In a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions in the maritime industry, Svitzer, a leading global towage provider, has partnered with Höegh Autoliners, a prominent global provider of ocean transportation services, to launch Australia’s first sustainable towage service. This innovative collaboration aims to minimize the environmental footprint of towage operations, aligning with the industry’s growing focus on sustainability.
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have successfully negotiated a tentative six-year Master Contract, preventing potential major supply chain disruptions at East and Gulf Coast ports. This agreement comes just days before the critical January 15th deadline and follows a period of uncertainty after a three-day strike in October that ended with a tentative agreement on wage increases and a temporary contract extension.
In a significant move to strengthen its position in underwater monitoring, Kongsberg Discovery has announced the acquisition of Naxys Technologies, a Bergen-based subsea company specializing in technology for recognizing the sound of oil and gas leaks. This strategic acquisition is expected to enhance Kongsberg Discovery’s expertise in passive hydroacoustics and expand its offerings in environmental monitoring for the oil and gas industry.
Introduction
On January 7, 2025, Finnish authorities detained the oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of damaging Baltic Sea cables in December. The vessel, allegedly part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” was found to have “serious deficiencies” during a port state control inspection, leading to its detention. This incident raises concerns about the safety and environmental impact of these vessels, which operate outside of traditional regulatory frameworks.
In a recent development, Finnish maritime authorities have detained the Russian tanker Eagle S following a port state control inspection that revealed numerous serious safety deficiencies. The vessel, suspected of damaging the Estlink2 undersea cable on Christmas Day, has been identified as part of Russia’s sanctions-evading shadow fleet. This article will delve into the details of the inspection, the safety deficiencies found, and the potential impact on the maritime industry.
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) conducted a port state control inspection on the Eagle S, which resulted in the discovery of 32 deficiencies. Three of these deficiencies were severe enough to warrant the ship’s detention. The critical issues involved:
In a pivotal moment for the maritime industry, Van Oord has recently taken delivery of its pioneering offshore installation vessel, Boreas. This methanol-powered behemoth, constructed at China’s Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard, signifies a monumental advancement in offshore wind installation capabilities and environmental sustainability. Let’s explore the technical aspects, capabilities, and impact of the Boreas on the maritime industry.
Named after the Greek god of Northern winds, the Boreas is the world’s largest offshore wind turbine installation vessel. With its colossal dimensions, the vessel spans 175 meters in length and boasts a 155-meter-high boom that can lift over 3,000 tonnes. Its four 126-meter legs enable it to operate in waters up to 70 meters deep, making it perfectly suited for installing powerful 20 MW offshore wind turbines.
As the maritime industry continues to navigate the challenges of decarbonization, shipboard carbon capture technologies have emerged as a potential mid-term solution. However, one of the key considerations in operationalizing these technologies is addressing the offloading of captured CO2. The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has conducted a 9-month study to address this gap in the carbon capture value chain, focusing on the handling and storage of liquefied CO2 (LCO2).
The study, which examines the safe offloading of LCO2 to appropriate infrastructure, considers the existing space constraints at ports and terminals. Researchers have determined that captured CO2 in its liquefied form is likely the most efficient and cost-effective option for onboard storage and transport. The study shortlisted four concepts covering key offloading modalities:
Maritime Industry News and Updates: A Comprehensive Overview
The maritime industry is a complex and dynamic sector that plays a vital role in global trade and commerce. With the increasing demand for efficient and sustainable shipping practices, it is essential to stay informed about the latest developments and trends in the industry. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the recent news and updates in the maritime sector, covering various aspects such as safety, sustainability, and technology.
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Green Marine UK has recently deployed a series of underwater gliders in the North Sea to support a data-collecting exercise led by the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the Met Office. This project aims to improve the collection and distribution of data supporting both weather and ocean forecasts.
On January 4, 2025, Russia declared a regional state of emergency in Crimea due to an oil spill in the Black Sea. This environmental crisis, resulting from a storm that hit two tankers in December 2024, has led to significant contamination and cleanup efforts. The incident underscores the critical importance of maritime safety and environmental protection.