Fugro has conducted the first fully remote floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel heading control operation in the North Sea. The project included remote configuration of the positioning systems, the assisting anchor handling vessel and the dive support vessel.

Concordia Damen and Kooiman Marine Group have expressed interest in building STC Group’s new training vessel Ab Initio by submitting a tender. The vessel is to be built to a conceptual design devised by STC’s staff and students. In February 2020, a shipyard will be selected.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in offshore waters could be an essential future green energy source. A consortium of Tractebel, Jan De Nul Group, DEME, Soltech and Ghent University will research how the technology can be brought to this rough environment and has plans for creating offshore solar farms in the Belgian North Sea.

The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) has revealed the nominees for the KVNR Shipping Award 2019. The first is Heerema Marine Contractors for a shorepower solution in Rotterdam. The second is perhaps a bit unusual as it is not a maritime organisation: the political parties behind the Merchant Shipping Protection Act.

Australian start-up Ping Services has raised almost 533,000 euros in funding to commercialise the Ping Monitor. The patented device uses acoustic analysis, machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) to continuously detect wind turbine blade damage.

Heesen Yachts has delivered the 56-metre Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) yacht Galvas. It is the second Heesen yacht to comply with the latest emissions regulations thanks to an Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that reduces NOx exhaust emissions.

Bundling containers at smaller terminals and depots makes it possible for inland navigation vessels to make larger call-sizes at the large terminals. Intercity Barge does just that and has so far transported over 100,000 containers to and from the Port of Rotterdam.

Van Oord has decided to use the option of ordering a third trailing suction hopper dredger capable of operating on LNG at Keppel FELS Limited. The vessel is similar to the two vessels that the company ordered in May 2018. Sustainable operations and advanced automation are key factors in the design.

Container ship Soul of Luck (1602 TEU) caused considerable damage while attempting to moor at the container terminal at Semarang Port in North Java on Sunday. The incident was caught on film.

Classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) is joining the International Windship Association (IWSA). This non-profit organisation brings together wind propulsion projects and research organisations and promotes wind as a viable and increasingly economic option for commercial vessels.