Engine Room News

With a growing focus on mitigating climate change and progressing toward the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 net-zero target, the marine sector is under intense pressure to decarbonize. Today, maritime transport emits nearly one billion tons of CO2 annually, representing roughly 2-3% of all energy-related carbon emissions worldwide .Substantial progress has been made over the past decade in reducing emissions from small commercial and coastal vessels via all-electric and diesel-electric propulsion (DEP) systems.

Mitsui E&S and Taiyo Electric have developed an Overhang Permanent Magnet Shaft Generating System for large marine engines.Unlike Taiyo Electric’s conventional shaft generators installed on intermediate shafts, this new system is mounted on the fore end of the main engine. This configuration minimizes the impact on engine room layout and stern hull design, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and enhanced energy-saving performance for vessels.In addition, the engine and generator can be ordered and delivered as further a single package…

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the flooding and foundering of the stern trawler Opportune off Scotland, with uncertainty remaining about the cause.On 24 March 2024, the 23.95m UK registered Opportune foundered 36 miles east of Lerwick, Scotland. Opportune’s eight crew were later rescued uninjured from the vessel’s liferafts by coastguard helicopters. The vessel was not recovered. The key safety issues identified were:• The vessel foundered due to a rapid and uncontrolled engine room flood.• The source of the flood could not be established.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) released its new Deck Procedures Guide, a vital addition to ICS’s suite of shipboard operational guidance. ICS says the publication addresses a critical gap in maritime safety guidance by providing the industry's first comprehensive resource dedicated specifically to deck operations. Together with the widely used Bridge Procedures Guide and Engine Room Procedures Guide, this new publication completes a trilogy of core resources designed to harmonise best practice across all shipboard departments.Covering the full spectrum of deck-side activities…

Oil prices rose about 2% on Thursday after two days of declines as investors assessed developments in Venezuela and on worries about supplies from Russia, Iraq and Iran.Brent futures rose $1.21, or 2%, to $61.17 per barrel at 11:17 a.m. EST (1617 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.02, or 1.8%, to $57.01.The U.S. seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia's flag, as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's…

A Russia-bound oil tanker suffered a drone attack in the Black Sea that prompted it to request Turkish coastguard assistance and divert from its course, according to a notice by Lloyd's List Intelligence and a separate maritime security source on Thursday.Maritime data specialist Lloyd's List Intelligence said the Palau-flagged Elbus vessel "experienced an unmanned marine-vehicle and drone attack" on Wednesday targeting its engine room, and that no injuries were reported among the 25 crew, nor any pollution.The security source described it as a drone attack, based on an assessment.

Boston Harbor's MV Outward Bound has returned to Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation for a mid-life refit. Redelivery is planned for spring 2026. Purpose-designed by JW Gilbert Associates and built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 1995, the 64-foot, 140-passenger steel vessel carries visitors and supplies seasonally to Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound, which offers experiential outdoor programs for youth and adults on the island in Boston Harbor.Along with installing a new shaft and propeller…

A Turkish-owned oil tanker that was damaged near Senegal's coast last week was hit by four external explosions but there were no injuries or pollution, its manager said on Monday.The vessel, Mersin, was at anchor near Dakar when the four explosions occurred at 2345 GMT on November 27, resulting in seawater entering the engine room, Istanbul-based Besiktas Shipping said in a written statement.The cause of the explosions was not clear."The situation was immediately brought under control, and we confirm that all crew members are safe; there are no injuries, no loss of life, and no pollution," the

Senegalese authorities are racing to prevent a potential oil spill after water entered the engine room of the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Mersin near Dakar's coast, the port authority said on Sunday.The vessel is owned by Turkey's Mersin Shipping Inc and managed by Besiktas Shipping, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group.The incident, which led to the vessel issuing a distress signal, occurred overnight from November 27 to 28, prompting the deployment of tugboats and specialized teams from Senegal's navy and maritime authority…

A gas tanker had just left its berth at the Port of Brisbane, Australia, when it lost propulsion for two minutes as two of its three electrical generators were not properly configured, an ATSB final report has confirmed.On March 15, 2025, the 100-metre, Liberian-flagged Gaschem Homer departed the BP Products berth in the Port of Brisbane, under the conduct of a harbour pilot.While it was being turned towards the port’s entrance, it experienced an electrical blackout, resulting in the total loss of all propulsion and steering control.Power was able to be restored after about two minutes…

Breaux’s Bay Craft delivered its latest aluminum pilot vessel for the Houston Pilots. The first of two, M/V San Jacinto, is the newest addition to the fleet of high-performance pilot boats,designed for  precision, built for strength, and finished with a striking red, white, and blue color scheme that reflects the Gulf Coast heritage of the Houston Pilots.Measuring 80 x 21 feet wide, the San Jacinto is built with a new-generation inverted deep-V bottom hull, exceeds the rigorous operational demands of one of the busiest pilotage services in the U.S.

It’s been said that American maritime is “having a moment” in Washington, DC.From President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance, to introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral SHIPS for America Act in Congress, the U.S. maritime industry has been a subject of focused attention at the highest levels of government, and rightfully so. At their core, these initiatives are driven by recognition that a strong maritime industry is not only vital to the American economy…

U.K.-based Tidal Transit has deployed a range of eco-friendly maritime cleansers from sustainable cleaning solutions specialist Terrafend to help maintain its expanding fleet of crew transfer vessels (CTVs).Designed to replace the multiple hazardous, solvent, caustic and acid-based cleaning products, Terrafend’s NEMO range of water-based cleansers will help transform Tidal Transit’s vessel cleaning process with just two all-purpose solutions.NEMO’s Super Concentrate and Power Gel are non-flammable…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Kanadevia Corporation, and Yanmar Power Solutions have achieved a 98% methane slip reduction rate in onboard trials of LNG-fueled vessels, exceeding their initial target of 70%.The trials are part of the Green Innovation Fund Project ‘Development of Next-Generation Vessels’ led by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).The project, which runs from fiscal 2021 through 2026, aims to combine methane oxidation catalysts…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted approval in principle (AiP) for VesselWise, a next-generation autonomous technology for optimizing propulsion to improve fuel efficiency and enhance operational stability.The technology was developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and HD Hyundai Marine Solution (HD HMS) for LNG carriers.HD Hyundai Group says VesselWise aims to optimize the performance of critical machinery, including air lubrication systems, wind propulsion technology, generator engines and more.

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…

The federal district court in Anchorage, Alaska, has entered final judgment against three Kodiak-based commercial fishing companies and their manager for multiple violations of the Clean Water Act.The court entered default judgments against company manager Corey Potter and F/V Knot EZ LLC, Aleutian Tendering LLC, and Alaska Tendering Company LLC, and imposed a civil penalty of $1,182,265 for the violations. The case was filed on October 24, 2024, by the Department of Justice on behalf of the Coast Guard against Corey Potter and three of his related companies.

A new advanced simulation suite, supplied by technology group Wärtsilä, has been inaugurated at the maritime training institute Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM), the training arm of Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC), a subsidiary of Petronas.The integration of Wärtsilä’s latest simulator technology significantly raises the level of maritime education for the region, creating a new generation of highly skilled and proficient seafaring professionals.ALAM’s new simulation suite features Wärtsilä’s new advanced dual-fuel simulator technology…

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report on the fire and subsequent loss of power on board the Finland registered roll-on/roll-off cargo ship Finnmaster at Hull, England.At 2013 on 19 September 2021, a fire broke out in the auxiliary engine room on the Finland registered roll-on/roll-off cargo ship Finnmaster during departure from Hull, England. Finnmaster lost power, but the fire was later extinguished and the vessel safely re-berthed with the assistance of tugs.

The US Coast Guard rescued four people from a sinking tug in the Gulf of Alaska, Friday.Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center in Juneau received a report at approximately 10:17 a.m. that the 110-foot tug vessel Sea Ranger was taking on water 130 miles south of Cordova, Alaska.Watchstanders directed the launch of an HC-130 Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak to respond. The aircrew located the vessel at approximately 1:08 p.m. and established communications with the crew.The vessel crew reported they were not in distress.

Atlantic Towing Limited has achieved a milestone in its decarbonization journey with the successful retrofit of the Atlantic Shrike. Equipped with Vard Electro’s SeaQ Energy Storage System, the Platform Supply Vessel has recorded an 11% fuel savings across all operations and substantial CO2 savings.As the maritime industry faces mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance fuel efficiency, vessel owners are seeking solutions to modernize their fleets. In 2021, Atlantic Towing Limited, a subsidiary of J.D.

U.S.-based subsea services and technology firm Oceaneering has completed a major upgrade of its Ocean Intervention II oceanographic research vessel, equipping it to perform simultaneous autonomous offshore survey missions.The retrofit, carried out in early 2025 on the 25-year-old vessel, has made it capable of launching and recovering both uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).The vessel, originally launched in 2000 for geophysical and geotechnical survey work…

Wallenius Marine and KNUD E. HANSEN have launched a new RoRo (roll on/roll off) design at Donsö Shipping Meet.The new concept builds on the Sleipner PCTC concept and on operational data from the Sleipner vessels Future Way and Way Forward. The new RoRo design, which includes an engine room in the bow, creates a large cargo capacity of 2,720 lane meters, equivalent to 181 trailers.The Sleipner RoRo concept allows for loading and unloading to be carried out quickly and efficiently using the stern ramp and main deck across the full width of the ship…