Commercial Shipping

Are ro-pax ferries the new cruise ferries?

Are ro-pax ferries the new cruise ferries?

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the first ferry to become often referred to as a ro-pax – the Majestic of Grandi Navi Veloci. While the ship and its numerous sister ships featured high-quality passenger accommodation, ro-paxes soon became regarded mainly as ferry companies’ response to budget airlines, providing a no-frills […]

First dual-fuel VLCC certified by Green Award

First dual-fuel VLCC certified by Green Award

The LNG dual-fuel-powered very large crude carrier (VLCC) Antonis I. Angelicoussis has been certified by the Green Award Foundation. The 330m-long, 320,916dwt tanker is the first LNG dual-fuel VLCC to join the Green Award programme. The certification includes the Green Award greenhouse gas labels CO2 (level 1) and CH4. The Greek-flagged ship is managed by […]

Methane slip no show stopper for LNG as fuel

Methane slip no show stopper for LNG as fuel

Despite a surge in orders for methanol-ready vessels during the past year it’s LNG that continues to have the competitive edge over other alternative fuels, according to Lloyd’s Register’s principal gas expert. Panos Mitrou, global gas segment director for LR, tells The Naval Architect that the characteristics of LNG remain a competitive challenge for LNG […]

Container freight rates continue to plummet

Container freight rates continue to plummet

Long-term ocean freight rates fall again, with almost 50% drop in key pricing benchmark across last three months The beleaguered carrier industry took another major hit in June, with the latest data from Xeneta’s Shipping Index (XSI) showing a decline of 9.4% in global long-term shipping rates. Following on the heels of a 27.5% collapse […]

MOL and Chevron partner to cut carbon intensity of marine fuels

MOL and Chevron partner to cut carbon intensity of marine fuels

Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and energy company Chevron Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a strategic alliance aimed at reducing the carbon intensity of marine fuels, as well as other decarbonisation technologies in shipping. The partnership will see joint studies carried out on next-generation fuels in various regions around the world […]

Damen shrimper concept takes basic approach

Damen shrimper concept takes basic approach

Damen’s Maaskant division is promoting a “simple, basic, standard” new vessel concept, the Damen Shrimper 2607, for shrimp fishers in tropical/subtropical regions including Africa, Asia and South America. The 146gt vessel’s design has reportedly been developed to significantly reduce fuel consumption, which Damen claims to have done by optimising the powertrain, instead of overloading the […]

Armon commences Liberty ferry order

Armon commences Liberty ferry order

Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon is building a dozen hybrid monohull passenger ferries for Italian operator Liberty Lines, with deliveries scheduled to run from this year until 2026. Each newbuild in the series will measure 39.5m x 8.3m and feature a depth of 4m and a draught of 1.8m. The aluminium ferries will be kifted out […]