Skills - News

ABS will deliver audits of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) on behalf of the Italian Administration from January 1, 2025, following an agreement signed at Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport. ABS statutory activities As a Recognised Organisation of the Italian Administration, ABS will conduct statutory activities, including approval of Ship Security Plans, security verifications, and issuance of Interim International Ship Security Cert...

Langstone Harbour, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has completed the successful installation of a comprehensive marine environmental monitoring solution provided by OceanWise. Langstone Harbour, located between Portsmouth and Chichester on the southern coast of Hampshire, is renowned for its rich wildlife and is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). Managed by the Langstone Harbour Board, it is a hub for a range of activities, including commercial shipping, fis...

“Many of our sustainable transportation programs and initiatives tend to become mode-centric, but it is critically important to optimise the overall sustainable freight transportation across modes from origin to destination, which requires a system of systems focus.” That was the message to U.S. transportation industry and Government pioneers from ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki at the Sustainable Freight Workshop at the White House. Marine transportation mode Advant...

DNV has released a competence standard (ST) for methanol and a recommended practice (RP) for ammonia, to enable crew and shipowners to tackle the safety risks and challenges posed by the introduction of new alternative fuels and technologies through shipping’s decarbonisation. While new fuels and technologies are key to achieving maritime decarbonisation, their adoption necessitates robust safety and competence frameworks. DNV’s Insights platform The number of vessels typed with a...

ABS has awarded Hanwha Ocean Approval in Principle (AIP) for its Pre-FEED Standard FPSO Design intended to create an asset optimised for deployment in the deep waters of West Africa. The FPSO design is 340 m long and capable of storing approximately 2.38 million barrels of crude oil, with a daily crude oil production capacity of 190,000 barrels. Developed to accommodate topsides for crude oil and or gas production facilities, the hull is designed to operate for up to 20 years without the need f...

Ulstein Verft is pleased to welcome BS Offshore back at the shipyard. This will be their first ULSTEIN SX222 CSOV. The hull arrival marks a significant milestone in constructing this state-of-the-art vessel, designed to support the growing offshore wind industry.  The SX222 design, known for its superior operational performance and seakeeping abilities, will ensure the vessel meets the highest efficiency and safety standards. New innovative offshore vessels The vessel is now po...

ABS Wavesight™, the ABS-affiliated Software-as-a-Service company, is pleased to announce that UNI-FLEET SDN BHD, a specialised shipping company operating tanker vessels primarily focused on the transportation of ammonia across Asia, has chosen to implement Nautical Systems (NS) Maintenance Manager and Purchasing Manager modules to revolutionise their maintenance and inventory processes. Integration of NS Maintenance “We’re excited for the opportunity to support UNI-FLEET with...

Ocean Network Express (“ONE”) is pleased to announce three North Europe Transatlantic services, effective from February 2025, which will be operated together with CMA CGM (“CMA CGM”), COSCO Shipping Lines (“COSCO”), Oriental Overseas Container Line (“OOCL”) and Evergreen Line (“EMC”) as part of a Vessel Sharing cooperation. Key TA market sectors Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE, commented, “AS ONE, we look forward to our new collab...

ClassNK has released guidance to assist in the safe evacuation of crew members from vehicle carriers in the event of a cargo hold fire. Additionally, the world’s first notation, ‘AMEVC(EV),’ has been established to indicate vessels equipped with additional measures to facilitate safe evacuation. Evacuation challenges Vehicle carriers often have accommodation areas and life-saving equipment, such as lifeboats Vehicle carriers often have accommodation areas and life-saving eq...

To support its 2025 aims, Hendrik Veder Group UK has appointed two key positions in strategic locations across the UK. Ahead of the new year, Hendrik Veder Group UK’s management team has explored options to strengthen its position within critical growth markets nationally and become an all-in-one service provider encompassing lifting, rigging, and towing. Through these two new appointments, the firm will optimise the support it provides its clientele in each service line while bolstering...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a remote monitoring system for machines, ‘MAREWA-SYSTEM’ developed by KAGOO DOCKYARD Co., Ltd. ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with the product can be given the ‘DSS’ notations (MM, CNS, SM), which indicate ships with advanced digital technology. Deployment of products In order to promote the spread and development of innovative technologies, ClassNK has offered Innovation Endorsement fo...

Kongsberg Digital is proud to announce an important new simulator contract with Noble Corporation, one of the world’s pioneering offshore drilling companies, headquartered in Houston, Texas USA. DP simulators The contract includes the delivery of state-of-the-art navigation, engine, and dynamic positioning (DP) simulators based on Kongsberg Maritime’s market-pioneering K-Pos DP system. The simulators will be tailored and integrated with Kongsberg Maritime’s Riser Monitoring...

Pioneering marine and protective coatings brand International®, part of AkzoNobel, celebrated its 35th year anniversary in China during an event in Shanghai in October 2024. First registered and founded in 1989 in partnership with Shanghai Huayi Fine Chemicals and China State Shipbuilding Equipment & Materials Corporation Ltd, International Paint of Shanghai Co., Ltd. has since established three production facilities in China, 17 distribution centres, and employs over 100 technical serv...

LGE business has been awarded a contract to deliver six cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems for Ultra Large Ethane Carriers in China. The new supersized ships have 50% more capacity than existing Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC), and at 150,000 m3, are a world first of this size. Transportation of liquefied gas The ships, being built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in China, will be fitted with cascade reliquefication plants to manage the Boil Off Gas (BOG), with the contract signalling a co...

In a recent case underscoring the essential nature of precise cost estimation in maritime logistics, ITIC (International Transport Intermediaries Club) has settled a US$140,000 claim resulting from an error in calculating port charges. The incident involved a South American grain shipment where the pool manager’s use of outdated cost estimates for port fees led to a substantial financial discrepancy. A pool manager organised a ship to load a cargo of grain at a South American port. Using...

Hefring Marine, a pioneer in intelligent marine technology, has been awarded a grant by the Icelandic Transport Authority (Samgöngustofa) to further critical research on injuries experienced by mariners aboard vessels. This prestigious grant underscores Hefring Marine's commitment to enhancing safety standards within the maritime industry. Building on extensive research conducted in 2023 with support from the Icelandic Student Innovation Fund, backed by Rannís (The Icelandic Centre...

MAN Energy Solutions has announced the successful retrofit of the main engine of the ‘Maersk Halifax’ to a dual-fuel MAN B&W ME-LGIM unit. MAN PrimeServ, MAN Energy Solutions’ after-sales division, carried out the work, the first such project globally involving a VLCV (Very Large Container Vessel). The 15,000 teu vessel entered service in 2017 and was originally powered by an MAN B&W 8G95ME-C9.5 prime mover. The retrofit to an 8G95ME-LGIM Mk10.5 engine enables the Maer...

Econowind, a globally renowned innovator in Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion technologies for the maritime industry, announces the appointment of Chiel de Leeuw as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective December 1, 2024. Chiel will play a key role in advancing Econowind's mission to revolutionise maritime sustainability and expand the company’s impact in the global shipping industry.  Chiel de Leeuw Chiel de Leeuw brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the marit...

The EU’s Emission Trading System, EU ETS, is a policy instrument for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The system is based on the fact that companies that emit greenhouse gases must hold emission rights to cover their emissions. Emission rights are a limited resource that is sold on a market. Companies covered by the EU ETS must report their emissions to the authorities. Emission rights are an important part of the EU’s climate policy and the system has contributed to reducing gree...

  The government minister informed the Cabinet that the decision has been taken to prioritise the modalities of hydrogen and CO2  for the scope of the Delta Rhine Corridor (DRC). The Port of Rotterdam Authority is pleased with the government minister’s decision, given the importance of constructing the pipelines for hydrogen and CO2 as soon as possible. The decision is of great importance for the industry to achieve its goals of becoming sustainable. Investments...

The hybrid police boat WS1 ‘Bürgermeister Brauer’ was officially welcomed in the Port of Hamburg. After a construction period of almost two years at the Estonian shipyard Baltic Workboats AS, the boat was transferred by sea to Germany and will start its service with the Hamburg water police next year. In the presence of the Senator for Economics and Labour, Dr Melanie Leonhard, the 29.4-metre-long police boat with environmentally friendly plug-in hybrid drive docked at the &Uum...

The WG20 S is the perfect combination of the efficiency of helical gears and the cost-effectiveness of worm drive gearboxes. It is compact and features a modern and functional design, saving space and producing low noise levels. A complete solution that carries WEG’s reliability and quality, already recognised in the WG20 gearmotor line. Available in five sizes and reaching torque from 125 to 1,600 Nm, it has standard dimensions for total interchangeability. In addition, it offers versa...

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) advised Industrial Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“CIBFL”) on a leasing transaction for two liquified natural gas carriers. Upon delivery, the vessels will be bareboat chartered to a disponent-owner and sub-chartered to a Middle East charterer on a long-term basis. Delivery of the vessels Unlike conventional sale and leaseback transactions where the lessors enter into Memorandum of Agreements (“MOAs”) with the lessees...

The port of Rotterdam faces major challenges and opportunities arising from the expected growth in container volume to and from the port. One of those is efficiently handling road transport. The most important stakeholders have signed a declaration of intent to join forces in the ‘sector-wide negotiations for container transport by road’. Within the sector-wide negotiations, the challenges are being tackled to improve traffic flow, safety and sustainability of road transport to stre...

New Corsican 130 MW power plant to feature 8 × MAN 18V51/60 engines optimised to run on 100% liquid biomass fuel of plant origin. A consortium comprising MAN Energy Solutions and EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) specialist, Bonatti, has signed a contract with EDF PEI – a 100% subsidiary of EDF (Électricité de France SA) that builds and operates power-generation facilities in the French overseas departments and regions, and Corsica. The contract covers the...

Babcock has officially launched a new International Engineering and Technology Hub in Melbourne, Australia as part of their increased research and development efforts across global defence markets. The $3.5 million state-of-the-art Abbotsford facility will serve as a collaborative environment for engineers and technologists working in areas such as systems engineering, secure communications, autonomy, artificial intelligence and digitally-enabled asset management. It includes provision for sp...

“Viking Vela”, the first of a new series of cruise ships that Fincantieri is building for the shipowner - Viking, has been delivered at the yard in Ancona. The unit is placed in the small cruise ship segment. She has a gross tonnage of about 54,300 tons, is equipped with 499 cabins and is able to accommodate 998 passengers on board. Navigation and safety regulations Viking Vela is the 13th ship delivered to Viking by the Fincantieri Group, including the two expedition cruise vesse...

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) have entered into an umbrella agreement aimed at developing indigenous technologies and enhancing the capabilities of both organisations. As part of this initiative, IRS and CSL have signed a separate cooperation agreement for the development and certification of an autonomous vessel named ‘SWAYAT,’ which is being constructed at CSL as a fully indigenous pilot project. IRS Guidelines on Cyber Safety Key technology par...

Pioneering wind-propulsion technology provider Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd. (“Anemoi”) and U-Ming Marine Transport Ltd.’s (“U-Ming”) have signed an agreement to install four Rotor Sails on one of U-Ming’s 325,000 DWT Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC). The installation work is expected to be completed at the end of 2025, with fuel and emission savings of approximately 10-12% anticipated on deep-sea routes between China and Brazil, South Africa, and Australia....

Anthony Veder, a gas shipping company, has strengthened its partnership with NAPA, a global provider of maritime software and data services, to expand the use of electronic logbook solutions and ease regulatory reporting.   The joint project between the two companies introduces the functionality of voyage reporting, helping Anthony Veder streamline onboard data collection and fulfill increasingly complex environmental regulatory requirements. Thus, the project contributes to...