Tip #60 - AI & Maritime Trainers ... "Watch Your Back ... " [Part II]
Training Tips for Ships [#60]Last month’s Training Tips for Ships discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the future of maritime training. My thoughts on this were triggered by the recent headline in the Financial Times: “Andreessen Horowitz raises $7.2bn and sets sights on AI start-ups“. Andreessen Horowitz is one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firms and they are seeing fit to deeply invest in the burgeoning AI revolution.
Blue World Wraps Up Trials of 200kW Green Methanol Maritime Fuell Cell System
Denmark-based Blue World Technologies has completed the testing of the world’s first 200 kW high-temperature PEM fuel cell module, exceeding performance expectation of the system which aims to contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime industry.The test was completed at the newly established test facilities in connection to the Blue Aalborg Factory, where the fuel cells for the system are produced.
Chris-Marine and Veracity by DNV Partner
Chris-Marine AB announced a strategic partnership with Veracity by DNV which integrates Trust-Ocean, Chris-Marine’s performance and emissions monitoring solution, with Veracity, a maritime emissions cloud from DNV."Integrating Trust-Ocean with DNV's maritime emissions cloud, Veracity, reduces the risk of low-quality data and improves data transparency," said Jens Groth, CEO, Chris-Marine AB. "This enhances sustainability for our customers…
Chinese Shipbuilder Hires GTT to Design Tanks for 10 Verly Large LNG Carriers
French engineering company GTT has secured an order from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding for the tank design of 10 new very large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.GTT will design the tanks for these ten very large LNG carriers, which will each offer five tanks with a total capacity of 271,000 m3.The value of the contract was not disclosed.The tanks will be fitted with the NO96 Super+ membrane containment…
DOF Group’s Skandi Seven FSV Up for Long-Term Assignment
Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with an undisclosed energy company for its Skandi Seven field support vessel (FSV).The LOI entails a two-year firm and one-year optional contract. The contract is defined as very large, excluding optional period and additional services, though additional details were not revealed.Under the contract, DOF plans to mobilize Skandi Seven.
Ship Recycling Market Faces Tight Squeeze
Across the industry this week, the ongoing and disastrous state of affairs in both Bangladesh and Pakistan on opposite ends, coupled with the onset of the customarily slower summer / monsoon months, has increasingly descended the Indian sub-continent ship recycling markets into a tighter squeeze, reports cash buyer GMS.India too shuffles through the impact of its recent election results, and Turkey…
International Day of the Seafarer Spotlights Safety
On June 25, the International Day of the Seafarer, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez pays tribute to the two million seafarers who keep global markets functioning and supply chains going.In a video message to seafarers, Dominguez said: “Seafarers have been sorely tested in recent years – facing hostile acts from piracy or in conflict zones. I humbly acknowledge seafarers’ resilience and sacrifice in the name of work.” United Nations Secretary-General…
MLC 65% Effective Says SRI
New research from SRI, the international pan-industry body researching maritime and seafarers’ law, concludes that the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is not being strictly and evenly enforced on a global basis. The findings identify substantial achievements in the enforcement of the MLC but also identify significant gaps - very approximately estimated to indicate that implementation and enforcement of the MLC is achieving a success rate of around 65%.Deirdre Fitzpatrick…
Singapore Spill: Removal of Bulk Oil Near Completion
The removal of bulk oil from the sea and beaches in Singapore is nearly complete after the Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour was hit by Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima on June 14.The Singapore MPA reports that there has been no observed oil slick along the East Coast and Changi since June 18 based on both satellite and drone images. The bulk of oil-soaked sand has been removed from most of the affected public beaches, with the exception of Tanjong and Palawan beach at Sentosa.
Keel Authenticated for Future USNS Sojourner Truth
The keel for the future USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210), a John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, was authenticated at General Dynamics NASSCO, June 21.The ship is named for human rights pioneer Sojourner Truth, an abolitionist and women’s rights activist.The ship sponsor is Marian Wright Edelman, civil rights trailblazer and Founder and President Emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.“The future USNS Sojourner Truth will aid in expanding refueling capability at sea…
NTSB Inspecting Key Components from Containership Dali
The National Transportation Safety Board said on Monday it is inspecting key electrical components that were removed from the cargo ship Dali that crashed into a Maryland bridge in March, killing six people and destroying the Patapsco River crossing.In May, the NTSB said the Dali lost electrical power several times before the crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, including experiencing a blackout…
Southern Devall Names Verloka Director of Cargo Stewardship & Fleet Allocation
Sulphur, La. based marine transportation company Southern Devall announced it has appointed Andrey Verloka as its new director of cargo stewardship and fleet allocation.“In his new role, Andrey will be instrumental in ensuring that our cargo operations are executed flawlessly according to customer instructions whileminimizing risks to both cargo and equipment,” said Alfred Devall, executive vice president…
Bollinger Launches 'Shipfitter Bootcamp'
Bollinger Shipyards recently kicked off its inaugural Shipfitter Bootcamp, a workforce development initiative alongside Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), the South Mississippi Planning & Development District and AccelerateMS that will recruit, hire, and train the next generation of skilled shipbuilders. Through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, students will learn the essential functions that are required to become a Shipfitter in a 14-week program.
US Says It Destroyed Three Houthi Vessels in Red Sea
U.S. forces destroyed three Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea in the past 24 hours, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday.Separately, the Houthis launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Gulf of Aden but there were no injuries or significant damage reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels, CENTCOM added.The U.S. military's Central Command…
Marinfloc: Safe and Future-proof Wastewater Treatment
As the maritime industry prepares for the revision of MEPC 107(49) in 2025, many manufacturers of bilge water separators are facing the challenge of redesigning their concepts to adapt to a new reality. This is particularly challenging for ships with dual fuels.However, wastewater treatment solutions company Marinfloc says it stands in a league of its own with future-ready products that have been setting industry standards since 1996.Since its inception…
Laborde Products Opens New Facility in Paducah
Laborde Products recently opened a new operational facility in Paducah, Ky., in a move that aims to enhance the company's capacity to provide parts and service support for Mitsubishi engines and other power products to the upriver market.Located at the confluence of the Tennessee and the Ohio rivers, halfway between St. Louis and Nashville, Paducah is a hub for U.S. inland river shipping.By establishing a presence in the upriver market…
Amogy's Converted Tug Gearing Up for Ammonia Test Run
A 67-year-old tugboat being converted to run on Amogy's cleaner-burning ammonia-to-power technology will soon be put to the test in upstate New York.The105-foot tug, originally built in 1957 and recently renamed NH3 Kraken, will be the first vessel globally fitted with the innovative, carbon-free power system, developed by Amogy to reduce emissions from hard to abate sectors such as maritime.The conversion project currently underway at Feeney Shipyard in Kingston, N.Y.
Carnival Raises Annual Profit Forecast—Again
Carnival Corp raised its annual profit forecast on Tuesday for the second time this year, banking on higher prices for its itineraries and sustained demand for cruise holidays to destinations such as the Caribbean and Alaska.The company's U.S.-listed shares, which have fallen more than 11% this year, rose 4.3% to $17.05 in premarket trading.2024 has been a record year for cruise operators, with booking…
Hydrogen-Hybrid Research Vessel Earns AIP
Glosten was awarded an Approval in Principle (AIP) by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the design of UC San Diego’s new hydrogen-hybrid Coastal-Class Research Vessel (CCRV). The CCRV will be operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography and feature a propulsion system that uses hydrogen fuel cells for zero-emissions operation.Glosten and the project’s electrical integrator, Siemens Energy (SE), completed the preliminary design for the CCRV in March 2024.
China Cracks Down on Shipping of Illicit Drugs at Ports
Chinese authorities have seized 4.5 tons of illicit drugs at border ports so far this year leading to 381 arrests, state media said on Tuesday, amid new efforts to fight trafficking and high-level counternarcotics talks between Washington and Beijing.The United States, where fentanyl abuse has been a major cause of death, has pushed China for deeper law enforcement cooperation, including further controls on the chemicals used to make fentanyl and which are often shipped from China, experts say.W