Surveillance & Maritime News for October 2024

ClassNK granted its ‘AFVC(FD)(EV)’ notation to ‘POSITIVE CHALLENGER’, a car carrier operated by EASTERN CAR LINER, LTD. and managed by ECL Shipmanagement Limited, for vessels equipped with additional firefighting measures for transporting electric vehicles (EVs).  Shipping companies are implementing various measures to address EV fires, which raise concerns due to difficulties in extinguishing and the risk of re-ignition. Characteristics of EV fires To support th...

RightShip, the digital maritime platform providing expertise in safety, sustainability, and social responsibility practices announced a change in its vessel inspection age trigger. Vessel inspection In response to evolving market conditions and continuing safety risks in the Dry Bulk and General Cargo sectors, RightShip will implement a phased approach to require inspections of vessels at an earlier age. This change reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to improving safety st...

Maritime UK Week 2024 wrapped up with great success, showcasing the incredible advancements in the maritime sector and engaging thousands across the UK. Held from 7th to 11th October, this dynamic week featured a number of standout events, bringing together industry leaders, professionals, and the public to celebrate the maritime sector’s vital role. With a focus on cutting-edge innovation, sustainability, and exciting career opportunities, the week was a fantastic opportunity to explore...

The Port of Poole proudly welcomed MS Hamburg, a cruise ship operated by Plantours Kreutzfahren, on her maiden call on Wednesday, 9th October 2024. A commemorative plaque exchange ceremony took place between Poole Harbour Commissioners’ Harbour Master, Harry Gregory and the Captain of the cruise ship, Captain Igor Gaber, celebrating this special occasion. Maiden call of MS Hamburg vessel The MS Hamburg, a 144-metre-long cruise vessel, arrived at Poole after calling at London The MS Ham...

Babcock has been awarded a two-year contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to continue to provide technical support services across the armed forces. The extension will see us continue to deliver a range of essential critical services to the Royal Air Force (RAF), Joint Aviation Command and Strategic Command at 16 stations across the UK. Babcock attains MOD contract extension This full-service partnership provides the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with a safe, cost-effective wa...

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) has announced a total contribution of $80,000 to the American Red Cross to help those in affected communities. In addition to the $30,000 it previously donated to the Red Cross to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts, it will match up to $50,000 more in public donations toward Hurricane Milton relief efforts. This contribution aims to provide immediate relief to the comm...

Eleven European entities specialising in turbomachinery, new fuels and combustion, energy conversion systems, gas turbines, bearing systems, heat recovery, digital twins, shipbuilding, and project consulting have united in the European project MARPOWER (an acronym for Efficient zero-emissions gas turbine POWER system for MARitime transport). CO2 emissions Their goal is to replace fossil fuels in the maritime sector, reduce emissions, and marine pollution, and ultimately help combat the de...

Connectivity, quality, safety and infrastructures. These are the strengths of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) in the international fruit and vegetable fair ‘Fruit Attraction’, which is being held at the IFEMA exhibition centre in Madrid from 8 to 10 October. Located in the stand of Puertos del Estado, Valenciaport has attended this event with a sales team led by Cristina Rodríguez, head of containers. Thus, during these three days, the PAV is highlighting its excellent i...

Now they’ve cut steel on HMS Formidable, the third of five Inspiration Class frigates they’re building for the Royal Navy at their Rosyth facility in Scotland, marking the official start of the ship’s build programme. Coming only 20 months after the steel cut ceremony for the second ship, HMS Active, this highlights the rapid progress being made on the Type 31 programme and the important sovereign defence capability being delivered at the world-class facility. Nearing structu...

Serco PLC has joined the UN Global Compact, the provider of services to governments internationally announced today. The Compact is an initiative where companies align their strategies and operations with ten principles related to human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance society and deliver the UN’s sustainability goals. Greater environmental responsibility The move aligns with Serco’s purpose - to impact a better future for People, Plac...

Oceania Cruises, the world’s renowned culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has unveiled details of its new culinary venue, the Crêperie, debuting on Allura™, its newest ship launching in July 2025. The Crêperie, located next to Baristas, the line's signature coffee bar, will offer a selection of tempting French crêpes, Bruxelles waffles and bubble waffles, alongside Italian ice cream sundaes, from mid-morning throughout the afternoon. The Crêperie...

Iridium Communications Inc., a globally renowned provider of global voice and data satellite communications, has announced its collaboration with Nordic Semiconductor for early integration of its Iridium NTN Direct℠ service into Nordic's LTE-M/NB-IoT modules and chipsets. Nordic Semiconductor is a global major in low power wireless connectivity solutions, including cellular IoT (LTE-M, NB-IoT), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and Thread and is trusted by world’s major brands across the consumer, ind...

2024 will go down as the year of peak energy emissions, according to DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook. Energy-related emissions are at the cusp of a prolonged period of decline for the first time since the Industrial Revolution. Emissions are set to almost halve by 2050, but this is a long way short of the requirements of the Paris Agreement. The Outlook forecasts the planet will warm by 2.2°C by the end of the century. Solar installations The peaking of emissions is largely due to p...

Daphne Technology SA, a pioneer in climate deep-tech solutions, is announcing the launch of its new entity, Daphne Solutions SA. This strategic spin-off is positioned to better serve customers by offering project engineering solutions integrating its innovative technologies for sulphur removal and carbon management through circular economy initiatives. SulPure® technology As a spin-off of Daphne Technology, Daphne Solutions will take over key projects, such as the SulPure® technology,...

Norway-based maritime technology business, Shipnet, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointments of a new Finance Director and HR Director. Paula Summers, who joins as HR Director, boasts over 15 years’ experience within HR roles partnering with business pioneers in the retail, manufacturing and nuclear energy sectors. This includes Ethel Austin, Glen Dimplex Consumer Appliances (including brands like Stoves, Belling, Morphy Richards and Roberts Radios) and Caven...

The United States Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Office of Environment and Innovation has selected ABS to establish and maintain the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (Center) under a five-year cooperative agreement. Decarbonisation and digitalisation Authorised by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation is intended to support the adoption of clean energy on U.S. vessels through a wide-ranging program of research and development and training support. ABS Chairman...

WEG, a pioneer in industrial solutions, recently completed the overhaul and recovery of a vertical mill gearbox at Cimento Tupi in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The service was carried out at WEG's plant in Sertãozinho, São Paulo. The gearbox, weighing more than 60 tons, drives Cimento Tupi's main mill, which has a nominal capacity of 300 tons per hour of flour. This critical equipment operates 24/7, making regular maintenance essential for continuous and safe operation. Electrical and m...

The Panama Canal’s 2024-2025 cruise season began on October 7, 2024, with the northbound passage of the passenger vessel Brilliance of the Seas, which is navigating a 15-day itinerary between Los Angeles and New Orleans. This repositioning transit marks the start of more than 225 transits through the Panama Canal expected for this season. According to Albano G. Aguilar, Specialist in Market Analysis and Forecasting at the Office of Corporate Affairs, “An increase in transits is expe...

Robert Allan Ltd. is pleased to announce that the RAmparts 2300 tug SN Cariri was successfully delivered to Sulnorte Serviços Maritimos in August 2024. The RAmparts 2300 series tug was recently completed at Estaleiro Rio Maguari (ERM) in Belém, Brazil. As the seventh RAmparts 2300 built by ERM in recent months, it showcases the success of their tug construction program based on Robert Allan Ltd.’s designs. This design also marks an important milestone for both Robert Allan...

Vard, a Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group and one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, has signed a new contract for the design and construction of one tailor-made Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) for Navigare Capital Partners. This contract, established in close collaboration with Norwind Offshore, is a continuation of Vard’s long-standing relationship with the two parties and represents the first option to be exercised from the...

Hoppe Marine GmbH (Germany) and Metis (Greece) have entered into a strategic cooperation in the field of onboard Data Acquisition. More specifically the cooperation ensures the seamless integration of Hoppe’s data collection systems with the Metis cloud-based performance management platform. This partnership aims to expand the use of high-frequency data analytics in vessel performance management, offering customers greater flexibility for real-time monitoring and strategic decision-making...

Eco Wave Power Global AB, a publicly traded onshore wave energy technology company announces that it signed an agreement for the sale of the first wave energy generation unit with I-Ke International Ocean Energy Co., a subsidiary of Lian Tat Company, a maritime engineering company, with the purpose of bringing Eco Wave Power’s wave energy technology to Taiwan. According to the terms of the agreement, I-Ke will be providing the full financing for the 100KW pilot project, by buying a turnke...

Bronze bearings in the stern roller of the Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) Vessel ES Kestrel have been replaced with grease-free SXL bearings from Thordon Bearings while the vessel remained afloat and operational. The replacement was undertaken in May 2024 by Thordon’s Dubai-based distributor Ocean Power International (OPI) for the AHTS owner Echo Cargo & Shipping of U.A.E. While typically checked during routine drydocking, the vessel’s stern roller was experiencing turning is...

Fugro acquires VSTEP’s NAUTIS simulator to advance the training of remote operators for their uncrewed surface vessels, further solidifying VSTEP’s position as a pioneer known for its unparalleled customisation and flexibility. Fugro, a pioneer in Geo-data, has partnered with VSTEP to enhance the training capabilities for their remote operators. The acquisition of VSTEP’s NAUTIS Simulator allows Fugro to train personnel on their uncrewed surface vessels (USV) using a fully cus...

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has achieved key progress in negotiations towards a set of binding global regulations on the IMO net-zero framework, aimed at achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction objectives set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.  GHG reduction At the conclusion of the 82nd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee held from 30 September to 4 October 2024, Member States had identified further a...

The Port of Greenock has officially unveiled its new £25m ship-to-shore cranes as the investment boosts productivity at the facility. Owner Peel Ports Clydeport welcomed guests to the port today for a ceremony to celebrate the biggest-ever investment in Greenock’s container facilities. The west-facing freight port’s new infrastructure is already benefitting customers, with one vessel recently departing 13 hours earlier than planned because of the quicker turnaround ti...

Jumbo is pleased to announce the successful installation of two mechanical sails to the Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV) Jumbo Jubilee. The wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) solution is the latest in a series of innovative technologies installed on the vessel in a bid to boost fuel efficiency and cut carbon.   Jumbo is committed to advancing sustainable heavy-lift shipping with innovative energy-saving and decarbonisation initiatives across its fleet, says Jumbo Maritime CEO Daan Kornn...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) held a commemorative event of its Golden Jubilee celebrations at Visakhapatnam, on 3rd October 2024. The event was attended by a distinguished group of senior maritime professionals and stakeholders from the East Coast of India, with large attendance from the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, shipyards, and shipowners, including representatives from Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Hyderabad and Chennai. This was the second celebratory event in IRS&rs...

BERG Propulsion has unveiled the OpWind® software system to help crews combine the operation of sails and propellers in the most efficient way in all sea conditions. OpWind OpWind automatically ensures that engine efficiency can be optimised concerning propeller rpm and blade pitch angle when wind propulsion is also used to propel a vessel. The approach saves even more fuel than would otherwise be the case. The system automatically senses any sail contribution to propulsion based on a ves...

SRT Marine Systems plc (SRT), a global provider of maritime domain awareness systems and technologies for security, safety, and environmental protection, is pleased to advise that it has received a formal contract award notification from a Sovereign Government Ministry for a contract worth US$ 213 million to deliver an integrated SRT maritime surveillance system.  The award is subject only to completion of the formal contract and associated performance bond, which are now underway and expe...