Requirements News

Vestdavit has bolstered its position as a supplier of boat-handling systems to navies worldwide after landing an order to deliver multiple davits and painter booms for a series of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) contracted by the French Navy at domestic yards.The davit deal covers delivery and commissioning of a total of 14 PLR-5004-type davits, as well as 14 PBH-2500 painter booms, for the seven OPV newbuilds–two davits per vessel—that are being built as part of the French Ocean Patrol Vessel Program…

Seaward Services, Inc. (SSI), a subsidiary of Hornblower Group, announced its selection by the Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS) and the Maine State Department of Transportation for a new 5-year contract to provide supplementary marine crew services to the MSFS fleet of vessels.MSFS provides essential, year-round mainland transportation services to the island communities of Maine. Through this partnership, Seaward will support and supplement the existing MSFS crew across six different ferry routes that connect Maine’s island communities.

Singapore-based Seatrium has secured a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) conversion contract from Höegh Evi, formerly known as Höegh LNG, for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Hoegh Gandria.The contract covers the conversion and longevity of LNG carrier, Hoegh Gandria to a FSRU which includes the installation of a regasification skid, as well as integration of key supporting systems such as cargo handling, utility, offloading, electrical, and automation systems.Engineering…

ClassNK has released the “Guidelines for Safety Operation for Ammonia-Fueled Vessels” to ensure safe operation on board ammonia-fueled vessels.The introduction of alternative fuel vessels is approaching 40% of the total on an order basis and is expected to increase further in the future, and alternative fuels such as ammonia have unique risks that conventional heavy oil fuels do not.The guidelines give top priority to protecting the safety of seafarers and cover matters to be kept in mind in daily operations…

Two Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport engineers have won American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) awards for 2024. Michael Connelly, technical project manager for the Undersea Warfare Platforms and Payload Integration Department, is the winner of the Frank C. Jones Award, and Dr. Thomas Ramotowski, a senior chemist for the Sensors and Sonar Systems Department, is the winner of the Solberg Award.The Frank C. Jones Award recognizes naval engineering professionals…

President Donald Trump's administration is considering a proposal to create an international shipping registry in the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of efforts to enlarge the tiny commercial shipping fleet flying the American flag, according to four sources familiar with the matter.Increasing the number of U.S.-flagged vessels is important for Trump's administration because it would enhance the ability of the U.S. commercial shipping fleet to provide logistical support for the military in time of war…

Dutch and German oil refineries have snapped up all four cargoes of Chadian Doba crude in April to profit from soaring demand for cleaner marine fuel in Europe from shipping companies including Maersk, according to shipping data and trade sources.Asia was the main destination of Doba cargoes prior to April, as China and Malaysia received several cargoes, according to Kpler.In May, the International Maritime Organization designated the Mediterranean Sea as an Emission Control Area…

In an industry first, ABS has published guidance to enable internal examination of tanks beyond the typical five-year requirements to once every 10 years with options to have additional expanded survey intervals.The new guidance has the potential to maximize operational uptime for site-dependent assets such as floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), floating production and storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs), floating storage and offloading vessels (FSOs) and floating…

Saronic has announced the transitions of two of its co-founders into expanded leadership roles. Doug Lambert has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Vib Altekar has been named Chief Technology Officer (CTO). These appointments recognize the critical role each has played in Saronic’s growth.Doug and Vib’s new roles reflect Saronic's technical and operational expertise and will be instrumental as the company continues to scale, deliver for customers, and push the boundaries of maritime autonomy.As Chief Operating Officer…

U.S. energy groups are asking President Donald Trump's administration to exempt liquefied natural gas tankers from a new rule that will require producers to move an increasing percentage of their exports on U.S.-built vessels as part of a broader push to revive domestic shipbuilding.The U.S. is the world's No. 1 LNG exporter at $34 billion annually and the Trump administration has been a supporter of the industry in his push for energy dominance.In a move that shocked the industry, the U.S.

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) and Symmetry Group Inc. (SGI) have announced a strategic joint venture in Guyana, marking a significant milestone in the maritime and logistics sectors. This partnership aligns with Guyana's Local Content requirements, combining the strengths of both companies to offer an integrated suite of services tailored to the needs of the country's burgeoning oil and gas industry.Symmetry Group Inc. has acquired a 51% majority stake in ISS Guyana, combining SGI's local expertise with ISS's global reach and capabilities.

SCHOTTEL is equipping the world's first large purpose-built dual-fuel methanol escort tugs based on the Robert Allan Ltd. RASalvor 4400-DFM design for towage company KOTUG Canada with rudderpropellers featuring the mechanical hybrid solution SYDRIVE-M. The tugs—to be named SD Aisemaht and SD Qwiy Aanitsa Sarah—are currently in the final stages of construction at Turkish Sanmar Shipyards. After their completion in Q3 2025, they will service Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project…

ABS has awarded approval in principle to Seatrium Marine & Deepwater Technology for its new design of a floating wind semi-submersible floating column foundation for 15MW wind turbines.Seatrium highlights that the design is optimized for efficient fabrication and cost-effectiveness while being capable of handling the harshest environments. The new design concept features pontoons on three sides and a center column that supports the turbine.ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements.

Fast-growing energy demand is driving the need for technical support and guidance in new locations, writes Terrance Roberts, Manager, Global Business Development, ABS.Surging appetite for natural gas is accelerating the development of global and regional supply chains, with established producers seeking new markets and emerging suppliers looking to meet demand from local consumers.Long-tabled export projects are being fast-tracked for approval in North America while new facilities are under development in Canada and South America.

U.K.-based PD Ports has outlined its plans to develop one of the U.K.’s largest offshore wind manufacturing and installation hubs - the Teesport Offshore Gateway.The proposed project could unlock 180 acres of development potential for a range of offshore manufacturers, assembly, marshalling and supply chain support services.Representing a multi-million-dollar investment in the River Tees, the Teesport Offshore Gateway would include an up to 1 km long deep-water riverside quay…

General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a total of $12.4 billion in contract modifications for construction of two fiscal year 2024 Virginia-class submarines. Additionally, the award funds investments to improve productivity at the shipyards and workforce support as detailed in the Department of Defense contract award announcement. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $17.2 billion.General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs and modernizes nuclear submarines for the U.S.

The first European built CO2 carrier, dedicated for work at the Greensand carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, will be christened and launched on May 14, 2025.All ship sections of the vessel have now been successfully constructed and assembled at Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the north of the Netherlands.The dedicated CO2 carrier currently under construction at Royal Niestern Sander shipyard in the Netherlands is a cornerstone in Greensand’s mission to deliver EU’s first…

Wattlab introduced its SolarDeck - a modular and scalable system of deck-mounted solar panels that is designed to yield "significant reductions" in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions - for the seagoing shipping industry, with an expected ROI of 3-5 years.Established in 2017, Wattlab has spent its first years of operations focusing on the inland shipping sector with its Solar Flatrack, a modular solar energy system consisting of movable and stackable integrated solar panels and inverters.

Thordon Bearings, a leader in environmentally safe, high-performance shaft bearing and seal systems, has welcomed Denmark’s damZgard Mechanics to its network of authorized distributors.With a reputation as a leading supplier of mechanical engineering solutions to Denmark’s maritime industries, damZgard Mechanics will be responsible for facilitating existing and new maritime customer requirements and developing new business opportunities in other markets outside of marine.Home to some of world’s leading shipowners…

Deep-sea mining firm The Metals Co asked the Trump administration on Tuesday to approve its plans to mine the international seabed, making it the first such company to seek the government's permission to operate outside U.S. territorial waters.Last week President Donald Trump signed an order aiming to jumpstart mining in both domestic and international waters in an attempt to boost U.S. access to critical minerals and reduce China's market control.The move ratchets up tension between Washington and the United Nations-backed International Seabed Authority…

The offshore construction program for ScottishPower’s biggest-ever renewables project is officially underway with the installation of the first foundation for the green energy company’s USD$5.3 billion (£4 billion) East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm.Standing at 83.89 meters tall, 10.6 meters in diameter and weighing 1,800 tons, the monopile also represents a new offshore wind industry record, becoming the largest installed to date from a jack-up vessel in Europe.The monopile…

The U.S. inland waterway system is a critical and underutilized component of the domestic supply chain that serves non-contiguous markets originating in or destined for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories and possessions. For transportation service providers and shippers that operate in the domestic trade of the U.S., ocean carriers, barge operators, and inland waterway providers can offer cost-effective scalable alternatives to the traditional surface and air modes that connect these regions to the U.S. mainland.

Condition Monitoring Technologies (CMT) has cautioned against placing sole reliance on artificial intelligence in ship condition monitoring, warning that human expertise remains essential to ensure safety and accuracy in maritime operations.As the shipping industry rapidly adopts AI-driven systems for machinery testing and diagnostics, CMT acknowledges the growing potential of these technologies to process vast quantities of data and assist with condition monitoring tasks. However…