Maritime Development News

Unifeeder, a DP World company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to collaborate on developing and scaling commercially sustainable coastal and shortsea shipping services across India.The MoU established a framework for joint action to design and finance coastal shipping corridors that support India’s ambitions to decongest roads, lower logistics costs, and decarbonize transportation.

Japan's second-largest shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines wants to tie up with Indian companies to build tankers in India, aiding the South Asian nation's effort to boost local manufacturing, its chief executive, Takeshi Hashimoto said.New Delhi is modernizing its maritime laws to allow foreign participation in the sector, including ship-building, ports and shipyards, to reduce freight outgoings to foreign firms by at least a third by 2047."The Indian government has a strong preference to see the new vessels constructed in India.

India’s Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) that sets the stage for long term cooperation between the two companies. They have agreed to jointly explore newbuilding opportunities in India and abroad and to share technical expertise.KSOE oversees the operations of some of the world’s largest shipyards, including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.CSL has built a robust reputation as a key player in India’s maritime sector.

The maritime landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. With the global fleet expanding from approximately 1.7 billion deadweight tonnage in 2014 to roughly 2.4 billion today, a remarkable 40 per cent increase, helicopter-ship operations have similarly escalated in both frequency and complexity.This growth, coupled with evolving operational procedures and safety protocols, has necessitated fresh guidance for maritime professionals. It's why we recently updated the International Chamber of Shipping’s Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations…

The first thirty days of the new Trump Administration have brought sweeping changes throughout the federal government. We take a pause to assess where things stand for maritime stakeholders and what may be coming next in Washington, DC, for our industry.A Maritime DirectiveFor those that work in the U.S maritime space, it is axiomatic to state that all aspects of the maritime industry are critical to our national security. U.S. flag vessels and merchant mariners not only support U.S. economic prosperity, but also build the key sea lines of communication to support military operations.

India is set to establish a 250-billion-rupee ($2.9 billion) maritime development fund to provide long-term financing for the country's shipbuilding and repair sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Saturday.The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. As part of this effort, the government is investing heavily in infrastructure to enhance its manufacturing capabilities on a global scale.Presenting the budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1…

On 29 June, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr. assumed office as the eighth President of the World Maritime University (WMU). Appointed by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who also serves as Chancellor of the University, President Mejia assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer, overseeing and directing the academic programmes, operations and administration of the University. Professor Mejia is the first President from Asia and the first President who is a graduate of WMU.Regarding his appointment…

Crowley has appointed Coulston Van Gundy as vice president of construction and engineering. He will lead the company’s vessel design and engineering, construction management and project engineering with an expanded emphasis on growth and innovation.With more than 15 years of experience, Van Gundy has played an integral role in advancing Crowley’s growing engineering and design services in maritime and offshore wind services to elevate alternative energy as a transportation solution.He has been in both vessel- and shore-based operational roles in engineering and led maritime development…

Post-Brexit trade frictions have "significantly altered" freight traffic between Ireland and Britain and sparked a steep rise in volumes to and from Ireland and other European Union members, an Irish government agency report said on Thursday.The introduction of checks on some goods since neighboring Britain left the EU's trading orbit on Dec. 31 cut imports from Britain by 35% in the first five months of 2021 while the number of shipping routes to mainland Europe more than doubled.So…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP), which manages the 82 kilometers long Panama Canal that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, has awarded Kongsberg Digital a contract to upgrade and extend the K-Sim Navigation simulators based in SIDMAR; the Center for Simulation, Research and Maritime Development of the Panama Canal Authority. Equipped with the new technology, the Panama City-based center will be able to include multiple vessels in training scenarios and extend the realism of the simulator training provided for pilots and tug masters…

From his office overlooking Cherbourg docks, general manager Yannick Millet points to trailers destined for Ireland that belong to Amazon and FedEx, new customers and a signal of a potential big shift in post-Brexit trade.Confronted by red tape and delays after Britain’s messy exit from the European Union, Irish traders are shipping goods directly to and from European ports, shunning the once-speedier route through Britain.“You see the shift in supply chains right here,” he said.All five operators connecting Ireland to mainland Europe have increased ferry services in the past nine months…

Greenhouse gas emissions capture and storage may be a more practical alternative to emissions reduction for meeting the IMO’s 2050 CO2 target. Tom Mulligan reports.Shipping emits close to 1 billion tons of CO2 each year and the shipping industry needs carbon-free solutions to achieve the IMO’s 2050 target of a 50 percent reduction, compared to the 2008 level, in these massive emissions. However, according to Denmark’s Maritime Development Center, while better technical and operational solutions must continue to be pursued…

The Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico (SEMAR) has held a ceremony marking delivery of the Long Range Ocean Patrol (POLA) Class vessel ARM Reformador. The delivery ceremony was attended by Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán, Secretary of the Navy and High Command of the Mexican Navy, in the company of Mr. Juan Carlos Atecas Altamirano, Municipal President of Salina Cruz Oaxaca. Damen Shipyards Group was represented by Executive Board member René Berkvens, President of Damen Shipyards Mexico Horacio Delgado, and POLA Project Director Frank Verhelst.

Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) has joined the international DecarbonICE project that will be conducting a feasibility study to capture onboard carbon as dry ice and store it in seafloor sediments.The shipping industry is looking for carbon-free solutions to achieve the IMO 2050 target of a 50% CO2 emissions reduction (compared to the 2008 level). In response, new zero-carbon solutions are being developed around the globe, including alternative low-carbon fuels such as LNG fuel that can be used in place of heavy oil.The DecarbonICE project was launched on October 1 by the Denmark-based Maritime Development Center…

A group of world leading shipping companies including NYK, Sovcomflot, Knutsen OAS and Ardmore, ship builders, including DSME and the mining company Vale, have therefore teamed up with Denmark based Maritime Development Center to develop such an on-board carbon capture and storage solution in a project named decarbonICE.DecarbonICE is based on two new main ideas for the capture and storage part, respectively. The CO2 and other GHG's in the ship exhaust are captured on board in a cryogenic process and turned into dry ice.Proven offshore technology is then applied during normal ship operations to transport the dry ice into the seafloor sediments.

Iranian industry, mining and trade minister said Iran is planning to build 200 cargo ships inside the country with an investment of EUR  300 million to boost its maritime development program.The state-owned IRNA news agency said that the ailing shipbuilding sector keeps growing only because foreign companies avoid offering services to the country due to the American sanctions. “We have defined a target for construction of 200 cargo vessels as part of the development plan for maritime industries,” said the mminister Reza Rahmani, adding, “Some €300 million will be invested in this field.”Rahmani said shipyards in the region and other…

Dutch shipbuilding giant Damen Shipyards Group said that it has  sold two Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) Tugs to Ecuador-based DLEN S.A.According to the operator of 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, the vessels will give tug assistance during bunkering operations to Corpetrolsa’s fleet of tankers, a subsidiary of DLEN, as well as other vessels entering the ports of Esmeraldas and La Libertad.The new two-vessel order follows hot on the heels of last year’s delivery of three Damen Stan Tugs to the DLEN. In terms of fuel efficiency, power and manoeuvrability, those three vessels have proven their worth to such an extent that the client returned…

International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that it is committed to ensuring the implementation of all its treaties.By carefully matching the needs of recipient countries with resources available from donors, the Organization's technical cooperation program is the essential component in helping all governments to fulfill their responsibilities, the UN body said.With a strong focus on capacity building and training, the technical cooperation program makes a strong and continuing contribution to sustainable development. IMO's Technical Cooperation Committee (TC 69) is meeting (25-27 June) to review activities carried out in 2018…

The Port of Oakland, a major container ship facility located in Oakland, California, in the San Francisco Bay, said that its Commissioners have approved an air quality plan intended to drastically cut diesel and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the Port’s maritime operations.Christened as "Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan", it envisions a zero-emissions operation in the future. The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners voted last week to approve the 259-page plan.The Port said that the plan would provide a framework for maritime development for the next 30 years. The plan calls for changes in equipment, operations, fuels…

A wide-ranging discussion during the "Africa@Nor-Shipping" event in Oslo, Norway (5 June) explored a host of topics related to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s blue economy.Three separate expert panels addressed competition among different maritime sectors, ocean governance and the importance of complying with international regulatory regimes, particularly International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s ship safety, maritime security and environment rules.Much discussion  centred around viewing challenges as chances to grow, and the need to learn lessons from the past. Ensuring African ownership and participation was highlighted…

What is maritime development and why is it important? Isn’t one of the biggest challenges the failure to appreciate the value of the maritime sector? These are the questions being raised by International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the Growing Blue Conference in Maputo, Mozambique (23-24 May).“Ultimately, more efficient shipping, working in partnership with a port sector supported by governments, will be a major driver towards global stability and sustainable development for the good of all people” said IMO’s Chris Trelawny, speaking at a side event on maritime development.IMO’s Maritime Development programme is assisting countries…

As part of its continuing efforts to help African countries improve the sustainability of their maritime sectors and their blue economies, International Maritime Organization (IMO) frequently works with partners to help support their initiatives.This work includes participating in two major annual maritime security exercises in Africa, the first of which, Cutlass Express, is currently underway in Djibouti, Mozambique and the Seychelles (25 January – 7 February).Cutlass Express puts special emphasis on encouraging navies and civilian agencies and different countries to work together, as envisaged in existing frameworks such as the Djibouti…

A full house at the IMO side event at the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference has brought together experts in the maritime sector, trade and development.Member States of the African Union, United Nations agencies, national governments, regional and international development agencies, development and financial institutions, maritime professionals and experts, civil societies, port authorities, port management associations, shipowner and fishing vessel owner organizations, as well as relevant universities, training institutions, relevant businesses and the private sector participated in the event.The event, on “How States can leverage…