New Vessels News

China-based offshore wind foundations manufacturer Dajin Heavy Industry has launched a 40,000 DWT deck carrier, KING TWO, at its Panjin shipbuilding facility.The vessel, launched on April 19, is the second large-scale deck carrier built at the facility, following KING ONE, which has already completed its maiden voyage.KING TWO measures 239.8 meters in length, 51 meters in breadth and 13 meters in depth, with a deck area of 12,000 square meters.The vessel is equipped with dual engines and dual propellers…

Dutch wind-assisted ship propulsion specialist Econowind is moving into the deepsea market with the launch of its new 5-series VentoFoil, a larger steel suction wing system for oceangoing vessels. Unveiled last week in Heeg, the 30-meter model is based on the same principles as the company’s successful 3-series wing.The 5-series targets deepsea owners and operators looking for practical ways to cut fuel consumption and improve regulatory compliance. The launch is the next step for Econowind, after selling more than 150 suction wings across a broad range of vessel types and trades.

Blue Ctrl AS has been selected as the automation software supplier for two new next-generation cable-laying vessels for OMS Group. The vessels will be built at Ulstein Verft with delivery in 2028, and Ulstein Power & Control AS holds the contract for the integrated power and automation systems.Blue Ctrl will deliver the X-CONNECT platform, a fully integrated software solution for monitoring, alarm management, automation, and power and energy management. The delivery also includes Blue Box data acquisition and solutions for real-time analysis and decision support.

Belgian marine contractor Jan De Nul has launched its second next-generation cable laying vessel (CLV), William Thomson, as it expands capacity to support growing offshore wind and grid interconnection projects.The William Thomson vessel follows the earlier launch of its sister ship Fleeming Jenkin in October 2025, with both units set to become the largest cable-laying vessels of their kind.Both vessels, launched at CMHI Haimen shipyard in China, measure 215 meters in length and has a cable-carrying capacity of 28…

AAL Shipping (AAL) has named its latest Super B-Class heavy lift vessel, AAL Newcastle, at the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. The ceremony also served as the backdrop for the ordering of two further Super B-Class vessels. AAL Tianjin and AAL Miami, will join the fleet in early 2028, expanding the class to ten ships in total.Purpose built for heavy lift and complex project cargo, the 32,000dwt AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai (due for delivery in June 2026), will debut a series of significant technical improvements that elevate lifting performance and cargo flexibility.

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Polidano for the delivery of two Combi Freighters (CF) 3850. The Malta-based company will use the vessels primarily for the transport of aggregates for its construction business. The new vessels will be named Denise P and Julia P in honor of Polidano family members.Polidano approached Damen due to the reputation of the CF 3850 in the market. The company will use the vessels to replace a single vessel it currently operates, thereby significantly increasing its cargo capacity.Polidano typically transports aggregates from Montenegro to Malta.

AI-driven maritime safety and security systems specialist Zelim has secured a contract to supply its AI-enabled man-overboard (MOB) detection system to four hybrid-electric ferries being built for Canadian operator BC Ferries.The agreement, signed in February 2026, will see Zelim install its ZOE MOB detection technology on the vessels, with installation expected to begin in 2027. The ferries are scheduled to enter service in 2029 as part of a fleet renewal program.The new vessels will replace four ageing ferries within BC Ferries’ network…

Following successful pilot projects and the first full-scale installation on a seagoing vessel, the Vertom Tula, Wattlab is now taking the next step: scaling its Solar Flatrack solution towards the international bulk shipping market.Currently, Solar Flatracks can be deployed on vessels up to and including the Supramax segment. In parallel, Wattlab has started the development of seaworthy solar solutions for Panamax and even Capesize bulk carriers.Wattlab, a specialist in solar power for shipping…

On March 12, following a tender procedure, the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands and Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract for the delivery of three Damen Stan Patrol (SPa) 5009 vessels for the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. The new vessels will replace three Damen SPa 4100 vessels that have been in operation for over 25 years. The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard is a joint effort comprising the constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the region. The coast guard will operate the SPa 5009 vessels…

The Orlen Group is expanding its capacity to transport LNG with the naming ceremony for two 174,000 cubic meter LNG carriers from Hanwha Ocean shipyard. The vessels will enhance the stability and flexibility of gas deliveries to Poland and strengthen the region’s energy security. Each new ship can deliver enough gas in a single voyage to supply as many as two million households.“Orlen is investing continuously in the energy security and independence of both Poland and the wider region.

Cool Carriers, the world’s largest operator of specialized reefer vessels, is set to operate seven new Type Reefer Carriers from Kitanihon Shipbuilding in Japan, and took delivery of the first vessel, Snow Flower, on 4 March.Each vessel is designed to safely carry 5,000 high-cube pallets of perishable fruit, along with up to 168 reefer containers, at a service speed of 18 knots. Two vessels have capacities of over 630,000 cubic feet, while five have capacities of 660,000 cubic feet.All vessels will share the same specifications and form a new series…

Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt (DO) has started construction of a new fleet of construction commissioning service operation vessels (C-CSOVs), with the first steel cut for the lead vessel DO Joule at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.The vessel is the first in a series of four ships ordered by Schoeller Holdings, with all vessels to be built to identical specifications.Columbia Shipmanagement will provide technical management of the vessels, while DO will act as developer…

On Friday, 20 February, Austal Defence Australia and Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract supporting the local construction of Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 vessels for the Australian Defence Force. Under the agreement, Damen will provide the design and associated licences, enabling Austal to build the vessels at its Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.The signing ceremony took place at the Australian Marine Complex Common User Facility (AMC CUF) in Henderson and was…

The advancement of the recently announced America’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP) is embraced by the ports in the bi-state St. Louis region as a unique opportunity to play a role in this comprehensive federal framework. The MAP is a blueprint for rebuilding the nation’s maritime strength, increasing the use of technology, enhancing supply chain resilience and expanding domestic industrial capacity. It is estimated that only one percent of all new vessels are currently built in the United States.

The cost of hiring a supertanker from the Middle East to China exceeded $200,000 a day on Thursday for the first time since 2020 as the threat of U.S. attacks on Iran grows and buyers seek to lock in oil cargoes, according to data and market sources.Iran pledged to show flexibility at indirect talks with Washington on their longstanding nuclear dispute on Thursday, with Tehran under pressure to agree to a deal or face U.S. military strikes. The Strait of Hormuz runs along Iran's…

Tourism and technology company Brim Explorer has signed contracts for the construction of two efficient, battery-powered passenger vessels. The high-speed trimarans are scheduled for delivery in spring 2027.The two new trimarans have been developed by Brim Tech, Brim Explorer's in-house technology division, following the principle of "electric by design." This means the vessels are engineered from the ground up for electric propulsion, not converted from fossil-fuel solutions.With a range of 100 nautical miles (nearly 200 km) at 20 knots without recharging…

Long-distance ferry routes form a key part of Japan’s national transport infrastructure, connecting the archipelago’s four major islands and littoral centers of population, commerce and industry.RoRo passenger (RoPax) ferry fleet renewal and development has been a constant process over the past two decades in particular, driven largely by freight demand in combination with the pursuit of cost efficiencies and in response to new legislative edicts and rising customer expectations.

The 34-year-old livestock carrier ship Blue Ocean A, flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, has been detained at the Italian Port of Cagliari after a port state control inspection found 54 irregularities, 30 of which were considered serious.The vessel nearly ran aground on January 29 off San Pietro Island due to a main engine failure while carrying 33 crew members.The inspection revealed problems with firefighting and life-saving equipment, bridge systems, crew emergency training…

A.P. Møller - Mærsk has released its 2025 annual report with CEO Vincent Clerc, stating: “We delivered a strong performance and high value for our customers in a year where supply chains and global trade continued to be reshaped by evolving geopolitics. Across our operations, volumes grew and asset utilisation was very high. Our Ocean business set a new benchmark for reliability, Terminals delivered record results, and Logistics & Services continued to advance.“The year highlighted the need to strengthen and modernise global supply chains and critical infrastructure…

In a major milestone for Auckland’s public transport network, the city’s first plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry has performed exceptionally on sea trials and will soon enter service on the busy Auckland to Devonport commuter route. The vessel achieved a top speed of 36 knots on all-electric mode, with the performance of the electric propulsion and onboard systems consistently meeting and surpassing expectations.Designed by Incat Crowther, built by Q-West Boat Builders with systems integration by Hamilton Jet…

The World Shipping Council (WSC) has published its latest update to the WSC Dual-Fuel Fleet Dashboard, tracking the global liner shipping industry’s investment in new ships capable of running on renewable and lower-emission fuels.As of December 2025, the number of dual-fuel container ships and vehicle carriers on the water has reached 400, up from 218 in 2024.The number of dual-fuel ships on order has also continued to grow, reaching 726 vessels, despite a flurry of deliveries shifting from the orderbook onto the water.

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…

Wärtsilä will supply a fully integrated electric propulsion system with waterjets for a new high-speed catamaran ferry being built for Danish ferry operator Molslinjen. This is the third in a series of battery-electric vessels being built at the Incat shipyard in Tasmania. Wärtsilä solutions will drive all three ships.Wärtsilä’s scope of supply includes the integrated electric propulsion system, the DC power conversion system, its energy management and automation systems, eight electric propulsion motors and waterjets…