Digitalization News

Fincantieri and Accenture have signed an agreement to establish Fincantieri Ingenium, a new joint venture created to accelerate digital transformation across the cruise, defense, and port infrastructure sectors. The company will be owned 70% by Fincantieri NexTech – a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group – and 30% by Accenture.The initiative stems from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in July 2024 and combines Fincantieri’s technological expertise in the naval sector with Accenture’s advanced digital capabilities and digital engineering and manufacturing expertise.

ABS and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) signed an MoU at Singapore Maritime Week last week to advance innovations in applied research in maritime technology and enhance talent development within the global maritime and offshore industries.The collaboration advances applied research in vessel system design, including ship power simulations with hardware-in-the-loop, shore-to-ship charging technologies and augmented and virtual reality tools for visualizing simulated…

William Hackett, a global supplier of safety-critical lifting, rigging and chain solutions, is expanding its customer offering with new digital solutions.The UK-based manufacturer is adding RFID chips to its popular Hack8 and Hack10 chain sling assembly tags. These digital records provide a more durable and reliable method of accessing documentation, helping to improve industry safety.Using NFC technology, riggers and other users can benefit from quick access to key product information.

Xmar, the fast-growing digital bunker trading platform, has facilitated the trade of over 100,000 metric tons of bunker fuel through more than 200 deals in less than six months since launching.Operating with a network of over 1,500 verified suppliers across 500 global ports, Xmar provides buyers with access to competitive bunker fuel offers and enhanced market reach. The platform streamlines the bunker fuel procurement process by offering real-time pricing, transparent terms, and various credit options.Xmar was launched to solve the persistent inefficiencies in the bunker fuel supply chain.

During its 49th session in London from March 10 to 14, IMO’s Facilitation Committee (FAL) outlined a work plan for developing the IMO Strategy on Maritime Digitalization, which is set to be adopted by the Organization’s highest governing body – the IMO Assembly – by the end of 2027. The strategy will span different areas of IMO’s work, fostering a fully interconnected, harmonized and automated global maritime sector.To guide this process, the Facilitation Committee established a Correspondence Group to define the strategy’s scope, key objectives and implementation framework.

Veson Nautical (Veson) opened a new office in Dubai as part of an enhanced commitment to one of the world’s most important shipping hubs.This expansion is aimed at bringing Veson closer to its growing regional client base and reinforcing its role in shaping the future of maritime technology and data solutions in the region.Veson CEO John Veson traveled to Dubai to open the new office, and the occasion was marked by the company staging the inaugural ‘Veson Nautical Dubai Forum & Networking Event.’ Held at the Sofitel JBR hotel…

Kongsberg has unveiled plans to integrate the maritime-focused business Kongsberg Digital into Kongsberg Maritime to further align its portfolio with future customer needs and technological advancements in the maritime industry.The integration of Konsberg’s business units will take place in the first quarter of 2025.The business to be transferred represented revenues of approximately $53 million in 2023. The transfer involves around 500 employees located in 14 countries. These…

Tech leaders across maritime have the unenviable task of plotting for, at best, a fuzzy future. Make no mistake, the mission is clear: emission reduction leading to decarbonization. But the means to that end – and the realistic timeframe to get there – is less than clear. Sit with Sameer Kalra, President, Marine, Alfa Laval for awhile and it becomes abundantly clear he has a firm handle on the means to make money for Alfa Laval today while funding the technologies that will power the company’s future.Sameer Kalra…

The World Maritime Forum 2025, happening on February 18-19, 2025, at the AC Bella Sky Convention Center in Copenhagen, is not only the year’s most influential maritime event but also a hub for networking and business opportunities.Recognized as the "Center of Maritime", the forum offers a unique platform for suppliers, technology companies, shipowners, and ship managers to connect, collaborate, and explore transformative solutions for the industry.This year’s discussions will address critical topics such as decarbonization…

The maritime industry is witnessing a technological revolution that is fundamentally changing how ships operate, improving safe and efficient performance and reducing emissions, all to meet increasingly restrictive environmental standards. Adopting cutting-edge digital technologies enables ship owners and operators to optimize fleets, boost safe and efficient performance and reduce emissions while satisfying ever-developing environmentally beneficial requirements. Digitalization lies here and on the horizon of commercial vessel operations…

Seattle-based maritime data analytics company ioCurrents has signed a strategic agreement with engine supplier Bergen Engine, expanding the reach of its MarineInsight data analytics platform.The partnership will enable Bergen Engines to offer ioCurrents’ MarineInsight platform as a value-added solution to customers in new builds, repowers, and overhauls, leveraging real-time data analytics to optimize vessel performance.By combining Bergen Engines’ expertise in designing and delivering high-performance medium speed engines and power systems with ioCurrents’ data analytics…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Malaysia’s MISC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in innovation, research and development (R&D) and test-bedding activities, to advance digital transformation in the maritime industry.As part of the three-year arrangement, both parties will focus on integrating sustainable digital technologies into marine operations, enhance processes through data-sharing initiatives and cybersecurity…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to deepen cooperation in the fields of decarbonization, digitalization, and human resources development.MOL and MPA have been cooperating in various initiatives to decarbonize the maritime industry, the new agreement will further promote these initiatives in a wide range of fields.Specifically, the scope of the MoU covers the collaboration in the field of decarbonization in the maritime industry in general.

The push towards decarbonization is slowing down rather than speeding up. With ambitious global goals looming ever larger on the horizon, what can we do to re-invigorate collective efforts? And profit from that push? Ahead of next year’s Nor-Shipping, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime DNV, says efficiency, timing and people are critical to “getting this show on the road.”Given the subject matter today, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen seems remarkably optimistic.“I’m a glass half full kind of guy,” he says.

ZeroNorth, Vitol and the port of Rotterdam have completed a first digital bunker delivery, marking the launch of a four-week trial.During this period, Vitol will carry out three to four bunker deliveries in the Port of Rotterdam, using ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (eBDN) solution. The aim is to demonstrate the benefits of digital over manual bunker delivery notes by assessing time savings during bunkering, enhanced operational efficiency and improved data quality.The trial further aims to demonstrate the solution's viability for the port’s operations…

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services is accelerating the global deployment of smart containers, helping to advance visibility and transparency through the integration of Hoopo’s innovative hoopoSense Solar trackers.ZIM’s smart container solution enables end-to-end tracking, including the inland leg, giving customers full transparency into their shipments and a more accurate ETA, even after the containers exit terminals or depots enroute to their final destinations. The hoopoSense Solar tracker boasts a battery life of more than 12 years, sufficient to last a container’s lifecycle and eliminating the need for replacements. Each tracker is designed to deliver precise location data and features a built-in door-opening detection system with 99% accuracy.

The aim of the recently agreed cooperation between the two German technology companies AVAT and Kompressorenbau Bannewitz GmbH (KBB) is to make turbocharger technology for large combustion engines even more powerful and efficient through digitalization. The new hardware and software will be able to collect and analyze a wide range of operating data and metrics from the turbocharger, providing information about the current operating point and possible damage patterns. By analyzing the data…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize shipping by enhancing safety and efficiency, Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, said, while also noting the growing importance of the human touch in this high-tech era.“Maritime 5.0 will be defined by the ever-expanding capabilities of artificial intelligence, driving our complex industry to be safer, more efficient and more optimized, while emphasizing the increasing importance of the humans in the loop,” Wiernicki said…

Seatrium Limited and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have signed an MoU during the renaming ceremony of the former Sembcorp Marine Lab, reaffirming both parties’ commitment to advancing green and sustainable energy solutions.The newly named Seatrium New Energy Laboratory will focus on addressing challenges related to new energies, offshore renewables, marine decarbonisation and digitalisation within the offshore and marine industry.The areas of research…

Kongsberg Digital will integrate its Vessel Insight with the Smart Ship Hub platform to improve vessel and voyage performance, machinery condition monitoring, predictive diagnostics and overall health management.Smart Ship Hub, the Singapore-based company founded in 2021, is known for its expertise in using high-frequency vessel sensor data to deliver a comprehensive suite of machine learning-based services designed to benefit ship owners, operators, charterers and marine insurers…

Seattle-based maritime data analytics company ioCurrents announced it has inked a partnership deal that makes marine power solutions provider MER Equipment an official reseller of its MarineInsight platform.MER Equipment, also based in Seattle, designs, builds, and supports propulsion systems, marine and industrial generators, power distribution systems, and hydraulic power units for commercial fishermen, passenger vessel fleets, and tug and tow companies.ioCurrents' MarineInsight data analytics platform provides real-time insights and predictive maintenance for maritime vessels.

When setting out to maximize efficiency on board any type of commercial vessel, it’s most beneficial to look at the big picture, taking into account the entirety of its systems and operations, but examined at a granular level. Traditionally, this has been much easier said than done.But latest advancements in cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies like those being leveraged by Seattle-based tech company ioCurrents are unlocking new possibilities.

Aize and SBM Offshore have entered a strategic five-year partnership aimed at integrating Aize software into vessels across SBM Offshore’s global fleet.The collaboration will encompass both the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) phases, enhancing efficiency and operational excellence.The implementation plan will be guided by the digital readiness of vessels and lead with the integration of Aize into vessels in production, closely followed by vessels in the EPC phase…