Maine Maritime Academy and a San Diego-based company plan to conduct some marine industry-first trials on an emerging electric battery technology that could help stabilize the energy grid at peak demand.

Pan Pacific Copper Corporation, a group company of JX Nippon Mining & Metals, has reached an agreement with the mining company BHP, and Norsepower to conduct a technical assessment and plan to install a wind-assisted Rotor Sail system on M/V “KORYU”.

Keppel Offshore and Marine (Keppel O&M) is pushing the quest for digitalization to new heights after adopting a 5G enabled smart glasses solution that will empower workers at its yard in Singapore with real-time support and augmented work instructions.The company, which is putting digitalization to the core of its operations, has partnered with telecom firm M1 Limited (M1) to implement a 5G augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) smart glasses system. 

HD Hyundai, South Korea’s shipbuilding giant, reported through its technology company Avikus that it has received the first order for advanced automation systems to be installed on large, ocean-going vessels. Two regional South Korean shipping companies placed the combined order for the new system that was demonstrated earlier this year assisting an LNG carrier on the first automated transpacific voyage.

The first-ever, high-capacity, electric, shore power station for vessels using the tidal Thames is due to come on stream next year, in a deal engineered by the Port of London Authority (PLA).

A group of Japanese technology leaders (1) have come together to establish a cooperation program called “Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering” (MODE), at the University of Tokyo from the 1st of October. The program aims to promote and enhance digital engineering technology and skills for the maritime sector by building cooperative simulation platforms.

Uncrewed offshore survey and inspection company Nauticus Robotics has reached an agreement with Shell on a program to develop and mature its systems for inspecting subsea infrastructure. Working with inspection tooling service providers, Shell and Nauticus will work on operational qualification for Nauticus' Aquanaut and Hydronaut autonomous platforms. 

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, which has already been actively pursuing wind-assisted propulsion and fluid dynamics for improved performance, will now join a joint research effort for the application of aerospace engineering technologies to improve the performance of wind-powered vessels. One of Japan’s leading shipping companies, MOL is proactively working to use technological developments to reduce GHG emissions from its vessels and achieve group-wide net zero emissions by 2050.

In the last year, Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc, has started commissioning the submarine cable industry’s #1 cable installation software, MakaiLay, on E-marine PJSC’s cable installation and repair vessels.

Advancing technology is enhancing maritime safety but shipping needs greater transparency, distress call interoperability, updated training and better crew retention to verify continuous improvement.