Take a Hyke: Swarm Tech for Ferries
Apps, big data, tech, software and cutting-edge innovation were hallmarks at last year’s Sea Tech conference in Brest, France. During one session, for example, on electronic charting, the speakers made reference to “data as fuel.” For vessel operations, data was called a resource just like diesel or LNG or lithium batteries. The reference was usually to big data, i.e., almost boundless information flowing like a gusher from a firehose…
Malaysian FPSO Giant Yinson Invests in Norwegian Autonomous Vessel Start-up
Yinson GreenTech (YTG), a green tech investment branch of the Malaysian FPSO giant Yinson, has announced its strategic investment in a Norwegian startup specializing in autonomous solutions for the maritime industry called Zeabuz."The investment provides the foundation for YGT to work closely with Zeabuz in the development of autonomous solutions for YGT’s future fleet of electric vesselsm," Yinson said…
Marine Power - CEO in Focus: Chris-Marine’s Jens Groth
Malmö, Sweden-based Chris-Marine is long-tenured in the business of keeping engines running smoothly, efficiently. Led by its energetic young CEO Jens Groth, this 60-year-old- company finds itself in transition: firmly rooted in its traditional business of creating the tools and technique to keep commercial ship engines running smoothly, but at the same time transitioning its revenue to include services, particularly as ships at sea increasingly run with fewer, less experienced crew.
Pushing the Envelope: A H2 Project Highlights French Teamwork on Alt-Energy
At the Sea Tech Week Maritime Transport conference this past September, held in Brest, France, there was no shortage of big-picture, creative ideas pertaining to maritime shipping and alternative energy.One such project, called Seaguel, was presented as part of a larger discussion on hydrogen (H2) as maritime fuel. The full session was titled “Distributing Hydrogen from Offshore Wind Farms as a Fuel for Ships.” The topic was developed by France Energies Marines (FEM)…
Emissions Winners, Losers on Far East to U.S. West Coast Trade
Xeneta returns this week with a second ranking of carrier carbon emissions, this time focused on the Far East to U.S. West Coast Trade."Why are we doing this? We want to shine a light on the importance of green shipping and spotlight the progress of carriers,” said Peter Sand, chief analyst, touting the results as "Name & Fame." Results are based on the Xeneta and Marine Benchmark Carbon Emissions Index (CEI).Name & Shame: Xeneta CEI Tool Highlights Best…
MOL Sees Cow Manure as Path to Slash Vessel Emissions
Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) said it is seeking to use cattle manure as part of its strategy to reduce vessel emissions.The company announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Air Water Inc. to study the use of liquefied biomethane (LBM) derived from cattle manure in vessels fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG).MOL, which has set a target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050…
Seaway7 and Saipem Partner in Pursuit of Offshore Wind Work
Subsea 7's renewables-focused offshore installation subsidiary Seaway7 on Thursday announced it has struck a deal with offshore services company Saipem to collaboratively pursue projects in the growing offshore wind industry.Under the commercial collaboration agreement, the companies plan to jointly identify, bid and execute fixed offshore wind projects, seeking those "where the combined utilization of the companies’ complementary world-class assets…
CLdN Car Carrier Fitted with Rotor Sails
CLdN announced one of its RoRo car carrier vessels is ready for its return to service after being fitted with a rotor sail wind propulsion system.The Luxembourg based company is the latest in a string of ship owners and operators to have turned to wind propulsion systems as a means to reduce fuel burn and emissions amid its journey to improve operational efficiency and its environmental footprint.Now fitted with two 35mx5m rotor sails…
Gastrade Sees Decision On Second LNG Terminal This Year
Greece’s Gastrade said on Thursday it expects to take a final investment decision on developing a second gas floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) off the country’s northern port of Alexandroupolis by the end of the year.With Europe racing to cut its reliance on Russian gas in the wake of the war in Ukraine, Greece is slowly becoming a key transit route for LNG in southeastern Europe.Last year…
Dry Bulk Vessel Rates Rebound
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index posted its second-biggest jump ever on Thursday, as rates for all vessel segments rebounded from their multi-year lows, led by capesizes.The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, was up 142 points, or about 21.1%, at 816, an over one-month high.The index, extending gains to a fifth session, recorded its biggest jump since mid-June 2020…
Help Wanted: Build a New Industry
When Atlantic offshore wind (OSW) projects move into high gear they will kick-start a series of impacts affecting almost the entire East Coast economy, from logistics to transportation to utility projects and, of course, just about every aspect of port and maritime activities.The related topics of workforce development and employment are among the fundamental issues being pushed and pulled by OSW.
ACBL Names Gard SVP of Its New Interchange & Logistics Business
U.S. inland marine transportation and logistics solutions company American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) announce it has hired Joel Gard as senior vice president of its newly established Interchange & Logistics business unit.With the associated realignment, ACBL is now comprised of three uniquely integrated strategic business units (SBU): Dry Cargo, Liquid Cargo and Interchange & Logistics.A veteran of the transportation and supply chain sector…
UK Fines Svitzer $2.4 Million Over Crewman Fatality
A.P. Moller - Maersk's towage arm Svitzer has been fined £2 million ($2.4 million) in the U.K. after pleaded guilty to safely failures that led to a crewmember fatality.Svitzer…
Propulsion Decisions or Smoke on The Water?
In no uncertain terms, the goal of “future capable” ship’s propulsion is confusing. We have been pressed into a regulatory environment that asks us to reduce emissions, and in the same breath deliver power sufficient to meet commercial schedules and allow the vessel to weather a storm and be safe at sea. To reach that end, owners are presented with a basket of new alternative fuels to achieve the latest January 1, 2023 Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations.
CCS Grants AIP for 85,000 DWT Ammonia-fueled Bulker
China Classification Society (CCS) announced it has recently granted approval in principle (AIP) to a 85,000 DWT ammonia-fueled bulk carrier design it codeveloped with Singapore’s SDTR Marine Pte Ltd. (SDTR) and Shanghai’s Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI)Ammonia has been attracting much attention from the maritime industry for its potential as an alternative green and clean fuel to help meet decarbonization goals.SDTR…
Mass Maritime Creates School of Engineering
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is in the process of restructuring its former Engineering Department with the formation of the School of Engineering.To be headed by an Associate Dean, the School of Engineering will be composed of the Departments of Marine Engineering, Facilities Engineering, and Energy Systems Engineering. Each department will have a Department Chair reporting directly to the new Associate Dean of Engineering…
Grains Export Push to Boost Dry Bulk Shipping Market
Bumper soybean harvests in Brazil and unsold grains stocks in the United States are set to boost dry bulk shipping rates as buyers including China restock after supply shocks last year, leading freight operators said.The dry bulk shipping market has been hit in recent months by slow activity, partly driven by the COVID lockdowns in China, one of the world’s biggest generators of seaborne commodities…
Herman Senior Acquires ST Marine Support
Netherlands-based tug and workboat company Herman Senior has acquired all shares of maritime and offshore services provider ST Marine Support. The acquisition includes ST’s three existing vessels and their upcoming newbuild, a Damen Multi Cat 3313SD, which is expected to be delivered at the end of March this year. With the formal handover completed on February 23, the acquisition has come into effect retroactively as of January 1…
Techcross Establishes a 'Smart Factory'
Techcross is accelerating the completion of its smart process and the establishment of an AI-based database.Techcross completed the automation of its coating liquid mixing process at the end of last year after being selected for the ‘2021 Smart Factory Establishment and Advancement Project’, which was hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and funded with approximately $550k. The key objective was to reduce errors by introducing an automation process for making the coating mixture…
SSY Acquires Westshore, Enters Offshore Sector
Simpson Spence Young (SSY) agreed on the terms to acquire Norwegian Westshore Shipbrokers AS, part of SSY’s strategy to enter into the global offshore sector. Based in Kristiansand, Norway, Westshore was launched in 1987.“This acquisition marks the first step in realising one of SSY’s key strategic objectives, to become a major global player in offshore," said tanko Jekov, SSY Managing Partner. "We…
