Cavotec launches next-generation automated vacuum mooring solution

Foreship employs drones to boost accuracy in draught surveys

Foreship, a naval architecture and marine engineering company, has stated that drones can boost the accuracy, speed and safety of draught surveys.

After conducting trials successfully, Foreship has added this approach to its service offering.

Usually, a draught survey is carried out from a boat that takes readings using the markings painted on the ship's hull.

Foreship chief naval architect Markus Aarnio said: “The traditional way of taking draught readings is time-consuming, and there are always some risks when launching a manned boat from a vessel, such that it is best avoided when not absolutely necessary.

“Then there is the question of accuracy: it can be difficult for a surveyor to take precise measurements in waves, while the ship operator’s interest is for the process to be completed in as short a time as possible, for example.”

Damen Shipyards completes rebuild of research vessel OceanXplorer

Damen Shipyards Group has completed the rebuild of research vessel OceanXplorer at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The ship will contribute to OceanX’s mission of exploring the ocean and building a global community that is engaged in protecting the oceans.

Following the completion of the project, OceanXplorer has become an advanced exploration, research and media vessel.

Serving as OceanX’s new flagship, the vessel builds on the legacy of the company’s first ship, Alucia.

Featuring a series of submersibles, sonar arrays, manned submarines, a remotely operated vehicle and an autonomous underwater vehicle, OceanXplorer can map the depths of the oceans.

The vessel can gather live samples and bring them onboard so that researchers can use them to conduct DNA sequencing. 

Stena Line to expand operations across Baltic Sea

Ferry company Stena Line has announced the expansion of its operations across the Baltic Sea region. From 2021, it plans to replace the current vessels on the Nynäshamn-Ventspils route with two new ferries. The two roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessels – Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey – will add 30% freight capacity on the route.

Stena Line has 18 ferry routes in Europe with three of them operating across the Baltic Sea. Since the company acquired the ferry route between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Ventspils in Latvia in 2012, it has more than doubled its operations from one vessel and ten departures every week to the present fixed timetable of two vessels and 24 departures every week for passengers and freight.

The freight capacity on the route will increase by almost a third. The 222m-long ferries will provide space for both passengers and freight.

Maritime Skills Commission publishes annual report on UK skills needs

Maritime UK’s Maritime Skills Commission (MSC) has published its first annual report, which highlights the work done since its establishment in July 2020 and sets out future steps.

Over the last three months, the commission – chaired by University of Central Lancashire vice-chancellor Graham Baldwin – has focused on producing a Scheme of Work and a Labour Market Intelligence Scoping report. The former focused on reviewing the support for the maritime training (SMarT) scheme, which has been running since 1998.

Looking ahead, the report also outlined the need for members to focus on the programme’s overall productivity, assessing whether it’s still delivering the skills needed by cadets in the months to come.

As part of the initiative, the commission will also carry out an initial assessment of the Exporting Maritime Education & Training programme, which bids to promote greater collaboration not only between organisations, but also with the UK Department for International Trade.

Greece receives five bids for operating part of port in Kavala

Greece has secured five non-binding bids to run a part of a port in the northern city of Kavala, according to HRADF, the country’s privatisation agency.

HRADF has received expressions of interest for a sub-concession to run a terminal of Philippos II port, reported Reuters.

Currently, the port is being managed by Kavala Port Authority.

The bids have come from the International Port Investments Kavala consortium, which includes Black Summit Financial Group, EFA Group, and GEK TERNA; and a consortium of IMERYS, Goldair Cargo and IMG.

The bids also came from PFIC, Quintana Infrastructure & Development, and Thessaloniki Port Authority.

Greece began its privatisation plan in 2010 to cut down its public debt.