Prime movers News

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already driving huge changes across the world and is starting to have an impact on the maritime industry, but its transformative potential depends on addressing fundamental challenges first.  While AI promises increased efficiency, intelligent automation, and decision support, its adoption in shipping software requires a strong foundation of well-structured and engineered data, a shift in digital mentality, and a realistic approach to evaluating solutions....

BS Offshore and Ulstein Verft passed a significant milestone with the launch of the Yno 320, a state-of-the-art Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV). This event followed an extensive outfitting phase that included the installation of electrical and mechanical systems, piping, accommodation, and system integration. Ulstein Verft’s dock hall The Yno 320 was towed from Ulstein Verft’s dock hall to the outer dock on 20 February. While stationed in the outer dock, the Ampelman...

New nuclear reactor technology represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for U.S. industrial policy. Vessels propelled by advanced small modular reactors (SMR) could act as a catalyst for the revitalisation of U.S. shipbuilding. That is the view of ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki, who believes the next step is the development of a marinised SMR demonstrator. New industrial policy “It is a key transformational technology. It changes the commercial model, the economics o...

The TMS Ship Finance and Trade Conference 2025 brought together global industry pioneers, financial experts, and policymakers for transformative discussions on the future of maritime trade, finance, and sustainability. The conference served as a vital platform for addressing key challenges, exploring financial innovations, and advancing sustainability-driven solutions for the maritime sector. Challenges for maritime decarbonisation Al-Maghafi cautioned that these changes might slow sustainab...

A collaboration agreement has been signed between classification society ClassNK and maritime data and technology firm OceanScore to link the latter’s integrated solution for ClassNK ZETA (Zero Emissions Transition Accelerator) that enables users and related stakeholders to access visualised MRV/DCS data. Shipping companies using the ClassNK ZETA service will gain seamless access to OceanScore’s market-pioneering Compliance Manager under the agreement, which was inked on 20 January...

NorthStandard has finished a challenging year for global marine insurance, reporting an increase in poolable tonnage and continuing progress towards meeting its strategic goals. Marine insurers worldwide saw a rise in the number of large claims in the year ending 20 February, alongside compromised Asia-Europe ship routeing choices and a growing number of ‘shadow’ tankers seeking cover outside the International Group of P&I Clubs system. NorthStandard’s premium income Nev...

AAL Shipping, a multiple award-winning project heavy lift cargo operator headquartered in Singapore, has chosen ABB Ability™ OCTOPUS – Marine Advisory System to optimise operations of their advanced fleet of Super B-Class heavy lift vessels. ABB’s technology will help enhance the safety and efficiency of its cargo-carrying operations. Super B-Class vessels AAL has currently four 32,000 deadweight tonnage ships in operation and four due for delivery by 2026. The third-generat...

Watson Farley & Williams (‘WFW’) advised Eurazeo, acting as lead investor via its Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund, on a €70 million investment in new offshore service vessel platform MPC OSE Offshore. The platform, a joint venture between MPC Capital and O.S. Energy, helps develop, build and manage service support vessels for offshore wind farms. The consortium of investors comprised European family office and others in addition to Eurazeo. Watson Farley & Willi...

Watson Farley & Williams (‘WFW’) advised BNP Paribas and Standard Chartered Bank as co-documentation banks and DNB Bank ASA, New York, as agent, on a US$500 million revolving credit facility to Scorpio Tankers Inc. (‘Scorpio Tankers’). The oversubscribed credit facility was provided by a group of eight banks. The facility is a revolving credit facility with a seven year maturity date and provides Scorpio Tankers the flexibility to draw down or repay the loan during t...

A pioneering nuclear propelled containership designed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has received approval in principle from ABS. The groundbreaking design for a 15k TEU vessel uses a propulsion system comprised of a molten salt reactor (MSR) for heat and a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) system for power generation. Net zero by 2050 ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements. ABS published the industry’s first comprehensive requirements...

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a Lifecycle Agreement with CMA Ships, a subsidiary of pioneering French shipping company CMA CGM. The agreement covers 14 large LNG-fuelled container ships already in operation. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q1 2025. In today’s global environment, owner and operators of container vessels are focused on optimising operations and maintenance more effectively so that their vessels can continue to operate flexibly, and in the mo...

Sentinel Marine has secured an extension of its contract with INEOS, continuing the Cromarty Sentinel’s operations in the Southern North Sea (SNS) for an additional three years. The vessel will continue to provide vital support to the Breagh and Clipper South platforms, with the agreement including options for two further one-year extensions. Additions to Sentinel Marine’s fleet Cromarty Sentinel, one of the uniqueadditions to Sentinel Marine’s fleet, was delivered in March...

Goltens Worldwide, a pioneering provider of specialised marine services, is pleased to announce a new distribution agreement with Denmark-headquartered Marine Fluid Technology A/S (MFT) covering MFT’s SEA-Mate® Blending-on-Board (BOB) system, SEA-Mate® Filter system and other SEA-Mate® products across key maritime markets in Singapore, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and the Middle East including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. Critical factors in the maritime T...

Dutch company Econowind, based in Zeewolde, has secured €1 million in development capital from Invest International to advance and test its VentoFoil XL, a 24-30 metre high steel wind sail inspired by aviation technology. Similar to aeroplane wings, these innovative sails are designed for large vessels, harnessing wind power to reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions by up to 15%.  Introduction of the XL model The first of two XL prototypes is expected to be fully developed a...

Marcura unveils a bold new look and new AI capabilities, part of a broader transformation to connect its industry-pioneering solutions and drive greater efficiency for customers. Marcura powers some of the most trusted solutions in maritime, including DA-Desk, ShipServ, MarTrust, ClaimsHub, and PortLog. Collectively, the pioneer in digital maritime solutions handles 200,000 port calls annually, manage over 6 million SOF events, facilitate $21.6 billion in payments and pay 36,000 crew digitally....

A host of expert speakers have been confirmed for the TMS Ship Finance and Trade Conference, which takes place on Tuesday, 18th February, at the Taj Exotica Resort, the Palm Dubai. The Conference, which has the theme of Financing Green Shipping Solutions, is the seventh conference in this series and looks set to be the best one yet. Development of shipping Nawal Al-Maghafi, an award-winning journalist and documentary maker, will moderate this session Keynote addresses will be made by Dr Ibr...

Kongsberg Maritime has won a major contract to supply an integrated package of equipment for Bibby Marine’s new eCSOV, the world’s first full-electric offshore vessel. Kongsberg Maritime’s comprehensive package will be at the core of this advanced vessel’s systems. The company will provide full-electric rim-drive propulsion with azimuth and tunnel thrusters. Integrate with the battery system The new eCSOV will feature the largest-ever battery facility on...

Sirius Insight announces that the Rt Hon Lord Reid of Cardowan has joined the company’s Advisory Board. In this role, Lord Reid will support Sirius Insight as the business seeks opportunities in international markets to deploy its transformative maritime domain awareness technology. Range of security-related portfolios Lord Reid was a Member of Parliament for over twenty years, during which time he served in Government Lord Reid was a Member of Parliament for over twenty years, during...

Seavolt and RAD Propulsion have announced an exciting new partnership to deliver complete electric propulsion solutions to boat manufacturers, marinas, ports, sporting organisations, and governments across Australia and the Pacific region. This collaboration brings together Seavolt’s industry-pioneering marine charging technology and RAD Propulsion’s innovative electric drive systems, offering customers a seamless and sustainable solution for electrifying their fleets. El...

Frequentis marks the debut of its LifeX3020 solution in Southeast Asia, improving emergency call handling and response coordination across three major centres and nationwide blue light agencies. This effort supports Malaysia’s Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999) project, an upgrade designed to replace the current Malaysian Emergency Response System (MERS999). The initiative underscores Malaysia’s strong commitment to enhancing public safety across the nation. Responses f...

Ocean Network Express and Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd are pleased to announce a new agreement for sustainable shipping solutions through ONE's green shipping service, ONE LEAF+.  This collaboration demonstrates how the industry can advance sustainable supply chain practices and marine transportation to deliver environmental benefits. Scope 3 GHG emissions As a freight forwarder, Yusen Logistics will offer this green shipping option to customers Under this agreement, ONE will use susta...

NorthStandard has announced an exclusive collaboration with pioneering maritime digital decarbonisation experts BetterSea. The new partnership will allow NorthStandard members heavily discounted access to the BetterSea FuelEU Maritime Compliance service, including its in-house digital support resources. GHG intensity of energy New FuelEU Maritime reporting requirements for shipping companies began on January 1 2025 The new FuelEU Maritime reporting requirements for shipping companies began...

The world needs greener energy, but high costs are a barrier. Raw material and equipment prices have more than doubled, halting many projects. Can they reduce the financial risk of developing offshore wind farms and make walk-to-work (W2W) operations more affordable? Offshore wind turbines SOVs are the most efficient and preferred solution now for servicing offshore wind turbines, outperforming CTVs in safety, availability, and comfort. However, rising shipbuilding costs and new-build delive...

The race for industry recognition is on at Nor-Shipping 2025, with today’s launch of the prestigious Next Generation Ship and Ocean Solutions Awards. The accolades support the exhibition and event week’s main theme of #future-proof, as major global innovators compete against one another to showcase truly defining projects and solutions. Both awards, which hold extra significance coming in Nor-Shipping’s 60th anniversary year, will be judged by expert panels, with Remi Erikson...

Ocean Network Express is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its corporate history with the naming of ONE Sparkle, the company's first owned and operated new building container vessel. Says Jeremy Nixon, CEO, "The naming of ONE Sparkle represents another important milestone for ONE. This vessel is our first owned newbuilding, and it also showcases our commitment to sustainable shipping with its innovative design and alternative fuel capabilities. As we expand our owned fleet, these a...

Nor-Shipping has announced that the main theme for its 60th anniversary exhibition and activity programme will be #Future-proof. Taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, 2-6 June 2025, Nor-Shipping is now working with key stakeholders to tailor content and deliver opportunities that support decision-makers as they face a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Organisers have also confirmed that the exhibition space is already 85% sold out for what promises to be 'both a memorable and c...

Nor-Shipping is promising the global maritime and ocean industries 'a bigger, bolder, better' exhibition and activity programme than ever before in Norway next year, with expansion and new initiatives to serve and support ambitious business developments. These include more exhibition space, greater international involvement, fresh networking opportunities, and a conference programme expanded to encompass Seabed Minerals, LNG and finance (Ocean Invest). Relevance and leadership The event week,...

The International Maritime Cyber Security Organisation (IMCSO), an independent maritime standards organisation, has released its cybersecurity testing methodology for those maritime vessels looking to assess their risk and join the Cyber Risk Registry, a risk register database maintained by the IMCSO. The methodology aims to provide IMCSO-accredited cyber consultants and the senior maritime personnel they will be assessing with standardised testing by outlining test scope and the language...

IRClass Academy, the training arm of the Indian Register of Shipping, successfully conducted a one-day training programme on the Recruitment and Placement Services Licence (RPSL) and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) exclusively for Zodiac Maritime Agencies (India) Pvt. Ltd. The training, held on 6th February 2025, was in line with the requirements outlined in the RPSL gazette notification by the Government of India, which mandates RPSL holders to ensure regular training for their personnel....

The push towards decarbonisation is slowing down rather than speeding up. With ambitious global goals looming ever larger on the horizon, what can we do to re-invigorate collective efforts? And profit from that push?  Ahead of next year’s Nor-Shipping, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime DNV, says efficiency, timing and people are critical to 'getting this show on the road'. Given the subject matter today, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen seems remarkably optimistic. “I’m...