The Al Sila Marine Festival, now in its fourth edition, showcases a mix of traditional and modern marine competitions at Al Sila Beach in Abu Dhabi. With events like the Al Sila’ 43-ft Dhow Race and Barakah Traditional Sailboat Race, the festival aims to promote cultural awareness and boost tourism in the region.
The Nordic Roadmap project has introduced the Fuel Transition Roadmap for Nordic Shipping, outlining a plan to decarbonize the region’s shipping industry. Key recommendations include government intervention to bridge the cost gap for zero-emission fuels and the implementation of competitive tenders for green shipping corridors. Collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders is crucial for success.
The Sogestran Group has unveiled France’s first hydrogen-powered river vessel, the Zulu 06, on the Seine in Paris. With a cargo capacity of 400 tons, this 55-meter vessel is designed for small deck cargoes in Paris. Featuring hydrogen fuel cells, the Zulu 06 showcases a new, clean business model for urban waterway transportation.
Marine mammal populations are rebounding, but conflicts with fisheries and property owners are on the rise. The NOAA is conducting a survey on deterrent methods to protect fishing gear and infrastructure from these interactions. Understanding these conflicts is crucial for developing effective strategies to coexist with marine mammals while preserving economic interests.
Survitec’s award-winning white paper on maritime fire safety risks exposes the dangerous consequences of inadequate fire safety inspections. With shipboard fires on the rise, the paper highlights the alarming cost of cutting corners on fire safety maintenance. It calls for improved oversight and maintenance practices to prevent avoidable system failures and substandard inspections.
Nigerdock has finalized a deal with the Nigerian Ports Authority to develop Snake Island Port, a key facility in Nigeria’s maritime industry. The project, approved in 2023, aims to attract foreign investment and enhance the country’s trade capabilities. This collaboration between the government and Nigerdock signifies a major step towards economic growth and development.
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Authority is considering expanding the scheme to include the maritime sector, seeking input on proposals. The UK ETS Authority, consisting of various government bodies, is gathering stakeholder views on implementing the UK ETS in the maritime industry to address environmental costs and promote low carbon fuels.
Swiss marine power company WinGD secured an order for 16 X-DF dual-fuel engines for eight LNG carriers after a ship owner switched engines last minute. Despite the late order, collaboration ensured construction proceeded smoothly. The X-DF engine, with over 8 million running hours, has become a top choice for LNG carriers.
German container line operator Hapag-Lloyd has successfully implemented Shipshave’s In Transit Cleaning of Hull (ITCH) solution on two container ships, resulting in significant fuel savings and emissions reduction. Collaborating with DNV, the vessels showed improved energy efficiency over 17 months, proving the effectiveness of proactive hull cleaning in reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs, Christos Stylianides, presented a comprehensive plan to revamp the country’s maritime transport system at the OT FORUM. The ambitious strategy involves modernizing ports, renewing ferry fleets, and supporting the maritime cluster. The focus on green initiatives and job creation aligns with Greece’s shift towards sustainable practices in the industry.
Ocean energy startups SwitcH2 and CorPower Ocean are teaming up to create an industrial-scale floating green ammonia production facility powered by wave energy. With support from BW Offshore and Dutch Oceans Capital, this project aims to produce 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually by 2029. The collaboration showcases the potential of wave energy.
The Northern Lights JV has received the first of four CO2 transport ships, the Northern Pioneer, from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC). This vessel is designed to transport liquefied CO2 from Europe to the Northern Lights terminal in Norway. It marks a significant milestone as the first company to offer commercial CO2 transport and storage services.
In November 2024, DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform reported 27 new orders for alternative fueled vessels, primarily driven by LNG with 23 vessels ordered. The container segment led with 15 new orders, while the car carrier segment saw six new LNG-fueled vessels added. Four new orders for ammonia-fueled vessels were also recorded.
The historic Bali Jatra festival, celebrating Odisha’s maritime legacy, made its debut in the UK at Townley Grammar School, Bexley. Hosted by the Odisha Society of United Kingdom (OSUK), the event attracted over 500 attendees, including dignitaries, cultural figures, and community leaders from both the UK and India.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers AS (KNCC) are working together on a constructability study for a 40,000 cbm liquefied CO2 vessel. This vessel will utilize KNCC’s LCO2-EP Cargo Tanks technology, developed with Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., to support CCS projects globally and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
