Alpha Bulkers signs up for global weather intelligence provider's Total Fleet Management Solution (TFMS) including comprehensive monitoring, optimization and weather services. Alpha Bulkers Shipmanagement specialises in the management and operation of large bulk carriers, ranging from ultramax to newcastlemax units. The fleet provides ocean transport services in close cooperation with major grain, coal, iron ore and minor bulk producers, power utilities, traders and shipping operators.

Initially, 22 vessels will be equipped with Weathernews' market-leading TFMS to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, expanding to Alpha Bulkers' full stable of 35 ships within a few months. The agreement, which leverages Weathernews' SeaNavigator platform, including OSR-e (Optimum Ship Routing) and the Performance Monitoring Service, marks a significant milestone by enrolling the majority of Alpha Bulkers' fleet into optimizing and monitoring their voyages. The implementation of this project is overseen by Captain Thomas Levantis, Deputy Operations Manager at Alpha Bulkers, in coordination with the rest of Operations team.

Demanding selection process

After evaluating multiple offers, Alpha Bulkers chose Weathernews for its service excellence and deep engagement, rather than solely focusing on price. "Through in-depth discussions and workshops, we were able to develop a deep understanding of Weathernews' offering. This being the start of an extensive agreement with Weathernews, our key considerations were building trust and testing the performance of the solutions. Our top leadership responded very positively and valued the expertise and responsiveness of the Weathernews team. We look forward to rolling out their technology on our vessels," said Pavlos Vitos, General Manager and project lead at Alpha.

John Sideris, Senior Sales Manager at Weathernews, added: "We are delighted that Alpha Bulkers has chosen our solution. Our 24/7 availability and good rapport played a significant role in securing the business. Both parties have collaborated to develop a good understanding of each other's processes and strategies. This has been key in building trust and aligning our objectives to enhance the operational efficiency of the Alpha Bulkers fleet."

Solving key challenges

Alpha Bulkers' selection criteria included weather accuracy, detailed reporting, fast decision-making and high optimization capability. Their optimization requirements range from voyage optimisation to reduce fuel consumption/costs, engine speed (RPM) efficiency, TCE (time-charter equivalent) rates and overall fleet performance analysis. As per evolving market dynamics, single voyage optimisation has become even more strategically important.

Alpha Bulkers’ transition to data-driven decision-making reflects an industry-wide trend, aligning with its strategic goals and Weathernews' expertise in digital solutions. "This is a high-priority project that could influence potential carriers," concluded Sideris.

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RINA, the inspection, certification, ship classification and consulting engineering multinational, has awarded Korea Maritime Consultants Co., Ltd. (KOMAC) the Approval in Principle (AiP) for a newly developed 40,000 CBM LNG-fuelled, hydrogen-ready, liquid CO₂ (LCO₂) carrier.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies offer significant potential for decarbonisation and are a key enabler of a more cost-effective and achievable net-zero future. Among the available CO₂ transportation options, shipping emerges as a viable solution to link emission sources with storage sites. Compared to pipelines, it provides shorter lead times, greater flexibility and scalability, streamlined permitting processes, and, in many cases, improved economic efficiency.

LCO₂ shipping is still an emerging market, with only a limited number of vessels in operation or under construction. This makes the development of new ships essential. KOMAC’s vessel design captures the growing momentum in the LCO₂ shipping segment, as major international projects begin to set the pace.

This AiP represents a significant advancement in maritime innovation. The future-ready design of the LCO₂ carrier, which features hydrogen as fuel - produced on board and on demand - offers a practical and efficient solution for meeting the IMO 2050 decarbonization targets.

Simone Manca, North Asia Marine Vice President at RINA said, “This AiP reinforces the close and productive relationship between RINA and KOMAC, highlighting our shared commitment to accelerating the transition toward low and zero-carbon operations. We are proud to support KOMAC in advancing a ship type that will play a pivotal role in the global carbon transport infrastructure. This achievement reflects not only technical excellence but also the collaborative spirit driving sustainable progress in maritime design. Looking ahead, RINA and KOMAC aim to deepen their collaboration, pushing the boundaries of marine engineering and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for global shipping.”

KOMAC, the Korea's first and only private organization of naval architects and marine engineers, was founded in 1969. KOMAC has provided full range of professional services in the field of marine engineering including ship design (contract design, basic design, detailed design & production design), new building construction supervision, machinery and equipment procurement services, and technical and management consultancy services to shipbuilders and ship owners in more than 30 countries since its establishment. During last 54 years, KOMAC has designed more than 1,700 different classes and type of vessels and supervised construction of more than 1,400 vessels and provided numerous technical and management consultancy services to the worldwide clients.  KOMAC has participated in the planning of nearly every major shipyard projects and yard expansions in Korea including two huge ultra modern shipyards currently owned by Hanhwa Ocean (previously Daewoo) and Samsung Groups.  Through this intensive involvement in the local shipbuilding industry, KOMAC has made itself an indispensable partner in the rapidly expanding international maritime industry through relentless efforts and continued nurturing of its expertise both in quality and quantity.

RINA, leading certification and engineering company, provides a wide range of services across the Energy, Marine, Infrastructure & Mobility, Certification, Industry and Real Estate sectors. In December 2023, alongside the majority shareholder Registro Italiano Navale, Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR entered the shareholding structure guiding a pool of co-investors. With revenues in 2024 of 915 million euros, 6,200 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.

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The canal’s vision rests on two main pillars. First, water security, achieved through increased storage capacity for human consumption and canal operations which ensure resilience over the long term. Second, sustained growth, by diversifying business activities and expanding transport capacity without increasing water usage. With these measures, the canal seeks to capture maximum value from its route and to remain the preferred option for global customers.

With this vision, the Panama Canal will evolve beyond an interoceanic passage and become a logistics hub, strengthening Panama’s competitive edge in world commerce.

The strategy was presented at a media event chaired by the Minister for Canal Affairs, Jose Ramón Icaza; the Canal Administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales; and the Deputy Administrator and Sustainability Officer, Ilya Espino de Marotta.

Strategic Projects

The Panama Canal will invest more than B/. 8 million in strategic projects that will not only create jobs for Panamanians but will also drive national economic growth. The increase in revenue derived from these initiatives will enable the canal to transfer larger annual contributions to the National Government, which will be invested in social development projects for the benefit of the population.

The Río Indio Reservoir will secure water for more than one million Panamanians and enhance the reliability of canal transits, therefor maximizing its value.

The Interoceanic Energy Corridor will include a 76-kilometer pipeline and two maritime terminals with provisions for the movement of up to 2.5 million barrels of energy products per day and linking the Atlantic and Pacific coasts without crossing the locks.

The pipeline, alone, is expected to create more than 45,000 jobs during construction and 11,000 during operations, contributing more than B/. 64 billion throughout its lifespan. In addition, it is projected to generate more than B/. 647 million for the State during execution of the project and over B/. 35 billion between 2031 and 2050, resources that will be directed to social projects.

The Corozal Port, located on the east bank, will be integrated into a land-based logistics platform connected by road and rail.

Social Commitment and Inclusive Development

Every project undertaken by the canal is conceived and executed with a deeply human-centered approach. In the case of the Río Indio Reservoir, a broad and ongoing process of dialogue with local residents is paving the way to ensure that development extends far beyond the project itself. These conversations aim to guarantee tangible investments in critical areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, which are designed to improve the quality of life.

At the same time, the canal is committed to weaving national suppliers and service providers into the fabric of these initiatives and ensuring that the economic benefits reverberate throughout the communities. Complementing this effort, specialized training and capacity-building programs will be promoted to strengthen local skills and empower communities to fully participate in and benefit from the opportunities generated by the canal’s expansion.

Transparency and International Participation

The Panama Canal guarantees open and transparent processes in the development of all projects. For the energy corridor, the The Panama Canal Authority Board of Directors has already approved the start of the process to select a concessionaire.

This begins with outreach to potential stakeholders, followed by the prequalification of companies, technical dialogue sessions, and then preparation of the final bidding terms. The tender is projected for the second quarter of 2026, with the participation of international firms that have proven experience in this type of infrastructure.
In parallel, the pre-feasibility study for the Corozal Port is advancing into the contracting phase, with results expected in the first quarter of 2026 and construction scheduled to begin in 2028.

A Sustainable Future

With this vision, the Panama Canal reaffirms its commitment to Panama and the world in which to remain a global trade engine and a driver of economic growth, while fostering a future that is more equitable, resilient, and sustainable for all Panamanians.

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Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, together with its technical advisory arm Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS), has launched OptiCARBON^TM, a SaaS platform which represents an all-in-one solution capable of optimizing and predicting energy, fuel, and compliance costs across an entire fleet.

OptiCARBON^TM utilizes BV’s highly accurate digital vessel models to simulate various operational, regulatory, and financial scenarios tailored to the user's requirements. OptiCARBON™’s advanced modeling capabilities enable users to explore multiple decarbonization pathways, assessing emissions reduction alongside cost and compliance impacts. The platform’s comprehensive forecasting and scenario planning tools allow users to measure and compare the impact of their operational strategy over time.

The platform is modular, scalable and customizable to different fleet sizes and vessel types. OptiCARBON^TM is designed to support dynamic, long-term decarbonization strategies that evolve alongside new technologies and regulations. While initially developed to meet the specific needs of ferries, cruise ships and RoRo vessels, its future-proofed framework allows for rapid expansion to other vessel segments.

OptiCARBON^TM has already been deployed with Brittany Ferries, where it delivers highly accurate mapping and compliance simulations, while facilitating the company’s EU-ETS requirements. The results demonstrate that combining data-driven forecasting with BVS’ specialized maritime consulting expertise can serve as the cornerstone of a company’s long-term strategic planning. 

Matthieu de Tugny, Executive Vice President, Industrials and Commodities, BV, said: “The maritime industry is under mounting pressure to decarbonize. With the EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, and the likely introduction of the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework, it’s not just compliance costs that are rising but also operational complexity and uncertainty.”

Flavia Caldi Rezende, Vice President, BV Solutions Marine & Offshore, said “With OptiCARBON^TM, we’re making dynamic, forward-looking planning accessible to more stakeholders. Our goal is to empower stakeholders to reduce costs, avoid penalties, and develop tailored pathways to net zero – backed by unparalleled regulatory insight and maritime expertise.”

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Anticipating to a strong tanker market Navios Maritime Partners, proceeded to the acquisition of two scrubber-fitted newbuilding aframax/LR2 tankers for $133.0 million.

In June 2025, Navios Partners agreed to acquire two scrubber-fitted newbuilding aframax/LR2 tankers of 115,000 dwt, from unrelated third parties, for an aggregate purchase price of $133.0 million. The vessels are expected to be delivered into Navios Partners’ fleet during the first half of 2027.

Sale of vessels

During the second quarter of 2025, Navios Partners agreed to sell a 2009-built 4,250 TEU containership and a 2008-built 4,730 TEU containership, to unrelated third parties, for an aggregate gross sale price of $65.5 million. The sales are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, respectively.

In July 2025, Navios Partners agreed to sell a 2009-built transhipper vessel of 57,573 dwt to Navios South American Logistics Inc. for a gross sale price of $30.0 million. The sale was completed in July 2025. The transaction was negotiated and approved by the Conflicts Committee of Navios Partners.

One newbuilding vessel delivered

In June 2025, Navios Partners took delivery of a 2025-built aframax/LR2 tanker, which has been chartered-out at a rate of $27,446 net per day for a period of five years.

Navios Partners owns and operates a fleet comprised of 68 dry bulk vessels, 47 containerships and 58 tankers, including 18 newbuilding tankers (12 aframax/LR2 and six MR2 product tanker chartered-in vessels under bareboat contracts) that are expected to be delivered through the first half of 2028 and four 7,900 TEU newbuilding containerships that are expected to be delivered through the first half of 2027. The fleet excludes two containerships agreed to be sold.

Recently the company reported its financial results for the second quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2025.

Angeliki Frangou, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Partners stated, “I am pleased with the results for the second quarter of 2025, in which we reported revenue of $327.6 million, EBITDA of $178.2 million and net income of $69.9 million. Earnings per common unit were $2.34 for the quarter.”

Mrs Frangou continued, “Global economies have been surprisingly robust given the uncertain macro-environment. In addition, we are witnessing the creation and reshaping of trade patterns with longer distances due to the war between Ukraine and Russia, continued attacks in the Red Sea, and new and evolving world tariff regime. As a result, the shipping market generally is healthy.”

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Contships Logistics Corp. completed a USD 75 million tap issue of its outstanding senior unsecured sustainability-linked bond due 11 February 2030 (ISIN: NO0013470559) at 99.00% of par.

The net proceeds from the tap issue shall be applied towards general corporate purposes of the Group, which may include refinancing of existing financial indebtedness and acquisition of maritime assets.

Following the tap issue, the senior unsecured sustainability-linked bond will have USD 175 million outstanding.

Listing of the bonds in the tap issue remains subject to approval of a prospectus. The bonds in the tap issue will be issued under a separate ISIN (ISIN: NO0013648329) pending such approval, after which they will be merged with the existing bonds.

Arctic Securities and Fearnley Securities acted as joint bookrunners and Clarksons Securities acted as co-manager in connection with the placement of the tap issue.

Contships Logistics Corp. is the world’s largest independent owner of container feeder vessels focused on vessels between 900 TEU and 2,000 TEU. The Company has 38 container feeder vessels in operation. 

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The new design, announced at Gastech 2025, combines aerodynamic efficiency with expanded capability for low- and zero-carbon technologies. 

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its next-generation LNG carrier design featuring a forward accommodation layout and integrated Wind Challenger, wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). 

Developed in collaboration with MOL and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, the new design relocates the accommodation and bridge block from its conventional aft position to the bow. This fore-deckhouse configuration offers the opportunity for reduced aerodynamic drag, improved propulsion efficiency and potential lower fuel consumption.  

The forward accommodation layout provides a clear and unobstructed open deck space above cargo area, allowing for optimal placement and increasing number of WAPS technologies such as MOL’s Wind Challenger. This open deck space provides flexibility to accommodate varying sail numbers, types and spacing. 

The design also supports future integration of alternative fuel modules, and battery storage, making it adaptable to evolving fuels, regulations and owner requirements. 

The AiP follows LR’s extensive technical evaluation of the concept’s safety, feasibility and regulatory compliance. This included a full review of applicable IMO requirements, class rules and industry guidelines, supported by structured risk assessments including HAZID. 

Panos Mitrou, LR's Global Gas Segment Director, said: “This AiP reflects LR’s commitment to enabling the safe deployment of innovative technologies that support the maritime industry’s transition to net zero. By working closely with our project partners, we help demonstrate the technical feasibility and commercial value of forward-thinking vessel design.”  

Hong-Ryeul Ryu, CTO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated: “This AiP highlights HHI’s pioneering forward accommodation LNG carrier design, underscoring our unwavering commitment to sustainability and readiness to embrace advanced decarbonization technologies, including WAPS.” 

Yoshihiko Sugimoto, Deputy Chief Technical Officer of MOL, said: “With the valued collaboration of Lloyd’s Register and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, we are delighted to receive this AiP for HHI’s next-generation LNG carrier design featuring MOL’s Wind Challenger technology. This milestone highlights our unwavering commitment to leading the decarbonisation of the maritime industry and accelerating progress toward our medium- to long-term target of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050.” 

David Wamsley, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, said: “This AiP for a next-generation vessel is a great example of what can be achieved when industry leaders align. By proactively integrating the latest innovations with the clear regulatory direction for decarbonization, stakeholders are not just designing a ship they are creating a sustainable and profitable future for maritime transport. This partnership allows us to pool our expertise, mitigate risks, and accelerate the development of solutions that would be impossible to achieve alone.” 

Image: (left to right) Hongryeul Ryu, Executive Vice President & CTO, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Hisashi Umemura, Senior Managing Executive Officer, MOL; Jason Clifton-Samuel, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Republic of the Marshall Islands; Andy Mckeran, Chief Growth Officer, Lloyd’s Register.  

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Chalkis Shipyards SA has achieved full certification to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, the internationally recognized standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). This milestone complements our existing certifications in:

• ·  ISO 9001 – Quality Management
• ·  ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
• ·  ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety

- Why This Matters

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 provides a globally accepted framework for managing information security risks and implementing robust controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets.

This certification confirms that Chalkis Shipyards has established and maintains rigorous processes to identify, assess, treat, and monitor information risks within our defined scope.

- Our Commitment to Excellence

With this certification, we reaffirm our dedication to:

• ·  Applying best-practice, risk-based controls aligned with Annex A of the standard
• ·  Driving continuous improvement in our security posture
• ·  Ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations
• ·  Building trust through transparency and accountability

- Benefits for Our Clients and Partners

• ·  Confidence that your data is protected under a certified ISMS
• ·  Alignment with global standards required by regulated industries
• ·  A unified management framework that integrates quality, environmental, safety, and security systems Learn More

To explore our full suite of certifications, services, and commitment to excellence, visit us at www.chalkis-shipyards.gr  or contact us directly for more information.

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KIRIACOULIS MCS S.A has completed its first charter of its dry bulk vessel, recently added to the company’s fleet through a bareboat charter agreement, as initially disclosed on July 23, 2025.

The FEDERICA, a 37,000 DWT vessel built in 2012 at Hyundai shipyards, commenced its charter on September 5, 2025, under a minimum 50-day contract. The daily rate amounts to USD 14,000, a level considered particularly attractive in today’s market.

For the scheduled charter period, the company estimates that the vessel will generate gross revenues of more than USD 700,000 for KYRIAKOULIS.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Rigas Tzortzis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KYRIAKOULIS, stated: “We are particularly pleased with this agreement, which reaffirms the effectiveness of our strategic choices. Our focus remains on driving growth in a dynamically evolving environment and further strengthening KYRIAKOULIS’s position in the maritime sector.”

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Bernhard Schulte Offshore (BSO) has taken delivery of its newest Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), built by Ulstein Verft in Norway. The vessel, named ‘Windea Clausius’, was officially christened on 4 September and will serve the global offshore energy industry.

“The new ‘Windea Clausius’ completes our modern offshore fleet which now comprises five state-of-the-art vessels,” says Matthias Müller, Managing Director at Bernhard Schulte Offshore. “The new ship and its sister vessel ‘Windea Curie’, which has been already delivered in June, are characterized by their innovative design features focused on reliability, operability, flexibility, and sustainability.”

“The delivery of ‘Windea Clausius’ marks another important milestone in our long-standing collaboration with Bernhard Schulte Offshore. This vessel represents the forefront of maritime innovation, with a strong focus on sustainability, flexibility, and safety. We are proud to contribute to the green transition in the offshore industry by delivering solutions that combine high performance with a low environmental footprint,” says Lars Lühr Olsen, Managing Director, Ulstein Verft.

‘Windea Clausius’ features two sterns and azimuth propellers at both fore and aft, ensuring optimal performance in Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations and enhancing fuel efficiency. Regardless of whether the vessel is facing towards or away from the weather, it maintains excellent operability and flexibility. With the Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN design, the ship can minimise motion—critical for safe gangway operations as well as crew and personnel well-being.

Equipped with a large, height-adjustable, centrally located walk-to-work gangway and elevator tower for personnel and cargo transfers, the vessel also includes a 3D motion-compensated crane for offshore lifts of up to five tonnes. Onboard logistics are optimised with spacious storage areas and stepless access to offshore installations. In addition, ‘Windea Clausius’ features a height-adjustable boat landing system that allows for safe and stepless transfer of personnel and equipment between the CSOV and smaller crew transfer vessels—an important safety aspect especially while operating within offshore wind farms. 

The new ‘Windea Clausius’ offers up to 90 cabins with windows for charterers’ offshore personnel. In total, there are 111 cabins providing comfortable living conditions for up to 132 individuals. With hybrid battery propulsion and methanol fuel readiness, the vessel is designed for low-carbon operations and is ideally suited for both operations and maintenance (O&M) and construction support roles, particularly in harsh offshore environments.

The newbuilding is named after the German physicist Rudolf Clausius whose work on thermodynamics established fundamental principles for understanding energy transformations, including wind energy. The naming continues the tradition of naming BSO’s offshore vessels after outstanding personalities and scientists, as the ‘Windea La Cour’, ‘Windea Leibniz’, ‘Windea Jules Verne’, and ‘Windea Curie’.

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