AMOT Appoints Garza as Marine Market Sales Manager

AMOT has announced Gustavo Garza as the new Americas regions sales manager for the marine market. Gustavo obtained his bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University at Galveston. Post-graduation, Gustavo expanded his product knowledge working in the marine, industrial distribution, and oil & gas industries while owning his own real estate investment company. Before joining AMOT, Gustavo shared his passion for sales and engineering at Cummins Southern Plains, Atlas Industrial Supply, and FMC Technologies.

AIDA Cruises to Trial Fuel Cells

The  American/British-owned German cruise line AIDA Cruises announced that it is planning the first practical trial of fuel cells (battery power) aboard an AIDA ship by 2021.The trial will take place in cooperation with Meyer Werft within the scope of the ‘Pa-X-ell 2’ project promoted by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure.The German brand of Carnival Corporation said in a press note that it has been focusing for many years in research into and the…

Setting the Course for Low Carbon Shipping

In a collective call to action for the decarbonization of shipping last year, 34 signatory CEOs from the industry made clear that efforts to significantly lower the carbon footprint of shipping presented “biggest technology challenge in the past 100 years”.This statement was not an exaggeration. In fact, the transition to a low-carbon future will take more than an unprecedented commitment to the research and development that traditionally underpins technological advance. Finding complex solutions that are at once commercially viable…

INSIGHTS: John F. Reinhart, CEO, Virginia Port Authority (VPA)

John F. Reinhart is the CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). He is responsible for the broad programmatic areas of business development and growth, strategic marketing, finance, and operations of Virginia’s marine terminal facilities: Virginia International Gateway, Newport News Marine Terminal, Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Richmond Marine Terminal and the Virginia Inland Port.Under his leadership, the goal has been to…

Shipping Majors Join CargoSmart Digital Initiative

The provider of software-as-a-service based shipping and logistics solutions, CargoSmart has announced the official execution of the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) Services Agreement with shipping majors.According to a statement from the shipment management software company, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, COSCO Shipping Ports (CSP), Hapag-Lloyd, Hutchison Ports, OOCL, Port of Qingdao, PSA International and Shanghai International Port Group have signed up with it.As per the agreement…

Iran Attempts UK Tanker Block, Fails

Britain says it fended off Iranian attempt to block its oil tankerThree Iranian vessels tried to block a British-owned tanker passing through the strait that controls the flow of Middle East oil to the world, but backed off when confronted by a Royal Navy warship, Britain said on Thursday.A week after Britain seized an Iranian tanker accused of violating sanctions on Syria, London said the British Heritage, operated by oil company BP, had been approached in the Strait of Hormuz…

New UK Center for Maritime Innovation

A consortium of British companies, academia and government  formally established a new national center for maritime innovation and technology (MarRI-UK). The center, offering  development opportunities for the UK’s $45B maritime sector, is based at the University of Strathclyde, with hubs to be announced across the UK. The center will provide a collaborative innovation vehicle to jointly tackle innovation and technology challenges.The first area of collaborative focus is Clean…

Export Licensing: Tips U.S. Exporters Shouldn’t Overlook

Export Control Lists Include Key Marine Tech Categories  Each year, the U.S. Department of Commerce receives thousands of inquiries from businesses looking to export, many of which involve licensing questions. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), together with other USG agencies, is responsible for export licensing and controls. BIS export licenses may be required for items (commodities, software, or technology) with proliferation, military, or terrorist uses, or which warrant control for other reasons.

Admiral Schultz Emphasizes Maritime as a Driver of U.S. Commerce

Last month Maritime Reporter & Engineering News was invited to join Admiral Karl Schultz, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, on a trek to New Orleans for an underway tour on board a mid-stream transfer operation in the Mississippi River. As the U.S. inland waterway system has endured historic water levels for more than six months, the destination provided a perfect backdrop to discuss several key messages coming from USCG leadership: the maritime industry’s critical role in facilitating U.S.

NAPA BoD Adds Svensen

NAPA, a maritime software, services, and data analysis provider, has announced the appointment of Tor E. Svensen, Vice President, Marine Technology at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to its board. Svensen has previously served as CEO of DNV GL Maritime, chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and professor at the University of Strathclyde.As CEO of DNV GL Maritime, Svensen helped to outline a consistent vision of shipping's technology-enabled future, which achieved sustained, empirical improvements in safety, sustainability, and efficiency.

CMA CGM to Support Notilo Plus Rollout

The CMA CGM Group will support the financial and industrial development of Notilo Plus, a Marseilles-based start-up specialized in autonomous underwater solutions, in order to help them launch their industrialization.Notilo Plus develops autonomous underwater dronesFounded in 2016 and based in Marseilles and Lyon, Notilo Plus develops autonomous underwater systems featuring artificial intelligence and data enhancement capabilities. It develops “made in France” autonomous solutions targeting the fields of maritime transportation…

ESA to Partner with One Sea Alliance

A Memorandum of Intent covering future collaboration has been signed by the organization orchestrating space programmes for 22 European countries and the coordinators of One Sea, the industry alliance bringing together exponents of autonomous ship technology.The agreement, between One Sea coordinator DIMECC and the European Space Agency (ESA), sets out common objectives to encourage the development of space-based applications to analyse, enable and implement maritime digitalization…

Blockchain Container Completes Maiden Voyage

The Port of Rotterdam has announced that the first paperless and fully door-to-door tracked container, based on blockchain technology, has arrived at the warehouse of Samsung SDS in Tilburg.Last year Dutch bank ABN AMRO collaborated with the Port of Rotterdam and Samsung SDS on a blockchain trade initiative, DELIVER. The DELIVER concept fuels process automation and provides value for all actors in the supply chain.Yesterday, they have successfully tracked and instantly financed a shipping container and the Proof of Concept (PoC) phase is complete.

Massport Board Appoints New CEO

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) picked its port director, Lisa Wieland, to be its next Chief Executive Officer(CEO), bypassing the other finalist, a member of the city's power elite, for one of the most influential public-sector jobs in the state.Board of Directors voted to offer Wieland the position of CEO and Executive Director for a five-year term. Contract negotiations will occur at a later date.The search firm Isaacson, Miller sought a diverse candidate pool for the position and more than 100 applications were received.

Shipping Executives Indicted in the U.S.

An indictment of two Norwegian shipping executives was unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore, the Department of Justice announced.Ingar Skiaker and Øyvind Ervik have been charged with participating in a long-running conspiracy to allocate certain customers and routes, rig bids, and fix prices for the sale of international ocean shipments of roll-on, roll-off cargo to and from the United States and elsewhere, including the Port of Baltimore. A federal grand jury returned the indictment in February 2018.Skiaker and Ervik…

Descartes Acquires STEPcom

Descartes Systems Group (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX), a leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that it has acquired STEPcom, a leading Business-to-Business (“B2B”) supply chain integration network based in Switzerland.STEPcom has connected trading partners to its B2B network for more than 15 years, helping supply chain participants connect, collaborate and seamlessly exchange electronic data. A community of more than 600 customers leverage the STEPcom suite of solutions to automate supply chain processes and streamline a wide array of complex…

Water Outflow on Seaway Now Above 10,400 CMS

The Chamber of Marine Commerce supports the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board’s decision Friday to continue flow rates from the Moses-Saunders dam at 10,400 cubic meters per second (CMS).Maintaining the 10,400 CMS outflow still results in a significant cost to the economy, with an estimated $2.3 million to $3 million in business revenues lost for every day it’s in place due to delays for all ship transits through the Seaway.The Chamber’s ship operators are following…

U.S. Wants 'Reasonable' Trade Deal with China

The United States "is not looking for victory" with China over trade but wants "a sensible deal that addresses the legitimate issues that we have," U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Wednesday."There are some inappropriate activities underway by the Chinese. They must cease. If they do, if we make some redressing of the trade imbalance, then that's a reasonable deal for both parties," Ross told Fox Business Network in an interview.Reporting by Susan Heavey

MBL Wins MIT Solve Challenge

Maritime Blockchain Labs (MBL) and BLOC participated in Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Solve challenge, where tech entrepreneurs to address the world’s most pressing problems."BLOC and MBL participated in the challenge on coastal communities on how to mitigate and adapt to climate change while developing and prospering," said a press release."We are extremely proud to be part of the Solver class of this challenge, and are looking forward to the future collaboration with MIT…

Shipping Giants May Miss Climate Targets

A new report says shipping companies failing to push for the critical technologies required to reduce their carbon footprint, such as emission-free ships.CDP, an international non-profit that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, said that the world’s shipping heavyweights are not investing in key technologies to reduce their carbon footprint, with the sector at risk of not meeting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) targets to…

IMO 2020: Hydrogen's Future in Maritime

Hydrogen fuel cell technology to Satisfy Future IMO RequirementsWith an ongoing push by the maritime community to reduce ship emissions to satisfy IMO MARPOL Annex VI regulations and limit the sulfur content of ships from 01 January 2020 to 0.5 percent world-wide, many ship owners are starting to consider hydrogen fuel cell technology to satisfy evolving emissions regulations. To date, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on research programs to utilize hydrogen fuel cells for transportation.

Day of the Seafarer June 25th, 2019: A message from Wallem

If global trade is the engine of economic growth, shipping is the cylinder oil that keeps the engine running. However, the people who make this – our – industry work are almost invisible, as they labour unseen beyond the horizon and out of mind.For this reason, the Day of the Seafarer should be applauded for encouraging us to pause and reflect on the importance of deck officers, engineers and everyone else on whom the industry relies to ensure cargoes are delivered safely and…

China, U.S. Trade Officials Talk Shead of Trump-Xi Meeting

Senior Chinese and U.S. trade officials spoke by telephone on Monday ahead of talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump set for later this week, as the world's two largest economies remain locked in a tariff war.Trump and Xi are expected to meet on the second day of the Friday-Saturday Group of 20 summit in Japan, the first face-to-face meeting for the leaders since trade talks broke off in May.Chinese Vice Premier Liu He held a phone conversation with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S.

World's Longest Wind Turbine Blade Debuts

The American supplier of rotor blades to the wind industry LM Wind Power, part of GE Renewable Energy, has displayed its first 107-meter blade, for GE’s Haliade-X 12 MW wind turbine, which has made its first trip outside its factory in Cherbourg, France.The LM 107.0 P is the first ever wind turbine blade to surpass 100 meters in length, said a press release from the wind turbine blades manufacturer.Final preparations for shipment of the blade are now underway.GE Renewable Energy…

Fuel Tech in Spotlight at ABS HTC

Dual fuel engines, alternative fuels and new energy sources led the discussion at the ABS Hellenic Technical Committee (HTC).More than 40 leaders from the Greek shipping industry representing owners, operators and technical professionals debated the impact of new technologies.Delegates had the opportunity to give direct technical feedback on a range of areas ranging from slow steaming, future fuels, cyber security and condition-based maintenance, as well as ABS Rules thanks to ABS Interactive Polling Software.

AAPA Selects Christopher Connor as its New CEO

Former ocean carrier executive is association’s unanimous choice.The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas, announced today that it has unanimously chosen Christopher J. Connor as the association’s next president and chief executive officer.Mr. Connor, the former Global CEO of Wallenius Wilhemsen Logistics (WWL) will begin transitioning into his new role on September 23, eventually succeeding Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO since 1995.Mr.

Samson Appoints Rheault as President & CEO

Samson, a worldwide leader in performance cordage, announces the appointment of Christian Rheault as CEO, effective July 1, 2019.Rheault comes to Samson with a strong combination of multinational experience. Most recently he was CEO of Greene, Tweed, a US-based global supplier of custom sealing engineered solutions for aerospace, oilfield, semiconductor, petrochemical, and power. Prior to that, he was CEO of C&D Technologies, a company that manufactures systems for energy storage in standby backup power systems.

Anti-terror Boat Stopping technology makes waves

A British company’s boat stopping systems which can quickly stop boats used in terrorism and narco trafficking without harming the boat or its passengers is making waves.Security Equipment specialists, BCB International Ltd,  have developed a new range of boat stopping systems which use compressed air and specialized vessel disabling projectiles. BCB International Boss, Andrew Howell, said: ”BCB’s boat stopping systems were inspired by the police road stingers used to stop speeding and runaway cars.

LiUP Crane Driver Elevator for Mobile Harbor Cranes

Liebherr Maritime presents its new LiUP crane driver elevator for mobile harbour cranes at this year’s terminal operator trade fair, TOC Europe. The in-house developed lift has an innovative drive technology and is powered by an electric motor with lithium-ion battery and energy recovery function.The inhouse developed Liebherr crane driver elevator LiUP is designed to transport the operator in a save and efficient way to his workplace. The LiUP saves the drivers energy and time compared to climbing up several stairs.

Haugen Joins Pacific Green Exec Team

Pacific Green Technologies Inc. (PGTK), owner of the ENVI-Marine and ENVI-Clean Exhaust Gas Scrubbing Systems, appointed Atle Haugen as Sales Director, Marine Direct Sales.Haugen joins from the international exhaust gas scrubbing business, Clean Marine AS, where for the last six years he led sales in the Americas and Europe.Along with PGTK’s new Vice President, Marine Direct Sales, Frode Helland-Evebo, Haugen was responsible for fast sales growth and helping to establish Clean Marine as one of the world’s largest scrubber manufacturers.

Deal inked to Develop Digital Ships

DSME, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, NAPA and AVL announced a strategic cooperation agreement to develop digital ships and related strategic solutions. The agreement combines vast experience in naval architecture, shipbuilding, engines, big data and software development, and will cover all aspects of creating comprehensive digital twins: from the acquisition and processing of quality engine room data, ship performance and meteorological data to the training, simulation and…

Book Review: Getting Down to It; 50 Years of Subsea Success in Norway

The Norwegian Continental Shelf’s journey from the very first basic marinized subsea trees to today’s complex and sophisticated subsea processing equipment has been a rapid, at times turbulent, but always remarkable.There are many engineers who have seen through that journey, from the first exploration wells using Norwegian rigs in the mid-1970s to today. One has now written the history of subsea technology in Norway and this year’s Underwater Technology Conference (UTC) has been chosen for its launch…

Carbon Trust: Contest to spur Emission Reduction Tech

The Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) launched a competition to accelerate the development of technologies with the potential to reduce vessel emissions and fuel consumption.Up to $127,000 in funding will be awarded to the winning technologies, from a total funding pot of $381,000, to support technology development or demonstration.The OWA Low Emission Vessels competition will focus on innovations for Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). Designs submitted to the competition will be assessed for overall cost…

Kalmar Unveils New Eco-Friendly Battery

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has announced it will introduce a medium electric forklift powered by emission-free lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, as part of its efforts to offer an electric version of every product in its portfolio by 2021.It is the first forklift in the medium-capacity range to be powered by Li-ion batteries, and the battery technology will initially be available for several models with a wheelbase of 3,500 mm. Kalmar has a long and proud history in the electric equipment arena…

GAC Mulls Expansion

The shipping & logistics company GAC is tapping into the growing contract logistics business potential of the Asia Pacific, Indian Subcontinent and Middle East, with plans to further develop and expand in its operations in the regions.That was the message Lars Bergström, GAC’s Group Vice President for Asia Pacific & Indian Subcontinent, had for the Group’s Contract Logistics Solutions experts who gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to chart GAC’s strategy to increase its share of the business in their regions.

Kalmar Showcases Eco-Efficient Future

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, will focus on driving the eco-efficiency of terminal operations at this year's TOC Europe, which will be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on 18-20 June 2019.Kalmar will be showcasing its entire Eco Range - a wide portfolio of products and services that are designed to cut emissions in cargo handling operations. Several demos and collaborative sessions will be organised at the Kalmar stand to highlight the theme "Together for an eco-efficient future".Kalmar has been developing eco-efficient…

Using Technology to Streamline Operations in Container Shipping

That ‘Cloud’ on the horizon is closer than it looks.The container shipping industry faces many challenges, particularly when it comes to increasing uncertainty in the global political and economic environment. The issues between the US and China over trade relations and Brexit in Europe are testing the industry, plus increased regulations and market fluctuations are having a big impact.How container shipping companies operate now and in the future is changing and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for survival.

USDOT: Biggest Advance at Seaway Ever Now Complete

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Hands-Free Mooring Technology Fully Operational at all St. Lawrence Seaway Locks.The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) today announced that Hands-Free Mooring (HFM) technology is fully deployed throughout the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The new technology revolutionizes the method for locking vessels through the Seaway and is the most important technological advance since the Seaway’s opening in 1959.“This new technology is a significant modernization of the St.

New Partners in Autonomous Shipping Alliance

Three 'influencers' in the international maritime sector have joined One Sea,  the industry alliance that brings together leading exponents of autonomous ship technology.Global satellite group Inmarsat and NYK Group research subsidiary MTI (Monohakobi Technology Institute) have joined One Sea as full members, while the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become a One Sea associate member.One Sea members ABB, Kongsberg Maritime and Wärtsilä ran separate autonomous ship trials off the Finnish and Norwegian coasts at the end of 2018.

ABS Plots Course to Low Carbon Shipping

ABS has launched its Low Carbon Shipping Outlook to help the maritime sector evaluate potential pathways to low carbon shipping.The Outlook defines ship technologies, operational efficiencies and alternative fuels and energy sources needed to reach 2030 and 2050 targets, noting specifically:2030 targets can be met through operational measures and efficiencies driven by connectivity and data analytics and energy efficient designs.Fuels are in focus to get to 2050. The conceptual…

China Urges Dialogue, Negotiations to Solve US Trade Row

China's commerce ministry on Tuesday urged dialogue and negotiation to solve trade differences with the United States.It is common to make revisions, suggestions and adjustments in trade negotiations, it said in a statement in response to U.S. government comments that China was pursuing a "blame game".Reporting by Reuters Hong Kong and Beijing newsrooms

DNV GL Appoints New Digital Solutions CEO

Kenneth Vareide has been appointed the CEO of DNV GL’s Digital Solutions business area, which is a provider of solutions for managing risk and improving asset performance.Its services are used primarily by the oil & gas, energy, renewable and maritime industries and it consists of close to 1,000 digital experts. Vareide joined DNV GL as a trainee in 1996 and most recently held the position of Digital Director in business area Maritime.“DNV GL has been a digital pioneer since the 1960s and it is an exciting and challenging time to pick up the CEO’s baton…

Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Shipping: We need Icebreakers

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence shipping industry is calling for at least five new icebreakers to be part of the federal government’s recent announcement of $15.7 billion for Canadian Coast Guard fleet renewal.Chamber of Marine Commerce President Bruce Burrows will be in attendance as the Coast Guard dedicates the Captain Molly Kool into service at its home port of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Captain Molly Kool was recently retrofitted to provide services along the East Coast.

Interview: Sebastiaan Bleuanus, Wärtsilä

The May 2019 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News features a 10-page feature section on "Thought Leadership" in the marine power sector. Here we extract and present the interview with Sebastiaan Bleuanus, GM for research coordination and funding, Wärtsilä.Please put in perspective and discuss the current environment and pressure to reduce emissions in the maritime industry.The last 15 years have seen a shift in legislative focus in two main areas; a tightening of the…

Dublin Get Kalmar AutoRTG Cranes

The cargo handling solutions and services provider, Kalmar has concluded an agreement with Dublin Ferryport Terminals (DFT) to extend the Kalmar AutoRTG system at the terminal with two new AutoRTG cranes.The order was booked in Cargotec's 2019 Q2 order intake, with delivery of the machines scheduled to be completed during Q2 of 2020, Kalmar, part of Cargotec, said. Part of the container and terminal division of Irish Continental Group, DFT operates the most modern container terminal at Dublin Port, with an annual throughput of approximately 380,000 TEU.

Port of Kiel Enables Emission-Free Berthing

The Port of Kiel’s first shore-based power supply plant for shipping was officially inaugurated at the Norwegenkai on May 9th, said the Baltic region port.With immediate effect, the Color Line’s big cruise-ferries can now be supplied with emission-free electric power from on shore.Minister-President of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Günther said: “By using power from on shore we are reducing to zero the emission of harmful substances as well as of greenhouse gas-es during the time ships are berthed in the port.

New CEO of Humphree Appointed

Volvo Penta has announced that Hannes Norrgren has been appointed the new CEO of Humphree.In 2016, Volvo Penta became a majority shareholder of Swedish marine technology provider Humphree, which specializes in trim and stabilization systems for boat control.This collaboration has allowed Volvo Penta to extend its range of boat dynamics solutions with new trim and stabilization functions, allowed Humphree to access a greater client base, and benefited marine leisure and commercial…

Propeller Club Names Cullather as EVP

The Board of Directors of the International Propeller Club of the United States has selected Mr. John M. Cullather as its new Executive Vice President.In the role of Executive Vice President, he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the International Propeller Club, will oversee all activities and functions of the International Propeller Club of the United States, and will serve as the primary liaison to the Club’s 70 port chapters worldwide. Along with the Board of Directors…

Trump to Meet with GOP Senators on Jones Act

President Donald Trump is set to meet with Republican senators on Wednesday over a proposal to waive rules that only U.S.-flagged ships can move natural gas from American ports to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Northeast.The nearly 100-year-old Jones Act mandates the use of U.S.-flagged vessels to transport merchandise between U.S. coasts. Bloomberg News reported last week the administration was seriously considering waiving the requirements for some energy shipments and that Trump…

SCPA taps NASCENT enVision for Wando Gates

NASCENT Technology, a  provider of gate systems and related technologies, has announced that South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) has selected NASCENT's SYNAPSE advanced Gate System, in combination with the company's enVision OCR Portal offerings, to facilitate gate processing for the CCM chassis yard at its Wando Terminal.As part of its commitment to efficiently handle container volume growth at the Wando Terminal, SCPA is implementing the gate system with advanced OCR and imaging technologies to streamline the new chassis yard operation.

CMA CGM Launches eSolutions

Global shipping group CMA CGM has launched CMA CGM eSolutions, a digital system which enables its customers to manage the transport of their goods entirely via a digital interface.The digital eco-system comprising an online agency and other eCommerce channels such as Electronic Data Interchanges (EDI) and Application Programming Interfaces (API), which allow the digital transmission of relevant information and data between CMA CGM and its customers, it said in a press release.A large majority of the CMA CGM Group’s bookings are made via its eCommerce solutions…

CPA Opens New Round of SHIPP Grants

The Connecticut Port Authority (CPA) issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for project funding under the Small Harbor Improvement Projects Program (SHIPP), a competitive grant program managed by the CPA. Under SHIPP, Connecticut municipalities and other properties, in or adjacent to waters of the state, may apply for matching funds to conduct a project that improves the infrastructure or management of their local waterway.The actual selection of grant recipients will take place…

US Officials in China Trade Talks Next Week

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will travel to Beijing for trade talks beginning on April 30, the White House said in a statement on Tuesday.It said Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who will lead the Beijing talks for China, will also travel to Washington for more discussions starting on May 8."The subjects of next week's discussions will cover trade issues including intellectual property, forced technology transfer, non-tariff barriers…

VT Halter Wins Historic $746m CG Contract

VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, MS has emerged the victor in one of the most prized and coveted shipbuilding contracts in recent memory, a $746m deal to build the Coast Guard's lead Polar Security Cutter. If two additional ship options are exercised, the total deal could approach $2B.The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, through an Integrated Program Office (IPO), awarded VT Halter Marine Inc., of Pascagoula, Mississippi, a fixed price incentive (firm) contract for the Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) of the Coast Guard’s lead Polar Security Cutter (PSC).

DP World, SMS Launch Boxbay

Global ports operator DP World and industrial engineering firm SMS Group announced "Boxbay", a new and 'smart' shipping container storage system that aims to change the way that containers are handled in ports.The patented design and rack structure of the system creates unique advantages with containers stored up to eleven stories high, delivering the capacity of a conventional terminal in a third of the surface area.By being fully automated it has direct access to each container, eliminating unpaid and unproductive reshuffling.

Frank Coles Charts New Strategy for Wallem

The maritime solutions company with expertise in ship management Wallem said that it  has updated its corporate identity to mark the beginning of a shift in its service offering that will harness the latest technology to improve asset management transparency and efficiency in a program intended to transform the relationship between owners and their shipsHong Kong headquartered Wallem Group is changing itself and its brand to support the maritime industry as it undergoes a structural…

New Concept Guides the Way to Emission-Free Cruises

The cruise industry is facing more stringent requirements and regulations to emissions. In partnership with leading cruise lines, Norwegian technology suppliers have now developed a concept for zero-emission cruising.The concept has been developed in cooperation with Eker Design, cruise giants Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, technology suppliers in the industry cluster NCE Maritime CleanTech and various interest organisations.Norwegian companies are world-leading in the development of maritime environmental technology.

Singapore Remains Top Maritime Capital

Singapore has been ranked the world's top maritime capital for the fourth consecutive time in the Leading Maritime Capitals of the World (LMC) report. The Leading Maritime Capitals report for 2019 is with fresh insight on which maritime metropolises provide the best support for companies in shipping and related services.Criteria include soft and hard infrastructure and access to world-class talent and services – all key components that maritime businesses need to thrive in their chosen locations.Singapore maintained its top position at the head of the 15 leading maritime capitals.

Maersk Mulls Trade Financing Growth in India

Shipping major AP Moller-Maersk Group's export-import (exim)-focused trade finance arm Maersk Trade Finance is targeting a 33 percent loan disbursal growth at $200 million in 2019 in India.The trade financing solution arm of Danish business conglomerate said that it disbursed a total of USD 0.7 billion globally till date since its inception in 2015, with over 150 million in India in the year 2018, a 53% Y-o-Y increase as compared to 2017.Vipul Sardana, Global Head of Maersk Trade Finance said “Indian SME sector continues to play a significant role in India's economic development.

Wärtsilä Launches High Resolution Radar

The technology group Wärtsilä has launched its RS24 high resolution radar, the world’s first commercially available K-band maritime radar. By detecting far smaller objects and at a much higher radar resolution than conventional S or X-band radars, the RS24 enables small vessels and other potential hazards close to large ships to be visible. This promotes safety, especially in congested shipping lanes and busy ports. The technology has been developed by Guidance Marine, a Wärtsilä company.The first orders for the Wärtsilä RS24 have been received and delivered…