Marine Ecosystems News

Anacortes, Wash. shipbuilder Dakota Creek Industries (DCI) has delivered a new state-of-the-art oil spill response barge to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for operation in the coastal waters of Alaska.The barge, named Allison Creek, is specifically designed by Elliot Bay Design Group (EBDG) to meet the rigorous requirements in Prince William Sound. Allison Creek has a capacity of 13,600 barrels, an overall length of 200', beam of 42', depth of 16' and is outfitted with a deck crane and on-deck houses to store emergency response equipment.The barge is certified by the U.S.

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.

Canadian marine coatings company Graphite Innovation & Technologies (GIT) announced Kent Young has joined its board of directors.A former senior director of technology for the global supply chain R&D at Sherwin Williams, Young will provide strategic guidance and expertise across a range of areas as GIT scales-up its business. Young’s extensive background in coatings, along with his experience in supply chain, risk management, raw material selection, R&D processes and product innovation will accelerate GIT’s growth, the company said.

The Portuguese cluster Forum Oceano and Norwegian Offshore Wind have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration between the supply chains in the two countries.The MoU aims to lay the ground work for new contracts between companies from the two countries.The agreement was signed at a reception this week, during a visit to Portugal organized by Norwegian Offshore Wind and The Norwegian Embassy in Portugal.Forum Oceano and Norwegian Offshore Wind both focus on developing a strong supply chain in floating offshore wind.

Canada's The Metals Company (TMC) aims to apply next year for a licence to start mining in the Pacific Ocean, with production expected to get underway by as early as the fourth quarter of 2025, it said in a statement.TMC has been at the forefront of efforts to begin extracting polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor, a nascent industry that could boost supplies of metals considered vital to the global energy transition, including nickel and cobalt.Environmental campaigners warn…

The international shipping industry as a whole is responsible for 2% to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and if nothing changes, those will increase by 250% by 2050, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Sobering numbers like these have made reducing emissions across the sector a focus for governments, shipbuilders, environmentalists, vessel owners and technology suppliers alike.The United States federal ship fleet, excluding combat ships, consists of various types of vessels utilized for civilian purposes. This fleet of vessels makes the U.S.

The IMO has launched a video about the work of the GloFouling Partnerships project. Filmed amongst the stunning wildlife of the Galapagos, it illustrates the urgent need to tackle the threat of biofouling to vulnerable marine ecosystems and shows the work that IMO and its partners are doing to protect the precious biodiversity of the world’s oceans. The IMO's Glofouling Partnerships project team recently travelled to the Galapagos Islands, 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador, to…

Damen Shipyards' division Damen Marine Services has taken delivery of the first of a new class of Damen Multi Cat, a Multi Cat 3313 SD named DMS Snipe. Damen Marine Services, which offers Damen vessels for charter, both fully crewed and bareboat, has described the DMS Snipe as a "Swiss Army Knife of workboats""While Damen’s Multi Cat range is known for its shallow draught capabilities, this new class can draw less than two meters, an exceptional achievement for a 33-metre vessel," Damen said."The Multi Cat 3313 SD continues the Multi Cat ethos of being the Swiss Army Knife of workboats.

Environment and disaster authorities in the Philippines rushed to contain an oil spill on Friday from a sunken fuel tanker that has reached coastal towns on a large central island, warning of dangers to marine ecosystems if more oil leaks. The tanker, MT Princess Empress, was still missing on Friday after sinking en route to Iloilo province carrying about 800,000 litres (211,338 gallons) of industrial fuel oil.The vessel encountered engine trouble on Tuesday due to overheating and drifted due to rough sea conditions, according to the coast guard.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries will work together to address potential impacts of offshore wind energy development on NOAA Fisheries’ scientific surveys, which help to manage the United States’s fisheries.For 150 years, the NOAA’s scientists have collected survey data that form the basis of the science-based management of America’s federal fisheries, support the protection and recovery of marine mammals and endangered and threatened species…

A smart buoy that can "hear" the ocean and monitor climate change is part of a new effort to help endangered whales avoid ship collisions on their journey from Antarctica to the equator.The buoy was installed in the Gulf of Corcovado, some 1,100 kilometers (684 miles) south of Chile's capital, in early October and is the first of many planned by the Blue Boat Initiative, a project designed to protect whales and monitor marine ecosystems.The area is teeming with marine life and…

German propulsion company SCHOTTEL has been selected for funding within the Government of Canada's Quiet Vessel Initiative, which supports the development of new quiet vessel technologies, designs, and operational practices, leading to less underwater noise from vessels in Canadian waters.SCHOTTEL will assess the noise reduction achieved by the installation of a redesigned propulsion system by measuring underwater noise. The propulsion system will feature an optimized propeller design for the vessel's adapted operation profile.

The UK’s plans to significantly increase offshore wind capacity to 50GW by 2030 risks being hindered by an array of undiscovered unexploded ordnance (UXO) in our coastal waters. It is estimated that up to 500,000 legacy items/targets of UXO could still be present in UK waters. These require safe removal or disposal to clear the way for accelerated offshore wind development. The current practice of High-Order UXO detonation (often resulting in a huge explosion) generates loud underwater (subsea) explosions which can disrupt navigation…

De Nora Marine Technologies signed a formal service subcontracting agreement with Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM), one of the largest shipyard and offshore repair facilities in the Middle East, located at Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. The agreement will expand service convenience for De Nora Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) installed on vessels trading in the Gulf region.The subcontracting agreement is designed to provide strategic support to shipowners and operators by establishing an after-sales station…

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society announced it has acquired the MV Sharkwater, a storied vessel with a long history of conservation. SSCS took possession of the ship 12 miles off-shore of San Diego, on July 8, 2022.Built in 1997, the 48 x 7.4 meter ship will be the largest in the SSCS fleet, weighing in at 287 gross tons. Throughout August and September it will be refitted for Sea Shepherd’s missions in protecting the vaquita in the Upper Gulf of California and in fighting against IUU in the Pacific Ocean.

Abu Dhabi Maritime, the custodian of all of Abu Dhabi’s waterways and marine ecosystems, has assumed responsibility for all ferry services operating within Abu Dhabi’s waterways.Operating under the AD Ports Group, with guidance from the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the organization is integrating the Ferry Operations Branch of the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) under the scope of its services. The move will see Abu Dhabi Maritime manage and oversee the daily operation of the Emirate’s two major ferry lines — the Dalma Island Water Transport Service…

Highlighted in Marine Technology Reporter's MTR100 is the work and technology ongoing in the halls of academia. The most recent report released by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasized our warming planet, an expected announcement for many in the scientific community. Faced with the confirmation that human activities have caused an increase in global temperatures, research has turned to seeking answers in the planet’s natural systems. How does each part of the global carbon cycle work and how may it be impacted by the changing climate?

Qatari shipping company Nakilat, one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping operators, said it has partnered with U.S.-based classification society ABS to develop its decarbonization strategy.Over the past months, Nakilat’s project team has worked with ABS sustainability specialists to map out decarbonization pathways for the company’s fleet of 69 LNG carriers and four very large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers. The project will ultimately see Nakilat’s vessels receive the ABS SUSTAIN notation…

Is it true that Sailing Cargo is building the world’s first mobile aquaculture ship?That is correct. We at Sailing Cargo Inc. want to change the future of global fishing while proving the value of clean shipping. Our team of experienced professionals is building the world’s largest zero emission sailing vessel in order to respond to the increasing global demand for healthy salmon and protein in the most efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. The conventional fish farming…

The Korean Register (KR) has developed new ‘Guidance for Underwater Radiated Noise’ intended to help protect marine ecosystems by reducing noise from ships.Underwater radiated noise is becoming a more serious issue as ships’ size and speed increases to handle high volumes of seaborne trade, causing increasing disruption to the marine ecosystem. The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is discussing measures to mitigate this growing challenge. As a result, new regulations are expected shortly…

The Biden administration has announced ambitious plans to scale up leasing for offshore wind energy projects along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. In an announcement released on Oct. 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Interior stated that it will “use the best available science as well as knowledge from ocean users and other stakeholders to minimize conflict with existing uses and marine life.” University of Massachusetts Boston public policy scholar David W. Cash, who worked at senior levels in state government for a decade…

Aqua superPower announced a strategic partnership with AC charge point developer e-concept, which has developed a novel design of charging posts that have been approved for use in certain sensitive environments including the canals in Venice. Aqua superPower will be developing charging infrastructure for marine and inland water applications deploying e-concept’s AC charging posts where environmental, cultural and heritage factors need to be considered.e-concept manufactures public and private recharging stations for electric boats and for the transition towards electric marine transport.

An upgrade by Kongsberg Maritime of the waterjets on a catamaran ferry operated by the family-run firm of AG EMS brings a new level of efficiency and environmental consideration to a route traversed by the company for 143 years.Claus Hirsch, the fleet manager with AG EMS, is a likable and personable individual. His easy demeanor suggests that he is contented with his lot in life, and no one would blame him for that. The company he works for is a family-run concern with a benevolent…