MOL to Consolidate Business Units to Form Maritime Technical Hub
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced plans to merge its three subsidiaries focused on maritime technology and engineering to form a professional technical hub focused on maritime industry and decarbonization.In an absorption merger move, MOL will unite MOL Marine & Engineering (MOLMEC), MOL Ocean Expert, and MOL Ship Tech, effective April 1, 2025, with MOLMEC as the surviving company.The new company…
Sea1 Offshore Secures Work for AHTS Fleet in Australia
Norwegian offshore vessel owner Sea1 Offshore, formerly Siem Offshore, has secured a multi-well project for three anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels in Australia.The contract begins in second to third quarter of 2025, for a firm period of around 380 days up to 670 days per vessel.No additional details have been revealed, but Sea1 Offshore said the vessels will be servicing a consortium of local operators with various drilling and decommissioning projects.One of the vessels will be from Vi
Chartwell Marine Expands into APAC
UK naval architecture company Chartwell Marine has announced its expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region with the hire of Fabien Lecuona.Lecuona brings over 13 years of experience in APAC maritime and has worked in multiple industries throughout his career, including maritime electronics and engine manufacturing. Within his new role, Lecuona will focus on business development, fostering industry partnerships and promoting Chartwell Marine’s innovative and low-carbon vessel designs.
RED II Compliance Demonstrated for Potential Compressed Hydrogen Supply Chain
Provaris Energy has released preliminary results for meeting Europe’s Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) emissions standards for its bulk hydrogen shipping concept based on its proprietary H2Neo carrier sailing between Norway and Germany.Implemented in December 2018, RED II sets stringent emissions standards aimed at fostering the use of renewable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the European Union.
East Coast Port Strike Ends
U.S. dock workers and port operators have reached a tentative deal that will immediately end a three-day strike that has shut down shipping on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) union and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) said on Thursday.The tentative agreement is for a wage hike of around 62% over six years, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Three Shipyards Expected to Compete for Washington State Ferries Vessel Construction Contracts
Three shipyards have expressed interest in building a long-awaited series of new hybrid-electric car and passenger vessels for Washington State Ferries (WSF).Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash.; Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla. and Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia have sent pre-qualification packages after WSF earlier this year invited shipbuilders to bid, Washington State Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey…
Bollinger to Build Seventh US Navy Berthing Barge
Bollinger Shipyards has been awarded a contract to build the U.S. Navy’s seventh Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL 73) Class berthing and messing barge. The contract award is for a fixed-price option for the detail design and construction of the vessel. "We’re honored to be entrusted by the U.S. Navy to continue building these critical vessels that improve the quality of life for our sailors,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards.
BAE Systems Awarded $92 Million to Build Propulsors for US Navy Submarines
BAE Systems announced it has been awarded a $92 million U.S. Navy contract to continue building propulsors for the Virginia-class submarine program. Under this contract, BAE Systems will deliver the Propulsor Forward Assemblies, as well as design engineering support services and support and sustainment hardware.“During the more than three decades that BAE Systems has manufactured propulsors for the U.S.
Hornblower Names Michelle Manson Chief People Officer
Hornblower Group announced it has named Michelle Mason as its new chief people officer, responsible for the global human resources strategy to support Hornblower’s 5,000-plus employees worldwide.Joining Hornblower Group’s executive team and reporting to CEO Mike Flaskey, Mason brings more than 25 years of experience in HR and strategic consulting services for international corporations. She joins Hornblower from Kinetic Consulting and following a decades-long career with Procter & Gamble.
CTVs: Future-proofing Today’s Offshore Wind Solutions
The first commercial application of Volvo Penta’s IPS Professional Platform will power Northern Offshore Services’ next-gen crew transfer vessel. Longtime collaborators Volvo Penta and N-O-S aim to more than satisfy the unique requirements of a possible 25x increase in offshore wind production.Upon arrival in Gothenburg, an observant visitor quickly realizes that Sweden is one of the cleanest places on earth.
Marine Industry Faces 2026 Deadline for Fluorine-free Foam
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has been used to extinguish fires aboard maritime vessels since its introduction in the 1960s. For decades, AFFF was the foam of choice due to its effectiveness and affordability. However, over the last 15 years, its use has come under increased scrutiny due to health concerns related to its fluorinated materials.In 2009, international restrictions were introduced when perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid (PFOS)…
Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Dips 1.9%
Shipments of iron ore from U.S. ports on the Great Lakes totaled 5.5 million tons in September, a decrease of 1.9% compared to a year ago, according to latest figures from industry trade group the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA). Shipments were above the month’s 5-year average by 6.6%.Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 36.5 million tons, a decrease of less than 1% compared to the same point in 2023…
Satellite-based Solution Helps to Prevent Ship Groundings in Coastal Waters
Recent incidents of naval and commercial vessels running aground have underscored the inherent risks of operating in shallow and poorly charted coastal waters. A solution from Denver-based TCarta Marine utilizes Earth observation satellites to deliver precise water depth measurements in near-shore areas.“While the exact causes of recent ship groundings off the coasts of Oman, Greenland, and Fiji are under investigation and often complex…
Ships Queue at US Ports as Dockworker Strike Enters Third Day
Long lines of container ships lined up outside major U.S. ports on Thursday as the biggest dockworker strike in nearly half a century entered its third day, preventing unloading and threatening shortages of everything from bananas to auto parts.No negotiations were scheduled between the International Longshoremen's Association and employers, but the port owners, under pressure from the White House to hike their pay offer to land a deal…
ABS Issues AIP for Japanese LCO2 Carrier Designs
ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to leading Japanese companies at Gastech 2024 for two liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier designs with Type-C cargo tanks that do not require performing post-weld-heat-treatment based on the demonstration of an engineering critical assessment.ABS reviewed the drawings based on class and statutory requirements for the two designs, a 50K cubic meter carrier and a 23K cubic meter carrier…
Greece Joins Clean Energy Marine Hubs Project
The Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) project has welcomed the government of Greece, a nation that represents 20% of global shipping.The initiative aims to accelerate and de-risk the production, transport and use of low-carbon fuels that will be transported by shipping for the world.Greece joins the governments of Brazil, UAE, Canada, Norway, Uruguay and Panama, as supporters of this first of its kind cross sectoral public-private platform.Other new partners include ABS…
Prepare for Attack: Houthis Issue Email Alert to Shipping Fleets
On a warm spring night in Athens, shortly before midnight, a senior executive at a Greek shipping company noticed an unusual email had landed in his personal inbox.The message, which was also sent to the manager's business email address, warned that one of the company's vessels travelling through the Red Sea was at risk of being attacked by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militia.The Greek-managed ship…
Serious Injury: “Accidents Happen When People Don’t Communicate”
New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its report into the injury of a crew member on the bulk carrier Poavosa Brave on June 23, 2023.The vessel was at anchor outside Tauranga Harbour, preparing to load logs. An on-board crane was hoisting stanchions (vertical posts for securing logs on the main deck) when the crane's block struck an able seaman. The seaman was…
Turkish Ship to Begin Oil Search off Somalia
A Turkish seismic research vessel plans to arrive off the coast of Somalia at the end of October and begin searching for oil and natural gas, after the countries agreed on energy cooperation, Turkey's energy ministry said on Thursday.The March agreement envisaged oil exploration and production and allowed Turkish Petroleum to obtain licenses for three areas in the Somali seas.The ship Oruc Reis will explore in areas covering approximately 5…
Singapore High-sulphur Bunker Fuel Premiums Soar
Spot premiums for 380-cst high-sulphur marine fuel at Singapore, the world's largest bunker hub, have surged due to the tight supply available for prompt deliveries, market sources said.The price strength for the fuel, which is used to power ships, has been keeping refuelling costs high for vessels calling at Singapore and other ports in the region.Delivery dates in the first half of October could command premiums of over $60 a metric ton to Singapore cargo quotes this week…