Stefanos Papandreou & Theano Kalapotharakou co-publishers of ELNAVI report from SMM Hamburg 

From windjammers to steamships, and then to diesel engines: the maritime industry has had to re-invent itself at several instances in its history. But never has it seen change as radical as today. “Decarbonisation offers the industry the historic opportunity to take a leading role in the global efforts to combat climate change. It is an unbelievable innovation driver,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director Maritime and Technology Fairs at Hamburg Messe und Congress. At SMM, from 3 to 6 September in Hamburg, exhibiting companies demonstrate in a compelling way how innovative solutions can increase efficiency, cut emissions and improve safety and security at sea. “Through new formats and exhibition sections, such as the Future Fuels Area, we want to give a boost to the innovative capabilities of our industry while establishing SMM as the key platform for sustainable maritime technologies,” says SMM Director Christoph Lücke. It is important to mention the following innovative maritime sectors that are presented at SMM 2024:

Future fuels: not an option but a must

In the new Future Fuels Area a number of modular drop-in solutions were presented offering high scalability and redundancy, whilst operating with no vibration, reducing maintenance requirements and conforming to zero emission regulations.

New engine generations are ready-to-sell offering of a 25% hydrogen blend engine and providing cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Roughly 20 companies are participating in the Future Fuels Area.

Refitting: upgrading the fleet in service

Demand for eco-friendly and energy-efficient ships is increasing steadily, and refitting the fleet in service is a major topic for shipowners. It also harbours substantial business opportunities for shipyards and component manufacturers. There are intriguing retrofitting options, including inventions that reduce their environmental footprint while cutting fuel costs. For example wind-assisted propulsion solution can reduce fuel consumption by up to ten per cent.

Another option the rotor sails, thanks to high-tech materials and sophisticated automation can reduce fuel consumption by 8.2 per cent.

Digitalisation: heading for autonomous shipping

Integrating digital technologies is the second big item on the maritime industry’s agenda. Innovation is advancing at breathtaking speed.

Autonomous shipping is on the menu to representing a new turning point in the sustainable development of the shipping industry.

Artificial Intelligence: Solutions supporting sustainable success

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is definitely a game changer for the industry. This is why SMM is putting this technology front and centre this year. The new AI CENTER is an all-embracing showcase of advanced AI technologies and their potential for maritime applications. Numerous established and start-up companies present their AI solutions addressing a variety of challenges, from optimising fuel consumption to improving operational efficiency. AI aims not only at the ease industry's transition towards green shipping but also enable to make confident decisions that support commercial and sustainability goals.

In SMM we had a very interesting program as we started from Tuesday 3rd of September 8 am attending a press conference from Alfa Laval about the biofuels and future fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen, improving the energy efficiency of the ship, managing ballast water and propulsion using the wind.

Afterwards, the opening event was held with the presence of the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, the director of DG Move EU Commission Magda Kopczynska and the president of German shipowners Association Dr Gaby Blenheim who in their messages pointed out the strategic and decisive role of shipping for prosperity and survival of the world's population as well as the need to protect seafarers from malicious/terrorist acts and attract young people to the maritime profession.

Class society DNV presented its Maritime Forecast 2024 main study with keynote speaker Remi Eriksen Group CEO, official guest IMO general secretary Arsenio Dominguez who discussed the organization's policy with DNV Maritime CEO Knut Orbeck-Nilsson.

As mentioned during the event, IMO aims at 20% less air emissions towards 2030, energy efficiency could lead to 16% fuel savings by 2030, Digitalization enables optimization, Green shore power can reduce emissions by 7%, Carbon capture could be most effective, Pooling of compliance could save 6% of the cost of decarbonization. 

We had also the chance to visit the following stands: Paramina air compressors, SQlearn, Elvik s.a, D. Koronakis, Psyctotherm, Uteco, WIMA, Hemexpo, Carell, Farad, Navarino, Katradis, Marichem- Marigasse, Skaramanga shipyards and discussed with the managers the prospects and possibilities of their activities in shipping.

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With Fuel EU Maritime already impacting shipowners, energy efficiency and fleet-wide pooling are critical to short term sustainability success according to leading industry figures at the annual ABS Sustainability Summit, which kicked off the SMM Exhibition in Hamburg.

In a wide-ranging keynote, Navigator Gas CEO Mads Peter Zacho was positive about the progress of the transition, describing it as a business opportunity and said he welcomes the prospect of a carbon levy.

He said: “Climate change is not slowing down; it is accelerating, which means we need to move faster in the shipping industry. What the IMO will bring after MEPC 82 next month and MEPC 83 next spring will be incredibly exciting. I hope for an ambitious global carbon price levied on shipping, which is something unexpected from an owner – but the cost will move down the supply chain as it should.  The impact to the consumer for green shipping is only expected to be 1 to 2 percent more.”

The event also saw Kathrin Lau, Editor in Chief, Schiff & Hafen, moderate a panel discussion comprised of representatives from V.Group, Hamburg Port Authority, MPC Container Ship ASA and Hapag-Lloyd.

Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President of Business Development, said: “We have heard that while the future is exciting, delivering it is proving challenging. The significant financial and technological decisions that we need to take in the coming months are complicated by geopolitics and decisions at the national level, creating an uncertain investment environment.”

Panos Koutsourakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability, said: “There is a lot of debate around the progress of the energy transition in shipping. I wouldn’t say it is a passive period rather that it’s a market checkpoint where initial decarbonization plans are being re-assessed and based on the latest data. Key indicators of progress in the transition include the adoption of clean fuels, advancements in energy efficiency, and the retrofitting of existing vessels with sustainable technologies. We are seeing strong progress on all of these indicators.”

Photo Caption: 2024 ABS Sustainability Summit speakers and presenters (L to R): Neville Smith, Director, Mariner Communications; Panos Koutsourakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability; Arne Maibohm, Decarbonisation Director, Hapag-Lloyd; Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President, Business Development; Kathrin Lau, Editor In Chief, Schiff & Hafen; Mads Peter Zacho, CEO, Navigator Gas; Sebastian Ebbing, Group Sustainability Officer, MPC Container Ship ASA; Jannes Elfgen, Head of Port Energy Solutions, Hamburg Port Authority; Matt Dunlop, Group Director, Sustainability & Decarbonisation, V.Group

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bound4blue has taken another step forward in its mission to lead shipping’s “wind power revolution” with the news that its unique eSAIL® has received full Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from DNV. The issued certificate validates complete compliance with the classification society’s Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) technical standard, demonstrating that the team’s breakthrough suction sail technology is in line with the industry’s most advanced rule set.

With the TADC in place, bound4blue expects “accelerated technical due diligence processes” with customers, paving the way for a simpler system roll-out. This will help shipowners, removing the burden of individual quality validation, speeding up access to eSAIL® benefits including reduced fuel consumption and emissions, lower OPEX, and simplified compliance with the most stringent regulatory demands.

Renewable results

bound4blue sees the eSAIL® as a key enabler for maritime’s green energy transition.

The fully autonomous system works by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface, generating exceptional propulsive efficiency. The simple, low weight and easy to install units significantly cut main engine loads, fuel use and emissions.

It’s a proposition that has won contracts with shipowners and operators including Odfjell, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Amasus, Marflet, Louis Dreyfus Company, and more.

David Ferrer, Co-founder and CTO, bound4blue, believes the TADC from DNV can now be the catalyst for a new wave of growth.

Accelerating adoption

Ferrer comments: “We’ve always been focused on developing a technology according to the very highest standards and meeting the most rigorous quality and safety requirements. Receiving the TADC from DNV provides third-party validation of that excellence, quality stamping our system and helping fast-track customer due diligence procedures. We believe this will work to accelerate the adoption process and facilitate further orders.”

He continues: “Wind has massive potential for the maritime industry, both as a renewable energy source, but also as a tool to enable other alternative fuels. However, some owners and operators, understandably, may not know where to turn in this emerging segment. This approval consolidates our position as a preferred partner, with a proven system, and we aim to leverage it to cement our standing at the vanguard of the coming wind revolution.”

Class developments

The TADC (DNV Standard ST-0511 Wind-assisted Propulsion Systems) prepares the ground for eSAIL® installation onboard DNV classed vessels.

Speaking of the DNV certification, Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV Maritime, notes: “Wind is an inexhaustible, free, zero carbon energy source, which is receiving increasing attention within the maritime industry. To harness its potential, owners require trusted systems, with validated technical and design compliance, to ensure the highest quality standards. DNV, with our world leading expertise is committed to helping our customers innovate and build confidence in these new technologies on a foundation of trust.”

“Our cooperation with the team at bound4blue has been excellent, and we’re very pleased to award this certification. We look forward to seeing the growth of wind as a green energy source for vessels worldwide, as we work together to make the maritime industry even more sustainable for the generations to come.”

Compliant benefits

bound4blue eSAILs® are easy to install, simple to operate and maintain - with very few moving parts - and suitable for almost all shipping types. They can be fitted as retrofits on a broad range of vessels, as well as newbuilds.

The units enhance compliance with existing and upcoming regulations, including improving vessel CII ratings, boosting EEDI and EEXI, complying with the advent of FuelEU Maritime, and contributing to saved allowances within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

With eSAIL® having received the TADC from DNV, bound4blue is now undertaking other certification processes, with more certifications to follow.

Image: bound4blue’s innovative eSAIL® receives Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from DNV onboard the Eems Traveller at SMM

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On the 30^th August 2024, the container ship MSC MARIE transited through the Panama Canal, marking a milestone by becoming the largest capacity Neopanamax to cross the interoceanic route.

With a length of 366 meters (1,200 feet) and a width of 51 meters (167.4 feet), the MSC MARIE boasts a maximum capacity of 17,640 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), setting a new record.

This achievement surpasses the previous record held by the EVER MAX vessel, which made the transit at a capacity of 17,312 TEUs during inaugural passage in August 2023.

The arrival of the MSC MARIE in Panama, coming from the port of Manzanillo in Mexico, not only highlights the canal’s ability to handle the largest and most modern ships, but also its importance as a key hub in global trade.

This achievement is a testament to the continuous efforts of the canal workers, whose commitment reaffirms the reliability and efficiency of our route.

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Lloyd’s Register Group, has reached an agreement to acquire Ocean Technologies Group (“OTG”), a leading trusted provider of human capital management and operational software dedicated to the global maritime industry, from European private equity firm Oakley Capital (“Oakley”).

OTG provides critical training, compliance, operational and HR software to over 1,000 shipowners and operators and over one million seafarers around the world. LR will now be able to offer OTG’s solutions across a combined fleet of over 30,000 vessels.

Acquiring OTG represents a significant milestone in LR’s journey to become a leading provider of digital solutions for the maritime industry and follows the acquisitions of OneOcean in 2022 and the purchase of a 50% stake alongside the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in ISF Watchkeeper in 2023.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) revised its Greenhouse Gas strategy last year to include a common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050 and a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030. In a report commissioned by the Maritime Just Transition Taskforce, it was estimated that up to 800,000 seafarers will require training on alternative fuels and new engines by the mid-2030s to cope with this need.

This acquisition will allow LR to provide a complete end-to-end energy transition solution for clients from advisory and feasibility studies on alternative fuels to the training and development of seafarers on the handling and use of those fuels.

LR’s aim is to combine OTG with its fast-growing digital business, LR OneOcean, to create one of the largest software platforms in maritime and to help accelerate the digital transformation of the industry.

Nick Brown, Chief Executive Officer of LR, said: “This is a really transformative acquisition for LR and our clients and reinforces our focus on maritime. For over 260 years we have provided trusted advice on the safety and performance of assets and vessels. 

“The purchase of OneOcean in 2022 gave us the digital capability to support and optimise the safe and compliant operations of vessels and now with the acquisition of OTG we will be able to provide a strategic approach to attracting, developing, managing and retaining maritime professionals at sea and ashore.

“It also complements perfectly the acquisition of the stake in ISF Watchkeeper, allowing us to advise owners and operators when to deploy training at the most optimum time for competency development onboard.”

Thomas Zanzinger, CEO of OTG, said: “Becoming a part of Lloyd’s Register is a great opportunity to further extend our global leadership in maritime which we have built with the support of Oakley. It allows us to rapidly expand our capabilities within an organisation that aligns perfectly with our mission, vision and values as we support our industry towards a digital and sustainable future. Key to that future is the ability to unlock the potential of our people through investing in Human Capital Management and harnessing technological innovation across vessel operations. I am truly excited to unlock the potential of what this combination of our highly trusted brands can achieve together for our clients.”

Peter Dubens, Oakley Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner, said: “In partnership with Thomas and his team, we have helped to transform OTG from a single product solution into a diversified, best-in-class platform and partner to the shipping industry, and a small but critical enabler for sea transport and trade. We look forward to seeing OTG’s continuing growth now as part of Lloyd’s Register.”

Completion of the acquisition is subject to obtaining customary regulatory approvals and is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Image: Nick Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd's Register, Thomas Zanzinger, CEO, Ocean Technologies Group & Peter Dubens, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Oakley Capital

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Capital Link is hosting the 16th Annual Shipping & Marine Services Forum on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the BMA House, in London. ABS is the Lead Sponsor of the event.
With a 16-year track record, this Forum, organized on an annual basis, aims to provide investors with a comprehensive review and current outlook of the various shipping markets, all while covering topics of critical interest to industry participants, financiers, and investors.
Investor Meetings
1x1 meetings with Executives of Shipping Companies are available upon request for institutional investors. Please send all requests to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The upcoming Forum is honored by the participation of the leaders of the foremost Maritime Regulatory Authorities: Mr. Mike Kane MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security - Department for Transport, United Kingdom, will deliver Keynote Remarks (via webcast), Mr. Guy Platten, Secretary General - International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Ms. Karin Orsel, President - European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), and Mr. Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst  – BIMCO, will participate on the discussion panels together with the following esteemed top executives of the biggest companies of the Greek, UK and international shipping communities.
For more information and to register: https://forums.capitallink.com/shipping/2024london/
AGENDA TOPICS & PARTICIPATING SPEAKERS
REGISTRATION & COFFEE | BREAKFAST SPONSORS: Castor • Toro
WELCOME REMARKS
Mr. Nicolas Bornozis, President – Capital Link, Inc.
DRY BULK SHIPPING
Moderator: Mr. Emanuele (Manu) Ravano, Co-CEO – IFCHOR GALBRAITHS (IG)
Panelists:
· Mr. Emanuele d’Amico, Director – d’Amico Dry
· Mr. John Su, President & CEO – Erasmus Shipinvest Group
· Mr. Ted Petrone, Vice Chairman – Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM)
· Mr. Simos Spyrou, Co-CFO – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK)
CONTAINER SHIPPING
Moderator: Mr. Clemens Toepfer, Managing Director – Toepfer Transport GbmH
Panelists:
· Mr. Dimitris Dalakouras, CEO – Conbulk Shipmanagement Corporation
· Dr.  Tasos Aslidis, CFO & Treasurer – Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA) & EuroDry Ltd. (NASDAQ: EDRY)
· Mr. Torben Kölln, Managing Director – Leonhardt & Blumberg
· Mr. Constantin Baack, CEO – MPC Container Ships ASA (NO: MPCC)
LNG & THE NEW ENERGY LANDSCAPE - INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORTATION
Moderator: Mr. Panos Mitrou, Global Gas Segment Director – Lloyd’s Register
Panelists:
· Mr. Richard Tyrrell, CEO – Cool Company Ltd. (NYSE: CLCO)
· Mr. Arthur Regan, CEO – Energos Infrastructure
· Mr. Achilleas Tasioulas, CFO – GasLog Partners L.P. 
· Mr. Eduardo Maranhão, CFO – Golar LNG Ltd. (NASDAQ: GLNG)
· Mr. Erik Nyheim, President & CEO – Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd. 
KEYNOTE REMARKS
A NEW EQUATION FOR A NEW SAFETY PROTECTION FRONTIER
Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO - ABS
SAILING TOWARDS A BLUE ECONOMY
Moderator: Ms. Kate Silverstein, Partner, Assets & Structured Finance Group – Watson Farley & Williams
Panelists:
· Mr. John McDonald, President & COO – ABS
· Mr. John C. Lycouris, Head of Energy Transition, Director – Dorian LPG (NYSE: LPG)
· Mr. Constantinos Capetanakis, Bunker Director – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK); Chair – IBIA
· Ms. Friederike Hesse, Co-Founder & Managing Director – zero44
SHIP FINANCE IN AN ERA OF CHANGE
Moderator: Ms. Diana Syziu, Partner, Corporate & Ship Finance – Hill Dickinson LLP
Panelists:
· Ms. Anastassia Tcherneva, Global Head of Shipping – ABN AMRO
· Mr. Chris Conway, Managing Director, Global Head of Shipping & Logistics Export Agency Finance – Citi
· Mr. Martin Hugger, Managing Director – Meerbaum Capital Solutions Inc.
· Mr. Harris Antoniou, Founder & Managing Director – Neptune Maritime Leasing
NAVIGATING THE SUPERCYCLE
Dr. Martin Stopford
KEYNOTE REMARKS
Mr. Mike Kane MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security
Department for Transport, United Kingdom, (via webcast)
MULTI-SECTOR CORPORATE STRATEGIES
Moderator: Mr. Stuart McAlpine, Partner – Stephenson Harwood LLP
Panelists:
· Mr. Nicholas Gleeson, Chief Financial Officer – ADNOC Logistics & Services  (DH:ADNOCLS)
· Mr. Nils Aden, Managing Director – Harren Group
· Mr. Mads Peter Zacho, CEO – Navigator Gas (NYSE: NVGS)
· Mr. Piyush K. Sharma, Group Director Corporate Strategy – NSB Group
WHERE TO INVEST TODAY? THE INVESTOR VIEWPOINT
Moderator:  Mr. Ravi Pattani, Partner – Reed Smith LLP
Panelists:
· Mr. Richard Diamond, Principal – Castlewood Capital Partners, LLC
· Mr. James Cirenza, Managing Director – DNB Markets
· Mr. John Wessel, Managing Director – Oldendorff Overseas Investments
· Mr. Andrew Hampson, CEO – Tufton Investment Management
· Mr. Will Homan-Russell, Chief Investment Officer – WMC Capital Ltd
STEERING THROUGH TROUBLED WATERS – SHIPPING IN A DISRUPTIVE ERA
Moderator: Mr. David Barrow, SVP West Europe & The Americas (Marine & Offshore) - Bureau Veritas Group
Panelists:
· Mr. Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst  – BIMCO
· Mr. Mark O'Neil, President & CEO – Columbia Group; President – InterManager
· Ms. Karin Orsel, President – European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA)
· Mr. Guy Platten, Secretary General – International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
· Mr. Bud Darr, EVP, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs – MSC Group
TANKER SHIPPING
Moderator: Mr. James Cirenza, Managing Director – DNB Markets
Panelists:
· Mr. Bart Kelleher, CFO – Ardmore Shipping Corp. (NYSE: ASC)
· Mr. Carlos Balestra di Mottola, CEO – d’Amico International Shipping S.A. (IM:DIS)
· Mr. Ted Petrone, Vice Chairman – Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM)
· Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder, Chairman & CEO – TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TEN) Chairman – INTERTANKO (2014-2018)

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Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV M&O) has launched a new smart hub, “MOVE by Bureau Veritas”, at the SMM maritime conference in Hamburg, Germany. Currently available for shipowners, MOVE is designed to integrate various maritime digital applications, helping reduce operational complexity by enabling fast, informed decision-making on asset compliance and performance.

MOVE offers shipowners a streamlined classification experience, allowing them to manage their fleet throughout their lifecycle, and analyze data from a single interface. This will enable users to manage their assets throughout early design, construction and operation.

MOVE is highly customizable and can be adapted to a client’s individual specifications, whilst also having the ability to continue to evolve with the asset, in light of more sophisticated digital tools and processes being introduced to the vessel in the future. 

Through MOVE’s app drawer, users can access all of BV M&O’s classification, statutory and technical advisory applications, as well as partner solutions. The new platform builds on the offer of VeriSTAR Info with two new applications for shipowners:

• ·Fleet in Service: Developed in collaboration with shipowners, “Fleet in Service” provides a visual and intuitive real-time fleet compliance overview to enable fast and accurate situation assessments. “Fleet in Service” can also be used to take action specific to the asset’s needs, such as requesting surveys and taking post-corrective steps.
• ·Connect your Systems:“Connect your Systems” facilitates the connection of client systems to accelerate the flow of high volumes of data between shipowners and BV M&O, saving time and improving efficiency.

BV M&O is continuously updating and improving MOVE, with new functionalities to be added over the coming months. MOVE is currently available to shipowners and Flag Authorities, and it will be progressively expanded to other profiles, including shipyards, designers, and equipment manufacturers. These users will also benefit from a tailored profile and selection of applications.
Laurent Hentges, Vice President – Digital Solutions & Transformation at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “MOVE is a means for shipowners and BV M&O to rise to the challenge of complying with increasingly complex regulations. It enables a data-centric approach, empowering shipowners to act more effectively, supported by reliable data from a single source.

"We aim to offer the right tools, at the right time, for a digital transformation that suits our clients’ business. Today, MOVE is tailored to shipowners, allowing them to manage their assets in operation, but our vision is that MOVE will go much further in the near future. We want to provide our clients with a truly asset-centric tool, from which they can follow their assets from design throughout in-service life.”

Matthieu de Tugny, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “At Bureau Veritas, we are committed to being by our clients’ side to navigate the challenges they face. MOVE is one more step – although a big step – providing the platform to keep evolving and optimizing the classification experience to meet the needs of the future.”

In time, VeriSTAR Info will be phased out and replaced by MOVE by Bureau Veritas’ Fleet in Service app. Discover the new smart hub and start your journey with MOVE here.

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The Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus on Thursday 23 August 2024, approved the extension of the Contract for the Passenger Maritime Link between Cyprus and Greece for a further 3 years (2025, 2026, 2027), after evaluating the performance indicators, based on the number of passengers carried from 2022 until today.

The Cyprus - Greece Passenger Maritime Link was embraced from the first year by the public with great success, exceeding all expectations, creating a new tourist market for travellers wishing to travel to and from Cyprus and the rest of continental Europe with their private cars and motorcycles.

The Shipping Deputy Ministry has from the very beginning attached particular importance to the smooth operation of the Cyprus-Greece passenger maritime link, which provides an alternative means of transport for passengers and their accompanying vehicles, serving in particular the needs of those who have difficulties in travelling by air, either for medical reasons or due to their age or aerophobia. 

Since the first sailing in June 2022, more than 21,000 passengers have travelled until now, carrying more than 7,000 cars and 700 pets.  These numbers prove that the passenger maritime link is necessary.

image: Shipping Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus

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On the 23rd of August, at Hanwha Ocean Shipyard, GasLog Italy (H2532) was delivered by Hanwha Ocean to her owners, under the management of GasLog, ready to ship sustainable energy to the world. This marks the newest addition to the GasLog fleet!

The GasLog Italy is one of the total four new built LNG Carriers, each with 174,000m3 cargo capacity, that Hanwha Ocean is scheduled to deliver to GasLog between 2024 and 2025. The vessel is powered by two HP-2S MEGI engines and equipped with two shaft generators, an Air Lubrication System (ALS) and a Full Reliquefaction System (FRS).

During the beautiful ceremony, Mrs. Ilaria Azzimonti, Head of LNG Portfolio at Eni S.p.A, served as the vessel’s godmother, christening the GasLog Italy and breaking a champagne bottle for good fortune.

GasLog is an international owner, operator and manager of LNG carriers providing support to international energy companies as part of their LNG logistics chain. GasLog’s fleet consists of 37 LNG carriers (32 on the water, four under construction and one vessel ready to be sold as a floating storage and regasification unit, or “FSRU”).

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Bluepool Panamax, a dry bulk shipping pool, is continuing to beat the benchmark Baltic Panamax Index (BPI) and is growing. Since its launch in April 2022, vessels entered in the pool have delivered consistently higher returns to their owners than those traded on an index-linked contract. In July, a further six third party owned vessels joined the pool. The pool, launched in early 2022, now consists of 17 vessels, making it a significant player in the market.

Singapore based MPSL Diamond Pte has brought in its entire fleet of four post-Panamax ships along with an independent Greek owner who has joined with two Japanese built Kamsarmax vessels.

“We’re delighted to welcome our new partners to our pool and thank them for their vote of confidence in our ability to continue to outperform the index through our intelligence-led chartering and trading decisions. We are backed by a wide network and look forward to continued growth adding further vessels and team members in the future,” said Kimon Angelopoulos, Bluepool Panamax’s head of business development.

MPSL Diamond’s vessels were previously entered with a large pool manager.

MPSL Diamond General Manager Ravi Maheshwari said: “We were impressed with Bluepool Panamax’s track record to date and are confident that they will continue to deliver market beating returns for our fleet.”

Bluepool Panamax is a spot-market only vehicle which uses advanced index-hedging techniques including freight derivative trading to outperform the BPI. To date the Bluepool team has achieved market-beating returns over a volatile period for the Panamax sector.

The pool offers an open-door policy to its participants with commercially flexible entry and exit clauses which allow owners to switch to a fixed rate should they choose. Monthly reports on each vessel’s commercial performance ensure full transparency and oversight for owners.

Its trading division Bluepool Trading is backed by blue-chip market participants and uses investor funds in order to charter-in vessels while deploying them in the spot market exclusively via Bluepool Panamax.

For further information see www.thebluepool.com

Image: (l-r) Aris Bachos, Nikolas Gavriilidis and Kimon Angelopoulos

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