Bureau Veritas classifies Union Maritime’s methanol-ready tankers

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April 24, 2025

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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April 24, 2025

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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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April 24, 2025

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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.

The first automated mooring system will be implemented at a port in China

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April 23, 2025

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The project will see AutoMoor seamlessly integrated into the terminal’s existing infrastructure, which accommodates the latest generation of ultra-large container vessels. Implementation of the system will further streamline operations by increasing efficiency, improving vessel stability, and reducing turnaround times.

In addition to operational benefits, AutoMoor will support the terminal’s sustainability objectives by reducing vessel emissions during mooring. It will also enhance the berth’s capacity to handle the newest 400m-long MegaMax container ships, ensuring the terminal remains at the forefront of modern maritime capabilities.

Richard Hepworth, Business Unit President at Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure, said: “This contract underscores the confidence in our AutoMoor technology as a transformative solution for modern port operations. By providing advanced solutions like AutoMoor, we’re driving improvements in safety, efficiency, and sustainability, enabling ports to thrive in an ever-evolving environment.”

With the project currently underway, Trelleborg is conducting a detailed assessment to ensure seamless integration of AutoMoor, evaluating factors such as vessel sizes, berth infrastructure, and environmental conditions. This will guarantee an optimally designed system tailored to address existing challenges and deliver maximum performance.

Once implemented, AutoMoor’s “click of a button” technology will allow vessels to moor faster and more securely, reducing unloading, reloading, and turnaround times. The system is capable of ensuring vessel stability during product/container transfer operations, even in challenging conditions, while requiring minimal vacuum top-ups for extended secure mooring periods. AutoMoor’s Always Active Mechanical Damping (AAMD) system is designed to minimize port energy consumption, making it a more sustainable option compared to fully hydraulic alternatives.

The AutoMoor installation is expected to be fully operational in the coming months, upon completion of testing and assessments. It will be the first global deployment of AutoMoor technology at a container terminal, further solidifying Trelleborg’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance port operations worldwide.

Damen signs MoU with Square Port Shipyard to build vessels in India

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April 23, 2025

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On the 8th of April, Square Port Shipyard, located 250 km south of Mumbai, and Damen Technical Cooperation B.V. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the first step of a significant new relationship.

It will see the two organisations working together to develop the shipyard with the aim of building a range of high-quality Damen vessels to meet the needs of the regional market. This agreement represents Damen’s third partnership in the Indian subcontinent.

“A physical presence in one of the world’s fastest growing economies is critical for Damen Shipyards,” said Dingeman van Worden, Damen’s Regional Sales Director Asia. “The availability of good infrastructure and economic labour costs will further strengthen our competitive edge in the global market. This partnership with Square Port Shipyard will enable us to bring our shipbuilding culture with its unique combination of quality and competitive prices to India’s maritime sector.”

The Damen Technical Cooperation programme works with shipyards around the world, supporting them in modernising their facilities and enabling them to build Damen vessels to the highest standards. A broad range of associated maritime services can also be accessed.

“This agreement is a significant step in our vision to transform India’s maritime landscape through innovative technologies and sustainable methodologies,” added Mr Fattesingh Patil, Director of Square Port Shipyards Pvt. Ltd. “Access to the latest ship building technology and processes will give us a competitive advantage and address the issue of capacity constraints plaguing the Indian ship building and repair industry.”

Sallaum Lines selects Inmarsat NexusWave to drive fleetwide digitalisation strategy

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April 23, 2025

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Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has signed an agreement with Sallaum Lines to upgrade to Inmarsat Maritime’s NexusWave fully managed bonded connectivity service, making it an early adopter in region.

As Sallaum Lines expands its global presence, NexusWave will provide secure, ultra-fast connectivity with unlimited data, complemented by Inmarsat’s Care Premium programme for 24/7 support and maintenance.

Reflecting a proactive digitalisation strategy, Sallaum Lines is adopting modern technologies such as IoT sensors and collaborative tools to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency across its fleet. Inmarsat’s NexusWave will deliver the reliability, high speeds, and low latency that Sallaum increasingly relies on to facilitate data collection, analysis, and advanced monitoring across its 14-vessel RoRo fleet, including six newbuilds.

Sallaum Lines is committed to creating a healthy and happy working environment on board its vessels by ensuring crew members can stay connected with their families and friends during rest and off-duty hours. The company places high value on education and development and plans to deploy a fleetwide learning and skills development platform. Thanks to the unlimited, high-speed connectivity provided by NexusWave through network bonding, Sallaum’s crew will have access to communication services and educational tools virtually anywhere in the world – even in connectivity hotspots.

Mr Puneet Arora, Head of Technical, Sallaum Lines, commented: “NexusWave will provide us with fast and reliable connectivity without the worry of outages, latency, or interruptions. This new partnership will also enable us to enhance our remote infrastructure and expand our onboard portfolio with solutions that meet both operational needs and crew welfare requirements. We are proud to be an early adopter of NexusWave.”

Dennis Winterswijk, Regional Director, EMEA, Inmarsat Maritime, said: “Deep understanding of Inmarsat Maritime’s capabilities, and trust in our reliability, were key factors in Sallaum Lines’ decision to select NexusWave. Its decision to adopt NexusWave highlights the company’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and reliability, as well as its position as a forward-thinking, technology-driven company.”

VIKING launches world’s first immersion suit designed for women

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April 23, 2025

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The VIKING YouSafe™ Cyclone suit joins a growing portfolio of VIKING PPE whose fit and features reflect the safety needs of female seafarers, pilots and technicians in the marine and offshore industries.

The most recent UK Government Industrial Strategy Offshore Wind Sector Deal study included a “minimum target” for one third of the industry’s workforce to be by 2030 (2018 – 16%). In UK waters, and elsewhere, getting the right PPE in place to best serve the safety needs of women offshore has become a focus for equity and inclusivity strategy at Ørsted, Siemens and Vestas.

“As a young industry, offshore wind offers a huge opportunity to change attitudes in the workplace, and to encourage the diversity, equity and inclusion women are entitled to expect,” said Lasse Hansen, Senior HSE Manager, PPE and TMSE, Ørsted. “Ørsted has identified female-specific PPE as part of the critical infrastructure we need for women to work safely offshore today and a necessity to attract more of them into this industry. We were delighted to work with VIKING as one of our key safety solution providers to take a significant step in the right direction.”

Delivered in high-vis GORE-TEX® NARVIK™, the female-fit YouSafe™ Cyclone suit is approved to the same dual SOLAS/MED and CE/ISO standard as the male version and is available in multiple sizes. Common features include compatibility with all standard offshore harnesses, durable Neoprene cuffs and neck seal, retro-reflective piping for increased visibility in dark surroundings, and a maintenance free zipper.

However, ratios and cut are redesigned for shorter torsos, and different hip and chest proportions, and for a range of smaller sizes that avoid the risk of snagging in fixtures and fittings. The sleek looking design also offers a high level of comfort and enhances the safety of women when stepping or jumping to/off the platform, climbing the tower or moving around the nacelle. In addition, the suit includes integral braces, which hold suit pants for free leg movement when climbing and allow the wearer to doff its top part to move around freely.

Poul Parning, Senior EQS PPE Specialist, Siemens Gamesa said the Cyclone suit was a welcome contribution to its efforts to attract more women to offshore wind, ensuring that outdated practices did not frustrate career progress. “There has been an intense focus on PPE as a diversity, equity and inclusion issue at Siemens Gamesa for the last two years; we have already adopted a new safety harness for women. The Cyclone CTV suit supports corporate goals.”

Speaking for Vestas Wind Systems, HSE Manager Peter Armstrong-Cribb added: “At Vestas, we believe that diversity and inclusion go hand in hand with innovation, and that everyone must feel safe, valued, and that their voice is heard. The right PPE puts these beliefs into practice.”

VIKING built on its internal design work by interviewing women working offshore in the wind industry to develop the new suit, before trialing prototypes at a test day with Ørsted, Siemens and Vestas in Liverpool, UK earlier this year. After further tests offshore and customer feedback, the YouSafe™ Cyclone was launched in October.

“Bringing Cyclone to market has been a joy because we have worked with customers whose competitive position did not stand in the way of our common goal to deliver a safety necessity and level the playing field for women working offshore” said Bettina Kjærgaard, Global Sales Manager Offshore Wind, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment. “Their response in spreading the word has also been phenomenal.”

Viking announces float out of newest Egypt ship

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April 23, 2025

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Viking® has announced its newest ship for the Nile River—the 82-guest Viking Amun—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water.

Set to sail in September 2025, the Viking Amun will join the Company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

“We are very proud of our growing fleet in Egypt, which we consider to be by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “Egypt is one of the world’s most captivating destinations, and we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to this extraordinary region in the coming years.”

The traditional float out ceremony of the Viking Amun took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo and is significant because it marks the ship moving into its final stage of construction. She will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

MSC Athens charged with shore-side power for the first time

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April 23, 2025

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For the first time, a container ship – the MSC Athens – has been charged with shore-side electricity there during its lay time. Further test runs have already been planned to integrate the supply of container ships with shore-side power into regular operations in the Port of Hamburg soon.

A further important milestone for the sustainable development of the Port of Hamburg was reached: the first “ship integration test” was successfully completed at CTA’s new shore-side power station. As part of this, the vessel belonging to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was supplied with the first test amounts of electricity from renewable sources. Overall, the shipping company owns approximately 40 vessels that can be charged with shore-side electricity. The test was carried out jointly by HPA, HHLA and MSC. Powercon and Igus acted as technology partners in charge of converters and connectors.

Friedrich Stuhrmann, Chief Commercial Officer of HPA: “Every successful ship integration test brings us one step closer to integrating the power stations into regular operations. I am delighted that MSC is on board with us to jointly contribute towards making shipping and operations in the Port of Hamburg more environmentally friendly by using shore power.”

Jan Hendrik Pietsch, Head of Sustainability at HHLA: “With the first successful test of the shore-side power station at CTA, we have come closer to the goal of installing modern power stations for the supply of shore-side electricity at all three HHLA container terminals in Hamburg. That is an important step towards climate-friendly port logistics. We are glad that our customers can thus charge their vessels during lay time with low-emission energy. This way, a further part of the supply chain can be decarbonised.”

Nils Kahn, Managing Director, MSC Germany: “The integration of shore power into our fleet is an important step towards sustainable shipping. We are pleased to be working with the Hamburg Port Authority and HHLA on this climate-friendly energy supply and to contribute to improving air quality in the Hanseatic city, because Hamburg and its port are important to us.”

With the power station at CTA, the third shore-side power station for container ships in the Port of Hamburg is now in the transitional phase leading up to regular operations. Additionally, the power station at HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai is expected to be ready this year. This would mean that shore-side electricity would be provided at all mega-ship berths from the end of the year. The expansion of this infrastructure is a central component for turning Hamburg into a future-proof, low-emission port city.

Damen signs with Türkiye-based İÇDAŞ for local ASD Tug 2813 construction

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April 22, 2025

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On 25 March Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract with İÇDAŞ in Türkiye for the local construction of an ASD Tug 2813. The signing follows Damen Shipyards Galati’s construction of two tugs for the company back in 2002. Since then, the two parties have maintained a good relationship, leading to this latest contract. With this order, the vessel will be constructed locally in Türkiye under the Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC).

Damen will provide İÇDAŞ with a vessel design and licence package, enabling the company to construct the tug at its own shipyard in Çanakkale. İÇDAŞ will operate the tug at its own ports on the Sea of Marmara.

The company operates two ports in the region, İÇDAŞ 1 and İÇDAŞ 2. The former boasts 1655 metres of berthing space, sufficient to accommodate between twelve and twenty vessels, depending on size. İÇDAŞ 2 features 624 metres of berthing space.

İÇDAŞ chose to construct a Damen designed tug based on its proven performance and the efficiency of building a vessel for which engineering is already completed. With DTC, Damen provides tailored support for the local construction of its designs. Since the beginnings of DTC in 1977, some 1500 vessels have been constructed at yards all over the world, including in remote and inland locations.

The ASD Tug 2813 forms part of Damen’s Compact Tugs range. The range is designed for the modern port operation with vessels being both compact and powerful. The ASD Tug 2813 is designed with a focus on both safety and efficiency. The highly manoeuvrable vessel is 27.59 metres long and, with its wide beam of 12.93 metres, offers considerable stability. The vessel is able to deliver 83 tonnes bollard pull ahead and up to 80 tonnes astern.

İÇDAŞ, like Damen, is a family-owned company. It was founded in the 1880s and is the largest private steel producer in Türkiye and a leader in shipbuilding. In addition to these sectors, İÇDAŞ operates in various industries including energy, logistics, port operations and more.

Emre Turkoz, Regional Sales Director of Damen said, “We are delighted to sign this contract with İÇDAŞ. It marks a major milestone for Damen’s operations in Türkiye, paving the way for the local construction of our proven vessel designs in the country. I am very grateful for this fruitful and lasting cooperation between İÇDAŞ and Damen and am looking forward to supporting them with their construction of the vessels, and to seeing the ASD Tug 2813 in operation in the country.”

Necati Aslan, Board Member of İÇDAŞ said, “We are pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with Damen through the construction of this ASD Tug 2813. Damen’s proven expertise in high-performance tug design and project support continues to align with our long-term objectives in shipbuilding and tug construction. This initiative not only enhances our capabilities in delivering advanced and reliable vessels, but also contributes to the development of Türkiye’s maritime industry. We are confident that the successful delivery of this vessel will exemplify reliability, durability, and efficiency in service.”