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Viking Libra will look similar to its sister fleet, one of which is pictured in Norway. Credit: Viking

Viking and Fincantieri have revealed details of Viking Libra and Astrea, sister vessels that will be the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ships.

Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, the Viking Libra is expected to be delivered in late 2026. The Astrea is scheduled for delivery in 2027.

The Libra, classified as a small ship (the same as the entire Viking fleet), will have a gross tonnage of approximately 54,300t and will feature 499 staterooms, accommodating up to 998 guests. The company has not confirmed which routes the vessels will operate on, but explained they would join its ocean fleet.

This ship’s propulsion system will run on liquefied hydrogen in fuel cells, enabling it to navigate without emissions and access environmentally sensitive regions.

The advanced propulsion technology, developed by Isotta Fraschini Motori, a subsidiary of Fincantieri, will generate up to 6MW of power.

Viking and Fincantieri have also signed contracts for two additional ocean ships, set for delivery in 2031, along with an option for two more ships in 2033.

HD Hyundai has announced a strategic partnership with Tampa Ship, focusing on constructing medium-sized LNG dual-fuel containerships, with the first deliveries targeted for 2028.

The collaboration will see HD Hyundai support Tampa Ship, part of the Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) group, with vessel design, equipment procurement, and advanced shipbuilding technology.

HD Hyundai will also contribute to the fabrication of ship blocks and invest in technical infrastructure at Tampa Ship. Tampa Ship, with a storied history in US shipbuilding, is one of five shipyards operated by ECO.

The partnership is expected to enable Tampa Ship to lead the revitalisation of the US commercial shipbuilding industry and contribute to the national effort to overcome the deficit of domestically built vessels.

The agreement was formalised on 19 June, with HD Hyundai’s vice president of Corporate Planning Division, Choi Hannae, and ECO’s executive vice president, Dino Chouest, in attendance.

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has announced the successful delivery of Brands Hatch, which is claimed to be the world’s first newbuild Aframax tanker equipped with wind-assisted propulsion.

Built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for Union Maritime, the 114,000DWT Brands Hatch vessel features three 37.5m tall WindWings by BAR Technologies. These sails are designed to adjust intelligently for optimal aerodynamic efficiency, offering additional thrust that can reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

The WindWings system has demonstrated potential daily fuel savings of up to 14.5t and CO₂ emission reductions of up to 45t under ideal conditions. Annually, the tanker is expected to save approximately 12% on fuel, which translates to nearly 5,000t of CO₂ savings. 

LR provided comprehensive technical services from the design stage to the vessel’s delivery. This included Approval in Principle, HAZID/HAZOP processes, and design appraisal.

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has introduced the Augmented Surveyor 3D (AGS 3D), an AI-powered inspection tool designed for ship and offshore structure inspections.

The tool, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities, is designed to enhance anomaly detection and localisation, thereby optimising inspection processes.

BV completed a successful pilot of AGS 3D on an FPSO in West Africa in collaboration with TotalEnergies. The pilot programme involved a drone-based inspection of two water ballast tanks.

AGS 3D was utilised to process all the data, resulting in a comprehensive 3D digital model featuring AI-enhanced corrosion analytics. The pilot’s success has prompted TotalEnergies to consider expanding the use of this technology to additional assets.

The AGS 3D tool automates critical tasks such as anomaly detection, corrosion mapping, and 3D modelling, promoting safety and increasing efficiency.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium has unveiled an autonomous electric shuttle at the Medrepair Terminal, aimed at improving intra-terminal container transport within the port.

This initiative, developed in collaboration with technology partners Akkodis, VDL, and Medrepair, is part of the PIONEERS project, which is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. A live demonstration showcased the shuttle’s capabilities to stakeholders from the logistics and maritime sectors.

This demonstration focused on the shuttle’s integration within a functioning port terminal, providing operational insights that will guide future scaling and commercial implementation. The autonomous shuttle underwent a successful technical validation earlier this year in Breda, the Netherlands.

The shuttle is designed to facilitate short-distance transfers between critical areas such as warehouses, stacks, and gates, thereby reducing dependence on traditional diesel vehicles and manual handling.