Digital Technologies News

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd. for remote control functions for FPSO units.ABS completed design reviews based on the ABS Requirements for Autonomous and Remote-Control Functions.The project is part of the Offshore Technology Collaboration Agreement (OTCA) between ABS and Hanwha Ocean, which enables the companies to collaborate on a series of cutting-edge projects leveraging each company’s core competencies under three broad themes: sustainability…

Maritime industry leaders explored the opportunities and critical challenges in the revitalization of U.S. shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure at the ABS North America Regional Committee Meeting.The committee heard from ABS specialists on key regulatory, technology and market factors driving a wave of change for the global industry, making training to upskill seafarers in dynamic fuels, digital systems and energy efficiency technologies more important than ever.Christopher J.

Hardik Gajjar, ENV SP, has joined HDR as maritime planning lead for the firm’s growing ports and maritime practice. Based in New Jersey, Gajjar will leverage his experience in maritime and intermodal planning to support port owners and operators around the globe as they pursue more efficient operations and smart infrastructure development.“It’s an honor to join one of the best ports and maritime firms in the industry,” Gajjar said. “I’m looking forward to leveraging HDR’s outstanding cross-sector collaboration to help clients as they assess the impact of emerging trends such as automation…

HII, America’s largest military shipbuilder, and C3 AI, the Enterprise AI application software company, have announced a strategic partnership to expand digital technologies and apply artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate shipbuilding throughput at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding divisions.These efforts are expected to accelerate production and support the U.S. Navy’s fleet readiness needs. The collaboration will also include opportunities in uncrewed…

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has initiated discussions on business collaborations with Elomatic Oy, a Finnish engineering and consulting firm, in the maritime engineering field. The Company will continue to build strategic partnerships globally to incorporate external expertise through partnering efforts and deliver its technologies, products and services to a wider range of customers.A signing ceremony for the Framework Agreement was held on June 4 at Nor-Shipping 2025.Through this collaboration with Elomatic…

Every mariner knows the routine: alarms sound, crew muster, checklists are followed, and then everyone returns to work. But the question remains—are these mandatory safety drills truly improving onboard safety, or have they simply become boxes to check? The reality is, drills often suffer from predictability and repetition, causing crews to disengage and limiting their effectiveness. This month, we explore how to transform these routine drills into impactful and fresh learning experiences by combining them with microlearning techniques that reinforce skills…

The $5.4 trillion global maritime industry faces a perfect storm of cyber vulnerabilities, and a new government regulation aims to be the lighthouse guiding stakeholders to safer digital harbors.On January 17, 2025, the US Coast Guard (USCG) published a final rule titled “Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System,” aiming to bolster the cybersecurity posture of the nation’s marine transportation system (MTS). This rule introduces mandatory cybersecurity measures for US-flagged vessels…

Italian shipping company GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) has selected RINA’s SERTICA Performance for the latest addition to its fleet, the GNV Polaris, starting right away by testing the ship during its inaugural voyage from China to Italy.The tool for monitoring operational data on ships allows efficient energy consumption management and the optimization of performance.Thanks to the system, GNV has identified two optimal operating scenarios allowing for the lowest Specific Fuel Consumption…

The latest Energy Cyber Priority report from DNV Cyber has found that energy companies have started to boost investment in cybersecurity to manage the ‘greatest risk’ to the industry today as the importance of securing businesses from cyber threats reaches highest company levels.Energy companies are taking cyber threats seriously at the highest levels, as two in three energy professionals (65%) say their leadership views cybersecurity as the greatest current risk to their business…

“With all the archival data and that real archaeological data coming together, we’ve built the most accurate virtual model ever of Monitor, and I'm not just talking just the shell of it. Every single nut and bolt is there.” Tane CasserleyThe USS Monitor was commissioned during the Civil War for the Union Navy in answer to the Confederate Navy’s new ironclad ship CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack), touted as being capable of breaking the Union blockade at Hampton Roads, Virginia. Swedish-American inventor, John Ericsson came up with a unique low, freeboard design that included a first-of-its-kind rotating gun turret.Monitor was launched on January 30, 1862, and on March 9th, famously fought the Virginia at the Battle of Hampton Roads.

Techcross, a leading ballast water management system (BWMS) manufacturer in Korea, said it has become the first in the industry to obtain Cyber Resilience Certification from the Korean Register (KR), a certification that evaluates ability to respond to cyber threats during design, operation, and recovery process based on the UR E27 regulations established by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). With the growing adoption of digital technologies into ships, the risks of cyber threats and attacks have increased significantly.

The maritime industry is witnessing a technological revolution that is fundamentally changing how ships operate, improving safe and efficient performance and reducing emissions, all to meet increasingly restrictive environmental standards. Adopting cutting-edge digital technologies enables ship owners and operators to optimize fleets, boost safe and efficient performance and reduce emissions while satisfying ever-developing environmentally beneficial requirements. Digitalization lies here and on the horizon of commercial vessel operations…

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Malaysia’s MISC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in innovation, research and development (R&D) and test-bedding activities, to advance digital transformation in the maritime industry.As part of the three-year arrangement, both parties will focus on integrating sustainable digital technologies into marine operations, enhance processes through data-sharing initiatives and cybersecurity…

"Safety is more than just compliance. It is now synonymous with security, reliability, collective relationships and people. Safety is also becoming systems based rather than rooted in prescriptive rules or specific component procedures. Only by embracing a proactive, systems-oriented approach to safety, can the maritime industry navigate the path to a decarbonized future while ensuring the well-being of its seafarers and the protection of the marine environment.” That was the message from Christopher J.

Seatrium and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in Singapore have inaugurated a Digital Learning Lab.The ITE-Seatrium Digital Learning Lab is designed to be a leading educational and innovation hub for the marine and offshore energy industry.By providing a dynamic and immersive learning environment for students, the Lab features practical skills development in energy and engineering, technological literacy in digital advancements and hands-on learning experiences emphasizing active engagement and problem-solving.Courses on Digital Yard Technology Applications…

A new report published by DNV has revealed that the majority (61%) of maritime professionals believe the industry should accept increased cyber risk from digitalization if it enables innovation and new technologies.The sector’s appetite to take on emerging risks arising from digital transformation is notably higher than other critical infrastructure industries including energy, manufacturing and healthcare, according to DNV.The industry’s increasing appetite for cyber risk comes at a time when it must manage a growing volume of vulnerabilities.Namely…

Pacific International Lines (PIL) has ordered another five 9,000 TEU dual-fuel LNG container vessels.The vessels will be built by one of China’s leading shipbuilders, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Hudong-Zhonghua), with delivery expected in 2027 and 2028.Earlier this year, PIL ordered five LNG dual-fuel container vessels with 13,000 TEU capacity from Hudong-Zhonghua. Similar to the earlier orders, these new vessels will be equipped with the latest digital technologies including AI and Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time monitoring and automation.The new 9…

Marine News spoke to leaders at three North American naval architecture and marine engineering firms about some of the latest trends impacting their business today. Morgan Fanberg, CEO, Glosten; Robert Ekse, President, Elliott Bay Design Group; and Wade Carson, CEO, Vard Marine, weigh in on topics ranging from digitalization and decarbonization to the naval architect talent pool.How are advances in digitalization and AI impacting the naval architecture business today? How will…

On August 8, BLRT Repair Yards' Tallinn Shipyard in Estonia on Thursday commissioned a new floating dry dock, enabling it to maintain, repair and modernize larger vessels.Built to accommodate Handysize vessels, ranging from tankers to passenger ships, the new floating dock measures 180 meters in length, 30 meters in width, and has a lifting capacity of 10,000 tons. It replaces an older floating dock, which measured 155 meters in length and 27 meters in width.The FD22 was completed at the HAT-SAN Shipyard in Turkey in May 2024.

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) have launched the ‘Seafarers Go Digital’ initiative.‘Seafarers Go Digital’ is a mutual commitment of ECSA and ETF seeking to identify and address the challenges of digitalization for shipping and seafarers.The initiative recognizes the need to adapt international regulations, training programs and operational practices so that digital technologies are embraced while the employment rights and well-being of seafarers are safeguarded.

As digital technologies continue to permeate the international shipping industry, a newly launched organization aims to raise the standard of cybersecurity risk assessment across the maritime sector.The International Maritime Cyber Security Organization (IMCSO) will recognize appropriate cybersecurity professional certifications as well as offer certification for maritime specific knowledge. In addition, the body will maintain a register of maritime cyber security service suppliers, detailing the qualifications and expertise of those working for them.

Managing risk to embrace enabling technologies can build resilience amid volatility, says OrbitMIEmbracing enabling technologies necessary to navigate greener seas can be a market differentiator for maritime leaders as adopting data-driven business processes can build resilience amid increasing volatility - but this also means managing innovation risk, according to OrbitMI CEO Ali Riaz.Shipping faces an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment, with market volatility driven by evolving environmental and other regulation…

Kongsberg Maritime has been tasked to conduct energy efficiency upgrades on Solstad’s Normand Sentinel, one of its most prominent subsea construction vessels.This upgrade will see the vessel transition to Kongsberg Maritime’s electric rim-drive azimuth thrusters, marking a milestone in maritime energy efficiency.The Normand Sentinel, measuring 143 metres in length and boasting years of reliable service, is set to receive this upgrade during its next scheduled drydocking.The vessel’s…