Marine Link
Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Technology News

23 Jul 2025

Dong Fang Offshore Orders Huisman Cable Lay System

(Credit: Huisman)

Huisman has signed a contract with Dong Fang Offshore (DFO) for the delivery of a modular cable lay system, specifically designed for deployment across range of vessels.Huisman’s 30mt cable lay system will be suitable for deployment for DFO’s newbuild Construction Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) and Offshore Construction Vessels, built by Vard.This marks Huisman’s first cable lay system, built on the company’s extensive track record in the deepwater pipelay market.The system can be configured to support both inter-array and export cable laying with DFO’s existing and newbuild vessels


22 Jul 2025

Port of Barcelona Enhances Security and Efficiency With Genetec Technology

© Genetec

Genetec Inc., a leader in enterprise physical security software, announced that the Port of Barcelona has successfully implemented Genetec Security Center, improving the port’s safety, efficiency, and operational capabilities.As one of the Mediterranean’s major logistics hubs, the Port of Barcelona has experienced continuous growth in recent years, leading to new operational and security challenges. In response, the Port Authority launched a modernization initiative focused on transforming the port into a safer


18 Jul 2025

China Rolls Out 17MW Floating Wind Turbine Prototype

(Credit: Dongfang Electric Corporation)

The world’s most powerful direct-drive floating offshore wind turbine, rated at 17 MW and co-developed by Dongfang Electric Corporation and China Huaneng, has been rolled out in China.With the highest single-unit capacity and the largest rotor diameter globally, the milestone marks a new breakthrough in China’s offshore wind power equipment manufacturing and provides vital technological support for expanding into deepsea offshore wind development.The turbine has a rotor diameter of 262 meters and a swept area of about 53


15 Jul 2025

Creole King Christened in Port of Iberia

Invited guests take the opportunity for a guided tour of Creole King, a state-of-the-art floating crane.
Photo credits: E-Crane & Apple Pie Media

A landmark moment in Gulf Coast industry was celebrated today with the christening of Creole King, a state-of-the-art barge-mounted stevedoring crane, at the Port of Iberia.Operated by Cooper Consolidated and assembled by E-Crane’s Gulf Coast Service team, the Creole King represents a technological and environmental leap forward for midstream cargo operations. Standing 75 feet tall with a reach of 125 feet, the Creole King is powered by the largest E-Crane of its kind in North America—the EC30382 PD-E from the 4000C Series.

08 Jul 2025

Hanwha Ocean Floating Turbine Receives ABS Approval

© ABS

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean for its new design of a semisubmersible-type floating offshore wind turbine.The design, named WindHive 15-H3, supports 15-megawatt (MW) turbines on three hexagonal columns. ABS completed design reviews based on class and industry requirements.“Floating offshore wind power is set to play a critical role in the world’s future energy landscape, and we are proud to collaborate with industry leaders like Hanwha Ocean on innovative solutions that are focused on advancing safety at sea


07 Jul 2025

MOL Teams Up with Kinetics for ‘World's First’ Floating Data Center

CG rendering of Powership and offshore data center (Credit: MOL)

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kinetics, the energy transition initiative of global floating power leader Karpowership, to jointly develop a next-generation floating data center platform.Under the MoU, the two companies will collaborate on the design, construction and deployment of a state-of-the-art data center hosted on a retrofitted vessel.The facility will be supplied with uninterrupted, dedicated power from a range of flexible sources


18 Jun 2025

Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition Opens in Tokyo

Image courtesy Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition

Opening Ceremony sets the tone for a pivotal three-day event focused on global cooperation,  diversified supply, and pragmatic climate solutions  Global CEO Panel featuring JERA, TotalEnergies, and Woodside underscores LNG’s role in energy  security and decarbonisation  Delegates from over 50 countries convene at Tokyo Big Sight to chart the course for a secure, sustainable energy futureThe Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition 2025 officially opened today at Tokyo Big  Sight, welcoming energy leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across the global energy value chain.

17 Jun 2025

Acteon’s Rocksteady Tension Tool Selected by InnovateUK

Source: Acteon

Acteon’s Rocksteady Tension Tool (RSTT) has been selected by InnovateUK iX, a UK program designed to fast-track knowledge transfer and accelerate innovation. The RSTT is a reusable in-line winch and connection system designed to enable mid-line hookup of mooring lines at final tension to optimize the hook-up and disconnection processes between mooring systems and floating offshore wind turbines.The RSTT is expected to significantly reduce capital expenditure and installation costs by eliminating the need for fairleads


17 Jun 2025

KR, HD Hyundai Samho Explore AI in Ship Design

KR and HD Hyundai Samho sign MOU to jointly develop AI-based solutions for innovation in ship design and analysis. Image courtesy KR

Korean Register (KR) signed a MOU with HD Hyundai Samho to jointly develop AI-based solutions for ship design and analysis.This is a part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at enhancing design productivity and strengthening the capabilities of ship design engineers in the rapidly evolving shipbuilding landscape, focused on leveraging AI to build a more efficient and accurate ship design system. The two objective are: The development of an AI-powered optimization and structural assessment solution for hull support arrangement


16 Jun 2025

Japan Energy Expo '25 Opens this Week

JERA’s major U.S. LNG supply deal sets the stage for Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition 2025, taking place 18 – 20 June in Tokyo, with live commentary expected from JERA’s Global CEO and METI during the Opening Ceremony.The Strategic Summit will feature top executives from Shell, TotalEnergies, and Linde, alongside government leaders, addressing global energy stability, LNG diversification, and clean fuel investments.With over 100 exhibitors and sponsors, and high-level sessions including the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference and Climatetech Theatre


13 Jun 2025

Charge It: ‘Electrification’ Momentum Mounts in Maritime

CutTxDOT Esperanza Ferry
Image courtesy Siemens Energy

Siemens Energy has had its hands on a number of groundbreaking ship design and construction projects globally, projects that highlight the possibilities and the challenges inherent in being a technology pioneer. Ed Schwarz, Head of Marine Solutions Sales for Siemens Energy in the US and Canada, give an insider’s view of some practical steps to take if electrification is on an organization’s fleet expansion agenda.Energy transition is everywhere you turn in maritime today, and electric solutions are an important and growing part of the mix


12 Jun 2025

Biofuel Blending: Whitchampion Bunker Tanker Earns Unique Certification

Image courtesy LR

UK-based bunker operator John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Limited secured chemical certification from Lloyd’s Register (LR) on behalf of the Isle of Man Flag Administration for its tanker Whitchampion to load, carry and blend Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME B100) onboard under IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II regulations.The certification allows Whitchampion to perform onboard blending of biofuels with petroleum distillates and residual fuel oils. The operation is authorized within UK coastal


12 Jun 2025

BV Leverages AI on Next-Gen Augmented Surveyor 3D

The Augmented Surveyor 3D (AGS 3D).

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) introduced its latest digital innovation, the Augmented Surveyor 3D (AGS 3D), an inspection tool that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and localize structural anomalies on ships and offshore assets.The new solution was piloted successfully on a TotalEnergies-operated FPSO in West Africa. During the trial, drones captured extensive image and LiDAR data from two ballast tanks, which AGS 3D used to build a detailed 3D model, complete with AI-enhanced corrosion mapping.

05 Jun 2025

MPA and NYK Collaborate on Autonomous Ship Technology

Source: NYK

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), NYK and MTI Co., have conducted a joint workshop on port-to-port maritime autonomous surface ship (MASS) trials.The MASS trials are testing the interoperability of autonomous vessels with port-based systems, including MPA’s Vessel Traffic Information System, and enable the development of best practices and standards for navigation safety, route planning, fuel consumption, AI-based decision-making, communications and cybersecurity in the port of Singapore.Held in Singapore


02 Jun 2025

Singapore and France Partner on Bio-LNG

Source: MPA

An Enhanced Maritime Partnership Agreement has been signed by during French President Macron’s visit to Singapore last week.The agreement covers collaboration in maritime decarbonization, digitalization, cybersecurity, innovation and training, and builds on an earlier partnership established in 2021.The countries will work with industry partners to conduct various pilot projects including the development of a bio-methane supply chain and certification framework to ensure compatibility


29 May 2025

Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition to Run Together with LNG PCC 2025

© Rothman & Roman

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), in cooperation with the International Energy Agency (IEA), has confirmed that the LNG PCC 2025 will be held on June 20, in collaboration with the Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition, organized by dmg events.The LNG PCC 2025 will take place on the final day of the three-day Japan Energy Summit & Exhibition (June 18-20) at Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall 7. The LNG PCC was launched in 2012 as a platform to enhance cooperation between LNG producers and consumers.

28 May 2025

BW Opal FPSO Vessel set for Work off Australia

Seatrium delivered the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), BW Opal, to BW Offshore."We would like to express our appreciation to BW Offshore for entrusting Seatrium with their projects over the years," said Marlin Khiew, EVP, Energy (Americas), Seatrium. "The successful completion and delivery of BW Opal marks our 18th FPSO for BW Offshore."Seatrium’s scope of work included installation and integration works of topside modules, deck equipment and the turret mooring system, as well as completion and commissioning support for BW Offshore.

28 May 2025

Steerprop Launches Largest Retractable Thruster

Finland's Steerprop expanded its range of retractable thrusters with its biggest unit to date, the SP 45 R. Image courtesy Steerprop

Finland's Steerprop expanded its range of retractable thrusters with its biggest unit to date. Designed for offshore vessels and workboats that need high-performance station-keeping or thrust boost capabilities, the SP 45 R will be introduced on several offshore, renewables and special purpose vessels.Working with vessel operators and designers, Steerprop identified that the sealing and locking mechanisms are often a weak point for retractable designs. The R series minimizes downtime


27 May 2025

Kongsberg Maritime Launches the TTH Tunnel Thruster Series

© Kongsberg Maritime

Kongsberg Maritime announced the launch of its new Tunnel Thruster type TTH, the Harmonised series, setting new standards in performance and reliability with a compact, modular design that allows for flexible installation and optimal integration into a wide range of vessel types.Key innovations include:Compact thruster design for easier hull integration and reduced installation footprintModular design with one core module covering several propeller diametersHydrodynamically optimised


27 May 2025

Simon MĂžkster Shipping Pools Starlink bandwidth from Marlink

The pooled bandwidth model enables Simon Mokster to deploy LEO internet bandwidth where it is most needed, supporting simplified connectivity for business applications and crew welfare services. Image courtesy Simon Mokster

Marlink is supporting Simon MĂžkster Shipping with flexible allocation of Starlink LEO bandwidth across its fleet, enabling the ship owner to deploy LEO internet bandwidth where it is most needed, supporting simplified connectivity for business applications and crew welfare services.Simon MĂžkster Shipping completed a fleet-wide upgrade of its hybrid network solution to Sealink NextGen in May 2024, accelerating the company’s digitalization program.Simon MĂžkster Shipping operates 15 vessels.

21 May 2025

Fortescue Green Pioneer: Proving Ground for Ammonia as Maritime Fuel

Image Credit: Intelatus Global Partners

Fortescue’s Green Pioneer, billed as the world’s first ammonia dual-powered vessel, left Singapore in January of this year on voyage past the Cape of Good Hope en route initially to Southampton, both for Port State Control and to demonstrate the use of ammonia in its engines to the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and then on to London’s Canary Wharf where is stayed through mid-April, before travelling to other north European ports.At the time when the IMO’s Marine Environment


20 May 2025

Maritime Cyber Threats Grow Increasingly Complex, say Marlink report

Image courtesy Marlink

Marlink published its Security Operations Center (SOC) report for the second half of 2024, and the news for maritime is not particularly good.The report finds that cybercriminals targeting maritime have streamlined their tactics, enhanced their operational efficiency and adopted emerging technologies to expand their attack capabilities.In the six months to December 2024, Marlink’s global network of SOCs monitored 1,998 merchant and leisure vessels, and recorded:9 billion security events and 39 billion firewall events


12 May 2025

Cavotec Signs $8.99 Million Shore Power Order

Cavotec has signed an order valued at USD$8.99 million with a leading global container shipping company to deliver complete shore power systems for newly built container vessels. Credit: Cavotec

Cavotec has signed an order valued at USD$8.99 million (EUR 8.1 million) with a leading global container shipping company to deliver complete shore power systems for newly built container vessels. The order includes cable management reels and weatherproof enclosures, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.Cavotec’s systems will provide reliable cable management solutions, enabling vessels to connect to shore power while at berth. This reduces emissions and