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24 Jul 2024
ioCurrents: Deep Diving into the Data
When setting out to maximize efficiency on board any type of commercial vessel, it’s most beneficial to look at the big picture, taking into account the entirety of its systems and operations, but examined at a granular level. Traditionally, this has been much easier said than done.But latest advancements in cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies like those being leveraged by Seattle-based tech company ioCurrents are unlocking new possibilities.
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23 Jul 2024
Carnival Orders Three Mega Cruise Ships from Fincantieri
Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, announced on Tuesday that it has ordered a trio of ultra large cruise ships from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for its Carnival Cruise Line brand.At nearly 230,000 gross registered tonnes, and with capacity for nearly 8,000 passengers in 3,000 guest staterooms, the new ships will be the largest in Carnival's global fleet.The three liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled ships will be delivered in the summers of 2029…
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22 Jul 2024
Towboats: Pathways to Decarbonization
There are many forces pushing stakeholders across the global maritime industry to decarbonize.In the U.S. inland waterways, regulations aren’t one of the main drivers—at least not at the moment, according to Mike Complita, principal and vice president of strategic expansion at Elliott Bay Design Group, a naval architecture firm.Speaking on a panel at the IMX trade show in Nashville, Complita said proposed…
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19 Jul 2024
ABB Selected to Provide Propulsion for Washington State Ferries' New Hybrid Vessels
Washington State Ferries (WSF) has tapped ABB to design and supply the propulsion systems for its new series of five hybrid electric ferries. ABB was previously selected for the project in 2020 after the original build contract was awarded to Vigor, but the competitive bid process was relaunched following disagreements between WSF and the shipyard over price and other contract terms.In May of this year, WSF invited shipyards across the country to bid on construction for the five new ferries.
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18 Jul 2024
Birdon Awarded LLTM Order for Coast Guard's Waterways Commerce Cutters
Birdon America on Thursday announced it has received a $14.75 million order from the U.S. Coast Guard for long lead time materials (LLTM) required to begin construction on the first Inland Construction Tender (WLIC) and the first River Buoy Tender (WLR).The vessels will be the first two built as part of Birdon’s $1.187 billion contract to design and build 27 new Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCC) to…
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15 Jul 2024
US Offshore Player Laborde Marine Enters the Inland Market with New Division
Laborde Marine, a New Orleans-based offshore support vessels (OSV) operator, announced it is entering the U.S. inland marine market with the creation of a new division to provide towing and pushboat services.LabMar Inland will initially charter Ivy Steiner, a 2,000-horsepower pushboat newly built by Steiner Construction in Bayou La Batre, Ala. The 78-foot-long vessel has a 34-foot beam and max draft of 8 feet, six inches.
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13 Jul 2024
Hydrogen-powered Ferry Sea Change Set to Enter Service
The first-of-its-kind hydrogen-fueled ferry Sea Change will soon begin public service, providing zero-emissions transport for passengers in San Francisco Bay.The groundbreaking commercial passenger vessel is the world’s first powered 100% by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. It was developed by owner SWITCH Maritime with grant support from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a solution to…
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12 Jul 2024
California Ferry Operator AITF Moves to Electrify Its Fleet in CARB-backed Project
Angel Island Tiburon Ferry (AITF), in California, has tapped New-Zealand-based EV Maritime to design a plug-in hybrid electric vessel for its fleet in the San Francisco Bay Area. The project, which will also see the electrification of two existing AITF vessels, has been funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The hybrid ferry will be designed and engineered by EV Maritime with electrical integration provided by ZeroMar…
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11 Jul 2024
Yanmar and Amogy Partner on Ammonia-to-hydrogen Power
Power solutions companies Yanmar and Amogy are teaming up to explore ammonia-to-hydrogen integration for decarbonized power generation aboard marine vessels.The companies on Thursday announced they have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to integrate Amogy’s advanced ammonia-cracking technology into Yanmar’s hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE). The partners have been exploring…
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10 Jul 2024
Saltchuk Completes OSG Acquisition
Seattle-headquartered Saltchuk on Wednesday announced it has completed its acquisition of Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), a New York-listed marine transportation company based in Tampa, Fla.Privately-held Saltchuk—previously OSG’s largest shareholder—said it completed a $950 million transaction to purchase all outstanding shares of OSG common stock at $8.50 per share in cash, making OSG a wholly owned subsidiary.
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08 Jul 2024
NSMV Empire State Suffers Technical Issues
The first in a series if brand new training ships for the U.S.' state maritime academies has had to alter course on its inaugural summer training voyage after running into technical issues. The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Empire State, built by Philly Shipyard and delivered to SUNY Maritime Academy in September 2023, made it through about half of the 2024 summer sea term before the problems arose…
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08 Jul 2024
Boskalis to Acquire Remaining Shares in Smit Lamnalco
Royal Boskalis B.V. on Monday announced it has reached a deal to take full ownership of marine services and towage provider Smit Lamnalco, after another deal for the company to be acquired by Spain’s Boluda Group fell through.Dutch dredging contractor and marine services firm Boskalis, which has held a 50% stake in Smit Lamnalco alongside joint owner Saudi Arabia's the Rezayat Group since 1964, said it signed an agreement to acquire all remaining shares in the company.
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05 Jul 2024
Hornblower Completes Financial Restructuring
Hornblower Group has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy under new ownership following the completion of its court-approved financial restructuring plan, the marine transportation and experiences company announced on Friday.Under the plan approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, majority ownership of San Francisco-based Hornblower has transitioned to funds managed by investment firm Strategic Value Partners (SVP)…
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02 Jul 2024
Maersk Forms Dedicated Offshore Wind Installation Business
Denmark-based A.P. Moller - Maersk has launched a dedicated division to provide installation services to the growing offshore wind industry.Maersk Offshore Wind has been formed as a spin off from Maersk Supply Service (MSS), which was acquired by Norwegian offshore supply vessel company DOF Group in a $1.11 billion in a cash and stock deal.The newly formed company is owned by A.P. Moller Holding and currently has approximately 40 employees.
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02 Jul 2024
U.S. Shipbuilding Sector in Focus: Crew Transfer Vessels
A fleet of Jones Act compliant crew transfer vessels is growing in stride with the United States’ burgeoning offshore wind industry.When the United Sates’ first purpose-built crew transfer vessel (CTV), Atlantic Pioneer, was delivered in 2016, the country’s offshore wind industry was just getting off the ground. In the years that followed, the industry has been building up—perhaps slower than expected…
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28 Jun 2024
American Offshore Services Launches Its Second CTV
American Offshore Services (A-O-S) announced the launch of its second crew transfer vessel (CTV), Generater, designed to support the United States' growing offshore wind industry.Generater is a 99-foot, Jones-Act-qualified catamaran built to serve wind farms off the U.S. East Coast.Like sister vessel Gripper, the newbuild is of Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S)’ 30-meter G-Class design with focus on comfort for crew and technicians…
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25 Jun 2024
Crowley Christens the US' First Electric Tug eWolf
Crowley on Tuesday christened its new vessel, eWolf, the first all-electric ship assist tugboat in the United States.Set to enter commercial service at the Port of San Diego this week, the 82-foot tug was built by Coden, Ala. shipbuilder Master Boat Builders and designed by Crowley’s engineering services team to operate on full electric power, producing zero carbon emissions and 70-ton bollard pull…
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25 Jun 2024
Amogy's Converted Tug Gearing Up for Ammonia Test Run
A 67-year-old tugboat being converted to run on Amogy's cleaner-burning ammonia-to-power technology will soon be put to the test in upstate New York.The105-foot tug, originally built in 1957 and recently renamed NH3 Kraken, will be the first vessel globally fitted with the innovative, carbon-free power system, developed by Amogy to reduce emissions from hard to abate sectors such as maritime.The conversion project currently underway at Feeney Shipyard in Kingston, N.Y.
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20 Jun 2024
Insights: Richard Schwarz, SAFE Boats International
When Richard Schwarz joined SAFE Boats International as chief financial officer in 2015, he brought to the company a healthy dose of experience in defense and aerospace manufacturing, primarily gained on the financial side of the business. About 2.5 years later, he transitioned to become chief executive officer of the Pacific Northwest boatbuilder, which constructs aluminum vessels for a diverse set of customers.“The mix changes from month to month…
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17 Jun 2024
Golden Gate Ferry to Build Eight New Vessels
Golden Gate Ferry will build a fleet of eight new hybrid vessels to improve operational efficiency and reduce emissions from its San Francisco Bay Area commuter ferry service.Electrical contracting company McKay on Monday announced it has been appointed by naval architecture firm Aurora Marine Design to serve as the electrical systems integrator for the Liwa Class newbuild program, which will commence…