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Petronas subsidiary granted Malaysia’s first-ever offshore CCS permit

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PETRONAS’ wholly-owned subsidiary, PETRONAS CCS Ventures Sdn Bhd (PCCSV), has been granted an Offshore Assessment Permit for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for the Duyong area by the Malaysia Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (MyCCUS) Agency on 10 October 2025.  

This is the first permit issued under the newly enacted Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage Act [Act 870] (CCUS Act 2025) enforced on 1 October 2025, marking a historic milestone for Malaysia’s energy sector. 

The Offshore Assessment Permit grants the exclusive rights to conduct comprehensive offshore geological assessments over the Duyong field, located offshore Peninsular Malaysia. This permit enables the ongoing collaboration between PCCSV, TotalEnergies and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (MITSUI) under the Key Principles Agreement (KPA) dated July 2025 to continue advancing studies and evaluation of the Duyong area’s potential as a carbon storage site, which is part of the Southern CCS offshore hub development. 

“The granting of the Offshore Assessment Permit by the MyCCUS Agency represents a critical milestone for the Duyong CCS project,” said Emry Hisham Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer of PCCSV. “This permit allows our collaboration with TotalEnergies and MITSUI to advance to the next phase of technical studies and evaluations, bringing us closer to realising Duyong’s potential as a safe and commercially viable carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage site. It reinforces PETRONAS’ commitment towards reducing emissions and offering decarbonisation solutions to our customers and partners.” 

All assessment activities will be conducted in full compliance with the CCUS Act 2025 and its Offshore Permit and Licensing Regulations 2025, adhering to national laws and relevant guidelines to determine the site’s technical and commercial feasibility. 

The KPA enables PCCSV, TotalEnergies, and MITSUI to lay the foundation for the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase for the Duyong area. This partnership paves the way for the first-of-its-kind integrated CCS solution for industries in the Asia Pacific region. The agreement builds upon the initiatives outlined in the CCS Development Agreement signed by PETRONAS, TotalEnergies, and MITSUI in 2023.  

The permit issuance marks a pivotal step in building Malaysia’s carbon capture and storage industry, positioning the nation as a regional leader in cross-border CO₂ collaboration and responsible energy transition. This milestone reinforces PETRONAS’ leadership in lower-carbon technologies and its commitment through PCCSV to advance CCS as a key pathway toward Net Zero by 2050, supporting regional and global climate goals.

NYK and Moonrakers to collaborate to develop innovative uniforms

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Through this initiative, the two companies will conduct trials of Moonrakers’ advanced functional wear on NYK-operated vessels and at Keihin Dock, the NYK Group’s sole shipyard. 

Feedback will be gathered directly from the frontline, and the results will be incorporated into the design of new uniforms. The collaboration also envisions the development and commercial distribution of innerwear tailored to the working conditions of seafarers, with potential expansion to general consumers.

Traditionally, uniforms used aboard ships and in shipyards have not been specifically designed to meet the very distinct needs of maritime environments. NYK aimed to create uniforms that significantly enhance seafarers’ comfort by incorporating Moonrakers’ proprietary MOON-TECH® advanced-textile technology. Co-developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Toray, MOON-TECH® has demonstrated its capability to provide comfort in even the most extreme environments, including the International Space Station. 

This joint effort is expected to foster greater workplace well-being during extended voyages and in the demanding shipbuilding environment, and elevate the logistics industry’s public image.

This initiative is part of “KANDO – Innovation through Logistics,” an NYK-led program geared toward redefining logistics and introducing new values to society. 

New LNG carrier Elisa Halcyon delivered to EDF

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A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, Elisa Halcyon, ordered by France LNG Shipping SAS from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in Korea, was completed and delivered on October 31. 

Elisa Halcyon is equipped with a highly efficient WinGD-manufactured dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engine capable of operating on fuel oil and boil-off gas (natural gas vaporized during transport). 

The vessel also features a 174,000-cubic-meter membrane-type cargo tank with superior insulation that minimizes boil-off. Additionally, an Air Liquide-developed re-liquefaction system is installed to convert surplus boil-off gas back into liquid form, further enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Vessel Particulars

  • Length overall: approx. 297.2 meters
  • Breadth: approx. 46.4 meters
  • Main engine: X-DF diesel engine
  • Cargo tank capacity: approx. 174,000 cubic meters; (membrane type)
  • Shipbuilder: Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
  • Ship’s registry: France

Aker BP and partners have drilled a dry well in the Yggdrasil area in the North Sea

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Well 30/11-16 S (“Natrudstilen”) was drilled in production licence 873, just over 1 kilometre east of Fulla and 155 kilometres west of Bergen.

Production licence 873 was awarded in 2017 (APA 2016). This is the eighth exploration well drilled within the licence area.

There is plenty of activity in the area around production licence 873; Yggdrasil is being developed, and in August, Aker BP and its partners made a substantial oil discovery in the Omega Alfa exploration campaign. This campaign covered three production licences in the area. 

Well 30/11-16 S was drilled by the Deepsea Stavanger rig.

The objective of the well was to prove petroleum in the “Natrudstilen” prospect in the Tarbert Formation in the Middle Jurassic.

The well encountered the Tarbert Formation with a thickness of about 350 metres, 197 metres of which were sandstone with moderate to poor reservoir quality. The well is classified as dry with hydrocarbon shows.

Hydrocarbon shows were observed in the Hardråde Formation and Tryggvason Formation in the Upper Cretaceous.

Data was collected, including pressure points in the upper part of the Tarbert Formation.

Well 30/11-16 S was drilled to a vertical depth of 4327 metres below sea level and was terminated in the Tarbert Formation in the Middle Jurassic.

The water depth is 112 m, and the well has now been permanently plugged and abandoned.

Wärtsilä and Sinocrew partner to establish a leading international training centre

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The new simulation suite will provide advanced, simulation-based training to equip seafarers with the skills needed for the safe adoption of new decarbonisation technologies and will support the transformation of the maritime industry towards sustainability and innovation. 

The two parties have also signed a framework Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the first Maritime Advancement in Simulation, Technology and R&D Services (MASTERS) programme site in China. The order for the new simulation suite was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2025.

The Beihai International Seafarer Training Center (BISTC) represents a key international facility with a special focus on the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. It features state-of-the-art Wärtsilä marine simulators and specialised training solutions with a focus on cruise ship operations and is a pioneering model for future maritime education and international cooperation. pioneering model for future maritime education and international cooperation. 

“Together with Wärtsilä’s expertise and support, we are creating a world-class, international centre of excellence, not merely training seafarers, but preparing them for the future of cruise sector shipping. This involves familiarisation with the coming wave of decarbonisation technologies, including those related to future alternative marine fuels. Ultimately, our aim is to build an innovative, sustainable maritime talent ecosystem,” says Captain WANG Jixuan, Founder/Chairman, Sinocrew Maritime Services.

Beyond providing tailored training courses, technical assistance, and facilitating knowledge sharing, Wärtsilä will further support Sinocrew through comprehensive, long-term service and maintenance contracts. This approach ensures that the centre’s technology remains state-of-the-art, reducing the need for unexpected and costly upgrades.

“The marine industry’s transition to future sustainable fuels and the adoption of new technologies requires a highly skilled workforce. This training centre will be at the forefront of building that competency in a key global shipping region,” comments Johan Ekvall, Director, Simulation & Training – Wärtsilä Marine. “Our cooperation with Sinocrew will help enable the safe adoption of the new technologies that decarbonisation requires. Seafarers trained on Wärtsilä’s high-fidelity simulators will be more proficient in fuel-efficient voyage planning, engine optimisation, and smooth port operations.”

Wärtsilä has developed a strong relationship with Sinocrew for more than a decade. The Beihai project marks the fourth simulator-training project for the two companies, following the installation of Wärtsilä simulators in the Wuhan, Rizhao and Qingdao training centres.

Berge Rederi contracts Wattlab to install 96 Solar Flatracks on battery powered BRF Froan

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After delivering its first full-scale seagoing project last week, Wattlab signed a contract at Europort Rotterdam to outfit the hatches of the BRF Froan with their onboard solar energy system. 

For Norwegian, family-owned Shipping company Berge Rederi this is the icing on the cake, as the vessel will be the world’s largest battery-powered bulk carrier. BRF Froan is expected to be delivered in Q2 2026 and will transport marble from Brønnøy and Visnes to a production plant in Elnesvågen.

Bo Salet, co-founder and CEO of Wattlab is very proud: 

“First of all, we thank Berge Rederi for trusting our system – and us. It is an honour that with our second seagoing project, we, as a scale-up, can be a part of such an innovative vessel as the BRF Froan. In addition, this proves that both in the Netherlands and internationally there is a real demand for solar energy in shipping. It also shows that our tested and proven technology is ready to be deployed at scale.”

The vessel is currently under construction and will sail to Norway next summer. At a stop-over in Flushing, the Netherlands, Wattlab will install the 96 Solar Flatracks in one day. Production will start in May at their new production facility in the port of Rotterdam. 

“For shipowners, time is money,” says Bo. “Fast installation is crucial. Thanks to the smart design installing the system is simple, fast, and flexible. Should the need arise to clear the deck for special cargo, the Solar Flatracks can easily be stacked on the footprint of a 20 ft container.”

Wattlab is currently the only solar power supplier focused 100% on the maritime industry. But that was only one of the reasons for Berge Rederi to choose their system. Oivind Berge, Owner of Berge Rederi says: 

“The knowledge that Bo Salet and Davd Kester have shown about vessel operations was key in our decision-making process. Berge Rederi is always looking to innovate. We were already familiar with their recent project for a Dutch shipowner, which demonstrated not only the installation process, but also the system’s real-world performance and operations.”

“Bo and David understand the things that a shipowner has to take into account. For example, they know what kind of damages can come about, and how to prevent them. They’ve also ensured that the crew only has to spend minimal time in piling the hatches during loading; the system is easy to use. And, important, they are easy to communicate with. So far, our collaboration is moving ahead smoothly.”

The fact that BRF Froan is a groundbreaking coaster is not only due to Wattlab’s solar installation. Berge Rederi has opted to pioneer in their market with a zero-emission vessel. BRF Froan will feature two 24m x 4m rotor sails saving an average of 339 kW per voyage. 

The 23,5 MWh battery package will be charged at the loading port in Remman (Brønnøy) and the discharging port in Elnesvågen. Shore power facilities will be installed in both ports. Additionally, the ship is fitted with an electric excavator to ensure emission-free cargo operations.

Belfast Harbour: £100m wind farm deal to create 300 jobs

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EnBW and JERA Nex bp, joint developers of the Mona and Morgan wind farms, said their lease of Belfast Harbour’s ‘D1 terminal’ will see the assembly and marshalling of wind turbine components for two of the biggest offshore wind farms planned in the Irish Sea.

Once operational, Mona and Morgan could deliver up to 3GW – enough to power the equivalent of approximately 3 million UK households with clean, low-carbon electricity each year and represent a major step forward in the UK’s journey toward net-zero emissions and sustainable energy independence.

To accommodate the projects, enabling works are being undertaken at Belfast Harbour, ensuring the site is ready for use from 2028. Approximately 300 jobs are expected to be created by the deal.

The port, with the commitment from the Mona and Morgan joint ventures, seeks to drive regional economic growth, support the local supply chain and help attract further external investment into the region.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the deal as he reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to renewable energy and net zero targets ahead of next week’s COP30 global summit.  

Nathalie Oosterlinck, CEO JERA Nex bp said: “The Mona and Morgan joint venture’s planned commitment of over £100 million to Belfast Harbour is a direct contribution to the infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition. This highlights the power of collaboration in driving energy security – the offshore wind industry can not only power millions of homes with clean, homegrown energy but also support job creation and local economic growth.” 

Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour said: “Belfast is the only port on the island of Ireland with offshore wind capabilities and we are delighted to work with the Mona and Morgan projects, whose commitment will position the port and local supply chain as central to the deployment of high-capacity wind farms, helping meet demand for clean energy as Northern Ireland, Ireland and Great Britain strive to reach net zero targets.

“As offshore wind technology evolves, ports will play an increasingly central role and Belfast Harbour is uniquely placed thanks to the combination of our existing facility, our expertise, local supply chain and location to be a key enabler of the power stations of the future in the Irish, Celtic and North Seas.”

As a Trust Port, Belfast Harbour reinvests all profits back into the port and Belfast Harbour estate.  This deal has enabled Belfast Harbour to invest £90m in construction works at its ‘D3 terminal’ for a new dual-purpose cruise and offshore wind site. Stage 1 of the project, to build a new deepwater berth, is already under construction.

Stage 2 will see the terminal further reinforced to handle the next generation of offshore wind turbines, with some core components weighing more than 1,000 tonnes. This stage will also enable the provision of shore power facilities, so that vessels can run on clean energy while docked.

NYK supports marine environment restoration project through Seaweed Bed Initiative

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NYK recently provided a donation to Sea Vegetable LLC to support biodiversity enhancement through the development of cultivated seaweed beds. 

Utilizing Sea Vegetable’s advanced seaweed cultivation technology, we will assist in establishing cultivated seaweed beds along the coast of Oga City in Akita Prefecture, with the goal of ecological recovery and the regeneration of marine resources.

A seaweed bed, an area densely populated with seaweed, serves as a crucial “marine nursery” that provides habitat and spawning grounds for various marine organisms. However, in recent years, the decline of seaweed beds has become a serious issue nationwide, largely driven by increased sea temperatures and associated herbivory.

Sea Vegetable implements a project where “cultivated seaweed beds” embody a circular approach. Cultivated seaweed beds are artificially formed environments created through seaweed farming, designed to foster a rich ecosystem that attracts small creatures like amphipods and larger fish alike. In collaboration with local fishers, the initiative involves nurturing and managing these beds, ultimately harvesting the cultivated seaweed as a product to promote sustainable marine environment restoration and regional revitalization.

This initiative aligns with the sustainability initiative “Giving Back to the Sea, the Earth, and Humanity.” 

CSA Ocean Sciences completes environmental baseline survey offshore Mozambique

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CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. recently completed an extensive Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) offshore Mozambique for a major oil and gas company. 

CSA provided all the necessary equipment, instrumentation, and field personnel, before chartering and mobilizing a dynamically positioned vessel.

This latest survey campaign is just one of several multidisciplinary projects in recent months that uses CSA’s Mitigation Suite approach to aid offshore developers in the identification of proactive measures to prevent, reduce, or offset any potentially negative marine environmental impacts associated with planned exploration and production (E&P) activities.

Over a 180-day period, CSA’s team of field operators and scientific subject matter experts conducted water column profiling, seawater sampling, plankton net tows, sediment coring, biodiversity observations, passive acoustic monitoring of vocalizing marine mammals, and a current analysis. CSA’s personnel also carried out air quality measurements using gravimetric and spectral absorbance methods to capture aerosolized particulates and gaseous contaminants. The validated data will now be examined for operator effectiveness and compliance over time.

“CSA prides itself on the planning and execution of comprehensive marine survey work scopes that support responsible offshore energy development through scientifically robust data analysis,” said Gordon Stevens, CSA’s President. “Over the past five years, CSA has managed more than 400 projects for offshore oil and gas companies around the globe, and it is this blend of operational experience and scientific expertise that places CSA in a unique position to help guide clients through the local environmental and regulatory landscape, while also prioritizing the need for sustainable E&P activities amid ballooning demand for energy around the world.”

In recent years, CSA has invested heavily in expanding its offshore survey equipment and ocean monitoring toolkit, including subsea imaging systems, acoustic Doppler current profilers, and other instruments for array deployment in waters from the shallows to ultra-deep sites. CSA is currently running several other similar long-term ocean monitoring campaigns around the globe, in waters offshore East Africa, West Africa, South America, and the Pacific Ocean.

“Investing in the latest technologies has always been a hallmark of CSA success over the last 55 years and goes hand in hand with developing best-in-class human resources,” added Mr. Stevens. “Access to our own long-lead equipment and with operators and scientists located at strategic international CSA locations, allows us to respond to customers’ evolving requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner.”

ABB Azipod propulsion to power new Canadian icebreaker, ‘Polar Max’

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ABB has secured a contract with Helsinki Shipyard to supply a complete electric power and propulsion solution for the Polar Max icebreaker, which is expected to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard by 2030.

Uniquely, Polar Max will be constructed through an innovative industrial collaboration between Canadian-controlled facilities in Helsinki, Finland and Lévis, Canada.The 22,800-tonne, 138.5-meter vessel is the first shipbuilding project at Helsinki Shipyard under the ownership of Davie, the Quebec-based international shipbuilder. In addition to icebreaking, the ship will also function as a research vessel, while supporting oil spill response operations and emergency towing, responding to maritime emergencies, and supporting northern resupply missions year-round. 

“For decades, the Azipod® propulsion has consistently demonstrated its capabilities in harsh ice conditions, proving its reliability and performance in the world’s most demanding maritime environments,” said Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports. “It is an honour to contribute to a project that is not only vital for polar operations but also strengthens the shipbuilding industry cooperation between Finland and Canada.”

Importantly, the Polar Max project aligns with the aims of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral partnership with Finland and the United States to coordinate expertise and strengthen the three countries’ abilities to design, build and market best-in-class Arctic and polar vessels. 

ABB’s comprehensive scope of supply will help ensure high performance over the lifetime of the vessel. ABB will integrate the complete power and propulsion solution for Polar Max, comprising of Azipod® electric propulsion units, shaftline propulsion motor, drives, transformers, generators, switchboards, shore connection, LTO batteries, and a power and energy management system. In addition, the vessel will feature ABB’s innovative AX Bridge solution, enabling better situational overview and simplifying the ship maneuvering experience for the bridge crew. 

“The Polar Max project is an important milestone in expanding production and design in Helsinki,” said Kim Salmi, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard. “The project is an excellent example of Helsinki Shipyard’s leading Arctic shipbuilding expertise, which is in significant demand internationally. We look forward to collaborating with ABB on this new build.” 

“Fostering shipbuilding collaborations with trusted partners is essential to advancing shared goals,” said James Davies, CEO, Davie Shipbuilding. This contract consolidates the longstanding relationship between ABB and Davie and reflects our mutual commitment to excellence in polar shipbuilding.”

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