Regulations - News

Tokyo-based ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a Blue Visby Solution developed by Blue Visby Services Ltd. The company describes Blue Visby Solution as a multilateral platform for reducing shipping GHG emissions by 15% by eradicating the practice of ‘Sail Fast, then Wait (SFTW)’ by overcoming the obstacles of implementing ‘Just-in-Time’ berthing. Collaborative technological and contractual platform It consists of a collaborat...

Thordon Bearings’ ThorPlas-Blue grease-free bearings won the annual IBJ Environment Protection (Marine) Award 2023 during a gala dinner last night hosted by British comedian Hugh Dennis and International Bulk Journal publisher Ray Girvan. Thordon Bearings was also nominated in the Innovative Technology Award category for the same product. Designed and developed by Thordon, the polymer deck equipment bearings not only eliminate the risk of pollution from greasing systems, but also offer...

DNV-classed rig, Transocean Norge, has become the first semisubmersible rig to be awarded DNV’s Abate (Power+) notation following significant upgrades designed to lower its greenhouse gas emissions during operation. The Abate (Power+) notation is designed to reflect the best industry practices in greenhouse gas abatement for offshore units. Enhancing sustainability While the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulates carbon intensity for sea vessels, offshore installations do n...

Babcock has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hanwha Aerospace to offer enhanced capabilities across land, air and sea domains, by bringing together the companies’ combined skills through a collaborative range of products, services and integrated solutions. Under the agreement, which was signed during the President of Korea’s recent visit to the United Kingdom (UK), the companies will work together to pursue global business development opportunities, with an initial fo...

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...

Global automation technology pioneer Emerson has made a strategic investment in Frugal Technologies, which will use Emerson's global organisation to accelerate sales of its fuel-saving AI technology for ships. With a control system based on artificial intelligence (AI), Frugal Technologies (Aalborg, Denmark) has helped shipping companies such as Uni-Tankers, Christiania Shipping, and Royal Arctic Line to reduce fuel consumption on their ships by up to 15%. Strategic investment Frugal Technolo...

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...

Global provider of marine solutions, P&O Maritime Logistics (a DP World Company), is unwavering in its commitment to shaping a low-carbon future. Driven by innovation, the Company’s journey towards carbon neutrality showcases the power of collaboration and shared responsibility in a robust decarbonisation pathway. Capturing the essence of this pivotal journey, Benjamin Neal’s, Head of HSSEQ, latest whitepaper titled ‘Developing P&O Maritime Logistics’ Decarbonisa...

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...

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...

DNV and 14 partners have concluded phase 1 of the Emission Reduction (EMRED) Joint Industry Project (JIP), developing a monitoring and reporting framework to quantitively assess greenhouse emissions (GHG) from the offshore wind segment. In November, phase 2 of the project will entail testing the framework by including more offshore vessel types and gathering more data. Operational modes As the offshore industry is looking to decarbonise, DNV and partners including RWE, Vattenfall, &Oslas...

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...

In April 2024, the first inland vessel running completely on ZES technology is set to sail with zero emissions between Den Bosch, the Maasvlakte, and Moerdijk (The Netherlands). For electric sailing with standard 20-foot modular energy containers (ZESpacks), a fixed battery package will be installed. The vessel, the Den Bosch Max Groen, is 90 metres long and was prepared for electric sailing during construction. Initiators Inland Terminals Group (ITG), Nedcargo, and Zero Emission Services (ZES)...

Hydrogen from renewable sources is set to play a major role for industry by replacing fossil-based energy and feedstocks. The hydrogen ecosystem that is currently under development was showcased during King Willem-Alexander's visit to duisport, Germany’s largest inland port on November 14th. There also was a demonstration of how the transportation of low-emission hydrogen is already possible. Collaboration with partners throughout the chain is crucial to enable industry’s transition...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the global RoRo shipping and vehicle logistics company, has ordered 4 × MAN B&W 7S60ME-C10.5-LGIM (-Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) dual-fuel engines capable of running on green methanol in connection with the construction of 4 × PCTCs (Pure Car/Truck carriers). The 9,300 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit) vessels will be built in China at the Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) and are scheduled for delivery from mid-2026 on; the order contains options for a further eight s...

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has successfully concluded Phase 1 of its joint industry project (JIP) aimed at establishing offshore substation standards for the growing floating wind sector. The collaborative industry effort has brought together 38 participating companies (including transmission operators, developers, component suppliers, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation contractors, and yards) to tackle the distinctive challenges associated w...

Technology group - Wärtsilä will supply the Cargo Handling Systems for five new very large LPG carrier vessels to be built at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) yard in South Korea. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q3, 2023. The ships have been contracted by Norwegian ship owner - Solvang, in a joint venture with Gunvor Group Ltd, in Geneva. The VLGCs are of Panamax size and form the next generation of eco-vessels. Partnership with HHI and Solvang The Wärtsil&aum...

MAN Energy Solutions and Doen WaterJets (DOEN) have agreed to join forces to offer a fully integrated propulsion system solution to the Australian Army’s LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel Phase 1A (LMV-M) programme to acquire a medium landing craft suitable for a range of missions in Australia’s northern waters and beyond. This cooperation spans the full product lifecycle including propulsion system design, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and commissioning, through to spare pa...

The Saildrone Voyager, a 10-metre commercial uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), is the first autonomous asset built to ABS Class using the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote Control Functions. ABS presented the Class certificate to Saildrone at their headquarters in Alameda, California. The Voyager is a marine vehicle developed by Saildrone, a provider of ocean data for climate, mapping and maritime security applications using uncrewed autonomous assets. ABS issued Approval in Principle (A...