ABS Expands Singapore Footprint
Increasing demand from shipowners for ABS services in Singapore has prompted ABS to invest in an expanded regional head office housing research and development capabilities.The Science Park Drive facility will also include a new Operation Support Center to support expanded remote survey capabilities in the Pacific region.“ABS has been investing in ensuring our capabilities in Singapore are cutting edge and able to support our clients’ rapidly evolving needs.
Castoldi Turbodrive Waterjets Chosen for Patrol Vessels
Italian waterjet systems company Castoldi has announced recent successful sea trials for two patrol vessels equipped with dual installations of the latest Castoldi Turbodrive 400 HCT waterjets.One newbuidings has been built for the Italian Coastguard, the other for fisheries patrol duties in the North Sea, Germany.The new 16-meter patrol vessel for the Italian Coastguard recently exceeded its design brief in an early sea trial, said Giacomo Castoldi, owner at Castoldi.
TBS Safety and NeboFleet Team Up to Automate Workboat Log Books
TBS Safety has partnered with NeboFleet, a leader in high-frequency GPS tracking solutions for workboats and barges, to provide fleet operators with highly accurate voyage tracking designed to increase operational efficiency.“Location tracking is critical, but maritime businesses need more — they need data that drives decisions and information that increases efficiency across the fleet,” said NeboFleet’s Stephen Winter.
Maritime Laboratory Established at University of Osaka
The University of Osaka, in collaboration with Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corporation, ClassNK and MTI will establish the Open Collaboration Laboratory for Enabling Advanced Marine Systems (OCEANS) at the University of Osaka in April 2025.Nihon Shipyard (NYS), a sales and design company owned by Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU), will also participate in…
DNV Maritime Appoints New Global Cruise Segment Director
DNV has appointed Robert Galinski as Global Cruise Segment Director, with effect from January 1, 2025.“We are pleased to welcome Robert Galinski back to DNV,” says Trond Hodne, Business Director, DNV Maritime. “His extensive experience and strong industry relationships will be instrumental as we continue to further strengthen our position in the cruise sector. His leadership will play a vital role…
LNG Critical to Energy Transition Says Lloyd’s Register
Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) latest Fuel for Thought report states that LNG remains the dominant alternative marine fuel readily available to the shipping industry. The report highlights LNG’s growing adoption, its cost-effectiveness under tightening emissions regulations and the urgent need to address methane slip to ensure its future as a viable low-carbon fuel.Fuel for Thought: LNG reveals a significant resurgence in orders for LNG-capable vessels…
Eni, Fincantieri and RINA Assess Alternative Fuel Trajectories
Eni, Fincantieri and RINA have produced a new report: “Sustainable Maritime Transport Outlook” which is focused on the maritime sector and developed with the technical support of Bain & Company Italy.The study aims to contribute to accelerating the decarbonization of the maritime transport sector, in line with the Net Zero target for 2050. It forms part of the broader framework of the agreement signed on March 25…
DOE Removes Barriers for LNG Export Commencement Date Extensions
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has rescinded a Biden-era policy statement that required authorized LNG exporters to meet stringent criteria before the agency would consider a request to extend a commencement date for an approved project.This policy statement added unnecessary red tape to the extensive LNG export permitting process and made it more difficult for operators of approved projects to obtain necessary extensions…
Methanol Tops March Orders for Alternative Fueled Vessels
Latest figures from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform indicate that a total of 25 new orders were placed for alternative-fueled vessels in March 2025.Methanol was the biggest activity driver, accounting for 12 of these new orders. This was spread across diverse segments, with cruise vessels and car carriers accounting for three each, one offshore vessel, one bulk carrier, and the remainder crude oil/chemical tankers.Seven orders were placed for LNG-fueled vessels…
Conrad Industries Announces Positive 2024 Results
Conrad Industries, Inc. has announced its 2024 results and backlog, reporting a net income of $11.2 million and income per diluted share of $2.24 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 compared to net loss of $27.0 million and loss per diluted share of $5.39 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2023.The company’s backlog as of December 31, 2024 was $293.8 million, compared to $253.8 million at December 31…
AI Technology Targets Enhanced Naval Escort Safety
To ensure safe passage, high-value assets such as Navy aircraft carriers require escorts when entering or exiting crowded harbors. The Perception Autonomy for Vessel Escorts (PAVE) system from Charles River Analytics automates the process to reduce the number of people required and increase the speed for each mission.The company has now won a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract…
Marshall Islands Sets Record for QUALSHIP 21 Recognition
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry’s long-term and consistent commitment to high quality shipping continues to be recognized by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). For the 21st consecutive year, the RMI remains a qualifying jurisdiction. It is the only one of the world’s three largest registries to achieve QUALSHIP 21 for this year and the only registry in the world to achieve 21 consecutive years.“Our focus on compliance goes beyond statistics and requirements…
NYK President Says US Tariffs Will Slow Cargo Flows
Nippon Yusen (NYK), Japan's largest shipping line, is concerned that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs could push up the cost of automobiles and daily goods, denting consumer demand and slowing cargo flows, its president said."The tariffs are not directly borne by consumers, but the burden ultimately falls on them, which in turn reduces the actual flow of goods. That's our biggest concern," President…
Low Water Hampers Rhine Shipping
Low water levels after recent dry weather are preventing cargo vessels from sailing fully loaded on the Rhine River in Germany with surcharges added to the usual freight rates, commodity traders said on Tuesday.Low water is hampering shipping on all of the river south of Duisburg and Cologne, including the chokepoint of Kaub, traders said.At Kaub, cargo vessels can only sail about 50% full.Shallow…
Baltic Index Down for Sixth Straight Session
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index, which monitors rates for vessels moving dry bulk commodities, fell for a sixth straight session on Tuesday, pressured by lower rates across all vessel segments.The main index .BADI, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax, and supramax shipping vessels, was down 11 points at 1,587, its lowest since March 12.The capesize index .BACI fell 25 points to 2…
Venezuela's Oil Exports Fall After US Imposes More Tariffs
Venezuela's exports of crude oil and fuel fell 11.5% in March as Washington's imposition of secondary tariffs and the cancellation of key licenses to operate in the U.S.-sanctioned energy sector led to delays and cargo suspensions, according to ship tracking data and documents.U.S. President Donald Trump's administration last week announced a 25% tariff to buyers of Venezuelan crude and gas, which will begin this week…
Austal Benefiting from Trump Policies
U.S. President Donald Trump's policies that have rattled stocks around the world are benefiting Australian shipbuilder Austal, analysts said on Wednesday.Shares of the company, which supplies defence and commercial vessels to the Australian and U.S. navies among other clients, surged 35% in the three months ending March, clocking their best quarterly gains in nearly two years since June 2023.In contrast…
