With an eye on the post-retrofit ballast water treatment system (BWTS) market, Norwegian BWTS supplier Optimarin is in the process of establishing a manufacturing base in China to boost the availability of its systems for the Asian shipbuilding market. The company is currently pursuing partnerships with several Chinese suppliers to focus on high-quality production of […]
Chinese shipping company COSCO Shipping Development continued its move to invest in renewable technology with the launch of the first of two 700teu electric vessels. The first vessel, currently known as Hull N997, was launched at the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry yard in Yangzhou, China, in July. Powered by portable container-sized batteries, the 10,000dwt NN997 […]
A survey commissioned by maritime recruitment agency Faststream has highlighted the growing difficulty faced by ship managers and operators to retain talent. The Superintendent Report 2023, which has just been published by the Southampton, UK, based firm, notes the growing pressure on businesses to improve salaries and benefits while accommodating flexible working patterns. Surveying marine […]
130m-long vessel to be fitted with a 40MWh battery energy storage system that will power a series of electric propulsion system and waterjets In a significant change to earlier plans, Australian shipyard Incat Tasmania has announced that the 130m lightweight inland ro-pax ordered by Uruguayan operator Buquebús, first announced in 2019 and already under construction, […]
Norsjór’s advanced laser system provides innovative solution to the problem of biofouling Biofouling is a problem that has long plagued the maritime world but is often overlooked in the wider scope of the industry when it comes to innovation. Organisms, such as marine species and algae, can have a substantial impact on vessel performance and […]
Companies’ pilot LNG carrier navigation safety project morphs into a long-term development collaboration to drive innovation in AI and machine learning, writes Alan Johnstone Navigational error resulting in collision or grounding is one of the highest safety risks associated with maritime transport. Safe navigation relies strongly on Officers of the Watch (OOWs) maintaining lookout awareness […]
Fincantieri, RINa and newcleo team up for nuclear-propulsion study Although it’s unlikely to offer a short-term solution to shipping’s decarbonisation mission, the tantalising possibilities offered by nuclear power continue to attract a small but growing number of proponents among the industry’s forward thinkers. In late July, Italian shipyard Fincantieri became the latest company to declare […]
Commercial shipping’s decarbonisation journey took a further step forward on Monday as the first vessel equipped with WindWings, an innovative wind-assisted propulsion system, began its first voyage following its retrofitting at COSCO’s Shanghai shipyard. Developed by marine engineering consultancy BAR Technologies in partnership with Yara Marine, shipowner Mitsubishi Corporation and operator Cargill, WindWings is a […]
With nearly a third of the current feeder vessel fleet over 15 years old, and a quarter in excess of 20 years, newbuild contracting by owners will have to increase in the coming years to replace ageing vessels as progressively tighter environmental regulations come into force. However, the huge amount of uncertainty surrounding emissions reduction […]
Hull stress monitoring has been a feature of commercial shipping since the 1990s, but according to Terje Sannerud from marine structural monitoring specialist Light Structures, it is today finding applications for improving ship design, insightful maintenance and potentially extending the period between dry-dockings allowing for cost savings without compromising ship safety. Ships can become damaged, […]
The unique conditions of the salvage sector establish unique opportunities for speedy project innovation, variety and collaboration, writes Marine Masters project engineer Jouke Maijer. When I joined salvage experts Marine Masters two years ago, I found myself introduced to a fascinating sector that is vastly different from the installation and decommissioning projects of the offshore […]
The recently decided decarbonisation targets from the IMO will no doubt be leading shipowners to target renewable fuels more so now than ever. Not least because the agenda set out at MEPC80 obligates member states to a minimum commitment to ensure the uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030. One company poised […]