Prime movers News

OMT, the market pioneer in fuel injection for the two-stroke engine sector, has strengthened its ability to support shipping’s decarbonisation following the acquisition of the company in its entirety by Accelleron, completed on July 20, 2023. OMT will continue to operate its global business independently as a stand-alone unit, retaining all employees, the company structure and the brand name. Together, Accelleron and OMT will advance the energy transition in shipping. Both companies remai...

Accelleron has supported a turbocharger overhaul on the hospital ship - MV Africa Mercy, operated by the non-governmental organisation - Mercy Ships. The support, in the form of discounted labour, will enable the vessel to continue its mission of delivering free medical care and training to people without access to safe surgery, including in some of the world’s most vulnerable developing economies. The 43-year-old vessel, which houses five operating rooms and a recovery ward for more than...

A new £100,000 Challenge Fund competition has opened for Belfast’s digital and creative companies, aimed at animating the city’s Maritime Mile. Developed by Belfast City Council’s City Innovation Office, in partnership with the Maritime Belfast Trust, the fund is part of the Belfast HUB-IN (Hub of Innovation) project. HUB-IN HUB-IN is all about exploring how digital innovation can help to sustain, enhance, and preserve the rich and unique heritage along Belfast’s...

The transportation of hydrogen, a key fuel of the energy transition in maritime, is another step closer to supporting projected market demands thanks to newly published industry-pioneering requirements from ABS. The ABS Requirements for Liquefied Hydrogen Carriers address safety and technical standards for vessels carrying liquefied hydrogen, expanding on the corresponding IMO Resolution MSC.420(97) that was adopted in November 2016. ABS publication provides further support on criteria T...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has introduced a new ultra-low emissions version of its already efficient Wärtsilä 31DF engine. Whilst operating on LNG, this new version can further reduce methane emissions on a 50 percent load point by up to 56 percent and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by up to 86 percent. On a weighted average, this new technology can reduce methane emissions by 41 percent more than the standard Wärtsilä 31DF engine, which has already the lowest emission leve...

ABS shines a light on the maritime industry’s complex regulatory environment in a major new report summarising the latest global regulatory developments and guidelines, as well as their impact on the maritime industry. From reductions in the carbon intensity of shipping to the use of future fuels and autonomous ship capabilities, the IMO and regional regulators continue to pursue unified regulatory consensus to improve safety, efficiency and technological leadership in the maritime indust...

ABB and Carnival Corporation & plc have signed a long-term partnership agreement to collaborate on continued operational excellence and ship performance across the cruise company’s fleet using systematic maintenance planning, critical spare management, and cutting-edge digital solutions for condition monitoring. The contract was booked in Quarter 3 (Q3) 2023. Azipod® XO propulsion systems The 15-year agreement covers maintenance for Azipod® XO propulsion systems powering ves...

Classification society - DNV has entered into a Joint Development Project (JDP) with AL Group and its Singapore company - Asiatic Lloyd Maritime LLP to explore the feasibility of carbon capture and storage (CCS) on board AL’s 7,100TEU containership and Kamsarmax bulk carrier newbuildings. Techno-economic study of CCS Under the JDP, DNV will cooperate with AL on a techno-economic study of CCS on board the vessels using DNVs FuelPath to assess the economic potential of the different fuel a...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group company based in Yokohama, Japan, has held a christening and launch ceremony for the FUGAKU MARU, a roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ship under construction for FUJITRANS Corporation. The ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant of MHI’s Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The handover is scheduled for April 2024 following completion of outfitting work and sea trials. The new vessel...

In a collective journey towards achieving net zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, PSA Singapore (PSA) and Pacific International Lines (PIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop sustainable solutions to cut carbon emissions and optimise maritime efficiency. The collaboration between the two long-time partners includes the development of a set of low carbon emission routes for containers shipped by PIL via PSA. PSA Singapore and PIL sign MoU Beyond the MoU, both...

Classification society DNV acting as third party has issued a statement of qualified technology to SBM Offshore for its carbon capture plant or CO2 capture solution for FPSOs developed in partnership with MHI. The statement verifies that the designated technology is feasible for the intended application and that the technical claims are adequately substantiated. The statement is valid until 15 September 2027. This represents another milestone for SBM Offshore and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (M...

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and classification society - DNV have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at KORMARINE, committing to establishing SHI's state-of-the-art Remote Operation Centre (ROC) for real-time monitoring and control of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). SHI and DNV sign MoU The MoU will underpin DNV and Samsung Heavy Industries’ collaboration to drive innovation and redefine the future of marine transportation. The joint venture seeks to develop a Remote...

During the three-day summit, many Indian ministers, government officials and international maritime communities discussed and deliberated key issues of the maritime sector - emphasising the importance of the Indian maritime sector and the need for collaboration to achieve sustainable growth - Shri Narendra Modi, Honorable Prime Minister of India, inaugurated the summit on 17th October 2023. The summit was a flagship event aimed at propelling the Indian maritime economy by promoting global and r...

Peel Ports Group is committed to nurturing young talent and investing in the industry's future. They are, therefore, thrilled to announce the addition of nine new early careers apprentices, who have joined their London Medway and Port of Liverpool teams, since the start of the academic year. These apprenticeships span various disciplines, including administration, operations, and engineering. Throughout their apprenticeships, the talented young recruits will have the opportunity to learn practi...

ABS is joining Mencast Marine (MMPL), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) on a project to manufacture and class a 3D-printed propeller. The collaborative project builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by ABS and MMPL that is focused on additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, for critical maritime components. WAAM techniques ABS is committed to supporting these inn...

Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton have embarked on a project with Hampshire based environmental monitoring specialists OceanWise, to provide a solution for current monitoring on the South Bramble navigation buoy. ABP, who have been a customer of OceanWise for nearly 10 years, needed to collect current monitoring data at the South Bramble buoy to provide additional data to pilots on their Portable Pilot Units (PPUs). This data, which will sit alongside the range of other environmental...

Global shipping and sustainable energy logistics solutions provider - Crowley is proceeding with plans to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering services on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, under the first permit issued by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) for the provision of such services. Crowley’s advanced energy group will operate the innovative service to manage the ship-to-ship LNG transfer services. LNG bunkering services for Panama Canal LNG is widely accepted as...

Alfa Laval OceanGlide has been selected by Kumiai Navigation (PTE) LTD to be installed on one of its LPG tankers as a retrofit. The company’s decision to leverage fluidic air lubrication technology is rooted in its ambition to reduce the vessel's energy consumption, improve its overall performance and comply with environmental regulations. Alfa Laval OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system Alfa Laval has been selected for installation of its OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system o...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed a strategic partnership agreement for Decarbonisation Modelling with Raízen, a major Brazilian energy company. The agreement focuses on both new building and existing operation upgrade plans. Its aim is to build and implement a fleet-wide decarbonisation plan with a particular interest in the future marine introduction of ethanol as a marine fuel. Wärtsilä brings new sustainable solutions to the market Wärtsilä, under...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) (the ‘Company’ or ‘Norwegian’), a renowned global cruise company, which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, has announced its partnership with Global Maritime Forum, a global non-profit organisation committed to shaping the future of global seaborne trade to increase sustainable long-term economic development and human well-being. The new partnership closely aligns with the Company&rsqu...

Republic of Nicaragua’s accession marks major step for 2012 Cape Town Agreement entry into force and improved fishing vessel safety. A crucial milestone has been reached on the path towards global regulation of safety standards for large industrial fishing vessels across the world, and those working onboard. Nicaragua is the 22nd State to become a party to the Agreement, thus fulfilling one of the two required criteria for the entry into force of the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA). Fish...

Ahlsell Norway has entered into an agreement to acquire all shares in Midt-Norsk Rør AS, a supplier of complete sewage systems, primarily to contractors, municipalities and agricultural customers in central Norway. The company, with establishments in Stjørdal, Ringebu and Helgeland, has nine employees and the turnover in 2022 amounted to 50 MNOK. With climate change and increased population growth that places greater demands on infrastructure, there is a strong need for maintenanc...

Wilhelmsen Port Services has achieved sole ownership of Sweden's Gothenburg Ship Agency AB, solidifying its presence in Sweden and further enhancing its global services. This strategic move follows its acquisition of Vopak Agencies, marking a significant step in expanding its offerings and commitment to serving customers in Sweden and the Baltic Sea region. As part of its acquisition of Rotterdam-headquartered Vopak Agencies in December last year, Wilhelmsen Port Services inherited a 50% stake...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a parcel layout concept for a hydrogen-fueled multi-purpose vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., MOL Drybulk Ltd., Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Japan Engine Corporation. This is the world’s first AiP certification for a ship equipped with a large low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fueled engine as the main propulsion engine. Growth and building of the vessel According to the companies, demon...

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of Wilhelmsen, Carl Schou, believes there are great opportunities for ship managers ahead. In an interview with Naftemporiki, one of Greece business news publication, Carl Schou discusses the significant challenges faced by the maritime industry today. Question: What exactly is the role and responsibilities of a third-party management company when taking over a shipowner's fleet? Carl Schou answered, “When a third-party management company t...

Effective January 1, 2024, IT will be represented in Atlas Copco’s Group Management. Marcus Hvied, who is General Manager IT Services and Head of Group IT (Information Technology) is appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer and becomes a member of the management team. Marcus Hvied joined the Group in 2018 and has since then successfully led the Group common IT organisation. “Digital transformation and cyber security have become increasingly important for the Group,...

Nexans Marine Operations AS has returned to Ulstein Verft AS to build a new and updated version of the DP3 cable laying vessel MS “Nexans Aurora”. The new vessel will share the same comprehensive propulsion and manoeuvring package from Brunvoll. Brunvoll’s delivery for the new cable-laying vessel will share the same specifications as the previous delivery, consisting of three azimuth propulsion units, two tunnel thrusters, and a retractable azimuth thruster. All the thrus...

ClassNK has released a white paper 'Pathway to Zero-Emission in International Shipping – Understanding the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy'. In July 2023, the IMO adopted the ‘2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships’, which includes goals such as achieving net-zero GHG emissions by or around 2050. While the strategy sets numerical targets for reducing GHG emissions as well as indicative checkpoints, the maritime industry has not yet reached a common understanding of w...

VARD, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, has ordered 4 × MAN 12V175D-MEM GenSets in connection with the building of a new purpose-built, cable-laying vessel (CLV) for NCT Offshore, the Danish subsea specialist. The GenSets will form part of the vessel’s diesel-electric DP2 propulsion system, which also includes a hybrid battery package. VARD orders 4 × MAN 12V175D-MEM GenSets This exciting project is just the latest in the rapidly-grow...

Ingeteam has succeeded in an order to equip what will be the world's largest luxury sailing ships. Specifically, the company will design and manufacture the converters and motors that will propel the two ships that will emulate the famous Orient Express train, enabling more ecological and sustainable navigation via the latest marine technology. The ships belong to Accor Group under the Orient Express brand, and will be built at French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Ingeteam will supply a t...