Japan’s First LNG-Fueled Capesize Bulk Carrier Delivered
An LNG-fueled capesize bulk carrier, ordered by NYK and to be deployed to transport iron ore and coal from Australia to Japan under a long-term consecutive voyage charter contract with JFE Steel Corporation (JFE), has been delivered.The naming ceremony for the vessel was held on January 30, 2024, at Japan Marine United Corporation's Tsu Shipyard in Mie Prefecture.The vessel is the first capesize LNG-fueled bulk carrier to be built at a shipyard in Japan…
NYK and JERA Agree Long-Term Charter for New LNG Carrier
NYK and JERA have signed a long-term charter contract for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to be built in South Korea by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.The vessel will be delivered in 2027 and will be used to transport LNG for JERA. The contract is expected to contribute to the stable supply of LNG in partnership with JERA and strengthen and promote NYK’s LNG business as a core business of the company.The vessel will be equipped with a next-generation X-DF2.2 iCER dual-fuel…
Concern Raised that Australian Sheep Will be Re-Exported
The Australian government refused a request by an Israeli livestock exporter to send a ship carrying around 14,000 sheep and hundreds of cattle on a month-long voyage around Africa to Israel earlier this week, but it left the way open for other options.The Bahijah sailed from Australia for Israel on January 5 but was recalled over a week into the voyage after diverting towards South Africa, unwilling to sail through the Red Sea.The ship has been docked in Fremantle port…
BMT Unveils 48-meter SOV Design
Naval architecture and marine engineering firm BMT unveiled its new design for a 48-meter service operation vessel (SOV).BMT said the mid-sized vessel sits in between crew transfer vessels (CTV) and typical SOVs, providing a more cost-effective solution to achieving operational requirements as operators in the offshore market look for ways to reduce their operational expenditure (opex). Incorporating a methanol-ready design…
New Gravity Self-Unloading System Launched
MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has launched a new and augmented gravity self-unloading system that it says will allow bulk carriers to deliver a wider variety of cargo, in greater volume.The new system, the MacGregor GravityVibe, deploys a patent-pending vibrating unloader to reduce internal friction and ease the discharge of coarse materials such as wood chips from the cargo hold.While the automated unloading sequence remains a gravity-based operation…
European Shipowners Welcome EU Climate Target Proposal
The European Commission has published its proposal for a 2040 climate target: greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 90% by 2040 at the latest, receiving positive feedback from European shipowners.The shipowners welcome the strong commitment of the Commission to address “barriers to the deployment of low- and zero-emissions fuels including e-fuels and advanced biofuels” in shipping and to give…
Mitsui OSK Rerouting All Vessels via Cape of Good Hope
Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has rerouted all of its ships via the Cape of Good Hope due to attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea region, CEO Takeshi Hashimoto told Reuters on Tuesday.Before the Red Sea disruptions, 2-3 ships used to pass through the Suez Canal daily...currently no ships of the company are passing through the canal, Hashimoto said.Global shipping companies are sailing around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea…
Wind Power Outpaces Gas Plants in Europe
Wind power production outpaced gas plants in Europe for the first time last year as fossil fuel electricity generation plummeted, cutting the region's carbon emissions, data from think-tank Ember showed.Europe is ramping up its renewable electricity generation as part of efforts to wean the bloc off Russian fuels and to help meet its climate goal of net zero emissions by 2050.Europe's fossil fuel power generation fell by a record 19% year-on-year in 2023, with gas-fired electricity production do
Houthis Fire Missiles at Two Ships in Red Sea
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Tuesday they had fired missiles at two vessels in the Red Sea, causing damage to the ships.The Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels with drones and missiles in the Red Sea since mid-November, in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war.The group's military spokesman said it had fired naval missiles at the Star Nasia and Morning Tide…
Gunderson Marine to Open Trades Skills Training Center
Portland, Ore. shipbuilder Gunderson Marine announced plans to open a new training center aimed at addressing a demand for skilled trades workers. For many shipyards across the U.S., hiring and retaining a skilled workforce has become a major challenge.Gunderson's new training center, scheduled to open this spring, will serve as a central hub for trades skills development, offering paid training programs in areas such as in basic metals fitting…
Diplomacy Underway to Allow Houthis a 'Climbdown' from Attacks
Diplomatic efforts are underway to try to find a "climbdown" for Yemen's Houthis, the special U.S. envoy to Yemen said in a video recording released on Tuesday, in an apparent reference to finding a face-saving solution to ending their attacks on ships in the Red Sea.U.S. Special Envoy Tim Lenderking recorded his comments on Friday for a think-tank conference before flying to Oman for talks on the crisis that has triggered retaliatory U.S.
Marine Towing of Tampa Acquires Seabulk Towing Assets from Bisso
Marine Towing of Tampa announced it is expanding its ship assist services to Florida's east coast following a deal with E.N. Bisso & Son to acquire towing assets formerly owned by SEACOR Holdings' Seabulk arm.In September 2023, SEACOR divested its U.S. harbor towing operations, selling to Bisso 12 tugs across ports in Florida and Alabama.Under a recently executed asset purchase agreement with Bisso…
Sea Machines Receives $12 Million in Funding
Boston-based Sea Machines, a developer of autonomous control systems and advanced perception technology for maritime vessels, announced it has secured $12 million from a group of capital investors.The funding round, led by cleantech venture capital specialist Emerald Technology Ventures, was joined by Nabtesco Technology Ventures (NTV), Chevron Technology Ventures, Ingram Industries, RKKVC, Level 2 Ventures and IMC Ventures.
SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers for Five New WSA Vessels
SCHOTTEL reports it has been selected to equip five new traffic safety vessels for the German Rhine Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSA) with electrically driven SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers.The Bolle shipyard in Derben, Germany, has been commissioned with the construction of the modern multipurpose vessels following tenders submitted throughout Europe.The modern traffic safety vessels will each…
Irish Naval Service Signs Up for Wärtsilä Optimized Maintenance Agreement
Wärtsilä announced it has signed a five-year Optimized Maintenance Agreement with the Irish Naval Service. The agreement, which covers four offshore patrol vessels (OPV), is designed to ensure operational reliability along with long-term cost predictability.“We have had good experience with Wärtsilä over the years, and we have great trust in their capabilities. This agreement will help us to achieve the level of efficiency and reliability that we aim for…
Ocean Infinity Invests in RAD Propulsion
Marine electric product company RAD Propulsion announces that it has secured £1,000,000 investment from Ocean Infinity, a marine technology business that deploys innovative robotic and autonomous vessel solutions.The investment is part of a raise round to facilitate RAD’s rapid operational scale up as its RAD 40 electric drive goes into mass production. This year, RAD will see its products become available to OEM partners around the world, with new product development underway too.
Brunvoll to Equip Aquaculture Service Vessel
Brunvoll has been chosen to deliver all propulsion, maneuvering and positioning systems for a 24-meter service vessel for aquaculture. The vessel is designed by NSK Ship Design and will be built at Havyard Leirvik for handover to owner Nordlaks Maritime in 2025.The new compact vessel can support tasks and needs 24/7. A special requirement for the designer and owner was to minimize the noise and vibration from the tunnel thruster in the bow of the vessel.
Austal USA Plans New Facility and Shiplift in Mobile
Shipbuilder Austal USA announced it is planning to boost capacity at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard with the addition of a new manufacturing facility.The infrastructure expansion, which will be to the south of Austal USA’s current waterfront facility, will include a new assembly building, waterfront improvements, and a new Pearlson-designed shiplift system. Start of construction on the project is planned…
DNV Confirms Energy Efficiency Gains for LNG Carries with DFE+ Propulsion
New Dual Fuel, Electric+ (DFE+) concept, developed by ABB and MAN Energy Solutions, has been recognized by DNV as a more energy efficient alternative to current conventional designs for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.DNV has quantified the gains that owners of LNG carriers could expect to achieve using the new DFE+ solution and found that it could help LNG carriers boost energy efficiency by up to 7.5%…
Lloyd’s Register Issues AiP for Estonian State Fleet’s Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Ferry
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to Estonian State Fleet for hydrogen fuel-cell ferry designed by Finnish ship design and engineering company Deltamarin.The zero-emissions ferry is to be operated between the Estonian mainland and the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, on the Virtsu-Kuivastu and Rohuküla-Heltermaa routes, which connect the Baltic nation to its two largest islands.As part of the certification…
