Prime movers News

At Gastech 2024 in Houston, classification society DNV awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai group for their cloud-based integrated Hyundai Intelligent Digital Twin Ship (HiDTS) system, marking a significant milestone in their three-year collaboration on Data-Driven Verification (DDV) of digital twin technologies. Since 2022, DNV and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) have been collaborating on Data-Driven Verification (DDV) of digital twin technologies. Int...

At GASTECH 2024 in Houston, KR (Korean Register) announced on September 17 that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) to develop an enhanced ammonia fuel supply system. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established a target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In line with this regulatory goal, there is a global acceleration in the development of alternative fuel technologies. Ammonia fuel supply system HD...

Technology group - Wärtsilä, in partnership with Chevron Shipping Company LLC, plans to convert one engine on six of Chevron Transport Corporation Ltd.’s LNG Carriers from dual-fuel (DF) to spark gas (SG) operation. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions The conversions are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by lowering methane slip in support of Chevron Shipping’s broader efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations. This marine industry first was made p...

OrbitMI has been named in the Thetius 150 ranking of the most innovative companies in the maritime industry for 2024, recognising the NYC-based software firm’s pioneering role in integrating data technologies to break down barriers to digital transformation.  Maritime intelligence and analytics The provider of maritime intelligence and analytics solutions is listed among the top 50 innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – commercial organisations more than five years o...

DNV has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) for their design of a 60,000 m3 LPG/NH3/VCM carrier.  The design addresses the growing demand for Medium Gas Carrier (MGC) vessels and aligns with the industry trend towards larger ships. LPG and ammonia transport It also anticipates stricter environmental regulations and an expected rise in LPG and ammonia transport volumes. The vessel maintains the operational characteristics of existing MGCs while incorporating a dou...

KR (Korean Register) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Mipo (HD HMD) for their innovative 23K Ammonia Bunkering Vessel and 18K LNG Bunkering Vessel on September 18, at GASTECH 2024, paving the way for green shipping. The development of these vessels represents a significant advancement in the maritime industry’s efforts to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, which include at least 20% by 2030 an...

DNV has granted a General Approval for Ship Application (GASA) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for their new LNG carrier design. The new design has been developed to offer enhanced cargo capacity, improved operational efficiency, and reduced maintenance costs. Maximising cargo capacity A key design innovation is a streamlined configuration with three instead of four cargo tanks. This is intended to maximise cargo capacity and reduce the number of pump towers and associated cryogenic equi...

OrbitMI, a globally renowned provider of maritime intelligence and analytics solutions, is pleased to announce Michelle Chowey as its new Head of Software Solutions for the APAC region, as of 20 May 2024. Michelle Chowey brings a wealth of experience in maritime technology, with a career that includes leadership roles in customer success, sales, and business development within the navigational and crewing software sectors. Michelle Chowey  Michelle Chowey comes to OrbitMI from Ocean Tech...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised BPER Banca S.p.A. (BPER) on a medium to long-term financing of up to approximately US$7.7 million to Maltese company - Red Coral Bulkers Ltd. (Red Coral) for the purchase of the bulk carrier - 'Archagelos Michael'.  Archagelos Michael, originally under the Liberian Registry and currently registered by Red Coral in the Maltese Register of Shipping under the new name - 'Peppino' is one of the first ships to also be listed in the EU/EEA states’...

ABS granted approval in principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) for its design of a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier. Presented at Gastech 2024, the AIP represented the culmination of a joint development project between ABS and HMD. HMD developed a cargo containment system optimised for a 35,000 cbm LCO2 carrier using new cargo tank materials. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements for liquefied gas carriers. Development of liquefied CO2 carrier “...

Alfa Laval has received an order to replace 18 ballast water treatment systems (BWMS) onboard vessels belonging to a major European shipowner. This significant order shows the high demand for the replacement of malfunctioning systems and a growing market for Alfa Laval’s BWMS replacement offering. Strict regulations and controls  Strict regulations and frequent controls are driving shipping companies to ensure their ballast water treatment systems are fully operational to avoid hig...

HD Hyundai Marine Solution, HD Hyundai Engineering & Technology, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), and Hyundai Heavy Industries Power Systems have successfully obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV for their design of an onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) system for retrofits. The retrofit design, which is applicable to a wide range of vessels, showcases the collaborative efforts of the HD Hyundai affiliates. With the global maritime industry in...

Enhancing their collaboration on cutting-edge marine and technology projects, ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to advance the development and certification of innovative systems for next-generation, zero-carbon ships. Representatives from both companies met at Gastech 2024 for the signing ceremony. 3 areas of integration Entitled 'Cooperation on the Advanced Zero-Carbon Ships', the MOU focuses on integrating advanced...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Lifecycle Agreement with Royal Caribbean Group covering 37 of the company’s cruise ships. The agreement is designed to optimise the performance, reliability, and availability of the ships’ engines to ensure the highest level of operational efficiency to support and accelerate Royal Caribbean’s sustainability goals. Sustainability and decarbonisation  "This agreement is a testament to the mutual efforts and ded...

DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for its electric propulsion liquefied hydrogen (LH2) carrier design concept that could enable 80,000 cubic metres of LH2 storage and transport. The AiP awarding ceremony will take place at Gastech, Houston. Maritime transportation value chain This milestone forms part of a broader collaboration involving industry pioneers, HD KSOE, Woodside Energy (Woodside), Hyundai Glovis, and Mitsui...

Strategic Marine, in collaboration with Centus Marine, is proud to unveil the introduction of Malaysia’s first hybrid Fast Crew Boat (FCB). This innovative vessel is equipped with cutting-edge hybrid technology and gyro-stabilisation, marking a significant advancement in the region’s maritime industry. The vessel has been specifically designed to improve efficiency and sustainability in offshore operations, offering significant advantages in crew transfer to oil platforms. Its hybri...

ERMA FIRST, a pioneering sustainable maritime solutions provider, has teamed up with the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), the Municipality of Perama and the local community to clean up Perama Beach as part of the company’s wide-ranging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. The event, which took place on 30 August 2024, saw over 80 participants collaborate to clear over 30 large refuse bags’ worth of recyclable and non-recyclable litter from the...

Classification society - DNV and Navigation Brilliance (Brinav), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on autonomous collaboration. Under the terms of the MOU, the two companies aim to fast-track the development and approval of autonomous and remote-controlled shipping technologies, to encourage a safer and more efficient maritime industry. New safety risks  Autonomous shipping, ranging from remote control operations to fully unmanned vessels, represents a significant advanceme...

Helm Operations and Caterpillar Marine have announced a strategic collaboration to enhance workboat operations by integrating advanced engine data with industry-renowned software. Combining the strengths of Helm CONNECT's fleet management software and Caterpillar's engine technology, this collaboration sets a new standard for informed decision-making and operational efficiency in the maritime industry. Performance optimisation Helm Operations, a maritime technology major for over 25 years, fo...

UAE-based shipyard - Mark Marine has saved both time and costs by initiating a collaboration with BERG Propulsion to use BERG Rotordynamics Services.Mark Marine is delivering eight vessels to Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services, in what shipyard Founder, Hashim Abdul Razak, described as 'one of the largest build projects undertaken in the Middle East'. Customisation steps "This is a milestone project for Mark Marine, which showcases the excellence of our workmanship, our ability to deliver to sc...

Dutch maritime start-up accelerator - PortXL presented its 2024 cohort at the RDM, the Rotterdam space for innovative companies, technology education, high-quality test facilities and field labs.  Ten start-ups and scale-ups presented themselves and were connected to partners, mentors and members of the Rotterdam and Dutch innovation ecosystem, that will assist them in the coming months. PortXL’ s partners and stakeholders Mitja Caboni, Acceleration Manager at PortXL introduced the...

Kongsberg Discovery develops technology to ensure sustainable management of marine resources, monitor climate change and critical infrastructure, and safeguard national security. It is a business area within the KONGSBERG group and has been present in Canada and the US for almost 30 years. The USA company is also changing its name from Kongsberg Underwater Technology Inc (KUTL) to Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC. Plans for growth Before joining Kongsberg Discovery, Sandhu had vast leadership...

Condor Ferries reported a +14% Y-O-Y increase in overall network carryings during 2024's peak travel period (14 July – 03 September 2024), representing an increase in carryings of 26,874 compared to 2023. Of particular significance is the increase in passengers carried to and from the island of Jersey: during the peak 2024 period, Condor Ferries carried 19,217 additional car and foot passengers on UK and French services to and from Jersey compared to the same period in 2023, amountin...

Data, digital twins and artificial intelligence are going to reshape everything in maritime from regulation to operating procedures challenging the industry to respond to a new safety protection frontier. That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO in a wide-ranging keynote address at the Capital Link Shipping and Marine Services Forum in London. Unintended safety consequences Christopher J. Wiernicki said, "AI’s ability to generate real-time insights, risk...

NorthStandard has launched ‘Fuel Insights’ - an exclusive real-time marine fuel intelligence service for members in partnership with Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS). Powered by VPS, the Fuel Insights digital platform offers real-time fuel procurement knowledge based on exclusive live data from the major provider of fuel quality testing and inspection services in the marine industry. Free-of-charge insights Bunkering and operations departments can use this range of data to improve...

bp selected ABS to support the deepwater Kaskida project in the Gulf of Mexico. ABS will provide classification and engineering verification services for the new semisubmersible production unit. “ABS is the recognised Class leader in offshore exploration and in the Gulf of Mexico; we have decades of experience classing complex semisubmersible production platforms. But this project goes beyond classification. We are also providing numerous other services related to engineering review and v...

In a biannual tradition accompanying the SMM maritime conference, ABS celebrated the AMVER Awards by sponsoring a ceremony recognising the contribution of German owners to the unique AMVER reporting system that supports search and rescue efforts for distress calls at sea. Held at the Übersee-Club in Hamburg, the ceremony celebrated 308 vessels from 54 German-managed companies, who were awarded coloured pennants for their role in maintaining maritime safety and in recognition of the owners&...

At the SMM trade fair, DNV celebrated three advances in the ongoing development and deployment of autonomous technologies in shipping. Ocean Infinity was awarded a Statement of Compliance, while Avikus and Reach Subsea received certificates recognising their ongoing collaborations with DNV. Autonomous shipping Autonomous shipping covers many aspects of shipping’s new technological landscape – everything from systems to aid decision-making, control speed, and direction, remote cont...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has been awarded the prototyping tender for the revolutionary Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS) project by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). This initiative is set to transform maritime safety and efficiency at one of the world's busiest ports. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2024.  AI-enabled solutions As Singapore continues to elevate its status as a global maritime hub, the increasing traf...

OceanScore has launched a new planning, simulation, and budgeting tool for optimising compliance with FuelEU Maritime from a commercial standpoint. Its FuelEU Planner is the first in a suite of solutions geared to supporting complex decision-making processes with the upcoming regulation. FuelEU Planner The company unveiled the FuelEU Planner at a launch event for more than 150 clients and stakeholders in Hamburg this week, coinciding with the SMM conference and exhibition, where FuelEU Mariti...