The Seafarer Connect initiative has marked a milestone with its 50th Wi-Fi unit installation at Australian ports, enhancing internet access for seafarers. Operated by the Tas Bull Seafarers Foundation, this program provides free connectivity, enabling crew members to connect with family, manage finances, and access telehealth services while docked.
A fire aboard the dredging vessel Stuyvesant last November resulted in the tragic death of a crew member and $18 million in damages. Investigators attributed the blaze to preventable oversights during maintenance, particularly failing to reinstall a lube oil filter housing plug, which ignited upon contact with hot engine surfaces.
Women from across the Caribbean gathered in Paramaribo, Suriname, from November 3 to 5 for a workshop organized by the Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean (WiMAC). With 34 participants from 12 countries, the event focused on strategic tools for financial sustainability, leadership development, and fostering gender-responsive funding models in the maritime sector.
The EU vessel ESPS Victoria successfully reached the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite, hijacked by pirates off Somalia. All 24 crew members were found safe, as confirmed by Diaplous Group. The ESPS Victoria will remain with the tanker until it can navigate independently, highlighting ongoing piracy concerns in the region.
Ten organizations, including MTI Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, launched the “Development of Integrated Simulation Platform for Sustainable and Competitive Maritime Industry” on October 1, 2025. This initiative aims to create next-generation vessels using advanced digital solutions, enhancing navigation safety and aligning with Japan’s maritime technology innovation goals.
The European Commission has launched a €2.9 billion initiative to enhance investments in green fuels by 2027, targeting aviation and maritime sectors, which account for 26.4% of the EU’s transport emissions. By 2035, 20 million tonnes of sustainable fuels will be needed, necessitating €100 billion in investments to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
MarTrust, a prominent crew payments provider serving over 150,000 seafarers, has announced a partnership with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and…
Maritime technology firm Orca AI has launched Co-Captain, a feature that facilitates real-time data sharing among 1,000 equipped vessels. Utilizing advanced computer vision, it enhances situational awareness by monitoring high-risk targets and triggering alerts for congested waters and severe weather. This innovation improves navigational safety while prioritizing data privacy.
Accelleron has teamed up with Hyundai Marine Solution (HMS) to enhance digital solutions for the maritime sector, focusing on engine and turbocharger optimization. Their collaboration integrates HMS’s Integrated Smart Ship Solution (ISS 2.0) and AI-driven emissions monitoring system, OceanWise, with Accelleron’s LOREKA360° Tekomar XPERT for real-time performance assessments.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will launch a digital platform in 2026 to modernize cadet training and assessment, moving away from paper methods. This platform will use technology to simulate real-life scenarios, enhancing skills in digital navigation, cybersecurity, and data management, while streamlining progress tracking through a cloud-based app.
Bureau Veritas has partnered with thirty European companies from the nuclear and maritime sectors to advance nuclear technology in maritime applications. This initiative, formalized in a declaration signed in Paris, aims to address challenges and promote sustainable energy solutions, emphasizing the significance of small modular reactors for decarbonization efforts.
The arrival of the MV Capetan Vassilis II at Deendayal Port marks a transformative moment for India’s maritime logistics. As the first Premium Products Vessel, it shifts agri-input transport from traditional containers to bulk cargo, enhancing supply chain efficiency, reducing turnaround times, and ultimately improving product availability for farmers nationwide.
A global alliance is driving the decarbonization and digitization of the shipping industry. Lloyd’s Register, COSCO Shipping Group, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the University of Southampton have launched the International Innovation Center for Future Maritime Technologies. This center will develop intelligent ships and emission-free navigation systems through collaborative research.
Northern Marine Management Ltd (NMM) is enhancing crew welfare by installing Inmarsat Maritime’s NexusWave on select Stena Bulk and Proman Stena Bulk vessels. This initiative aims to provide high-speed internet for better talent attraction, enabling seafarers to connect with family and engage in remote learning, thus improving both well-being and operational performance.
ABS and the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the international standardization of smart ship and shipyard technologies. This collaboration aims to enhance shipbuilding practices, streamline certification processes, and develop a conformity assessment framework, benefiting the maritime industry and equipment manufacturers in Korea.
