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Poland develops indigenous naval drone inspired by Ukrainian models

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Poland’s WB Group has presented a prototype surface naval drone, closely resembling Ukrainian designs, Defence24 reported.

The drone was presented at the training ground of the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade in Wesoła, near Warsaw, during an exhibition featuring around 40 companies specializing in unmanned technologies.

“This is part of our grand strategy: to build an army of hundreds of thousands of drones and the capacity to produce millions,” Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated. “Drones evolve quickly, with companies constantly releasing new versions. You cannot simply stockpile them in reserve.”

The Polish naval drone is similar in size to Ukrainian models and is equipped with a water-jet engine, remote control capabilities, and modern infrared cameras.

The combat payload is expected to be housed in the front section. Ukrainian forces have gone a step further, fitting some drones with missile launchers and machine gun turrets.

WB Group, a leading Polish defense manufacturer, is also known for producing the FLYEYE reconnaissance drone.

Poland could successfully deploy naval drones in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea.

Naval drones are typically used individually or in groups, with nighttime operations offering the greatest effectiveness.

Their low profile, minimal thermal and radar signatures, and small size pose significant challenges to naval forces.

Aerial surveillance, particularly from helicopters, remains the most effective means of detection. In Ukraine, anti-aircraft missiles have been mounted on drones to counter helicopter threats.

Source: Militarnyi

Saipem: awarded a contract by Eni for Carbon Capture and Storage in the UK

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The Liverpool Bay CCS project will serve the HyNet industrial cluster, situated in one of the UK’s most energy-intensive industrial districts.

Saipem will convert a traditional Gas Compression and Treatment facility at Point of Ayr, in north Wales, into an innovative CO2 Electrical Compression Station allowing for permanent CO2 storage in offshore depleted fields under Liverpool Bay.

Saipem’s scope of work concerns the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and assistance to the Commissioning of a new CO2 Electrical Compression Station. This new facility will be integrated with both the offshore and onshore segments of the overall development.

The project will generate positive employment impacts, with over 1,000 local resources involved during the construction period, and will guarantee emissions reductions from industries in the Northwest of England and North Wales.

With the award of this contract, Saipem will contribute to one of the UK’s most advanced Carbon Capture and Storage projects, confirming its positioning along the entire CO2 value chain.

First two replacement cranes arrive at GCT Deltaport as part of $170M modernization project

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Global Container Terminals (GCT) has announced the arrival of the first two of six new replacement ship-to-shore (STS) cranes at GCT Deltaport. 

Over the coming week, they will be safely offloaded at the terminal in Tsawwassen, B.C., followed by on-site commissioning activities over the next three months. 

“These are some of the largest and most technologically advanced cranes in the world, capable of servicing the largest vessels transiting our trade lanes,” said Daniel Howell, Chief Operating Officer, GCT Global Container Terminals. “They provide us with exceptional flexibility to meet evolving customer needs and reinforce our ongoing commitment to operational excellence, environmental responsibility, and continuous innovation.”

Key Features of the New STS Cranes:

  • High-efficiency, fully electric-powered systems designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Regenerative drives capture and reuse energy, returning clean power to the grid
  • High-efficiency LED lighting minimizes glare and reduces light pollution
  • Drastically reduces reliance on hydraulic fluids for improved environmental performance
  • Enhanced maintenance systems and improved access for greater safety and operational reliability
  • Remote operating capabilities to promote a safer, accessible, and more comfortable working environment

This is the first phase of a multi-year replacement program that will see six new cranes delivered by 2027. Once complete, GCT Deltaport’s fleet will include eight Megamax and four Super Post-Panamax ZPMC STS cranes—ensuring the terminal is well-equipped to meet future trade demands and continue its leadership within Canada’s Pacific Gateway.

UK Gov and Eni reach financial close on Liverpool Bay CCS for HyNet cluster

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Eni has reached financial close with the UK Government’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for the Liverpool Bay CCS project, where Eni is the operator of the CO2 transport and storage system (T&S) of the HyNet industrial Cluster.

The financial close allows the Liverpool Bay CCS project to move into the construction phase, unlocking key investments in supply chain contracts, the majority of which will be spent locally. The project will support the UK’s industrial competitiveness for the long term, by safeguarding existing industrial employment and creating new production chains and jobs – which, in the construction phase alone, are estimated to be about 2,000 people. 

This significant milestone follows the UK Government’s funding allocation of £21.7 billion to be invested over a 25-year period across the first two CCS Clusters in the country. This decision demonstrates the UK’s commitment to prioritising the development of the CCS sector as a key lever in its decarbonisation and industrial strategy, in line with the broader UK’s objective of creating growth opportunities in the country’s industrial heartlands and the ambition to be a global leader in the energy transition.

The UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, said: “Today we keep our promise to launch a whole new clean energy industry for our country – carbon capture and storage – to deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs and revitalise our industrial communities. This investment from our partnership with Eni is government working together with industry to kickstart growth and back engineers, welders and electricians through our mission to become a clean energy superpower. We are making the UK energy secure so we can protect families and businesses and drive jobs through our Plan for Change.”

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said: “The strategic agreement with the UK Government paves the way for the industrial-scale development of CCS, a sector in which the United Kingdom reaffirms its leadership thanks to the promotion of a regulatory framework that aims to strengthen the development of CCS and make it fully competitive in the market. Eni has established itself as a leading operator in the UK thanks to its key role in CO2 transport and storage activities as the leader of the HyNet Consortium, which will become one of the first low-carbon clusters in the world. CCS will play a crucial role in tackling the decarbonisation challenge by safely eliminating CO2 emissions from industries that currently do not have equally efficient and effective solutions. Eni confirms its position at the forefront in the creation of this new, highly sustainable business linked to the energy transition.”

The Liverpool Bay CCS project will operate as the backbone of the HyNet Cluster to transport carbon dioxide from capture plants across the North West of England and North Wales through new and repurposed infrastructure to safe and permanent storage in Eni’s depleted natural gas reservoirs, located under the seabed in Liverpool Bay. The project itself foresees the efficient repurposing of part of the offshore platforms as well as 149km of onshore and offshore pipelines, and the construction of 35km of new pipelines to connect industrial emitters to the Liverpool Bay CCS network.

HyNet is one of the world’s most advanced CCS Clusters that will significantly contribute to the reduction of emissions from a wide range of industries across the North West of England and North Wales. This includes companies involved in cement manufacturing, energy from waste plants, low-carbon hydrogen production, as well as additional industrial players who will connect to Eni’s infrastructure. With a storage capacity of 4.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year in the first phase, and the potential to increase to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year in the 2030s, Eni’s CO2 T&S system will make a significant contribution towards achieving the UK’s CCS ambitions. Construction of the project is expected to commence this year, ready for planned start-up in 2028, in line with industrial emitters in the HyNet Cluster.

Eni believes that CCS will play a crucial role in the energy transition and can become an important strategic activity to support the company’s decarbonisation ambitions. The Company has a range of global initiatives in the CCS sector with a gross storage capacity of approximately 3 billion tons.

DEME supports new maritime simulator for students at Maritime Institute Mercator in Ostend

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Unveiled this week in the presence of Flemish Minister of Fisheries Hilde Crevits, this innovative simulator enables students to practice navigating in poor weather conditions as well as other challenging scenarios without having to actually go out to sea.

The simulator represents a valuable addition for students in the maritime navigation, maritime fishing, and maritime techniques deck programs. Thanks to this simulator, students from the Maritime Institute in Ostend will get to experience realistic scenarios and should immediately be able to improve their skills in terms of navigation, communication, and decision-making at sea. 

In addition to gaining practical experience, the students will also earn partial certificates that will assist them in their future careers. Furthermore, the simulator will allow them to practice both simple scenarios for learning basic skills and complex situations that will help them master crisis management and navigation.

This project was partially made possible thanks to the support of DEME, which is one of the sponsors of this advanced maritime simulator.

“Supporting this initiative is crucial for us at DEME because it aligns with our commitment to fostering the next generation of maritime professionals. By providing students with access to cutting-edge technologies, we are helping to ensure they are well-prepared for the challenges of the maritime industry and that they can contribute to its future success,” said Hans Casier (Chief HR Officer).

Partners successfully complete development of the world’s first floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker

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Höegh Evi and Wärtsilä Gas Solutions have successfully completed development of the world’s first floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker. This breakthrough technology enables floating import terminals to produce hydrogen at industrial-scale volumes from transported ammonia, marking a major step in the energy transition. The project was announced in April 2023 and is part of Norway’s green platform programme.

The industrial-scale ammonia cracker has a modular design that allows integration into both hybrid Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) and dedicated Floating Hydrogen Terminals.   The technology is highly scalable with a sendout capacity of up to 210,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually. Ammonia storage can range from 10,000m³ to 120,000m³. 

“The floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker developed by Höegh Evi, Wärtsilä and partners is a game-changer for the hydrogen economy and the energy transition in Europe. Our floating terminals and cracking technology can unlock the full potential of global value chains for green hydrogen, providing European industry with a reliable supply of clean energy within this decade,” said Erik Nyheim, CEO of Höegh Evi.

“This pioneering development of the floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker represents a significant leap forward in our quest for sustainable energy solutions. Together with Höegh Evi and our partners, we are not only addressing the challenges of hydrogen storage and transportation but also paving the way for a more resilient and flexible energy infrastructure,” said Walter Reggente, Vice President of Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.

The project has received approximately EUR 5.9 million in funding from the Norwegian Government’s green platform programme, representing approximately 50% of the total budget. The ammonia cracker was constructed at Sustainable Energy’s Norwegian Catapult Center in Stord, Norway. Additional partners in the project include the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), University of South-East Norway, Sustainable Energy and BASF SE.  

“The future of energy must be green, and it’s our job to be part of the technological development necessary to achieve this goal. We are very happy for this project,” said Håkon Haugli, CEO of  Innovation Norway.

Innovation Norway is the Norwegian trade promotion organization and is partly responsible for the allocation of funds within the Green Platform program.

According to the EU’s REPower strategy, Europe plans to import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year by 2030. As the development of the hydrogen grid progresses, floating infrastructure with ammonia cracking technology can unlock large-scale imports, supplying hard-to-abate industries with a stable baseload energy source and balance within the energy system. To meet this demand, Höegh Evi is developing several hydrogen terminal projects in Europe, with targeted start of operations before 2030.

Damen signs new tugs contracts with Fairplay Towage and Louis Meyer

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In March, the shipbuilder signed three contracts with Fairplay Towage, and an additional contract was signed with Neue Schleppdampfschiffsreederei Louis Meyer. 

Based on Damen’s practice of building vessels in series for stock, construction of the tugs had commenced prior to contract signing. As a result, three of the vessels, one RSD Tug 2513 and two ASD Tugs 2312 are scheduled for delivery later this year, with the second RSD Tug 2513 expected to arrive early in 2026. Upon its delivery to Louis Meyer, the company’s ASD Tug 2312 will enter into a long-term bareboat charter with Fairplay in Germany. 

With this order, Fairplay Towage is continuing its fleet renewal program, through which it is steadily phasing in more efficient and sustainable tonnage. Fairplay Towage has recently taken delivery of a significant number of Damen tugs. These contracts mark the order of a total of fifteen newbuild vessels in four years. Additionally, over the last five years, Damen has constructed four tugs for Louis Meyer. 

Although based on proven, standard designs, the tugs are prepared for the integration of modular solutions to meet specific client requirements. Fairplay Towage and Louis Meyer have selected a range of options for their tugs including LNG, firefighting (FiFi-1) and winterisation packages, as well as IMO Tier III compliance courtesy of the Damen Marine NOX Reduction System. 

Upon completion of construction at Damen’s yards in China and Vietnam, the shipbuilder will facilitate the delivery of the vessels to the Port of Rotterdam via heavy lift shipment. This delivery method, frequently used by Damen, ensures the cost-effective, low emissions arrival of the tugs in pristine condition. 

The vessels will additionally benefit from warranty support and aftersales care from Damen Services Germany. The Hamburg-based Service Hub covers Damen vessels operating in both Germany and Poland. 

Commenting on the occasion of the signing ceremony, Philip Harmstorf, Managing Director of Fairplay Towage Group, commented as follows, “The decision to order from Damen is based on our long-term strategy for fleet modernisation. The new tugs will not only help us optimise our operations and increase efficiency but also fulfil our commitment to sustainable technologies. Collaborating closely with Damen allows us to benefit from their proven designs and innovative solutions tailored to our specific requirements. Furthermore, we are impressed with Damen’s service offerings and aftersales support, which ensures that our vessels remain in excellent condition and meet the high demands of our customers. With this investment in new, modern tugs, we are making a strong statement about the future of Fairplay Towage Group and simultaneously show commitment towards our clients to serve them in time, safer, cleaner and more efficiently.” 

Edvin Kohlsaat, owner and Managing Director of Louis Meyer Neue Schleppdampfschiffsreederei stated, “We feel delighted and honoured that we were granted the opportunity to be part of the ongoing fleet renewal programme of the Fairplay Towage Group which we see as an acknowledgement of our company´s service as a leasing provider for tugs. We do strongly believe that the Fairplay Towage Group has made a perfect choice ordering Damen Tugs as they will further enhance their operational capabilities and decrease their emissions as well as operational and technical expenses due to economies of scale.”

Damen Sales Manager for Germany Joschka Böddeling said, “I am very grateful to both Fairplay and Louis Meyer for their continuing trust in Damen. These orders are a clear sign that both organisations, based on their now extensive experience with Damen vessels, are benefitting from the advantages harmonising their fleet structure. Our companies have worked together closely these past few years, and I am looking forward to continuing our mutually fruitful relationships with these latest orders.”

Bureau Veritas classifies Union Maritime’s methanol-ready tankers

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Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable shipping by classing a series of methanol-ready oil and chemical tankers for Union Maritime, which are currently being equipped with wind propulsion systems, including Norsepower Rotor Sails™ (NPRS™).

The first two vessels in this series, Buran and Ostro, have been delivered in February and April 2025 respectively, following their construction at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding. Union Maritime have two additional 18,500 dwt tankers currently under construction at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding and two more at Wuhu Shipyard Co., Ltd, which will all be equipped with Norsepower Rotor Sails™, with deliveries scheduled throughout 2025.

These six vessels mark the first wave of a broader new build programme for Union Maritime under BV class. More than 25 additional tankers are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2028, including a significant series at Wuhu Shipyard, with further vessels being built at other major Chinese shipyards. These vessels will either be delivered with wind propulsion systems installed or prepared for future integration, using technologies from various suppliers such as Norsepower.

By incorporating wind propulsion systems and methanol-ready configurations, Union Maritime is aiming to improve energy efficiency and support long-term emissions reduction across its expanding fleet.

BV supports the integration of these systems by conducting evaluations on the vessels to assess compliance with the relevant rules and notations to help ensure they meet the latest standards for both wind propulsion and alternative fuels, like methanol. This includes its Rules for Wind Propulsion Systems (NR 206), the Wind Propulsion 1 and Wind Propulsion 2 notations for vessels equipped with wind propulsion systems, as well as the METHANOLFUEL-PREPARED notation. BV has provided comprehensive support throughout the project, including an efficient and thorough review of the upgraded design to meet class requirements and delivery schedules.

Bhuvnesh Dogra, Head of Technical at Union Maritime, said: “The deliveries of Buran and Ostro mark an exciting first step in our broader new build programme under Bureau Veritas class. These six vessels represent the beginning of an ambitious plan to modernize our fleet with advanced wind propulsion systems. Bureau Veritas’ expertise in classing these vessels helps ensure that we meet the highest safety and regulatory standards, while also positioning ourselves at the forefront of sustainable shipping. This collaboration with Bureau Veritas is critical as we continue to build a fleet that not only meets the evolving demands of the industry but also leads the way in emissions reduction and energy efficiency.”

Matthieu de Tugny, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “BV is delighted to support Union Maritime with the integration of sustainable shipping solutions into its fleet. Safety remains paramount in the adoption of new technologies, and our classification framework helps ensure that the innovations meet safety and regulatory standards. By classing these vessels, we support ship owners and operators in navigating the transition to more sustainable operations, while maintaining the safety and reliability of their fleets.”

Heikki Pöntynen, CEO, Norsepower, said: “We’re proud that six of Union Maritime’s new methanol-ready tankers are being equipped with Norsepower Rotor Sails™, marking a strong commitment to wind propulsion as a key decarbonization solution. This growing fleet demonstrates how wind-assist technologies can be scaled in parallel with alternative fuels to deliver immediate and long-term emissions reductions. Having the classification of Bureau Veritas — one of the most respected classification societies — is a clear validation of the quality, reliability, and safety of our technology. It’s an exciting milestone, and one that reinforces wind propulsion as a core component of sustainable shipping.”

Marinetrans secures major project logistics contracts for FLNG vessel construction

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The contracts, spanning from 2025 to 2027, have been awarded by  Black & Veatch, a Kansas (USA)-based leading engineering and construction company specializing in energy infrastructure. 

Under the agreement, Marinetrans will provide comprehensive project logistics services, including the transportation of critical components, large heavy-lift deliveries, supply chain coordination, and on-site logistics support worldwide. These services will ensure the seamless execution of the FLNG vessel construction, a key development in global energy infrastructure. 

“We are honored to be selected by Black & Veatch for these large projects,” said Reidar Evensen, Group Director, Projects & Offshore at Marinetrans. “Our expertise in complex logistics and focus on operational excellence ensure the timely and efficient construction of these state-of-the-art FLNG vessels.”  

Vidar Olsen, Project Manager at Marinetrans, emphasized the company’s capability to take on the challenges of these large-scale projects: “Ensuring the smooth coordination of logistics for these FLNG vessels requires precision, industry expertise, and a highly dedicated team. We are excited to contribute to these projects and bring our experience in maritime logistics to the table.” 

“Partnering with Marinetrans ensures that we have a reliable and experienced logistics provider to manage the intricate supply chain of these high-profile FLNG vessel projects,” Christina Chai, Supply Chain Director at Black & Veatch. “Their expertise in project logistics will play a crucial role in the successful execution of our operations.” 

As global demand for LNG continues to rise, the construction of these FLNG vessels is a significant step toward increasing production capacity and enabling more flexible, sustainable energy solutions worldwide. Marinetrans’ involvement emphasizes its position as a key player in the global logistics landscape, capable of supporting complex offshore and maritime projects with precision and efficiency. 

“New” source rock discovered west of Svalbard

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Over the course of several years, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate has conducted acquisitions and studies related to natural seeps of oil and gas on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS), both on its own initiative and in cooperation with the academic community. The objective has been to acquire better knowledge about the petroleum systems that are connected to these natural seeps, which can be quite extensive in many places.

Up to now, the greatest focus has been on the Barents Sea, but studies and acquisition efforts have also been conducted in the Norwegian Sea and in the North Sea.

“It’s the work done in cooperation with the academic community west of Svalbard that led to the discovery of the new, young source rock, and what appears to be a functioning petroleum system linked to it,” says Rune Mattingsdal. He is a geologist with the Norwegian Offshore Directorate and has worked to map natural oil and gas seeps over the course of several years.

“A functioning source rock is the most important criteria for discovering oil and/or gas”.

It was in fact the natural seepage of oil from the seabed that put geologists on the trail of the “new” source rock, despite the fact that the source rock was drilled and sampled as early as in the 1990s during an international scientific drilling campaign west of Svalbard.

The natural oil seep was the topic of a scientific publication in 2024, An Arctic natural oil seep investigated from space to the seafloor.

Mattingsdal, who co-authored the scientific article, wrote a feature article in the newspaper Svalbardposten in 2024: Opinion piece in Svalbardposten: The seabed is leaking oil, and it’s 100 % natural (in Norwegian only).

In March of this year, he gave a “keynote” presentation at the Norwegian Petroleum Society conference “Exploration Revived 2025”, with the title “Hydrocarbon seeps and a new young source rock” (pdf). There he presented much of the data collected and the studies conducted in recent years related to the young source rock.

“One of the main messages was that this young source rock is probably present and has formed hydrocarbons where it’s situated, buried deep under Bjørnøyvifta (the Bjørnøya Fan)”, Mattingsdal says.

Bjørnøyvifta is located in the Norwegian Sea, west of the Barents Sea from the shelf edge and out into the deep sea. A simple basin modelling was performed in this area for the Norwegian Offshore Directorate last year.

“This modelling confirms the possibility that a young source rock has formed hydrocarbons”. Click to read the report (pdf). 

Bjørnøyvifta is poorly explored, and data coverage is scarce. The area has not been opened for petroleum activity, but oil and gas that have formed may be significant for opened acreage in the westernmost part of the Barents Sea.

There are indications that this young source rock may be present in large parts of the Norwegian Sea, all the way down to the northernmost part of the North Sea.

“While in most places the source rock may be too shallow, it might be buried deep enough to have formed hydrocarbons in several locations in existing APA acreage (APA, Awards in predefined areas) in the Norwegian Sea, in areas where this possibility has not yet been investigated”.

The work to find out more about the presence and the potential of this young source rock will continue in 2025. As early as in May, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate will take part in new scientific surveys on Bjørnøyvifta and in the western Barents Sea.

“The plan is to collect samples of natural oil slicks on the sea surface and map the seabed to find additional seepage locations. We’ll also conduct geological and geophysical studies of natural seepages in an attempt to determine what the source rock could be,” Mattingsdal says.

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