Propellers News

Xeneta has launched an index-linked contract (ILC) simulator to help shippers navigate ocean freight container market volatility and end procurement inefficiency. The new ILC Simulator – now available in the Xeneta platform – allows shippers to compare traditional fixed-rate contracts with index-linked contracts using sample corridor data or their own historical ocean container freight rates. Shippers and logistics services The simulator is an important first step towards index-li...

VIKING uses a test tower facility to perform onshore full-scale testing of free-fall lifeboats, as required by DNVGL-ST-E406. This avoids the complexity and risk of testing from offshore installations. And the approach is recognised by classification societies and national authorities. Onshore testing to offshore activities The onshore tower facility is increasingly engaged by construction yards that wish to receive fully tested equipment that is ready to be installed on the platform or vess...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has signed an agreement with Sallaum Lines, a pioneering Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo shipping company, to upgrade to Inmarsat Maritime’s NexusWave fully managed bonded connectivity service, making it an early adopter in region. As Sallaum Lines expands its global presence, NexusWave will provide secure, ultra-fast connectivity with unlimited data, complemented by Inmarsat’s Care Premium programme for 24/7 support and maintenance. IoT sensors a...

Brunvoll has signed a contract with Rizhao Gangda Shipyard for the delivery of an extensive propulsion, manoeuvring, and dynamic positioning system for an Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV).  The vessel is owned by Smit Lamnalco, a subsidiary of Boskalis, and will operate for the Austral Maritime Safety Authority. Its mission is to protect the marine environment around the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait – some of the most precious marine areas in the world. Brunvoll twin-screw prop...

Brunvoll expands its product range of tunnel thrusters with its largest thruster to date. This is a response based on trends seen in the cruise industry, where they build larger and larger vessels.  The first delivery of this new size is for three cruise vessels, where each vessel will feature four tunnel thrusters. The contract is with an undisclosed shipyard and shipowner. Powerful propulsion Brunvoll’s delivery for the vessels consists of a total 12 tunnel thrusters of the new F...

The SEA-CARE working group concluded its third session in February by confirming commitments to share key data to secure common objectives. Highlighting a need to look beyond ‘top-level’ data to pinpoint the root causes of casualties, attendees discussed specific datasets that could enrich findings drawn from Inmarsat’s Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress alert data. Crew welfare surveys, for example, offered a precious resource for developing a more ho...

Ocean Network Express (ONE) successfully hosted the fourth Container Shipping Summit in Hong Kong on 26 March 2025. In pursuit of sustainable container shipping development, the Summit brought together academic pioneers in Asia to discuss diverse challenges and encourage industry-academia collaboration to drive change and innovation towards a sustainable future. Implementing growth strategies Yasuki Iwai, Global Chief Officer - Head of Corporate and Innovation of ONE, delivered the opening re...

Fuels of the future and shipping charge points in harbours are at the centre of a major new strategy to make Britain’s shipping fleet net zero by 2050 and drive growth in coastal communities. The Maritime Minister has revealed the Government’s new goals for all vessels that operate in UK waters and dock at UK ports to be carbon-free and help vessel owners, operators and scientists make emission-free voyages a reality. Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy Maritime Decarbonisation Stra...

IRClass Academy has successfully concluded an intensive Marine Casualty Investigation Training program aimed to enhance the investigative capabilities of maritime professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to conduct thorough and compliant marine casualty investigations. The program provided an in-depth understanding of the purpose, scope, and principal definitions of marine casualty investigations, along with the mandatory responsibilities of safety investigation auth...

BERG Propulsion is offering the shipping industry its first opportunity to select propeller shafts made using the climate neutral GreenForge® production process, in a maritime sector that is highly exposed to anticipated carbon pricing. Three Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) ro-ro vessels due in service from 2026 to carry aircraft parts across the Atlantic are already set to take advantage of sustainable wind power, courtesy of their rotor sails, while their hybrid propulsion, power manag...

Kongsberg Maritime has signed a significant contract for the design of two multipurpose subsea vessels. The UT7623 SEV (Sustainable Energy Vessel) vessels will be methanol-ready and feature battery hybrid technology. These vessels are the first references for Kongsberg Maritime’s latest subsea construction vessel designs and will feature a fully integrated package of technology including rim-drive propulsion, hybrid power and winch systems. UT7623 SEV vessels UT7623 SEV vessels are...

Swiss marine power company WinGD has completed shop tests of its groundbreaking variable compression ratio (VCR) technology. The results confirm that methane reductions from new X-DF engines with VCR technology deliver similar ship greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to high-pressure dual-fuel technologies, while delivering a total system cost and fuel cost advantage for several vessel applications. Dual-fuel engines in maritime The reduction is expected to be even greater for engines with a large...

The Dynamic Positioning Digital Survey (DPDS) from Kongsberg Marine has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS. The DPDS application from Kongsberg continuously gathers data from a vessel’s dynamic positioning (DP) system, allowing annual DP surveys to move from in-person assessments on the vessel in a fixed timeframe to remote analysis onshore across a wider, more flexible timeframe. Evolution of digital solutions Per Kongsberg, the DPDS app contributes to reduced vessel downtim...

With NMDC Group (NMDC), one of the largest dredging and marine contractors in the Middle East. The agreement represents a significant step forward in strengthening the partnership between Wärtsilä and NMDC.  It will focus on optimising the availability and operational efficiency of NMDC’s dredging fleet.  The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2025.  Optimizing NMDC’s Fleet for Efficiency This partnership will focus on optimising the availability...

Kongsberg Maritime is proud to announce its selection as the lead integrator for a significant green upgrade of the Norwegian Coastal Administration's (NCA) hybrid vessel, OV Bøkfjord. The project will include the installation of Kongsberg Maritime's electric Rim-Drive azimuth thrusters, together with an upgrade of hybrid capacity. Pilotage and navigation technology The NCA is a national agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, responsible for coastal mana...

DNV has appointed Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria as Chief Operating Officer, with effect from 1 January 2025.  "The maritime industry is navigating growing complexities, from its operating environment to the expanding network of diverse stakeholders it serves and interacts with,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV Maritime. “To address these challenges and seize new opportunities, the addition of a COO strengthens our leadership team, ensuring we are well-positioned to me...

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to supply advanced propulsion and manoeuvring technology for two new KCR-70 Fast Attack Crafts for the Indonesian Navy. These vessels are currently under construction at the Sefine Shipyard in Türkiye. Equipment package The Kongsberg Maritime equipment package includes an innovative propulsion system that combines twin controllable pitch propeller (CPP) Promas systems for high efficiency at patrol speeds with a single Kamewa waterjet to provide bo...

The ULSTEIN SX216 vessels showcase Ulstein's commitment to innovation and excellence in maritime design. They are specifically tailored to meet the demanding needs of the offshore wind industry.   TWIN X-STERN® design The ULSTEIN TWIN X-STERN® design features two sterns and four main propeller units, two at each end, resulting in excellent operability with either end towards the weather. This design improves fuel efficiency, dynamic positioning capability, manoeuvrabili...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its EnergoFlow solution and Fixed Pitch Propellers (FPP) for three Pure Car/Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels owned by Sallaum Lines – an international RoRo cargo operator. The combination of these upgrade solutions will notably improve the propulsion efficiency of these existing vessels, in turn reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2024. 2050 Net-zero goals To meet th...

Technology group Wärtsilä’s focus on supporting the marine industry’s efforts to decarbonise operations continues to drive concrete steps forward. The latest order is to supply a complete propulsion package for a 38,000 DWT methanol-ready cement carrier vessel. When built, this will be the world’s largest vessel of its type, and the first with a methanol-ready notation. The order has been placed by NovaAlgoma, a joint venture between the Italian Swiss-based, Nova Mar...

SAE is pleased to announce that, following the successful deployment of turbine 4, the globally renowned MeyGen tidal stream site now has all four turbines fully operational. This means that the site is now at full power for the first time, delivering 6MW of predictable, renewable power. Since deployment in 2016, the turbines operated by MeyGen have undergone several upgrades and enhancements to increase system efficiency and cost reduction. The site continues to support the innovation and deve...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) have entered into an umbrella agreement aimed at developing indigenous technologies and enhancing the capabilities of both organisations. As part of this initiative, IRS and CSL have signed a separate cooperation agreement for the development and certification of an autonomous vessel named ‘SWAYAT,’ which is being constructed at CSL as a fully indigenous pilot project. IRS Guidelines on Cyber Safety Key technology par...

Complex shipbuilding projects demand efficient system integration and commissioning from suppliers to meet tight construction schedules. Vard Electro has demonstrated its proven competence in this area with a debut delivery for the Ulstein Verft shipyard of integrated SeaQ Communication solutions for two advanced newbuild CSOVs now delivered by the Norwegian yard for Olympic. Diverse SeaQ systems “The ability to see the bigger picture of such a system delivery is essential to overcome p...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the ROV training simulator ‘FF Virtual’ developed by FINDi Co., Ltd. In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technology with innovative functions. The detailed information is availab...

SAE is pleased to announce it has received the penultimate milestone payment of £1.5 million under its agreement with EL (Uskmouth) Limited (“EL”), a subsidiary of FPC Electric Land. On 5 December 2023, SAE announced that it had agreed to sell the freehold land owned by SAE to EL, for a milestone-linked total gross cash consideration of £9.8 million. BESS project development The land is being used for a 460MWh (230 MW) BESS being constructed by Uskmouth Energy Storag...

Cattewater Harbour, Plymouth has enjoyed a bumper year of visiting vessels, playing host to a diverse range from historic ships to luxurious superyachts and new and returning cruise lines. Tens of thousands of visitors have disembarked at the Barbican Landing Stage, arriving into the historic heart of the city. Its strategic location and modern facilities make it an ideal berthing option.  Notable visiting vessels Some notable visiting vessels this year have included: PS Waverley &nda...

Mercy Ships has been given a significant boost for upcoming construction work on the medical charity’s latest newbuild hospital ship after being unveiled at a recent conference as this year’s official charity partner by the maritime branch of the Federation of Norwegian Industries, representing hundreds of maritime equipment suppliers, designers and shipyards. Norwegian maritime sector “We are keen to engage with the Norwegian maritime sector to procure the resources and expe...

Advanced boat-handling systems supplied by Vestdavit have been installed on the newbuild CSOV Olympic Notos delivered for Olympic by Norway’s Ulstein Verft, which is raising the bar in terms of sustainability and operational efficiency for such vessels employed in the offshore energy sector. MOB and lifeboat davit “We are honoured to have been selected by Ulstein for participation in this ground-breaking newbuild project based on our well-established track record of reliable davit...

“Safety is more than just compliance. It is now synonymous with security, reliability, collective relationships and people. Safety is also becoming systems-based rather than rooted in prescriptive rules or specific component procedures." "Only by embracing a proactive, systems-oriented approach to safety, can the maritime industry navigate the path to a decarbonised future while ensuring the well-being of its seafarers and the protection of the marine environment.”  ABS-classe...

At 5.8 million TEU, container throughput at the Port of Hamburg remained at almost the same level year-on-year during the first nine months of 2024. Throughput of loaded containers saw slight growth, alongside an increase in general cargo. “Rail forwarding, a cornerstone of sustainable transport, also developed positively in the first nine months. As Europe’s largest rail port, we attach great importance to the expansion of rail transport. Container transport in this segment rose...