Marine Transportation

Update on Department of Transportation Projects

In between an important, symbolic landing at the runway of the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay, and its inspection, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade was able to participate virtually in the Megaworld International Philippine Property Expo 2021 today, 30-July-2021, to give a bird’s eye view of the revolutionary transport infrastructure programs, projects, and initiatives rolling out in…

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Methanol as Marine Fuel

Very large fuel tankers run on heavy fuel oil (HFO) mainly because of its low price but HFO emits a  substantial amount of greenhouse gas (GHG). Cleaner ways of reducing emissions include shifting to alternative fuels like LNG, biogas, methanol, wind, hybrid-electric, fully electric, fuel cells, or by lowering speed. The Paris Agreement and agreements within the IMO mandate that…


New Poll: Majority of Americans Would Change Where They Shop to Support Cleaner Ships

A new poll conducted for Pacific Environment by Yale University, George Mason University, and Climate Nexus finds that nearly three-quarters (74%) of American voters would be more likely to shop at companies that use cleaner ways to ship their goods. The poll finds that 70% of American voters would continue to shop at these brands even if using clean ships…


Market Expansion and Diversification Over The Past Decade: What’s Next for LNG?

Using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a marine fuel is a sensible strategy amid tightening regulations, new economic realities and the development of the new zero carbon fuels of the future, says Panos Mitrou, Head of Gas, Lloyd’s Register (LR). Panos Mitrou, LR’s Global Gas Segment Manager, has been dealing with LNG as fuel for the past eight years. Over…


Vessel Call Optimization

Many actors including those[1] who participated in the recently published guide on “Just In Time” acknowledged the need for improved communication between ship and shore-side. Although, the guide focuses only on ships that sometimes wait due to the lack of updates from port stakeholders, it is also important and fair to remind that cooperation between shipping lines and port terminals…


Reefer Shipping to Outpace Dry Cargo Trade Despite Container Shortages

Growth in seaborne perishable cargo slowed in 2019 but is forecast to better weather the COVID-19 induced economic storm than the dry cargo trade given the broader resilience of the food supply chain. Meanwhile, availability of refrigerated container equipment is forecast to tighten as buoyant trade and continued modal shift boost expansion in reefer cargo carried by containerships, according to…


Marine Lubricants Market to Brace Itself for Robust Growth

At a time when maritime transport has become the backbone of international trade, marine lubricants have gained significant traction. Given that around 80% of global trade by volume and more than 70% of global trade by value are handled by ports and undertaken at sea, developing and developed economies have upped their investments in marine lubricants. With the share of…


Bloom, Samsung Sign Deal to Develop Ships Powered by Fuel Cells Fed by LNG

Bloom Energy and South Korea-based Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) signed a joint development agreement to design and develop fuel cell-powered ships. The two companies will work together to use Bloom fuel cells to cut emissions on ships, a sizable source of pollution. The fuel cells would produce electricity that would power the ships via liquefied natural gas (LNG). Bloom’s main…


Innovative Engineless Sail Cargo Ship Next Step in Maritime Transition

On Friday 24-July-2020 at the Maritiem Museum Rotterdam the half hull model of the EcoClipper500 has been handed over to the founder of the EcoClipper B.V. shipping company: Captain Jorne Langelaan, by the constructor, ship carpenter Leo Boogerd in cooperation with Bert van Baar of the Bootbouwschool and Cadhead’s Marijke de Jong. The building of this half hull model is…


Reemergence of Floating Storage Tankers

Amidst the global economic standstill due to the pandemic, a tremendous glut in crude oil supply resulted, and consequently, oil prices plunged. This boded well for the oil tanker industry. But effective May 1, oil producing countries have begun to lower output to reduce the over supply of crude oil. As a result, the price of crude oil has doubled,…


Three Reasons Why Filipino Seafarers are the Happiest Crew

Seafarers from the Philippines are the most satisfied seafarer group by nationality serving onboard ships, as shown by the SAFETY4SEA Crew Wellness survey. The difference with the other nationalities was actually so wide that it could lead us to assume that there is a correlation between nationality and happiness onboard. The SAFETY4SEA survey took place in Q4 2019, gathering responses…


BMW joins UECC and GoodShipping Biofuel Trials on RORO Car Carriers for CO2 Reduction

After having announced their three-month biofuel trial, leading short-sea shipowner United European Car Carriers (UECC) and the GoodShipping Program have now partnered with premium car manufacturer BMW Group to continue to test marine Bio Fuel Oil (BFO) on UECC’s “roll on, roll off’ (RORO) car carrying vessels. BMW Group joins UECC and the GoodShipping Program in the previously announced trial,…


Zero-Emission Shipping: What’s in it for Developing Countries?

Emissions from ships are heavy contributors to global climate change and local air pollution, putting pressure on the environment and humans. A new generation of bunker fuels, called zero-emission fuels, can help to address this challenge while also creating a major business opportunity in developing countries. Currently, ships contribute about 2-3% of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions —more than…


The Poseidon Principles

The Poseidon Principles establish a framework for assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of ship finance portfolios. They set a benchmark for what it means to be a responsible bank in the maritime sector and provide actionable guidance on how to achieve this. The Poseidon Principles are consistent with the policies and ambitions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including…


Wärtsilä To Supply World’s First Hybrid Powered Self-Discharging Bulk Carriers

The technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to provide the complete system design and full equipment scope for two new 9300 DWT self-discharging bulk carriers featuring hybrid propulsion. The ships will be the first of their kind to be fitted with a hybrid propulsion solution. They are being built for Norway’s Aasen Shipping at the Royal Bodewes Shipyard in the…


MARINA To Intensify Modernization Of Domestic Ships

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will intensify the modernization of domestic ships to provide safer, more convenient, and more comfortable sea transportation services to the riding public. As directed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, the MARINA will encourage more ship operators, particularly those engaged in short distance travel, to invest on fast crafts, and Roll-On…


Wärtsilä Solutions To Support Hurtigruten’s Green Push In Expedition Cruises

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply a broad scope of solutions that will support Hurtigruten, the world’s largest expedition cruise operator, in its push for greener and more sustainable shipping. Hurtigruten, considered one of the world’s most sustainable cruise operators, is converting an additional three vessels to become premium, hybrid-powered expedition cruise ships. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in…


Global Marine Insurance Premiums Rise By 1%, But Future Market Development Remains Uncertain

IUMI – the International Union of Marine Insurance – presented its analysis of the latest marine insurance market trends at this week’s annual conference in Toronto, Canada. Marine underwriting premiums for 2018 were recorded at US$28.9 Billion which represents a single percentage point rise from 2017. With significant challenges facing the market, the modest increase is not significant to herald…



World Maritime Theme for 2020: “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet”

Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet has been selected as the World Maritime theme for 2020. This will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and showcase the work that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States are undertaking to achieve the targets. The IMO Council, meeting for its 122nd session…


PPA Inaugurates Biggest Port Terminal Building in Cagayan de Oro

On 15-Jul-2019, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) inaugurated the Philippines’s biggest seaport Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) in the Port of Cagayan de Oro, Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City. “The construction of this brand new building will greatly strengthen the region as the global gateway to Mindanao. Once we inaugurate this on July 15, we are opening Cagayan De Oro…



We4Sea Secures Funding to Roll Out Unique Fuel Monitoring Platform

Dutch maritime start-up We4Sea secured funding from ENERGIIQ, Mainport Innovation Fund II and angel investors to accelerate development and roll out of its fuel and emissions monitoring platform. Based in Delft, Netherlands, We4Sea has an ambitious goal of saving 1 million tons of CO2 emissions from ships. Speaking with Digital Ship, CEO and cofounder of We4Sea‘s Dan Veen explained that…


MARINA Opens 8 Industry-Proposed RoRo Routes

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has opened 8 RoRo missionary routes proposed by shipping operators in support of the Road Roll-on / Roll-off Terminal System (RRTS) and the priority program relating to the upgrading of the domestic shipping in support of the nautical highway development under the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP). At the latest Oversight Meeting of the…