DNV to Publish New Offshore Rules and Standards in July
Classification society DNV said it is set to publish its new set of rules and standards for the offshore industry.The new rules, which cover several segments, including underwater systems and installations, offshore units, diving systems, structural design, and drilling systems, will be published in July and enter into force on January 1, 2025. They have been developed with extensive industry feedback…
Bean Tapped to Succeed Ian Gooch as London P&I Club CEO
The London P&I Club said that Ian Gooch will be stepping down during the year from the role of CEO after 15 years as CEO and 21 years as a Director of A.Bilbrough & Co., the company that manages The London P&I Club.Subject to regulatory approval, Ian Gooch will be succeeded by James Bean, from NorthStandard P&I Club.A qualified Solicitor, Bean has worked within the marine insurance industry since 2005 and was appointed to the NorthStandard’s senior leadership team in February 2023.
Ripple and Marine Learning Systems Merge
Maritime software brands Ripple and Marine Learning Systems are joining forces, coming together under a single brand focused on crew training and marine operations.The firms, both acquired by technology holding company Bleecker Street Group in 2023, have merged to become Ripple Operations.Post-merger, the new entity will provide human capital management, crew operations, training, learning and development solutions to maritime operators…
FMD to Supply Retrofit Kits for US Navy Warship Engine Upgrades
Fairbanks Morse Defense announced it has received a purchase order from Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of America's largest shipbuilder, HII, to deliver an FM PC2.5 STC common rail technology retrofit kit, which will upgrade existing PC2.5 STC engines currently installed on the U.S. Navy's U.S. Navy San Antonio-class landing platform dock (LPD) ships.According to FMD, its common rail fuel injection technology maximizes performance through enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
Finnlines Adopts Graphene-based Hard Foul Release Hull Coating
Finnlines has turned to a innovative graphene-based hard foul release hull coating to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across its ro-ro and ro-pax fleets.After starting with its first vessel in 2022, the Finnish shipping company has already applied GIT Coatings' XGIT-FUEL low-friction hull coating to four vessels as part of a recently signed fleet agreement, reducing fuel consumption and emissions by around 7% compared to previously used coating.Over the past decade…
Valaris Jack-up Using AI for Man Overboard Detection
A Valaris jack-up drilling rig is using an AI-enabled intelligent detection and tracking solution to provide automated person overboard detection and alerts, marking the first time the cutting-edge technology has been deployed in the offshore oil and gas sector.Zelim's ZOE software was installed on board the Valaris Stavanger in February after the Edinburgh-based technology company worked with the drilling contractor to customize the solution for the specific requirements of jack-up vessels.
Last of Six New Tugs Delivered to Svitzer in Brazil
Marine towage provider Svitzer announced it has taken delivery of the final tug in a series of six built for its operations in Brazil.Built by Brazilian shipyard Rio Maguari, the new vessel Svitzer Babitonga is an Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboat from the 2300 Rampart Series, designed by Robert Allan Ltd. These sister vessels boast a top speed of 13 knots, an overall length of 23.2 meters, and a bollard pull of 70 tonnes.
German Warships Head to Indo-Pacific Amid China-Taiwan Tensions
Germany sent two warships to the Indo-Pacific region on Tuesday in a bid to strengthen its military presence in the region amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan and over the disputed South China Sea.Those tensions were putting pressure on the freedom of navigation and free passage on trade routes, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said at the northern German navy base in Wilhelmshaven.Some 40% of Europe's foreign trade flows through the South China Sea."Looking the other way…
Sapura Energy Lands $1.8B Petrobras Deal for Six Pipelaying Vessels and Subsea Services
Malaysia-based offshore services firm Sapura Energy has through its joint venture companies secured $1.8 billion worth of contracts with Brazil’s state-owned energy giant Petrobras for the provision of subsea services and six pipe-laying support vessels (PLSVs).Sapura Energy has through the joint ventures owned by Seabras Sapura Holding and Seabras Sapura Participações, in collaboration with Paratus Energy Services…
WinGD to Supply Engines for AET’s Ammonia-Fueled Aframax Tankers
Swiss marine power company WinGD has secured an order for its X‑DF‑A ammonia-fueled engines for what will be the world’s first ammonia dual-fuel Aframax tankers.Two vessels ordered by Singapore based ship owner and operator AET, a petroleum arm of Malaysia’s MISC Group, will be built at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry with six-cylinder X62DF-A engines, the newest addition to WinGD’s clean-fuel engine…
Escalated Middle East Conflict Could Hike Oil Price to $150/barrel, Bloomberg Finds
So far, the Israel-Hamas conflict has had limited impact on the global economy. However, an escalation to a direct war between Israel and Iran, could result in oil prices rising to $150 a barrel and global output cut by $1 trillion, according to a new analysis by Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) and Bloomberg Economics (BE).The new study from BI and BE – Middle East Energy Scenarios – looks in detail at four broad scenarios and their potential impact on global GDP and inflation…
Used Vehicle Lashing Belts being Recycled into Solid Fuel
NYK Line, NYK Trading Corporation, Azbil Yamatake Friendly and Kayama Kogyo have begun recycling vehicle lashing belts that have passed their expiration dates for use on NYK-operated car carriers.Azbil Yamatake Friendly collects the belts and separates the metal parts from the plastic lashing of the belts. Kayama Kogyo is then producing refuse-derived paper and plastics densified fuel (RPF fuel) from the plastic belts.
Inclinometers Readied for Dali Operations
Salvage crews within the Key Bridge Unified Command continue to prepare for the complex task of removing the large piece of bridge lying on top of the M/V Dali.Prior to removing the bridge piece, salvage teams must meticulously analyze and factor in numerous hazards and obstacles resulting from the bridge's impact. Crushed containers, hull damage, and weight shifts are among the critical considerations…
Taylor Smith Shipyard Partners with Nouum Engineering on Engine Overhauls
South African Nouum Engineering, a provider of diesel engine services for marine, power, locomotive and generators globally, and Mauritius-based ship repair and conversion yard Taylor Smith Shipyard (TSS) have signed a cooperation agreement, expanding both companies’ commercial and operational scopes.As a part of the agreement, Nouum Engineering will be focusing on the repair and maintenance of marine engines and related equipment…
Tanzanian LNG Project Delayed as Government Seeks to Change Terms
Negotiations for the development of Tanzania's $42 billion liquefied natural gas export plant have been delayed by proposed government changes to a financial agreement reached last year, a government spokesperson and two company sources said.The government and investors announced last May they had completed negotiations on the long-delayed project to unlock Tanzania's vast offshore gas resources.Equinor and Shell are joint operators while Exxon Mobil…
Middle East Marine Put on Blast for 'Worst Case of Serial Seafarer Abandonment Ever Seen'
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is calling out Dubai-based ship management company Middle East Marine LLC for what it described as "the worst case of serial seafarer abandonment ever seen", involving the systematic abuse and neglect of more than 100 seafarers.Since November 2022, the ITF has reported over 17 abandonments across 18 vessels in Bangladesh, India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
New EU Sanctions Could Hit Russian Shipping
The European Union would ban trans-shipment of Russian LNG, the use of EU ports by vessels transporting goods contributing to Russia's war effort and make EU operators more accountable for any sanctions violations, according to a text under discussion.The text seen by Reuters on Monday covers proposals that would constitute a 14th package of sanctions against Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine…
Maritime Partners, USCG Ink Design Basis Agreement for Innovative Hydrogen One Towboat
The developer of an innovative towboat engineered to run on hydrogen generator technology has signed a Design Basis Agreement (DBA) with the U.S. Coast Guard, helping to clear the regulatory path toward the vessel's eventual entry into service.The first-of-its-kind vessel, Hydrogen One, is being produced by Maritime Partners, the Metairie, La.-based maritime financing company that unveiled plans for the groundbreaking towboat in 2021.Designed by Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group…
Adm. Craig Faller to Chair Surface Navy Association Board
Retired Adm. Craig Faller has assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Surface Navy Association (SNA), a nonprofit promoting coordination and communication among military, business and academic communities with an interest in naval surface warfare and forces.Faller succeeds retired Adm. Vern Clark, who has been chairman since 2020.In addition to numerous ashore assignments including Chief of Naval Legislative Affairs…
Red Sea Disruption Could Cut Asia-Europe Capacity, Maersk Says
Disruption to Red Sea container shipping is rising, Maersk said on Monday, forecasting this will cut the industry's capacity between Asia and Europe by up to 20% in the second quarter.Maersk and other shipping companies have diverted vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope since December to avoid attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi militants in the Red Sea, with the longer voyage times pushing freight rates higher."The risk zone has expanded…
