Digital transformation - News

Nor-Shipping has announced that the main theme for its 60th-anniversary exhibition and activity programme will be FUTURE-PROOF. Taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, 2-6 June 2025, Nor-Shipping is now working with key stakeholders to tailor content and deliver opportunities that support decision-makers as they face a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Organisers have also confirmed that the exhibition space is already 85% sold out for what promises to be 'both a memorable a...

While most American ports have decarbonisation plans in place, a new report shows there are significant challenges to advancing emission-reduction projects, including financial constraints, low technology readiness and physical space limitations. Those are some of the key takeaways from a new joint publication between ABS and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Port Decarbonisation Survey: Trends and Lessons Learned. Technological breakthroughs The report is based on fee...

Thordon Bearings, the pioneer in water-lubricated bearings, secured a new order for a rudder bearing that was fitted to a 77.1 m (253 ft) research ship that frequently operates in ecologically sensitive marine environments. The order underscores the value of Thordon’s grease-free bearing and seal solutions in helping to keep oceans and seas clean. The 38-year-old Ocean Endeavour, operated by the UK’s Gardline, a multi-disciplinary marine survey company that operates a fleet of 13...

ERMA FIRST, a major sustainable maritime solutions provider, has signed an exclusive sales distribution and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partnership agreement covering ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) with Yixing PACT Environmental Technology (PACT). A majority-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based water treatment equipment provider Euro Tech Holdings Co Ltd, PACT is an engineering company specialising in water and wastewater treatment systems as well as BWTS. Ballast water treatm...

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has agreed to become a Goodwill Ambassador for Statsraad Lehmkuhl's next major expedition, the One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026. The One Ocean Expedition is a voyage around the world by the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl. KONGSBERG, one of the main partners, supports the trip and will equip the ship with state-of-the-art technology from Kongsberg Discovery, transforming it into a floating training vessel. A royal with a passion for the oce...

Wilhelmsen Port Services joins hands with AD Ports Group and Inveco LLC in a strategic partnership, as AD Ports Group takes over 60% ownership of the Tbilisi Dry Port in Georgia. This marks a significant step towards bolstering connectivity between Asia and Europe. Together, they aim to enhance logistics infrastructure along the route from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea by leveraging the state-of-the-art facilities of the Tbilisi Dry Port. Pivotal logistics hub Set to become operational in...

MAN Energy Solutions has received an order for 3 × MAN 6L21/31DF-M (Dual Fuel-Methanol) GenSets capable of running on methanol in connection with the construction of a 7,990 dwt IMO Type II chemical bunker tanker. MAN 21/31DF-M GenSets The dual-fuel engines will form part of a diesel-electric propulsion system on board the vessel with electrical motors driving twin fixed-pitch propellers via gearboxes; an onboard battery-storage system will optimise the use of the dual-fuelled generators...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to an internet payment facility – ‘V.Pay’, an AI maritime camera surveillance solution – ‘V.Sight’, and a wearable AR smart-glass solution ‘V.Sion’, developed by iO3 Pte Ltd. ClassNK verified functions of ‘V.Pay’ ClassNK has verified the functions of ‘V.Pay’, 1. Crew internet payment facility with user-friendly portal, 2. Flexible Wi-Fi plans, 3....

Coastal Workboats, a renowned name in the maritime industry for its commitment to sustainability, will collaborate with EST-Floattech, a pioneering provider of energy storage solutions for the maritime sector. EST-Floattech will be providing the battery system for the purpose-built Electric-Landing Utility Vessel (E-LUV) to be built at Coastal Workboats' new yard Stornoway and the Shore-based Power Supply System (SPSS). The collaboration with Coastal Workboats Scotland marks a significant step...

Singapore has retained its title as the pioneering maritime city in the world, followed by Rotterdam and London, according to the 2024 Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) report from DNV and Menon Economics. The city-state, with its large owned and managed vessel fleets, strategic geographic advantages, pro-business policies, and its position as a pioneer in the maritime energy transition, is expected to hold this position for the next five years, the analysis determines. Policy measures, initiative...

Amogy, a provider of mature, scalable, and efficient ammonia-to-power solutions, on the Opening Day of Singapore Maritime Week 2024 has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and other collaborators to develop a Maritime Energy Training Facility (METF) to train maritime professionals in operating ships powered by alternative fuel systems. The LOI to establish the METF was signed by the MPA and 22 partners, including international organisations, e...

Rapid technological change, complex regulation, and competitive pressures are driving digital transformation in the shipping industry. But navigating a confusing software landscape can be difficult and sound decision-making is essential to minimise innovation risk, according to OrbitMI. Automation solutions Industry spending has soared in recent years on intelligent process automation solutions geared to boosting efficiency, reducing costs, curbing emissions, and improving safety for shipping...

ClassNK has verified the methane slip reduction effect of the methane slip reduction system, jointly developed by Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd. (Yanmar PT), and issued a Statement of Fact (SOF). A concept of the methane oxidation catalyst system was designed by Hitachi Zosen and Yanmar PT as part of a project that was adopted by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as 'Development of...

DNV’s independent cloud platform, Veracity announces the launch of its new Solution Partner programme, where maritime solution providers integrate their applications and services with the platform. Shipowners and managers can easily connect their verified emissions data from the platform with partnering software applications and services, such as EUA settlement and trading solutions. Solution Partner programme The Solution Partner programme is an expansion of the Veracity Integrated Par...

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released a new report exploring the safety considerations for establishing green corridors, providing a detailed safety checklist to help guide ship owner and port authority decisions. The MTF’s study facilitates information sharing by creating a 24-point safety checklist spotlighting vessel and port, collaborative and technical considerations in the planning and assessment of green corridors. Study recommendations Based on the findings of the s...

ClassNK has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) for a methanol fuel supply system developed by Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Methanol is considered one of the promising alternative fuels for decarbonisation, and a significant reduction in GHG emissions on a lifecycle basis is expected by using green methanol, such as sustainable biomass-derived bio methanol and e-methanol synthesised from CO2 and renewable energy-derived hydrogen. Safe use of methanol On the other hand, methanol po...

YSA Design has unveiled a concept for a new type of sail-powered catamaran cruise ship, whose flexibility, sustainability and sea-focused attractions can satisfy guest appetites to experience sensitive and hard-to-reach waters at close quarters. Codenamed Seabreeze, the design includes a host of features to attract premium-end cruise guests, while combining the sustainability of sail and a 4m draft, in a 104.5m length ship with access to shallow waters. Dual hulls counteract listing under sail...

Geopolitical and economic challenges in the Middle East will come into sharp focus during London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) when, for the first time ever, an Egyptian law firm takes a central role. Eldib Advocates, a firm celebrating its 150 year anniversary, will be hosting a thought-provoking seminar during LISW25, with the primary discussion point being the need for Egypt’s regulatory alignment with international practices and Egypt’s crucial role in world trade....

Imabari Shipbuilding will install an MAN B&W 7S60ME-Ammonia engine with SCR in connection with the construction of a 200,000 dwt class bulk carrier for a joint venture between K Line, NS United and Itochu Corporation. The business represents one of the first projects for MAN Energy Solutions’ ammonia-powered engine that is currently under development in Denmark. MITSUI E&S will build the engine in Japan. MAN B&W 7S60ME-Ammonia engine installation Brian Østergaard S&os...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co, Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) from the Japanese classification society - ClassNK for an ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) for the ‘X-DF-A’, a large, low-speed 2-stroke ammonia-fuelled engine under development by WinGD, a Swiss designer and licensor of large marine engines. The AiP presentation ceremony took place at ‘Sea Japan 2024’ international maritime exhibition and confer...

Bia Energy Operating Company announced significant project updates for its low-carbon methanol production facility at the 4,000-acre Port of Caddo-Bossier industrial multimodal facility in northwest Louisiana.  The facility is designed to be able to reduce carbon emissions by over 92% compared to traditional methanol production by capturing CO2 and utilising hydrogen as both fuel and feedstock. The Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study and major permits are complete for the 74-acre, $1...

ClassNK has granted approval to the basic design drawings of a multi-purpose container carrier developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) utilising 3D models. This milestone marks the world's first ocean-going ship to complete the basic design process, including class approval, solely through 3D drawings from the conceptual design to the basic structural design, during the initial stages of ship construction (as researched by NYK Line and ClassNK as of 28 March 2024). Structure des...

ClassNK has issued a type approval certificate for the Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) management software - ‘SVESSEL CBM’, developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). CBM has garnered attention as an elemental technology for autonomous ships being developed against the background of advancements in sensing and IoT technology in recent years, as it enables the remote real-time monitoring and diagnosis of the condition of engines etc., serving as a key enabler for maintenance auto...

DNV has awarded HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of ammonia dual fuel 45,000 m3 LPG carriers.  The presentation took place at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Centre (GRC) in Seongnam, Korea. HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD), who have developed the basic ship design, provided detailed engine specifications and operational data from global engine maker, WinGD, and reviewed the safety and suitability of the design with DNV. The designs are based around a new 10,000 h...

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) has been awarded a contract from the Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS) on behalf of the Norwegian government to provide satellite maritime surveillance data to cover Norwegian Areas of Interest. NIS has the overall responsibility for space operations and development in the Norwegian Armed Forces. The data will be utilised by the Norwegian Armed Forces, as well as other Norwegian government institutions involved in maritime security,...

Wärtsilä ANCS, part of technology group - Wärtsilä, introduces NACOS Platinum Solid State X-Band Radar, a new radar system engineered to redefine safety and reliability standards in marine navigation. Designed with the latest solid-state transceiver technology, the system features a compact housing and gearbox, eliminating the need for traditional magnetrons. This design ensures low maintenance and reduced lifecycle costs for vessel operators, without compromising on perform...

Wärtsilä ANCS, part of the technology group - Wärtsilä, launches a new digital platform, NACOS Connect, for commercial use after five years of careful development, rigorous testing, and extensive customer trials. NACOS Connect is a comprehensive solution designed to empower end customers to optimise the functionality and maintainability of their onboard NACOS systems. The platform offers a wide range of features designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry. NACO...

There’s a silver shimmer over London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) thanks to a flood of silver sponsors who have come onboard during the first quarter of this year. Adding their support are legal firms Quadrant Chambers and Twenty Essex who have signed up to take an active part in the event, which runs from 15th to 19th September 2025. Digital transformation specialist They are joined by top ten ship management company Columbia Shipmanagement Group and digital transformatio...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received an order from Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) for an ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) and ammonia gas abatement system (AGAS). The AFSS will supply ammonia fuel to ammonia-powered marine engines developed by J-ENG, and the AGAS will safely treat any surplus ammonia. AFSS and AGAS are remotely controlled Newly ordered AFSS and AGAS are remotely controlled automatically by an integrated control...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two elemental technologies of ‘CMP-MAP’, ‘Performance estimation method of ships based on hull roughness and fouling condition’ and ‘Performance and operational analysis solutions’, provided by Chugoku Marine Paints, Ltd. (CMP). ‘Performance estimation method of ships based on hull roughness and fouling condition’ is a technology that estimates the impact of each antif...