Asset Management News

Shipping companies are facing mounting pressure on investment decisions as decarbonization regulations translate emissions targets into direct operating costs, according to a survey commissioned by Wärtsilä.The study, based on responses from 225 senior maritime executives, found that more than 90% of respondents remain confident in their ability to navigate the energy transition, despite growing complexity in decision making.Uncertainty around technology pathways, fuel availability…

As global demand for data storage and processing accelerates — driven by cloud computing, streaming media, and the explosive growth of artificial intelligence — the physical footprint of data centers has become a growing challenge. Land-based facilities face mounting constraints: limited space, water scarcity, grid congestion, long permitting timelines and rising community opposition. Against that backdrop, a once-niche concept is moving rapidly into the mainstream conversation: floating data centers.For maritime designers…

Satcom Global has announced the launch of Aura Citadel, an on-vessel IT management and security solution providing simplicity, protection and control across the maritime IT environment.Vessels with Aura Citadel on board benefit from the combination of a simplified on-vessel business network improving order and resiliency, robust cyber security features and fast comprehensive disaster recovery. The new IT solution from Satcom Global empowers IT administrators to control the on…

Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein Verft has launched first of the two offshore wind commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) under construction at its yard for J.P. Morgan.On January 2, Ulstein Verft towed the CSOV yard number 322 from the dock hall to the outer dock, where the yard’s heavy-lift department installed the vessel’s tower using a crawler crane with a lifting capacity of up to 600 tonnes.Late in the month, on January 7, the vessel was towed further out and moored alongside the quay…

For Major General Jason Kelly, Rebuilding and Maintaining the Nation’s Critical Waterway Infrastructure is personal.When Major General Jason Kelly reflects on his path to leading the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Civil Works mission, he doesn’t describe a straight line. He describes a journey, one that began “on the business end of the Army,” as he puts it, and evolved into a passion for solving complex problems that impact every American who depends on safe, reliable…

Saipem has obtained ISO 55001:2024 certification, the international standard for asset lifecycle management, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards operational excellence and offshore sustainability.The certification, issued by DNV, confirms Saipem’s Asset Management system compliance with the most advanced requirements, covering all operational phases - design, procurement, installation, commissioning, maintenance and decommissioning, ensuring a robust and effective “Asset Integrity” framework.The certification applies to Saipem’s entire offshore asset portfolio…

Oslo-based dry bulk operator Western Bulk has re-entered ship ownership after acquiring a minority stake in a Kamsarmax vessel alongside a group of Norwegian partners, the company said on Tuesday.Western Bulk, together with A/S J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, NRP Asset Management-managed Premium Maritime Fund 2024, and Pactum, has acquired the dry bulk carrier CSSC Shi Jia Zhuang, which will be renamed Western Egda.The 2020-built, eco-design Kamsarmax was constructed in China and has recently completed its five-year special survey.

bound4blue, a leader in wind propulsion systems, has closed a $44 million funding round backed by leading maritime corporates, ship owning families, climate-focused investors and government capital. The round was led by OCTAVE Capital, an investment platform affiliated with major shipowner: IMC, and Katapult Ocean. The round brings together new investors including Motion Ventures, Odfjell family office and ReOcean Fund, led by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Asset Management…

On October 28, 2025 U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, convened the Senate hearing “Sea Change: Reviving Commercial Shipbuilding”. This hearing examined how to modernize and accelerate U.S. commercial shipbuilding while strengthening a larger maritime industrial base.Senator Sullivan opened with a statement that included: “Our nation faces a critical strategic challenge as foreign competitors…

We are well into the discussions advising shipbuilders and operators how the U.S. will create a renaissance of the maritime industry. Federal Legislation, Executive Orders, and new foreign partnerships driving the promise of commercial competitiveness with the leading global shipbuilders. Most of the shipbuilding rhetoric indicates the domestic markets will be left to survive on their own. This despite the fact the domestic operators and builders have proven to be the strongest…

ABS hosted the second edition of the Middle East Women in Maritime Summit at the Address Dubai Mall, gathering more than 150 industry professionals to celebrate the expanding role of women in the region’s maritime sector.Themed “Advancing Women in Maritime – Challenges and Opportunities,” the summit showcased stories of leadership and mentorship across the Middle East’s fast-growing maritime ecosystem.Guests of honor included Her Excellency Engineer Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to…

Where does true value lie in maritime digitalization? How are shipowners leveraging improvements in data quality and how can a single source of truth support and inform decision-making? To kick-off London International Shipping Week, ABS Wavesight assembled a panel of industry leaders to seek out the answers, with CEO Staci Satterwhite asking the questions.The panel - made up of Robert Gaina, SVP, Commercial at Ardmore Shipping, Niraj Nanda, Chief Commercial Officer at Anglo-Eastern and Robert Desai, Chief Executive Officer at V.

Today marks a momentous occasion for SpecTec as we celebrate 40 incredible years of empowering the maritime industry with cutting-edge solutions. From our humble beginnings in 1985 in Oslo, Norway, to becoming a trusted partner for shipowners and operators worldwide, our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.This milestone is a testament to the passion and dedication of our people, the unwavering trust of our customers, and the invaluable support of our partners. Over the past four decades…

Cat Pushes Forward on Hybrid Electric Solutions, Alternative FuelsAs the maritime industry continues its transformation driven by decarbonization mandates, OEMs like Caterpillar are central to paving the path. Will Watson, Marine Product Manager, Caterpillar, discusses latest efforts by the company to unlock the potential with hybrid electric and alternative fuel solutions.Key Takeaways to Caterpillar Marine’s Hybrid Propulsion•Hybrid Propulsion Systems: Diesel + battery solutions…

SpecTec celebreaters its 40th year via a special anniversary event in La Spezia, Italy, from May 19th to 21st.Founded in Oslo in 1985, SpecTec began as a pioneer in maritime technology, introducing AMOS (Asset Management Operating System) to revolutionize planned maintenance and fleet management. Over the decades, the company has expanded globally, adapted to industry transformations, and remained committed to driving operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability for shipowners, operators, and managers worldwide.The celebration will feature keynote sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions on the future of maritime technology, reinforcing SpecTec’s commitment to shaping the industry for years to come.

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.

QatarEnergy has inaugurated four new conventional-size LNG vessels built in Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean shipyards in the Republic of Korea as part of its historic fleet expansion program.The four new vessels - Id’asah, Nuaijah, Umm Swayyah, and Lebrethah - are part of 128 total vessels ordered from Korean and Chinese shipyards as part of the largest shipbuilding program in the history of the LNG shipping industry.The naming of the vessels took place in two separate ceremonies in the city of Geoje…

Danish shipowner Norden says it is focused on expanding its fleet of Capesize bulk carriers. During the first two months of Q2 2024, the company added two new modern Capesize vessels (2021) to its owned fleet, while at the same time capitalizing on the current strong market conditions by divesting an old Capesize vessel (2011).In addition, one MR tanker was chartered in.Henrik Lykkegaard Madsen, Norden's Head of Asset Management, said, “These transactions are part of optimizing our Capesize fleet with modern vessels in line with our climate strategy…

East Africa Marine Transport has taken a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and efficient logistics solution for Lake Victoria with the commissioning of M.V. MPUNGU, the lake’s first scheduled roll-on / roll-off freight vessel.Offering faster and safer crossings and reduced carbon emissions, the fuel-efficient vessel is set to transform regional trade by cutting journey times from days to hours and supporting the decarbonisation of the region’s transport sector.Owned by East Africa Marine Transport (EAMT) and operated by Grindrod Logistics Africa - Uganda (GLAU)…

Star Information Systems (STAR) has acquired Sharecat, a provider of solutions for managing and improving technical data quality for complex industrial operations.STAR delivers advanced systems for maintenance, operations planning, procurement, logistics, and master data management, mainly for the maritime sector. The company has grown significantly over over the past four years and is on track to become a leading international player in a competitive market.Data quality is crucial…

Electric motor startup H3X on Tuesday announced it has raised $20 million through an oversubscribed Series A round led by Infinite Capital, with participation from Hanwha Asset Management, Cubit Capital, Origin Ventures, Industrious Ventures, Venn10 Capital, and follow-on investors that include Lockheed Martin Ventures, Metaplanet, Liquid 2 Ventures and TechNexus.Denver-based H3X manufactures high power density electric motors for aviation, marine, industrial and defense applications.

All Energies Services Group (AES Group) has announced the acquisition of CWind Ltd, a market provider of offshore wind services, from private equity firm Inspirit Capital.This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in AES Group's mission to expand its footprint in the renewable energy sector and reinforces its commitment to driving the global transition to clean energy.Founded in 2010, CWind Ltd is known for delivering comprehensive support to the offshore wind industry, including crew transfer vessels, asset management, and turnkey engineering services.

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Akselos have completed the technical assessment for structural digital twin technology, marking an advancement in the application of the solution for Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units.Akselos’ SPM software provides a high-fidelity, near real-time digital twin of the entire FPSO. By combining inspection records, metocean conditions, and cargo operations into one dynamic model, operators gain a live, continuous view of structural performance.