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Windward News

21 Feb 2024

Maritime AI Company to Support INTERPOL

© whitcomberd / Adobe Stock

Maritime AI company Windward has announced a partnership with INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization, to assist in their mission of facilitating a secure maritime environment.Windward’s Maritime AI will provide intelligence to help identify, track, and prevent criminal activities such as illicit trafficking, human smuggling, piracy and illegal fishing.The lack of actionable visibility in the maritime domain emboldens criminals, negatively impacts global trade…

08 Feb 2024

Windward Offshore Orders Two More CSOVs from Vard

(Image: Vard)

Windward Offshore has exercised its option for the design and construction for two additional hybrid commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV) from Vard.Windward Offshore, a consortium led by ASSC's offshore arm SeaRenergy Group in Germany, announced its initial order for two CSOVs from Vard in October 2023. Other founding partners behind the venture include Blue Star Group, Diana Shipping Inc. and SeraVerse."Windward Offshore is pleased to announce the execution of the options for two further VARD 4 19 CSOVs…

16 Nov 2023

VARD and Windward Select Brunvoll Propulsion for New Series of CSOVs

VARD and Windward at Brunvoll’s facilities in Molde. Photo: Brunvoll AS / Jørgen Eide.
From the left, Øystein Aarsæther (VARD), Arnim Von der Lieth (Windward), Bernt Rune Riksfjord (Brunvoll),
Martin Ingjerd (VARD), and Geir Larsen (Brunvoll).

Brunvoll has received an order for the delivery of propulsion and manoeuvring packages for Windward Offshore's new Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs). The order is for two vessels, with two additional vessels as an option.Windward’s new vessels will have two propulsion azimuth thrusters in the aft, and two retractable azimuth thrusters and a tunnel thruster in the bow. All azimuth thrusters feature the latest and greatest improvements to meet the increasingly stricter requirements for rapid, safe, and accurate DP operations for SOVs/CSOVs.

23 Oct 2023

Offshore Wind: Newly Formed Consortium Orders Two CSOVs from VARD

Credit: VARD

The Windward Offshore consortium said Monday it had ordered two state-of-the-art Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOV) from VARD to "establish a sturdy basis for its maritime asset services focusing on bolstering the burgeoning offshore wind industry."Winward Offshore is a consortium currently under establishment and is led by SeaRenergy Group in collaboration with Blue Star Group, Diana Shipping Inc., and SeraVerse GmbH."Windward Offshore will play a key role in the energy transition by providing integrated offshore wind service solutions.

25 Jul 2022

Satellite Images, Data Show Russian Ship 'Looting' Ukrainian Grain

(Photo: Planet Labs PBC)

Late last month, a Russian-flagged cargo ship carrying corn pulled into the Turkish port of Izmir on the Aegean Sea. The SV Nikolay had loaded the grain at Port Kavkaz, in Russia, six days earlier on June 18, according to documentation provided by an employee of the Russian company that owns the ship.A Reuters analysis of satellite imagery, ship-tracking data and open-source photos and videos yields a different port of origin for the SV Nikolay. On June 18, Reuters’ analysis of a satellite image indicates…

14 Mar 2022

Maritime AI Firm Launches Russia Sanctions Compliance Tool

© vvicca / Adobe Stock

A predictive intelligence company applying AI global maritime trade has launched a solution to minimize risk exposure in maritime trade as it relates to ongoing sanctions against Russia.In response to the recent Russian invasion into Ukraine, heavy economic sanctions were imposed days prior to the invasion and have since escalated rapidly. Amongst the most prominent organizations affected are Sverbank and VTB, two of the largest Russian financial institutions, state-owned Sovcomflot, Russia’s largest maritime and freight shipping company, and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

14 Mar 2022

U.S.-bound Tanker Loaded with Russian Cargo Docks Off Gibraltar Awaiting Instructions

Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Elli which made a Russian port call and is bound for the United States has anchored off Gibraltar awaiting further instructions from its charterer, the vessel's manager said.Last Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden imposed an immediate ban on Russian oil and other energy imports following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.Greece-based Halkidon Shipping Corporation, which manages the Elli, said on Friday the vessel "was instructed by her charterers to remain and await orders off Gibraltar, while en-route from Novorossiisk, Russia to the U.S. Gulf Coast"."The vessel is in laden condition," Halkidon said in a statement."Halkidon…

10 Mar 2022

All at Sea: Russian-linked Oil Tanker Seeks a Port

A Russian-operated oil tanker that Britain turned away over a week ago has yet to find a port to discharge its cargo, and many other vessels are likely to be in the same position as buyers shun trade deals following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden imposed an immediate ban on Russian oil and other energy imports and Britain announced soon after that it would phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of 2022.The European Union has yet to provide clarity on the prospect of a similar ban by the bloc. The European Commission, the EU executive, has only said it would continue to work on further sanctions.Britain on March 1 banned from its ports all ships that are Russian-owned…

10 Mar 2022

Russia's Shipping Trade Slides After Ukraine Invasion

© Valentina / Adobe Stock

Russia's shipping trade has plummeted since Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions push many foreign companies to suspend sailings, adding further pressure on the country's economy, according to freight data.The world's biggest foreign container lines—including the top three MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM and others such as Hapag Lloyd—have temporarily suspended cargo shipments to and from Russia, while multiple companies including home furnishings firm IKEA have shut stores.Food companies Nestle…

21 Jul 2021

AI Specialist Launches Container Tracking to Alleviate Shipping Risks

Credit: Blue Planet Studio/AdobeStock

Predictive intelligence tech company Windward has launched Container Insights, a capability that provides live screening and tracking of containers and Bill of Lading (BOL) verification.The new capability, which Windward says enhances the company’s current Cargo Insights, optimizes and increases the efficiency of screening processes for trade finance transactions and enables government agencies to investigate suspicious containers, providing them with a "holistic" view of vessels…

07 Jul 2021

Windward Launches Company Risk Insights

© corepics / Adobe Stock

Windward, the Predictive Intelligence company applying AI to the maritime industry, announced the launch of Company Risk Insights, providing risk insights into every company in the maritime domain.The capability utilizes a new ownership data repository, risk indicators, data sets and behavioral models to provide Windward users with a complete risk assessment of all maritime related entities including a beneficiary list up to and including the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO), Windward said…

07 Oct 2020

EU Taps Maritime Predictive Intelligence to Combat Drug Smugglers

© mariusz / Adobe Stock

Predictive Maritime Intelligence company Windward said it has partnered with The Maritime Analysis and Operations Center-Narcotics (MAOC (N)), an EU Law Enforcement unit created to respond to the threat of illicit drug trafficking by maritime and air conveyances. With air traffic down due to COVID-19, drug smugglers are relying heavily on maritime shipping to transport illegal contraband around the world, and Windward said its maritime intelligence platform will give MAOC(N) and…

09 Sep 2020

New AI-powered Predictive Maritime Intelligence Solution Unveiled

© Haris Andronos / Adobe Stock

Predictive maritime intelligence company Windward announced the release of its next-generation Maritime Predictive Intelligence solution powered by Maritime Artificial Intelligence Analytics (MAIA️). Consisting of 10 billion datapoints and 300 behavioral analysis models, MAIA️ is designed to empower organizations to make smarter and faster decisions and optimize operations.According to Windward, recent sanction advisories from both the OFSI in the U.K. and OFAC in the U.S. highlight the need for a new global standard in maritime operations…

21 Aug 2020

Wakashio Bulk Carrier Deviated from Shipping Lane before Mauritius Impact

Image Credit: Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio

The Japanese-owned bulk carrier that ran aground off Mauritius and spilled oil over pristine waters and fragile coral reefs diverted more than 100 kilometers from a regular shipping lane, data from a maritime analysis firm showed.The MV Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and chartered by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, struck a coral reef on Mauritius's southeast coast on July 25 and later began leaking oil. Two of the ship's officers have since been arrested on charges of endangering…

09 Dec 2019

Maritime Schools Must Prep for Offshore Wind Jobs

Gabriele Rohde/Adobe Stock

The offshore wind industry in the United States is growing exponentially, with multiple projects in the development stages off of the Atlantic coast. The total megawatt capacity of U.S. offshore wind farms is anticipated to reach 22,000 by 2030 and 43,000 by 2050. To support this growth, U.S. Department of Energy reports estimate over 40,000 new jobs will be created by 2030.The new jobs anticipated to support the offshore wind industry include a wide range of types, including engineers, trade workers, surveyors, scientists, technicians, managers, and seafarers.

18 Nov 2019

Prepare Now for 40,000 Offshore Wind Jobs

The total megawatt capacity of U.S. offshore wind farms is anticipated to reach 22,000 by 2030 and 43,000 by 2050. To support this growth, U.S. Department of Energy reports estimate over 40,000 new jobs will be created by 2030. © Zacharias/AdobeStock

The offshore wind industry in the United States is growing exponentially, with multiple projects in the development stages off of the Atlantic coast. The total megawatt capacity of U.S. offshore wind farms is anticipated to reach 22,000 by 2030 and 43,000 by 2050. To support this growth, U.S. Department of Energy reports estimate over 40,000 new jobs will be created by 2030.The new jobs anticipated to support the offshore wind industry include a wide range of types, including engineers, trade workers, surveyors, scientists, technicians, managers, and seafarers.

26 Jul 2019

INSIGHTS: Noose Tightens Around Iranian Shipping

Somewhere on its journey from the waters off Iran, around Africa's southern tip and into the Mediterranean, the Grace 1 oil tanker lost the flag under which it sailed and ceased to be registered to Panama. Iran later claimed it as its own.The ship carrying 2 million barrels of Iranian crude was seized by British Royal Marines off Gibraltar, raising tensions in the Gulf where Iran detained a UK-flagged ship in retaliation.Grace 1 remains impounded, not because of its flag but because it was suspected of taking oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions, an allegation that Iran denies.Yet Panama's move on May 29 to strike it from its register…

06 Sep 2018

Coral Leader to the Rescue

Coral Leader, a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) owned by NYK supported the rescue operation of five people including two children onboard yacht. The yacht was in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, just off Corsica.The operation was conducted by French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on August 26 (local time) off the coast of France. The vessel Coral Leader is managed by Wallem Shipmanagement LimitedWhile Coral Leader was sailing from the port of Livorno, Italy, to the port of Tarragona, Spain, the vessel received a call from MRCC to cooperate in the rescue operation of a yacht.The Coral Leader diverted course to help. The…

24 Aug 2018

Torrential Rain, Howling Winds as Hurricane Lane Nears Hawaii

Hurricane Lane (Photo: NOAA)

Hurricane Lane, a powerful Category 3 storm, spun slowly north out of the Pacific toward Hawaii on Friday, causing torrential downpours and catastrophic flooding on the Big Island.The greatest threat from wind and rain shifted to Maui overnight and then to Oahu, the U.S. state's most populous island, through Friday, the National Weather Service said. Hurricane conditions were possible over Kauai into Saturday, according to forecasts.More than 2 feet (60 cm) of rain had already fallen on a few areas on the windward side of the Big Island…

29 May 2018

Crowley Launches New Caribbean Shipping Service

(Photo: Crowley)

Crowley Maritime Corp.’s liner services group announced today that it has launched a new feeder shipping service connecting San Juan, Puerto Rico; Rio Haina, Dominican Republic; and St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).With the new service, vessels depart Rio Haina on Sundays and arrive in San Juan on Tuesdays. After departure on Thursdays, cargo arrives in St. Thomas and St. Croix on Fridays, before the vessel moves to the Dominican Republic again for Sunday operations.

31 Jan 2018

Irish Wave Buoy to Be Deployed at US Navy Test Site

A smaller prototype tested in Galway Bay, Ireland. (Photo: Ocean Energy)

Despite some 7,000 miles separating Ireland and Hawaii, the two islands have a lot in common. The islands’ peoples have always looked to their respective oceans for resources, inspiration and opportunity. Today, Irish company Ocean Energy announced its wave energy convertor OE Buoy will be built by Oregon-based Vigor and deployed at the U.S. Navy’s Wave Energy Test Site on the windward coast of the Hawaiian Island of O’ahu in the fall of 2018. The contract value is $6.5 million out of a total project value of $12 million for this first of a kind grid scale project at the U.S.

27 Oct 2017

Massachusetts Takes Delivery of New Fast Ferry

New ferry Champion for MBTA (Photo: Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding)

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has taken delivery of Champion, the first of two new 150-passenger, high-speed catamarans built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation. The new vessels – funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) – will operate year-round commuter service in Boston Harbor, in addition to two high-speed ferries built by the Somerset, Mass., shipyard in 1997. Designed by Incat Crowther, the all-aluminum ferry is 90 feet LOA, 28.8 feet abeam, and draws approximately four feet loaded.

16 Mar 2016

Israeli Shipping Data Firm to Enter Commodities Game

Analysts say intelligent analytics could give firm an edge. A young Israeli technology company believes the expertise it has built up in tracking ships for governments and security agencies could help it break into the much larger market for providing information on seaborne commodities. Windward, founded just over five years ago by two former Israeli navy officers, plans to launch a maritime information service later this year for banks, investors and trading houses, its chief executive Ami Daniel told Reuters in an interview. About 90 percent of global trade is transported by sea, but there is little visibility on what ships are doing and what cargo they carry.