In response to the IMO’s implementation of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), RINA has launched a Vessel Reporting System (VRS) aimed at boosting decarbonisation efforts through simple reporting.
Vessel reporting can be extremely time-consuming, and the new CII regulation will pressure ship owners and managers further. The new flexible reporting tool from RINA will collect data and allow the creation of dashboards to handle not only CII requirements but all reporting. The CII report provides an accurate and comprehensive picture of a ship’s carbon emissions and energy efficiency based on input data such as time at sea, time at port, average sailing speed, fuel consumption per fuel type and sailed distance.
Michela Schenone, Marine Digital Solutions Manager at RINA, said, “With the Vessel Reporting System, ship owners and managers may avoid potential reimbursements for negative CII ratings. They can easily track fuel consumption and emissions and, as the crew enters new data, the Vessel Reporting System automatically performs real-time quality checks to prevent input errors.”
The new Vessel Reporting System is a standalone solution requiring minimal system setup. For organisations already using SERTICA, the tool can be added as a module. The CII Calculator can also be combined with RINA’s CII Simulator. Ship owners and managers can measure the CII of actual voyages and estimate the CII of potential ones by analysing data, including recommended routes and speed to reach a specific CII rating, ultimately making the right operational decisions to minimise emissions.

Image: Michela Schenone, Marine Digital Solutions Manager at RINA

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METIS Cyberspace Technology will be collaborating with MTI Co. Ltd. Singapore Branch and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore to advance the use of AI for the predictive modelling of ship emissions and carbon intensity indicator (CII) evaluation.
The undertaking is part of a master agreement framework for co-developing AI and other digital technologies announced during the MarineTech Conference as part of the Singapore Maritime Week, where A*STAR established a Centre for Maritime Digitalisation (C4MD). The C4MD is led by A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC). Signatories of the master agreement framework comprise:  A*STAR, American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, DNV, METIS Cyberspace Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, MTI Co. Ltd., PSA Marine (Pte) Ltd and ShipsFocus Services Pte Ltd.
The METIS-MTI-A*STAR project will focus on the way AI-based solutions can help shipping adjust to the International Maritime Organization’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). Entering into force from 1 January 2023, the CII rates ships on the basis of CO₂ emissions by transport work from A to E, expecting them to achieve a C rating or better, or explain how they will do so. However, the relationship between the KPI and the factors determining ship behaviours has not been fully studied.
“The Centre for Maritime Digitalisation (C4MD) hosts and supports innovative maritime R&D initiatives in Singapore such as the flagship Maritime AI Research Programme. The translation and application of research capabilities across the value-chain will contribute to a safer, more efficient and more sustainable maritime industry, and strengthen Singapore’s competitiveness in the maritime sector,” said Dr Su Yi, Executive Director, A*STAR’s IHPC.
Eleni Polychronopoulou, President & CEO, METIS Cyberspace Technology, signed for METIS, with Singapore Managing Director Chinmoy Ghose as witness.
“We are delighted to work with A*STAR’s IHPC and MTI on one of the key projects announced as part of the launch of C4MD,” said Polychronopoulou. “Owners face multiple options on how they improve their CII performance, and making the wrong choice can be costly. This project’s first target is to make the relationship between fuel consumption/emissions and the CII rating more transparent by taking full account the ship profile. Subsequently, we aim to develop a simulation platform to model future voyages and evaluate the real-time CII compliance status of a ship.”
An owner establishing a CII rating, or how to improve it, can consider factors including adjusting a ship’s sailing time ratio, speed profile, voyage profile, hull and propeller condition, specific fuel oil consumption, electrical consumption, trim, draft, or an engine de-rating. Modelling based on AI offers the opportunity to consider ‘what-if’ scenarios and assess how new methodologies or technologies can be introduced to reduce emissions without compromising operational performance, said Polychronopoulou.

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After the Easter break, the Propeller Club Port of Piraeus organized an event for the 150 new members who joined the Club last year.
Mr. Costis Frangoulis, President of the Propeller Club Port of Piraeus, in his speech recalled that the Piraeus’ Propeller Club was founded in 1935 with the aim of developing and strengthening Greek-American relations and supporting social actions in shipping. He also emphasized on the American Embassy’s cooperation with the Propeller Club through Amber Awards, Qualship scheme and he announced that the club plans to host a NYSE/Nasdaq Hellenic American Shipping Gala for listed companies.
The US Ambassador to Greece H.E. Mr. George Tsunis in his speech pointed out that the Propeller Club of Piraeus is the largest in the world and is a pole of attraction for Greek shipping people promoting innovation and Greek-American cooperation in many fields of shipping such as shipbuilding and repairs with the activity of ONEX and the shipyards of Elefsina, technology and safety at sea.
More generally, as Mr. Tsunis said: it is in the interest of the US to strengthen strategic cooperation with Greece because establishing a reliable and solid partnership.
Greeks share the similar values with American citizens, a fact that was also reflected by the speech of Mr. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Congress in 2022.
In this context, the USA will constantly look for ways to help Greece in all areas, education, new technologies and of course shipping.
Exclusively for Members' Day, the CEO of Nasdaq-listed Safe Bulkers Inc. Mr. Polys Hajioannou gave a speech on the topic: "The resilience of listed shipping companies in the constantly changing and challenging global environment".
Mr. Polys V. Hajioannou joined Alassia in 1993 and moved from London with his family to Piraeus when OPA 90 and the ISM Code were the most important topics in shipping.
At that time his company was one of the first to order new ships from Samsung Japan after the crisis of 1980-86.
In 1999, the Alassia had 14 ships but was weathered the difficulties of the shipping market with persistence and hard work. With China's entry into the OAS in 2002, the market began to recover.
The company grew and renewed its fleet at a good timing. In 2008 he managed to carry out an IPO on the American Stock Exchange under a new company’s title Safe Bulkers around 3 months before the collapse of Lehman Brothers by liquidating 20% of the listed company.
In 2008 the IPO fortunately forced Safe Bulkers to charter most vessels on long term period employment. In 2009 when China invested in infrastructure there were no cancellations and most of the charterers' contracts were executed.
Mr. Hajioannou said that the benefits to the company's operation from its entry into the stock market were many, such as the fact that alternative financings are opened with particularly favorable interest rates for listed companies from governments and private equity.
In 2016, the market worsened to a 30-year low, but Safe Bulkers, having a liquidity of 120 million dollars, managed to agree with its creditors on the refinancing of its debt. Thus the stock improved and was included in the best and most durable companies of that year.
Mr. Hajioannou said that: "Our entry into the stock exchange gave us enormous possibilities for financing, even a bond with the Piraeus bank was issued on the Greek stock exchange in 2022".
Safe Bulkers also agreed with Erma First to install the ballast water treatment systems and with Alfa Laval the scrubbers on all ships.
"Today our goal in Cyprus and Greece is to attract young children in shipbuilding and mechanical engineering and other maritime professions to ensure continuation of the shipping companies in the future" underlined Mr. Hajioannou.
He also mentioned the possibility of a Turkish being elected secretary general of the IMO, which will be an embarrassing development for Cyprus as the Cypriot flag is blocked from Turkish ports.
In conclusion, Greece has great expertise not only in ship management including legal, technical and other services therefore we should maintain and preserve this entire infrastructure, pointed out Mr. Hajioannou.
Regarding the transfer of almost half of the company to Cyprus, Mr. Hajioannou said that due to capital controls in 2011 we opened our office in Limassol.
As Cypriots we have to help the island’s infrastructure in shipping and attract the young children of Cyprus to shipping.
Mr. Hajioannou invited Greek shipowners to register part of their fleet in the Cypriot flag as well and he expressed his optimism for the course of the shipping market due to environmental regulations in the long term despite the increase in the interest rates which will remain high in the coming years 1-2 years.

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Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum Day 1 

The rise of cruise with 5 additional cruise lines which have chosen Thessaloniki as a port of call,  marked its return to the international cruise market. As the mayor of the town Mr Konstantinos Zervas said in his address during Posidonia Sea Tourism forum which took place in Thessaloniki “It is the best place to work, live, visit, create and have fun”.
Mr. Athanasios Liagkos, Executive Chairman of the BoD & Managing Director, ThPA SA – Port remarked that the port has achieved spectacular growth and has attracted a remarkable number of cruise ships during the last years. Mr. Piefrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman Cruise Division, MSC Group & Global Chairman Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) was the key note speaker of the conference. He referred to the extraordinary cruise opportunities in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
He pointed out that the challenges for Greece is the improvement of the cruise infrastructure in the smaller cruise destinations mainly in the islands.
This can be also achieved with privatization projects and the jointly co-operation of cruise lines, port authorities and the government.
As we look to the future CLIA is very optimistic for the cruise industry prospects with newcomer passengers and new ships been built to increase the capacity of the sector.
The panel of speakers examined the STATE OF THE INDUSTRY and the Crucial Role of the Mediterranean in Post-Pandemic Cruising.
After the traumatic period of the pandemic many European destinations experienced very high arrival numbers in the second half of 2022 reaching 2019’s record levels.
Despite the long pause in cruise operations which instigated a wide range of damage in corporate operations and financial results the sector of cruise is starting to recover.
Other speakers included Figen Ayan, President, MedCruise, Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe, Wybcke Meier, CEO, TUI Cruises GmbH, Chris Theophilides, CEO, Celestyal, Yu Zenggang, Chairman, Piraeus Port Authority SA and Moderator: Grant Holmes, Global Sector Head, Cruise & Superyacht Industry, Inchcape Shipping Services.
Mr. Chris Theophilides, CEO, Celestyal expressed his optimism for the cruise activities in 2023 which will surpass 2019 figures. As a company Celestyal is very active in the Eastern Mediterranean with 3 modern cruise ships adding more port of calls in Greek islands and other destinations in the Mediterranean to enrich the cruise experience of its passengers.
Mr. Yu Zenggang, Chairman, Piraeus Port Authority SA described the Piraeus port initiatives to strengthen the capacity of the cruise terminal. The home porting from Piraeus port is increasing and more economic benefits are granted to the city of Piraeus and the economy.
From the 800 cruise ships that are called every year at the port of Piraeus 600 ships are starting its round trip from Piraeus.
The port of Piraeus has 3 cruise terminals and aims at the construction of a new terminal which can accommodate giant cruise ships.
The project will be delivered in the next 2-3 years. Other initiatives are in process to accelerate immigration clearance and embarkation procedures and services. 
The next panel of speakers discussed the Growth Challenges for Cruise Lines and Destinations.
The speakers said that as tourism begins to regain its pre-pandemic rhythm, sustainability and overcrowding challenges will also return to the forefront for many popular destinations. Sustainability will also have a major impact in future itinerary, design and guest satisfaction.
Cruise lines, central & local governments, private sectors and ports could cooperate to develop and promote enough destination alternatives to better disperse call traffic and mitigate the impact on marquee ports.
In his speech Capt. George Koumpenas, President, Hellenic Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members’ Union & Chief Operating Officer, Celestyal told that you cannot blame the cruise industry in case of the poor island's infrastructure that cannot accommodate more cruise ships.
Despite the challenges such as berth allocation in Santorini and other small islands, Greece's cruise industry is growing at a steady pace. 
Speakers of the panel were also Agnes Brochet, Director, Destination Research, Development & Planning, Silversea Cruises, Alessandro Carollo, Director, Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Group, George Koumpenas, President, Hellenic Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members’ Union & Chief Operating Officer, Celestyal, Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning, Azamara Cruises, Gianluca Suprani, SVP Port Development and Shoreside Activities, MSC Cruises SA and Moderator: Holly Payne, Editor Video Production & Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise.
Last but not least a CLIA Europe session with the title “Pathways to Net Zero” took place during the 1^st day of the forum.
The speakers were Linden Coppell, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises, Calypso Diareme, Global Head, Cruise Logistics, ATPI, Ukko Metsola, Vice President, Government Relations, EMEA, Royal Caribbean Group, Dr. Ioannis Pappas, Director Mediterranean Region, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Antony Vourdachas, Principal Engineer, Global Sustainability Center Athens, ABS and Moderator Sascha Gill, Vice President, Sustainability, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Smaller islands on the radar of the major luxury cruise companies as trend for unique experiences 
Study presents positive financial impact of cruise for Thessaloniki
Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum Day 2

Luxury cruise companies are turning their attention to smaller, off-the-beaten-path destinations, according to discussions at the 7th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, held in Thessaloniki, Greece. While mainstream ports of call will always have their place, the trend for unique experiences in lesser-known destinations is taking hold.
However, the inclusion of more exotic locales on luxury cruise itineraries is not without its challenges. Infrastructure readiness at smaller destinations can be a concern, as well as quality venue availability and berthing policies, as noted by several industry professionals.
Not every island can fulfil all needs due to various challenges according to Michele Bosco, Manager, Shore Excursions and Operations Europe, Africa, Middle East, Princess Cruises.
“Poor venue maintenance post Pandemic has led to reduced capacity at certain venues in smaller destinations, which in turn leads to higher cost for guests, meaning that some of the challenges we are facing now have their roots at Covid. Certain venues have also closed down for business and others no longer want to collaborate with cruise companies as the global tourism rebound means that they are receiving stronger flows of independent tourists, reducing their reliance on groups coming from our ships,” he said.
The lack of venue availability is a concern also shared by Agnes Brochet, Director, Destination Research, Development & Planning, Silversea Cruises. “In small islands we will have lack of space for all our guests to secure a spot, when we are at full capacity, because we offer one free excursion at each of the destinations we are visiting, therefore demand for onshore excursion is strong, and that is one of our main land-side challenges.”
Berthing policy in Greece is also a cause for concern for the luxury cruise brands such as MSC’s Explora brand. Sacha Rougier, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experiences, Explora Journeys said. “Relooking at the berthing policy in Greece would help us solve a major challenge we are facing, as in some cases we fail to secure a slot even when we have had initial confirmation. This causes all sorts of issues for the company which we’d rather had avoided. Lack of transportation guides also pauses problems in certain destinations,” she said.
Brochet said that research is key before deciding to add new, lesser known destinations. “Before we zero in on a new destination we conduct comprehensive research. We then need to put all this in an idea-generating machine which involves everyone in our company through a virtual ideas box open to everyone, including crew members who visit so many places around the world. Even when our people go on a holiday in lesser known coastal destinations, they are encouraged to share their opinions and ideas about the appeal of these destinations with our destination department team for their assessment.
“We then develop business cases and when they look viable, we do the scouting leveraging our team of 100 people in the destination department who are sent onsite to survey and assess the destination,” she said.
In terms of what luxury cruise guests seek out of the secret gem destinations, unique human and sustainable experiences top the preferences list. “Going to homes of local people or spend time with a local chef are just a couple of examples,” said Constantine Venetopoulos, Director, Communications & PR, Variety Cruises. “We have launched a product ‘Unexplored Greece’ visiting Ikaria and Amorgos and it is now our best seller. Our boats are for 50 guests, so we are niche and for us finding these places is basically finding what our guests want. It is also important to bear in mind the demographics of guests before tailoring certain experience-enhancing shore excursions.
It is important to be able to distinguish between what is popular and what is trendy added Bosco: “Smaller group tours are becoming more popular. Tours off-the-beaten-path such as food and drink walking tours in local non touristic venues, or culinary tours where the ship chef takes guests to the local market to select the fresh produce for their dinner or cooking together with them. Meet the family of the farm is also becoming trendy when it comes down to luxury cruising products.”
Luxury cruise guests are searching for the unique and the unexpected and few people would know that an actual desert exists in a Greek island, according to Olympia Anastasopoulou, General Secretary of Tourism Policy and Development, Ministry of Tourism, Hellenic Republic, who keynoted the second and final day of the Forum.
“Coastal and maritime tourism can be a powerful tool for the development of Greece’s national economy as it currently contributes 1.5% of the country’s GDP. Greece possesses the characteristics to make it one of the most attractive destinations for Europe in sea tourism, ranking ninth in the world in terms of coastline length. But we also have mountains, lakes, rivers and even a desert in the Greek island of Limnos. This is why our potential to become a leading cruise destination is significant.”
Her optimism about the continuous growing contribution of the cruise sector to the Greek economy is echoed in the findings of a recent preliminary study conducted by Thanos Pallis, Professor, Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, who shared some insights with the PSTF 2023 delegates.
Titled ‘Assessment of the Socio-Economic Impact of the Cruise for Thessaloniki’ the research started in November 2022 and is expected to be completed next October 2023 to investigate the economic impact of the cruise activity both in the city of Thessaloniki, but also in the wider metropolitan area of ​​the city.
Based on actual figures so far gathered between November 2022 and April 2023, the projected estimates for the financial contribution of the cruise sector in Thessaloniki on an annualised basis, indicates that the direct positive effects range between a basic scenario of €5.23 million to a positive scenario of €6.49 million. There is also the indirect positive effects that range between €3.43 million for the base scenario and €4.33 million on the more optimistic projection. Combined, the positive effects are expected to range between €8.56 million for the base scenario and €10.82 million for the positive scenario.In terms of employment impacts, this year's cruise season, with a significant expected number of 68 cruise ship calls at the port of Thessaloniki, is estimated to result in sustaining 111 full-time jobs on an annual basis.Among the most important findings of the research, is the satisfaction of cruise passengers, as reflected in the fact that 90.1% of passengers state that after their visit they are extremely to quite likely to recommend Thessaloniki as a tourist destination.

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Two tankers with Wind-Assisted Ready and HVSC-Ready ABS notations, LNG Fuel Ready sister ships with eco-friendly design delivered to Capital Ship Management Corp. in the context of the company’s fleet expansion program.
The newbuilding vessels M/T ‘Atrotos’ and M/T ‘Anikitos’, two 50,000 dwt, eco-type Chemical/Product MR tankers, built by Hyundai Vietnam Shipyard Co Ltd out of six sister vessels delivered to Capital in 2023.
The HVSC-Ready notation is for vessels equipped with High Voltage Shore Connection systems to be installed in the future, and the Wind-Assist Ready notation refers to vessels equipped with wind-assist equipment to be installed on board. Both vessels have future proof design compliant with EEDI Phase 3 and are annotated with ABS SUSTAIN-1 (2020) that demonstrates adherence to the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Being Tier III compliant for reduced NOx emissions, assigned ABS ENVIRO notation, as well as ABS Wind-Assisted Ready, HVSC-Ready and LNG Fuel Ready notations, and equipped with IHM notation for safe recycling, M/T ‘Atrotos’ and M/T ‘Anikitos’ are two of the most environmentally friendly, technologically advanced and efficient vessels in the global MR fleet.
Capital Ship Management Corp. operates a fleet of 30 tankers (12 VLCCs, 10 Aframaxes, 7 MR/Handy product tankers and 1 small tanker) with a total dwt of 5.22 million tons approx. Capital has extensive experience in managing various vessel types and sizes including all tanker segments (VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax/LR2, Panamax/LR1, MR/Handy and small tankers), dry bulk segments (Cape, Panamax, Handymax and Handy), as well as OBOs and containers.

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In recognition of mutual interests in maritime education and research, RINA, the inspection, certification and consulting engineering multinational, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Maritime University (WMU), an institution established by and for the international maritime community within the UN system. The MoU is aimed to promote academic, technical, and educational exchange between the two institutions with the aim to inspire leadership and innovation for a sustainable maritime and oceans future.
Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of the WMU, said, “We are pleased to establish a partnership with RINA, an organisation that is committed to ensure an energy transition for the maritime industry. Engagement with the industry is vital for WMU and RINA’s green approach aligns perfectly with our focus on maritime energy and the UN Sustainable Goals. We look forward to a fruitful partnership.”
The MoU, signed in Genoa, will present opportunities for field study training exchanges for WMU students, exchange of academic information, and, where appropriate, collaborative research.
“We are delighted to put this MoU in place and see it as a forward-thinking approach for the industry,” adds Paolo Moretti, CEO of RINA Services. “The exchange of information and the education of young engineers are vital for the decarbonisation pathway and innovations for the future. The MoU will help attract talent and further the development of new ideas that will support the maritime industry going forward.”
“While the MoU initially runs for a period of five years, we hope that this is the start of a long-term relationship between our two institutions which will benefit the maritime industry at all levels” concludes Moretti at RINA.
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden, is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) a specialized agency of the United Nations. The mission of WMU is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. WMU’s vision is to inspire leadership and innovation for a sustainable maritime ocean’s future. WMU is an organization by and for the international maritime community and is committed to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
RINA provides a wide range of services across the Energy, Marine, Certification, Infrastructure & Mobility, Real Estate and Industry sectors. With net revenues in 2021 of 533 million Euros, over 5,300 employees and 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide, RINA is a member of key international organisations and an important contributor to the development of new legislative standards

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ERMA FIRST, a leading sustainable marine solutions provider, has published a new whitepaper which presents alternative maritime power solutions as the key to greener ports as the regulatory landscape increasingly favours shore power capabilities.
Available to download, the new whitepaper – Alternative Maritime Power: The Key to Greener Ports – offers an in-depth review of the environmental and operational benefits of shore power. It outlines the impact of air pollution from ports on local communities and the surrounding environment and the level of pollution generated by vessels at berth, also providing a summary of the rapidly changing regulatory frameworks that require ships and ports to have shore power capabilities.
The paper goes on to discuss shore power as an alternative fuel, highlighting the need for standardisation, the basic architecture required and system variations before introducing ERMA FIRST’s revolutionary shore power solution – BLUE CONNECT.
Interest in Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) – or cold-ironing – solutions has continued to gather pace as efforts to reduce emissions remains a top priority for the shipping sector. When at berth and running diesel-fuelled auxiliary engines to power the hotel load, a vessel emits a harmful combination of pollutants. They include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter – all of which are known to contribute to poor air quality and to have a negative impact on health and the environment.
Dimitris Tsoulos, BLUE CONNECT Director at ERMA FIRST, said: “Shore power solutions can effectively eliminate exhaust gases, particulate matter and noise as they allow ships to completely shut-down their auxiliary engines and connect to an onshore power supply. To help achieve the industry’s decarbonisation goals and protect local communities and ecosystems, ship owners, managers and ports need to start taking the necessary steps towards ensuring shore power connections are available worldwide.
“The purpose of ERMA FIRST’s new whitepaper is to help present the case for shore power as an alternative fuel and an environmentally efficient solution as regulations continue to tighten, while providing insight into key technical specifications which must be considered.”
To download a copy of the whitepaper, visit: http://www.ermafirst.com/ef-library/

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Maran Dry Management Inc. (MDM), the dry bulk shipping arm of the Angelicoussis Group, recently took delivery of two Newcastlemax bulk carriers, Ubuntu Unity on February 28th and Ubuntu Community on April 18th - both from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Ship Building Co., Ltd. (SWS). The two DNV-classed vessels are the first LNG-fueled bulk carriers to join the MDM fleet.
The 190,000-dwt vessels, registered with the Greek flag, are the first dual-fueled bulk carriers in the Greek market, and will sail using LNG. The use of LNG will lead to significant reductions in CO2 and NOx, while almost eliminating SOx and particulate matter emissions. With a combination of dual-fuel, hull optimizations and energy efficiency measures, the vessels have a very advantageous and low EEDI rating, much lower than the baseline. 
“Maran Dry Management, as part of the Angelicoussis Group, is committed to decarbonization and embraces sustainability initiatives to optimize its fleet environmental performance”, said Captain Babis Kouvakas, Managing Director at Maran Dry Management Inc. (MDM). “We are delighted to have collaborated with DNV and SWS on the design and development of these modern and environmentally friendly ships. Both vessels incorporate the latest technology, aiming to reduce carbon emissions.”
“We are very pleased to have been involved with the charterer, owner, yard and designers from the outset of this project,” said Morten Løvstad, Vice President and Global Business Director for Bulk Carriers, DNV Maritime. “These highly efficient and innovative vessels, with dual-fuel engines, and an optimized hull design, show MDM’s commitment to meeting environmental regulations not just today but over the long term.”  
The vessels are 299.80 meters long, 47.5 meters wide and 24.70 meters deep, with a design draft of 18.25 meters and a design draft speed of 14 knots. They can use both LNG and conventional fuel and are equipped with two type-C LNG fuel tanks. The capacity of the LNG tanks means that the vessels could operate for 20,000 nautical miles powered by gas, allowing the vessels to complete two round-trip routes from China to Australia or one round-trip route from China to Brazil. 
“The delivery of these vessels is another milestone in the close cooperation being forged between the Angelicoussis Group and DNV,” said Ioannis Chiotopoulos, Senior Vice President, and Regional Manager South East Europe, Middle East and Africa, DNV Maritime. “These new vessels clearly show the Group`s commitment to driving sustainability in the bulk segment, and are great examples of how the maritime community is taking up the challenge of reducing our environmental footprint through innovation. We thank MDM for their trust and welcome Ubuntu Unity and Ubuntu Community to DNV class. May they enjoy smooth sailing for many years to come.” 
The Ubuntu vessels are on charter to global mining company Anglo American.

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At a ceremony in South Korea on March 22^nd, HHI-EMD celebrated the world’s largest methanol-powered two-stroke engine, an MAN B&W G95ME-LGIM type. Simultaneously, the engine’s manufacture pushed the company past the 200 million brake-horsepower milestone for low-speed, two-stroke engines.
Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Stroke Business, attended the ceremony on behalf of MAN Energy Solutions. In a speech at the event, he congratulated Hyundai, referred to the cooperation between the two companies that started in 1974, and noted that Hyundai was the first engine manufacturer to reach the 200 million bhp mark: “It took about 35 years for the first 100 million brake-horsepower, and only 13 years for the next 100 million – an unbelievable achievement!”
Regarding the engine itself, Foldager continued: “With its 95 cm cylinder bore-size, this is the world’s largest methanol engine. And maybe most importantly, when this engine is in operation it will save 130,000 tons of CO₂ annually when operating on carbon-neutral methanol. We have a great responsibility for the future to develop and produce environmentally-friendly engines and ships. We are really proud of helping Hyundai on this important journey and hope to celebrate many new milestones together in the future.”
Subsequently, the G95ME-C10.5-LGIM methanol engine could report a successful FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) during the first half of April.
About the MAN B&W ME-LGIM engine
MAN Energy Solutions developed the ME-LGIM dual-fuel engine for operation on methanol, as well as conventional fuel. The engine is based on the company’s proven ME-series, with its approximately 8,500 engines in service, and works according to the Diesel principle. When operating on green methanol, the engine offers carbon-neutral propulsion for large merchant-marine vessels. Currently more than 100 ME-LGIM engines are on order or in service, more than 50 of which are G95ME-C10.5-LGIM variants.
Methanol carriers have already operated at sea for many years using the engine, and, as such, the ME-LGIM has a proven track record offering great reliability and high fuel-efficiency.

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Costamare one of the leading Greek ship operators, managing a modern fleet of 70 container ship and 45 dry bulk carriers along with its longstanding technology partner Navarino added the Starlink connectivity service to its vessels, starting with a trial on 4 ships.
Mr Themis Sardis, Head of IT for Costamare, is looking forward to seeing what Starlink can do. ‘Starlink has a lot of potential for us’ he explains. ‘With its very high speeds and low latency, it could enable completely new ways of working in terms of the technological tools we can implement across our fleet – to benefit our business operations, our crews’ welfare, as well as the compliance needs of our fleet. We pride ourselves on routinely testing new tools and advanced solutions that may give our company an edge, and of course which can contribute positively to the well-being and safety of our seafarers onboard.
Starlink is the latest such solution, and having worked with Navarino on several advanced projects over the years, we know that they can be trusted to design, implement and support innovative projects such as these with us. This is why we are excited to be taking the next step in our fleets’ technological development together with them.’
Andreas Dimitradis, Director of Strategic Relations for Navarino added ‘We are very proud to be working with Costamare to add this powerful new connectivity solution to their vessels. Navarino has seen first-hand what Starlink can offer to ship operators, and, as technology integrators, we have the expertise to create the required hybrid connectivity setup onboard – adding new LEO satellite services like Starlink alongside existing legacy GEO satellite platforms.
What’s more, thanks to Infinity, our customers can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that whichever connectivity service is in use, it is being controlled, managed and utilized according to the parameters that they have set. I look forward to working closely with Themis and his team to maximise the benefits of this hybrid approach and with it, to help them really upgrade every aspect of the way that they communicate with their vessels.’

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