ClassNK Grants Approval for CO2 Carrier Design for CCS Project
ClassNK has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a liquefied CO2 carrier intended to support a floating offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) injection facility.The vessel is designed to serve a Socket SPAR unit, a floating injection system being considered for deployment in deepwater environments where subsea pipeline-based CO2 storage is not feasible.The certification confirms the feasibility of the carrier design from regulatory and safety perspectivesâŠ
Quantum: The Bigger the Battery, The Quicker it Charges
Australian scientists have demonstrated proof-of-concept for a quantum battery.Like conventional batteries, it charges, stores and discharges energy. However, unlike conventional batteries, it leverages unique properties of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement rather than chemical reactions.The battery has a multi-layered organic microcavity and is wirelessly charged with a laser. It has been demonstrated to have rapid, scalable charging and energy storage at room temperature.The research by CSIROâŠ
IMO to Negotiate Humanitarian Framework for Vessel Evacuation
The IMO Council condemned attacks on merchant ships and the purported closure of the Strait of Hormuz during an extraordinary session in London and called for an internationally coordinated approach to security.The Council directed IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez to establish a safe maritime framework, as a provisional and urgent measure, to facilitate the safe evacuation of merchant ships currently confined within the Gulf region.âI am ready to start working immediately in negotiations to establish a humanitarian framework to evacuate all vessels and seafarers trappedâŠ
European Nations, Japan Release Joint Statement on Safety of Strait of Hormuz
Leading European nations and Japan issued a joint statement on Thursday saying they were ready to join appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and would take steps to stabilise energy markets.This is the full text of the statement from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan:We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installationsâŠ
Americaâs Ports, Harbors, and Waterways: Dredging, Resolve and the Will to Build
Americaâs maritime infrastructure is measured in draft depth, vessel clearance, sediment management, and days available to dredge. If the United States is serious about competing in a century defined by supply chains, energy exports, and sealift readiness, then ports, harbors, and waterways must move from being in the background to becoming part of the national strategy.The Dredging industry and it importance to the U.S. Port infrastructure will be discussed in depth at the Port of the Future Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for March 23-25 in Houston.
ClassNK SOF for âSeawingâ Automated Kite System
ClassNK confirmed the validity of the performance analysis evaluation for the automated kite system âSeawingâ, which is being developed by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and its French subsidiary OCEANICWING S.A.S., and issued a Statement of Fact (SOF). In response to environmental regulations and as a solution for reducing fuel costs, the implementation and installation planning of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), including kite systems, have been progressing. As standards for wind-assisted propulsion systems and ships equipped with such systemsâŠ
Iran Changes Messaging on Strait of Hormuz
Iran's U.N. Ambassador said on Thursday Tehran was not going to close the Strait of Hormuz, but added that it was Iran's right to preserve the security of the key shipping route.Amir Saeid Iravani made his comments to reporters at the United Nations when asked about remarks by new Iranian supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who said on Thursday that the "lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used.""We are not going to close the Strait of Hormuz," Iravani said.
NYK Advances Design of Subsea Cable-Laying Vessel
Japanese shipping major NYK Line has completed the basic design of a new long-distance subsea cable-laying vessel intended to support the development of Japanâs future high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission network, marking a key milestone in a national effort to strengthen offshore renewable energy infrastructure.The vesselâs design recently received General Design Approval (GDA) from classification society ClassNK, confirming that the concept meets relevant internationalâŠ
ClassNK Issues AiPs for Bulk Carrier Concept Designs
ClassNK has issued approvals in principle (AiPs) for the concept designs of Bulk Carrier installed with a Membrane-based Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage System (OCCS) and 83,000m3 Ammonia Carrier with IMO Type B Independent Tank developed by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. These AiPs demonstrate its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives.The recipients of the AiPs, as well as the applicable rules and guidelines, are as follows:Bulk Carrier installed with Membrane-based OCCSRecipients: Oshima Shipbuilding Co.âŠ
Industry Leaders Respond to Attacks on Seafarers
The Secretary-General of the IMO Arsenio Dominguez has issued a statement on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz:âI am deeply concerned by reports that several seafarers have been injured in attacks on merchant vessels. No attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is ever justified. These crews are simply doing their jobs and must be protected from the effects of wider geopolitical tensions.âFreedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international maritime lawâŠ
Cuba Kills Four on Florida-Based Speedboat that Opened Fire
Cuban forces killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-based speedboat that entered Cuban waters on Wednesday and opened fire on a Cuban patrol, the Cuban government said at a time of heightened tensions with the United States.The wounded were evacuated and receiving medical attention, while the Cuban patrol commander was also wounded, Cuba's Interior Ministry said in a statement, adding that the matter was under investigation to clarify exactly what happened.The highly unusual incident took place as the United States has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the islandâŠ
Brim Explorer Orders Two Battery-Powered Trimarans
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 rechargingâŠ
Shipbuilder CEO Calls for a Sector Transition Towards Data-Driven Operations
Geert Schouten, CEO & owner of Shipbuilder:Why does more than half of all maritime projects run into trouble sooner or later? Documents, folders, version numbersâŠin our sector we still struggle with them every day. At countless shipyards and design offices, teams stumble over folder structures, endless searches for the right version, and long email chains. Is that real organization? It is organized chaos. And it costs us time, quality, and energy every single day. Did you knowâŠ
Minke Marine Air Lubrication System Receives Second ClassNK AiP
US West Coast-based maritime company Minke Marine A.L. LLC has secured its second class society Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK for its air lubrication sector (ALS) with a new patented design.The ClassNK AiP follows a similar AiP secured by Minke with DNV. The latest AiP comes as Minke Marine began receiving verified data from its first installation on a 55,000 DWT DNV-classed, Norwegian-owned general cargo vessel. Costing less than $485,000 to install, Minke said the initial data shows a positive fuel savingâŠ
Report: No Obvious Compromise to Net Zero Framework
A new insight brief by the UCL Shipping and Oceans Research Group for the Getting to Zero coalition, titled "Uncertainty at the IMO: Three scenarios and their consequences for shippingâs transitionâ, concludes that of those options only the âas isâ (Net Zero Framework as agreed in principle in April 2025) has the potential to provide a credible, stable demand signal and revenue stream to support early and mass-market uptake of scalable zero-emission fuels.Weaker alternatives risk delaying scalable zero-emission fuel availability into the 2040sâŠ
IMO PPR 13 Advances Biofouling Regulation Development
The IMO's Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response held its 13th session at IMO Headquarters in London from 9 to 13 February 2026.Outcomes include:Groundwork laid for future legally binding framework on biofoulingFollowing the decision of MEPC 83 to develop a legally binding framework on biofouling management to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, the Sub-Committee agreed some fundamental elements that will guide this work. These include the recommendation for the framework to take the form of a standalone instrumentâŠ
IMO Launches âPolicy into Practiceâ Campaign
The IMO has launched a two-year global initiative to promote the World Maritime Day theme for 2026-2027: âFrom Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellenceâ. 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.âWhen we talk about âpracticeâ, we are talking about people.
Bureau Veritas Grants AiP to Greenroom Roboticsâ Maritime Autonomy Software
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Greenroom Robotics for its maritime autonomy software, GAMA. This is the first time a maritime autonomy software, enabling self-navigation has been granted AiP by Bureau Veritas, marking an advancement for maritime robotics and autonomous operations.Greenroomâs GAMA software employs AI to create a fully autonomous navigation system. By doing so, it integrates data from multiple onboard sensors to support situational awarenessâŠ
Italy Urges NATO to Step In as Greenland Tensions Escalate
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged NATO on Friday to develop "a coordinated presence" in the Arctic region to prevent tensions and respond to "interference by other actors", amid escalating tensions among Western allies over Greenland.In a letter read during the presentation of an Italian government paper on the Arctic, Meloni said the region was becoming increasingly important due to the development of new sea routes and its huge "energy and mineral resources".ItalyâŠ
ABS and Fleetzero Partner on Marine Battery Containers
ABS and Fleetzero have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the technical requirements for containerized marine battery systems.The MoU establishes a framework for both organizations to consider designs and arrangements as well as develop testing mechanisms and quality control procedures to help ensure safety with new commercial approaches.âABS provides industryâleading guidance to support the adoption of marine battery systems. The next step is overcoming key barriers to deploymentâŠ
Genco Rejects Diana Shipping Offer
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has firmly pushed back on takeover interest from Diana Shipping Inc., with its board unanimously rejecting a non-binding $20.60-per-share cash proposal that it says "significantly undervalues" the company and carries unacceptable execution risk.In a statement released January 13, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited said its board, acting on the recommendation of an independent committee and advised by external financial and legal counsel, concludedâŠ
HD Hyundai Gets ABS Clearance for Next-Gen Floating Offshore Substation
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued approval in principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for its new design of a floating offshore substation to support deepwater wind farms.The substation concept received a SMART (SHM) Tier 3 AiP from ABS. The approval acknowledges the proposed structural health management systemâs alignment with the Tier 3 requirements in the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units.The recognition supports the systemâs design to integrate high-fidelity measurements with predictive modelingâŠ
Wind-Assisted LNG Carrier Concept Gets BV AiP
Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (DSIC) unveiled a new generation of decarbonization-focused vessel designs, including a wind-assisted 175,000-cu.-m. LNG carrier that has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV). Developed by DSIC, the wind-assisted LNG carrier introduces an integrated solution combining LNG dual-fuel propulsion with sail-assisted technology, offering a practical and cost-controlled upgrade pathway for the global fleet of 175,000 m³ LNG carriers. The vessel is equipped with three next-generation foldable wing sails based on proprietary technology. Manufactured using lightweight composite materials, the sails feature independent folding and rotation functions.
