In view of its extended newbuilding program Capital Gas Ship Management Corp. took delivery of the newbuilding LNG Carrier ‘Amore Mio I’, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, S. Korea. With a cargo capacity of 174,000 m3, the vessel is highly efficient, propelled with MAN MEGA engines and equipped with the latest available technologies, including an air lubrication system, shaft generators and increased filling limits (above 99%). The vessel represents the vanguard of the new generation of LNG carriers, setting an industry benchmark with its exceptionally low environmental impact. It achieves this by employing cutting-edge technologies designed to minimize methane slip and substantially reduce CO2 emissions, making it one of the most eco-efficient additions to the global fleet. It is the eighth of eighteen vessels to be delivered to Capital Gas until 2027.
Capital Gas Ship Management Corp. is currently operating a fleet of 21 modern LNG Carriers, 2 pioneering LCO2 carriers and 2 dual fuel VLACs (Very Large Ammonia Carriers) with a total carrying capacity of approximately 3.18 million cbm. The fleet under management includes vessels of Nasdaq-listed Capital Product Partners L.P.

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Moore Maritime Index, “MMI”, a database that contains operating costs and revenues from more than 1,500 vessels, has been updated and is available with the 2022 data reflecting the firm prospects of the shipping market.
The data comes from audited financial statements of ship owning companies and therefore, the results produced by the Index show the “real world” of financial performance of the shipping industry across more than 20 vessel types. The main takeaways are:
In dry bulk carriers, the total operating expenses increased in a range from 5% to 9% across the various vessel categories, with the largest increase of 9% being reported by the Handysize vessels. In particular, increase was reported in insurance expenses, lubricants, stores, spare parts, repairs and maintenance. Crew and administrative costs remained close to the same levels as in 2021. In terms of revenues, the rates appeared to improve in 2022, with the exception of large Capesizes which declined but remained at satisfactory levels overall.
Tankers also reported an increase in their total operating expenses, in a range from 3% to 7%. All tankers’ categories presented high costs for lubricants and spare parts costs, while repair and maintenance expenses were higher for vessels between 20,000 dwt and 120,000 dwt. Crew costs remained unchanged compared to the previous year, while insurance expenses increased across most tanker categories. In terms of revenue, the rates appeared much improved, with the largest increase being recorded in the Suezmax category.
To access the Moore Maritime Index, please visit moore-index.com.

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In a remarkable confluence of events, Ammitec, the Association of IT Managers in Shipping, celebrated its 20th anniversary alongside a highly successful General Assembly and elections. The prestigious gathering took place on October 25, 2023, at the Divani Apollon hotel in Kavouri, Athens, in conjunction with the conclusion of the Digital Ship Conference.
Ammitec, a non-profit scientific organization that unites IT professionals of global shipping companies, marked two decades of unrelenting dedication to the maritime industry. Over the years, the association has evolved into a powerhouse of knowledge, a hub of expertise and a driving force in the digital transformation of shipping.
The Assembly was conducted in a hybrid format, welcoming members both locally and remotely. A remarkable 47 members participated, casting their votes in a demonstration of engagement, commitment and unity. Ammitec expressed its gratitude to members for their dedication to the association’s mission.
Several members were elected to the Board of Directors, and special congratulations were extended to the newly elected candidates who, though they did not secure seats this time, have embarked on a promising journey towards recognition within the association.
The elected members of the Board of Directors are: Mr. Sardis Themistoklis – President, Mr. Maheras Matthew – Vice President, Mr. Sakellakos Konstantinos – Treasurer, Mrs. Vazintari Anna – Secretary, Mr. Makris Dimitris – Member, Mrs. Raptaki Katerina – Member, Mr. Sabanis Stelios – Member, Mr. Pavlidis Dimitris – Alternate member, Mr. Rizos Ioannis – Alternate member.
As Ammitec reflects on its remarkable journey, the association looks forward to the next 20 years with great anticipation. The future holds even greater strides, profound transformations and bolder innovations. Ammitec remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence and progress and the journey has just begun!
The association is dedicated to providing its members with a rich array of activities, seminars, conferences and other offerings. Ammitec encourages its members to stay tuned for further opportunities that enhance their professional growth and contribute to the digital evolution of the maritime industry.
Happy 20th Anniversary, Ammitec! Here's to the path traveled, the achievements unlocked and the boundless potential of what lies ahead.

About Ammitec: The Association of IT Managers in Shipping (Ammitec) is a non-profit scientific organization that unites IT and Technology Professionals of global shipping companies. Ammitec focuses on digital transformation, cybersecurity and providing modern technologies and best practices to empower its professional members. The association encourages the effective use of modern technology for a versatile and resilient digital shipping sector.

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Carlo Luzzatto has been appointed as the future CEO and General Director of RINA S.p.A., a multinational inspection, certification and engineering consultancy company.
The appointment is set to be formalized by the end of 2023, coinciding with Fondo Italiano d’Investimento’s acquisition of minority stake up to 33% in RINA S.p.A. This transition perfectly aligns with the joint growth objectives established with Fondo Italiano d’Investimento, reinforcing the Group's intention to make its stock market debut within the next 3-5 years.
Ugo Salerno will continue to play an integral role in the running of the company, retaining his position as Executive President.
The leadership transition is a natural progression in the Group’s global growth journey and comes at a time of significant momentum for the company with a clear focus on pursuing the strategic plan, streamlining processes, and evolving towards business models and services that are increasingly centered on innovation and ESG principles.
Educated at some of the world's top business schools, Luzzatto was appointed after a comprehensive selection process that included many elite Italian managers and was managed by Egon Zehnder, the world’s largest private executive search company. Luzzatto brings over thirty years of experience from the energy, aerospace, and infrastructure sectors. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held senior leadership positions - both in Italy and internationally - at public and private companies, including General Electric, Ansaldo Energia, Chromalloy, and Impresa Pizzarotti.
Paolo d’Amico, Chairman of Registr's already brilliant growth trajectory”.
Davide Bertone, CEO of Fondo Italiano d’Investimento, remarked: "Carlo Luzzatto has the essential expertise and experience for the next growth phase of RINA. Together with Ugo Salerno and Registro Italiano Navale, we are delighted to secure his commitment and look forward to welcoming him on board immediately”.
RINA, leading certification company and engineering company in Italy, provides a wide range of services across the Energy, Marine, Certification, Infrastructure & Mobility, Real Estate and Industry sectors. With revenues in 2022 of 725 million euros, 5,300 employees and 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide, RINA is a member of key international organizations and an important contributor to the development of new legislative standards. www.rina.org      
At the closing, RINA S.p.A. stakeholders will be: Registro Italiano Navale (64,5%), Fondo Italiano d’Investimento (up to 33%) and company’s management (2,5%).

images: Ugo Salerno is Chairman/CEO at Rina Spa & Carlo Luzzatto, future CEO and General Director of RINA S.p.A.

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ZeroNorth and Alpha Ori Technologies (AOT) announced that they intend to join forces in an agreement that will create a leading maritime optimisation company and a new powerhouse in shipping’s digital transformation.
Subject to regulatory approval, the two companies plan to generate synergies by combining Alpha Ori Technologies' expertise in IoT sensors and high frequency data and ZeroNorth's multi-service technology platform to create new sustainability solutions for shipping. The agreement will allow the two companies to serve their customer bases from a single offering and create a strong data ecosystem on one platform with multiple services within the market.
The company intends to operate under the ZeroNorth brand and Søren Meyer, ZeroNorth’s current CEO, will remain at the helm of the joint set-up. Both of AOT’s current Co-CEOs, Bala Sankaran and Rajesh Unni, will become non-executive board members of the joint business.
The two proposed partners already supply cutting-edge technology to more than 4000 ships trading globally.  The agreement will enable customers to access 12 different services using one platform and one data source.  This will help to significantly advance industry developments and policy efforts across the global trade value chain.
ZeroNorth will interconnect data, providing collection, insights, and analysis, which will enhance quality and compliance for customers. By unlocking operational efficiencies and increasing reliability, customers will also benefit from cost savings, increased profits, and emissions reduction.
The joint business will remain an independent company with robust financial backing and heritage from top industry leaders, leveraging their deep shipping knowledge to deliver transformative solutions that positively impact the sector.
The company will retain its global office presence, headquartered from Copenhagen, and a combined workforce of 780 people, approximately one third of which are full-time consultants, will work together to create significant further impact on the planet.
Speaking on the announcement, Søren Meyer, CEO, ZeroNorth said: “I am delighted to be able to announce this agreement with Alpha Ori Technologies, which we truly believe represents the exciting next step in shipping’s digital and sustainability transformation. This is a strategic move that will not just benefit our customers, but the sector as a whole. It will enable us to serve the industry as its leading maritime optimisation provider of choice and underlines our commitment to bettering both profit and planet.”
“ZeroNorth and Alpha Ori Technologies chose each other because of our shared values and common mission to drive impactful change for shipping and the wider global trade value chain. The combined ecosystem that this partnership will create will enable us to touch from shore to ship and back to shore.”
“It will accelerate our technology development, strengthen our innovative mindset, and enable us to continue to help our customers focus on profit and planet in an increasingly complex and volatile world.”
Bala Sankaran, Co-CEO Alpha Ori Technologies, added: “Joining forces with ZeroNorth secures a market leading position for our companies, and enables us to propel the industry towards greater profitability and sustainability outcomes. We believe that this is the perfect time for us to scale and do bigger things together, and this agreement is perfectly in line with our ambition to drive sustainability, performance, and business results for our customers.”
“ZeroNorth is an ideal fit for AOT's ambitions regarding digital transformation of the Maritime industry due to our considerable expertise and specialism in high frequency data. The agreement with ZeroNorth brings significant advantages, enabling us to leverage our combined scale for increased investment and improved customer value.”
ZeroNorth has already helped its customers to collectively cut their emissions by more than one million metric tonnes since 2021. The agreement will help to further improve the positive momentum both companies are enabling within the global trade value chain.

About ZeroNorth
Recognising the challenges posed by climate change, technology company ZeroNorth was founded to accelerate the transition to greener global trade. By blending cutting-edge data-driven technology with human expertise, the ZeroNorth platform provides a range of software solutions that are helping the global shipping industry cut emissions and reduce its impact on the climate, whilst maintaining commercial performance.
ZeroNorth offers one platform with multiple services and is an industry leading software developer, which interconnects data into insights and actions, optimising global trade for cargo owners, vessel owners, commercial operators, charterers, and bunker suppliers. The company’s software offers a full range of services which support the value chain to increase earnings and reduce CO2 emissions.
For more information, please visit:  www.zeronorth.com

About Alpha Ori Technologies
Alpha Ori Technologies (AOT) is a B2B Technology company headquartered in Singapore with overseas product development offices in India and the United States. Alpha Ori’s vision is to digitally enable all floating enterprises with cutting-edge technologies – IoT, Machine Learning and Cloud-based Big Data science – to drive remote operations, enhance operational efficiency and achieve the highest levels of safety on board ships.
www.alphaori.sg  

images: Søren Meyer, CEO, ZeroNorth & Bala Sankaran, Co-CEO Alpha Ori Technologies

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Theano Kalapotharakou Elnavi’s Co publisher exclusively reports from Montevideo 

Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International, opened the 2023 AGM in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Tuesday, 25 October, by welcoming representatives from a record 56 national WISTA associations (NWAs). The majority were present in person, while some participated online.
After a roll call of NWAs, delegates viewed video presentations from Cyprus, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates, all bidding to host the WISTA International AGM & Conference 2024. These videos emphasized their maritime sectors and the appeal of their destinations. Monaco, Spain, and Turkey later presented pitches to host the AGM & Convention 2025. Following a vote, Cyprus was selected as the 2024 host and Barcelona for 2025.
Recommendations were made for the Nominations Committee, resulting in the election of five members and two substitutes from Argentina and Cyprus. Three candidates contested for the ExCo: Connie Boozen from WISTA The Netherlands, Nazli Selek from WISTA Turkey, and Meredith Kirby from WISTA USA. After voting, Connie and Nazli were re-elected to the ExCo, with Meredith being elected for the first time.
In her annual report, Elpi Petraki mentioned that three new NWAs were established over the past 12 months in Estonia, Jamaica, and Paraguay. She also revealed a significant increase in WISTA membership, now totalling 4,356 members across 56 NWAs.
Mrs Petraki updated on several WISTA initiatives in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This included the Maritime Speakers Bureau launched in Geneva last year, encouraging more women to participate in industry events. Other projects in collaboration with the IMO were also highlighted.
Furthermore, Elpi Petraki discussed the "Platform for Change - Women in Transport" project in association with the European Union. Two collaborative projects with the International Chamber of Shipping were also mentioned.
She provided an overview of other partnerships with global organizations, such as the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA), and UNCTAD. WISTA had achieved observer status with UNCTAD on 6 July 2023. Elpi recounted various events attended by ExCo members throughout the past year.
Treasurer Connie Boozen presented a positive financial report for 2022 and expressed WISTA's intention to engage an all-female accounting team. Delegates later heard reports from representatives from the working committees Diversity, Yachting, Environment, HR, and Trade. A new Port Committee is also being established.
IMO Secretary-General Elect Arsenio Dominguez delivered the afternoon's first keynote. He urged WISTA to maximize its observer status with the IMO, emphasizing the importance of active participation. Arsenio's address encompassed digitalization, automation, and capacity building. He encouraged WISTA's active involvement in various IMO activities.
Mariana Noceti from the IMO elaborated on its Women in Maritime programme and announced an upcoming IMO-WISTA survey scheduled for 2024.
Helio Vicente of the International Chamber of Shipping centred his keynote on seafarers' recruitment, training, and retention, mentioning collaboration with WISTA's President, Elpi Petraki.
Dorothea Ioannou was awarded as WISTA's Personality of the Year, nominated by three NWAs: Cyprus, Hellas, and the USA.
Dorothea Ioannou’s remarkable achievements and her unwavering commitment to advancing the maritime industry make her a truly deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.
As the first woman to lead an international P&I (Protection and Indemnity) club, she has achieved a historic milestone that has inspired and empowered women worldwide. Her journey serves as a testament to what dedication, resilience, and vision can accomplish.
A keynote by Teresa Perez Del Castillo from the United Nations examined principles for encouraging companies to support women's advancement. Pilar Lacalle Pou of the Uruguayan environmental group URUMEPA discussed ocean conservation and battling plastic pollution.
The AGM concluded by commemorating anniversaries of WISTA NWAs in various countries, including Portugal, Uruguay, Peru, Russia, France, Hellas, Poland, and Norway.

A more detailed article will be featured in ELNAVI December 2023 edition.

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Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, has welcomed two dual fuel vessels, Angleviken and Askviken, into management in the last few months. The two LR2 tankers, delivered by Guangzhou Shipyard International, demonstrate Wallem’s commitment to building its expertise in managing and operating the vessels of the future and being a partner to our clients who drive decarbonisation in the maritime industry. Wallem is also preparing to take delivery of multiple new build DF PCTC vessels in the near future.
Ioannis Stefanou, Managing Director Ship Management, Wallem Group said: ‘Since its foundation 120 years ago, Wallem has been at the forefront of maritime global services with a keen eye to adopt industry change. In the 21^st century decarbonisation leads the sector’s agenda, and Wallem’s key focus is to develop and build our expertise both onboard and ashore in new technologies and alternative fuel systems.’
Mr. Stefanou continues, ‘Despite technological advances, we still believe the Future is Human. These dual fuel vessels have brought exciting opportunities for our crew to expand their expertise. They provide a platform to train experienced crews of various ship types on dual fuel engine system requirements. Wallem is ready to manage any type of vessel equipped with dual fuel engines for our clients.’  
About Wallem
Wallem Group is a leading provider of technology driven maritime solutions, offering services supporting the complete lifecycle of a vessel from newbuilding supervision to end-of-life recycling guidance. Wallem’s extensive portfolio includes asset management, crewing, training, ship management, safety and compliance management and agency services.
As one of the largest and most experienced solutions providers globally, Wallem offers world-class support to shipowners by bringing its customer-centric and transparent approach to all aspects of fleet operation. Wallem combines technology and forward-thinking to deliver on safety, technical, and commercial performance without compromise. Wallem believes in collaboration to foster innovation in meeting future needs.
Wallem operates globally with a shore-based team of 700 people and 7,000 highly qualified seafarers, serving nearly all vessel segments.

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The Forum of Alternative Fuel and Propulsion Technology was organized by Headway Technology Group (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. on 27^th October, in Yantai, China. With the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) and the China Shipowners' Association (CSA) as hosts, many Distinguished representatives from government agencies, industrial associations, ship owners, shipyards and naval design institutes gathered at this event to engage in in-depth discussions on the latest advancements and prospects of alternative fuels and propulsion technologies.
During the forum, Headway Technology Group showcased their groundbreaking Methanol Fuel Supply System, which was in live operation. The event garnered support from notable organizations, including the Shandong Provincial Association of the Shipbuilding Industry (SPASI), Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) and leading universities.
Headway Technology Group took center stage at the forum by unveiling two cutting-edge decarbonization solutions: the Methanol Fuel Supply System (LFSS) and the Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilization System (CCSU). Additionally, they formalized a Cooperation Agreement on Alternative Fuel Conversion with PaxOcean Engineering Zhoushan Co., Ltd and SDARI. Under this agreement, the three companies will collaborate to provide comprehensive turnkey solutions, encompassing retrofitting, installation, commissioning and technical/after-sales support for alternative fuel sources like methanol and ammonia. This partnership is anticipated to yield mutual benefits for the entire supply chain and, most importantly, for the customer.
Naifen Tan, Deputy Secretary General of CANSI, emphasized that the global economic slowdown has introduced increased uncertainties and challenges. Furthermore, with the finalization of the “2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships”, the shipping industry has embarked on a faster journey toward decarbonization. In this context, the shipbuilding industry finds itself at a crossroads, brimming with both opportunities and challenges. There is an urgent need for a stronger commitment to digitalization and green technologies, fostering the growth of intelligent manufacturing and integrated solutions. These steps are essential in empowering a bottom-up approach to conversion. Ms. Tan commended the forum for providing a valuable platform for the industry to explore possibilities for steering the shipping sector toward a greener future.
The other two specially invited guests also address speeches. Ms. Ying Xin from Department of industry and information Technology, and Mr. Hailong, Chen from a leading university, underscored that venturing down the path of industrialization is a critical objective for achieving industrialization with distinct Chinese characteristics. They emphasized that promoting innovation serves as the cornerstone of industrialization, and sustainability should be ingrained as an integral element of this process. It was mentioned in the recent provincial ship and offshore supply chain conference, the paramount importance and concentrating efforts should be put in key areas and prioritizing major tasks aimed at fostering the exclusive, intelligent and sustainable development of the shipping industry. Universities should fully take the advantages of talents and scientific & technological innovation, cooperate with suppliers in the industry, seize the research and development opportunities of key technologies for green ships, and jointly promote the update and iteration of new energy power technologies for ships.
During the forum, Yao Yu, the Director of the Mechanical and Electrical Department at the Development Institute of Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote speech on "The Application of Methanol Propulsion Systems for Large Container Carriers" He shared Jiangnan's extensive expertise in the design and construction of large, low-carbon container carriers.
Dr. Enzhe Song, an expert in marine power and propulsion, representing leading Chinese universities, gave a speech titled "Development Path of Marine Propulsion" This presentation provided a detailed introduction to the strategic requirements and potential development pathways for alternative marine fuels. Dr. Song's speech also outlined a practical approach for Chinese shipping companies to achieve green and sustainable development tailored to their specific needs.
Kechao Lu, the Director of the Strategy & Development Department at Headway, delivered a speech titled "Headway's Low Carbon Solutions based on the Strategy for Reduction of GHG Emissions". This presentation fully unveiled Headway's comprehensive solutions for low-carbon shipping, along with sharing data analytics from bench tests of the OceanGuard® LFSS.
Zhuo Zhang, Director of the Innovation Center at SDARI, introduced SDARI's brand-new Dolphin 210,000 and 85,000 DWT methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers. He also shared insights on optimized tanker and PCTC designs.
Hongxing Li, Promotion Manager at MAN Energy Solutions, delivered a speech titled "Introduction to Two-Stroke Methanol Marine Engines and Auxiliary Systems". This presentation provided technical specifications for MAN's two-stroke methanol engines, highlighted major components, and discussed modular retrofitting.
In the afternoon, the speakers and audience had the opportunity to visit Headway's alternative fuel test center and observed the OceanGuard® Methanol Fuel Supply System in action. The test center was purposefully designed to serve as an intelligent platform, facilitating technical research, commercialization, product testing and talent development. This field visit provided an in-depth understanding of the components and operational aspects of the OceanGuard® LFSS, including the Methanol Supply Unit, Bunkering Unit, Service Tank and Control Unit.
The forum, as a whole, serves as a pivotal platform for the alternative fuel value chain to foster communication and collaboration. It is poised to drive the industry toward a greener future, characterized by mutual benefits. This collective effort will propel the industry along a steady and sustainable path toward a more environmentally conscious course.

This Forum consists of 2 parts:
1, meeting in the morning,  it is organized by Headway, with 2 associations as hosts-- the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) and the China Shipowners' Association (CSA)
2. visiting LFSS operation in test center of Headway.  Audience from the forum visited test center, witnessed how LFSS supplied stable methanol to an running engine.

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Lloyd’s Register (LR) has been awarded the contract to class two methanol-ready Commissioning Service Operations Vessels (CSOVs) being built by VARD, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, for the UK’s leading offshore infrastructure support vessel operator, North Star.
The new tonnage will increase North Star’s offshore wind capabilities as it progresses its ambition to add 40 hybrid-powered SOVs to its fleet by 2040. The introduction of the two CSOVs will expand North Star’s capabilities to support commissioning and maintenance work εssential to ensuring offshore wind farms can operate. Alongside their use as a logistics hub and warehouse, these ships also provide in-field technicians with high-comfort accommodation.
The CSOVs will be built to VARD’s unique 4 22 design and feature a new methanol-ready hybrid-propulsion system coupled with a hull design optimised for low fuel consumption and resistance. The vessel’s hulls will be built at Vard Braila, Romania before being towed to Vard Langsten in Norway for outfitting with an expected delivery date of Spring 2025. 
The project builds further on LR’s work in Norway for the delivery of alternative fuelled vessels. In 2022 LR awarded Approval in Principle to Norwegian ship owner Egil Ulvan Rederi for its With Orca zero emissions bulk carrier - which won the Motorship Award in 2022 - and the Torghatten Nord project to provide a hydrogen ferry for Norway’s Vestfjorden route, connecting Bodø, Røst, Værøy and Moskenes.
Michael North, Lloyd’s Register Commercial Manager for Norway and Iceland, said: “LR is pleased to have been awarded the contract to conduct the design appraisal and survey of Vard’s two CSOVs for North Star. The build, design and delivery of these two methanol-ready vessels will represent a positive forward step for the maritime energy transition and LR is looking forward to providing continued support to Vard and the Norwegian shipbuilding industry.” 
Thomas Brathaug, Project Manager, VARD, said: “Based on the great cooperation prior to the ship building contract, we are confident that Lloyd’s Register will be a good partner through the completion of the engineering and construction of these vessels with several innovative solutions.”
James Bradford, North Star’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Our business enjoys a longstanding relationship with Lloyd’s Register, with many of our existing fleet aligned with its classifications, benchmarking the high standard our ships are built to. Ensuring that we drive down emissions is critical to our long-term goals. Having these assets delivered methanol ready will allow us to decarbonise our service offering to our client base and in particular our European clients who will face carbon taxation challenges in the near future.”
About Lloyd’s Register: Trusted maritime advisers, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine engineering and technology. Created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society, to improve and set standards for the safety of ships.
Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance.
We also provide advice, support and solutions on fleet performance and optimisation, voyage optimisation, enhancing our clients’ digital capability. Our digital solutions are relied upon by more than 20,000 vessels.
In the race to zero emissions, our research, technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition.
Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education. 
About Vard:  VARD is one of the world's leading designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels providing unique "one stop shop" solutions for marine industries including offshore, renewable energy, navy, fishery, and cruise. Headquartered in Norway and with approximately 7,000 employees, VARD operates shipbuilding facilities in Norway, Romania, Brazil, and Vietnam. Through its specialized subsidiaries VARD provides fully integrated ship design, shipbuilding and equipment solutions to the global maritime industry including power and automation systems, deck handling equipment, and vessel accommodation.
VARD is driven by a clear purpose to drive the transition to zero emission emission ships. This is made possible through VARD’s long shipbuilding traditions and strong customer relationships. Combining cutting-edge innovation and technology with global operations to enable the next generation of low and zero emission vessels.
FINCANTIERI S.p.A. based in Trieste, Italy, is VARD's indirect major shareholder and controls 98 percent of the shares. FINCANTIERI is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, and a global leader in cruise ship design and reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry sectors. With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, the Group today has a production network of 18 shipyards operating in four continents and over 20,000 employees.
About North Star:  North Star is the market leading UK provider of mission critical, offshore infrastructure support services to offshore wind and offshore oil and gas markets. 
The firm has bases in Aberdeen, Lowestoft, Newcastle and Hamburg, employs 1,300 crew and onshore personnel, and has been supporting the energy sector for the past four decades. Its offshore infrastructure support vessel fleet boasts 42 assets and provides continuous αround the clock support services to more than 50 North Sea installations. 
The company’s first two Service Operations Vessels (SOVs), the Grampian Tyne and flagship Grampian Derwent were delivered this summer (2023). A further two are under construction and all four are under charter for a 10-year minimum in the North Sea. The business has also invested in its first two of up to four Commissioning SOVs to support the growing European offshore wind market. 
The 135-year-old business, which was originally established to support the fisheries industry, is also the country’s largest employer of offshore cadets. Since 1996, it has trained hundreds of future deck and engineering trainees, investing £1million annually on average to develop the next generation.  
By combining safety, service and quality, the company delivers exceptional levels of support to its clients in one of world’s most challenging and demanding industries. 

Image: ‘North Star’s first two Vard built CSOVs to be classified by Lloyd’s Register’ 

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CLIA continues to celebrate 2023 as the “European Year of Skills” and to actively contribute to the development of skills in the cruise industry by organising one more educational cruise ship visit for students in Greece. This time the invitation was addressed to postgraduate students from the Maritime Studies Department of the University of Piraeus who had the opportunity to get onboard the cruise ship MSC Splendida of MSC Cruises at the Port of Piraeus on Saturday, October 21. The students had the opportunity to navigate through the world of cruising, learning about career opportunities in the cruise business and the industry’s actions on sustainability.
Hosted by CLIA’s National Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Mrs Maria Deligianni and MSC Cruises’ Vice President Sustainability & ESG, Mrs Linden Coppell, who presented virtually, as well as honored by the presence of the President of the Piraeus Port Authority, Mr Yu Zenggang, students of MSc in Shipping Management and MSc in Ports and Coastal Economy of the University of Piraeus were offered the opportunity of a guided tour of MSC Splendida in order to experience what cruising is about. The students were accompanied by Mr Thanos Pallis and Mr Aggelos Pantouvakis, professors of the Maritime Studies Department of the University of Piraeus.
Welcoming the students onboard MSC Splendida through a video message, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr Christos Stylianides said: “Cruising is one of the most important tourist activities in Greece and in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. The cruise sector is expected to bring even greater value to the sea tourism industry and at the same time bring significant benefits to all involved parts, it boosts the blue economy and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring sustainability in the maritime industry”.
Regarding the prospects for cruise in Greece Mr. Stylianides noted that “all experts agree that the positive course of the industry in our country will continue and we hope that we will have a further increase in cruise ship calls, which from next year may even exceed 10%”.
Executive Chairman of BoD of PPA S.A., Mr. Zenggang Yu expressed gratitude to CLIA and MSC Cruises for hosting an educational ship visit, emphasizing the significance of Piraeus as the largest passenger port in Europe and a vital Mediterranean cruise destination. Mr. Yu underlined the economic benefits brought by the cruise industry, particularly the growth in homeporting despite pandemic challenges. This is verified through a research study conducted by the Dept. of Maritime studies of the University of Piraeus which found that cruise tourists contribute significantly to the local economy, not only in Athens but also in Piraeus. The global economic impact of the cruise industry and sustainability efforts at Piraeus port are both in focus through decarbonisation and recognition for sustainability. Mr. Yu concluded by encouraging students to enjoy the presentations and ship visit and wished them success in their studies and professional careers.
Maria Deligianni, National Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA presented an overview of trends and key figures for the cruise industry globally and in Greece as well as CLIA’s latest Sustainability report issued October 2023. “This initiative is part of CLIA’s priority to engage with students and young people who are interested in the dynamic cruise industry and raise awareness about its significant and growing impact on the economy and employment at global, European, and local level”, said Mrs Deligianni. “As a cruise industry we are sailing to a better future, and these young students are our future. We are delighted to be able to host these students onboard and give them the chance to “taste” and “feel” what cruising is about”, she added.
Linden Coppell, Vice President Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises presented the environmental technologies onboard and the MSC Cruises sustainability strategy, as well as facts about cruise industry careers. “Our sustainability programme is organised around four key pillars: Planet, People, Place and Procurement, ensuring that our attention is focused on the issues that matter the most. At MSC Cruises, we firmly believe that our people are the cornerstone of our success and employ talented team members worldwide. We understand that nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth in a safe and supportive environment is paramount, and we work to ensure that we have a skilled and motivated workforce to achieve our sustainability goals and deliver exceptional experiences to our passengers” she said.
Professor Thanos Pallis noted on behalf of the University of Piraeus: “Cruise is a sector demonstrating great potential. It is also a sector that is based on the coordination of several stakeholders in order to achieve this potential in an economical, environmental, and socially sustainable way. This educational visit provided a unique opportunity to our postgraduate students to better understand the multiple and multidimensional efforts of cruise lines, and the port of Piraeus, in achieving such sustainable growth in all respects, and discuss the contribution of cruise activities to local communities. All these while experiencing a cruise vessel in full operation and the unique hospitality that MSC Cruises offers to its guests. Congratulations to CLIA Europe for this commendable initiative and to MSC Cruises for making this a unique experience for our students. Our Department of Maritime Studies will work with all partners involved to give to such educational visits a periodical character”.
The cruise industry offers a high-quality work environment with competitive wages and benefits, as well as training for crew members to perform jobs skillfully and advance on a rewarding career path. CLIA member cruise lines employ a multinational workforce in a huge variety of jobs, onboard as well as onshore, also including guest services, medical, entertainment, chefs etc. Often more than 60 nationalities may be working together onboard a ship at any time. Cruise also provides the most advanced opportunities for women in maritime, as 94% of women seafarers across the world are working in the cruise industry. At the same time, CLIA member cruise lines have focused on programmes that remove barriers for entry and offer independence for workers with disabilities.

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