Leading naval architecture and marine engineering company Foreship Ltd confirms that draught surveys employing drones improve the accuracy of readings as well as the speed and safety of the survey process. Following successful trials, Foreship has added the method to its service offering.

Bollinger Shipyards LLC (“Bollinger”) has delivered the USCGC CHARLES MOULTHROPE to the U.S. Coast Guard in Key West, Florida. This is the 164th vessel Bollinger has delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard over a 35-year period and the 41^st Fast Response Cutter (“FRC”) delivered under the current program.

Leading boat launch and recovery systems supplier Vestdavit has secured a far-reaching frame agreement to provide service, support and spares for the variety of marine davits it has supplied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
 

Inmarsat, a world leader in global mobile satellite communications, and Cobham SATCOM, a market leading provider of radio and satellite communications solutions, have been awarded a new contract to connect 732 fishing vessels active in the Maldives Economic Exclusion Zone to Inmarsat’s Fleet One maritime broadband services.

On October 22, 2020, the hull of the ‘National Geographic Resolution’, a polar expedition cruise vessel for Lindblad Expeditions, arrived at the Ulstein Verft shipyard in Norway. Comprehensive outfitting work will now commence.

For the time being, expedition cruising is on hold, due to the worldwide Covid-19 situation. The ‘National Geographic Resolution’ is still planned for delivery in 2021. 

The hull will be transferred to the yard’s dock hall, where insulation work, electrical installations and hotel outfitting will commence. All major equipment including engines and thrusters were installed in Poland Quayside at Ulstein Verft is currently also her sister vessel, the ‘National Geographic Endurance’, which was delivered in March this year and will make her inaugural voyage when Lindblad reactivates travel. 

Different in looks and behavior

Cruise enthusiasts around the world are following these two projects eagerly. The looks are very different from other cruise vessels, the X-BOW hull being a very visible design feature, originally developed for offshore vessels operating in the roughest areas of the world. The X-BOW is ploughing through the waves, reducing slamming and the vibrations caused by the sea, and thereby increasing the on-board comfort. The ‘Resolution’ is optimized for low impact on the nature. A smoother ride leads to reduced fuel consumption and thereby a decrease in harmful local emissions.

Another aspect with the X-BOW® is the unobstructed view which enables optimal wildlife observations. The design enables forward and straight down-the sides viewing.

The ‘Resolution’ offers much space for the passengers to give them the expedition of their lives. The vessel measures 124.4 meters and has accommodation for only 126 guests. The 69 spacious guest cabins and suites will include 12 cabins for solo travelers.

The ship will afford gracious comfort and an unparalleled level of service, with the highest comfort class for guests to ensure a quiet and peaceful environment onboard. The spa and fitness area will include treatment rooms, saunas, a fitness room, a relaxation area and yoga room; and there will be two infinity hot pools for the utmost relaxation in pristine environments. Dining offerings include a main restaurant with outstanding views to the surroundings, and an outdoor barbeque and bistro area.

The ‘National Geographic Resolution’. Credit: Oclin/Ulstein

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. is an expedition travel company that works in partnership with National Geographic to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marine expedition programs and to promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. The partnership’s educationally oriented voyages allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools. In 2019 Lindblad became a carbon neutral company, offsetting the carbon emissions of their fleet, employee travel worldwide, offices in New York and Seattle, all land-based operations, and beyond.

ULSTEIN is headquartered in Ulsteinvik, Norway, delivering products and services within ship design, shipbuilding and equipment packages to the international market. For more than 100 years they have created tomorrow’s solutions for sustainable marine operations together with their partners. Since its introduction in 2005, more than 100 X-BOW® vessel designs have been delivered from Ulstein Group. 

Hyundai Global Services (HGS) has announced the signing of a contract to deliver its Smart Ship and Satellite Communications package to KSS Line shipping fleet supported by Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress and digital solution Fleet Connect.

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) has just signed a new contract with the maritime services and solutions provider MacGregor to deliver a Pile Gripper Guidance System (PGGS) for the OHT Alfa Lift.

Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract with Tersan Shipyard, Turkey, to equip an 86m stern trawler with a large winch package for Faroe Islands fishing fleet operator JFK.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has received a significant order for delivery of the mission-critical system to be installed on the OHT offshore wind foundation installation vessel, Alfa Lift, being built at the China Merchants Heavy Industry shipyard in Jiangsu, China.

Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract for the supply of cargo handling and fuel supply system for two new 98,000 cbm Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC) being built at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) shipyard in South Korea, with an option for a third vessel.

OneOcean, the global leader in compliance and navigation services for the maritime industry, is announcing the launch of LogCentral. This secure, easy-to-apply digital tool makes collecting and sharing vessel data simple, quick and requires no training to use.

MAN Energy Solutions has announced the latest order for its MAN 175D four-stroke engine in connection with the building of four corvettes for the Finnish Navy. Each of the four ships will be equipped with 4 × MAN 12V175D-MEL GenSets with a total output of 7,700 kW (4 × 1920 kW) – in total, 16 GenSets.

Leading international shipping insurer North P&I Club has launched a new marine risk awareness solution, hosted on its market leading interactive MyGlobeView digital platform.

Kongsberg Digital’s acclaimed K-Sim Fishery simulator training solution has secured an important industry accolade by winning the SAFETY4SEA 2020 Training Award. After being shortlisted back in July, K-Sim Fishery was voted into first place by a substantial number of instructors and students who have been impressed by this vessel-specific training resource.

In April 2019 the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA’s) Marine Division Management Committee set up a workgroup to focus on developing a code of practice for offshore pipelines and umbilical installation systems.

Ship repair activity at Gibdock has continued to be rock solid, despite uncertainties through the first three quarters of 2020 relating to Covid-19 and Brexit. Occupancy levels remain high, contracts continue to be agreed and scheduled dry dockings are already booked into 2021, the Gibraltar-based yard reports.