Glamox Wins Repeat Car Carrier Lighting Order
Lighting company Glamox has won contracts to light four additional Aurora Class vessels, owned and operated by Höegh Autoliners.This latest order follows a contract in October 2022 to provide marine LED lighting for the first eight Aurora Class vessels.Each pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) is designed to carry 9,100 cars. These new multi-fuel vessels can operate on ammonia. They have specially strengthened…
US Coast Guard Terminates IT Program
The US Coast Guard has terminated the Logistics Information Management System (CG-LIMS).In a statement it said, the action is an early milestone in the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 (FD 2028) initiative and advances the work of DOGE. It aims to fulfil the President’s direction to maximize efficiencies and cost savings.“Program activities will end no later than May 1, 2025, and are the result of the program’s inability to deliver on its full requirements in the foreseeable future.
Port of Barcelona Takes Delivery of All-Electric Ferry
The Port of Barcelona's newest all-electric commuter ferry, the Ecocat Tres, has been delivered with an electric propulsion system by Molabo.Built by Metaltec Naval, the 15-meter aluminum catamaran transports 84 people and features a rooftop deck for additional seating. The vessel operates at least 12 hours per day, running every 15 to 30 minutes for a 10-minute journey between stops. The electric propulsion system, powered by two ARIES i50 Molabo motors, enables a top speed of 12 knots.
Float Hotel Planned for Cardiff
Meyer Floating Solutions and Morfield Floating Hotels have unveiled plans to bring a floating hotel to Cardiff Bay, Wales.Developed in collaboration with Spicer Architects, the 120-room, non-self-propelled floating hotel will be delivered to a dedicated berth in Roath Basin.The vessel’s architecture combines regional character with contemporary design to offer a unique waterfront experience for leisure…
Moroccan Fertilizer Company Partners with Maersk on Supply Chain Innovation
Morocco-based OCP Group, through its Specialty Products & Solutions (SPS) Strategic Business Unit, and Maersk, have signed a global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly advance innovative, resilient, and sustainable supply chain solutions.The agreement includes ocean and inland transportation, logistics services, digitalised supply chain management, educational programs and ambitious sustainability…
Line Thrower Extends Wind Vessel Capabilities
Pneumatic Line Thrower (PLT®) specialist Restech is offering service operation vessel (SOV) owners in the wind industry a preview of a new system developed to satisfy rising demands for flexibility in towing and mooring operations.A scale model of an innovative Remote Launcher TI will be on display on the VIKING Life-Saving Equipment stand (EC-40) at WindEurope 2025, held at Copenhagen’s Bella Center, April 8-10.
Stella Maris Calls for Action on Shore Leave
The Fifth Meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee established under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) is taking place at the ILO headquarters in Geneva from April 7-11, and maritime charity Stella Maris UK is calling for urgent protections to stop seafarers being forced to choose between shore leave and adequate rest.“This should never be a choice,” said Tim Hill, CEO of Stella Maris UK. “But for many crew, it’s an unacceptable reality.
BV Appoints New Head of Passenger Ships and Yachts for North America
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has appointed Stefano Colonna as the new Head of Passenger Ships and Yachts for the North American region.With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the passenger ships and yachting industries, Colonna has held prominent roles, including Vice President of Service for North and South America at NAVIM Group, overseeing Quality Assurance and Certifications…
Watch: Allure of the Seas Upgrade
Royal Caribbean has launched a video showing the newly amplified Allure of the Seas, which is setting sail in the Mediterranean in April 2025 after a $100 million transformation. New features include the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, resort-style pools and a 10-story dry slide.Pool Days – Resort-style pools are at the center of the action on the reimagined Caribbean pool deck, along with a wide variety of shaded seating and lounging options, such as swim-up lounge chairs and more.
Procedural and Safety Failures Implicit in High-Voltage Panel Fatality
The US Coast Guard has released its report into the death of a crewmember onboard the Red Stag while moored at the Adriatic Marine Dock, in Port Fourchon, LA, on October 14, 2023. The incident occurred when an unqualified engineer (UE) opened the panel for the mud pump system and touched the high voltage conductors containing 480 volts.The 184-foot OSV moored at the dock the previous day with a crew consisting of a Master, Relief Captain and three crewmembers.
Stevens Towing Announces New Leadership Team
Stevens Towing Company, a fourth-generation, family-owned company, has announced several key leadership promotions.Bos Smith has been promoted to Vice President. With more than 36 years of dedicated service to Stevens Towing, Smith has been instrumental in driving growth and maintaining strong client relationships. His extensive knowledge of the company and maritime industry have made him an invaluable…
Nichols Brothers to Build Hybrid San Francisco Bay Ferries
Ice Floe, LLC, doing business as Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB), has been awarded a contract by San Francisco Bay Ferry to design and construct two 400-passenger battery-electric ferries as part of the agency’s Rapid Electric Emission Free (REEF) Ferry Program.The 142’-1” x 34’-9” Subchapter K vessels will operate at 25 knots, serving central bay routes that seamlessly connect Oakland and Alameda…
US Coast Guard Interdicts Suspected Smuggling Vessel off San Diego
Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Terrell Horne (WPC 1131), with support from the USS Spruance (DDG 111) and Department of Homeland Security partners interdicted a suspected maritime smuggling vessel carrying eight Mexican nationals approximately 27 miles west of San Diego, on Saturday.At approximately 11 p.m. Friday, a CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) aircraft detected an estimated 40-foot…
Russian Court Lifts Suspension on Transneft Oil Berth
A Russian court overturned on Monday a decision by a regulator to suspend the operation of an oil berth at the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk controlled by Transneft, an industry source told Reuters.Transneft said last week it had suspended mooring number 8 at Novorossiisk for 90 days after a snap inspection by a transport watchdog.The Novorossiisk Commercial Sea Port (NCSP) is one of Russia's largest…
Stillstrom and Panama Canal to Explore Offshore Charging Technology
Stillstrom by Maersk and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the implementation of Stillstrom’s offshore charging technology to reduce emissions from vessels idling in and around the Panama Canal.Handling approximately 14,000 vessels annually, the Panama Canal is a critical artery of global commerce. The Canal’s strategic position makes it a focal point for maritime sustainability…
ZIM: New Long-Term Chartering Agreements for Ten 11,500 TEU LNG Dual-Fueled Vessels
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. announced new agreements for the long-term charter of ten 11,500 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels, with total charter hire consideration of approximately $2.3 billion to serve across ZIM's various global trades.Seven of the vessels will be chartered to ZIM by Containers Ventures Holdings Inc., an affiliate of the TMS Group, and three will be chartered to ZIM by a shipping company that is affiliated with Kenon Holdings…
Huntington Ingalls, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Form Shipbuilding Alliance
U.S.-based military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) today to explore opportunities to collaborate on accelerating ship production in support of defense and commercial shipbuilding projects.This strategic partnership aims to leverage the combined expertise and resources of both companies to advance technological innovation…
Fincantieri to Build Two Cruise Ships for Carnival’s AIDA Cruises
Fincantieri has signed an agreement with Carnival Corporation, valued over $2 billion, for the design and construction of two new cruise ships for AIDA Cruises.This marks the first time that Fincantieri will build cruise ships for AIDA Cruises, thus reinforcing its strategic partnership with Carnival Corporation.The units are scheduled for delivery in early 2030 and late 2031. Each will feature approximately 2…
New Zealand Ups Defense Spending to 2% of GDP
New Zealand said on Monday it would boost defense spending by NZ$9 billion ($5 billion) over the next four years, and aim to nearly double spending to 2% as a share of GDP in the next eight years, at a time of rapidly growing tension worldwide.The details came in remarks by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who called for more spending on defense to ensure prosperity."New Zealand and our allies and partners across the world are no longer in a benign environment…
NYK Orders Dual-fuel Methanol VLCC
On April 4, NYK concluded a contract for the construction and charter of a very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) equipped with a dual-fuel methanol main engine, a first for the NYK VLCC fleet.The vessel, which will feature a large shaft generator, will be constructed by Nippon Shipyard and engaged in a long-term charter for Idemitsu Tanker.The Malaccamax VLCC was designed in collaboration with Idemitsu Tanker…
