Navigation, communication and electronics News

Together with partners - MPC Container Ships ASA and MPC Capital AG, Topeka has contracted two 1300 TEU carbon neutral container vessels. Both vessels will be delivered in 2024 and immediately move into long-term contracts with North Sea Container Line. Carbon neutral container vessels Benefitting from dramatically reduced emissions, the two new-build ships will replace three of North Sea Container Line’s (NCL) current diesel-powered vessels, which will be phased out of operations. ...

Switzerland’s SBB Cargo International AG, in cooperation with SüdLeasing GmbH, has ordered 20 Vectron multi-system locomotives equipped with the XLoad package from Siemens Mobility. SBB Cargo International will lease the locomotives from SüdLeasing under a long-term rental plan with a flexible term. The contract also includes maintenance of the locomotives by Siemens Mobility. Vectron XLoad is an equipment package developed to improve traction performance and increase trailer lo...

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has entered into an agreement to acquire Lithuanian smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer - NanoAvionics. The planned acquisition expands KONGSBERG’s space offering to also have products and technology for manufacturing small satellites. NanoAvionics is a globally renowned smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer with significant global growth in recent years, including expansions into the United Kingdom and the United State...

Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to announce the award of a contract to Yangzijiang Shipbuilding for the construction of four 8,000 TEU Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels. These vessels will each be equipped with an ammonia intermediate ready fuel tank. The four vessels will be delivered progressively in 2025. Contract for 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels We have decided to place an order for an additional four 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels for two key reas...

The latest Neptune Indicator research shows that the number of seafarers onboard vessels beyond the expiry of their contract has decreased slightly to 4.2% from 4.3% in the last month, while the number of seafarers onboard vessels for over 11 months has remained stable at 0.3%. For the eighth consecutive month, Global Maritime Forum observe little change in the numbers reported, as it confirm the entry into a ‘new normal’. The Neptune Indicator also reports a 2.8 percentage point in...

Orbital Marine Power (Orbital), the renewable energy company focused on the development and global deployment of its pioneering floating tidal turbine technology, has reached a significant operational funding milestone. New investment secured from the Scottish National Investment Bank and individuals via the Abundance Investment platform will finance the ongoing operation of the O2, the company’s 2MW+ floating turbine. These debt facilities will be serviced by the long-term sale of electr...

Tokyo-based Classification Society – ClassNK has released the latest version 2.0.0 of ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’, a mobile app to assist the improvement of Port State Control (PSC) performance and ship management systems, provided free of charge. ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ app Based on the database of PSC reports inputted by ship managers, ship owners and ClassNK, ‘PrimeShip-PSC Intelligence’ mobile app provides various functions, in order to help...

The Board of Directors of Pacific International Lines (PIL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Lars Kastrup as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PIL, effective from 1 July, 2022. As the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pacific International Lines, Lars Kastrup is responsible for leading PIL’s continued growth and development, including its sustainability transformation path towards net zero carbon emissions. Industry veteran appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO)...

The Port of Valencia has welcomed the Iacobus Maris fleet, the sailing ships taking part in the longest maritime Xacobean route in history, which departed from the port of Genoa bound for Galicia. The President of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV), Aurelio Martinez, has held a meeting with the honorary consul of Italy, Adriano Carbone to coordinate the presence of the fleet that will remain in the Port of Valencia until Sunday. Lacobus Maris Route The Iacobus Maris Route commemorates the j...

SMEs who make up 99.8 percent of all businesses in the UK are invited to meet this week with UK government Trade teams at Seawork 2022. SME maritime network Vessel builders and marine technology and services companies are invited to join the maritime teams at stand G39, to find out how the Department for International Trade (DIT), UK Export Finance, and the National Shipbuilding Office can help to develop and win business in the UK and overseas. National Maritime is the UK’s largest SME...

As plans emerge that Maritime UK (MUK) is to support several potential stakeholders to establish a South East regional cluster organisation reportedly led by Dieter Jaenicke, Viking Maritime Group, they do welcome the continued emergence of MUK as a single leadership association for the maritime sector, as it strives to act as a conduit for bringing coherent sector support and reduced bureaucracy to add weight to arguments for infrastructure improvements and destination making, to stimulate econ...

Reinforcing its long partnership in providing solutions for the Brazilian Navy in the most diverse vessels of its fleet, WEG recently supplied two alternators of the G Plus line with a nominal power of 100 kVA, frame 250, and 4 poles. The alternators are responsible for generating energy for the entire vessel of the river transport vessel Almirante Leverger. To meet the protection needs of the application, the alternators were specifically developed with IP44 degree of protection and using fi...

The international marine specialist recruitment company - Marine Resources (Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd) have joined forces with the former President of the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Dr. Thomas Dammrich and the former Editor and Owner of International Boat Industry magazine - Nick Hopkinson. This partnership aims to offer businesses in the leisure marine industry assistance with identifying and recruiting key management personnel. Bespoke head-hunting...

The Normal Amsterdam Water Level (NAP) has been used as the basis for Vessel Traffic Services in the port of Rotterdam for approximately 200 years now. On 1 July, 2022, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will abandon the Normal Amsterdam Water Level (NAP) in shipping communication. Effective from July 1, 2022, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will use the Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide (ALAT) as a reference for water depths and water levels in the admission policy. Internationally,...

Nor-Shipping 2023, which is scheduled to take place from June 6 to June 9, 2023, looks set to build on the success of Nor-Shipping 2022 event, with strong early sales and commitments from numerous national pavilions to return to the exhibiting fold. A total of 14 countries have so far secured dedicated pavilions to showcase local expertise, including Singapore and Japan at Nor-Shipping 2023 exhibition. In addition, individual organisations, such as Siemens, ABB, DNV (with two stands), NCE Marit...

The Seafarers’ Charity, a significant funder of maritime safety and welfare initiatives, is celebrating Maritime Safety Week (4-8 July) with the launch of a new safety drill competition and is calling on everyone who works at sea to get involved by practicing and improving their crew muster drill. If users are a Marvel at the essential muster drill on the boat, users can enter the competition by posting a photo or video of their best time for their Muster Drill on their social med...

In early June 2022, representatives of shipping companies and Customs authorities from across the globe came together, in order to discuss ways to step up the fight against drug trafficking. The Conference was organised by the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the Container Control Programme (CCP), which is a joint initiative between the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). UNODC 2021 World Drug Report According to the UNODC 2021 World Drug Report, aro...

It’s been another bumper month for long-term contracted ocean freight rates, as the cost of securing container shipments climbed by 10.1% in June 2022. Following on the heels of a record 30.1% hike in May 2022, this now means rates stand 169.8% higher than this time in 2021, with just two months of declines in the last 18 months. Despite a degree of macro-economic uncertainty clouding the horizon, all major trades saw prices moving up, with some corridors showing significant gains. Xenet...

Nauti-craft technology is not only making waves (well actually, quite the opposite!) here in Australia, but is also being developed in some exciting projects overseas. In Wilhelmshaven, a seaside town on the Jade Bight on Germany’s North Sea coast, nauti-craft technology will soon be put to work onboard the WB18, a collaborative project between nauti-craft and German boat-building company, Wallaby Boats. The 18m vessel will fill the role of pilot vessel at the port of Wilhelmshaven, ensur...

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 55-year history of breaking boundaries announced the next season of its visual storytelling platform, "EMBARK with NCL," with the first episode, "Caribbean Adventures," premiering Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET at their website and on Facebook. High-calibre offerings Following its successful first season, which garnered nearly 3 million views and showcased the Company's fierce resiliency as it returned to c...

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has signed an Exchange of Note(E/N) with the Japanese Government for an Economic and Social Development Programme involving the acquisition of a High-Speed Boat to reinforce services for coastal security in Nigeria, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, as the implementing partner. The Honourable Minister of State Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba signed on behalf of Nigeria, while the Ambassador Ext...

On 29 June 2022, the ceremony for the naming and delivery of CULINES container newbuilding - CUL YANGPU & the signing of the strategic cooperation memorandum on Shipping Industry Fund was held at Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding in Nansha, Guangzhou, China. Huiming Xiang (Chairman at Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding), Kevin Ding (EVP at CULIES), Huiyu Wu (Part Committee Secretary & Chairman at Hainan Financial Holdings), and Jianmin Wang (Port & Shipping COO, Administration Committee of Y...

The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) and the Provincial Council of Valencia have organised the first ‘Cruise Tourism’ training course, aimed at municipal technicians and tourism agents. A meeting point to expand the tourist offer, offered by the destination of Valencia for cruise passengers, with sustainable experiences in municipalities of the province, beyond the city of Valencia, and to work to deseasonalise cruise tourism that calls at the Port of Valencia, in Spain. From the p...

The Seafarers’ Charity is delighted to welcome five new trustees to the charity following the retirement of three trustees who stepped down at the end of their tenure at the charity’s Annual Meeting; two further trustees will retire at 2023’s Annual Meeting. Creative, collaborative, and evidence-based solutions The Seafarers’ Charity is governed by a strong General Council (trustee board) made up of trustees who both set the direction and ensure the charity meets...

Chris Cooper has been appointed President of Neste US, effective from 1 July 2022. In his new role, he is responsible for supporting and aligning regional business strategies to deliver strategic growth targets, and he acts as Neste’s primary representative for the external community in the US. At the moment, Chris Cooper is holding the position of Vice President of Americas of Neste Renewable Aviation. Accelerate renewable growth strategy “The US presents important opportunities...

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA)’s Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) has once again received certification as a climate-neutral company from TÜV NORD. This highlights CTA’s pioneering role in the industry as a sustainable, innovative company. In 2019, CTA was the first container handling facility in the world to receive climate-neutral certification. Automated guided vehicles The Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board, Angela Titzrath, explains: “CTA’...

It’s perhaps easy to take for granted that ships today can communicate rather easily with their shoreside offices. What is often overlooked, however, is the growing importance of being able to instantly share data between ship and shore and with all relevant stakeholders. The close integration of onboard operations and the shoreside offices is faster and easier than ever thanks to high-speed internet connections. It is also, at the same time, significantly more essential than it has been...

Air Products and Gunvor Petroleum Rotterdam have signed a joint development agreement for an import terminal in Rotterdam. The agreement responds to the accelerating demand for green energy sources to meet climate objectives and the need to diversify energy sources. The import terminal is expected to provide green hydrogen to the Netherlands in 2026.  Green hydrogen Green hydrogen is key to the energy transition. It has significant potential to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, such as...

HPC and PT Melchers Melindo Indonesia, part of the international business development group Melchers, have signed a contract with the port operator PT Krakatau Bandar Samudera (PT KBS) to provide an independent study aimed at validating the potential of extending the capacity of Krakatau International Port to handle cargo in addition to dry bulk and break-bulk commodities. Krakatau International Port Situated on the West coast of Java, the Krakatau International Port faces the Sunda Strait,...

The Spanish Association of Purchasing, Contracting, and Procurement Professionals (AERCE) has organised a visit to the Port of Valencia, one of the largest economic players in the Valencian Community and Spain. The delegation was made up of some thirty purchasing managers and technicians from different companies who were able to get to know the day-to-day activity of the port and the operation of the commercial area of Valenciaport, as well as the opportunities for companies offered by the Span...