Digital transformation - News

Regional cluster organisation, Mersey Maritime is pleased to announce the appointment of Marketing and Events Apprentice, Phoebe Martin-Jackson. Phoebe brings her creativity and enthusiasm to Mersey Maritime, contributing to the organisation’s commitment to nurturing talent and embracing the digital evolution within the sector. Mersey Maritime hires new Marketing and Events Apprentice As part of Phoebe's apprenticeship, she will be completing her Level 3 and Level 4 Digital Marketing Di...

Oceania Cruises, the world’s renowned culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, announced that its 1,250-passenger ship, Marina, will undergo an all-encompassing refurbishment in May 2024. The refurbishment will include the addition of three new dining options: Aquamar Kitchen, the new wellness-focused dining venue, which debuted on Vista this year; an expanded poolside ice cream parlour serving milkshakes and smoothies, plus inventive flavours from artisan ice cream company - Humphr...

The completion of the pilot Single Window for Facilitation of Trade (SWiFT) project has been marked with a ceremony to hand over a newly developed generic Maritime Single Window (MSW) platform to the Port of Lobito in Angola. Maritime Single Window platform The new Maritime Single Window digital system allows the electronic submission, through a single online portal, of all information required by various agencies to ensure efficient clearance of ships during port calls.  The handover ce...

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its latest simulator technology for a new maritime training centre in Finland. The order has been placed by the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) and the Joint Authority of Education of Kotka-Hamina Region (Ekami). It was booked by Wärtsilä in November 2023. The simulator will be installed in Xamk's new campus in Kotka, Finland, where also part of Ekami´s maritime training will take place in the...

Satellite communications and technologies specialist - Tototheo Maritime has passed the 1,000-ship mark in Fleet Xpress terminal installations, in a significant milestone for its collaboration with Inmarsat that reinforces the appeal of high-speed maritime broadband services.   Tototheo has worked closely with Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, for over 30 years and has played a key role in supporting commercial shipping’s uptake of the Fleet Xpress service since its launch...

MAN Energy Solutions has announced that it is developing an oxidation catalyst for four-stroke engines that will significantly reduce methane slip. Called ‘IMOKAT II’ and developed at MAN Energy Solutions’ headquarters in Augsburg, Germany, the research project is currently undergoing testing at the company’s Frederikshavn, Denmark facility. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economics and Climate Action, the new project will investigate the operational experience...

Eneco has applied for the permit to construct the ‘Eneco Electrolyser’. This 800-MW green hydrogen plant will bring the target of 2.5 GW production of green hydrogen in 2030 in Rotterdam a massive step closer. Eneco Electrolyser The Eneco Electrolyser will use green energy from solar and wind farms to produce the hydrogen. With this hydrogen, which therefore uses no fossil fuel, the industry can make processes and products more sustainable. Currently, the largest European hydrogen...

Protecting seafarers and fishers’ rights and working conditions now – while preparing them for a digitalised and decarbonised future – were key themes explored during the first International Maritime Organization (IMO)/International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference on Work at Sea, which took place at IMO Headquarters in London on 13 November. “The professionals who work at sea, the seafarers, fishers and other maritime personnel, are the lifeblood of shipping and th...

The build of the new Panache Cruises HQ building in Chorley (Lancashire, UK), has been completed on time and within budget. In what is thought to be a first for a cruise retail business, the project saw extensive use of ship-building materials as part of the build. Working and recreation space The project has seen three separate offices converted into one expansive working and recreation space.  Designed by architectural services firm Elizabeth George, the new Panache Cruises head offic...

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Citibank N.A and BNP Paribas as global co-ordinators, initial mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners on a $2.8bn sustainability- and gender diversity-linked facility to GasLog Ltd. The revolving facility is secured on GasLog's fleet of LNG carriers and incorporates KPIs linked to both carbon emissions and female representation in the company’s cadetship programme. Greek law aspects DNB Bank ASA acted as Agent for the deal, ABN...

The maritime industry continues to be shaped by extensive uncertainty, influenced by a changing regulatory framework and evolving boundary conditions of safety, fuel availability and scalability and ship-to-port infrastructure. That was the message for members at the annual ABS Advisory Council Meeting on November 14, which included presentations from the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Range of emerging technolo...

Investing in a sustainable value chain is a key opportunity for energy companies transitioning to a lower-carbon system. Additive manufacturing, a forefront in sustainable manufacturing, addresses challenges posed by traditional methods. Reports reveal inconsistencies in sustainability reporting among energy and oil and gas companies, compounded by a lack of supply chain indicators in reporting guidelines, hindering objective assessments. Sustainability of AM parts In phase 3, the aim has bee...

Brunvoll has received an order for the delivery of propulsion and manoeuvring packages for Windward's new Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs). The order is for two vessels, with two additional vessels as an option.  Azimuth thrusters feature Windward’s new vessels will have two propulsion azimuth thrusters in the aft, and two retractable azimuth thrusters, and a tunnel thruster in the bow. All azimuth thrusters feature the latest and greatest improvements to meet the in...

Unifeeder is enhancing the services connecting Copenhagen with three German hub ports by scheduling an additional weekly container ship call to Copenhagen Malmö Port’s (CMP) terminals in Copenhagen, Denmark. Starting from November 16th, CMP’s container terminal in Copenhagen is served with one additional container ship call every week. This additional service means that we are connecting Copenhagen with the three major German hub ports: Hamburg twice a week - Bremerhaven and Wi...

Technology group Wärtsilä has introduced the marine sector’s first commercially available four-stroke engine-based solution for ammonia fuel. The new solution enables a significant advance in sustainable shipping operations–during a time in which ship owners are seeking viable options among green fuels. The ammonia solution is now commercially available as part of the Wärtsilä 25 engine platform, which was launched in September 2022. New ammonia solution Viridi...

Boskalis put into service a large-scale shore-based power facility at its Waalhaven location in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This service centre is equipped with berths where Boskalis handles the mobilisation and demobilisation of vessels for a variety of its own projects. Going forward, moored vessels will cease to use diesel-powered generators and transition to green shore-based power. Additionally, Boskalis will utilise Rotterdam Shore Power’s shore-based power installation to power a range...

Trade in Africa has become a popular talking point; with infrastructural, innovation, and technical challenges dogging the process, impacting economic growth, thwarting intra-country business, and slowing the development of regional economic corridors. It has become clear that a sustainable trade environment is needed to boost trade, which is currently low in comparison to international trade. African Continental Free Trade Area The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) came into force...

ABS has been honoured with an award from the Coast Guard Foundation at the annual Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event, recognising ABS’ legacy of support and commitment to the service. Low-carbon shipping Accepting the award on behalf of all ABS employees, Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO said: “ABS and the U.S. Coast Guard have a unique, special and significant relationship forged by a common focus on safety, security, protecting the environment and service." &ldquo...

Karstensens Skibsværft and Klondyke Fishing Company have chosen a broad equipment range from Brunvoll for the new fishing vessel “Chris Andra”. This is yet another contract between Brunvoll and Karstensen Skibsværft in the fishing vessel range, and delivery of the complete vessel will happen in 2026. The delivery to Karstensens Skibsværft includes several advanced Brunvoll products: the Integrated Costa Propulsion with controllable pitch propeller and gear, tunnel...

As the curtains fall on Europort 2023, memories linger of an event that saw stakeholders from across the maritime world connect on the key themes of energy transition and digitalisation, as well as the human capital and finance needed to support them. Europort 2023 Europort has drawn to a close after four busy days of conferences, networking, and awards ceremonies that also saw a series of new and innovative products introduced to the maritime and offshore markets. In 2023, 24,470 visitors an...

On 3 November 2023, Managing Director of PIL China - Klaus Ku has retired from his role after serving Pacific International Lines (PIL) for close to 30 years. Succeeding him as Managing Director is Anderson Luo, who has joined PIL China on 8 October 2023. Lars Kastrup, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PIL, said, “On behalf of all at PIL, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Klaus for his long and loyal service in leading PIL China to what it is today. His deep knowledge of C...

Babcock has announced a new charity partnership to assist serving soldiers, veterans and their families. We’re pleased to be joining forces with the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), the British Army’s national charity, to support a number of its key events. Supplying mobility equipment The partnership will play a significant role in supporting ABF to continue in its mission to provide lifetime support to individuals in need through a variety of initiatives including, supplying mobility...

The seven industry bodies dedicated to container safety, collaborating as the Cargo Integrity Group, highlight an independent study carried out by researchers at Italian University Politecnico di Torino into shipper and forwarder application of the CTU Code. The 2023 survey yielded encouraging signs of adoption and highlighted several convincing arguments – including financial benefits for its use. Several convincing arguments The survey highlights multiple benefits to CTU Code users...

Brunvoll, a global provider of propulsion and manoeuvring systems, has been selected to deliver a range of equipment for a new compact service vessel designed by Marin Design AS for Moen Marin for the aquaculture industry, including main propulsion, tunnel thrusters, and Brunvoll’s BruCon control system. The vessel is designed for high bollard pull, and the additional power will make the vessel more attractive in a demanding sector. New single-hull multi-purpose vessel The new compact s...

A new study by cross-border shopping platform UBuy Switzerland reveals the states where is most costly to ship to are Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The study compared shipping costs from everywhere in the world to all European countries and then calculated the average to discover which countries are most expensive to ship to. Average shipping costs Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia share the top spot with an average of €143.74. As the three countries are neighbours in the Caucasus reg...

An innovative programme from Seatrium to promote the energy transition and develop next-generation skills in Singapore has selected Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, to be its first Visiting Professor. Seatrium Professorships at the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering (NUS CDE) seek to attract top talents from the energy transition and sustainability sectors to Singapore to promote knowledge transfer and support the development of innovative technolo...

MAHI has become the latest company to join One Sea, bringing further expertise to the growing association whose mission is to advance understanding of maritime autonomous surface ships. In what is proving to be a period of significant growth for One Sea, MAHI is the fifth new member in the past 12 months alone. MAHI also becomes One Sea’s first member from Belgium, adding to a list that now includes representation from eight countries across three continents. MAHI and MAHI Sense MAHI is...

A seamless application of shipping’s first antifouling coating to successfully integrate highly durable graphene provides further evidence that Gibdock’s remains ahead of the curve as a ship repair and conversion yard geared up for a sustainable maritime future. The Gibraltar yard recently hosted the Vulica Shipping Company-owned bulk carrier - Donald M James for a 30-day project, which brought a first opportunity to work with a new type of coating from GIT Coatings (Graphite Innova...

Three senior appointments by Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) have reinforced the international maritime law firm’s strategy to grow both its litigation and transactional activities. All three individuals joined CJC’s London office from another maritime law firm. Highly experienced dispute resolution specialist Chris Kidd has joined CJC as Director, at the Partner level, with immediate effect. In two further appointments, Stuart Plotnek has joined CJC’s transactional team as Mana...

A multidisciplinary panel of maritime-industry representatives discussed the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in shipping during the thought-provoking Opening Summit of Europort 2023. Exploring artificial intelligence in the maritime industry, the Opening Summit of Europort 2023 set the scene for a four-day event expected to welcome upwards of 25,000 visitors and more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 70 countries. Opening Summit’s panel discussion Proceedings began...