Obituary: Capt John M Cox III (1930-2024)
Tributes have been paid to The Maritime Group (International) (TMG) founder Captain John M Cox III following his death at the age of 93.Capt Cox, known to his friends as Jack, died peacefully in Seattle on Thursday November 21 after a short illness.He recently retired as chairman and president of The Maritime Group (International), which included The Maritime Group, Inc. (Seattle), The Maritime Group (Pacific), The Maritime Group (Asia) and The Maritime Group (Europe) - recently…
Workboat 2024: A Ton of Energy
There’s plenty to go around for everyone, no matter it comes from.I will admit that attending the 2024 Workboat Show in the Big Easy just ten days after settling into the MarineNews Editor’s chair (for this, the second time around) had my full attention. The event typically evokes the specter of drinking from the proverbial fire hose in routine times, but attending and digesting all it has to offer, right out of the gate, makes the task just little bit edgier. Ultimately, last week’s trade show exuded terrific energy, from exhibitors to attendees alike.
Beating the Heat: R.W. Fernstrum & Company Turns 75
R.W. Fernstrum & Company, founded by Robert W. Fernstrum 75 years ago, is a quintessential U.S. manufacturing story. The company was born in the aftermath of WWII, founded on an invention developed during the war by Robert Fernstrum to help solve an engine overheating problem that was plaguing U.S. Navy landing craft. Family owned and operated from day one, today the company includes a fourth generation of family that aims to continue the legacy of its founder, a legacy built on effective…
NSMV Patriot State Delivered to Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) officially took custody of its new training ship Patriot State during a handover ceremony on October 11.The vessel is the second of five being built by Philly Shipyard under the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program, designed to provide a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training ships for the nation's state maritime academies.During the handover ceremony, Rear Admiral Ann Phillips…
AI Anti-Collision Technology Installed on Fast Ferry
Fred. Olsen Express, a Canary Island-based ferry company, is installing SEA.AI anti-collision technology on its ships to boost navigational safety at sea. The move is a world first for fast passenger ferries.At present AIS can display and identify maritime traffic superimposed over an electronic chart that in turn indicates fixed features such buoys, beacons and other navigational marks.SEA.AI can alert navigators and officers on the bridge to everything else floating on the water that has not been identified by these other systems.
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.
Tip #60 - AI & Maritime Trainers ... "Watch Your Back ... " [Part II]
Training Tips for Ships [#60]Last month’s Training Tips for Ships discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the future of maritime training. My thoughts on this were triggered by the recent headline in the Financial Times: “Andreessen Horowitz raises $7.2bn and sets sights on AI start-ups“. Andreessen Horowitz is one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firms and they are seeing fit to deeply invest in the burgeoning AI revolution. Typically, this means change is upon us on a timescale that is now very meaningful to us.
Leadership Profile: Tor Svanes and NAVTOR's Quest to Transform Shipping
Compliance, performance, profitability, sustainability; take the biggest ‘pain points’ for almost any shipping company and watch NAVTOR’s digital ecosystem work wonders. Here Tor Svanes, Founder and CEO, explains how NAVTOR has grown to lead the smart shipping world, why the recent merger with Voyager Worldwide was so critical, and how he hopes to help steer the industry towards brighter, simpler, and more intelligent horizons.“The morning of the announcement I got a text from the boss of one of our biggest competitors…
Americas Cup Innovation & a Carbon-Free Shipping Future
The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) represented by BMW Oracle Racing and the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), the Americas Cup defending champion, represented by Team Alinghi were entwined in a 2.5-year legal battle over multiple court cases, including hearings in the New York Supreme Court and the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, prior to the 33rd edition of the race, due to take place in 2010.The parties disagreed about the location, format, and restrictions on boat design, all of which were changed by the courts prior to the race.
Navigating Disruption: CMA Shipping 2024 Unveils Agenda and Speaker Lineup
C-Suite leaders of ABS, Panama Canal Authority, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, IACS, DNV, Stena Bulk, Hapag-Lloyd, IBIA, International Seaways and many more have been announced for the conference lineup at CMA Shipping 2024.With just six weeks to go, eager anticipation is growing for the 39th edition of CMA Shipping taking place in Stamford, Conn., from March 12-14, 2024.The conference agenda promises to highlight pertinent issues surrounding the future of shipping, and how the industry can navigate challenges such as the energy transition, crewing and education, safety and compliance.
ABB Supplies Charging System for Auckland’s New Electric Ferries
ABB has secured a contract with Auckland Transport (AT) to deliver the maritime world’s first megawatt charging system (MCS) to recharge electric ferries using the same interface as trucks and airplanes. Lowering the barrier to entry, the standardized and highly adaptable system is expected to improve electric vessel competitiveness against fossil-fueled counterparts.As part of its Mission Electric initiative, AT has ordered two 200-seat all-electric ferries and two 300-passenger…
World Maritime University Graduates Class of '23
On 28 October, the maritime leaders of tomorrow - World Maritime University (WMU) class of 2023 - graduated. The WMU 2023 graduating class includes 283 graduates from 71 countries, including a record of 99 women graduates.WMU President, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., delivered welcome remarks. As a WMU graduate himself, President Mejia reflected on the power of the WMU experience and how it affects the way one thinks, works, plans, and interacts. “You have acquired information that you did not possess before you enrolled here," he said.
IEC Telecom Debuts Starlink-Powered LEO-based Solution
IEC Telecom will showcase the benefits of LEO connectivity to the Philippine maritime sector when it takes part in this week’s PhilMarine, an exhibition which gathers key national stakeholders and international specialists.IEC Telecom will showcase the benefits of LEO connectivity to the Philippine maritime sector when it takes part in this week’s PhilMarine, an exhibition that gathers key national stakeholders and international specialists to help draw a roadmap towards achieving the nation’s 2028 transport vision…
Mountevans Appointed Baltic Exchange Council Chairman
Jeffrey Mountevans has been appointed Chairman of the Baltic Exchange Council, effective January 1, 2023. He succeeds Denis Petropoulos, who has held the position since June 2019.A former Lord Mayor of London (2015/2016) and ex-Clarksons shipbroker, Mountevans is an elected hereditary cross-bench member of the House of Lords where he plays an active role on maritime, defense and Reserves and Cadet issues. He was made an Honorary Life Member of the Baltic Exchange in 2016.The Baltic Exchange Council is the Baltic Exchange's governing body which sets its strategy for membership services…
World Maritime University Celebrates 2022 Graduation
On October 31, 2022, global maritime leaders of tomorrow graduated from the World Maritime University (WMU). The Class of 2022 has received the education required to contribute to maritime and ocean matters in their home countries and more broadly to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Overall, the graduating class includes 276 graduates from 70 countries, and sets a record of 94 women graduates.WMU President Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia…
Aurelia’s 100% Hydrogen-powered Design Gets RINA Approval
Aurelia Green Ship Concept Design's newly unveiled ship design featuring 100% hydrogen propulsion has received approval in principle (AIP) from RINA based on the newly published RINA Rules for Hydrogen Fueled Ships and the RINA Guide for the Approval in Principle of Novel Technologies.The new design concept is the ACD01 1000, a RoRo vessel with electric propulsion using highly compressed H2 as fuel. Beyond the green design, the difference is marked by the ship's hydrogen-based engine system…
IMLI Director Attard Wins International Maritime Prize
The outgoing Director of the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), Professor David Joseph Attard, has been selected by the IMO Council to be the recipient of the International Maritime Prize for 2021. Professor Attard was nominated for the award by the Republic of Malta. In the nomination, the impact that Professor Attard has had on the maritime world, particularly via his three-decade-long role at IMLI was highlighted. The Maltese national was responsible for proposing, in 1987, together with the late Dr.
Boatbuilding: Pivoting to the Market Demand at Breaux Bay Craft for 65 Years
In the 65 years, since Roy Breaux, Sr. founded Breaux’s Bay Craft and on down through three generations, the yard has built over 1700 hulls. Through the regular expansion and contraction of the oil industry, they learned to pivot from market demand to market demand.As the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico moved farther offshore, the demand for larger and faster crew boats, was met by Breaux. The fine-hulled aluminum crew boats grew to 125-foot vessels powered by up to five 700 hp Cummins KTA19 engines…
Bureau Veritas Grants AiP for Innovative Ocean Clean-up Vessel
Bureau Veritas has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to the MANTA, a vessel offering solutions for collecting and repurposing floating plastic waste in areas of high marine litter concentration, in the coastal waters of most affected countries, and near the estuaries of major rivers.The unique vessel, due to set sail at the end of 2025, was developed by MANTA INNOVATION, the integrated engineering design office of the NGO The SeaCleaners, with the support of naval architects at SHIP-ST and LMG MARIN.Waste-to-energy Conversion UnitA 56m long…
Seafarers’ House to Honor Carnival's Arnold W. Donald
Arnold W. Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation & PLC, has been selected as the recipient of Seafarers’ House International Golden Compass Award for 2022. The award is given each year to those who have achieved distinction in the maritime world, those whose vocation or avocation has been the sea, or those who have ministered to or otherwise assisted seafarers.Donald grew up in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans with 27 foster brothers and sister. His parents’ generosity made a significant impact on his life.
Software Solutions: 'GO for SET' Aims to Make Choosing Software Simpler for Shipping
With a quagmire of digitalization and decarbonization options facing shipowners today, cutting through the smoke is increasingly difficult to find and implement the most efficient solutions. Launched today is a new, free-to-use Software Evaluation Toolkit aimed at the shipping industry and designed to enable ship owners and managers to make better informed decisions on digital solutions needed to decarbonize fleets.The toolkit, dubbed SET Maritime, is vendor-neutral, developed by OrbitMI, a US-based software-as-a-service provider.
Inside the Quest to build the "Ammonia-Fuel Ready LNG-Fueled Vessel" by 2025
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), MTI Co., Ltd. (MTI) and Elomatic have completed the development of a concept design for an ammonia-fuel ready LNG-fueled vessel (ARLFV) for the transition to a future marine fuel.As the maritime world digests a raft of new legislation leading toward decarbonization, a main concern is the ability to leverage the full value of ships built today in a fast evolving environment. In short, flexibility in design, particularly when it comes to fuel flexibility…
Tech File: Hatenboer-Water Develops "Plastic Free @Sea" Concept
While much of the maritime world's tech chatter focuses on emissions and fuel choice, Dutch water company Hatenboer-Water developed the Plastic Free @Sea concept as a smart solution to reduce plastic waste on board ships at sea.Reducing plastic waste has become key in environmental protection, including in the shipping industry. Answering the call is Hatenboer-Water with its Plastic Free @Sea concept, designed to help shipowners reduce the tens of thousands of plastic water bottles on board to virtually zero…