Digital transformation - News

As excitement grows for Seatrade Maritime CrewConnect Global 2023, all eyes are on its topical multi-track conference agenda, which will bring together industry experts to discuss the key trends impacting the global crewing industry, in addition to specialist content for the cruise market. Taking place from 21 – 23 November in The Philippines, which is home to a third of the world’s seafarer workforce, Seatrade Maritime CrewConnect Global will welcome hundreds of crewing professiona...

Svitzer and Robert Allan Ltd. have entered an agreement to design the world’s first Methanol Hybrid Fuel Cell (MHFC) tug. Utilising a combination of batteries, fuel cells and gensets, this tug will operate completely free of diesel fuel, and is a major step forward on Svitzer’s path to the decarbonisation of their global towage fleet. Methanol Hybrid Fuel Cell tug Scheduled to enter service at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden in the second half of 2025, this new tug is an important...

Events at this year’s London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) are set to extend far beyond maritime waters – in fact they’re heading into space. LISW23 Diamond Sponsor - Inmarsat has announced the guest speaker at its Connected Future conference will be the cosmonaut - Helen Sharman CMG, OBE. Inmarsat announces guest speaker Helen will be sharing the amazing story of how she became the first British person to go into space aboard the Russian Soyuz TM-12 spacecraft f...

The prolonged dry season is a natural phenomenon that affects many regions, including the Panama Canal. While there can be no control over nature, businesses can adapt their operations to ensure a competitive flow of vessels. Adaptative approach  In line with Panama Canal Authority’s commitment to providing a reliable and sustainable service, they have chosen to extend booking Condition 3. The standard offering of reservations comprises 23 booking slots for the Panamax locks The...

With the revised International Maritime Organisation’s Green House Gas (GHG) Strategy now targeting a reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping to net-zero by close to 2050, there will be intense focus during London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) on how this can be achieved and where changes need to be made. Many event organisers have announced they will be looking directly at these challenges during their LISW23 events. Here are just some examples: Zero Emissi...

The Netherlands will showcase all it has to offer as a maritime cluster and reinforce its strong and close relationship with the United Kingdom (UK), when it becomes the first ever pavilion partner for London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), taking place from 11 September to 15 September, 2023. One of the most important international shipping and maritime events in the world, it has already attracted a variety of Dutch maritime companies who have signed up to represent the nation unde...

Cargill and BAR Technologies’ ground-breaking innovation, BAR Tech WindWings by Yara Marine sets sail on open waters, testing new technology that will bring cutting-edge wind propulsion to commercial shipping for the first time.  Mitsubishi Corporation’s Pyxis Ocean, chartered by Cargill, is the first vessel to be retrofitted with two WindWings, which are large wing sails measuring up to 37,5 metres in height that can be fitted to the deck of cargo ships to harness the pow...

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. announced a restructuring of its existing services to Oceania (CAX, TFX and N2A), to upgrade the service levels to their customers. The changes will take place in the course of October 2023, be as follows: ZAX - Northeast Asia - Australia: ZIM will replace its existing CAX service to new service as below: Rotation: Pusan – Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Hong Kong – Yantian – Nansha – Brisbane – Melbourne...

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, is currently developing the Mitsubishi Ammonia Supply and Safety System (MAmmoSS®), an ammonia handling system to support the utilisation of ammonia as marine fuel, which is attracting attention as a means of significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. As part of this development project, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has begun demonstration testing of the Ammonia Gas Abatement System (AGAS...

Brunvoll has secured a contract with Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted AS for the delivery of a propulsion and maneouvering package for the stun and bleed vessel. FSV’s new vessel is designed in corporation between Sirius Design & Integration and Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted AS, which also are building the vessel. Stun and bleed vessel The 50-metre-long stun and bleed vessel will be fitted with a twin-screw configuration, featuring controllable pitch shaft lines propellers, and reduction...

ClassNK has released “FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime (1st Edition)”, an overview and necessary preparation for FuelEU Maritime, regulations newly introduced by the European Union (EU) to promote the decarbonisation of fuels used on board ships. The EU has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to the 1990 levels, to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Fit for 55 As part of a comprehensive climate policy package, "Fit for 55" for achiev...

Sirius Insight, a renowned UK technology company focused on AI in the maritime environment, was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Member of the Defence Select Committee, who was accompanied by the constituency MP, Sir James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, to view the company’s technology platform.  Transformative AI technology Sirius Insight is a UK company working in this cutting-edge field of technology and is a global pioneer in a s...

Valenciaport once again encourages the promotion of female talent and the creation of inclusive opportunities in the maritime and port sector. As a sponsor of the #LIFE event, a training programme that promotes the power of women in the port industry, the Port Authority of València (PAV) has collaborated in the development of the activities organised to train 45 female managers from various shipping companies, port operators and administrations. Maritime-port sector Held this week in...

Evergreen Marine Corp. (EMC) held an official opening ceremony for the newly built Terminal 7 at Kaohsiung Port. With the vision of new opportunities for the port and the provision of substantial enhancements to trade, the smart terminal is expected to drive ongoing growth of shipping related industries within southern Taiwan. The event was presided over by EMC’s Chairman, Y.I. Chang, and President, Eric Hsieh. A host of local government officials and distinguished guests were also in atte...

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuel supply system for an oil tanker and container ship developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).Ammonia is expected to be used as a ship fuel for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials. Zero-emission ships ClassNK accepted out a review of an ideational design of the p...

Crowley and the Port of San Diego broke ground for the shoreside charging station designed to provide clean energy for the company’s forth-coming zero-emissions tugboat, eWolf. Joined by key partners and community stakeholders, the ceremony marked a significant step forward in the industry’s journey to decarbonisation and reduce emissions in the San Diego community. The charging station is a microgrid charging facility that will allow vessels to recharge quickly while reducing peak...

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings has issued a message of advice to those working in the protection of structural steel who are affected by the new Building Safety Act 2022 as the date approaches for it to become enforceable to ensure users understand their obligations. High-risk buildings From October 2023, all buildings must be registered with the newly established Building Safety Regulator (BSR), and those of at least 18 metres in height or with at least seven storeys contai...

GTMaritime, pioneering experts in secure maritime data communications solutions, has released a new whitepaper that assesses the impact Low Earth Orbit (LEO) networks are having on the maritime industry and key considerations for wider adoption. Available to download free of charge, Opportunities and Challenges: Introducing New LEO Networks to the Maritime Industry, offers an insightful overview of commercial shipping’s first movers in LEO network service use. It outlines the potential fo...

Maritime sectors must work together to enable the shipping industry to meet the challenges it faces over the coming years and to develop a greener and more sustainable future. Speaking in the first of a series of video interviews for London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), Pino Spadafora, Senior Director, Global Marine Commercial & Strategy, for classification society - RINA, pointed out that LISW23 provides ‘an incredible platform’ for shipping executives to share exp...

Maritime UK, the collective voice for the UK's maritime industries, announces the departure of Janet Fallon, Commercial Director and recent Interim CEO. Janet leaves Maritime UK after a successful tenure, and they would like to take the opportunity to thank her for time and dedication. Appreciating Janet’s contributions Commenting on Ms. Fallon’s departure, Robin Mortimer, Chair of Maritime UK, said: "We extend our appreciation to Janet for her contributions to Maritime UK, both...

Babcock is pleased to launch the Babcock Skills Academy, to enhance their growing workforce’s capabilities and ensure they are equipped to meet the evolving challenges the customers will face in the future. The Skills Academy uses a hybrid teaching model that combines cutting-edge digital resources and hands on training, to rapidly get their people ready to deliver the critical capabilities their customers need. Open to all employees and new recruits, the Skills Academy will operate in pa...

Crowley has entered into its fourth long-term charter for its newest Tier IV ship assist tug, Artemis, with Brusco Tug & Barge. The powerful, state-of-the-art vessel reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability while providing high performance. The 77-foot tug will deliver 7,000 horsepower with a bollard pull of 96 tons using two Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier IV-compliant engines, meeting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emission standards. Artemis will also feature advanc...

Akiem, a renowned European rolling stock leasing company, has ordered an additional 15 Vectron AC and Vectron MS locomotives from Siemens Mobility. The order was placed as part of a framework agreement for the purchase of locomotives that was signed in December 2021. Locomotives from this new call will be delivered between 2025 and 2027. Akiem previously ordered 20 Vectron locomotives from Siemens Mobility in December 2021 and an additional 65 units last August. Akiem order for Vectron locomot...

OCI Global and X-Press Feeders have announced that OCI Hyfuels will supply X-Press Feeders with green methanol in the Port of Rotterdam from 2024. The milestone agreement is the first green methanol deal with a feeder container carrier and represents a crucial step in the decarbonisation of the shipping chain, as the feeder industry plays an important role in supporting the ultimate carrier. X-Press Feeders will be the first common feeder operator with methanol-fuelled vessels on the water in E...

Robert Allan Ltd. is pleased to announce that Cao Gang 30 and Cao Gang 31 were successfully delivered to the owner Caofeidian Port, in the northern part of China in July 2023. The newly completed RAmparts 3500 tugs were built by Zhenjiang Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. The new vessels were designed by Robert Allan Ltd. for operation in Bohai Bay for towing, vessel assistance, and fire-fighting purposes. New RAmparts 3500 tugs delivered The new vessels were designed based on a well-proven RAmparts...

LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) and Siglar Carbon, a maritime emissions analytics company, have announced an agreement to enable customers to evaluate the different carbon options for cargo programmes via Workspace. Carbon consequence of shipping The agreement will combine Siglar’s emissions insights with LSEG’s industry-pioneering European carbon markets and industry emissions analytics to help charterers, traders, brokers, and ship owners understand, predict, and improve...

Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters (HEMEXPO), a major suppliers and exporters association for the international shipping sector, has reached an agreement with the world’s renowned classification society, DNV, for the assessment of energy-saving devices (ESDs) produced by HEMEXPO member companies. Stepwise ESD assessment Under the terms of the agreement, in the first instance, DNV will review a makers list provided by HEMEXPO to identify ESDs that fall in the category o...

ABS issued Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its new ammonia-based ship HVAC refrigeration system. Eco-friendly refrigerant HHI developed the system in response to shipowners’ requests for refrigeration of HVAC systems using ammonia, a more eco-friendly refrigerant with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a Global Warming Potential of zero per the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE). ABS used...

Joan Calabuig, president of Valenciaport, has visited this morning the works of the installation of the photovoltaic power plant located on the Principe Felipe dock. These works are already 85% completed in the case of the structure on which the panels are fixed and 15% completed in the case of the installation of the panels that will provide the Port of València with solar energy from this autumn onwards. Emission neutral port During the visit, Calabuig stressed the importance of thi...

The technology company Siemens and BayWa AG are working together to advance CO2-optimised industrial production. As part of a pilot project, the two companies are combining Sigreen, Siemens’ software for emissions management, with BayWa Carbon Connect, BayWa’s software for emissions offsetting. In the future, this will help industrial enterprises understand product-specific emissions across the supply chain and all the way to their offsetting. Emissions offsetting projects The fi...