Navigation, communication and electronics News

With the revised International Maritime Organisation’s Green House Gas (GHG) Strategy now targeting a reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping to net-zero by close to 2050, there will be intense focus during London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) on how this can be achieved and where changes need to be made. Many event organisers have announced they will be looking directly at these challenges during their LISW23 events. Here are just some examples: Zero Emissi...

Sailors’ Society has launched its 2023 Maritime Schools’ Conferences with record numbers of cadets and new insight into the minds of Generation Z seafarers. More than 2,000 students registered for the global maritime charity’s North Asia Conference, with the overwhelming majority saying the conference had given them a greater understanding of mental health and how to look after their own wellness. Gen Z maritime students The conference also gave an insight into the hopes and...

The Netherlands will showcase all it has to offer as a maritime cluster and reinforce its strong and close relationship with the United Kingdom (UK), when it becomes the first ever pavilion partner for London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), taking place from 11 September to 15 September, 2023. One of the most important international shipping and maritime events in the world, it has already attracted a variety of Dutch maritime companies who have signed up to represent the nation unde...

Cargill and BAR Technologies’ ground-breaking innovation, BAR Tech WindWings by Yara Marine sets sail on open waters, testing new technology that will bring cutting-edge wind propulsion to commercial shipping for the first time.  Mitsubishi Corporation’s Pyxis Ocean, chartered by Cargill, is the first vessel to be retrofitted with two WindWings, which are large wing sails measuring up to 37,5 metres in height that can be fitted to the deck of cargo ships to harness the pow...

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. announced a restructuring of its existing services to Oceania (CAX, TFX and N2A), to upgrade the service levels to their customers. The changes will take place in the course of October 2023, be as follows: ZAX - Northeast Asia - Australia: ZIM will replace its existing CAX service to new service as below: Rotation: Pusan – Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Hong Kong – Yantian – Nansha – Brisbane – Melbourne...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, is currently developing the Mitsubishi Ammonia Supply and Safety System (MAmmoSS®), an ammonia handling system to support the utilisation of ammonia as marine fuel, which is attracting attention as a means of significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. As part of this development project, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has begun demonstration testing of the Ammonia Gas Abatement System (AGAS...

Brunvoll has secured a contract with Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted AS for the delivery of a propulsion and maneouvering package for the stun and bleed vessel. FSV’s new vessel is designed in corporation between Sirius Design & Integration and Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted AS, which also are building the vessel. Stun and bleed vessel The 50-metre-long stun and bleed vessel will be fitted with a twin-screw configuration, featuring controllable pitch shaft lines propellers, and reduction...

ClassNK has released “FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (1st Edition)”, an overview and necessary preparation for FuelEU Maritime, regulations newly introduced by the European Union (EU) to promote the decarbonisation of fuels used on board ships. The EU has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to the 1990 levels, to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Fit for 55 As part of a comprehensive climate policy package, "Fit for 55" for achiev...

Sirius Insight, a renowned UK technology company focused on AI in the maritime environment, was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Member of the Defence Select Committee, who was accompanied by the constituency MP, Sir James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, to view the company’s technology platform.  Transformative AI technology Sirius Insight is a UK company working in this cutting-edge field of technology and is a global pioneer in a s...

Spire Global, Inc. (‘Spire’ or ‘the Company’), a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, was selected by ESP Logistics Technology (‘ESP’), an internationally renowned company in supply chain productivity and sustainability, to provide wind data through its weather conditions API and real-time automatic identification system (AIS) vessel-tracking data. In the intricate supply chain industry, even the slightest disruption can lead to...

Peel Ports Group has welcomed a new energy-efficient LNG dredger for the first time as it continues to improve the sustainability of its dredging work. Vox Apolonia The UK’s second largest port operator used Dutch marine contractor Van Oord’s groundbreaking Vox Apolonia for maintenance dredging of the Port of Liverpool and King George V Dock in Glasgow. It is the first time the LNG trailing suction hopper dredger has been used at any of the group’s ports and only the second...

Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) held an official opening ceremony for the newly built Terminal 7 at Kaohsiung Port. With the vision of new opportunities for the port and the provision of substantial enhancements to trade, the smart terminal is expected to drive ongoing growth of shipping related industries within southern Taiwan. The event was presided over by EMC’s Chairman, Y.I. Chang, and President, Eric Hsieh. A host of local government officials and distinguished guests were also in atte...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuel supply system for an oil tanker and container ship developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).Ammonia is expected to be used as a ship fuel for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials. Zero-emission ships ClassNK accepted out a review of an ideational design of the p...

Swedish firm ScanOcean and Finnish oil refining and marketing company Neste Oyi have unveiled a new lower-emission DMA Gasoil for the shipping sector. Lower-emissions DMA The new lower-emissions DMA is produced by adding renewable raw material into the conventional refining process and by using mass-balance the fuel attains high GHG emissions reducing benefits while maintaining the quality and specifications of the fuel to ISO 8217. The fuel is certified according to ISCC Plus. According to...

Crowley and the Port of San Diego broke ground for the shoreside charging station designed to provide clean energy for the company’s forth-coming zero-emissions tugboat, eWolf. Joined by key partners and community stakeholders, the ceremony marked a significant step forward in the industry’s journey to decarbonisation and reduce emissions in the San Diego community. The charging station is a microgrid charging facility that will allow vessels to recharge quickly while reducing peak...

The Panama Canal Authority places great emphasis on providing world-class, reliable services to all its customers. Amidst current challenges, the authority is taking proactive measures to ensure its competitiveness and operational capacity for today and the future. Chief among these challenges is the critical issue of freshwater availability for both the population’s consumption and the transit of vessels. Water efficiency Since the previous drought in 2019-2020, the Canal has been im...

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings has issued a message of advice to those working in the protection of structural steel who are affected by the new Building Safety Act 2022 as the date approaches for it to become enforceable to ensure users understand their obligations. High-risk buildings From October 2023, all buildings must be registered with the newly established Building Safety Regulator (BSR), and those of at least 18 metres in height or with at least seven storeys contai...

Spire Global, Inc., a global provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services, was awarded a Space Services contract by GHGSat, the pioneer in high-resolution greenhouse gas monitoring from space. Under the agreement, Spire will build, launch and operate four additional 16U satellites that will carry GHGSat payloads to monitor greenhouse gas emissions. This builds upon Spire’s initial agreement with GHGSat for three 16U satellites that will launch by the end of 2023. Greenhou...

Nuclear solutions will play an essential role in maritime’s fast-paced journey towards decarbonisation and net zero, said Mikal Bøe, Chairman and CEO of CORE POWER. “It simply will not happen without it,” he stated. Speaking in the first of a series of London Talks video presentations for London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), Mr Bøe highlighted the limitations inherent in current alternative sources of fuel and advised that today’s ‘new&rs...

GTMaritime, pioneering experts in secure maritime data communications solutions, has released a new whitepaper that assesses the impact Low Earth Orbit (LEO) networks are having on the maritime industry and key considerations for wider adoption. Available to download free of charge, Opportunities and Challenges: Introducing New LEO Networks to the Maritime Industry, offers an insightful overview of commercial shipping’s first movers in LEO network service use. It outlines the potential fo...

Oceania Cruises, the culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, is offering a captivating array of 100 sailings in the Caribbean and Tahiti in 2024 and 2025, charting lesser-known coastlines and taking travellers to boutique ports and off-the-beaten-track islands thanks to the line's small, luxurious ships. Caribbean season highlights include Castries on the island of St. Lucia; Puerto Limon in Costa Rica; Gatun Lake in Panama; and Colombia's magnificent colonial city of Cartagena. Meanwhi...

Maritime sectors must work together to enable the shipping industry to meet the challenges it faces over the coming years and to develop a greener and more sustainable future. Speaking in the first of a series of video interviews for London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), Pino Spadafora, Senior Director, Global Marine Commercial & Strategy, for classification society - RINA, pointed out that LISW23 provides ‘an incredible platform’ for shipping executives to share exp...

Maritime UK, the collective voice for the UK's maritime industries, announces the departure of Janet Fallon, Commercial Director and recent Interim CEO. Janet leaves Maritime UK after a successful tenure, and they would like to take the opportunity to thank her for time and dedication. Appreciating Janet’s contributions Commenting on Ms. Fallon’s departure, Robin Mortimer, Chair of Maritime UK, said: "We extend our appreciation to Janet for her contributions to Maritime UK, both...

Babcock is pleased to launch the Babcock Skills Academy, to enhance their growing workforce’s capabilities and ensure they are equipped to meet the evolving challenges the customers will face in the future. The Skills Academy uses a hybrid teaching model that combines cutting-edge digital resources and hands on training, to rapidly get their people ready to deliver the critical capabilities their customers need. Open to all employees and new recruits, the Skills Academy will operate in pa...

Rodman Polyships S.A.U., a Rodman Group Shipyard specialised in the construction of all types of GRP (Glass fibre Reinforced Polyester) boats and vessels, is building 3 new Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Surveillance Service of the Spanish Tax Agency. The signing of this new contract took place in January and after a few months of initial design and project planning; Rodman is now in the construction stage of the first units. These days the initial stage of the lamination process for the first...

Crowley has entered into its fourth long-term charter for its newest Tier IV ship assist tug, Artemis, with Brusco Tug & Barge. The powerful, state-of-the-art vessel reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability while providing high performance. The 77-foot tug will deliver 7,000 horsepower with a bollard pull of 96 tons using two Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier IV-compliant engines, meeting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emission standards. Artemis will also feature advanc...

Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (WUST), a renowned institution of higher education, is testing the adoption of NAUTIS Home maritime simulation software for their courseware. This decision comes as part of the university’s commitment to providing students with a practical, hands-on learning experience. The integration of VSTEP’s NAUTIS Home maritime simulation is a progressive step towards modernising the curriculum. It would be the first time that simulation training w...

Dutch energy storage systems provider EST-Floattech-Energy Storage Solutions is contracted to provide battery systems for the world’s first fully electric carbon-neutral event vessel, the Oceandiva London, which enters service on the River Thames later in 2023 or early 2024. Green Orca system The 86 meters long and 17 metres wide vessel batteries are charged by both green fast-charging shore power and onboard solar panels, with a biofuel generator as a backup for longer excursions.&nbs...

OceanWise team undertook an installation in July 2023 for the UK Hydrographic Office in Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. The successful trip formed part of the Marine Environmental Monitoring Systems (MEMS) – A 3-year framework agreement that OceanWise has been contracted to complete by the UK Hydrographic Office, which includes a variety of installations, provision of a data platform, shore control, and GNSS surveys, as well as local training and mentoring. ...

Akiem, a renowned European rolling stock leasing company, has ordered an additional 15 Vectron AC and Vectron MS locomotives from Siemens Mobility. The order was placed as part of a framework agreement for the purchase of locomotives that was signed in December 2021. Locomotives from this new call will be delivered between 2025 and 2027. Akiem previously ordered 20 Vectron locomotives from Siemens Mobility in December 2021 and an additional 65 units last August. Akiem order for Vectron locomot...