Wärtsilä, Erik Thun Agree Overhaul Partnership for Fleet Support
Wärtsilä has signed a long-term overhaul agreement with Sweden’s Erik Thun Group, covering maintenance and technical support across its fleet.The agreement, developed with fleet management partner MF Shipping Group, includes overhaul services, field and technical services, workshop support and spare parts supply.The work is aimed at supporting the performance and lifespan of engines, propulsion systems and shaft line equipment across the fleet.Wärtsilä will provide maintenance and field services to reduce downtime…
Low-Emission Cement Carrying Vessel to be Dual-Fuel Methanol
Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe has taken a decisive step toward low-emission coastal logistics with the development of a next-generation methanol-powered cement carrier, an 80% emissions-cutting vessel that could redefine short-sea bulk operations in Scandinavia. Planned to enter service in early 2028, the newbuild is the product of a multi-stakeholder public-private partnership involving the Hartmann Group, the Green Shipping Programme (GSP) and the Norwegian NOx Fund,…
In the Search for Ship Energy Efficiency, Don't Forget Waste Heat
Fuel-agnostic and suitable for newbuilds and retrofit, Organic Rankine Cycle waste heat recovery systems are making headway as an energy-efficiency measure.Market prospects are looking so good for waste heat recovery systems that Orcan Energy recently expanded its industry relationships by partnering with Goltens on installations.Andreas Sichert, CEO of Orcan Energy, said: “Waste heat recovery is one of the most powerful and underutilized tools for improving energy efficiency.
Algoma Central Fleet Hits the 100-Vessel Mark, Records Strong Q3
St. Catharines, Ontario–based Algoma Central Corporation (TSX: ALC) reported a solid third quarter for 2025, marked by fleet milestones, steady revenue growth across segments, and ongoing investment in next-generation vessels.For the quarter ended September 30, Algoma posted revenue of C$228 million, up from C$205 million a year earlier, and EBITDA of C$89.7 million, a 19% increase year-over-year. Net earnings came in at C$39.4 million or C$0.97 per share, essentially flat compared to Q3 2024.“This quarter marked a milestone for Algoma with the delivery of the Algoma Legacy…
McKeil Marine Chooses Thordon Bearings for Bulker Refit
Thordon Bearings has delivered COMPAC water-lubricated propeller shaft and SXL rudder bearings to replace oil- and grease- lubricated bearings onboard McKeil Marine’s bulk carrier Northern Venture as part of a major refurbishment project.Established in 1956, Canada-based McKeil Marine provides marine transportation along the St. Lawrence Seaway, the East Coast, and Canadian Arctic with its diversified fleet of tugs, barges, workboats and vessels, including bunkers, cement carriers, and tankers.The shipowner acquired the 155m (508.5ft), 19,651dwt Northern Venture in 2022.
NovaAlgoma Adds Five Secondhand Bulkers
Algoma Central Corporation and Nova Marine announced their global short sea shipping joint venture NovaAlgoma has acquired five secondhand bulk carrier vessels, including three cement carriers from KGJ Cement in Northern Europe and two handy-size bulk carriers from Swire Bulk Holdings Pte. Ltd. of Singapore.“We carefully consider each opportunity for growth and these vessel purchases fit perfectly into our long-term plan for sustaining a profitable business alongside our partners at Nova Marine,“ said Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma Central Corporation.
Ship Repair Yard Navalrocha Reports 'Robust' Start to 2021
Portugal’s Navalrocha Shipyard reports that it is continuing its robust performance through the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with a steady pipeline of work through to 2024, with the first six months of 2021 including a series ofdrydock projects involving general cargo vessels, tugs, passenger ferries, bunker tankers, Ro-Ro Pax vessels, LPG carriers and cruise vessels.According to Navalrocha commercial director Sergio Rodrigues, order volumes are running ahead of each of the last three years…
Van Aalst Group Launches Nortek Services AS
To provide preventive and predictive maintenance services, combined with workshop services for clients operating worldwide in the offshore oil, gas, marine and renewables industry, the Dutch Van Aalst Group recently set up Nortek Services AS in Kristiansand, Norway.According to Wijnand van Aalst, CEO of the Van Aalst Group and Safeway, the initiative to launch Nortek stems mainly from the rapid growth currently taking place at a number of Van Aalst companies. Safeway from the Netherlands has achieved success with its motion-compensated gangways and Techano in Norway…
IRClass Foreign Flag Fleet Reg. Up 16%
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) said that the classed fleet registered approx. 3% growth in the past year.The ship classification society said that its foreign flag fleet continued to grow at a robust pace with 16% more vessels added during 2019 demonstrating strong global acceptance of IRClass services.IRClass received several flag authorizations in 2019 including key flags like Cyprus and Denmark and is now recognized by 45 flag states worldwide. It opened a new office in the Netherlands to add to its other European offices in the UK, Greece, Turkey and representative offices in Malta, Cyprus and Bulgaria.Middle East being its strongest market outside India…
Offshore Boosts Optimarin Growth
Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin said that the recovery of the offshore shipping segment is playing a key role in driving its revenues to new heights.The Stavanger, Norway-based business, which has focused exclusively on BWT for the last 25 years, has just signed a number of fleet agreements, including a contract with Island Offshore for 19 systems, doubling its order intake year on year.“Optimarin has long held the position of the preferred supplier to the offshore segment, so the fact that the industry is recovering – with fewer vessels laid up – is a very positive development for us,” comments Tore Andersen, EVP Sales…
McKeil Marine Adds Chemical Tanker
Canada’s marine services provider McKeil Marine Limited has acquired Topaz, an IMO 2, ice class 1A chemical tanker.With this newest addition to its diversified fleet of tugs, barges, workboats and vessels, including bulkers, cement carriers, and tankers, McKeil expands its offering and is poised for additional growth.The Panamanian-flagged Topaz built in 2009, measures 137 metres by 20 metres, with a DWT of 13,965 metric tonnes. The vessel was acquired to service the needs of McKeil’s customer Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc. (PCLI).Her journey originated in Singapore and continued to Malaysia where she loaded a cargo for delivery to the Mediterranean.
Dual Fueled Cement Carrier Christened
The christening and launch of the 8,000 deadweight, dual fueled cement carrier M/V Shetland took place at the Ferus Smit yard in Westerbroek.M.V. Shetland is the third dedicated cement carrier built for JT Cement AS, a joint venture between KGJ Cement, NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers Ltd and Erik Thun AB. Shetland is a sister vessel of the M/V Ireland and M/V Greenland.The vessel is equipped with an LNG fuelled propulsion system. "This unique design incorporates a 200 m3 pressurised LNG tank positioned in the foreship," it said in a press release.While sailing on LNG, the vessel will meet the most stringent emission criteria, as well as new norms that might be in place in futures for environmental sensitive areas…
Algoma Central Cancels Croatian New Build Contracts
Canadian shipping company Algoma Central Corporation has decided to cancel all four newbuild construction contracts with Croatian shipbuilder Uljanik.The provider of marine transportation services announced in a press release that that it has taken steps to cancel its remaining four new build construction contracts with a Croatian shipyard.The cancellation notices have been sent to the shipyard as a result of the Yard’s failure to secure refinancing and Algoma has no assurance that the shipyard will be able to complete the four vessels.The Company will now initiate the process to be reimbursed for contract instalments paid to date, including…
Cement Carrier Sports Innovative, 'Green' Cargo System
NACC Alicudi is reported to be the world’s first cement carrier equipped with IMO Tier III compliant diesel engines driving the bulk handling system. Converted in 2017 with a Van Aalst dry bulk handling system, the vessel became a unique and state-of-the-art 120m self-discharging cement carrier, with a cement handling system is based on compressors and vacuum pumps, driven by Tier III Scania engines. Together they form the heart of the unique vacuum-pressure system for pneumatic conveyance of cement…
Algoma Joins Whale Conservation Efforts
Algoma Central Corporation, the largest fleet of dry and liquid bulk carriers on the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Waterway, is adding the crews from 27 of its vessels to an expanding network of whale watchers. For the first time, the crews on Algoma’s self-unloaders, bulkers, tankers and cement carriers will collect data about the whales they see on their journeys this summer."Algoma is committed to providing sustainable and environmentally responsible marine transportation,” said Gregg Ruhl, Algoma’s Chief Operating Officer.
Radio Holland Books Six-Ship Order From Royal Bodewes
Radio Holland Netherlands has received an order for a full Nav/Com package for six vessels being built at Royal Bodewes in Hoogezand, highlighting longstanding relationships, both with Royal Bodewes and manufacturer Furuno. The FURUNO FAR-22x8/23x8 series is characterised by its state-of-the-art antenna design and innovative signal processing techniques. Radio Holland will install the new FAR radar, together with 26” screens, on all six of the new vessels, which are being built at Royal Bodewes. The NavCom packages to be provided comprise a variety of Furuno equipment (a.o.
SMT Shipping, CSL Rolls out Joint Venture
SMT Shipping and The CSL Group announced they have entered into an agreement for CSL to acquire 50% of Eureka Shipping, SMT's pneumatic cement vessel business. The new joint venture will allow Eureka and CSL to combine expertise, resources and innovative technologies to expand services to customers in the seaborne cement powder and fly ash transportation markets around the world. CSL's Australian cement shipping business is not included in the joint venture. "The joint venture represents an important step in CSL's strategy to increase its presence in the global construction material sector," said Louis Martel, President and CEO of The CSL Group. "SMT Shipping is honored to partner with CSL in Eureka," said Mark Voorham, CEO of SMT Shipping.
Wärtsilä Dual-fuel Engines for Tanker Newbuilds
Wärtsilä said it has been contracted to supply the engines, propellers and fuel supply systems for four new tanker vessels. The ships will run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel, and are being built at the Scheepswerf Ferus Smit yard in the Netherlands for Sweden based Erik Thun AB. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in the first quarter of 2017. In 2014, the Scheepswerf Ferus Smit yard built two cement carriers on behalf of Erik Thun AB. These are now operated by JT Cement; a joint venture company with Norway based KG Jebsen Cement.
NovaAlgoma Short-Sea Carriers Launched
Algoma Central Corporation and Nova Marine Carriers SA today announced the creation of a new joint venture that will focus on short-sea dry-bulk shipping for global markets. This new joint venture, operating as NovaAlgoma Short-Sea Carriers, or NASC, is a 50/50 joint venture between Algoma Central Corporation (Algoma) and Nova Marine Holdings Limited (Nova), the parent company of Nova Marine Carriers. NASC was formed by Nova as an October 31, 2016 carve-out from the deep sea dry-bulk freight business operated by Nova Marine Carriers S.A. In accordance with its agreement with Algoma, Nova has transferred all short-sea commercial contracts to NASC and transferred its interest in NASC and its interests in any dry-bulk vessels of less than 15…
Algoma, Nova Marine Form JV
Canada-based Algoma Central Corporation and Switzerland's Nova Marine Carriers SA have announced that they are exploring an expanded partnership that is expected to lead to the creation of a global company specializing in short-sea dry bulk shipping. Creation of the partnership is subject to completion of appropriate due diligence and finalization of definitive documentation. The new company, which is to be called NovaAlgoma Short-Sea Carriers, or NASC, will initially operate a fleet of approximately 70 bulker vessels with capacities up to 15,000 dwt in markets world-wide. The fleet will comprise owned ships, chartered vessels, and vessels under third party management contracts.
‘The Best Kept Secret in Shipbuilding’
In 2009, Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri S.p.A, purchased the assets of the Manitowoc Marine Group; which included Bay Shipbuilding Company. Located in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Bay Shipbuilding was the “feather in the cap” with their long history in U.S. commercial shipbuilding and repair. Can you share with us your background and area of responsibility? I’ve been the Vice President and General Manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding since assuming the role in August of 2012.
PureSOx Installed on Canadian Cement Carrier
As well as being the established choice of scrubber for Emission Control Areas (ECAs), Alfa Laval PureSOx is proving its capabilities on the Great Lakes. The system will soon be installed on a cement carrier that will operate in the region as part of the NovaAlgoma fleet. NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers Limited has recently expanded its fleet with the M/v Nacc Quebec. This ecologically efficient self-discharging bulker will be converted from an existing vessel in China and will begin her operation in 2017.
Radio Holland NavCom, VSAT for 4 Newbuilds
NavCom and On Board ICT specialist Radio Holland informs it has booked multiple orders in a challenging newbuild market. The company was awarded contracts to deliver and install the complete NavCom and VSAT packages for four newbuild vessels: two of the Meriaura Group and two of Eureka, part of SMT Shipping, all built at Royal Bodewes in Hoogezand, The Netherlands. “We have completed many successful projects with Radio Holland and are happy to work with them on these four new vessels,” said Johan Schouwenaar from Royal Bodewes.