Navigation, communication and electronics News

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised the Eurazeo Sustainable Maritime Infrastructure ('ESMI') fund on a sale and lease back transaction to be entered into with Mainport Shipping Ltd ('Mainport') for the pre- and post-delivery lease financing of the hybrid survey and ROV support vessel - 'Geo Master'. The vessel is currently under construction at Neptune Construction B.V., a shipyard in the Netherlands. Supporting the growing European offshore wind market, the vessel is scheduled for deliv...

Castor Marine is excited to announce that Navarino has acquired 100% of the shares of Castor Marine B.V. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for both organisations, as they come together to better serve their customers with comprehensive, innovative solutions and a shared commitment to excellence.  Both Navarino and Castor Marine are thriving businesses with strong growth trajectories. Each serves a complementary set of customers, with whom they have co-created tailor-made technol...

Strikes at ports on the US East Coast and Gulf Coast, which would have caused an economic and supply chain crisis, have been called off – with ocean container freight rate growth now expected to slow or fall. The strikes were set to begin on 15 January and would have forced the closure of ports from Maine to Texas. This has now been averted after a tentative agreement over a new six-year master contract was reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which re...

Figures across the dry bulk shipping sector have joined in paying tribute to Dimitri Fafalios, who concluded his chairmanship of the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) on 31 December 2024, after six years of distinguished leadership. Fafalios's pivotal role Industry pioneers have praised Mr. Fafalios's pivotal role in strengthening international shipping standards during a period of unprecedented change, noting his success in expanding INTERCARGO's influence, while...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, supported by Maritime London, have established SEA-CARE as a new working group of stakeholders from industry, regulators, and the UK government whose goal is to scrutinise maritime safety and how pooling information can improve it. The new working group establishes Maritime London as an impartial broker to ensure that the right organisations are represented in SEA-CARE discussions between Inmarsat and industry stakeholders. Jos Standerwick, Chief Executive,...

Kongsberg Discovery has reached an agreement to acquire Naxys Technologies AS. The Bergen-based company is a world pioneer in technology for underwater environmental monitoring, with a specialism in recognising the sound of oil and gas leaks. The oceans are crucial for solving global challenges related to climate, food and security. CEO Geir Håøy of KONGSBERG points out that Naxys fits well into the company's technology portfolio. Advanced sensor and underwater robotics The ratio...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised Viking Ocean Cruises (“Viking”) on the delivery of the ocean ship - 'Viking Vela' from Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, Italy. The 'Viking Vela', the 11th ship delivered to Viking by the Fincantieri Group, is built according to the latest navigation and safety regulations. It is also equipped with high-efficiency engines and systems that minimise the pollution of exhaust gases and that meet the strictest environmental requiremen...

Kongsberg Digital and PSA Marine Pte. Ltd. have entered into a strategic collaboration to enhance maritime harbour pilot training, leveraging cutting-edge simulation technology to equip PSA Marine’s harbour pilots with advanced skills to navigate the growing complexities of maritime operations, including autonomous ships and sustainable propulsion systems. Integrated marine services Headquartered in Singapore, PSA Marine provides integrated marine services, which are primarily pilotage a...

Leask Marine was delighted that Haventus put their trust in their team to support their shared vision to return the Port of Ardersier to a fully working commercial port.  The Leask team spent the 2024 summer season performing a UXO and debris clearing campaign with their marine spread consisting of vessel & barge fitted with excavators, hoppers, graders, and metal detectors to remove any potential debris ahead of the dredging campaign in 2025.

Hexagon announced an agreement to acquire Septentrio NV, an OEM provider of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies, to drive innovation and expand the market reach of Resilient Assured Positioning solutions. High-accuracy and performance Combining Septentrio's pioneering GNSS platform with Hexagon’s extensive positioning portfolio, including sensor fusion, anti-jamming, correction services, and perception technologies, will enable cutting-edge solutions for diverse mark...

Vigor announced Mark Norris has joined the company as Vice President of Marine Fabrication. Norris will oversee one of the pioneering and most innovative marine vessel fabricators in the U.S., which is currently in production on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light), or MSVL, the U.S. Army’s new generation landing craft. He will be responsible for growing and maintaining an experienced, skilled team, while leading Vigor’s defence and commercial marine fabrication projects....

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has announced a new leadership structure to execute on its multibillion-dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. Jason Montague has been appointed Chief Luxury Officer for NCLH, effective February 17, 2025, overseeing both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, capitalising on his extensive industry expertise and strong track record previously pioneering these brands. This appointment underscores NCLH’s focus on it...

Steel cutting ceremony of the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) for Indian Navy was held on 16 Dec 2024 at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. Commodore S Parthiban, Warship Production Superintendent, Warship Overseeing Team (WOT), Kochi, conducted the steel cutting of the first steel plate for Ship No. BY-531. Shri KN Sreejith, Director (Operations), Shri Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director (Ship Repairs), Shri S Harikrishnan, Executive Director (Shipbuilding) of CSL, and senior officia...

Adani Ports & SEZ, through its subsidiary, Ocean Sparkle Limited, has placed an order for 8 nos of 70 T Bollard Pull ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) Tugs on Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) – the pioneering shipyard in India. This is in addition to the 3 nos of the 70 T Bollard Pull Tugs already under construction at Udupi-CSL for Ocean Sparkle Limited, totalling 11 Tug orders on Udupi-CSL. Designs of Robert Allan Limited The 7...

Strategic Marine is proud to announce the signing and delivery of its first Surface Effect Ship (SES) to All Energies Services (AES), a groundbreaking moment in the company’s advancement within the offshore oil and gas sector. The contract marks a major step in Strategic Marine’s ongoing collaboration with AIRCAT Vessels, ESNA – Espeland and Skomedal Naval Architects, and AES bringing a revolutionary 35-meter SES vessel to life. Surface Effect Ship This high-perfor...

A rescue deal for the Belfast-based shipbuilder, which could be announced as early as on Thursday, 19th Dec 2024, is expected to include job guarantees for its workforce of more than 1,000 people. Sky News has learned that ministers hope to announce that Harland & Wolff (H&W) and its four UK shipyards are being acquired by Navantia, S.A., S.M.E, the Spanish shipbuilder, after months of negotiations. H&W’s assets and sites Navantia’s board is expected to meet to ratif...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) concludes 2024 with remarkable achievements across sustainability, innovation, and maritime safety, making its Golden Jubilee year a testament to its legacy and vision. From spearheading decarbonisation projects to reviving India’s maritime heritage, IRS has reinforced its leadership role in the global maritime sector. Step in maritime innovation It classed a next-generation electric ferry, furthering the push for cleaner maritime transport In line wit...

Ingeteam has been awarded a new contract to support the green hydrogen sector in Australia. Ingeteam will supply six rectifiers to help develop Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis technology for its customer, Fortescue, in Queensland. In its role as a technology partner, Ingeteam will provide three full skid solution units, equipped with six INGECON H2 E series rectifiers, to supply up to 12 MW of energy to each of the electrolysers. It will also involve commissioning the highest curr...

WEG celebrates the remarkable achievement of supplying two thousand generators to Vestas one of the vital components of the turbines produced by the Danish company, further strengthening its contribution to the clean energy sector in Brazil. The equipment, designed to operate in Vestas wind turbines, is installed in various wind farms across the country, highlighting the shared commitment of both companies to sustainability and the development of Brazil’s renewable energy matrix. WEG&r...

The World Shipping Council (WSC) Board of Directors has elected Soren Toft, CEO of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, as the new Chair of the World Shipping Council Board. Randy Chen, Vice Chairman of Wan Hai Lines, has been elected Vice Chair. Soren Toft and Randy Chen will serve a two-year term, effective immediately. The new Chair and Vice Chair succeed Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG, and Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE, who have served as Co-Chairs of the WSC Board...

Brunvoll has secured another contract with Myklebust Shipyard for the delivery of a comprehensive thruster package. This confirms the option for an additional vessel for REM Offshore, originally announced in May of this year. Like the previous contract, this agreement also includes an option for a third additional vessel. Brunvoll’s thruster package Brunvoll’s thruster package consists of two propulsion azimuth thrusters and a tunnel thruster Brunvoll’s thruster packag...

Guy Hindley has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Baltic Exchange Council, with effect from 1 January 2025, following the leadership of Lord Jeffrey Mountevans who has held the position for the past two years. Guy Hindley, who has served on the Baltic Exchange Council since January 2019, has a long and distinguished career in the maritime sector, including his role as Managing Partner of Dry Cargo division at Howe Robinson, where he has been a key figure since for nearly four decades.&n...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has undertaken the certification of indigenously developed marine components for defence projects, marking a significant milestone in enhancing defence and maritime manufacturing capabilities within the country. The product certifications were conducted in compliance with national and international standards/specifications. A fouling-release coating Among the projects validated and certified is a fouling-release coating, developed by DRDO’s Naval Materi...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised Höegh Evi Ltd. (Höegh Evi) on the acquisition of a 50% stake in its shareholder Larus Holding (Larus) by funds managed by Igneo Infrastructure Partners (Igneo). Transaction details Larus, which is the 100% owner of Höegh Evi, is currently jointly 50/50 owned by Aequitas Limited (a holding company of the Høegh Family who will retain their existing stake) and funds managed by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners.  The trans...

Fincantieri, a global pioneer in shipbuilding and marine technologies, is proud to announce its newly signed Memorandum of Understanding with Sparkle, Italy’s foremost international service operator and a top global player in telecommunications. This strategic partnership focuses on developing innovative technological solutions to enhance the surveillance and protection of submarine telecommunications cables, vital infrastructures that underpin global connectivity, and digital security....

Anemoi Marine Technologies completed the installation of five Rotor Sails onboard the 400,000 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC), Sohar Max, making it the largest vessel to receive wind propulsion technology to date. Sohar Max is a first-generation Valemax, built in 2012 in China’s Rongsheng shipyard. Rotor Sails The project showcased the global collaboration between Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A., Omani shipowner Asyad, and UK-based Rotor Sail provider Anemoi. The five 35 m tall, 5 m...

The UK government has confirmed that Australia will equip its Hunter-class frigates with the Thales 2087 sonar system, a move set to contribute around £45 million to the UK economy, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Array sonar system The Sonar 2087, manufactured in the United Kingdom by Thales Underwater Systems, is a towed array sonar system that replaces the older Sonar 2031 in the Royal Navy. It equips several Type 23 frigates and is also set to feature on the Roya...

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) from Teledyne RD Instruments (RDI) has been chosen for a 63-foot hybrid catamaran for the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San.gov) built by All American Marine (AAM), a pioneer in constructing vessels with hybrid and electric propulsion systems. The vessel, designed to support ocean sampling and scientific research, will be an innovative hybrid-powered boat, contributing to environmental sustainability in marine operations. Utility optim...

Kongsberg Digital is proud to announce an important new simulator contract with Noble Corporation, one of the world’s pioneering offshore drilling companies, headquartered in Houston, Texas USA. DP simulators The contract includes the delivery of state-of-the-art navigation, engine, and dynamic positioning (DP) simulators based on Kongsberg Maritime’s market-pioneering K-Pos DP system. The simulators will be tailored and integrated with Kongsberg Maritime’s Riser Monitoring...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of the technology group Wärtsilä, will supply the cargo handling systems for three new 93,000 m3 capacity Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs).  The ships are being built at the Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean Co, formerly known as DSME. Two vessels are for a Greek ship owner and one for a Japanese owner. These two orders, both booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2024, further strengthen Wärtsilä’s position as a market-pioneering...