IMO issues interim guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships’ safety

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has released interim guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1687) for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel, marking a key step in regulatory support for alternative fuels. Finalised by the CCC Sub-Committee and approved at the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) 109, the guidelines provide goal-based provisions, with room for future updates. The Baltic

Higher biofuel blend loads on Type I ships considered by IMO

A proposal to deliver up to 30% biofuel blends on Type I barges is being reviewed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is anticipated to approve it shortly, according to a number of important maritime assessors and classification societies. Since the proposal would enable the sale of B30 utilizing the current fleet of IMO

CIMC Enric to provide methanol fuel supply systems for ships

CIMC Enric’s subsidiary, CIMC Blue Water, announced it will provide methanol fuel supply system to the first batch of 50 inland methanol-powered vessels in China that is currently under construction. At the groundbreaking ceremony, leaders from Zhaoqing Municipal Transportation Bureau, Zhaoqing Haifa Shipping, which is responsible for ship construction, China Classification Society (CCS), and CIMC

ABS partners with HD KSOE for zero-carbon ships

ABS and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the development and certification of innovative systems for next-generation, zero-carbon ships. Entitled “Cooperation on the Advanced Zero-Carbon Ships,” the MOU focuses on integrating advanced technologies in three main areas: a novel liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo handling

ORIX orders 3 next-gen eco-friendly ships

In Japan, ORIX Corporation announced an order for three environmentally friendly ships, including two methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers. The new vessels comply with the International Maritime Organization’s reinforced greenhouse gas reduction targets and meet the Energy Efficiency Design Index Phase 3 standards, which come into effect in 2025. This order represents ORIX’s first foray into

EMSA report analyses safety considerations for hydrogen ships

EMSA has published a report which analyses hydrogen’s main characteristics to frame which safety hazards, system threats and risks to be considered and mitigated when using hydrogen as ship fuel. The purpose of the report is to assist the industry and the regulators towards a safe and harmonised deployment of this relevant technology that could

Nuclear propulsion could transform maritime with emissions-free ships

Nuclear power could transform the maritime industry with emissions-free shipping, whilst extending the life cycle of vessels and removing the uncertainty of fuel and refuelling infrastructure development, but regulation and safety considerations must be addressed for its widespread commercial adoption, reveals Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Fuel for Thought: Nuclear report. The report assesses the opportunity presented

All new ships should be built to a seawater-lubricated sterntubeless ship design

Future newbuild ships of all types should be built without a sterntube and with a seawater-lubricated propeller shaft bearing arrangement, according to Blue Ocean Alliance’s Chris Leontopoulos. Speaking at a recent maritime industry forum in Hamburg, Leontopoulos said the sterntubeless ship design – jointly developed by Blue Ocean Alliance members ABS, Thordon Bearings, Shanghai Merchant

NS United orders methanol newbuild

Japanese owner NS United Kaiun Kaisha has struck a deal with Nihon Shipyard, a joint venture between Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United, for the construction of a methanol dual-fuel newcastlemax bulk carrier. The Tokyo-based bulker giant said the 209,000 dwt vessel would be a next-generation environment-friendly vessel delivered to ship raw materials in Japan

MPCC opts for 2 methanol dual-fuel ships

Norwegian shipping company MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has signed a $55 million pre- and post-delivery ECA-covered financing agreement with Deutsche Bank and SINOSURE for its two dual-fuel methanol newbuildings. The two vessels feature dual-fuel engines that enable operation on green methanol. Thus, this financing has been internally classified by the lender as ‘Sustainable Finance’ as