Digital transformation - News

Spire Global., Inc., a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services and Signal Ocean, a pioneer in shipping technology, have agreed to partner to drive digitisation of the maritime economy. Under this agreement, Spire and Signal Ocean will partner to leverage their respective strengths. Spire will contribute its unique, proprietary datasets, relevant for precise monitoring of the maritime domain.  New innovative solutions Signal Ocean will bring its best-in-class e...

Construction has begun on a new Applied Shipbuilding Academy at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow. The Academy will comprise of a Modern Trade Hall and a Flexible Learning Hub. The Academy will support the development of the entire workforce, from apprentices to senior leaders, and forms part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to develop future talent. New Applied Shipbuilding Academy in Glasgow A historic industrial building will be retro...

London International Shipping Week has set sail towards its 2025 event with a number of high-profile sponsors declaring their support. Gibraltar Maritime Services will sponsor the rooftop reception following the LISW25 Headline Conference at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation. On Wednesday, Sept 17th, 2025. This popular event enables delegates to network on the IMO’s beautiful roof terrace while enjoying breathtaking views over London and the River Thames....

Major retail industry figures are urging the sector to import goods via UK ports closer to their end destination, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and inefficiencies across the country’s supply chain. The call comes as 90% of deep-sea containerised cargo enters the UK via southern ports, despite 60% of these goods being destined for the north. This creates the need for long road journeys, across UK roads, to get retail cargo to its end destination, generating significant greenhous...

Maritime UK, the overarching organisation representing the maritime sector, is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and urging the industry to leverage apprenticeships to create a competitive and sustainable maritime sector. National Apprenticeship Week provides a platform for the education and skills sector to honour the accomplishments of apprentices nationwide, acknowledging the positive influence they have on communities, businesses, and the broader economy.  Complexities of the s...

Bolidt has secured its first order to supply and install decking and flooring for the Japanese cruise and ferry market, after a breakthrough order covering the NYK Cruises ship - Asuka III. Currently under construction at Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and due delivery in Q2 2025, the 229-metre length Asuka III was the first cruise ship ordered following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accommodating up to 744 guests, the luxury ship will run on liquefied natural gas and...

At a recent ceremony in Copenhagen, MAN Energy Solutions and C.C.JENSEN (CJC®) – the global company in oil maintenance – signed a cooperation agreement regarding the promotion and sales of CJC products by MAN PrimeServ, MAN Energy Solutions’ after-sales division. Kim Kjaer, Global Segment Manager, signed the agreement on behalf of CJC; while Serghei Nastas, Head of PrimeServ Omnicare, Marine & Power, represented MAN Energy Solutions. C.C. JENSEN and MAN Energy Solutio...

Babcock has been awarded a new five-year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to continue providing in-service support for the Royal Navy’s Ships Protective Systems (SPS) equipment. The contract consists of degaussing, cathodic protection, and active shaft grounding to ships and submarines, restricting the rate of hull corrosion and reducing their magnetic signature to make them less susceptible to magnetic mines. Babcock attains in-service support contract Babcock’s conti...

ClassNK has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) for the design of a prismatic ammonia fuel tank (IMO Type B independent tank) for container ships developed by the Planning and Design Centre for Greener Ships (GSC). Ammonia is expected to be used as a marine fuel for shipping decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. However, its utilisation presents challenges, such as the risk of leakage and relatively low volumetric efficiency. Shape of the storage space While Type B tan...

ERMA FIRST, a major sustainable maritime solutions provider, has become a signatory of the EU Mission Charter targeting the protection and restoration of regional waters by 2030. The Mission – one of five EU Missions within the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme – aims to 'protect and restore the health of the ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments'. As a signatory to the Mission Charter, ERMA FIRST will attend the M...

Brunvoll has been chosen to deliver all propulsion, manoeuvring, and positioning systems for a 24-meter service vessel for aquaculture. The vessel is designed by NSK Ship Design and will be built at Havyard Leirvik for handover to ship owner - Nordlaks in 2025. For a vessel that will operate 24/7, it is vital to minimise overall noise and vibration, and the Brunvoll Low-Noise thruster was the preferred choice. Compact service vessel The new compact service vessel for aquaculture will become p...

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has launched a new and augmented gravity self-unloading system that will allow bulk carriers to deliver a wider variety of cargo, in greater volume. The new system, the ‘MacGregor GravityVibe™,’ deploys a patent-pending vibrating unloader to reduce internal friction and ease the discharge of coarse materials such as wood chips from the cargo hold. While the automated unloading sequence remains a gravity-based operation, the MacGregor GravityVibe&tr...

DNV has quantified the gains that owners of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers could expect to achieve using the new Dual Fuel, Electric+ (DFE+) solution developed by ABB and MAN Energy Solutions. Comprising MAN’s four-stroke 49/60DF dual fuel engine and ABB’s Dynamic AC power distribution and control system, the solution has been developed to overcome efficiency challenges that are specific to the vessel type.  Machinery space requirements DNV’s Maritime Advisory as...

Babcock has been awarded a configuration management contract for the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary surface ship fleet. The five-year contract, awarded by QinetiQ, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), under the Aurora Engineering Delivery Partnership, will see us continue with the responsibility for the Surface Ship Definition Database (SSDD)–a tool for the management of platform-related data. Operation of the Master Record Data Centre (MRDC), the core facility for...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Optimised Maintenance Agreement with the Irish Naval Service. The agreement, which covers four offshore patrol vessels (OPV), is designed to ensure operational reliability along with long-term cost predictability. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in January 2024. “We have had good experience with Wärtsilä over the years, and we have great trust in their capabilities. This agreement will help us to achieve the...

On January 30, 2024, PT Wintermar Offshore Marine Tbk entered a strategic venture through a 49% stake in SAVWIN Sdn Bhd with a Brunei-based partner. Through this partnership, Wintermar will have an advantage in tendering for longer-term contracts in Brunei which favour local content. Fast Multi-Purpose Supply Vessel Savwin Sdn Bhd will initially operate a Fast Multi-Purpose Supply Vessel which is currently on a long-term contract in Brunei until 2027. This initiative signifies the strategic e...

  Boudewijn Siemons (59) has been appointed CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority effective 1 February 2024. He succeeds Allard Castelein, who took leave of the Port Authority last summer. Since then, Siemons has served as CEO on an interim basis in addition to his position as COO. The Executive Board of the Port Authority now consists of Boudewijn Siemons (CEO and interim COO) and Vivienne de Leeuw (CFO). The process of looking for a new COO has begun. Excellent abilities...

 Viasat, Inc., a global pioneer in satellite communications, announced Applied Satellite Technology (AST), a pioneering global innovator in satellite communication solutions, has joined its ELEVATE program. ELEVATE is a growth program, ecosystem and marketplace for ambitious IoT solution providers, connectivity wholesalers, enablers and OEMs who want to work with Viasat to use its network and footprint to scale. As an ELEVATE partner, AST will provide globally trusted connectivity solutions tha...

The two Ulstein-designed CSOV newbuilds under construction for Bernhard Schulte Offshore have reached important milestones. The steel cutting and keel laying ceremonies for yno 321 and 320, respectively, were arranged at the Crist hull yard, Poland, on 30 January 2024. These Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) are characterised by the TWIN X-STERN feature, implementing fore and aft main propeller units for excellent dynamic positioning characteristics. Remarkable offshore vessels...

International charity, Mercy Ships returned to Madagascar to bring transformative surgical education and free, life-changing surgeries.   Freshly refitted hospital ship, the upgraded Africa Mercy® has arrived at the island nation to build on the charity’s long-standing collaboration and will provide specialised surgeries in various fields, including maxillofacial and ear nose and throat, general, pediatric specialised general, pediatric orthopedic, cataract surgery, and reconstru...

Major technological innovator, Yara Marine Technologies (YMT) has been acquired by Geneva-based Okapi Supply Trading Advisory SA (formerly Sarl) to expand its maritime solutions portfolio. With a shared commitment to advancing sustainable solutions for the maritime industry, this new relationship sets the stage for the green solutions provider to accelerate the reach and impact of its industry-renowned decarbonisation technologies, supported by Okapi’s resources and drive. Green technolo...

India’s shipyard, Cochin Shipyard Limited, bagged another prestigious international order with a European client for construction of hybrid Service Operation Vessels (‘SOVs’) for the offshore wind renewables market, with an option for one more. With attention turning towards sustainable & green energy solutions, there is a large global focus on the development of offshore renewable energy segment. The hybrid Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) are the workhorse of the growin...

The first employees kicked off work for the New Energy Taskforce (NET) this January at the Port of Rotterdam, to support companies in tackling grid congestion. The Taskforce is led by Roger Knubben, who brings more than 25 years of experience in transition and strategy, including in the energy sector. New Energy Taskforce New Energy Taskforce is an initiative of the Port of Rotterdam Authority in collaboration with grid operators The New Energy Taskforce is an initiative of the Port of Rotte...

Ta-Ho Maritime Corporation, one of the bulk shipping companies in Taiwan, strengthens its commitment to digitalising operations by installing NAPA's performance monitoring, voyage optimisation and navigational risk monitoring on eight vessels. With enhanced fleet monitoring and management, NAPA is supporting Ta Ho in minimising fuel consumption and emissions. Under the deal, NAPA, a global provider of maritime software and data services, is delivering its next-generation NAPA Fleet Intelligence...

P&I Club’s head of external affairs will discuss major events with pioneering experts in the weekly Alongside: Future Thinking podcast series. Pioneering P&I Club NorthStandard is launching a weekly podcast mini-series that will discuss the most pressing current geopolitical issues for the maritime industry. Key geopolitical developments NorthStandard Head of External Affairs, Mike Salthouse, will be hosting Alongside: Future Thinking, joined by experts from across the shipping...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the Digital Learning Management System (Ver.2) developed by MarinePALS, a unit of Maritime Knowledge Ltd. Digital Learning Management System is an education and training suite of micro-learning videos, gaming apps for learning and virtual reality programs, and mentoring online. Functions of management system ClassNK has verified the functions of the Digital Learning Management System. A comprehensive digital le...

The year 2024 marks a milestone in the acceleration of digitalisation in shipping – the mandatory ‘Maritime Single Window’. The requirement under the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) requires Governments to use a single digital platform or ‘Maritime Single Window’ to share and exchange information with ships when they call at ports, since 1 January 2024. This will streamline procedures to clear the arrival, stay and departure of s...

As of 1 March, Hanna Stelzel will take on the role of Director Containers within the Commercial Department of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and is responsible for all activities within the container chain at sea, in the port and in the hinterland. Hanna Stelzel is the successor to Hans Nagtegaal. Stelzel has a background in the German automotive industry, logistics and digitalisation. She has worked at the Port of Rotterdam Authority since 2018 and has held various positions in which she made...

Ocean Technologies Group (OTG), the renowned global provider of Human Capital Management solutions for the maritime industry, has launched a tender boat operator e-learning course for the passenger ship industry. As the cruise sector grows, some cruise ships are unable to berth in ports due to their size. An increasing number of guests need to be transported between ship and shore in smaller boats, known as tenders. For safety purposes, cruise lines need to ensure that safety training extends t...

Pacific International Lines (PIL), SGTraDex, and KPI OceanConnect have achieved a significant milestone by completing full integration for worldwide transactions via the SGTraDex platform. Pacific International Lines (PIL) has successfully completed full integration with the Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex) platform, making PIL the first shipping line to do so. This achievement, realised through a collaborative effort with KPI OceanConnect, signifies a transformative step towards global...