Navigation, communication and electronics News

The first of two new £25 million ship-to-shore cranes arrived aboard a vessel at its new home in a major boost for productivity at the Port of Greenock. The 932-tonne structure was transported to the west-facing freight port following a 1-day journey from Cork in Ireland, where it was built. Work will shortly begin to install the vital infrastructure at the port, and it will be fully operational later this year following stringent testing. Crane capability The cranes will help accommoda...

The complex decarbonised systems of the future will require autonomous management systems for viable exploitation. These were among some of the key insights shared with delegates at a one-day Automation Summit, part of Singapore Maritime Week earlier in 2024, which was led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s national metrology institute, and Lloyd’s Register, the maritime industry consultancy and services provider. Autonomous ship technology Potential efficiency ga...

Mark Jackson, CEO of the Baltic Exchange, has been appointed Deputy Chair of the London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) Steering Group. He will support LISW25 Steering Group Chair John Hulmes in overseeing the running of the 2025 event. International shipping knowledge Welcoming Mark’s appointment, John Hulmes said he would bring a wealth of international shipping knowledge and expertise to the role. He stated, "Mark’s international credentials are unquestioned and...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is pleased to announce its successful collaboration with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) on the pioneering technology demonstration of an Autonomous Navigation system with dual navigation capabilities on MDL the tug MT Andaman. IRS team led by Mr. R. Srinivas, VP & HOD Electrical & Control System, conducted a thorough review of the autonomy concept, system documentation, software quality documentation, and a detailed risk assessment by IRS Guide...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed two Lifecycle Agreements covering two ferries owned by Japanese operator - Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd (SNF). The vessels are each powered by four Wärtsilä 31 engines. The agreements are designed to provide optimal operational support in ensuring reliable and efficient performance for the ferries, that serve the busy Yokosuka and Shinmoji route. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in April 2024. Sustainable transport As ferrie...

The first U.S.-flagged Jones Act offshore wind farm service operation vessel (SOV) was christened and launched in a ceremony at the Port of New Orleans. The ABS-classed ECO Edison was engineered and constructed by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) for long-term charter to service offshore wind farms in the northeast United States. EPA Tier 4 emission standards ECO will operate the 80-metre-long vessel, which is capable of housing 70 passengers/wind turbine technicians. The SOV operates...

Metis is launching a completely revised version of its analytics platform, whose additional information layers, advanced filtering, and intuitive navigation also come with a new ‘look and feel’, which enhances user experience and helps clients better manage their ship and fleet performance.  New KPIs Fresh developments cover additional fleet- and vessel-level summary dashboards, as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide improved overviews in specific domains o...

X-Press Feeders, the world's largest independent common carrier, along with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and PSA Singapore has achieved a historic milestone towards sustainable shipping with the arrival in Singapore and successful refuelling of X-Press Feeders’ first dual-fuel vessel. This vessel, the first to dock and refuel with green methanol in the Port of Singapore, underlines the nation's commitment to supporting the transition to renewable fuels in the global mariti...

Cochin Shipyard Limited bagged another prestigious international order from its existing UK-based offshore renewable operator, North Star Shipping for the construction of hybrid Service Operation Vessels (‘SOVs’) to be deployed for a contract with Siemens Gamesa to be deployed at the Scottish Power Renewables East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm located off the Suffolk coast. The shipbuilding contract also has the option to contract two more such vessels. North Star earlier in the...

Validation of voyage emissions data and contractual arrangements for allocation of EU ETS costs remain key challenges for Greek shipowners as they face an estimated total €335m bill in 2024, potentially rising to €1bn once the regulation is fully implemented, according to OceanScore. GHG emissions Some 2135 vessels owned or operated by around 400 Greek shipping companies are presently racking up liabilities under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) that will require them to surr...

Cruise and Passenger Services is thrilled to welcome back Cunard’s majestic Queen Anne, who returned from her maiden voyage on May 10th. After setting sail again, Queen Anne returns to Southampton on May 24th, marking the beginning of an exciting series of visits, with a total of 20 visits planned for this year. Queen Anne’s return to Southampton is not just a significant event for Cunard and its guests, but also for the entire port community. Their dedicated Cruise and Passenger Se...

The Department of Defence announces that Fincantieri's US subsidiary, Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM), has been awarded a contract worth over 1 billion US dollars to build the fifth and sixth Constellation-class frigates for the US Navy.  The contract for the lead frigate and 9 options, signed in 2020, has a cumulative value of 5.5 billion US dollars, including post-delivery availability support and crew training. FREMM frigate platform Fincantieri secured this high-profile tender, di...

Lockton Companies, the world’s largest privately held, independent insurance brokerage, has announced the appointment of Oliver Hutchings as COO of Marine, Transportation, and Logistics. Oliver Hutchings, who was previously Global MD of Marine & Aviation at Charles Taylor Adjusting, has over fifteen years experience of in managing specialist marine liability claims. Oliver Hutchings appointed as COO He takes the helm from Justin Pinches, who covered the position for an interim perio...

EST-Floattech, a provider of high-performance energy storage solutions, announces its collaboration with Wight Shipyard Co. They will install the Octopus Series battery systems on two vessels, the 'Mars Clipper' and Cross River Ferry, for Thames Clippers.  Octopus Series Wight Shipyard, the UK’s aluminium shipbuilder, has selected EST-Floattech's Octopus Series for its exceptional energy efficiency and reliability. The decision underscores Wight Shipyards' commitment to sustainable...

Japanese maritime experts have announced the successful completion of the early phases of a cross-industry project aimed at creating a secure data-sharing framework between shipyards and ship owners to advance the use of digital twins throughout a ship’s lifecycle. The project, which aims to enable the use of a vessel’s unique design data to optimise efficiency and safety at sea, as well as the sharing of operational data to inform new designs, brings together ship owners - NYK Grou...

Hefring Marine announced an investment of €2.2 million led by Faber Ventures with participation by Innoport VC, Two Ravens, MD-One, Riverstone Ventures, Idlewild Management LLC, and Sukna Holdings.  Hefring Marine is an Icelandic deep-tech company that specialises in intelligent maritime solutions, with a mission to empower vessel operators and managers to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability.  An AI-driven on-board system The company’s main product, IMAS, is an...

One of the world’s major exhibitions and conferences for maritime electrification, decarbonisation, and GHG reduction solutions will once again dock in Amsterdam this June. Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo Europe will feature 200+ exhibitors under one roof, PLUS a full three-day conference programme with 40+ expert speakers!  Hosting industry pioneers Taking place at the Amsterdam RAI in the Netherlands, on June 18, 19 & 20, the event will host over 200 exhibitors, in...

International maritime law firm - Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) has added a senior member to its team in Singapore, following the appointment of Chua Aik Hui as Director. Joining the maritime law firm’s transactional team at the partner level, Aik Hui specialises in advising multinational financial institutions, sponsors, owners, and lessors on asset financing in the maritime and offshore oil and gas sectors. Extensive industry experience  Aik Hui also has significant experience in...

A new logistics and freight yard beside Southampton Container Terminal is predicted to give a significant extra competitive edge to cargo and haulage operations in the port.  The new yard and operation has been created in a deal between Southampton Container Terminal operator - DP World and Williams Shipping, one of Southampton’s oldest and most established maritime and logistics businesses. Cargo expansion The yard is twice the size of the existing Williams Shipping yard, which is...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched NexusWave, a fully managed connectivity service underpinned by a ‘bonded’ multi-dimensional network, offering high-speed connectivity, unlimited data, global coverage, and ‘secure by design’ infrastructure. NexusWave Delivered by a single provider, NexusWave is a fully managed service that seamlessly integrates multiple high-speed networks in real-time – Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band, low-Earth orbit (LEO) services, a...

This year, like any other Maritime UK is taking a stand to support women in the sector, urging the industry to get involved in Women in Maritime Day. International Day for Women in Maritime 2024 (18th May) celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector. Enhancing safety measures This day shines a spotlight on the progress of industry has made over the last year, but also the changes we as an ind...

Brunvoll is an essential partner in Hurtigruten's Sea Zero project, driving the maritime industry towards emission-free transits. Together with Hurtigruten and the other industry partners, we are exploring game-changing propulsion and autonomy solutions, and defining the fjord cruise vessel for the future. Zero-emission sea journeys “We are delighted to take part in this project aimed towards zero emission sea journeys along the longer Norwegian coast,” says Kåre Øyvi...

Harbor Lab, the maritime software company modernising the outdated accounting practices hampering the $14 trillion shipping industry, has raised a $16 million Series A funding round led by European VC Atomico.  With participation from existing investors Notion Capital, Venture Friends, SpeedInvest and The Dock, and new investors Endeavor Catalyst and maritime VC TMV, the round follows a Seed round of €6.1 million. It takes total funding for the Greek startup to some $22.5 million. A...

Complete with over 100 user-requested features, streamlined vessel applications and enhanced user experience, ABS has launched Eagle Unified™, an industry-renowned structural design verification software tool. The launch is the latest in a series of investments in major new engineering capabilities that have been delivered by ABS in recent weeks. LNGC capabilities Eagle Unified™ is a single tool that can support multiple vessel types, with containership Eagle Unified™ is a...

A new feeder fleet of two tugs and two barges dedicated to serving a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) from Maersk Supply Service (MSS) has been ordered by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) to ABS Class. The innovative system is designed to deliver components to the construction site, allowing the ABS-classed WTIV to remain on location, promising faster wind farm installations. Offshore wind components Designed to serve the U.S. offshore wind market, the novel articulated tug/barge (ATB) co...

Maersk has inaugurated a specialised cross dock warehouse in Rotterdam on its Maasvlakte II terminal. It will accelerate the flow of cargo significantly from arrival on a vessel to the point of sale, especially in the Benelux, German and French hinterland. Warehouse features After discharging containers from an arriving vessel, the products can be unpacked, transloaded to conventional trucks, and dispatched to their final destination within hours. Maersk welcomed Starbucks as the first custo...

Orbital Marine Power (Orbital), the renewable energy company focused on the commercial deployment of its innovative floating tidal turbine technology, has selected Global Energy Group as preferred supplier to lead the manufacture and assembly of turbines for the company’s initial Orkney projects which have secured contracts under the UK Government’s Contract for Difference auction rounds 4 and 5. Turbine manufacture It is anticipated that turbine manufacture will start at Global...

Trade moving through the Port of Long Beach gained momentum in April 2024, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year cargo growth at the nation’s second-busiest seaport. Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 750,424 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, up 14.4% from April 2023. Imports rose 16.3% to 364,665 TEUs and exports declined 19.9% to 98,266 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the Port increased by 30.7% to 287,493 TEUs. Operational excellence “...

High Eye is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the journey of innovation and growth: the selection of the Airboxer VTOL UAV by the Dutch Navy. After an extensive study of maritime VTOL UAV systems, the Dutch Navy recognised the Airboxer's suitability for the challenging maritime domain. With over a decade of development, the Airboxer has evolved to its current level through dedication and craftsmanship. They are immensely proud that the Dutch Navy acknowledges the qualities of the...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched a new report Digital Wave: Transforming Vessels into Floating Offices and Remote Homes. The report explores the growing importance of ‘always-on’ onboard connectivity as ships and their crew become increasingly reliant on digital technology.  In an era that sees ships functioning as ‘floating offices’, a reliable network connection optimises vessel operations and enhances life on board. Equally, the consequences of a...