Count down to CMA Shipping 2026
The count down is on for this year’s CMA Shipping 2026 conference and exhibition taking place from 10–12 March 2026 at the Hilton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. Organised by the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) and Informa Markets, this flagship event is set to bring together the most influential voices in the maritime industry for three days of industry networking, knowledge sharing, and innovation.CMA Shipping 2026 features a robust conference agenda designed to address the most pressing issues facing the maritime sector.
Asia Pacific Maritime Returns to Singapore with Next-Gen Energy Focus
Asia Pacific Maritime (APM), Asia’s premier exhibition and conference for Shipbuilding & Marine, Workboat, Offshore, and Electric & Hybrid Marine, will return for its 19th instalment, from 25-27 March 2026 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, with its largest edition to date. Anchored by the theme “Future of Vessels, Solutions for Tomorrow”, APM 2026 is set to convene the global leaders to examine how the next energy technologies and innovation are driving the future of maritime.As decarbonisation targets intensify and digital innovation accelerates…
Singapore Boasts Record 2025
Singapore posted record port performance in 2025, supported by resilient global trade and fuel offtake.The nation achieved a record of 3.22 billion gross tonnage (GT) of vessel arrivals and 44.66 million TEUs of container throughput in 2025 – a 3.5% and 8.6% increase from 2024, respectively.Marine fuel sales also hit a new high at 56.77 million tonnes, a 3.4% increase from 2024, with continued growth in the use of alternative marine fuels, which increased to 1.95 million tonnes in 2025 compared to 1.35 million tonnes in 2024.On 14 January 2026…
Clippership Completes Autonomous Wind-Powered Vessel Design to be Built by KM Yachtbuilders
Clippership, a company developing autonomous wind powered ships, announced it has completed the design of its first 24-meter class vessel, and executed a construction contract for the first cargo vessel with Dutch shipyard KM Yachtbuilders.The 24-meter class features twin, foldable rigid wings for primary wind propulsion and is designed for open-ocean autonomy. The vessel has a cargo capacity of up to 75 Euro-pallets within its climate-controlled cargo hold. It will be built in…
GNV Partners with Lloyd’s Register to Boost Decarbonization Training
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has collaborated with Italian ferry operator GNV to deliver the third edition of its training program dedicated to fleet energy efficiency and decarbonization. The three-day course, which took place November 10-12 at the MSC Training Centre in Sant’Agnello, Sorrento, involved approximately 50 members of the technical and operational staff from across the fleet, including Captains, Chief Engineers, Chief Pursers, First Engineers and Deck Officers. The aim was to strengthen skills in energy management…
MPA and RINA Sign Digitalization MoU
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and class society RINA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a technology demonstration center and to collaborate on maritime innovation, digitalization, decarbonization, and talent development.The technology demonstration center will be part of RINA’s Open Innovation Hub in Singapore and serve as a collaborative platform to co-create and trial innovative solutions for maritime digitalization and decarbonization.
Newlight Completes RINA FAT for Hydrogen Retrofit
Newlight has completed Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for its hydrogen retrofit package for two- and four-stroke main engines.The system allows existing diesel engines to operate on a blend of hydrogen and conventional fuel, reducing carbon emissions without the need to replace the entire engine.Designed and built to the International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low Flashpoint Fuels Code (IGF Code) and validated to RINA Class Rules for hydrogen fueled ships…
MARPOWER Project Reports First-Year Progress Towards Clean Energy for Shipping
The European Union (EU)-funded MARPOWER project (Efficient zero-emissions gas turbine POWER system for MARitime transport) is addressing the decarbonization of maritime transport. Shipping is responsible for almost 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure expected to rise in the coming years, making it essential to deploy cleaner, scalable, and economically viable solutions that meet tightening international climate regulations.To respond to this need, the MARPOWER project…
Obituary: Iconic Maritime, Shipbuilding Leader Fred Harris Passes
Frederick Joseph Harris of Mystic CT, passed peacefully at 5:47PM on 10/24/2025, with his family by his side. “Fred” was born on 11/25/1944 at Framingham Union Hospital to Frederick Everett and MaryRosa Camilla Harris.Fred was a proud patriot who loved his country. Fred received his bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy (with Honors) in 1967. Upon graduation, Fred was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve with the obligation of sailing in the U.S. Merchant Marine. In the Merchant Marine, Fred sailed on various U.S.
Ammonia-Ready PCTC Enters Service
On October 22, the port of Shanghai hosted a ceremony for the official naming and delivery of the Grimaldi Group’s latest vessel, the Grande Melbourne.This is the third of a series of seven cutting-edge, ammonia-ready pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) commissioned at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC), both subsidiaries of CSSC.With a length of 200 meters, a beam of 38 meters, and a gross tonnage of approximately 77…
Energy Storage and New Fuels Work Together as One on Vessels
There’s an obvious fuel saving advantage, but partnering energy storage systems with new fuels brings other advantages too.There’s a new generation of vessels emerging which is exemplified by Grimaldi’s PCTC Grande Shanghai, claimed to reduce fuel consumption by 50% compared to previous-generation car carriers, and the NCL Vestland, a container feeder vessel similarly claimed to reduce energy consumption per TEU per nautical mile by 63%.What these vessels have in common is a propulsion system that combines energy storage systems and new fuels.As Henrik Helgesen…
Unapproved Modification Implicated in Engine Room Fire
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report on the fire and subsequent loss of power on board the Finland registered roll-on/roll-off cargo ship Finnmaster at Hull, England.At 2013 on 19 September 2021, a fire broke out in the auxiliary engine room on the Finland registered roll-on/roll-off cargo ship Finnmaster during departure from Hull, England. Finnmaster lost power, but the fire was later extinguished and the vessel safely re-berthed with the assistance of tugs.
Grimaldi Takes Delivery of Second Ammonia-Ready PCTC
The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the Grande Auckland, the second of seven PCTCs commissioned from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC) – two companies that are part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC).With a length of 200 meters, a beam of 38 meters, and a gross tonnage of around 77,500 tons, the Grande Auckland has been designed for the transport of vehicles — cars, SUVs, vans,…
IMO Secretary-General Visits Panama Maritime Authority
Arsenio Domínguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), carried out an official visit to the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) as part of his first mission to the country since taking office in January 2024.He was welcomed by Luis Roquebert, Administrator of the PMA, together with the institution’s directors and deputy directors.The highlight of the visit was the forum “Empowering Women in the Maritime Sector: A Call to Action on Training, Visibility…
Grimaldi Takes Delivery of Second Ammonia-Ready Car Carrier
Italian shipping firm Grimaldi Group has welcomed the second ammonia-ready pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), Grande Tianjin, from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC).The delivery of a 9,000-car capacity PTCT built for Grimaldi Group also marks SWS's 600th vessel or offshore platform since its inaugural delivery, the 150,000-ton Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit Hai Yang Shi You 111, in 2003.The Grande Tianjin is compatible with electric vehicles…
Grimaldi Names First Ammonia-Ready Car Carrier
Grimaldi Group has held a naming ceremony in Jiangsu, China, for the Grande Shanghai, the first of 10 pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) commissioned by the company from China Merchants Heavy Industries.The first five vessels will be capable of transporting 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units), while the remaining five will offer an increased capacity of 9,800 CEU.The Grande Shanghai reduces fuel consumption per cargo unit transported by 50% compared to the previous car carrier generation.The…
Fincantieri Introduces FREMM EVO Frigates for the Italian Navy
The laying ceremony of the first of the two new-generation FREMM “EVOLUTION” (“FREMM EVO”) Frigates for the Italian Navy took place today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Riva Trigoso. The delivery of the unit is scheduled for 2029.The ceremony was attended by Fulvio Palermo, Head of Project Management for the Naval Vessels Department, and Antonio Quintano, Director of the Integrated Plant in Riva Trigoso-Muggiano, in the presence of representatives of the Italian Navy, Orizzonti Sistemi Navali…
RINA Acquires Foreship
RINA has acquired the entire share capital of Foreship, a Finnish company specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering, from Vaaka Partners and company’s managers.The acquisition marks a further expansion of RINA’s marine engineering consulting offering worldwide, while strengthening its presence in Northern Europe.Foreship, with 2024 revenues of €15.2 million is headquartered in Helsinki and employs over 90 professionals across eight offices globally, including the US, UK and Estonia.
Methanol-Ready RoRo South Enabler Delivered to Wallenius Sol
Wallenius Sol took delivery of the RoRo vessel South Enabler from the Visentini Shipyard.In February 2025, a new chapter began in European shipping as Wallenius Sol announced the acquisition of Mann Lines, significantly expanding the Swedish shipping line’s customer base and presence in key markets. As part of the acquisition, a new vessel under construction was included. The new RoRo cargo vessel was officially delivered on 11 June, 2025, during her westbound passage past Gibraltar.“She’ll…
NTSB Calls for Better Preparedness of Land-Based Firefighters
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that land-based firefighters be better prepared for marine vessel firefighting following a fatal fire on the roll-on/roll-off container vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio in Newark, New Jersey.The Grande Costa D’Avorio was docked at Port Newark on July 5, 2023, when a vehicle used by shoreside workers to push used vehicles onto the vessel caught fire on an interior garage deck. The ship’s captain ordered use of the vessel’s carbon dioxide extinguishing system…
Van Ameyde Marine UK Appoints New MD
Global marine surveying and consultancy firm Van Ameyde Marine has appointed Chris Boyd as the new Managing Director of Van Ameyde Marine, UK.Boyd has over 30 years’ experience in the maritime industry. He started his career in the Royal Navy, specializing in hydrographic surveying, before becoming a naval architect and systems integrator. His focus was on marine cargo, heavy lift operations and the transportation and installation of critical items.Boyd has led complex projects across multiple sectors…
The LNG Pathway
Aussies are reputed to be a nation of gamblers who would bet on two flies crawling up a wall. That might be anyone’s race, but when predicting what the most popular alternative fuel will be, the odds seem to be increasingly in favor of LNG.It seems there is now a clear pathway where previously LNG was considered more of a transition fuel that didn’t have a strong presence in 2050 shipping fuels. New ambitions and new technologies are making it a stronger contender despite the…
Panama Establishes Zero-Tolerance Policy for Misuse of its Flag
The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) is implementing necessary measures to refine its merchant fleet to safeguard its reputation.Under Executive Decree No. 512, if the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine (DGGM) becomes aware that a vessel within Panama’s merchant fleet, or its owner, appears on one of the international sanctions’ lists referenced in this legal framework, a deregistration process is immediately initiated.Since its enactment, the decree has been applied to 125 vessels…