Skills - News

Rapid technological change, complex regulation, and competitive pressures are driving digital transformation in the shipping industry. But navigating a confusing software landscape can be difficult and sound decision-making is essential to minimise innovation risk, according to OrbitMI. Automation solutions Industry spending has soared in recent years on intelligent process automation solutions geared to boosting efficiency, reducing costs, curbing emissions, and improving safety for shipping...

Geopolitical and economic challenges in the Middle East will come into sharp focus during London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) when, for the first time ever, an Egyptian law firm takes a central role. Eldib Advocates, a firm celebrating its 150 year anniversary, will be hosting a thought-provoking seminar during LISW25, with the primary discussion point being the need for Egypt’s regulatory alignment with international practices and Egypt’s crucial role in world trade....

ClassNK has issued a type approval certificate for the Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) management software - ‘SVESSEL CBM’, developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). CBM has garnered attention as an elemental technology for autonomous ships being developed against the background of advancements in sensing and IoT technology in recent years, as it enables the remote real-time monitoring and diagnosis of the condition of engines etc., serving as a key enabler for maintenance auto...

There’s a silver shimmer over London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) thanks to a flood of silver sponsors who have come onboard during the first quarter of this year. Adding their support are legal firms Quadrant Chambers and Twenty Essex who have signed up to take an active part in the event, which runs from 15th to 19th September 2025. Digital transformation specialist They are joined by top ten ship management company Columbia Shipmanagement Group and digital transformatio...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two elemental technologies of ‘CMP-MAP’, ‘Performance estimation method of ships based on hull roughness and fouling condition’ and ‘Performance and operational analysis solutions’, provided by Chugoku Marine Paints, Ltd. (CMP). ‘Performance estimation method of ships based on hull roughness and fouling condition’ is a technology that estimates the impact of each antif...

SAFE Boats International and Hefring Marine have announced a formal partnership between the companies, combining SAFE Boats’ focus on durability, safety and performance with Hefring Marine’s intelligent tools for crew welfare, efficiency and vessel lifecycle management.  With over 1,000 nautical miles of Hefring Marine IMAS (Intelligent Marine Assistance System) data recorded through various trials and demonstrations on the SAFE 35 MMI (Multi-Mission Interceptor), the companies...

DNV has presented HD Hyundai with a general approval for ship application (GASA) for a new high-strength composite hybrid support system for independent tanks on liquefied gas carriers.  In a world-first, HD Hyundai’s concept is fabricated with a fusion of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP) with a tensile strength ten times greater than steel, significantly enhancing structural stability. Existing support structure The new system offers robust structural supports, enabling ind...

Easy to use and powered by artificial intelligence, Crewlinker’s web application makes it easy for crewing agencies, shipping companies and other employers in the maritime industry to find people in seconds, and with all the necessary competences. Seafarers can easily enter all their certificates and working experience to automatically create an in-depth resumé that helps them find jobs that fit their experience. Deckhands, engineers, navigators, technicians and officers in the mar...

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of the technology group - Wärtsilä, will supply the Cargo Handling Systems for additional two new very large LPG carrier vessels to be built at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd. in South Korea. The ships have been contracted by Norwegian ship owner Solvang.  The order follows a similar one placed in 2023 for five vessels being built in the same yard for the same owner. This latest contract was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1, 2024....

Congratulations to Wallaby Boats and Hitzler Werft, from the team at Nauti-Craft on the launching of the world's first Suspension Equipped Crew Transfer Vessel (SECTV). The Wallaby-18, designed in Germany, is the first vessel intended for commercial operation with a suspension system developed by Australia’s Nauti-Craft. Independent suspension technology The independent suspension technology has been designed to enable the two hulls to balance and compensate for wave forces independentl...

A new agreement has been signed to secure the future of Liverpool City Council in a major deal announced on Wednesday 3rd April between Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH) and Peel Ports Group. The agreement will see the world’s largest independent cruise port operator operate services at Liverpool Cruise Terminal for a period of 50 years. Crucially, it will see GPH invest some £25 million in upgrading the terminal’s infrastructure, improving its operational capability and helping...

ABS has awarded ECOLOG, a mid-stream Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Sequestration (CCUS) service provider, with an industry-first ISM Document of Compliance for the operation of liquified CO2 carriers on behalf of the Bermuda flag administration. ABS audited ECOLOG to verify compliance with the International Safety Management Code. ECOLOG plans to build and own CO2 terminals and a carrier fleet to service the emerging CCUS sector, connecting hard-to-abate emitters with cost-competitive se...

ClassNK has carried out a regular reshuffle of its full-time executives, underlining its commitment to charting the maritime industry’s shift through a period of significant transformation. President & CEO - Hiroaki Sakashita and Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) - Junichiro Iida continue in their current roles, while Executive Vice President (EVP) - Hayato Suga is promoted to SEVP. Additionally, Dr. Toshiro Arima, Masaki Matsunaga, and Dr. Yoshiya Yamaguchi have been appointed a...

Ocean Infinity, a world pioneer in robotic and uncrewed vessel technology, is pleased to announce the signing of a Global Framework Agreement (GFA) with Shell, marking a significant milestone in the provision of lean-crewed and robotic seabed geomatics, spanning geophysical and geotechnical services, within the offshore energy sector. The GFA spans 5 years, encompassing all countries where Shell is currently active or plans to operate in the future. Fuel-efficient vessels Services governed by...

Bureau Veritas (BV), a global pioneer in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC), has awarded the Dutch-Norwegian renewable energy company SolarDuck the world’s first Prototype Certification for a floating offshore solar technology, as applied in SolarDuck’s 0.5 MW pilot "Merganser". This certification represents a significant step forward in the development of marine renewable energy technologies for offshore applications. Real-world operational environment The Merganser pr...

Bleste Sia introduces its new ‘Bleste Bucket’ bulk handling solution. The Bleste Bucket is a modern iteration of the traditional bulk grab container, however, this innovative yet simple product improves dry bulk handling for companies looking for efficiency, cost and speed gains.  Simple technology saves time and money According to Dinis Hruscovs, Managing Director of the Latvian company, the Bleste Bucket speeds up bulk cargo logistics, especially for terminals, and in a...

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two initiatives by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., “FOCUS” and “Sustainable Seafaring, Wellness Living”. “FOCUS” is an operational data analysis software system developed by MOL that collects and analyses detailed data from ICT-enabled vessels. ClassNK has verified the functions of “FOCUS”, 1. Vessel performance analysis that integrates abundant operational knowledge and na...

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed, after it was struck by a container ship at around 1.35 am ET. The container ship involved is the Singapore-flagged Dali which can carry just under 10,000 TEU (20ft shipping containers) and was operating on a 2M alliance service between Baltimore and the Far East. Mass casualty event  Emily Stausbøll, Market Analyst at Xeneta – the ocean freight shipping rate benchmarking and intelligence platform, said, “Thi...

MAN Energy Solutions and Svitzer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on the development of a methanol-fuelled version of the MAN 175D engine. Designated 175DF-M (Dual Fuel-Methanol), the MoU targets the finalisation of a field-test agreement based on which a dual-fuel engine and plant equipment will be installed on board one of Svitzer’s newbuild tugs. Kasper Karlsen, Chief Operating Officer at Svitzer, said: “At Svitzer, we’ve set ambitious yet realistic,...

Sea Maritime International in Singapore acquired the VSTEP’s latest NAUTIS 3 trainer. VSTEP is proud to see repeat customers and takes it as a testament to its commitment to delivering excellent service.  Seamlessly compatible with the Wartsila DP system, this simulator guarantees top-notch training for maritime professionals within the region and allows the customer to further serve the market. Excellence in maritime training “We eagerly anticipate the partnershi...

AVIKUS, HD Hyundai's autonomous navigation in-house startup, announced its autonomous navigation is proven to reduce fuel use by as much as 15% and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 10%. This is the first time these fuel savings have been verified. The fuel savings were quantified on a 325,000-ton Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) operating several times on a 5,800-mile route from Singapore to Brazil using Avikus’ autonomous HiNAS Control system. The verification of this performance w...

A universal, global carbon tax on shipping is coming, as alternative blue fuels made with carbon capture emerge as a critical step in the energy transition at sea. That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, during an appearance at the CERAWeek energy conference. Intermediate economy “We need to recognise that there is an intermediate step in the energy transition,” he said. “Last year the conversations were focused on going from oil to...

Accelleron’s Japanese joint venture company Turbo Systems United has signed a memorandum of understanding with marine systems provider Furuno Electric Co to cooperate in digital activities. The agreement, the first of its kind for the Accelleron group in Japan, will dramatically improve access to optimisation solutions and digitally enabled services in one of the world’s most important shipbuilding markets. Furuno has a pioneering position in the supply of marine radar systems, with...

Samskip launches shortsea container service connecting Santander, Tilbury and Rotterdam, delivering the service reliability, security and sustainability advantages of intermodal transport to customers throughout Spain, supported by dedicated local customer support. The new service launches from Rotterdam on Tuesday, April 2nd, offering customers a weekly Spain-Tilbury-Rotterdam shortsea option that remains highly cost-competitive against road-ferry alternatives while providing greater reliabil...

Ulsan Port, a key maritime hub for Asia, has reaffirmed its pledge to environmentally friendly shipping practices by becoming a member of DNV Korea’s Decarbonisation Network. The Network unites technical executives and managers from various stakeholders in Korea's maritime industry. It consists of two groups: one comprises of major Korean yards (in total nine) while the other encompasses a diverse range of participants, including ship owners, managers, charterers, banks and research insti...

Offshore Frontier Solutions Pte. Ltd., a MODEC Group company, has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions with the delivery of eleven RB-type compressor trains. The order’s substantial value marks it as the largest single order ever received at MAN Energy Solutions Switzerland.  The compressor trains will be installed on an FPSO vessel for the Raia project, in the Campos Basin, approximately 200 kilometres off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Equinor, in partnership with Repsol Sinopec Brasil...

ClassNK has granted its ‘SCCS-Full’ class notation to ‘EVER TOP’, a Neopanamax container vessel owned by EVERGREEN. The notation signifies that the vessel is now equipped with an onboard CO2 capture and storage (CCS) systems, marking it as the world's first Neopanamax container vessel to be retrofitted with such systems. The CCS systems, designed and developed by Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute, were installed at Huarun Dadong Dockyard Co., Ltd. (HRDD)....

Manta Marine Technologies (MMT) has secured its fourth hundredth vessel contract for its industry-pioneering automated propulsion optimisation technology system, FuelOpt™. The latest contract is subscription-based and was signed in February 2024 between MMT and J.J. Ugland for an installation onboard their 60,000 DWT bulk carrier, the M.V. Jorita. Richard Engelhart Bjercke, Chief Commercial Officer at Manta Marine Technologies, said “We are very proud to have signed our 400th FuelOp...

RightShip, a major global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) focused digital maritime platform, has launched its Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program. The program is aimed at supporting the development and adoption of technologies dedicated to achieving a zero-harm maritime industry, by enabling enhanced collaboration and connection between ship-owners and managers, and innovative technology providers. Zero Harm Innovation Partners Program This program invites technology providers a...

Team Rubicon is announcing an additional investment by Chevron towards the proposed TRades Academy to train skilled tradespeople. The $100,000 grant by Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit is expected to fuel the growth of the TRades Academy being developed by Team Rubicon to fill the gap of skilled trades professionals in times of crisis. “We are grateful for the support of Chevron and this investment into our new TRades Academy,” said Art delaCruz, CEO of Team Rubicon, add...