By Mark Barton, RINA historian In the maritime industry, we’re used to large elements of infrastructure being constructed to support dockyards, and regular disruptions to the global supply chain regularly highlight the importance of assuring that infrastructure remains resilient. 2023 marked the bicentenary of a project that was designed to do both of those but […]
Norwegian shipyard Ulstein Verft will build two new Construction Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) for J.P. Morgan under the terms of a deal announced on 5th January. The CSOVs, which will be equipped with a hybrid propulsion system and methanol ready. They will be built to an adaptation of the Ulstein SX222 design platform, utilizing Ulstein’s […]
Damen Naval and its partner NVL Group have commenced construction of the German Navy’s first F126 frigate. A steel cutting ceremony for the first F126 frigate took place on 5 December 2023 at NVL Group’s Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast. Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany Siemtje Möller said, “With the […]
Construction of the first of four Pohjanmaa-class multi-role corvettes has started at Rauma shipyard (Rauma Marine Construction, RMC), a major project for the Finnish Navy that has been significantly delayed. A contract was awarded to RMC to build the corvettes in 2019, but in late 2021 the yard announced that it would need up to […]
Trials of the largest uncrewed aircraft ever launched from a UK Royal Navy aircraft carrier could pave the way for the next generation of UK naval air power. The specially modified aircraft – operated remotely by a ‘pilot’ at a computer terminal, codenamed ‘Mojave’ – took off and landed safely on HMS Prince of Wales […]
Much has been accomplished since the US, UK and Australia announced plans to develop a new generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines together, but much more remains to be done, as a November 2023 report published by the House of Commons Library explains. The report details many of the challenges facing the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme […]
Clarksons Research has published data indicating that nearly half of all vessels ordered last year by tonnage will be capable of running on some form of alternative fuel. The latest edition of Clarksons’ Green Technology Tracker report, published on the 2nd January, charts the continuing progress of alternative fuel uptake and investments in energy saving […]
Japanese shipowner NYK Line has announced it will commence full-scale trials exploring the long-term use of biofuels during its 2024 financial year, following the short-term trials it has been undertaking since 2019. Between 2019 and 2023 the operator has successfully conducted test voyages using biofuels on seven oceangoing vessels, mainly bulk carriers and two tugboats. […]
Stellar Shipmanagement Services Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Energy Group, has taken delivery of MT Maple, a 4,000 deadweight IMO Type 2 oil and chemical tanker, that also has the distinction of being the first dedicated methanol bunkering tanker to operate out of the Port of Singapore. Built by Sasaki Shipbuilding Co […]
Stolt Tankers’ Stolt Lotus has become the first vessel in the world to be coated using Canadian firm Graphite Innovation & Technologies’ (GIT) X-GIT FUEL graphene-based hull coating solution, which is believed to offer significant reductions in fuel consumption. The 30,000-deadweight vessel spent five days drydocked in China where the sustainable hull coating was applied. Reckoned […]
Completed just five years since the signing of the initial contract, Adora Magic City is a potent symbol of China’s shipbuilding dominance. While the 135,500 gt cruise ship, which has accommodation for 5,246 passengers can’t claim to be the world’s most innovative vessel – being largely based on Carnival Corp’s Vista class vessels and built […]
Zulu Associates, an Antwerp-based maritime innovator, has published designs for a zero emission autonomous 200 TEU container vessel utilising an auxiliary wind assistance system. The Zulu MASS, which has been designed by Dutch naval architects Conoship International, is being developed with Zulu’s subsidiary the Anglo Belgian Shipping company. As the company’s name suggests it is […]