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World First News

15 Mar 2024

Sanmar Delivers Its Sixth ElectRA Tugboat to Norwegian Operator

BB Electra (Credit: Sanmar)

Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar has delivered the sixth electric power tugboat from its ElectRA series to Norwegian operator Buksér og Berging.Named BB ELECTRA by its new owners, the tug will be based at the Port of Oslo.It boasts exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2200 SX design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan, and represents the eighth tug that Sanmar has delivered to Buksér og Berging.With an overall length of 22.2 meters excluding fenders, molded breadth of 10.84 meters and least molded depth of 4.4 meters, BB ELECTRA has 1.718 kWh of battery power.

15 Mar 2024

Fortescue Conducts World's First ammonia Bunker Trial in Singapore

Source: MPA

Fortescue has conducted the world's first ammonia marine bunker operation in the port of Singapore, the city-state's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and the Australian mining company said on Friday.The Singapore-flagged Fortescue Green Pioneer was loaded with liquid ammonia from an existing facility at Jurong Island's Vopak Banyan Terminal for the trial, Fortescue and MPA said in a joint statement.The vessel is dual-fuelled and can adopt ammonia for bunkering in combination with diesel.

11 Mar 2024

Yard Starts World’s First Container Vessel Methanol Dual Fuel Retrofit

Source: Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard

Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard held a steel cutting ceremony on March 8, 2024 for the 14,000 TEU Maersk Halifax methanol dual fuel retrofit project, marking what will be the world's first container vessel methanol dual fuel retrofit.Representatives from Maersk project team, ABS, and headquarters leaders and employees of the company attended the ceremony.The vessel is scheduled to arrive in early July this year and will undergo conversion and repair for a period of about three months. To ensure the smooth implementation of the project, the yard has built a 500-ton gantry crane overhead the No.3 dock.

07 Mar 2024

Adapted ME-GI Gas Engine Runs on Hydrogen

(Image: MAN Energy Solutions)

MAN Energy Solutions’ licensee, MITSUI E&S Co. Ltd., has announced that it has successfully tested a 50-bore MAN B&W two-stroke engine up to 100% load at its Tamano facility while running on hydrogen, a world-first for the maritime industry.In collaboration with MAN Energy Solutions, MITSUI converted one of the four cylinders of an MAN B&W ME-GI (-Gas Injection) engine to hydrogen operation. The hydrogen was supplied from a hydrogen gas-supply system that MITSUI developed in 2023.Stable operation was achieved at various loads and operating conditions…

01 Mar 2024

Cochin Shipyard Cuts First Steel for SAMSKIP's Zero-emission Containership

(Image: Samskip)

Indian shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard has cut first steel for the first vessel in Samskip's new series of zero-emission, autonomous ready shortsea containerships.The first of two contracted vessels, Samskip SeaShuttle, will also be among the world's first zero-emissions short sea container vessels fueled by green hydrogen.The 135-meter-long containerships were ordered by marine robotics specialist Ocean Infinity for scheduled delivery in 2025 and will be operated under long-term charter by Rotterdam-based shipping company Samskip on its west European routes.

22 Feb 2024

Virtual Marine: Simulator Training is the Real Deal

(Photo: Virtual Marine)

In the commercial maritime and offshore industries, where worker safety and competency are crucial, effective training practices are an absolute must. While hands-on, in-the-field learning will always be a vital component of any mariner’s training, marine simulation has become a welcome enhancement to the education process. And in some cases, it’s seen as a safer alternative to traditional survival craft and rescue boat training.A leader in this space is Virtual Marine, based in Newfoundland and Labrador.

20 Feb 2024

Chemical Tanker is World's First Equipped with Wind Propulsion

(Photo: Chemship)

Chemship commissioned its first ship with wind assisted ship propulsion. This makes the MT Chemical Challenger the first chemical tanker in the world to be equipped with sustainable wind technology. The ship will serve on shipping company Chemship’s Trans-Atlantic route between the East Coast of the United States and the Mediterranean.This week four 16-metre-high aluminum wind sails were installed on board the 134-meter-long vessel. The VentoFoils from Econowind create a direct wind surface of 180 m2.

16 Feb 2024

World’s First Ammonia-powered Containership Ordered

(Image: CMB.TECH)

Partners behind a project to develop the world’s first ammonia-powered containership have placed an order to build the groundbreaking vessel at Qingdao Yangfan Shipbuilding, in China.Expected to be delivered by mid-2026, the 1,400 TEU ice-class containership Yara Eyde will run on ammonia as fuel, serving routes between Norway and Germany.The vessel will be owned by Delphis, the container division of CMB.TECH, and operated by NCL Oslofjord AS, a joint venture between North Sea…

16 Feb 2024

Seatrium Secures World-First CCS Retrofit

Image courtesy of Solvang

Seatrium has secured the world’s first full-scale, turnkey carbon capture and storage (CCS) retrofit from Solvang ASA, Norway.The retrofit of a 7MW Wärtsilä CCS system will be carried out on Solvang’s 21,289 cubic meter ethylene carrier, Clipper Eris, and is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year. The project will use amine cleaning technology to capture 70% of the CO2 in the exhaust gas from the main engine.Seatrium’s scope of work includes basic design, detailed engineering…

14 Feb 2024

Seatrium Renews Exclusive Deal with Gaslog and Shell for LGN Carrier Repairs

(Credit: Seatrium)

Singapore-based Seatrium has renewed its long-term favored customer contract (FCC) with GasLog LNG Services and Shell International Trading and Shipping Company (STASCO) to provide ship repairs, refurbishment and upgrading for their LNG carriers until 2029, with further renewal options.The contract marks a collaborative partnership between Seatrium and these two leading maritime companies with whom the Singaporean group has established a long history of collaboration.The contract involves the repairs…

04 Feb 2024

Ulsan Hosts First Ship-To-Ship Methanol Bunkering Operation

Ane Maersk receiving green methanol from bunkership Golden Sunny Hana (owned by Hana Marine) at the Ulsan Port anchorage. (Source: Ulsan Port Authority)

The Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Ulsan Port Authority have announced a world first with the completion of a ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering of green methanol to the 16,000 TEU container ship Ane Maersk at Ulsan Port, South Korea.The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries established the relevant institutional foundation, including the ‘Guidelines for Approval of Self-Safety Management Plan for Methanol Supply’ and accumulated know-how through two methanol supply demonstrations…

01 Feb 2024

ONE Trials Dual-Temperature, Controlled-Atmosphere Container

Source: ONE

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has launched the world’s first dual-temperature refrigerated container equipped with controlled atmosphere functionality in collaboration with Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) and NAX Japan.It is the world's first use of marine transportation of the dual-temperature refrigerated container equipped with controlled atmosphere functions that will transport various types of perishable goods and fruits from Japan to overseas stores of Don Quijote…

25 Jan 2024

Japan Takes the Lead on Ammonia as Maritime Fuel

Image courtesy NYK

Late last year Japanese maritime leaders – Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems Co., and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. – signed a series of contracts to buid the world's first ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) equipped with Japan-make engines. The target is a completed ship by November 2026.While the project is significant, hurdles remain, namely:While development work is underway, today there is not yet a dual-fuel ammonia engine on the market…

24 Jan 2024

Tidal Transit Starts Works on ‘World’s First’ Retrofit E-CTV

Rendering of e-Ginny CTV (Credit: Tidal Transit)

Tidal Transit, a supplier of purpose-design crew transfer vessels for the offshore wind industry, has begun the design and engineering phase of a project to deliver what is said to be the world’s first retrofit electric crew transfer vessel (E-CTV).Over the next 15 months, Tidal Transit will retrofit a diesel-powered Mercurio 20-meter vessel, Ginny Louise, with over two megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery capacity, electric motors and propulsion pods.The finished product, e-Ginny…

18 Jan 2024

Saudi Arabia Unveils Oil Platform-Inspired Adventure Tourism Rig

THE RIG (Credit: Oil Park Development Company)

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has launched the masterplan for THE RIG – a world-first adventure tourism destination to be built on an offshore platform in the Arabian Gulf.The vision for THE RIG project is to redefine the sea sports and leisure experience while celebrating the legacy of Saudi Arabia's rich oil and gas heritage.The project will be developed by PIF’s subsidiary the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), under its CEO Raed N.

20 Dec 2023

Stolt Tankers is First to Apply Graphene Hull Coating Technology

(Photo: Stolt Tankers)

Stolt Tankers reports it is the first shipping company in the world to apply a cutting-edge sustainable coating to the hull of one of its vessels.The X-GIT FUEL graphene technology, developed by Graphite Innovation & Technologies (GIT) Coatings, has the potential to reduce fuel consumption and resulting greenhouse gas emissions.X-GIT FUEL is a hard foul release hull coating that creates an ultra-low friction surface to increase vessel performance, without the use of biocides, silicon oils or toxic components.

15 Dec 2023

MOL First Shipping Company to Issue 'Blue Bonds'

An examples of potential uses of the bonds’ proceeds include Wind Hunter, the ultimate zero emission ship. Image courtesy MOL

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has decided to issue “blue bonds” through a public offering in Japan’s domestic market in January 2024, reportedly the world’s first blue bonds in the shipping industry, which refer to the guidance provided by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) and other organizations.The Blue Bond Framework developed for the issuance of the bonds will ensure that all uses of the bonds’ proceeds will contribute to a sustainable blue economy, and the bonds received the highest rating of “Blue1(F)” from the Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.

14 Dec 2023

EnFAIT Horizon 2020: Tidal Turbine Costs Cut 40%

Deployment of the fifth and sixth turbine at the Shetland Tidal Array (credit: Nova Innovation).

A European project, led by one of Scotland’s leading tidal developers, has demonstrated that the cost of tidal energy could potentially be reduced by as much as 40 percent, and has produced findings that could redefine the boundaries on what can be achieved by tidal power globally. The $22m EnFAIT (Enabling Future Arrays in Tidal) Horizon 2020 project, brought together  seven partners including Scottish tidal developer Nova Innovation, who manage the world’s first offshore tidal array - the Shetland Tidal Array…

14 Dec 2023

New Autonomous Zero-emission Containership Design Unveiled

(Image: ZULU Associates)

A new design for an autonomous zero-emission short sea containership has been unveiled by Belgium based ZULU Associates.The 200 TEU vessel, featuring an auxiliary wind assistance system, is a larger seagoing development of an inland waterways 90 TEU X-Barge, currently under final construction design.The latest design is produced by Dutch ship naval architects Conoship International, said Zulu Associates CEO Antoon Van Coillie.“We’re delighted to be working with Conoship International who share our passion for innovation,” he said.

13 Dec 2023

NYK, JERA, Resonac to Study Supplying Ammonia as Fuel to Vessels

NYK is conducting research and development of a tugboat equipped with a domestic ammonia-fueled engine (A-Tug) together with other partner companies. Image courtesy NYK

NYK, JERA Co., Inc. and Resonac Holdings Corporation signed an agreement to jointly study the supply of ammonia as fuel to ships.As part of the Green Innovation Fund Project of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), NYK is conducting research and development of a tugboat equipped with a domestic ammonia-fueled engine (A-Tug) together with other partner companies. As part of this initiative, in conjunction with the completion of the A-Tug scheduled for next June…

12 Dec 2023

World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Tugboat Enters Operation

Source: CMB.TECH

Port of Antwerp-Bruges and CMB.TECH have announced a world first: the Hydrotug 1, the first hydrogen-powered tugboat, is ready for operation in the Antwerp port area.The Hydrotug 1 is the first tugboat in the world to be powered by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with traditional fuel. It is the first vessel that uses the BeHydro V12 dual fuel medium speed engines – each providing 2MW – with the latest EU Stage V emissions aftertreatment.With these engines…

30 Nov 2023

Yara Plans World’s First Ammonia-Powered Container Ship

Source: Yara Clean Ammonia

Yara Clean Ammonia, North Sea Container Line, and Yara International have joined forces to realize the world's first container ship that will use clean ammonia as fuel. Named Yara Eyde, the vessel will be the first to sail emission-free sea route between Norway and Germany.Yara Eyde will operate between Oslo, Porsgrunn, Hamburg and Bremerhaven, so that from 2026, Norwegian companies can trade their products emissions-free in and out of Norway. Yara International is participating as cargo-owner.

30 Nov 2023

FINLAND: ‘A Birthplace for Icebreakers’

Captain Pasi Järvelin on the bridge of Arctia icebreaker Polaris. Järvelin has more than 40 years’ experience in the maritime industry, including 36 years on icebreakers, and was part of the concept team that developed the vessel. (Photo: Eric Haun)

Finnish companies have designed about 80 percent of the world’s icebreakers, and about 60 percent of them have been built by Finnish shipyards.Finland is home to a strong and vibrant maritime cluster, with a mix of large, medium and small shipyards, as well as a deep pool of marine engineering expertise and a broad network of vessel equipment suppliers.As one of the world’s northernmost countries, Finland is also home to a fleet of icebreakers that keep imports and exports flowing through its harbors, even during the coldest winter months.

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