th...

Strikes at ports on the US East Coast and Gulf Coast, which would have caused an economic and supply chain crisis, have been called off – with ocean container freight rate growth now expected to slow or fall. The strikes were set to begin on 15 January and would have forced the closure of ports from Maine to Texas. This has now been averted after a tentative agreement over a new six-year master contract was reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which re...

Figures across the dry bulk shipping sector have joined in paying tribute to Dimitri Fafalios, who concluded his chairmanship of the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) on 31 December 2024, after six years of distinguished leadership. Fafalios's pivotal role Industry pioneers have praised Mr. Fafalios's pivotal role in strengthening international shipping standards during a period of unprecedented change, noting his success in expanding INTERCARGO's influence, while...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, supported by Maritime London, have established SEA-CARE as a new working group of stakeholders from industry, regulators, and the UK government whose goal is to scrutinise maritime safety and how pooling information can improve it. The new working group establishes Maritime London as an impartial broker to ensure that the right organisations are represented in SEA-CARE discussions between Inmarsat and industry stakeholders. Jos Standerwick, Chief Executive,...

Kongsberg Discovery has reached an agreement to acquire Naxys Technologies AS. The Bergen-based company is a world pioneer in technology for underwater environmental monitoring, with a specialism in recognising the sound of oil and gas leaks. The oceans are crucial for solving global challenges related to climate, food and security. CEO Geir Håøy of KONGSBERG points out that Naxys fits well into the company's technology portfolio. Advanced sensor and underwater robotics The ratio...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised Viking Ocean Cruises (“Viking”) on the delivery of the ocean ship - 'Viking Vela' from Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, Italy. The 'Viking Vela', the 11th ship delivered to Viking by the Fincantieri Group, is built according to the latest navigation and safety regulations. It is also equipped with high-efficiency engines and systems that minimise the pollution of exhaust gases and that meet the strictest environmental requiremen...

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...

Absolute’s fleet expands with a new yacht boasting unmistakeable charm: the Navetta 70 – The Absolute Allure. The exterior spaces of this yacht are distinguished by dynamic and captivating lines, featuring a spacious and redesigned flybridge and a comfortable terrace cockpit. The interior furniture has been meticulously crafted in a contemporary style, employing light colours and premium materials. The new Navetta 70 introduces innovative design elements, elegant and on-trend, witho...

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...

Two of APCL’s most important priorities are worker safety and carbon reduction. And by partnering with a new glove supplier, APCL’s Cammell Laird facility has won an award for its continued commitment to both. APCL subsidiary Cammell Laird has named Traffi their new preferred supplier, with the intention that they should provide the absolute best protection for workers. New glove usage Since using the new gloves, hand injuries at the Birkenhead shipyard have been reduced by two-th...

Cammell Laird’s defence division has welcomed five Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels simultaneously to its facility for vital maintenance work. In the first five months of 2024, Cammell Laird has welcomed RFA Tideforce, RFA Tiderace, RFA Fort Victoria, RFA Proteus and RFA Stirling Castle. Cammell Laird has provided in service support to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary under the Cluster support Contract since 2008. The team has supported vessels from the RFA Fort-Class, Wave-Class and Tid...

David McGinley, CEO of APCL Group said, “Today we celebrate Armed Forces Day, and Cammell Laird, part of the APCL Group, is proud to celebrate our close links with the UK’s military." “Not only are we proud to serve the Ministry of Defence through our dedicated Defence Division, but also count several former service personnel as some of our most valued employees." Silver Award holders “We are proud to be Silver Award holders of the MoD’s Employer Recognition...

APCL Group has welcomed Commodore Nick Fox to its facilities in Falmouth and Birkenhead to mark his retirement. Cdre Nick Fox's career has spanned 45 years in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and has included several high-profile appointments - both afloat and shore-based. Nick Fox Nick Fox joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1978 as an engineer cadet. He completed his Cadet training in 1982 and served in a variety of seagoing and staff appointments before promotion to Captain in 2009. This sea ser...

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...

On October 30th, 2023, the Seafarer Conclave and Mariners Night event brought together seafarers, industry experts, and maritime enthusiasts- cultivating connections and featuring captivating guidance sessions by eminent speakers from prestigious Maritime Universities and Technical Managers -each followed by meaningful Q&A sessions. Seafarer Conclave 2023 Admiral Marine also took the opportunity to honour those who have dedicated their lives to the maritime industry with Long-time Service...