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The investigation of exposure incidents at Hammerfest LNG is completed

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Equinor’s investigation identifies venting from the MEG tanks as the main source causing the exposure incidents and that several factors have occurred simultaneously for the events to happen. 

Wind conditions caused the gas to descend to ground level, where personnel were working.

“We welcome the clarity provided on what has been a complex matter. The investigation report identifies the underlying causes and outlines the connection between the various incidents and the health issues they resulted in,” says Christina Dreetz, senior vice president onshore plants at Equinor.

During a period of high activity at Hammerfest LNG (HLNG), from summer 2024 to summer 2025, 37 people sought medical attention on four different occasions and nine people were absent from work following the exposure incidents. Some experienced health issues such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, while others noticed nothing. Reactions to vented gas and the associated odour is a cause of the various health issues experienced by personnel, but it is unlikely that the exposure has led to long-term health issues.

The report points to insufficient risk assessment before the project-start up and follow-up as the reason why several incidents occurred during the one-year period.

“We must acknowledge that we should have gone more in depth to identify the causes when the first incidents of exposure occurred at Melkøya last summer. Through measures implemented both during and after the investigation, we now have routines that enable us to manage risk more effectively,” says Dreetz.

Main causes of the incidents

The investigation team identifies venting from the MEG tanks as the main cause of the exposure incidents. The tanks are designed so that the vented gas consists of nitrogen and water vapour.

Changes in the well stream in the MEG tanks or temperature fluctuations, have contributed to changes in the composition of the vented gas. This has resulted in odours and, in some cases, discomfort or illness when venting has occurred at the same time as wind has brought the vented gas down to ground level.

Project activities in area L201 and adjacent areas have led to more people being present in areas where there was previously no activity. Regular sampling of vented gas was not carried out, and the measures implemented after the first exposure incident were not sufficient to prevent recurrence.

Subsequently, several types of measurements have been carried out to map the gas composition and exposure risk in the area.

“The results show that most measurements have generally been low. Measurements of benzene and other volatile organic compounds have been sporadic and short-lived,” says Dreetz.

In addition, the investigation report shows that lack of ownership, communication and follow-up of measures between the Snøhvit Future project and the operations organisation at Hammerfest LNG contributed to the exposure risk not being managed well enough.

Measures implemented with positive effect

HLNG has implemented measures to reduce the risk of exposure and to strengthen safety at the facility.

“The measures initiated have had the desired effect. This includes the installation of a temporary filtration solution, improved monitoring, mapping and sampling of vented gas from the MEG tanks, as well as measurement routines at ground level,” says Dreetz.

In addition, introduction programmes and instructions for everyone working at the facility have been updated to strengthen the shared safety and reporting culture, and a local health office has been established at Melkøya.

The investigation report will be submitted to the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority, which is also conducting an investigation.

MacGregor secured order for nine new RoPax vessels

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MacGregor has been selected to supply cargo access solutions for nine new RoPax vessels as part of the Grimaldi Group’s major fleet renewal plan. 

This order includes cargo access equipment for three vessels for Finnlines, four for Grimaldi Euromed, and two for Minoan Lines. The vessels will be built at China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard Co., Ltd. 

The order was booked to MacGregor’s third quarter 2025 orders received. 

This order is the result of a collaborative approach with all project stakeholders, ensuring the delivery of solutions that perfectly meet the specific requirements of the vessels and the customer. The order includes two different vessel designs:

Three ships for Finnlines, with a capacity of 5,400 lane meters and 1,000 passengers, destined for the Baltic Sea.
 
Six ships (four for Grimaldi Euromed and two for Minoan Lines), with a capacity of 3,300 lane meters and 2,500 passengers, for the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea networks.

“This is a fantastic achievement that reinforces our commitment to our customers,” says Magnus Sjöberg, Executive Vice President, Merchant Solutions Division, MacGregor. “By collaborating closely with the owner and our key partners, we were able to demonstrate our ability to deliver the right solutions to meet their specific needs. This order is a clear testament to the collective expertise of our global team.”

Optimising tidal-to-hydrogen systems: EMEC’s modelling insights for tidal energy alternative offtakes

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EMEC has delivered a detailed modelling study exploring how to optimise the integration of tidal energy and battery storage with alternative offtake routes (e.g. hydrogen production) to overcome barriers to commercial scale tidal energy deployments.

The study has been published as part of the FORWARD2030 project, supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. FORWARD2030 aims to deliver a series of high-impact cost reductions to achieve large-scale tidal energy array deployment by 2030.

Many of the UK’s most promising tidal stream sites are in remote coastal areas with limited and frequently disrupted grid connections. These grid limitations pose a barrier to meeting national and international deployment targets.

The introduction of alternative offtake routes is a promising opportunity where local businesses can take advantage of the local generation of green electricity at advantageous pricing as part of a behind-the-meter power purchase agreement . This not only reduces reliance on expensive retail electricity or diesel generators but also opens the door to attracting new industries to these regions.

The predictability of tidal stream energy makes it a strong candidate for alternative offtake applications. While tidal generation varies throughout the day, its cyclical nature means this variability can be accurately forecast.

When coupled with battery storage to smooth generation, continuous power can be fed to the grid or to an offtake.

However there has been limited practical analysis of how such integrated systems would operate in real-world conditions.

EMEC developed a comprehensive model to explore how tidal energy could be optimally used to power local offtake, using its vanadium flow batteries and hydrogen electrolyser as a case study.

The model uses EMEC’s resource data collected at its tidal energy test site in Orkney, alongside site acceptance data from its adjacent onshore R&D facilities where integration of tidal energy converters, battery storage and hydrogen are gearing up to be trialled.

This real-world data was used to undertake a detailed analysis to understand what tidal generation will look like for a typical annual cycle, how batteries may be used to ensure consistency of supply and how operation of a partially islanded system can maximise a limited grid connection.

The findings from the model were then qualitatively assessed to understand how they may be extended to larger tidal farms and how these may be integrated with wind farms. This was then extended to investigate the potential for grid balancing services and other potential offtake industries such as synthetic fuel production.

The modelling revealed that tidal energy technologies, when combined with appropriately-sized energy storage systems, can deliver stable, near-continuous behind-the-meter power to industrial offtakes.

Pregnant seafarers need better support, report shows

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A new report from the All Aboard Alliance reveals how pregnancy among seafarers is often handled through improvised and inconsistent practices, leaving many women feeling isolated and anxious and creating unnecessary risks to their safety, well-being, and careers.

Based on interviews with 15 female seafarers of varying nationalities, ages, seniorities, and vessel types, ‘Pregnancy at sea: From hidden risk to retention edge’  shows how simple, proven measures could transform this rarely acknowledged aspect of life at sea into a retention opportunity for the industry.

“Pregnancy is a natural part of life, yet at sea it too often becomes a source of fear, stress, and uncertainty,” says Susanne Justesen, Director of Human Sustainability at the Global Maritime Forum.

“No woman should have to choose between starting a family and continuing her career at sea. With the right structures in place, pregnancy can be handled safely and confidently, ensuring that women are supported, crews are prepared, and the industry retains the talent it so urgently needs,” she added.

Samskip officially launches direct Morocco-Europe Service

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Samskip announces the official launch of its new shortsea service connecting Agadir and Casablanca directly with the UK and the Netherlands, marking a historic moment for Moroccan exports and European trade.

The new Morocco–Europe service is designed to move cargo of all types from fresh produce to industrial materials faster, greener, and smarter, providing a true alternative to long-haul road transport. Supported by dedicated vessels, advanced reefer technology, and seamless multimodal connections across Europe, this service brings unmatched speed, reliability, and sustainability to one of the most dynamic trade corridors of our time.

“This connection marks a milestone for Samskip, as well as for the future of logistics between North Africa and Northern Europe,” said Samskip Group CEO Ólafur Orri Ólafsson. “We’ve listened closely to the needs of growers, exporters, and importers, and built a service that puts their success first, combining reliability, sustainability, and scale.”

With weekly sailings from Agadir and Casablanca to Tilbury and Rotterdam, the Samskip Morocco–Europe service connects exporters directly to more than thirty destinations across Europe. Through Rotterdam, cargo continues via Samskip’s extensive multimodal network, the largest in Europe, reaching Ireland, the UK, the Nordics, and Central Europe with one partner and one seamless logistics chain. In Agadir, the focus remains on refrigerated and frozen produce, while Casablanca now serves as the hub for a broader spectrum of exports, including automotive parts, chemicals, packaging, and construction materials. Together, the two ports form a gateway built for scale, efficiency, and long-term partnership.

To support this route, Samskip has invested in a new fleet of GPS-equipped reefer containers, including 750 forty-foot units and 250 forty-five-foot High Cube Pallet-Wide containers. Equipped with Controlled Atmosphere technology, these containers regulate oxygen, CO₂, humidity, and temperature to keep fruit and vegetables fresh for up to forty-five days ensuring Moroccan products arrive across Europe as fresh as the day they were packed.

“Every shipment represents reliability and trust,” added Ólafur. “With our advanced reefer technology and integrated customs solutions, we’re ensuring that every customer, from farmers to industrial suppliers, can trade with confidence.”

By shifting from road to sea, Moroccan exporters can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to eighty percent while benefiting from a faster, more predictable service. Samskip’s in-house customs clearance and local expert teams in both Morocco and Europe ensure end-to-end simplicity, transparency, and reliability.

Cadeler signs two contracts for full-scope foundation and turbine installation

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Cadeler announces the signing of two firm contracts covering the full-scope transportation and installation of offshore wind turbines and their foundations for an upcoming offshore wind farm development with a combined value projected to be approximately EUR 500 million.  

The foundations transportation and installation (T&I) campaign is set to commence in early 2029 and to be executed using one of Cadeler’s newbuild A-class vessels. This contract, the third full-scope foundation T&I campaign for Cadeler, once again reaffirms the company’s position as a full-service provider in the foundation T&I space.  

The turbine installation scope is scheduled to begin in early 2030 and will be carried out by one of Cadeler’s O-class jack-up vessels, with completion expected by late 2030. 

The contracts are subject to the client’s investment decision in the project. Should the client be unsuccessful the agreements may be terminated subject to a termination fee. 

Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, comments: “This project reinforces Cadeler’s position as a full-service T&I partner in the foundations space and demonstrates that our strategic direction is aligned with current market demands. With our fleet of nine wind installation vessels – and three additional under construction – Cadeler continues to deliver the flexibility, efficiency, and innovative solutions required to execute increasingly complex projects and to support the necessary build-out of offshore wind globally.”  

New floating wind test rig project to break new ground in Aberdeen

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The mooring line rig, will enable critical technology development, byproviding access to essential test facilities for Large Scale Synthetic Mooring lines, which are unavailable at the scale and with the functionality, anywhere else in the World.

There is limited capacity and capability in the existing rig market, and the rig being developed in partnership with Apollo, will be designed to specifically meet the requirements of the floating wind sector.

Peter MacDonald, Head of Engineering at ORE Catapult, said:

“A market-leading rig of this kind will create a game changing economic opportunity for Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland,

“Mooring line innovation is essential to address the specific requirements of floating offshore wind, including new materials, and this mooring line test rig will provide a catalyst for further investment in the region.

“We are delighted to receive support from the Scottish Government and the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) for this project – supporting the growth of floating offshore wind and propelling us towards our Clean Power targets.”

Lack of access to test rigs in the UK could significantly delay floating wind projects. Crucially, this new rig will provide much needed local access to develop new products and provide the testing required for operational deployment.

The project has secured £1.1m for the first phase from both the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund and from the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ Ltd). This will include installing the rig foundations, clearing the site, drainage, creating an access road and ensuring it is securely fenced – making it ‘shovel ready’ for installation of the rig at the Hareness Road site.

(The project has been awarded £500,000 from the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund – focused on offshore wind infrastructure and supply chain development in the North East and Moray region.)

Nigel Robinson, Marine Energies Director at Apollo, said:

“We are very excited to be working with ORE Catapult and the local supply chain to deliver this critical piece of validation equipment. The scope of work aligns ideally with our detailed design capability and there is an excellent opportunity for the local supply chain to undertake the build-out.  It will be great to see mooring validation centred here on the North East of Scotland.”

In Scotland, there is currently over 30GW offshore wind in the pipeline from the ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds. Rough estimates show that if 50 per cent of this was dedicated to floating offshore wind, 1000km of synthetic rope would be required. At £1,000 per metre, the market for these moorings could be worth £1bn.

Work on the Aberdeen site is due to start in January 2026.

AIMS AI technology helps coral reef monitoring across the Pacific

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Most coastal communities in the Pacific depend on the ocean for nutrition and livelihoods. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources requires effective management of habitats, such as coral reefs, and sustainable fishing practices.  

ReefCloud, an open-source AI-powered coral reef monitoring platform, developed by AIMS, enables more effective and efficient coral reef monitoring.  

It has automated reporting features that help researchers and conservation practitioners inform policymakers and local decision-makers of important scientific findings.

ReefCloud is integrating additional reporting tools – such as those incorporating fish population data – to broaden ecological insights. 

AIMS Research Team Leader Dr Manuel Gonzalez Rivero said remote Pacific reef systems made regular monitoring difficult. Limited monitoring resources and capacity meant a streamlined and efficient delivery of science was vital for timely reef management.  

With the support of the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Dr Gonzalez Rivero and his team have been working on the ReefCloud Pacific Program with representatives from Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.

“We want to better understand their monitoring challenges and explore how tools developed and used in Australia can be shared and adapted to strengthen reef monitoring across the Pacific,” he said.

“Standardising data across nations and regions is also an important goal to develop a common understanding on the status and trends of coral reefs at management scales.”

Sea Women of Melanesia director Naomi Longa said by using the AIMS tools to survey a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak, she was able to provide the Papua New Guinea Government with findings on the impact on coral reefs within 48 hours.

Dr Gonzalez Rivero said the AIMS team was also seeking a better understanding of the needs of practitioners in the community-based management programs.  

In addition to hosting a Pacific regional workshop to share progress, AIMS recently held a workshop with regional experts on supporting community-based management of coral reefs and a ‘training of trainers’ program on coral reef monitoring.

AIMS ecologist Yashika Nand said 10 emerging leaders in reef monitoring participated in the training program which equipped them with the knowledge and skills to train others to use ReefCloud for monitoring.

“It covered everything to do with reef monitoring, starting with designing a monitoring plan to data collection and analysis,” she said.

“We helped the trainers develop a deeper understanding of using AI in coral reef science, and in interpreting and communicating results to drive meaningful change in management strategies.”  

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is collaborating with Pacific Island nations to boost coral reef monitoring by integrating scientific methods with artificial intelligence (AI).

Most coastal communities in the Pacific depend on the ocean for nutrition and livelihoods. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of these resources requires effective management of habitats, such as coral reefs, and sustainable fishing practices. 

ReefCloud, an open-source AI-powered coral reef monitoring platform, developed by AIMS, enables more effective and efficient coral reef monitoring.  

It has automated reporting features that help researchers and conservation practitioners inform policymakers and local decision-makers of important scientific findings.

AIMS Research Team Leader Dr Manuel Gonzalez Rivero said remote Pacific reef systems made regular monitoring difficult. Limited monitoring resources and capacity meant a streamlined and efficient delivery of science was vital for timely reef management.  

With the support of the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Dr Gonzalez Rivero and his team have been working on the ReefCloud Pacific Program with representatives from Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia.

“We want to better understand their monitoring challenges and explore how tools developed and used in Australia can be shared and adapted to strengthen reef monitoring across the Pacific,” he said.

“Standardising data across nations and regions is also an important goal to develop a common understanding on the status and trends of coral reefs at management scales.”

BW Offshore and BW Group to jointly develop floating desalination units

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BW Offshore and BW Group have established a 50/50 joint venture entity (JV), BW Elara, to design and build Floating Desalination Units (FDUs), producing fresh water from salt water to address growing global water constraints. The FDUs will combine BW Offshore’s experience from developing over 40 floating production units with BW Water’s 35-year desalination expertise to offer a rapidly deployable fresh water solution.

BW Offshore will oversee the overall FDU project execution, including hull design and construction, and system integration, and will co-invest alongside a company affiliated with BW Group; and BW Water will design and build the desalination plant using its custom-engineered reverse osmosis systems.

Access to fresh water is an emerging global challenge. While permanent infrastructure remains the typical long-term solution, there is a widening gap between immediate water requirements and availability in many areas. This challenge is particularly acute in mid-size municipal and industrial settings, where existing emergency water supply options such as containerised units are insufficient to meet demand, while large onshore desalination plants take too long to address urgent needs.

Developed over the last two years on proven technology, the FDU concept offers a flexible and scalable solution to bridge that gap. A ready-built FDU can be deployed and fully operational within as little as three months from contract signing. The modular unit can supply 20 to 40 million litres of drinking water per day. It is ideal for urgent deployment in response to droughts, delays in land-based desalination projects and temporary industrial demand spikes. The JV sees clear market potential underpinning our intention to develop and operate a multi-regional fleet over time.

“The formation of BW Elara is testament to the wide-ranging capabilities of the BW network, leveraging synergies between our affiliates. This partnership combines BW Offshore’s capabilities with BW Water’s desalination expertise to address the world’s growing fresh water demand”, says Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group.

“Applying our extensive offshore engineering and operations expertise to developing new floating transition solutions is a strategic focus area for BW Offshore. Together with BW Water, we will tackle this challenge with innovative solutions, and thereby seek to deliver long-term value,” says Marco Beenen, CEO of BW Offshore.  

“Floating Desalination Units fill a critical gap between emergency relief and long-term infrastructure investments in today’s market for water desalination solutions,” says Matthew White, Executive Chairman of BW Water. “We combine an efficient modular design with a proprietary seawater intake system and a flexible service supply model. Our solution has generated strong interest from potential clients globally in both municipal and industrial sectors.”

MPCC orders four container ship newbuildings with long-term charters

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MPC Container Ships ASA has entered into contracts with Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. in China for the construction of four 4,500 TEU container vessels, scheduled for delivery starting first half of 2028. 

The contract price per vessel is USD 58m and the agreement includes options for two additional vessels at the same price. Each vessel will operate under a 10-year time charter, with extension options, for a leading global liner company. The vessel design and commercial structure were optimized collaboratively with the charterer to ensure an optimal fit for their network, operational profile, and long-term sustainability objectives.

The initial charter period is expected to generate approximately USD 375 million in revenue and around USD 242 million in EBITDA.

The vessels will feature advanced energy-efficient technologies, reducing slot costs by about 50% compared to similar-sized peers. This investment supports MPCC’s ongoing transition to a younger, more efficient, and environmentally compliant fleet, reducing exposure to regulatory and environmental risks.

The project will be financed through a balanced mix of equity and debt, ensuring financial flexibility and maintaining a prudent capital structure.

“Our fleet renewal strategy continues to gain momentum with this latest initiative,” said Constantin Baack, CEO of MPCC. “I would like to thank the teams on both sides for the constructive dialogue and the trustful cooperation over the past months, which has been essential in bringing this project to fruition. With today’s announcement, MPCC has secured 10 newbuildings with attached charters this year, underscoring our ability to deliver value-accretive deals with top-tier partners and strengthen strategic customer relationships – while reinforcing our commitment to long-term shareholder value.”

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