Regulations - News

bp selected ABS to support the deepwater Kaskida project in the Gulf of Mexico. ABS will provide classification and engineering verification services for the new semisubmersible production unit. “ABS is the recognised Class leader in offshore exploration and in the Gulf of Mexico; we have decades of experience classing complex semisubmersible production platforms. But this project goes beyond classification. We are also providing numerous other services related to engineering review and v...

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Publications is proud to announce the release of its latest publication, A Practical Guide to Shipboard Inspections. This first-edition comprehensive guide is designed to assist the maritime industry in preparing for and navigating the myriad of inspections that ships are subject to. Shipboard inspections guide Inspections are an integral part of the shipping industry, with all ship types subject to scrutiny from various entities, including flag states,...

In a biannual tradition accompanying the SMM maritime conference, ABS celebrated the AMVER Awards by sponsoring a ceremony recognising the contribution of German owners to the unique AMVER reporting system that supports search and rescue efforts for distress calls at sea. Held at the Übersee-Club in Hamburg, the ceremony celebrated 308 vessels from 54 German-managed companies, who were awarded coloured pennants for their role in maintaining maritime safety and in recognition of the owners&...

At the SMM trade fair, DNV celebrated three advances in the ongoing development and deployment of autonomous technologies in shipping. Ocean Infinity was awarded a Statement of Compliance, while Avikus and Reach Subsea received certificates recognising their ongoing collaborations with DNV. Autonomous shipping Autonomous shipping covers many aspects of shipping’s new technological landscape – everything from systems to aid decision-making, control speed, and direction, remote cont...

OceanScore has launched a new planning, simulation, and budgeting tool for optimising compliance with FuelEU Maritime from a commercial standpoint. Its FuelEU Planner is the first in a suite of solutions geared to supporting complex decision-making processes with the upcoming regulation. FuelEU Planner The company unveiled the FuelEU Planner at a launch event for more than 150 clients and stakeholders in Hamburg this week, coinciding with the SMM conference and exhibition, where FuelEU Mariti...

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) has successfully transitioned the marine industry to its digitalised version of the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE 2.0). Vessel operators are now only able to request tanker inspections that use the SIRE 2.0 Compiled Vessel Inspection Questionnaire (CVIQ) which is completed on a tablet device by accredited SIRE 2.0 inspectors. SIRE 2.0 Question Library These inspection reports will enable marine assurance teams to conduct more in-de...

A 360-degree analysis of hydrogen as a marine fuel and wind-assisted propulsion are the latest in a series of reports studying alternative fuels and decarbonisation technologies for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) delivered by an ABS-led consortium, including CE Delft and Arcsilea. EMSA is committed to supporting the European Commission, the Member States, the shipping sector and European ports in the transition to carbon-neutral shipping. In this context, EMSA has launched a call fo...

DNV has unveiled an upgrade to its emissions data verification and data management platform, Emissions Connect, which will enable the maritime sector to handle the commercial challenges and risks that come with the implementation of FuelEU Maritime. The update comes at a crucial time as the industry is grappling with the requirements that take effect from 1 January 2025. Emissions Connect Emissions Connect was first launched in 2023 to support the industry with the operational impact of multi...

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) commends the recent circular issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), following the explosion incident involving the vessel – ‘YM Mobility’ on August 9, 2024, at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. This incident, along with other recent fires aboard container vessels, underscores the critical need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in the transport of dangerous goods by sea. In its circular, the MSA reiterated the need for all shippi...

The opening press conference for the renowned international maritime trade fair gave a foretaste of the coming SMM days. Political and business leaders discussed current challenges and opportunities facing the shipping industry. The overarching topic was the decarbonisation of the shipping sector. The conclusion: While the technology is mature, what is needed now is courageous investment decisions – and a system to reward that courage. Initial major success The 31st edition of SMM was l...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to Cybersecurity solutions “Infinity”, ”Angel” and “Spectrum” by Navarino Single Member S.A. Innovation Endorsement To promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions. ClassNK supports the deployment of products and services through third-party certification for equipment and software technolo...

Somas Instrument AB, a pioneering manufacturer of control and on-/off valves, has appointed Accelleron a global technology pioneer in turbocharging, fuel injection, and digital solutions in marine and energy industries, as the authorised global service provider for its marine customers. SCR and EGR systems Under this new partnership agreement, Accelleron’s service engineers will be trained to service Somas valves on marine installations, primarily in exhaust after-treatment systems such...

Representing a breakthrough in the evolution of a ship’s propeller shaft line, Canada’s Thordon Bearings has unveiled the Thordon-Blue Ocean Stern Space (T-BOSS), a new solution designed to meet the propeller shaft requirements of the sterntubeless ship design proposed by the Blue Ocean Alliance. Introduced to the global maritime industry at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg, Germany, the new T-BOSS propeller shaft arrangement includes Thordon’s award-winning COMPAC polymer bearin...

Ocean Infinity has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in maritime innovation, receiving a Statement of Compliance (SOC) from DNV for its revolutionary remotely supported vessel operations. The approval from DNV, the classification society, establishes Ocean Infinity as the industry's first organisation to reach the required standard of technology and operations for large vessels and permits the beginning of onshoring marine-related tasks and activities. Statement of Compliance This high-prof...

Corvus Energy is pleased to announce that the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System has received Type Approval from DNV. The system which was developed through the three-year-long H2NOR project, is the first Fuel Cell System (FCS) designed to be inherently gas-safe, making it the safest fuel cell system in the market. Performance and safety standards Receiving type approval from DNV, a maritime classification society confirms that the Corvus Pelican Fuel Cell System meets the most stringent perform...

At the SMM trade fair, DNV awarded shipping and logistics company - Wallenius Wilhelmsen its first biofuel insetting verification statement - recognising the company’s use of B100 in a recent voyage. Biofuels can help to make an immediate impact on shipping’s GHG emissions. However, they do come at an increased cost and owners need to be sure that they can benefit from their extra investments in sustainability and compliance. Verified biofuel insetting enables this, by creating tran...

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) advised an Asian financial institution as arranger, agent, security agent, and lender on a US$201.85 million sustainability-linked Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (JOLCO) with Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) as lessee and Financial Partners Group Co., Ltd. (FPG) as equity provider for two portfolios of container boxes comprising dry container boxes and reefer container boxes. Global container shipping company Singapore headquartered ONE is a g...

ClassNK has updated its report ‘ClassNK Alternative Fuels Insight’ initially released in May 2024, to Version 2.0. This update includes the latest information on alternative fuel ships, including orders and deliveries, demand outlook, and cost simulations for ammonia-fueled ships. It supports customers’ future fuel options and investments. Given the wide range of alternative fuels available for ships, it is necessary to consider not only technical evaluations but also to under...

Alfa Laval has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its Gas Combustion Unit (GCU) technology for hydrogen boil-off gas, having received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society - DNV. Safe hydrogen transportation Alfa Laval has been granted Approval in Principle from DNV for its Gas Combustion Unit (GCU) to be used on liquid hydrogen carriers. The AiP affirms the technical feasibility and safety mechanism of the GCU design and concept. The boil-off gas tec...

Iridium Communications Inc. unveiled Iridium Certus® GMDSS, a generational advancement in maritime safety, compliance, and communication. Building on the powerful capabilities of Iridium Certus technology, Iridium Certus GMDSS features distress alert, safety voice and Maritime Safety Information (MSI), while integrating additional regulated services like Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS). The combination of capabilit...

OceanScore, the global provider of data and compliance management solutions for the maritime industry, has successfully closed an oversubscribed €5 million Series A financing round. The influx of new capital will enable the company to further develop its solutions portfolio and expand its global footprint. Financing round The financing round included significant contributions from existing investor theDOCK and new investors such as Stolt Ventures, Motion Ventures, and Portline, along wit...

Technology group Wärtsilä will upgrade the exhaust treatment system onboard four vessels in Norwegian operator Color Line’s fleet. Wärtsilä will add close-looped functionality to the ships’ current open-loop scrubbers, enabling the ships to operate at maximum efficiency, safely, and in the most environmentally sustainable way possible. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2024. Energy efficiency As the maritime's drive for energy efficiency and emis...

Since 1 January 2024, shipping companies have been subject to the expanded European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), have had to monitor their emissions, open trading accounts, and have been tasked with formulating more efficient fuel and route compliance strategies in preparation for the submission of their first reports in March 2025.  This briefing and the bespoke compliance and exemptions checklists we have prepared will help guide you through the complexities of the EU ETS and FuelE...

As the shipping industry transitions to cleaner fuels, ammonia as a marine fuel is gaining momentum. Alfa Laval is at the forefront of enabling this shift. Through research, product development, and strategic partnerships, the company is building the expertise and solutions needed for a safe and efficient transition to alternative fuels. Addressing challenges Alfa Laval is now accelerating the development of new technologies for ammonia The unique properties of ammonia, including its low fla...

At the SMM trade fair in Hamburg, DNV awarded Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company (HPWS) three approval in principle (AiP) certificates for their innovative designs of three new ship types.  Three new designs  An ammonia-fueled 43,000 cbm midsize gas carrier (MGC)  An ammonia-fueled SWAN 3,500 TEU container ship, and  A LNG dual-fueled SWAN 1,300 TEU container ship with ice class. New-generation MGC features New-generation MGC features a wider beam compared to typ...

REACH Subsea’s ground-breaking uncrewed surface vessel, REACH REMOTE 1, has received the Skipsrevven Ship of the Year 2024 award at the SMM exhibition in Hamburg. The 24-metre REACH REMOTE 1 is the first of a pair of uncrewed offshore surface vessels designed and delivered by Kongsberg Maritime to Norwegian company REACH SUBSEA ASA. REACH REMOTE USV design Crammed with state-of-the-art KONGSBERG technology, the vessels will initially carry out underwater survey...

At the SMM trade fair in Hamburg, DNV awarded Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. with three Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates and a General Approval for Ship Application (GASA) certificate for the design of innovative vessels. Hudong Zhonghua, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation and one of China’s foremost shipbuilders, received these approvals as part of its efforts to address the shifting dynamics in the global energy market.  AiP certificates The AiP...

Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) has unveiled Iridium Certus GMDSS, a generational advancement in maritime safety, compliance, and communication. Building on the powerful capabilities of Iridium Certus technology, Iridium Certus GMDSS features distress alert, safety voice and Maritime Safety Information (MSI), while integrating additional regulated services, like Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS). Iridium Certus GMDSS The combination of capa...

AkzoNobel’s International® marine coatings brand has announced a series of updates to Intertrac® Vision, a digital forecasting tool designed to enable data-driven decision-making on fouling control coatings for global vessel operators. Intertrac® Vision analyses proprietary International® performance data across 200,000 drydocks and now with the addition of 10,000 vessel operators.  Intertrac® Vision Harnessing the predictive capability of Artificial Intell...

Samskip is proud to announce its partnership in the ground-breaking HyEkoTank project, an initiative supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.  As part of its ongoing efforts to reach net zero emissions by 2040, Samskip will retrofit its multi-purpose vessel - Samskip Kvitnos with cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell technology developed by TECO 2030. This collaboration will enable Samskip to take another major step forward in decarbonising its fleet and reducing greenho...