AI - News

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised BPER Banca S.p.A. (BPER) on a medium to long-term financing of up to approximately US$7.7 million to Maltese company - Red Coral Bulkers Ltd. (Red Coral) for the purchase of the bulk carrier - 'Archagelos Michael'.  Archagelos Michael, originally under the Liberian Registry and currently registered by Red Coral in the Maltese Register of Shipping under the new name - 'Peppino' is one of the first ships to also be listed in the EU/EEA states’...

Alfa Laval has received an order to replace 18 ballast water treatment systems (BWMS) onboard vessels belonging to a major European shipowner. This significant order shows the high demand for the replacement of malfunctioning systems and a growing market for Alfa Laval’s BWMS replacement offering. Strict regulations and controls  Strict regulations and frequent controls are driving shipping companies to ensure their ballast water treatment systems are fully operational to avoid hig...

HD Hyundai Marine Solution, HD Hyundai Engineering & Technology, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), and Hyundai Heavy Industries Power Systems have successfully obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV for their design of an onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) system for retrofits. The retrofit design, which is applicable to a wide range of vessels, showcases the collaborative efforts of the HD Hyundai affiliates. With the global maritime industry in...

Enhancing their collaboration on cutting-edge marine and technology projects, ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to advance the development and certification of innovative systems for next-generation, zero-carbon ships. Representatives from both companies met at Gastech 2024 for the signing ceremony. 3 areas of integration Entitled 'Cooperation on the Advanced Zero-Carbon Ships', the MOU focuses on integrating advanced...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Lifecycle Agreement with Royal Caribbean Group covering 37 of the company’s cruise ships. The agreement is designed to optimise the performance, reliability, and availability of the ships’ engines to ensure the highest level of operational efficiency to support and accelerate Royal Caribbean’s sustainability goals. Sustainability and decarbonisation  "This agreement is a testament to the mutual efforts and ded...

DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for its electric propulsion liquefied hydrogen (LH2) carrier design concept that could enable 80,000 cubic metres of LH2 storage and transport. The AiP awarding ceremony will take place at Gastech, Houston. Maritime transportation value chain This milestone forms part of a broader collaboration involving industry pioneers, HD KSOE, Woodside Energy (Woodside), Hyundai Glovis, and Mitsui...

Strategic Marine, in collaboration with Centus Marine, is proud to unveil the introduction of Malaysia’s first hybrid Fast Crew Boat (FCB). This innovative vessel is equipped with cutting-edge hybrid technology and gyro-stabilisation, marking a significant advancement in the region’s maritime industry. The vessel has been specifically designed to improve efficiency and sustainability in offshore operations, offering significant advantages in crew transfer to oil platforms. Its hybri...

Yanmar Marine International (YMI) has launched the E-Saildrive, its first electric propulsion product designed to provide an easy transition to emission-free sailing. E-Saildrive Launched globally at the Cannes Yachting Festival and Newport International Boat Show, the E-Saildrive range utilises a 'plug-and-play' platform for easy installation and connection. This, combined with an integrated gear, motor, motor controller, and cooling system, makes the switch to 100% electric boating quicker...

Classification society - DNV and Navigation Brilliance (Brinav), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on autonomous collaboration. Under the terms of the MOU, the two companies aim to fast-track the development and approval of autonomous and remote-controlled shipping technologies, to encourage a safer and more efficient maritime industry. New safety risks  Autonomous shipping, ranging from remote control operations to fully unmanned vessels, represents a significant advanceme...

Helm Operations and Caterpillar Marine have announced a strategic collaboration to enhance workboat operations by integrating advanced engine data with industry-renowned software. Combining the strengths of Helm CONNECT's fleet management software and Caterpillar's engine technology, this collaboration sets a new standard for informed decision-making and operational efficiency in the maritime industry. Performance optimisation Helm Operations, a maritime technology major for over 25 years, fo...

UAE-based shipyard - Mark Marine has saved both time and costs by initiating a collaboration with BERG Propulsion to use BERG Rotordynamics Services.Mark Marine is delivering eight vessels to Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services, in what shipyard Founder, Hashim Abdul Razak, described as 'one of the largest build projects undertaken in the Middle East'. Customisation steps "This is a milestone project for Mark Marine, which showcases the excellence of our workmanship, our ability to deliver to sc...

Dutch maritime start-up accelerator - PortXL presented its 2024 cohort at the RDM, the Rotterdam space for innovative companies, technology education, high-quality test facilities and field labs.  Ten start-ups and scale-ups presented themselves and were connected to partners, mentors and members of the Rotterdam and Dutch innovation ecosystem, that will assist them in the coming months. PortXL’ s partners and stakeholders Mitja Caboni, Acceleration Manager at PortXL introduced the...

Data, digital twins and artificial intelligence are going to reshape everything in maritime from regulation to operating procedures challenging the industry to respond to a new safety protection frontier. That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO in a wide-ranging keynote address at the Capital Link Shipping and Marine Services Forum in London. Unintended safety consequences Christopher J. Wiernicki said, "AI’s ability to generate real-time insights, risk...

NorthStandard has launched ‘Fuel Insights’ - an exclusive real-time marine fuel intelligence service for members in partnership with Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS). Powered by VPS, the Fuel Insights digital platform offers real-time fuel procurement knowledge based on exclusive live data from the major provider of fuel quality testing and inspection services in the marine industry. Free-of-charge insights Bunkering and operations departments can use this range of data to improve...

AkzoNobel’s International® marine coatings brand has announced a series of updates to Intertrac® Vision, a revolutionary digital forecasting tool. The latest enhancements include CII rating prediction, EU ETS cost impact and detailed breakdowns of cost savings across multiple dry-dockings, all designed to further support data-driven decision making on fouling control coatings for global vessel operators. Intertrac® Vision Intertrac® Vision analyses in...

At the SMM trade fair, DNV celebrated three advances in the ongoing development and deployment of autonomous technologies in shipping. Ocean Infinity was awarded a Statement of Compliance, while Avikus and Reach Subsea received certificates recognising their ongoing collaborations with DNV. Autonomous shipping Autonomous shipping covers many aspects of shipping’s new technological landscape – everything from systems to aid decision-making, control speed, and direction, remote cont...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has been awarded the prototyping tender for the revolutionary Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS) project by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). This initiative is set to transform maritime safety and efficiency at one of the world's busiest ports. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2024.  AI-enabled solutions As Singapore continues to elevate its status as a global maritime hub, the increasing traf...

OceanScore has launched a new planning, simulation, and budgeting tool for optimising compliance with FuelEU Maritime from a commercial standpoint. Its FuelEU Planner is the first in a suite of solutions geared to supporting complex decision-making processes with the upcoming regulation. FuelEU Planner The company unveiled the FuelEU Planner at a launch event for more than 150 clients and stakeholders in Hamburg this week, coinciding with the SMM conference and exhibition, where FuelEU Mariti...

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) commends the recent circular issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), following the explosion incident involving the vessel – ‘YM Mobility’ on August 9, 2024, at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. This incident, along with other recent fires aboard container vessels, underscores the critical need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in the transport of dangerous goods by sea. In its circular, the MSA reiterated the need for all shippi...

The opening press conference for the renowned international maritime trade fair gave a foretaste of the coming SMM days. Political and business leaders discussed current challenges and opportunities facing the shipping industry. The overarching topic was the decarbonisation of the shipping sector. The conclusion: While the technology is mature, what is needed now is courageous investment decisions – and a system to reward that courage. Initial major success The 31st edition of SMM was l...

At the SMM trade fair, DNV awarded shipping and logistics company - Wallenius Wilhelmsen its first biofuel insetting verification statement - recognising the company’s use of B100 in a recent voyage. Biofuels can help to make an immediate impact on shipping’s GHG emissions. However, they do come at an increased cost and owners need to be sure that they can benefit from their extra investments in sustainability and compliance. Verified biofuel insetting enables this, by creating tran...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised an Asian financial institution as arranger, agent, security agent, and lender on a US$201.85 million sustainability-linked Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) with Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) as lessee and Financial Partners Group Co., Ltd. (FPG) as equity provider for two portfolios of container boxes comprising dry container boxes and reefer container boxes. Global container shipping company Singapore headquartered ONE is a g...

OceanScore, the global provider of data and compliance management solutions for the maritime industry, has successfully closed an oversubscribed €5 million Series A financing round. The influx of new capital will enable the company to further develop its solutions portfolio and expand its global footprint. Financing round The financing round included significant contributions from existing investor theDOCK and new investors such as Stolt Ventures, Motion Ventures, and Portline, along wit...

Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) has unveiled Iridium Certus GMDSS, a generational advancement in maritime safety, compliance, and communication. Building on the powerful capabilities of Iridium Certus technology, Iridium Certus GMDSS features distress alert, safety voice and Maritime Safety Information (MSI), while integrating additional regulated services, like Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS). Iridium Certus GMDSS The combination of capa...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is delighted to announce that it has joined the Smart Maritime Network (SMN), an initiative dedicated to supporting and further promoting digital transformation across the shipping and transport sectors. Smart Maritime Network (SMN) SMN’s goal is to provide a platform to promote the benefits of enhanced integration and data sharing among stakeholders within the maritime and transport logistics sectors, informing and educating the industry on technologic...

ClassNK published estimated leak frequencies of ammonia fuel from onboard components for ammonia-fuelled ships, usable for risk assessment. The estimated leak frequencies were added as an appendix of 'Part C of Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edition 3.0)'. Ammonia for ships Ammonia, which does not emit CO2 when burned, is expected to be utilised as an alternative fuel for ships, and various studies and developments are currently underway toward the practical application of ammo...

ClassNK granted its ‘AFVC (Additional Fire-Fighting measures for Vehicle Carrier)’ notations to ‘CERULEAN ACE,’ an LNG-fuelled car carrier operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and managed by MOL Ship Management Co., Ltd., for vessels equipped with additional firefighting measures for transporting electric vehicles (EVs). It is the first vessel in the ClassNK registry to receive the ‘AFVC’ notations, and it marks the world's first case of a shipping company's...

Wärtsilä Water & Waste, part of the technology group - Wärtsilä, announces a new partnership with DHL Supply Chain, which will see DHL manage the business's warehouse and logistical operations for spare parts. The partnership will further optimise Wärtsilä Water & Waste’s supply chain and build operational capabilities in preparation for the sale of the Water & Waste business line from the corporation. Strategic goals The transition aligns with...

Reaching shipping’s 2030 decarbonisation goal of 20% emission reductions, set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), will not happen without significant energy savings, according to DNV's latest Maritime Forecast to 2050. The report stresses that, until carbon-neutral fuels become viable, prioritising the development and use of technologies that reduce energy consumption is crucial for lowering shipping’s emissions. 2030 decarbonisation goals IMO’s 2030 decarbonis...

Swiss marine power company - WinGD has received its hundredth order for Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) technology, which further optimises combustion for X-DF dual-fuel engines depending on the fuel used and engine load.  The innovative solution was launched in June 2023 and has already become a favoured option for dual-fuel engine orders, especially in the LNG carrier segment. LNG carrier segment The milestone order came via a series of four LNG carriers to be built for a Middle Easte...