Ship Operations News

ABB has secured a contract to supply integrated power, propulsion and control solution for BC Ferries’ four new hybrid-electric major vessels.The New Major Vessels have been designed to minimize emissions and underwater radiated noise (URN), with the goal of contributing to quieter and cleaner operations in the Strait of GeorgiaABB will supply a complete package of power, propulsion and control technology for four new double-ended passenger and car ferries operated by British Columbia Ferry Services (BC Ferries).One of the largest ferry operators in the world…

The EU-based TwinShip consortium has unveiled the fourth pilot demonstration of the TwinShip Project: an unmanned Ro-Ro vessel powered by green fuels and renewable energy, targeting Net Zero Emissions by 2045.This simulated demonstration leverages digital twin and decision support system capabilities for advanced voyage optimization—specifically, active weather routing to maximize energy harvesting from wind and wave conditions.By integrating these insights into life cycle cost analysis and environmental impact assessments…

Evergreen Marine, a leading container shipping company, has become the first Taiwanese operator to upgrade its fleet to NexusWave bonded connectivity solution from Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company. Following successful trials, Evergreen is transitioning to NexusWave to enhance crew welfare, strengthen cybersecurity, and provide high-performance connectivity for its vessels and seafarers.Building on Evergreen’s years of experience with Fleet Xpress, the upgrade to NexusWave introduces bonded, multi-network connectivity with fast speed, unlimited data and always-on performance.

US Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell (R-MS) chaired a hearing, entitled “Changes in Maritime Technology: Can the Coast Guard Keep Up?” on Tuesday.The maritime industry is undergoing a rapid period of transformation, including the adoption of autonomous technology and robotics that could transform the sector, as well as threats from drones and cyber-attacks that require increased vigilance.Ezell introduced the hearing saying: “Last February…

On December 8, Techcross received cyber security type approval from ABS and NK, becoming the first company in the industry to obtain cyber security type approvals from five major global classification societies.Both of Techcross's Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS), ECS and HYCHLOR, meet the international cyber security standard IACS UR E27. Based on this compliance, the systems had previously secured cyber security type approvals from KR (Korea), BV (France), and CCS (China)…

Contemporary Amperex Electric Vessel (CAEV), a subsidiary of CATL, officially launched the world's first and only "ship-shore-cloud" zero-carbon shipping and integrated smart port solution at Marintec China 2025.The solution is designed to increase vessel electrification.Su Yiyi, General Manager of CATL Electric Vessel Department and Contemporary Amperex Electric Vessel said that previously, power supply, energy replenishment, and maintenance services were provided by separate suppliers.

TotalEnergies Marketing Middle East, a fully owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies based in Dubai, has time chartered a first-of-its-type 750 cubic meter hybrid lubricants bunkering barge from Tristar Group to supplement its Lubmarine division’s ship-to-ship operations in the port of Fujairah, UAE as of October 1st. The Tristar Eco Voyager, featuring a hybrid engine design that combines electric and biofuel power, coupled with an advanced powertrain, is designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel propulsion barges.

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä and Sinocrew Maritime Services have inaugurated an advanced maritime simulation and training centre in Beihai, China, to support the next generation of seafarers in the Asian cruise industry and advance the adoption of decarbonization technologies.The Beihai International Seafarer Training Center (BISTC) will provide simulation-based training focused on cruise ship operations and sustainable maritime practices. The project aims to equip seafarers…

UK-based Ferguson Marine has appointed Non-Executive Director, Duncan Anderson, as Interim Chair. This comes as current Board Chair, Andrew Miller, is due to step down upon completion of his three-year term at the end of November. Anderson has served as a Non-Executive Director of Ferguson Marine since March 2025 adding demonstrable shipbuilding expertise as a Chartered Marine Engineer with over 40 years of experience in ship operations and shipbuilding.Graeme Thomson, CEO of Ferguson Marine…

Soya IT Marine Solutions is now compliant with both NIS2 and NIST—the EU and US frameworks for cybersecurity, respectively. Achieving compliance with two of the world's strictest regulations means that Soya IT Marine Solutions delivers top-class cyber security. For customers, this means extra protection against cyber attacks, intrusions and operational disruptions—both on board individual ships and in shipping companies' land-based organizations.The compliance work includes technical protective measures, risk management, supplier security and incident reporting processes.

The European Union has lifted sanctions against three tankers managed by Japan's Mitsui O.S.K.

The SL7EXPO project, which aims to preserve one of the groundbreaking SL-7 Sea-Land Container ships as a maritime exposition center in support of the SHIPS for America Act, has received seed funding from the Society of Marine Port Engineers.Originally built by containerization innovator, Malcolm McLean, as 33 knot container ships, the eight SL-7 class ships were converted into Fast Sealift Ships by the US Government in the early 1980s. Their conversion into Roll on/Roll off vessels…

Fairbanks Morse Defense Awarded Contract for FM 175D Engine to Support U.S. Navy’s DDG(X) ProgramFairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management (Arcline), won a contract to provide the U.S. Navy with an FM 175D high-speed diesel generator engine for integration into the DDG(X) land-based propulsion system test site, supporting the U.S. Navy’s goal of reducing design risks as it continues developing the next-generation platform.Designed to succeed the Flight II Ticonderoga-class cruisers and the Flight I/II Arleigh Burke-class destroyers…

The SL7EXPO project, which aims to preserve one of the groundbreaking SL-7 Sea-Land Container ships as a commercial maritime exposition center in support of the SHIPS for America Act, has received seed funding from the Society of Marine Port Engineers.Originally built by containerization innovator Malcolm McLean as 33 knot container ships, the eight SL-7 class ships were converted into Fast Sealift Ships by the US Government in the early 1980’s.Their conversion into Roll on/Roll…

Cavotec has signed an order valued at USD$8.99 million (EUR 8.1 million) with a leading global container shipping company to deliver complete shore power systems for newly built container vessels. The order includes cable management reels and weatherproof enclosures, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.Cavotec’s systems will provide reliable cable management solutions, enabling vessels to connect to shore power while at berth. This reduces emissions and…

Traders have rebranded more than $1 billion of Venezuelan oil shipments to China as Brazilian crude over the past year, according to two tanker tracking firms, company documents and four traders, helping buyers to cut logistics costs and circumvent U.S. sanctions.Independent refiners in China are the main buyers of seaborne oil shipments from countries sanctioned by the United States, with offshore Malaysia serving as a key trans-shipment hub for Venezuelan and Iranian crude.Since July 2024, however, traders have also rebranded Venezuelan oil as from Brazil.

ClassNK has released "Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines," which aim to achieve sustainable ship management with safety as the highest priority. With an evolving environment surrounding ship management, including fuel transition, stricter regulations, and crew shortage, ClassNK aims to enable flexible responses to unexpected situations by drawing on lessons learned from successful case studies that had not received much attention before.At sea, where unpredictable conditions are common, case-by-case judgment is essential to ensure safe navigation.

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…

WiseStella has announced that its technology has played a pivotal role in helping a globally trading tanker operator secure a landmark charter agreement with a prominent oil major.By using the WiseStella’s Behavioral Competency Assessment Tool (BCA) prior to a TMSA audit, the tanker crews were able to demonstrate behavioral competencies beyond standard expectations, resulting in the ship manager being recognized for Best Practice by the oil major.The TMSA review highlighted the undisclosed operator’s robust processes for managing organizational change…

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has appointed Stefano Colonna as the new Head of Passenger Ships and Yachts for the North American region.With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the passenger ships and yachting industries, Colonna has held prominent roles, including Vice President of Service for North and South America at NAVIM Group, overseeing Quality Assurance and Certifications, Director of Marine Safety Operations at Carnival Cruise Line and Director of Technical Safety Operations at The Walt Disney Company.Specializing in new builds…

VARD signed a contract with Taiwan's Dong Fang Offshore for the design and construction of one Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel, with option(s). The vessel is of VARD 3 39 design, and the value of the contract is $125 million. This is the third vessel VARD is building for DFO, with the first two being Commissioning Service Operations Vessels, contracted in May 2024.DFO aspires to be the supplier of choice to deliver international standard cable installation and repair solutions in the wind and telecoms industries…

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Academy provides a platform to harness the collective experience of more than 80% of the world's shipping fleet. Developed by seafarers for seafarers, the Academy provides on-the-go access to practical e-learning that helps shipping companies ensure best practices and regulatory compliance on board.The Academy complements ICS Publications, giving crew access to onboard procedures and training that work together cohesively. The platform is designed to be globally applicable to all ship types and regularly updated to meet the industry's evolving needs…

Lloyd’s Register's Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (The Decarb Hub) and Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) have released a third report aimed at helping meet the upskilling needs of an estimated future 800,000 seafarers as the industry transitions to alternative fuels.While current frameworks outlined in the IMO STCW for seafarer training provide a foundation, they fall short of addressing the unique challenges posed by ammonia, says the organizations…