Lloyd’s Register Live Trials Orca AI's Navigation Technology Onboard Vessel
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has tested Orca AI's AI-powered navigation system during a live vessel trial.The assessment focused on how AI-based computer vision can support human decision-making in real operating conditions, particularly in complex navigation scenarios such as congested waters and reduced visibility.The trial was conducted on a feeder containership during a five-day voyage through some of the Mediterranean’s busiest shipping lanes…
Cavotec Launches Redesigned PowerMove RoRo NxG Platform
Cavotec has launched PowerMove RoRo NxG, a mobile cable management system designed to simplify shore power connections for RoRo and RoPax vessels and support ports in their transition to cleaner operations.Cavotec’s PowerMove shore power technology is already helping some of the world’s busiest ports reduce emissions and connect vessels to clean onshore electricity. The solution is currently in operation…
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions to Provide Cargo Handling, Fuel Gas Supply for Two Ammonia Carriers
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, has been contracted to supply the Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for two new 51,350 m3 capacity midsize ammonia fueled liquid ammonia carriers, which will also be capable of carrying liquefied petroleum gas. The ships are being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd. shipyard in China and will be owned by a joint venture between Navigator Gas and Norway based Amon Maritime.
EcoNavis Selected to Lead U.s Study on Integrated Propulsion Optimisation
EcoNavis Solutions has been selected by a US Federal Government agency to lead a project aimed at demonstrating how integrated hydrodynamic optimization can reduce fuel consumption and underwater radiated noise in offshore vessels and workboats operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The award, valued at $500,000, will support a full-scale retrofit and validation program on a designated workboat, with the…
MOL Secures Approval for Wind-Assisted LCO2 Carrier Design
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has obtained an approval in principle (AiP) from classification society ClassNK for a liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier design equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems.The vessel, developed with Samsung Heavy Industries, is designed to transport liquefied CO2 and incorporates three Wind Challenger units, a rigid sail system that uses wind power to assist propulsion.The approval covers a design with a cargo capacity of about 40…
bound4blue Installs Wind Propulsion System on KCC’s Vessel Newbuild
Wind propulsion company bound4blue has completed the installation of two suction sails on a newbuild vessel for Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC).The two 24-metre eSAILs were installed on the MV Baltazar at New Yangzi Shipbuilding in China, with the vessel expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2026.The project marks the company’s first installation of suction sails manufactured locally…
Bureau Veritas Expands Offshore Services with New Asia Hub
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has launched an Offshore Center of Excellence in Asia Pacific to support offshore energy projects.The center will combine regional teams in Singapore, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur with the company’s global technical network to support oil and gas and offshore renewable energy developments.The initiative comes as offshore projects increase in scale and complexity, requiring…
Fincantieri to Upgrade PPA Vessels with Combat Systems
Italy’s Fincantieri will lead the upgrade of the PPA-class multipurpose combat ships to a full combat system configuration under a new contract.The agreement, signed with the European defense procurement agency OCCAR, covers the integration of advanced capabilities into vessels currently in service and under construction.Fincantieri is part of a temporary consortium with Leonardo, with its share of…
Light Structures Launches Virtual Monitoring System for Vessel Integrity
Norway’s Light Structures has launched a virtual structural health monitoring system designed to help shipowners comply with classification requirements without the use of onboard sensors.The new system, ARGUS-VM, supports ABS SMART(SHM) Tier 1 notation and provides vessel operators with insights into structural stress and fatigue using digital models and external data sources.The solution combines…
Iran Detains Two Container Ships for Maritime Violations
Iran said it had captured two container ships seeking to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after firing on them and another vessel, in its first seizures since its war with the United States and Israel began in February.Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the seizures and added its Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy had warned that any disruption to order and safety in the strait would be considered a "red line."The seizure of one of the ships…
DeepOcean to Install Inter-Array Cables at Taiwan’s Offshore Wind Farm
Ocean services provider DeepOcean has secured a contract to support installation of inter-array cables at the TPC offshore wind farm phase 2 (TPC-II) off Taiwan.The scope includes installation of cables connecting turbines to offshore substations, as well as engineering and project management services.DeepOcean will work with Dong Fang Offshore and use the subsea vessel Orient Adventurer, which has been upgraded with new remotely operated vehicles…
NYK Launches Oil Analysis Service for Ammonia-Fueled Engines
Japan’s NYK Group has launched a lubricating oil analysis service to monitor the condition of ammonia-fueled engines, as it seeks to support the adoption of alternative fuels in shipping.The service, developed by group company Nippon Yuka Kogyo, is designed to detect early signs of abnormalities in engines using ammonia as fuel.Ammonia is seen as a next-generation maritime fuel due to its low greenhouse gas emissions during combustion…
Bourbon Expands Fleet with 13 Vessels Worth over $180M
Offshore services provider Bourbon has expanded its fleet with 13 vessels valued at more than $180 million since the start of 2026, as it seeks to strengthen its position in offshore markets, the company said.Ten of the vessels are already under contract, reflecting demand for offshore support vessels (OSVs), Bourbon said.The expansion includes the acquisition of six diesel-electric vessels from the Minsheng Group…
Nam Cheong Sells Two Offshore Support Vessels for $37M
Malaysia-based offshore support vessel (OSV) provider Nam Cheong has sold two vessels for $36.7 million, including its first newbuild sale in more than a decade.The transactions include a newly built multi-purpose support vessel (MPSV) and a 120-tonne anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, which was 16 years old and divested following the completion of its charter contract in the first quarter of…
Oil Prices Jump as Ships Come Under Fire in Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices jumped on Wednesday with Brent trading above $100 a barrel, erasing earlier losses following reports of gunfire attacks on at least three container ships in the Strait of Hormuz.Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up $1.59, or 1.6%, at $100.07 a barrel at 0842 GMT. West Texas Intermediate futures CLc1 rose $1.51, or 1.7%, to $91.18. Both benchmark contracts rose about 3% on Tuesday.At least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday…
Three Ships Fired Upon in Strait of Hormuz, Crews Unharmed
At least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.Iran has imposed restrictions on ships using the strait, first in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli bombardment of the country, and then in response to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.A Liberia-flagged container ship sustained…
USA Shipbuilding Coalition Launches
Partners representing both labor and management have launched the USA Shipbuilding Coalition to urge Congress to take action to revitalize the critical American shipbuilding industry, including by passing the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act.This labor-management partnership will work to advance concrete actions to spur investment in and revitalization of America’s shipbuilding capacity, enhance the strength and utilization of domestic supply chains and ensure that the US can build…
Whale Watching Catamaran Ready for Operation in Seattle
FRS Clipper has welcomed its new whale watching catamaran Emerald Clipper.The new boat will be Seattle’s only whale watching tour operating from downtown Seattle and will offer two sailings per day during the summer season. The 103-foot catamaran features two expansive, wind-protected viewing decks, floor-to-ceiling windows, and cruising speeds of up to 32 knots. It has capacity for 300 guests.FRS Clipper commissioned the vessel’s owner…
Singapore Launches OCEANS-X to Advance Maritime Digital Connectivity
Singapore has launched OCEANS-X, a new data and application programming interface (API) eXchange platform developed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).It enables secure system-to-system connectivity across the maritime ecosystem, allowing maritime companies and government agencies to exchange trusted data directly. This in turn enables integrated digital services for better service delivery…
USACE Releases Final FY2026 Great Lakes Maintenance Program
In early April, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its navigation work plan for FY2026. The overall plan outlines resources that will be used for dredging, structure maintenance, and other priorities at every port in the United States.The USACE Detroit District staff have since compiled a summary/funding analysis of Great Lakes provisions indicating that the Great Lakes region will receive…