Shipbuilding News

Defense group Leonardo and Immsi's naval unit Intermarine have signed a contract worth up to 2.6 billion euros ($2.82 billion) to supply Italy's navy with five coastal minehunter ships, the companies said on Friday.The contract, which also includes logistics support, is worth 1.6 billion euros for the vessels and 1 billion euros in various other options.Immsi's share price jumped more than 16% and Leonardo was up 2.3% after the deal was announced.Intermarine will produce the 63 meter vessels in its shipyards in Sarzana and will have a 73% share of the contract, with the remaining 27% for Leona

An electric propulsion system conversion kit developed by power transmission technology company Twin Disc and distributor partner Palmer Johnson Power Systems has been approved by the California Air & Resources Board (CARB) under the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE).The CORE incentive program aims to encourage California off-road equipment users to purchase or lease currently commercialized zero-emission off-road equipment by offsetting the higher cost…

Freeland, Wash. shipbuilder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders (NBBB) announced it has appointed Lacey Greene as Vice President, New Construction Sales, effective from mid-July 2024.A second-generation shipbuilder, following in the footsteps of her father who worked at NBBB for many years, Greene started her career 20 years ago on the NBBB labor crew during the build of the SEAFIGHTER, also known as the X-CRAFT, and the paddle-wheel cruise boat EMPRESS OF THE NORTH, now the AMERICAN EMPRESS.

Jan de Nul has named its new XL cable laying vessel (CLV), an identical copy of the previously ordered Fleeming Jenkin, after an Irish scientist William Thomson.The William Thomson will have three carousels and cable-carrying capacity of 28,000 tonnes.The 215-meter-long sister vessels – Fleeming Jenkin and William Thomson - will be the largest cable-laying vessels in the world.“The vessels will certainly be innovative for the offshore cable industry, as so was physicist William Thomson.

The maritime industry is seeing significant fleet growth in the containership sector as the volume of newbuild deliveries eclipses previous highs.“Since the beginning of the year, the capacity of the containership fleet has increased by 1.6 million TEU. Compared to one year ago, the capacity has risen 11% to 29.5 million TEU, the fastest fleet growth in 15 years,” said Niels Rasmussen, chief shipping analyst at BIMCO.During the first half of 2024, a total of 264 ships with a combined capacity of 1.6 million TEU have been delivered from shipyards…

Romania-based GLO Marine announced it has appointed John Louring as its new sales director.Louring brings to the position a strong background in the maritime industry and green technologies gained over more than 20 years in sales and business development, having previously held roles at companies like Desmi and Blucher.Louring said, “I am thrilled to join the GLO Marine team. Their business transformation is truly impressive. They are passionate individuals, exceptional engineers, and highly ambitious. For me, this is a winning move.

American Cruise Lines' third new Coastal Cat cruise ship, American Liberty, has completed sea trials and is gearing up to sail its inaugural cruise in August.The 100-passenger American Liberty, built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md., is the newest ship in American’s ongoing Project Blue series of 12 new small ships for river and coastal cruising in the U.S. Several more ships in the series are already under construction, including the fourth Coastal Cat, American Legend…

Corvus Energy has received Type Approval from RINA for its large-scale marine energy storage system, the Blue Whale ESS. RINA Type Approval confirms that the Blue Whale ESS complies with RINA Rules for the Certification of Lithium Battery Systems. This approval, along with recently awarded type approval from DNV, demonstrate that the large-scale energy storage system complies with the most stringent regulations and safety requirements in the industry.The result of a multimillion-dollar development program…

The United States' Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro on Monday announced a federal, state and local partnership intended to help rebuild the maritime industrial base workforce required to support the Navy.The so-called Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3) will establish training pipelines and programs to meet the Navy’s need for thousands of new workers and jobs across the state and the broader Great Lakes region. With an initial focus on submarine production skillsets before expansion to other types of ships…

Everett, Wash. repair yard Everett Ship Repair has been awarded a contract worth more than $10.4 million to perform maintenance and repair work on a caisson from the U.S. Navy's Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) in Bremerton, Wash.The $10,473,626 firm-fixed-price contract was awarded by the PSNS & IMF, which provides maintenance, modernization and technical and logistics support services to the U.S. Navy.Everett Ship Repair was one of two bidders for the project.Work is expected to be completed by January 2025.

Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company, announced on Tuesday that it has ordered a trio of ultra large cruise ships from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for its Carnival Cruise Line brand.At nearly 230,000 gross registered tonnes, and with capacity for nearly 8,000 passengers in 3,000 guest staterooms, the new ships will be the largest in Carnival's global fleet.The three liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled ships will be delivered in the summers of 2029, 2031 and 2033…

Turkish shipbuilder Tersan Shipyard has launched a pair of construction service operations vessels (CSOV) for Dutch company Acta Marine.Acta Pegasus and the Acta Hercules are Ulstein SX216 design CSOVs featuring an optimized hull form and capability to burn methanol as main fuel, unlocking a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The hybrid power solution in these vessels, with green methanol intended as the main energy source, has dual-fuel engines supported by a battery package.Each vessel has a length of 89.9 meters, a beam of 19.2 meters and accommodations for up to 135 personnel.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has placed on order to French engineering firm GTT for the tank design of two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, on behalf of a European ship-owner.GTT will design the tanks of these two vessels, which will each offer a capacity of 174,000 m3.The tanks will be fitted with the Mark III Flex membrane containment system developed by GTT.Delivery is scheduled between the first and second quarters of 2028.

NYK Bulkship (Atlantic) N.V. has installed two wind-assist VentoFoils on the bulk carrier NBA Magritte at the port of Rotterdam. The vessel is engaged in a long-term charter contract with Cargill (USA).This is the first time a unit of this type has been installed on an NYK Group vessel.Sitting on a 20-foot-long (approximately 6-meter) flat rack container with no walls, the VentoFoil has a 16-meter vertical wing that acts as suction sail which expects about five times as much force compared to no-suction versions…

Seatrium Limited has secured a series of repairs and upgrades contracts with an aggregate value of S$180 million.All projects, with the exception of one, will be completed by end 2024. The range of complex contracts include major repairs on offshore vessels, naval vessels, ferries, LNG carriers, tankers, as well as damage repair.Seatrium has secured a series of four offshore refits, including two jack-ups and two drillships, from esteemed regular customers, Velesto Energy Berhad, Zonda Drilling AS and Seadrill Limited.

Indian sub-continent ship recycling markets remain decidedly dicey as both currencies and local steel plate prices in India and Bangladesh declined even further this week, reports cash buyer GMS.“Vessel prices and demand take on a whole new meaning of industrywide suffering, especially with Turkey and Pakistani ship recycling markets still being remanded at the same resort over recent weeks.”The political situation in the Middle East will also continue to restrict the supply of vessels for the immediate future / likely until Q4…

Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions celebrated the launch of the Spirit of Tasmania V, a the second of two new car and passenger ferries for the Tasmanian TT-Line Company.The vessel’s godmother is Her Excellency the Horourable Barbara Baker, Governor of Tasmania.The vessels will operate between Geelong and Devonport on Australia’s Bass Strait, a route known for its challenging sea conditions. The ferries will replace their sister ships built in Finland in the 1990s.

Washington State Ferries (WSF) has tapped ABB to design and supply the propulsion systems for its new series of five hybrid electric ferries. ABB was previously selected for the project in 2020 after the original build contract was awarded to Vigor, but the competitive bid process was relaunched following disagreements between WSF and the shipyard over price and other contract terms.In May of this year, WSF invited shipyards across the country to bid on construction for the five new ferries.

ABS and the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) are working together to advance commercial small modular reactor (SMR)-powered ships and floating SMR power generation platforms.ABS will provide analysis of applicable regulatory guidelines and international standards for the design of SMR-powered ships.KRISO will develop core technologies for SMR-powered ships, including conceptual designs for the vessel and propulsion systems as well as the development of a framework for integrated ship, nuclear power safety analysis.

Birdon America on Thursday announced it has received a $14.75 million order from the U.S. Coast Guard for long lead time materials (LLTM) required to begin construction on the first Inland Construction Tender (WLIC) and the first River Buoy Tender (WLR).The vessels will be the first two built as part of Birdon’s $1.187 billion contract to design and build 27 new Waterways Commerce Cutters (WCC) to replace the Coast Guard's aging fleet of 35 inland tenders that support the service’s aids to navigation (ATON) mission in federal inland waterways.Denver-based Birdon America…

Norway-based offshore vessel owner Rem Offshore has signed a contract with shipbuilder Vard for the design and construction of a new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for offshore wind services.This will be the third CSOV Vard will deliver to Rem Offshore. The first two, REM Power and REM Wind, were delivered in 2023 and 2024 respectively.The CSOV is tailored to provide services during the construction, operation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms worldwide.It will feature VARD 4 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund.

“During the first half of 2024, newbuild contracting in the dry bulk sector fell 34.2% y/y despite favourable market conditions. A 6.5% y/y increase in prices could be deterring contracting, yet in the second-hand market, where prices rose 15.2% y/y, the number of sales still increased 11.7% y/y. Other factors, such as limited shipyard availability and uncertainty on fuels and demand outlook could be contributing to this hesitation,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.Shipyards are still occupied by orders for ships in other sectors.

Ottomotive Tech has joined the global community of maritime battery enablers, the Maritime Battery Forum.Founded in 2021, Ottomotive Tech gives support for products, engineering and consultancy in different sectors such as maritime, automotive, telecommunication and energy storage systems. The company’s expertise comprises of system engineering from scratch to pre-serial production, followed by production, test, homologation and delivery processes of requested products. Their…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has cut the first steel for four fully electric ferries, being constructed for Canada-based BC Ferries at its Romanian shipyard.On July 16, the yard cut first steel on the first two of four, fully electric Island Class Ferries, which will be the first fully electric vessels to operate in the BC Ferries’ fleet.Operating with battery packs with the capacity to supply the power train with 2,000 kilowatt-hour of electricity, the vessels will carry up to 47 vehicles and 390 passengers.Damen will also supply BC Ferries with the required charging towers.

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a contract with Western Coast Port Services (WCPS) to construct six ASD Tugs.This order consists of five ASD Tugs 2813 and one ASD Tug 3212, which will be operated at Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Port.For this order, Damen is adapting the vessels to suit the Middle Eastern climate by incorporating additional air-conditioning and cooling equipment, ensuring optimal performance in the region’s challenging conditions. “With its fast delivery, customization and lifecycle support…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a contract with Toyota Tsusho for the delivery of four vessels to support the port development project in Namibe, Angola.The order consists of two ASD Tugs 2813, a Pushy Cat 1004 and a Stan Pilot 1905. The vessels will be provided to the Ministry of Transport Angola as part of a Japanese Government funded port development project.Damen will deliver the vessels in the first quarter of 2025.The shipbuilder had already commenced construction of the vessels at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem…

The exact cause of a 2023 fire aboard a research vessel in Alaska has eluded investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which issued its final report on the incident on Tuesday.On January 19, 2023, small vessel Qualifier 105 was being stored ashore for the winter in the Northern Enterprises Boat Yard in Homer, Alaska when a fire started in a stateroom below the main deck. The local fire department extinguished the fire and no pollution or injuries were reported.

Newport Shipping announced a strategic partnership with Unithai Shipyard and Engineering in Thailand. Unithai Shipyard and Engineering is known for its advanced facilities and technical capabilities, including:Land area 688,000 m2Unithai 2 191 x 34.4 m Up to 50,000 DWTUnithai 3 300 x 49.6 m Up to 180,000 DWTQuay 380 m, 1 x 45 t craneFloating Crane, 1 x 100 tAdvanced Workshops: Equipped with modern machinery and technology for comprehensive ship repair, retrofitting, and maintenance…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a deal with Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM) for the construction of the second commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for Taiwanese offshore wind operations.TSSM, the joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine, placed an order for the second Damen 9010 CSOV, set for delivery at the end of 2026.When the new vessel is delivered, TSSM will deploy it at Taiwanese offshore wind farms, increasing its fleet to three service…

Hamburg-based heavy lift shipping company United Heavy Lift held a naming ceremony for its newest heavy lift ship, UHL Fable.Built at the CSSC Hudong shipyard in Shanghai over a relatively short period of time, the newbuild is the 19th and final vessel in United Heavy Lift's F900 Eco-Lifter series. The construction time from keel laying in July 2023 to delivery to the German bridge crew led by Captain Karsten Strotmann and his first officer Pit Awe in April 2024 was just nine months.Measuring about 150 meters long…

The General Directorate of the Public Registry of Ship Ownership of the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has implemented an exclusive email address to monitor and resolve all user queries.The email address [email protected] is attended by a group of specialists who will respond as soon as possible to queries, which will be documented and monitored until users see their questions resolved.The director of the Registry Marta Aparicio González, says the service marks the beginning…

Canada, looking to shore up its defense of the Arctic, is moving ahead to acquire up to 12 submarines and has started a formal process to meet with manufacturers, the defense ministry said.Canada updated its defense policy this year with a focus on protecting the Arctic and dealing with challenges from Russia and China. The procurement of submarines is a critical step in implementing that strategy, the defense ministry said in a statement.Citing global warming, Canada says the Arctic Ocean could become the most efficient shipping route between Europe and East Asia By 2050…

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched the seventh multipurpose combat ship, named Domenico Millelire, at its shipyard in Genova.This vessel is part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the Italian Navy vessels, approved by the Government and Parliament under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).The 143-meter vessel is a highly flexible ship with the capacity to serve multiple functions…

Prysmian's Monna Lisa vessel, being build by Vard, has reached Norway for final outfitting, installation of main mission equipment and trials, before becoming fully operational in 2025.The 171-meter-long cable laying vessel (CLV) arrived to Norway after travelling 4,000 nautical miles around Europe for 28 days, following its launch at Vard’s shipyard in Tulcea Romania.The vessel was towed down the Danube River, across the Mediterranean Sea, and up the coast of Portugal and Spain…

The anticipated / ongoing seasonal slowdown in activity coupled with softening vessel prices has clearly started to characterize the year’s summer / monsoon mess across the Indian sub-continent ship recycling markets, reports cash buyer GMS.“However, the 2024 version not only includes the incessant rains and a holiday-time for yard workers, but also ongoing global descent via boots on the ground warfare and an economic tumult that has double downed and unsustainably maintained…

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has published a technical, environmental, and techno-economic analysis of the impacts of preparation and conversion of tankers for green fuels.Using insights from project partners, the project aimed to understand the technical requirements and cost of converting from fuel oil to methanol or ammonia and from NG to ammonia.The report considered reference designs for two types of tanker vessels: LR2 and VLCC. These vessel types are two of the largest in the tanker segment…

AAL Hamburg, the second of eight Super B-Class heavy lift series being built for AAL Shipping has been named during a formal ceremony at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. The newbuild will soon be delivered and commence a busy maiden voyage to Europe.The 32,000 dwt, dual fuel multipurpose heavy lift vessel is equipped with three heavy lift port side cranes (350 tonnes capacity each and 700 tonnes maximum lift) as well as the latest innovation from the AAL Engineering Team, the ‘AAL ECO-DECK’.

Albatros Arctic Circle ApS has taken delivery of a new ProZero 13.5m Arctic Workboat from Tuco Marine / ProZero Workboats. This vessel, built on the ProZero hull concept, is designed to operate in the cold Greenlandic waters and is approved by the Danish Maritime Authority to transport up to 12 passengers according to the specific regulations for Greenland and Arctic operations.The new boat is tailored for day trips and whale watching, offering high comfort and excellent opportunities for social activities in the cabin, the builder said.

On July 11, 2024, Dutch students from the TU Delft Hydro Motion Team arrived in Ramsgate with their self-built hydrogen boat, becoming the first to cross from the Netherlands to England with a fully hydrogen-powered vessel, making the nearly 169-km journey across the North Sea on a single tank.Read more about the future of Hydrogen in the maritime space in our inteview with Roy Campe, CTO, CMB.TECH in the January 2024 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News.The teams first attempt to make the crossing on July 9…

After a stay of around eight weeks at the shipyard, the "Kaja Josephine" left the Strela Shiprepair Yard on July 11, 2024, the first inland vessel to be docked and maintained there since the Stralsund repair yard was founded two years ago. The Futura Carrier, built in 2007, belongs to the fleet of the Schramm Group based in Brunsbüttel (Schleswig-Holstein). One of the special features of this type of ship are the four pod drives  that can be rotated through 360°. They are mounted in pairs fore and aft and give the 97.5- x 13.6-m wide inland waterway vessel great maneuverability.

Damen’s new cutter suction dredger, the first of Damen CSD600 series, has started operations in Indonesia.The dredger was transported from Rotterdam, the Netherlands to Indonesia as deck cargo on a heavy lift carrier.The stationary dredger, which has been named Jhoni 58, is working on a maintenance dredging project.The dredging operation is located at the Port of Batulicin on the island of Kalimantan. The main activities of the port relate to its important coal terminal.The busy access channel is used by numerous coal barge transports.

The U.S., Canada and Finland will form a consortium to build icebreaker ships, a senior U.S. administration official said, a move intended to bolster the allies' shipbuilding and counter Russia and China in increasingly strategic polar regions.The initiative, called the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort or ICE pact, is being unveiled on Thursday on the sidelines of a three-day NATO summit in Washington, where the alliance has called on China to end its support for Moscow's war against…

South Korea’s KT Marine has welcomed its new vessel, a Fast Ferry 4212 named Hamel, delivered by Dutch shipbuilder Damen.KT Marine placed its order for the vessel earlier this year. Hamel will transport up to 423 passengers at speeds of up to 40 knots.The vessel will operate a route between Yeosu Harbour and Geomundo Island. Hamel is the seventh Damen Fast Ferry, and the fifth Fast Ferry 4212, to be delivered to South Korea in recent years.The Fast Ferry 4212 features catamaran design, built at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam.

Being built by China Merchants Heavy Industry Haimen (CMHI) for Jan De Nul Group and scheduled for delivery in 2026, the Fleeming Jenkin is touted to become the world's largest Cable-Laying Vessel (CLV). Main propulsion for the Fleeming Jenkin will come from four Steerprop azimuth thrusters, enhanced by three tunnel thrusters and two retractable. An additional full main thruster and extensive spares package will also be supplied as part of the contract with Steerprop. In addition to the Fleeming Jenkin…

Seatrium has secured a contract from Teekay Shipping (Australia) for the repairs and upgrades of a fleet of vessels under its Australia Defence Maritime Support Services Program (DMSSP).The contract, Seatrium’s first long-term strategic partnership agreement with a leading ship management company, includes the refit of a series of vessels over the next two years.The strategic partnership agreement was signed by Tony Armstrong, Managing Director of Teekay Australia, and Alvin Gan, Executive Vice President, Repairs and Upgrades, Seatrium.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Wednesday announced $8.75 million in grant awards to 15 small shipyards in 12 states through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funds will help shipyards modernize, increase productivity, and expand local job opportunities while competing in the global marketplace.“Small shipyards are integral to the strength of America’s supply chains and the maritime industry” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The U.S. Navy announced it has accepted delivery of its latest Flight IIA Arleigh Burke–class guided missile destroyer, the future USS John Basilone (DDG 122), on July 8.Built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, DDG 122 will serve as a multi-mission surface combatant capable of conducting Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare.Prior to delivery, the ship conducted a series of at-sea and pier-side trials to demonstrate readiness. A tentative commissioning date is scheduled in November.The ship is named after U.S.

Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC announced it has signed an agreement with the Vietnamese shipyard Nam Trieu for the construction of a 2,300 m³ trailing suction hopper dredger.This project, commissioned by De Boer - Dutch Dredging, marks the beginning of what is expected to be a long term collaboration in Asia, according to Royal IHC."The collaboration with Nam Trieu is the concretization of our two-pillar strategy," says CEO Derk te Bokkel. "We build both in the Netherlands and in the Far East. In Vietnam we can build to the same quality level with lower labor and energy costs.

KR announced the successful installation of an onboard carbon capture system (OCCS) with purely domestic technology, and it will soon undergo internal verification testing.The project began in April 2023 as a collaborative effort with HMM, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and PANASIA. As a result of this collaboration, the system was installed on the 2,200 teu container ship, HMM Mongla. KR conducted the risk assessment and application of relevant regulations in this OCCS project.The OCCS applies a technology that captures…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has completed the construction of bulk carrier Green Winds, equipped with the Wind Challenger hard sail wind power propulsion system.The construction of the 63,896 DWT Ultramax bulk carrier was completed at Oshima Shipbuilding.MOL Group’s company MOL Drybulk will operate this new vessel.This is the second of a total of nine MOL Group vessels that have been or will be equipped with the Wind Challenger and the world's first crane vessel featuring that propulsion…

Austal USA on Tuesday held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official start of construction for its newest final assembly facility in Mobile, Ala.The infrastructure expansion, which will be to the south of Austal USA’s current waterfront facility, will include a new assembly building, waterfront improvements, and a new shiplift system. The project is scheduled to be complete and fully operational by summer of 2026.The construction of this new building and waterfront support area continues the expansion Austal USA began in March 2021 with the groundbreaking of the steel panel line.

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry, today announced its annual member safety awards for the 2023 calendar year. This year, 18 shipyards are receiving awards for their achievements in safety. “Safety isn't just a priority; it's a fundamental pillar of our industrial base. These awards not only recognize excellence in safety practices but also show our industry's dedication to ensuring every worker returns home safely each day.

Canadian shipbuilder AF Theriault & Son Ltd. announced it is teaming up with New-Zealand-based electric ferry design and technology company EV Maritime in hopes of securing a contract to build a series of electric ferries serving the community of Bedford, Nova Scotia.This partnership has been formed in relation to Halifax Regional Municipality’s (HRM) upcoming procurement for five new ferries for scheduled delivery in the 2027-2028 fiscal year. The entire project is estimated at CAD$258.7 million and will include ferries…

Walt Disney unveiled plans on Tuesday to launch a new cruise ship that will set sail from Tokyo starting in fiscal 2028, adding a ninth vessel to the brand's growing fleet.The new ship, to be built by Germany's Meyer Werft and modelled after the Wish that is the largest vessel in the group, is a partnership with Oriental Land Company (OLC), the operator of Tokyo Disneyland. It is part of a 10-year, $60 billion expansion of Disney's theme parks and cruise business.Disney currently has five cruise ships in operation.

A historically unique ship arrived at the Strela Shiprepair Yard in Stralsund on Monday, July 8, 2024. The former refrigeration and transport ship (KTS) "Stubnitz", which was part of the GDR deep-sea fishing fleet until October 1990, is docked at the shipyard. It is undergoing extensive overhaul and maintenance this month. Once the work has been completed, the ship will receive its 12th classification, which authorizes it to sail for a further five years. The ship, which is operated by the sponsoring organization Denkmal- und Kulturschiff Stubnitz e.V.…

Huisman has signed two contracts for the supply of cranes and installation tools for Cadeler’s A-Class newbuild offshore wind farm installation vessels.The first contract is for the design and construction of a Leg Encircling Crane (LEC) and a Pedestal Mounted Crane for Cadeler’s latest A-Class new build vessel.The other is for an Upending Frame and Monopile Storage System to be installed on the Wind Ally, another A-Class jack-up vessel in Cadeler’s fleet.COSCO has awarded Huisman the contract for a 3…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has secured a contract to build the sixth commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for offshore personnel transfer provider Windcat.The contract marks the further strengthening of the working relationship between Damen, Windcat and CMB.TECH, working on the 'Elevation Series' of CSOVs.Windcat will deploy the ‘Elevation Series’ to provide in-field technical and maintenance support to offshore wind farms for up to 30 days at a time.Damen will build the sixth CSOV at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam…

Vard has launched the cable laying vessel (CLV) being built for Danish offshore services firm NCT Offshore, ahead of delivery planned later in 2024.The newbuild CLV, named Freja, has been launched at Vard Shipyards in Tulcea, Romania.The vessel features VARD 9 01 design, and is especially equipped for subsea cable laying operations and developed in close collaboration with NCT Offshore.According to Vard, the vessel has high focus on sea-keeping capabilities, excellent station keeping performances and low fuel consumption.The cable layer…

Hengli Group, privately-controlled Chinese oil refiner and petrochemicals producer, said on Monday it will invest 9.2 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) in shipbuilding in northeast China, two years after it acquired South Korean shipyard STX's assets.The group's unit Hengli Heavy Industry expects to build annual steel processing capacity of 1.8 million metric tons as well as 7.1 million tons annually of shipbuilding capacity in Changxing island of Dalian city, according to a posting on the company's official WeChat platform.The company said it will expand building super tankers carrying oil and liqu

Sanmar delivered a tug designed for escort, ship-handling, and towage work to Italy-based operator Rimorchiatori Laziali as part of its on-going expansion outside the Mediterranean.Known as KOCAÇAY IX while under construction in Turkiye, the tug has been renamed Pellegron by its new owners and will operate in the Arabian Gulf.Based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar RAstar 3200SX design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd., Pellegron measures 32m LOA including fenders, with a 13m breadth…

Fratelli Cosulich Group placed an order for two 7,999 dwt IMO2 chemical bunkering tankers at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., with options to build two more units.The delivery of the first of these methanol-ready vessels will be in the first half of 2026.The newbuild vessels are designed to carry a range of cargoes, including fuel oil, biofuels, and methanol in their cargo tanks, enhancing their utility and market potential.The company's twin small-scale LNG bunker vessels, Alice Cosulich and Paolina Cosulich, are now fully operational, meeting the growing demand from LNG-fueled vessels. In addition, the company is diversifying our fleet because it believes in a multi-fuel future.

Bollinger Shipyards announced that Andrew Hinkebein has been named Director of Government Affairs and will lead all state and local government relations efforts. Hinkebein will join the Government & External Affairs division of Bollinger Shipyards under EVP Geoffrey Green, where he will collaborate with community and economic development partners to continue driving the company’s growth and success across the Gulf Coast.The announcement was made by Ben Bordelon, Bollinger’s President and Chief Executive Officer…

Brazilian logistics firm Transpetro, a subsidiary of state-run oil firm Petrobras, has launched a procurement notice to commission four new coastal vessels, Transpetro's chief executive announced on Monday.The four vessels would be of the 'handy' class with a capacity of 15,000 to 18,000 deadweight tonnage, Transpetro CEO Sergio Bacci said at an event on Monday in Rio de Janeiro.Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is pushing Petrobras to help strengthen the country's naval industry, which he sees as key to job creation, after it lost relevance over the past decade due to corruption s

The Government of Bermuda’s Marine and Port Services has taken delivery of the 700-passenger ferry Bermudian after a major refit at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding. Engineering and project management were jointly handled by the Somerset, Mass. shipyard and Propulsion Data Services, and class oversight by Lloyd’s Register.Among the myriad items to be removed, repaired or replaced, the hull received repairs as required by class and repainted, with a goal of extending the life of the 37-year-old vessel an additional 15 years…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) on Monday announced it has been awarded a contract to construct four new escort tugs for Saltchuk Marine's Foss Maritime. The vessels will be built at ESG’s Allanton and Port St. Joe facilities, in Florida, with delivery expected in 2026.The order marks the beginning of Saltchuk Marine’s long-term fleet renewal project, with the new tugs set to support West Coast port operations and comply with EPA Tier 4 and California Air Resources Board (CARB) environmental requirements.The newbuilds will be RApport 2600 ship assist/escort tugs designed by Robert Allan Ltd.

On July 5, 2024, Briggs Marine's new Maintenance Support Vessel was launched in Vigo at Freire Shipyard.The vessel was designed by Cintranaval and Freire’s design department, configured to support Briggs’ ongoing contracts with the UK Government, offshore wind farms and commercial ports. The vessel will primarily undertake inspection, servicing, and replacement of Aids to Navigation (AtoN) and heavy inshore moorings in the UK and overseas.It will also handle various tasks such as diving and ROV operations…

Malaysian state energy firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) on Monday said it would add three energy-efficient LNG vessels to its North American operations.The addition of the vessels, which brings the total number in Petronas' fleet in North America to six, comes ahead of the start-up of LNG Canada's gas-export facility due later this year, the company said in a statement.Petronas has a 25% stake in the LNG Canada plant in Kitimat, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada."With the arrival of these new vessels…

It has been another tentative time in the global ship recycling markets as overall this week, reports cash buyer GMS, as sale and purchase activity and local arrivals / deliveries reported minimal movements at the various waterfronts.Indian sub-continent ship recyclers are approaching the monsoon season with a ‘wait-&-watch’ mindset prior to committing afresh on tonnage, especially since virtually all sub-continent recyclers have taken in their respectable shares of tonnage over…

Viking Vesta, the newest cruise ship which Fincantieri is building for the shipowner Viking, has been floated out at the shipyard in Ancona, Italy.The vessel will enter service in the summer of 2025, offering itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.The vessel will be placed in the small cruise ship segment. She will have a gross tonnage of about 54,300 tons, will be equipped with 499 cabins, and accommodate 998 passengers. The new unit, along with its sister ship Viking Vela…

With its two latest vessel deliveries, WINDEA CTV has completed its inaugural fleet of Jones Act qualified crew transfer vessels (CTV) to service the growing U.S. offshore wind industry.The four brand-new Incat Crowther-designed hybrid-ready CTVs—including the previously delivered WINDEA Courageous and Intrepid, as well as the recently completed and delivered WINDEA Ranger and Enterprise—were constructed by St. Johns Ship Building in Palatka, Fla.; Gulf Craft in Franklin, La.; and Breaux Brothers Enterprises in New Iberia, La.

Canadian shipping company CSL announced it has signed a 21-year strategic partnership with BCI Minerals Limited to build and operate an innovative transhipment vessel to support the Mardie Salt and Potash Project.The custom-designed 16,000 dwt shallow draft transhipper will handle 5.35 million tonnes of salt and 140,000 tonnes of sulfate of potash per year. Loading will take place at BCI’s jetty loadout facility in Cape Preston, Western Australia, with the vessel navigating 12…

French engineering company GTT has received an order from Chinese shipyard for the tank design of a new LNG carrier being built for Danish shipowner.The order was placed by China Merchants Heavy Industry-Jiangsu shipyard for the LNG carrier being built for Celsius.GTT will design the tanks of this vessel, which will offer a total cargo capacity of 180,000 m3 and will be fitted with the Mark III Flex membrane containment system, developed by the French company.Delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.

Singaporean shipbuilder Strategic Marine has secured an order from Louis Dreyfus Amateurs for an additional pair of crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to expand its fleet from five to seven high-specification vessels.The 27-meter CTVs represent sister ships to Acti’Vent and Esti’Vent, and will be able to transport 24 passengers each.The two new CTVs, of StratCat 27 design, are expected to be delivered early in 2025. “These new orders are part of our strategy to expand our Offshore Renewables business in France and in Europe.

The German government is considering support for Meyer Werft, one of the world's biggest cruise ship builders, an economy ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, as the cash-strapped company mapped out hundreds of planned job cuts to stem costs.The government is considering federal assistance for Meyer Werft together with the state of Lower Saxony, home of the shipyard in Papenburg where the over 200-year-old company is based.Meyer Werft needs to raise around 2.7 billion euros ($2.91 billion) in the coming years, according to restructuring chief Ralf Schmitz.

Seaspan Energy this week announced the launch of its third new 7,600m3 liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel, Seaspan Baker.This series is being built by CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) in China. The first two vessels, Seaspan Garibaldi (Nch’ḵay̓) and Seaspan Lions (Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwíkn), will be delivered later this year, followed by Seaspan Baker in 2025.Seaspan Baker is currently targeted to service the Long Beach containership market and will join Seaspan Lions in providing LNG fueling services for vessels on the West Coast of North America, Seaspan said.

The keel has been laid for the first of six new 46,000m³ midsize liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/ammonia carriers being built at HD Hyundai Mipo in South Korea for Exmar LPG, a joint venture between Exmar and Seapeak.The series' first newbuild is scheduled for delivery during the first quarter of next year, and the remaining vessels will be delivered through the end of 2026.The first two vessels in this series will be powered by LPG dual fuel engines, while the last four will be driven by ammonia—a world first.

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a contract with Maritime Craft Services (MCS) to supply one of its Shoalbuster 2711 multi-purpose workboats.MCS owns what will be an eighteen-strong fleet of workboats once its latest addition is delivered, and operates worldwide with an emphasis on western Europe and the Middle East.The new vessel, to be named Heather 2, will be the company’s third Shoalbuster, scheduled for delivery in summer 2024, and will join eleven fast crew suppliers and…

Commodities trader Vitol has secured three LNG bunkering vessels to support its worldwide operations.The agreements were made through Vitol’s shipping company, Vitol International Shipping.The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in Nantong, China.The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000m3 LNGBV, and will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in fourth quarter of 2026…

San Francisco area boat builder Moose Boats announced it has delivered a powerful customized M3-36 monohull to the Woodbridge Fire District, in California. The M3 will serve as a fireboat in the San Joaquin Delta.The build features twin 300-horsepower Mercury outboards with a heavy duty outboard protective guard including tow line guides, a tow post and an integrated towing spool. The boat has a dedicated fire pump to flow through two 1,500 GPM Typhoon RC TFT monitors, one cabin-top mounted and one on the bow with VUM for attack hose connection.

A fleet of Jones Act compliant crew transfer vessels is growing in stride with the United States’ burgeoning offshore wind industry.When the United Sates’ first purpose-built crew transfer vessel (CTV), Atlantic Pioneer, was delivered in 2016, the country’s offshore wind industry was just getting off the ground. In the years that followed, the industry has been building up—perhaps slower than expected at times—but today is moving forward in earnest.Coinciding with this build-up is the growth of a fleet of Jones Act qualified vessels…

Consort Bunkers Pte. Ltd., ClassNK, Yanmar Asia (Singapore) Corporation Pte Ltd, and Taiko Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate towards introduction of more bunkering ships capable of handling alternative fuels.Singapore-based Consort Bunkers placed an order with COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry (Guandong) Co.,Ltd. to construct four 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 tankers, ready for biofuel and methanol bunkering. Incorporating their previous orders, a total of 13 biofuel/methanol bunkering tankers totaling over 90,000 DWT will join Consort’s fleet. ClassNK has been providing surveys and audits, Yanmar Asia has been providing main engines and generator engines…

The IACS’ Council, meeting last week in Rome for its 89th session (C89) under new Council Chair, Roberto Cazzulo, progressed a wide range of issues, foremost of which was the need for the human element to be considered at the earliest stage across all IACS’ work streams. The requirement for increased awareness and focus on how a ship’s crew can safely operate increasingly sophisticated vessels has led IACS to develop internal guidelines to address this need in a structured and…

European short-sea shipping company Wilson ASA announced it has ordered eight 6,300 dwt general cargo vessels, extending its newbuild program to 14. The ships will be built by Indian shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard.The 14 new ships, including the six 3,800 dwt vessels ordered in June 2023, will be delivered from the first half of 2025 until 2028.The new, modern vessels will contribute to both growth and fleet renewal of the existing Wilson fleet, the company said.

A keel laying ceremony was held on Friday for the first of two all-new NewMax hybrid RoPax vessels being built for Stena Line at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in WeiHai, China. At the same time, the ferry’s name was disclosed: Stena Futura.These newbuilds will enhance capacity on the Belfast-Heysham route on the Irish Sea. Besides being able to run on methanol, a priority during construction of the vessels will be to provide built-in technologies that can take advantage of both battery propulsion and shore power…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen and towage company Muller Dordrecht have held christening ceremony took place in the Netherlands, marking the delivery of a new Damen ASD Tug 3212.Named En Avant 26, the vessel was the third to be delivered by Damen to Muller Dordrecht in the past three years, the others being another Damen ASD Tug 3212 En Avant 25 and a Z-drive Pushboat built by Concordia Damen.The En Avant 26 was built at Damen’s specialist tug yard Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Haiphong…

Vessel prices are already down by about USD 20 – USD 25 / LDT, reports cash buyer GMS, as further decline is expected in the first half of July as previously forecast.Shipowners and cash buyers are now chasing down a declining market, and recyclers are facing exacerbating economic challenges. Not only are local steel plate prices in shambles, but currencies are also taking tumbles at key destinations and have unexpectedly delivered a monsoon retreat for industry players who are looking to conclude business at the various ship recycling destinations…

Niels Rasmussen, BIMCO’s Chief Shipping Analyst, reports that ship supply is expected to grow on average 10.3% in 2024 and 5.3% in 2025. After increasing in 2024, sailing speeds are expected to reduce in 2025.Attacks on ships in the Red Sea have forced nearly all container ships to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10% to average sailing distances and ship demand.Re-routing via Cape of Good Hope could impact all of 2024. Ship demand increases an estimated 15.0% in 2024…

The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned its 56th Fast Response Cutter and first one to be stationed in the Pacific Northwest during a ceremony held in Astoria, Ore., Thursday, marking the vessel's official entry into active service.Built by Bollinger Shipyards and delivered to the Coast Guard earlier this year, the Coast Guard Cutter David Duren (WPC-1156) is the first of three planned Fast Response Cutter’s (FRC) to be homeported in Astoria.The ceremony was presided by Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, Pacific Area Commander.

Stena RoRo announced it has ordered another two E-Flexer RoPax vessels from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai), for delivery in 2027.This is Stena RoRo's fourteenth and fifteenth vessel in the E-Flexer series.The two vessels will enter service under long-term charter to Greek shipping company Attica Group for operations in the Adriatic Sea. Attica Group has an option to purchase the newbuilds and also a potential option for two more vessels.The E-Flexer series is based on a concept with larger vessels than today's standard RoPax ferries and is very flexible.

American Offshore Services (A-O-S) announced the launch of its second crew transfer vessel (CTV), Generater, designed to support the United States' growing offshore wind industry.Generater is a 99-foot, Jones-Act-qualified catamaran built to serve wind farms off the U.S. East Coast.Like sister vessel Gripper, the newbuild is of Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S)’ 30-meter G-Class design with focus on comfort for crew and technicians, making it possible to stay offshore for 24-hour operations…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a deal with Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM) for the construction of new service operation vessel (SOV) for Taiwanese offshore wind operations.This is the third newbuilding SOV for TSSM, a joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine (TSS), following the first newly built SOV in Asia the TSS Pioneer, delivered in 2022, and the TSS Cruiser, which was ordered in November 2023 and is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025.The third vessel is designed to be methanol-ready as a future fuel…

NYK and Astomos Energy have named their second jointly owned large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier Gas Amethyst at the Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.Following Gas Garnet vessel, which was delivered in March this year, Gas Amethyst is the second jointly owned LPG dual-fuel vessel to be delivered this year and the fourth LPG dual-fuel vessel for Astomos Energy.Gas Garnet is 229.90 meters long vessel, with a tank capacity of 86,953 m3.The vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel engine that can use heavy oil and LPG as fuel.

Shipbuilding group Austal on Thursday announced that its inaugural chairman, John Rothwell, is retiring from his position of Chairman of the company to serve on the Austal board as a non-executive director.Former U.S. Secretary of Navy Richard Spencer will replace Rothwell as Chairman, and will also join the board of Austal USA.Rothwell’s retirement as Chairman marks a significant milestone in the history of Austal, having served in the position for 37 years since he founded the company in 1987.

Cleveland, Ohio based welding and cutting equipment company Lincoln Electric earlier this month announced it has acquired automation system integration and technology firm Inrotech A/S, headquartered in Odense, Denmark. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.Privately held Inrotech specializes in automated welding systems that are differentiated by proprietary adaptive intelligence software and computer vision which guides and optimizes the welding process without the need for programming or the use of CAD files.

The U.S House of Representatives on Wednesday passed an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that would move funds from the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security to the U.S. Coast Guard for the procurement of an already authorized Great Lakes icebreaker (GLIB).The GLIB is needed to maintain winter deliveries of raw materials to the U.S. steel manufacturing industry (supporting nationwide automobile and appliance manufacturing) and respond to winter flooding of Great Lakes coastal communities.The amendment was submitted by Representative John James (MI-10)…

Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine (AAM) announced it has won a contract to build a new patrol boat for the Los Angeles Port Police.The 65- by 24-foot aluminum catamaran, designed by Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand, will boost the LA  Port Police's maritime law enforcement capabilities with enhanced operational efficiency and effectiveness and added operational flexibility.It will employ the latest hull design improvements from Teknicraft Design, providing…

Fincantieri and Crystal signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the construction of two cruise ships, plus an option for a third unit. A value for the contract was not available.If built, the new units will be 61,800 gross tons with capacity for approximately 690 passengers, suites with private balconies, as well as several single-occupancy staterooms, a highly sought-after option ideal for solo travelers. Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for spring 2028, while more information on the second unit will be made known later.

The Supervisory Board of the Maritime Research Institute of the Netherlands (MARIN) has appointed Olaf Waals and Hannes Bogaert as the new Board of Directors of the institute as of January 1, 2025. Waals, currently manager of the Offshore department, will take up the position of President on that date. Bogaert, currently manager of the Performance at Sea department, will then take up the position of Vice President. Together, they will take over from Bas Buchner, MARIN’s current President.Earlier this year…

Hamburg-based GEFO Gesellschaft für Oeltransporte mbH had an oil and product tanker from its fleet of 148 serviced and modernized at the Strela Shiprepair Yard in Stralsund for the first time. The 99 x 14 meter oil and product tanker Brahms was docked at Strela Shiprepair's premises in the Volkswerft Maritime Industrial and Commercial Park at the end of May.Brahms, which has a cargo volume of 4178 tons, was scheduled for the so-called intermediate class, meaning that extensive maintenance work had to be carried out in the shortest possible time during its stay at the shipyard.

French engineering company GTT has secured an order from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the tank design of a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU).The order was booked in the second quarter of 2024.Korean shipyard HD Hyundai Heavy Industries hired GTT for the tank design of a new FSRU, on behalf of the Japanese ship-owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).GTT will design the tanks of this FSRU, with a total capacity of 170,000 m3.The tanks will be fitted with the Mark III membrane containment system developed by GTT.The delivery of the FSRU is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA on Wednesday held a keel laying ceremony for LCU 1710, marking the official start of construction on the first of three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels for the U.S. Navy.Austal USA was awarded a $91.5 million contract in September 2023 that includes three LCU and associated support efforts.LCU are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area and used across a range of military operations to deliver vehicles, personnel and cargo from sea-to-shore and back.

Norwegian dry bulk shipowner Belships announced further expansion of its Ultramax fleet through a pair of vessel acquisitions and newbuild orders.The company said on Wednesday it has declared an option to purchase the bulk carrier Belmar for $25.5 million. The vessel, which has been leased since its delivery as a newbuilding in 2021, will be taken over in Q4 2024. Belships said it will finance the acquisition using its available cash.In addition, Belships has agreed to pay $41 million to acquire a Japanese-built Ultramax of 64…

Dutch offshore vessel owner Acta Marine has announced the expansion into French maritime and offshore energy market with the newbuild construction service operations vessel (CSOV) named Acta Pegasus.The fourth vessel in Acta Marine’s fleet, currently under construction in Turkey, will fly the French flag, showcasing the company’s commitment to the French maritime industry and the intention to further strengthen its foothold in France.The CSOV, named Acta Pegasus, is of Ulstein SX216 design, and features an optimized hull and ability to use (e- )methanol as main fuel According to Acta Marine, t