AI - News

Companies are increasingly establishing production in proximity to demand

Recently published independent research points conclude that goods-producing value chains (particularly automotive, as well as computers and electronics) are becoming more regionally concentrated, especially within Asia and Europe. Companies are increasingly establishing production in proximity to demand. Such value chains require just-in-time shipping operations. Borchard Lines continues to provide industry-renowned door-door timelines with over 93% on-time departures and arrivals.

London International Shipping Week 2021 gets positive news with easing of COVID-19 restrictions

Anticipation for London International Shipping Week 2021 (LISW21), the global maritime industry’s first in-person gathering since early 2020, is set to soar following UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s announcement that London is open for business. The British Prime Minister has confirmed an easing of COVID-19 restrictions across England by July 19, 2021, giving people working in shipping clear passage to reconnect at LISW21, slated to take place from September 13 – 17, 2021....

Hapag-Lloyd to provide full transparency on schedule performance of vessels to enhance supply-chain reliability

With their initiative on schedule reliability, Hapag-Lloyd is tackling one of the main challenges faced by the global shipping industry. Container shipping is currently going through its worst operational crisis, in many years. Due to high demand, massive COVID-19-related restrictions and the Suez Canal incident in April 2021, the shipping industry has been forced to deal with major operational challenges, such as congested ports, ship delays and infrastructural bottlenecks. Transparency on th...

Stena Line aim to reduce emissions by 5 % using AI

During the last month the AI assistant Stena Fuel Pilot has been successfully introduced on two more Stena Line vessels, Stena Flavia and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In total, 7 Stena Line vessels now operate with AI assistance, with the aim to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 5 %. The Stena Fuel Pilot started as a pilot study on Stena Scandinavica on the Gothenburg-Kiel route back in 2018 with the task to investigate and explore how artificial intelligence can be used to support the ca...

Blue Water expands team and hires Head of Renewables Americas

John O’Keeffe has been appointed as the new Head of Renewables, Americas. O’Keeffe, a former maritime Captain with vast experience in the U.S. offshore wind industry, will join Blue Water’s office in Houston after serving as Head of Marine Affairs North America at Orsted. Work experience John was an integral part of America’s first offshore wind farm at Block Island. Following that success, he built the first Marine Affairs team in the US offshore wind market to facilit...

ClassNK appoints new President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and senior executives

Tokyo-based renowned classification society, ClassNK has announced that their Current Senior Executive Vice President, Hiroaki Sakashita has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as well as a Representative Director, effective on 18 March, 2020. Current Senior Executive Vice Presidents - Tetsuya Kinoshita, Junichiro Iida, and Dr. Toshiyuki Shigemi will continue in their present roles on the team, joined by Hirofumi Takano and Taira Narisawa as the new Executive...

IFAN highlights the importance of safe navigation for vessels in the Middle East Gulf region on World Marine Aids to Navigation Day

On World Marine Aids to Navigation Day, which falls on Thursday, July 1, the Board of the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is reminding the world’s ship owners that Aids to Navigation (AtoN) are imperative to keeping the Middle East Gulf region safe for vessels and crew, but that they must be paid for. Aids to Navigation (AtoN) services The Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) has been providing AtoN services since 1911 The Middle East Navigation Aids Servic...

To provide more capacities for small and medium-sized enterprises, CULINES launches US service in July 2021

To meet the booming demands of shipping space and the shortage of export logistics supply chain resources, CULINES adheres closely to market trends and customer demands. Trans-Pacific Express Service (TPX) Five 1,700-4,400TEU container vessels will be deployed on the TPX service, which trades directly from Shanghai Through coordination and deploying of containerships and equipment, CULINES will launch its first Trans-Pacific Express Service (TPX) on July 18 linking China to the West Coast of...

New DNV Fuel Ready and Gas fuelled ammonia class notations provide maximum flexibility to tackle shipping’s carbon curve

DNV, the world’s renowned classification society, has released the latest updates to its rules for ship classification, with a raft of new class notations that are designed to enable the maritime industry to tackle the decarbonisation challenge. The new updates include ‘Fuel Ready’, a class notation that offers ship owners the option to prepare for a later conversion to multiple different alternative fuel options, and ‘Gas fuelled ammonia’ for ammonia fuelled vesse...

Hapag-Lloyd announces the opening of a new office in Ukraine, considered a key European market for the company

Hapag-Lloyd has announced opening a new office in Ukraine. The country is located on the northern shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and is the second largest European country by area, covering a strategic geographic position between the European Union (EU) and Russia. Key Market for Hapag-Lloyd Various mineral resources and the world’s largest agricultural production make Ukraine an attractive export market for Hapag-Lloyd. The country is also an important import country, i.e....

Stena Line’s new modern ferry - Stena Scandica arrives in Ventspils, Latvia

Swedish ferry company - Stena Line is strengthening its position and expanding services in the Baltic Sea Region, by deploying two new large and modern ferries on the route between Ventspils in Latvia and Nynäshamn in Sweden in 2021. The first of the two vessels, Stena Scandica entered Ventspils port on Tuesday 29 June 2021 to get ready for its maiden voyage on the route within a short. The vessel adds another 70% cabin capacity compared to the existing vessels, as well as increased freigh...

SD Government strengthens DataWave Ku-band for maritime sector

In conjunction with their airtime service partners - SD Government is buoying up DataWave™ Ku-band network throughput to deliver faster transmissions for all maritime communications.  Maritime customers already optimising the DataWave Ku services will now benefit from highly customisable satellite services, access to the latest real-time weather and nautical information, and the ability to stream video applications including Zoom, Skype, or other internet broadcasts. Unlimited data...

Survitec receives £15 million Bank Guarantee Facility from Barclays Corporate Banking

Global survival and safety solutions provider, Survitec, has announced that it has completed a £15 million Bank Guarantee Facility with Barclays Corporate Banking. This bank guarantee complements the company’s recently announced £270 million refinancing, as well as a new £27.5 million Super Senior Revolving Capital Facility. All three of the agreements are part of Survitec’s growth plans for its survival technology products and services. Survitec attains bank guar...

CULINES made efforts to increase the shipping space supply

Influenced by the global COVID-19 epidemic and other factors, the dilemma of "one equipment is difficult to obtain" for foreign trade customers is further highlighted. To solve the urgent needs of customers, CULINES made efforts to increase the supply of shipping space on various services in July. Asia - Europe service upgraded CULINES has expanded the AEX service scope and added direct service from Asia to London Tilbury, UK China United Lines will upgrade its AEX route (Asia - Europe Expre...

Stena Line achieves another world first using recycled methanol to power the ferry - Stena Germanica

In 2015 Stena Line made history by converting one of the largest RoPax ferries in the world, the 240-metre Stena Germanica, to become the world’s first methanol powered ferry. Now the Swedish ferry company has achieved another world first, by powering Stena Germanica with methanol recycled from residual steel gases. This week Stena Line took the next step on their sustainable journey towards achieving zero carbon when the Stena Germanica travelled from Sweden to Germany powered by recycle...

The Seafarers Charity launches a unique survey to explore working conditions in the UK fishing industry

The Seafarers’ Charity, in partnership with researchers at the University of Nottingham, released a new survey to better understand the reality of working conditions for fishing crew across the UK. The 20-minute research survey covers subjects including contracts and crew accommodation, facilities, and fishers' welfare. Crew members are encouraged to anonymously share their experiences of working life on fishing vessels. Financial challenges Catherine Spencer, CEO of The S...

Neste and ScanOcean expand low-sulphur marine fuel availability in Sweden

Together with its partner - ScanOcean AB, Neste is broadening the sales and distribution of low-sulphur marine fuels in the Swedish market. At the end of June 2021, ScanOcean will add Neste MGO DMA from the Neste Marine™ 0.1 product range to their product offering, alongside the Neste MDO DMB. Both bunker grades will be available at the Södertälje ex-pipe bunker station that serves vessels also in transit into Lake Mälaren. Compatibility features We are working...

Stena Line announces that the company has taken delivery of its new RoPax ferry - Stena Scandica

Globally renowned Swedish ferry company - Stena Line has officially taken delivery of its newest RoPax ferry, Stena Scandica, on Friday, 18th June, 2021. The vessel is the first of two Visentini vessels that are being lengthened and modernised by Stena RoRo at the Sedef Shipbuilding in Tuzla, Turkey. Stena Scandica will start operating on Stena Lines route between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Ventspils in Latvia in the beginning of July 2021. Newest RoPax ferry, Stena Scandica Stena Line is w...

HHI Group’s new subsidiary firm, Avikus becomes South Korea’s first company to successfully demonstrate fully autonomous navigation

Avikus, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group’s newly established subsidiary, specialised in autonomous navigation technology, became South Korea’s first company to succeed in fully autonomous navigation of a ship. Avikus Avikus announced that it successfully completed fully autonomous, unmanned operation of a cruise ship Avikus announced that it successfully completed fully autonomous, unmanned operation of a cruise ship for 12 passengers, at a demonstration event, held in Pohang-...

FESCO opened seasonal transportation to the ports of Chukotka

General cargo ship “FESCO Pioner” set sail on 13 June 2021. FESCO vessel will deliver to Anadyr and Egvekonot about 287 TEU of containerised cargo and 103 tonnes of general cargo. The approximate date of arrival of the vessel to Anadyr is 22 June 2021. Delivery of the goods on linear service "FESCO Anadyr Direct Line" (FADL) is to last until the end of October. FESCO vessels will have 5 voyages to deliver about 1500 containers and 1000 tonnes of general cargo to the ports of Anadyr...

Spire Global Inc. announces the expansion of its Maritime Weather solutions portfolio

Spire Global, Inc. (Spire), a globally renowned provider of space-based data and analytics solutions, has announced the expansion of its Maritime Weather solutions portfolio. By providing more accurate and reliable insights, Spire is continuing to support its customers as a trusted source for open ocean weather data. The Spire Weather team has added 10 years of historical weather data from across the entire planet. Historical data is vital for understanding weather patterns, planning future voy...

DNV launches new Compliance Planner tool for easy regulatory tracking and compliance

DNV, the classification society, has launched Compliance Planner, a new digital tool that enables DNV customers to easily track the requirements and deadlines of legislation for both individual vessels and entire fleets. As both the number and complexity of international shipping regulations continue to grow, navigating the timelines and requirements has become an increasing burden on ship owners and operators. Compliance Planner presents a full overview of the requirements facing any v...

Kongsberg attains contract with CMHI to deliver construction service operation vessels (CSOV/SOV) to Awind AS

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) has won contracts to design and equip two construction service operation vessels (CSOV/SOV) for the Norway-based ship owner, Awind AS, a fully-owned subsidiary of Integrated Wind Solutions AS (IWS). The combined contract value is approximately NOK 250 million. Destined for the renewable offshore wind market, the new CSOVs will be built to Kongsberg Maritime’s UT 5519 DE design, by the Chinese shipyard, China Merchant Heavy Industries (CMHI), with which Kongsberg ha...

DNV join forces with 22 industry partners on landmark ammonia as an alternative marine fuel study

To support the pursuit of IMO’s decarbonisation targets, DNV has joined forces with 22 companies by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a joint cross-industry study of common issues concerning ammonia as an alternative marine fuel. Partners include representatives from the fields of energy, mining, power utility, chemical, terminal, shipping, shipbuilding, manufacture, bunkering, and classification. Transitioning to a low carbon future Transitioning to a low carbon futu...

CULINES orders two 2400TEU container vessels for YZJ

CULINES held a ceremony at its Shanghai Headquarters to conclude a new building contract with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (YZJ). This order is for two container vessels, each with a capacity of 2,400TEU.  This is the second new-building order in CULINES’s investment program following the four 1,900 TEU feeder vessels announced earlier in 2021. Vessel investment program   Low Load Tunning main engine uses the latest generation of EFI technology to upgrade the ship's energy saving...

Neste and ITOCHU Corporation collaborate on first delivery of renewable diesel in the Japanese market

Neste and ITOCHU Corporation has announced that they are joining forces to deliver renewable diesel to the Japanese market. In this collaboration, ITOCHU Corporation will be the first company in Japan to sell and distribute renewable diesel from Neste. In addition, FamilyMart, which is owned by ITOCHU Corporation and is one of the largest convenience store chains in Japan, will start to use renewable diesel in some of the delivery vehicles at their distribution centre in Yokohama City. Thi...

DNV announces new marine aquaculture forecast

Production of ‘farmed’ aquatic animals will more than double from 30 million tonnes per year (Mt/yr) live weight to 74 Mt/yr in 2050, according to the independent assurance and risk management company. DNV’s first Marine Aquaculture Forecast warns, however, that production will not meet demand in mid-century unless the industry tackles key sustainability barriers to growth by 2030. Marine aquaculture Marine aquaculture plays a role in securing supplies of food for a global p...

FESCO provided relocation of four straddle carriers between Global Ports’ terminals

FESCO Transportation Group has provided relocation of four Kalmar’s straddle carriers CSC340 from JSC First Container Terminal in St. Petersburg to LLC Vostochnaya Stevedornaya Company in the Primorye Territory. Both the terminals are part of the Global Ports group. Multi-purpose dry cargo vessel FESCO used its multi-purpose dry cargo vessel equipped with cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 120 tonnes To transfer the carriers, FESCO used its multi-purpose dry cargo vessel FESCO Par...

BAE Systems and Keep Scotland Beautiful announce partnership to support Scottish marine litter campaign, Keep Scotland Beautiful

Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, and BAE Systems, whose shipyards are located at Govan and Scotstoun on the Clyde, in Scotland, has launched an exciting new partnership that will see the shipbuilder become a supporter of Upstream Battle, the charity’s award-winning campaign to tackle marine litter from source to sea. Upstream Battle campaign Since its launch in 2018, the Upstream Battle campaign has been raising awareness, gathering evidence, and inspiring action in...

Ocean Infinity acquires Ambrey

Ocean Infinity, the marine robotics company announced that it has acquired a maritime services company, Ambrey.  Ambrey’s team of maritime professionals deliver a range of bespoke offshore services including, security, crisis and risk management, intelligence, insurance, fleet operation, and vessel design and build.  Integration of robotic operations Ocean Infinity’s data and software capabilities will revolutionise Ambrey’s intelligence and insurance services The...

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