Six contracts have been awarded to five shipowners, for a total value estimated at more than NOK 2,5 billion including options.

Orbit Communications Systems Ltd., a leading global provider of maritime and airborne SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and mission-critical airborne audio management systems, is to present the OceanTRx 4MIL maritime SATCOM terminal for the first time, at Euronaval 2022.

Kongsberg Maritime (KONGSBERG) announces a contract award with Polish shipbuilder Remontowa Shipbuilding SA (RSB) to supply three shipsets of KONGSBERG HUGIN AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) systems and related HiPAP positioning and communication systems for three newbuild warships for the Polish Navy.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has awarded nearly $39 million in grants to 12 marine highway projects across the Nation under the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP).

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announces that Paul Huang joined the Bureau as the new Deputy Director. Paul will support BSEE’s efforts to promote safety, protect the environment, and conserve offshore resources through vigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement.

Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure successfully installs its state-of-the-art Parallel Motion Fenders at San Benito Terminal owned by Molinos Agro S.A. in Port of San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Argentina. The new fender systems were designed in an unprecedented 14-hour timeframe and installed in collaboration with Orengo y Asociados & AC Ingeniería at the San Benito Terminal to future-proof terminal operations.

T. Parker Host (Host) announces the grand opening of the former Avondale Shipyards as Avondale Global Gateway. The former shipyard has been transformed during the past four years since its acquisition into a global logistics hub for intermodal commerce.

Situated on the Mississippi River, Avondale Global Gateway combines river, road and rail connections with ample storage and laydown space with a strategic location. Accommodating ships, barges, rail and trucks, the site offers immediate access to regional and interstate highway systems and is positioned at the interchange of six Class I railroads, creating capability to distribute cargo in all directions. Space is plentiful at Avondale, with almost 300 acres of for development directly ashore and 1.5 million square feet of convertible warehouse or manufacturing space, including indoor and outdoor Foreign Trade Zone storage.

“I am proud to be part of the Host team that took on the herculean task of transforming the former shipyard upon our acquisition in 2018,” Adam Anderson, CEO of T. Parker Host, said. “We have taken a site with great bones and repurposed it into a working, world-class multi-modal terminal with fully operating docks, working buildings and rail access at the site for the first time in half a century. Renaming the site to Avondale Global Gateway better represents what Avondale is now and will become as we continue our efforts.”

Since beginning cargo operations in 2020, Host has moved well over a million tons of breakbulk, bulk and project cargo across the docks and now has 300 employees on-site to support this continued growth with the expectation of hiring another 50 employees before the end of the year. Host has invested over $100 million in the redevelopment of the site and up to $1 billion in capital investments is expected by Host and current and future tenants, according to a recent economic impact study released by Dr. Stephen Barnes, director of the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center. The master plan is expected to create a total economic impact of $32 billion in output and increase Louisiana payrolls by $8.6 billion by 2027.

“We felt the responsibility of bringing this site back into commerce in a way that pays tribute to its pasts and its connection to this community. The next phase of our redevelopment is to bring on anchor tenants that add value to Avondale,” said Anderson. “Now that we are open and fully capable of handling cargo with our cranes, docks and transportation connections we are looking to the future and how we can add value to the region in the form of jobs and economic development.”

Avondale has a long history as one of the state’s top economic drivers and at one point was home to the largest employer in the State of Louisiana. Before the 2018 acquisition by Host and Hilco Redevelopment Partners (Hilco), the site had fallen into disrepair with no docks, no rail connections and dilapidated buildings. Host worked through the challenges of record high water on the Mississippi River, which restricted work on all waterfront properties and the COVID-19 pandemic transforming the idle site into a global economic gateway.

Anuvu, a leading provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, has launched an online crew portal that addresses the need for faster internet service for the energy market, improving crews' online experiences while working offshore.

Argeo has signed a 5-year bareboat contract for vessel Argeo Searcher, with an option to purchase the vessel for USD 2 million after 12 months and USD 1 million after 27 months. Estimated delivery is the 10th of December 2022.

In June 2022, to raise awareness of marine pollution and train the offshore and shoreline response to marine incidents, a European consortium led by Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. Germany made use of the maritime module in VSTEP’s Response Simulator.

On October 6th Corvus Energy, a world's leading producer of battery systems for the ocean space, opened a brand-new test area for hydrogen fuel cells at their production site in Bergen, Norway.

As part of the H2NOR project, Corvus is going full blast with the development and production of sustainable, large-scale maritime-certified hydrogen fuel cell systems, with Toyota onboard as key partner and supplier of mass-produced fuel cell technology.

In March the project received Approval in Principle (AiP) by DNV and the test area is an important part of the prototype testing and validation. The test area was officially opened by Vice County Mayor of Vestland County Municipality, Natalia Golis (The Greens).

Thor Humerfelt, Senior Vice President Product Architect of Corvus Energy explains, “Batteries and fuel cells are complementary products, and they need to work together in order to achieve optimal efficiency and extended lifetime. We will test multiple combinations of batteries and fuel cells for various operational profiles, and this is why the test site is so unique and important. In the end, we will have a system that will give recommendations for the vessel’s crew on the most optimal operation." He continues: "Corvus Energy has extensive knowledge in battery systems and marine safety. Through cooperation with Toyota, the world leader in fuel cell technology, we are now able to combine the best from both companies’ expertise.”

Thor Humerfelt, Senior Vice President Product Architect of Corvus Energy, Natalia Golis and Ivan Østvik, Project Manager Hydrogen of Norled. Photo: Marius Knutsen, Maritime CleanTech

Emerging market for hydrogen solutions

"The interest in hydrogen as a marine fuel is increasing significantly. A dedicated marine and optimized hydrogen fuel cell solution is a vital step toward the decarbonization of shipping. Being able to test both battery and fuel cell systems together and make them work in perfect harmony will potentially revolutionize the global maritime industry," Geir Bjørkeli, CEO of Corvus Energy, said.

Another central project partner, Maritime CleanTech, emphasized the test area and the projects importance related to reducing cost of fuel cells, as well as increasing access to technology:

"Reducing the cost of fuel cells and increasing access to the technology is crucial to accelerate the green transition in the maritime industry. Innovation is hard work – and the validation processes are no quick fixes. Systematic testing and validation ensure the responsible and safe use of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. This test site is a great example of how this should be done," Håvard Tvedte, interim CEO of Maritime CleanTech, said.

Testing of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell system is in full progress.

Corvus Energy aims to have the first marine hydrogen fuel cell system type approved in 2023 and start scalable production and commercial delivery in 2024.

Subsea7's order for an Energy Storage System from Bakker Sliedrecht is a double first. It is the first order for such a system on this scale for the Sliedrecht based independent system integrator. Also, Subsea7’s Seven Arctic is believed to be the first heavy construction / flex-lay vessel in the world to be equipped with such an energy saving system.

The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Romanian government has ordered two Damen Stan Patrol 5009 emergency response vessels. The contract was signed by Inspector General Iamandi, in the presence of Minister Lucian Bode and Secretary of State Raed Arafat at the Ministry of Internal affairs in Bucharest on October 10th. Romania sets to upgrade their fleet for emergency response significantly by this order.

Karl Lander, Director, Regulatory Compliance and Outreach at Armach Robotics, Inc. has presented at the 2nd GloFouling Partnerships R&D Forum and Exhibition on Biofouling Prevention held at the International Maritime Organization Headquarters in London, UK.

In 2020, CMA CGM ordered HydroPen™ sets to equip its larger containerships. The latest order means that CMA CGM will use the system on over 270 ships.

Mariners sailing in and around Port Freeport — the fastest-growing port in Texas — have something to celebrate.