Prime movers News

Where winters are harshest, the toughest technology is required for marine operations to continue uninterrupted during the frozen months. For 30 years, Azipod® propulsion has proven to be up to the task, keeping harbours open and moving goods and people through the most challenging sea ice conditions on the planet. A revolution from the start, Azipod® technology has continued to break new ground, or ice, throughout its lifetime. More than 90 ice-going vessels equipped with Azipod® p...

Kinder Morgan, Inc., one of North America’s largest energy infrastructure companies, is partnering with Neste, one of the providers of renewable and circular solutions, to create a premier domestic raw material storage and logistics hub in the United States, supporting increased production of renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and renewable feedstock for polymers and chemicals. Upon completion of the project, Kinder Morgan’s Harvey, Louisiana facility will serve as the prim...

Inmarsat, the pioneer in global, mobile satellite communications, has expanded its agreement to deliver maritime broadband to Hapag-Lloyd, after the global transport group renewed its Fleet Xpress contract for a further five years and committed 33 more ships to the very small aperture terminal (VSAT) service. Under the extended agreement, which now covers 77 ships, the Fleet Xpress hybrid of Ka-band and continuous L-band back-up service replaces Ku-band systems onboard ships merged into...

As the global maritime industry looks back on a hugely challenging year for seafarers, four major maritime charities will come together at Inmarsat, to explore how technology will shape the future for seafarers’ welfare. The Mission to Seafarers, in collaboration with The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris and Sailors’ Society, will be fielding their CEOs, on each of the four panels. Promoting Seafarers welfare This half-day afternoon conference, ‘Meeting the needs of se...

In July 2020, two fully functional Maersk containers were skillfully painted with a rainbow to join Maersk’s fleet, and in March this year, they embarked on their first World Tour.   The first part of the journey for the 40 and 20-foot rainbow containers was aboard the Maersk Edmonton from APM Terminals Pier 400 in Los Angeles to Yokohama. The containers have stopped at several locations across Asia and Europe, before finally ending their tour in Denmark for Copenhagen Pride 2021....

The biggest lesson over the past year is that curveballs can come from anywhere and disrupt even the best-laid plans. Global logistics has to evolve and become more agile to swing more effectively. Smart digitalisation can help build resilience, increase end-to-end visibility and ultimately optimise global supply chains. Technological innovations allow logistics to not only move business, but to shape it. When done right, it enables new solutions that elevate opportunities and make logistics...

The recent decision by the OCIMF Executive Committee to separate Submitting Company rights from OCIMF membership status necessitated the creation of a new set of requirements for becoming a Submitting Company. This is to ensure that OCIMF maintains sufficient governance control over its programmes. The attached document sets out the criteria for a company to be considered for approval as a Submitting Company in SIRE, BIRE and OVID. It also sets out the requirements which all new and existing Su...

The Liza Unity FPSO started its voyage to Guyana, having departed from the Keppel shipyard in Singapore. The FPSO is expected to arrive in Guyana in late 2021.  Once the FPSO arrives at the Liza field in Guyanese waters, she will be hooked up to the seabed, which will then be followed by the installation of umbilicals and risers, allowing the next phase of operations to start. Liza Unity FPSO The Liza Unity FPSO has also been awarded the SUSTAIN-1 notation by ABS, the Classification Soci...

Golden Ocean Group Limited, one of the world’s largest listed dry bulk shipowners announces that it has entered into an agreement for the construction of three high-specification latest generation 85,000 dwt ECO-type Kamsarmax vessels, which will be constructed at a first-class Chinese yard. Propulsion system The vessels will be equipped with the latest and most efficient propulsion system, contributing to significant improvements in fuel consumption and emissions performance. The vessel...

New study from maritime professional services organisation points to potential future supply chain upheaval, from energy transition uncertainty, with leaders calling for ambition to be turned into immediate action. Leaders from across the global supply chain are calling for immediate action on maritime decarbonisation, if a successful energy transition to zero-carbon supply chains is to be achieved. Call for action on maritime decarbonisation Drawing views from leaders across the global suppl...

Maersk’s investment will enable WasteFuel to develop biorefineries that utilise the most effective technologies available to produce sustainable fuels from unrecoverable waste that would otherwise degrade, and release methane and other harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Promising fuels of the future Maersk is confident that green bio-methanol is one of the promising fuels of the future as it can be scaled up and play an important role in decarbonising supply chains within the next...

Pak Elektron Limited (also known as PEL), Pakistan’s local manufacturing giant of major home appliances and electrical equipment, is a top household brand and has been operating for more than 7 decades in the country. Competing with global companies, PEL is constantly looking for pockets of opportunities to optimise its operations while keeping an eye on the philosophy of innovation and advancement. Challenges in global supply chains PEL had to handle huge import volumes with multiple...

Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) announces the relocation of its joint venture, Diana Wilhelmsen Management Limited (DWM) from Cyprus to Athens. The relocation is part of WSM's growth strategy poised to increase its fleet in crew and technical ship management. "We have seen an increase in the appetite for third-party ship management in the Greek market. With the new strategic location, we are in a better position to strengthen our relationship with current owners and potential clients," says...

When Asbjørn Lauritsen started as trainee at Blue Water Esbjerg in 2014, he had a distant dream of getting to live and work abroad. However, the dream turned out to become a reality within few years for the young talent. Asbjørn finished his traineeship in 2016 after which he was employed in the Energy & Projects division where he worked a couple of years before a new door opened: stationing at Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Here, he assisted the Blue Water Baku office with...

A.P. Moller - Maersk has on 2nd September finalised the acquisition of KGH Customs Services, a pan-European customs services provider, further strengthening its capabilities as an integrated container logistics company, offering end-to-end supply chain solutions to its global customers. Authority comments “I am very pleased that we can now officially welcome KGH into the Maersk family,” says Karsten Kildahl, Regional Managing Director of Maersk in Europe. “The integration p...

Neste is the first company in Finland to provide a service for companies and other organizations to monitor their climate emissions caused by the use of transport fuels. According to Neste’s industry survey conducted in August 2021, the use of Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ has increased rapidly for example in the public sector, goods transport, and the manufacturing industry, while growth has remained moderate in other sectors. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Road transport accounts...

In the first quarter of 2021, the successful delivery of K-Sim Offshore and DP simulators to the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fishery Technology (KIMFT) was closely followed by the handover of K-Sim Mooring simulators to the Busan Techno Park foundation, an organisation dedicated to the development of mid-and long-term strategies and policies for local industries. Directly off the back of these high-profile wins, KDI has recently been awarded contracts by two of Korea’s most distin...

Hyundai’s Ship-Building Division, HHI-SBD, has ordered 8 × MAN B&W 8G95ME-LGIM (Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) engines, in connection with the building of 8 × 16,000-teu container ships for A.P. Moller – Maersk, the global integrator of container logistics. Hyundai Engine & Machinery Division, HHI-EMD, will build the engines. The order contains an option for a further four engines, with the first of the confirmed vessels due to enter service in Q1, 2024. Methano...

Shabnum Hanif, Ocean Infinity’s Offshore Business Line Director discusses how Digital Twin technology can enhance offshore Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR). It’s become commonplace to see more and more digital visualisation tools being used in many industries. The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) itself is almost used in the vocabulary, as much as ‘milk and two sugars’. Thinking about all these newly available technologies (from robot dogs to driverless cars), f...

Maersk. has appointed Mohit Bhatia as Senior Vice President and Head of Maersk Global Service Centres (GSC) effective 1st August 2021. Mohit previously held the position of Joint Managing Director, Maersk GSC, with responsibility for Finance before taking over the overall leadership including commercial and operations functions. Experience An industry stalwart, Mohit brings strong expertise of over 30 years in transforming and managing large companies across IT, banking and food & snackin...

The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project and Kongsberg Maritime have entered a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the global initiative to produce the complete map of the ocean floor. Under the terms of the MOU, the two parties will work together to advance the understanding of ocean bathymetry. The effort complements the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Collaborative Project Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between The Nippo...

Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation solutions provider, has bolstered its training curriculum with the addition of a newly developed Aviation CyberThreat Awareness course. The online, self-paced program, designed for end users, delivers a comprehensive understanding of how to minimise digital risk, and ensure company compliance, by making simple changes in digital behaviour and device handling. Implementing data security The program explores how human and technical factors, im...

“The pandemic has in many cases made crew repatriation difficult, posing challenges to the mental health of seafarers working and living in relatively confined spaces for extended periods,” said Georg Smefjell, Head of Maritime Management Systems (MMS) Services, DNV Maritime. “With the support of experts throughout DNV, we have established a separate audit protocol addressing challenges to crew health and well-being.” ILO’s deep concern The International Labour O...

“As the energy transition continues to gather pace, we are actively looking at new projects and business areas, outside of the oil and gas industry, where NorSea’s unique port infrastructure and proven service and supply know-how can continue to be a key driver of success." "The development of the seabed mineral industry in Norway is far from certain, but partnering with a frontrunner like Loke, which has such focus on developing new technologies and systems to safely and sustaina...

The hull for the Prosperity FPSO has arrived safely at the Keppel yard in Singapore. The next phase of construction will commence, with the topside modules being integrated into the yard.  Drydock activities Despite the various challenges posed by the ongoing global pandemic, the unit remains on schedule to be completed in 2024.  Drydock activities are scheduled to begin in the 4th quarter of this year, with the installation of major structures that will support the Mooring and...

MPC Container Ships ASA (“MPCC” or the “Company”) announces that it has completed its acquisition of Songa Container AS ("Songa") pursuant to the share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Songa for a total value of USD 210.25 million on a debt and cash-free basis, as entered into and announced on 22 June 2021. The consideration is paid partly in cash and partly in new shares, and in total 49,795,250 new shares are being issued in relation to the transacti...

MetOcean Telematics (MetOcean) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Orolia’s OmniCom vessel management systems (VMS) and fleet management solutions (FMS). OmniCom is the next generation of trusted real-time fleet management technology designed to provide constant connectivity to customers, businesses, vessels, and crew while at sea. The acquisition includes the complete portfolio of OmniCom Global and OmniCom Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). OmniCom’s range of products OmniCom...

Continuing the strengthening and expansion of its services in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish ferry company - Stena Line is deploying two new large and modern ferries on the route between Ventspils in Latvia and Nynäshamn in Sweden in 2021. The first of the two vessels, Stena Scandica, arrived in the port of Nynäshamn in the morning of 27 July, 2021, when it completed its overnight maiden voyage from Ventspils. The vessel adds another 70% more cabins and 30% more freight capacity, when co...

Global survival technology provider - Survitec has re-launched its lifeboat inspection solution, underpinned by the company’s novel ‘Hub and Spoke’ network model. Lifeboat Inspection 402, devised in line with regulations mandated in 2020 under SOLAS Chapter III & IMO MSC.402 (96), has been enhanced to deliver greater flexibility and convenience to vessel operators. Lifeboat Inspection 402 solution Metkel Yohannes, Survitec’s Lifeboat Product Category Manager, said:...

Critical vessel functions rely heavily on computerised software-based systems that are becoming more complex, automated, and integrated. Software failures or reliability issues can now result in significant safety risks, as well as lost revenue due to off-hire days. To help address these risks, DNV and Nakilat brought together shipyards – DSME, Hudong-Zhonghua, HHI, and SHI, with system suppliers – ABB, Honeywell, Kongsberg, and Wärtsilä, to contribute to the development o...