Wärtsilä has launched NTPRO 7, an innovative bridge and ship-handling simulator designed to modernize maritime training. This advanced platform enhances realism with features like RealSea visualization and AI-driven voice recognition, equipping crews for contemporary challenges. NTPRO 7 will be commercially available starting May 2026, following extensive testing and compliance certification.
The captain of the Ro-Pax ferry Queen Jenuvia II faces criticism for his absence from the bridge during over 1,000 crossings in narrow waters. The grounding on November 19, 2024, raises safety concerns about operational protocols, highlighting the need for strict adherence to navigation responsibilities to ensure passenger safety.
The NTSB reported that a loose wire caused a power failure on the cargo ship Dali, leading to a crash into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024, resulting in six fatalities. Urgent safety assessments of 68 bridges across 19 states are now underway, with significant costs and delays anticipated.
The NTSB found that a crane’s collision with the Mackinac Bridge was due to incorrect height estimation. The towing vessel’s crew visually estimated the crane’s angle to be safe for passage, but it was actually too high. Lack of proper navigation assessment and verification of safety procedures contributed to the incident.
For the second time this year, a cargo vessel in Rotterdam collided with a bridge, causing containers from MSC and Maersk to fall into the River Maas. Officials suspect the captain misjudged the clearance. Five containers were lost, some floating towards another bridge. The incident raises concerns about vessel safety in the area.
The Federal navigation channel for Baltimore Harbor was fully restored just 76 days after the Dali ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The US Army Corp of Engineers confirmed the restoration of the 700-foot wide and 50-foot-deep channel after extensive underwater surveys. Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon commended the unified efforts that led to the reopening of the Federal Channel for port operations.
A cargo ship named Samuda-1 drifted out of control in Chattogram, Bangladesh, hitting the Kalurghat Railway Bridge. Eyewitnesses reported strong winds as the ship floated from a nearby shipyard. Officials are investigating if the ship broke away from its moorings or if it was a helmsman error. Salvage efforts are underway.
