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Global law firm - Norton Rose Fulbright has advised ABN AMRO and National Australia Bank (NAB) on their arrangement of acquisition financing for Celsius Shipping (Celsius) and Basalt Infrastructure Partners (Basalt) to acquire two LNG carriers. Celsius and Basalt formed a new joint venture for the acquisition of the two state-of-the-art vessels – the Celsius Copenhagen and Celsius Carolina – which were built in Korea and operate using the latest, most fuel-efficient propulsion techn...

Watson Farley & Williams is pleased to announce the publication of the third edition of The Law of Ship Mortgages, written by Partner Charles Buss, recently retired Partner - David Osborne and Knowledge Counsel - Joanne Champkins. Described as the definitive text on English ship finance law, the first edition was published in 2001 and has been well-received ever since. Impact on shipping This third edition was written with the ever-increasing sanctions and their impact on shipping and shi...

Swiss marine power company - WinGD has introduced an option for its X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engines to be delivered capable of running on liquified petroleum gas (LPG).  The ‘pre-fit’ solution will be of particular interest to vessels under construction for the anticipated global trade in ammonia, which will also be capable of transporting LPG. X-DF-P Named X-DF-P for the propane that is LPG’s primary component, the solution will be released to enable first engine delive...

NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. and Vale International SA have reached an agreement to install rotor sails (H:35 m x D:5 m x 5 unites) manufactured by Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd. on 400,000 dwt-type VLOC, NSU TUBARAO (the Ship), which has been engaged in a long-term transportation contract between NSU and Vale since its delivery in September 2020. The installation of the rotor sails on the ship is scheduled for around September 2025. Greenhouse gas emissions NSU has been actively working to...

WEG and Eletrobras were present at CIGRE Paris 2024, where Engineer - Mateus Alexandrino, from the Transmission Department of the Vice-Presidency of Engineering and Expansion of Eletrobras, made a presentation about the reliability of protection, automation and control systems (PACS) associated with redundancy and system condition monitoring. WEG and Eletrobras partnership The work between WEG and Eletrobras addresses the modernisation process of the Itajaí substation, located in southe...

The Panama Canal was emphasised as a key player in global trade during the New York Maritime Forum (NYMF). The Canal Administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, presented the achievements reached in fiscal year 2024 (FY-2024), which has optimised the reliability and sustainability of this maritime route. In his speech, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales shared official data for FY-2024, highlighting some of the operational accomplishments of the Panama Canal during a year of particular attenti...

ERMA FIRST, a globally renowned sustainable maritime solutions provider, has joined the RightShip Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program, which aims to promote the adoption of solutions targeting a zero-harm maritime industry. Committed to preserving and protecting the marine ecosystem, ERMA FIRST offers an extensive portfolio of future-proof maritime sustainability solutions encompassing alternative maritime power (AMP), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and energy-saving devices (ESDs). Futur...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised Crédit Mutuel Impact and Bpifrance on an equity investment into French cargo sailing ship developer and operator VELA Sail For Goods (VELA).  Other investors also took part including US-based 11th Hour. The investment will help finance the construction of a trimaran cargo vessel to be built by shipyard Austal Philippines for lease to VELA. Crédit Mutuel Impact and Bpifrance The multi-disciplinary WFW Paris team that advised Cr&eacu...

Vestdavit is boosting sales of its in-demand lightweight aluminium davits to the naval segment with a further order for four PLAR-6501 systems to be delivered to a pair of Evolved Cape-class patrol vessels under construction at shipbuilder - Austal Australia for the Royal Australian Navy. The latest contract brings the number of PLAR davits supplied to the Cape and Evolved Cape-class vessels for the Royal Australian Navy to a total of 20. Boat launch-and-recovery systems “The operationa...

WISTA International AGM and Conference 2024, which took place 9–11 October in Limassol, Cyprus, marked the association’s 50th anniversary with a memorable programme, three new national associations, the announcement of a new Equity Fund, and a broadening of objectives.  Bringing together over 350 delegates from all sectors of maritime, trading, and logistics, the event was notable for being the first WISTA conference attended by a national leader, with Nikos Christodoulides, Pr...

In a significant step towards sustainability and emission-free energy sources on board, Offshore Supply Vessel Coastal Liberty has set sail on the waters of the Wadden Sea. With the clear aim of minimising the environmental impact of its activities and driving forward the energy transition, the shipping company has decided to switch to green hydrogen as its main source of energy. End of February 2024 the refitted OSV received class certification by DNV for its newly installed hydrogen system on...

Anthony Veder proudly announces the launch of two VentoFoils sails onboard of ethylene carrier, Coral Patula, delivered by Econowind. With this installation, Anthony Veder is the first worldwide to install sails onboard a gas carrier. Later this year sister ship Coral Pearl will be equipped with two similar sails. By retrofitting existing gas carriers, the company unlocks the potential of wind propulsion as a sustainable solution for the maritime industry. Net-zero emitter by 2035 Björn...

RightShip, the digital maritime platform providing expertise in safety, sustainability, and social responsibility practices announced a change in its vessel inspection age trigger. Vessel inspection In response to evolving market conditions and continuing safety risks in the Dry Bulk and General Cargo sectors, RightShip will implement a phased approach to require inspections of vessels at an earlier age. This change reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to improving safety st...

The Port of Poole proudly welcomed MS Hamburg, a cruise ship operated by Plantours Kreutzfahren, on her maiden call on Wednesday, 9th October 2024. A commemorative plaque exchange ceremony took place between Poole Harbour Commissioners’ Harbour Master, Harry Gregory and the Captain of the cruise ship, Captain Igor Gaber, celebrating this special occasion. Maiden call of MS Hamburg vessel The MS Hamburg, a 144-metre-long cruise vessel, arrived at Poole after calling at London The MS Ham...

Babcock has been awarded a two-year contract extension by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to continue to provide technical support services across the armed forces. The extension will see us continue to deliver a range of essential critical services to the Royal Air Force (RAF), Joint Aviation Command and Strategic Command at 16 stations across the UK. Babcock attains MOD contract extension This full-service partnership provides the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with a safe, cost-effective wa...

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) has announced a total contribution of $80,000 to the American Red Cross to help those in affected communities. In addition to the $30,000 it previously donated to the Red Cross to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts, it will match up to $50,000 more in public donations toward Hurricane Milton relief efforts. This contribution aims to provide immediate relief to the comm...

Eleven European entities specialising in turbomachinery, new fuels and combustion, energy conversion systems, gas turbines, bearing systems, heat recovery, digital twins, shipbuilding, and project consulting have united in the European project MARPOWER (an acronym for Efficient zero-emissions gas turbine POWER system for MARitime transport). CO2 emissions Their goal is to replace fossil fuels in the maritime sector, reduce emissions, and marine pollution, and ultimately help combat the de...

Oceania Cruises, the world’s renowned culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has unveiled details of its new culinary venue, the Crêperie, debuting on Allura™, its newest ship launching in July 2025. The Crêperie, located next to Baristas, the line's signature coffee bar, will offer a selection of tempting French crêpes, Bruxelles waffles and bubble waffles, alongside Italian ice cream sundaes, from mid-morning throughout the afternoon. The Crêperie...

Iridium Communications Inc., a globally renowned provider of global voice and data satellite communications, has announced its collaboration with Nordic Semiconductor for early integration of its Iridium NTN Direct℠ service into Nordic's LTE-M/NB-IoT modules and chipsets. Nordic Semiconductor is a global major in low power wireless connectivity solutions, including cellular IoT (LTE-M, NB-IoT), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and Thread and is trusted by world’s major brands across the consumer, ind...

2024 will go down as the year of peak energy emissions, according to DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook. Energy-related emissions are at the cusp of a prolonged period of decline for the first time since the Industrial Revolution. Emissions are set to almost halve by 2050, but this is a long way short of the requirements of the Paris Agreement. The Outlook forecasts the planet will warm by 2.2°C by the end of the century. Solar installations The peaking of emissions is largely due to p...

Norway-based maritime technology business, Shipnet, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointments of a new Finance Director and HR Director. Paula Summers, who joins as HR Director, boasts over 15 years’ experience within HR roles partnering with business pioneers in the retail, manufacturing and nuclear energy sectors. This includes Ethel Austin, Glen Dimplex Consumer Appliances (including brands like Stoves, Belling, Morphy Richards and Roberts Radios) and Caven...

The United States Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Office of Environment and Innovation has selected ABS to establish and maintain the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation (Center) under a five-year cooperative agreement. Decarbonisation and digitalisation Authorised by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation is intended to support the adoption of clean energy on U.S. vessels through a wide-ranging program of research and development and training support. ABS Chairman...

Hoppe Marine GmbH (Germany) and Metis (Greece) have entered into a strategic cooperation in the field of onboard Data Acquisition. More specifically the cooperation ensures the seamless integration of Hoppe’s data collection systems with the Metis cloud-based performance management platform. This partnership aims to expand the use of high-frequency data analytics in vessel performance management, offering customers greater flexibility for real-time monitoring and strategic decision-making...

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has achieved key progress in negotiations towards a set of binding global regulations on the IMO net-zero framework, aimed at achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction objectives set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.  GHG reduction At the conclusion of the 82nd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee held from 30 September to 4 October 2024, Member States had identified further a...

The Port of Greenock has officially unveiled its new £25m ship-to-shore cranes as the investment boosts productivity at the facility. Owner Peel Ports Clydeport welcomed guests to the port today for a ceremony to celebrate the biggest-ever investment in Greenock’s container facilities. The west-facing freight port’s new infrastructure is already benefitting customers, with one vessel recently departing 13 hours earlier than planned because of the quicker turnaround ti...

Jumbo is pleased to announce the successful installation of two mechanical sails to the Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV) Jumbo Jubilee. The wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) solution is the latest in a series of innovative technologies installed on the vessel in a bid to boost fuel efficiency and cut carbon.   Jumbo is committed to advancing sustainable heavy-lift shipping with innovative energy-saving and decarbonisation initiatives across its fleet, says Jumbo Maritime CEO Daan Kornn...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) held a commemorative event of its Golden Jubilee celebrations at Visakhapatnam, on 3rd October 2024. The event was attended by a distinguished group of senior maritime professionals and stakeholders from the East Coast of India, with large attendance from the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, shipyards, and shipowners, including representatives from Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Hyderabad and Chennai. This was the second celebratory event in IRS&rs...

BERG Propulsion has unveiled the OpWind® software system to help crews combine the operation of sails and propellers in the most efficient way in all sea conditions. OpWind OpWind automatically ensures that engine efficiency can be optimised concerning propeller rpm and blade pitch angle when wind propulsion is also used to propel a vessel. The approach saves even more fuel than would otherwise be the case. The system automatically senses any sail contribution to propulsion based on a ves...

SRT Marine Systems plc (SRT), a global provider of maritime domain awareness systems and technologies for security, safety, and environmental protection, is pleased to advise that it has received a formal contract award notification from a Sovereign Government Ministry for a contract worth US$ 213 million to deliver an integrated SRT maritime surveillance system.  The award is subject only to completion of the formal contract and associated performance bond, which are now underway and expe...

Strategic Marine, an aluminium shipbuilder, is proud to announce the successful delivery of the Amarco S1, marking a significant milestone in the partnership with Bruneian offshore operator - Amarco Sdn Bhd (AMARCO). This delivery showcases Strategic Marine's expertise in designing and building the latest 4th Generation Fast Crew Boat (FCB) for long-term operations in Brunei's offshore oil and gas sector. Amarco S1 The Amarco S1 brings advanced maritime technology and sustainability features...