Management Systems News

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) announced the publication of new guidelines to support companies in developing new Safety Management Systems (SMS) and strengthening existing SMS for ships using methanol as fuel. As the maritime industry accelerates its decarbonization efforts, low-carbon methanol has emerged as one of the most scalable alternative fuel options. Its liquid state under ambient conditions, compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure, and increasing industry adoption make methanol an attractive near-term solution.

The maritime industry continues to improve its safety record, but the challenges confronting shipowners, operators, insurers and regulators have never been more complex.According to Allianz Commercial's Safety and Shipping Review 2026, global shipping losses remain near historic lows, yet a new era of geopolitical conflict, cyber-enabled crime, aging fleets, alternative fuels, cargo fires and supply chain disruption is reshaping risk across the maritime sector. Here is maritime safety and shipping in 2026 — by the numbers.90% -Approximately 90% of global trade still moves by sea…

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has released its findings into the serious injury that occurred on the bulk carrier, Thor Nitnirund, in the Cook Strait on March 20, 2025.The Commission’s report highlights the need for effective safety management systems, proper planning of lifting operations, and vigilance around high-risk areas during deck work.In March 2025, the bulk carrier was drifting in Cook Strait while waiting for a berth in Wellington. Heavy weather in preceding days had washed two cargo lashing chains over the ship’s side.

Twenty-five years after she was launched by Feadship as Northern Light, the 46.90-m has emerged from one of the most comprehensive rebuild programs undertaken by Feadship Refit & Services in recent years.Arriving at Kaag in May 2025, the yacht was originally scheduled for a substantial refit focused on a redesigned stern arrangement, a complete repaint and a series of technical upgrades. As work progressed, it became clear that bringing a Feadship launched in 2001 back to proper standards would require a broader scope of work…

Zinus As will deliver cable management systems for the shore power solution at MOWI's new processing facility, at Jøsnøya, Hitra, Norway. The project is carried out in collaboration with technical contractor JM Hansen, and the solution will serve Napier's harvest vessels, including the world's largest vessel of its kind. The Zinus delivery consists of two ZPP115 cable management systems to be installed at the quay facility. Delivery is scheduled for summer 2026.The Zinus cable…

DNV has released a new recommended practice (RP) for hydrogen as ship fuel. It outlines the competence requirements for crew, inspectors, and technical personnel to support the proper handling of hydrogen systems on board ships.Hydrogen is gaining traction as a marine fuel, with seven vessels currently in operation and another 30 in the orderbook. However, several safety barriers like hydrogen leakage, low ignition energy, and management of high‑pressure or cryogenic storage, still limit its uptake.

A new study from Kongsberg Maritime has identified a range of European passenger and freight routes with strong potential for the introduction of fully electric RoPax vessels, particularly across busy short‑sea corridors in Northern Europe.Highlighting the opportunity for decarbonization in short‑sea shipping, the analysis assessed ferry routes across the continent, identifying several promising candidates, including Dover–Calais, Tallinn–Helsinki, and key services linking Scandinavia…

Techcross held a signing ceremony on May 13 with Siemens Industry Software at Techcross Busan factory together with Space Solution, a company specializing in PLM software development and consulting. Through this project, Techcross became the first company in the marine equipment industry to introduce the Siemens NX/PLM system, initiating the establishment of an Al-driven workflow based on a digitally integrated platform.Based on the technological experise accumulated through the development…

As European and international shipping emissions rules continue to expand, maritime technology companies Awake.Al and Tidalis have announced a partnership focused on emissions monitoring and reporting for ports and shipping companies. The collaboration links operational port-call data with existing maritime operational systems to support automated emissions reporting.Awake.Al's emissions monitoring software will be made available in combination with Tidalis' vessel traffic services and port management systems used by ports, coastguards and maritime authorities worldwide.

Robustel’s MG460 Gateway and MG460 Forwarder have received ClassNK Type Approval as a Computer-Based System (CBS) under IACS UR E27. Issued under Approval No. 26CY029, the approval is valid until 23 April 2031.Robustel is a global provider of industrial connectivity and edge computing solutions, headquartered in Guangzhou, China. Founded in 2010, the company develops routers, modems, edge computing gateways, and purpose-built networking products for industrial and maritime applications.Robustel's maritime product portfolio is engineered for regulated and safety-critical environments…

IACS, the membership organisation for the world’s leading classification societies, has published the results of its Concentrated Inspection Campaign on Emergency Power Supply Tests on ships, conducted during 2025, and made a number of recommendations that will improve compliance with SOLAS requirements.The campaign was launched in response to concerns raised by the Tokyo MoU over risks in the testing procedures, following observations raised by Port State Control officers over…

Zinus Power LLC has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Connecticut Port Authority to support the initiatives of the New London State Pier Shore Power Project.Zinus’ deliveries will introduce extended shore power capabilities and connections to vessels through battery-powered mobile shore power cable management systems. Delivery is scheduled for late Q4 2026.As part of Zinus’ commitment to domestic value creation, this contract marks the first project with assembly in the United States.

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has released its 2025 Annual Review which showcases the central role played by IACS and its members in supporting safety standards and driving technical innovation in the maritime industry.The report identifies many areas of progress, including IACS’s ongoing role in supporting decarbonisation objectives. Through its Safe Decarbonisation Panel, IACS is supporting progress in alternative fuels, whilst remaining neutral on any preferred option.

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published new guidelines to support the safe operation of ships using wind-assisted propulsion systems, as the shipping industry increasingly adopts technologies aimed at reducing fuel use and emissions.The guidelines provide recommendations for developing and implementing safety management systems tailored to vessels equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), including rotor sails, suction sails and wing sails.The report highlights the need to address operational…

Leveraging the advancements in connectivity and augmented reality (AR) technology, Alfa Laval is strengthening its remote service offering to help crews troubleshoot, maintain compliance and optimize equipment performance in real time directly from vessels at sea. Building on successful trials in partnership with shipowners and ship managers, the company is now developing scalable remote support solutions that give crews continuous access to expert assistance, improving uptime…

ClassNK has certified Salam’s International, a ship recycling facility in Pakistan, as the first facility in the country to be certified by ClassNK for compliance with the Hong Kong International Convention for ship recycling. Based on this certification, the competent authority in Pakistan is expected to issue the Document of Authorization to conduct Ship Recycling (DASR) as required by the Convention.Pakistan acceded to the Hong Kong Convention in November 2023, and ship recycling facilities in the country have since been working toward compliance.

DNV has completed a multi-year study commissioned by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) examining the safety implications of using hydrogen as a fuel in ships.The study, titled Safety of hydrogen for use in ships, concludes that hydrogen-fuelled vessels require a design-based safety approach and recommends the use of secondary enclosures across all hydrogen-carrying components, including those located on open deck.Hydrogen is increasingly being considered as a potential marine fuel, although broader adoption is expected to take time.

Hanwha Ocean and Ontario Shipyards have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the return of large-scale shipbuilding in Ontario and to strengthen Canada's ability to deliver future naval programs.In parallel, Hanwha Ocean, Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College have entered into a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish an embedded shipbuilding training hub at Ontario Shipyards' Hamilton facility, aligned with the sector's long-term workforce requirements.Together…

ClassNK and Prevention at Sea have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at delivering Dry Bulk Management Standard (DryBMS) training to shipping companies worldwide.Both parties have agreed to explore future synergies and expanded cooperation in related areas, including gap analysis and benchmarking of Safety Management Systems (SMS) against DryBMS requirements and other key maritime standards such as RightShip RISQ, SIRE, and TMSA.The collaboration also envisages undertaking…

The IMO has launched a two-year global initiative to promote the World Maritime Day theme for 2026-2027: ‘From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence’. In a video message marking the launch, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stressed that the global regulatory framework developed by IMO must not merely be adopted in principle, but translated into concrete actions and real-world results that deliver tangible benefits for all.“When we talk about ‘practice’, we are talking about people.

Anschütz has claimed a new benchmark in naval navigation with its SYNAPSIS WECDIS NX, a system with a powerful mix of navigational and tactical functions.SYNAPSIS brings all navigational and tactical information together into one consistent picture so that navigators interact with a single, harmonised platform.One of the key capabilities of SYNAPSIS WECDIS NX is its robust GNSS interference handling. This is something that Anschütz pioneered with the development of the gyrocompass by Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe…

Captain Steve Jones is President of the Passenger Vessel Association for 2025. As his term comes to a close in February at the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2026 in Covington, KY, Captain Jones has achieved several long-sought-after successes during his term and set in motion other important association undertakings intended to deliver noteworthy benefits to PVA members in the coming year and beyond. Captain Jones has been with the Gateway Clipper Fleet since 1987. The Gateway Clipper Fleet…

BIO-UV Group has announced a strategic partnership with water-monitoring specialist MicroWISE to develop new ballast-water treatment and verification solutions designed to address rising enforcement pressures and the anticipated growth of port-side reception facilities.The collaboration combines BIO-UV Group’s BIO-SEA ballast-water treatment technology with MicroWISE real-time organism analysis, creating an integrated approach to treatment and compliance validation.The partnership comes at a critical moment for the maritime industry.