US Navy Awards 40 PB Flight 2 Contracts
A pair of U.S. boatbuilders have been awarded contracts to deliver up to seventy-three 40-Foot Patrol Boats (40 PB) for the U.S. Navy's Naval Expeditionary Combat Command.The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts were awarded to Louisiana-based Metal Shark and Oregon-based ReconCraft, and the maximum cumulative dollar value for both deals combined is $290 million over a seven-year period.Designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team specifically for the Navy…
Sea Machines Charts the Course on Autonomy
Sea Machines is a pioneer in maritime autonomy, operating continuously since it was founded by Michael Johnson in 2015. In this episode of Maritime Matters, we visit with Johnson to discuss his take on the pace and course of true maritime autonomy, plus the rationale behind the development and technical insights on SELKIE, a new unmanned surface vessel developed by Sea Machine’s
Wärtsilä to Provide Operational Support for Two Japanese Ferries
Technology group Wärtsilä has signed two Lifecycle Agreements covering two ferries owned by Japanese operator Shin Nihonkai Ferry (SNF).The agreements are designed to provide optimal operational support in ensuring reliable and efficient performance for the ferries, each powered by four Wärtsilä 31 engines, which serve the Yokosuka and Shinmoji route.The two five-year agreements cover the ‘Hamayu’…
Alfa Laval Unveils New Ballast Water Management System
Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 Ultra is the latest ballast water management system (BWMS) built on proven PureBallast 3 technology. The system brings new advantages to the market’s most efficient UV treatment solution, from enhanced performance in challenging waters to further power savings and simpler installation. Deliveries of PureBallast 3 Ultra will begin in Q3 2025.“PureBallast 3 Ultra shows that Alfa Laval is here to stay,” sa Peter Sahlén, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast.
China's New Coast Guard Rules 'Worrisome', Says Philippines President
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday new rules outlined by China's coast guard that could result in the detention of foreigners in the South China Sea were an escalation and "worrisome".China, which has maritime sovereignty disputes with the Philippines and other countries, issued new rules effective June 15 that would enforce a 2021 coast guard law and allow detention of foreigners suspected of trespassing."The new policy of threatening to detain our own citizens…
Huisman Inks Deepwater Crane Supply Deal with Malaysia’s Oilfield Services Firm
Dutch company Huisman has secured its first contract from Coastal International Marine, part of Malaysia-based oil and gas services company Coastal Contracts, for the supply of deepwater Knuckle Boom Crane.The Knuckle Boom Crane has a lifting capacity of 100 mt and features a deepwater winch and active heave compensation.Huisman recently introduced its optimised KBC series, designed specifically for…
MAN Cryo to Design Hydrogen Supply for Norwegian Ferries
MAN Cryo has been contracted by Torghatten Nord A/S, the Norwegian ferry company, to work on a project encompassing the design and engineering of two hydrogen-powered newbuild RoPax ferries. The project stems from a Norwegian government initiative for major vessels operating on the challenging mainland-Lofoten Islands crossing to become emission-free.MAN Cryo will provide the detail design for bunkering systems, hydrogen piping and vent masts for the vessels.
Unified Command Continues to Clear Key Bridge Wreckage
These new photos, courtesy of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command, show the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the shrinking amount of steel wreckage remaining in Baltimore’s Fort McHenry Federal Channel.Unified Command cleared a 400-foot-wide swath of the federal channel May 20, permitting all pre-collapse, deep-draft commercial vessels transit of the Port of Baltimore.Unified Command continues to clear wreckage from the bottom of the Patapsco River…
MSC 108 Revises Autonomous Ship Roadmap
The Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO met for its 108th session at IMO Headquarters in London from May 15 to 24, and its outcomes included revising the roadmap for the development of a code to regulate autonomous ships (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships - MASS).The Committee approved the report of the third session of the Joint MSC-LEG-FAL Working Group on MASS (MASS-JWG 3) and noted the significant progress made to date to develop the draft MASS Code…
SITA Enters Maritime Industry with SmartSea IT Systems
Technology provider for the air transport industry, SITA, has launched its SmartSea IT system through an initial agreement with Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM).With 75 years of experience, SITA serves 95% of international destinations in the air travel industry, and over 2,500 airlines, airports, ground handlers and governments all working closely with the company. More than 70 governments and all G20 nations trust SITA solutions…
The OCEAN Project Releases Free Navigation Training Videos
The Operator-Centred Enhancement of Awareness in Navigation Project, known as OCEAN Project, in collaboration with The Nautical Institute, has released a series of seven free training videos that address evolving gaps in navigational awareness and maritime safety.The OCEAN Project is an initiative funded by the European Union, focused on augmenting navigator’s capabilities to improve safety, reduce…
DNV Advises on Port State Control Campaigns
DNV has issued advice on current developments in Port State Control (PSC) inspections and focus campaigns in China, Australia, and the US. The advice includes:The China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) has implemented a stricter monitoring of vessels meeting any of the following criteria:• Vessel has been detained twice within the last 12 months, irrespective of the place of detention.• Vessel has been penalized twice in 12 consecutive months for serious violations…
BOEM Finalizes Environmental Review of Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Research Lease
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released its Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) of an offshore wind research lease in the Gulf of Maine. In October 2021, the state of Maine requested a research lease for the purpose of researching floating offshore wind energy technology and its deployment. The research site lies 28 nautical miles off the coast of Maine, roughly southeast of Portland…
Marflet Marine Opts for Sail Retrofit
Spain-based Marflet Marine has signed a contract with bound4blue for the installation of four 22m eSAILs® on the 49,999dwt oil and chemical tanker Santiago I.The contract, with installation in mid-2025, makes Marflet the first Spanish merchant fleet owner to adopt a wind auxiliary power system. It marks a further landmark development for bound4blue’s fully autonomous suction sail eSAIL® technology…
When War Risk becomes War Reality: Growing Insurance Complexity
Marine insurers and legal practitioners are grappling with unresolved challenges even two years after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. The conflict had brought chaos “not only in the lives of those in the region, but for the maritime industry trying to make sense of the shock,” said Burkhard Fischer, 2023-24 chairman of the Association of Average Adjusters, in his address to the body’s annual conference in London on May 9…
U.S. Gulf Coast Imports of Straight-Run Fuel Oil at Record
Imports of straight-run fuel oil (SRFO) to the U.S Gulf Coast were set to climb to record levels this month as Mideast and African suppliers ramped up exports and U.S. refiners scrambled for heavy feedstocks, according to data from ship tracker Kpler.The increased imports of SRFO, a feedstock processed through secondary refining units and turned into products like gasoline and diesel, have helped fill a gap in heavy crude availability facing U.S.
Bulker Damaged near Yemen by Two Missile Attacks
A bulk carrier already taking on water after a Houthi missile attack off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday has reported further damage from a second strike, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Tuesday.Maritime security and shipping sources earlier in day identified vessel as the Marshall Islands-flagged Laax.Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks in the Red Sea region since November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians.
Orsted, New Jersey Reach Settlement Over Canceled Offshore Wind Farms
New Jersey officials said the state will receive $125 million from a legal settlement with Denmark's Orsted ORSTED.CO over the company's cancellation last year of two offshore wind farm projects.The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said in a statement that the funds will be used for investments in wind component manufacturing facilities and wind farms.The settlement comes nearly seven months after Orsted said it would stop developing the Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects off the coast of New Jerse
Armada Raises $3.2 Million In Seed Funding
Armada Technologies announced the close of its seed funding round, raising a total of $3.2 million, including contributions from both strategic partners and traditional financial investors to advance eco-friendly maritime solutions.Cool Company Management Ltd. (CoolCo) a strategic partner within the liquefied natural gas (LNG) space, is to part-fund Armada equipment that will be installed on its vessels with this seed round. Ecochlor, Inc.
First Caterpillar Methanol Dual-fuel Engines to Deploy in 2026
Caterpillar Marine announced plans to deploy its first set of field demonstrator methanol dual-fuel 3500E marine engines in 2026.Cat 3500E marine engines will utilize innovative dual-fuel technology that leverages proven diesel fuel systems and supports vessels’ low-pressure – below 10 bar – fuel systems. The methanol dual-fuel Cat 3500E engine targets the same performance and durability as the current…
