Bibby Marine - Experts & Thought Leaders

Following the announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) of a sixth round of the UK SHORE ‘Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition’ earlier this year, the winners have now been announced. CMDC6 sees £30million of funding made available across three strands focused on pre-deployment trials, feasibility studies, and smart shipping. Mersey Maritime hosted a special CMDC6 industry briefing with representatives from the DfT, Innovate UK, and Innovate UK Business Connect on 11 February 2025, with the support of Liverpool John Moores University. A number of businesses and organisations associated with Mersey Maritime have been successful in this funding round, including the University of Liverpool, Maersk, Stone Marine Propulsion Ltd, GT Wings, Bibby Marine, and the Connected Places Catapult. £700,000 of investment This announcement secures over £700,000 of investment for Mersey Maritime members, which will support growth and innovation, including across the North West and Liverpool City Region. The projects are grouped across the following three strands of activity: Strand 1 – Pre-deployment trials The University of Liverpool is part of a multi-region consortium working on a project focused on a ‘smart renewable energy generation and storage system for sustainable coastal power (SMARTPOWER)’. Maersk Line UK is working with partners on a project focused on a ‘zero emission refrigerated freight container with solid-state cooling and novel insulations’. Strand 2 – Feasibility studies The University of Liverpool is working with consortia partners on a ‘maritime future fuels training plan.’ Stone Marine Propulsion Ltd will support a project focused on a ‘techno-economy feasibility study of manufacturing digitally enabled efficient propellers.’ Connected Places Catapult is a partner in delivering a project focused on helping to create an ‘Isles of Scilly clean maritime corridor’. Although the Isles of Scilly are certainly ‘out of region’, Mersey Maritime works closely with CPC on a range of maritime-focused projects. Strand 3 – Smart shipping GT Wings is the lead partner in ‘Project AirTwin: AI control, weather routing and digital twin systems for optimal wind-assisted ship performance’. Bibby Marine is part of a consortium working on a project focused on ‘virtual reality-based immersive education for next-generation zero emission vessels (VRIVEN).’ UK SHORE funding support Simon Eardley, Head of Policy and Innovation at Mersey Maritime, commented: “Mersey Maritime is delighted to see North West-based or associated businesses and organisations benefiting from the latest round of UK SHORE funding support to help deliver the necessity of decarbonisation within our sector." "This most recent announcement around the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition round six ‘winners’ demonstrates again the capability and innovation potential that the Liverpool City Region and wider region offers as we transition towards a cleaner, greener maritime industry. Crucially, this focus also helps to deliver much needed economic growth – that’s jobs and resources to invest in wider priorities across the economy." "We remain committed to supporting industry on its decarbonisation and innovation journey. That’s why this year we’ve been heavily focused on our industry, academia, and government backed Navigating Maritime Innovation in the LCR project. We would encourage anyone who is yet to engage with us on the project to reach out and do so.”

Nor-Shipping 2025, taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm 2-6 June, has announced the shortlists for two of its most coveted accolades, the Next Generation Ship Award and the Ocean Solutions Award. Celebrating innovations, technologies and pioneering projects capable of balancing both environmental and commercial sustainability, the initiatives attracted a huge number of entries from across the world. Selecting the eventual winners was, according to Nor-Shipping Director Sidsel Norvik, “tougher than ever”. Pioneering projects Nor-Shipping’s Next Generation Ship Award champions trail-blazing projects that are either newbuildings under construction, conversions, retrofits, or recent deliveries. This year’s shortlisted entrants are: Windcat Workboats’ Elevation Series CSOVs: Hydrogen-powered, offshore service vessels developed in collaboration with Damen and CMB.TECH. Solvang Shipping’s Clipper Eris retrofit: Carbon capture and storage retrofit on a 21,000m3 ethylene carrier, reducing GHG emissions. NYK’s Sakigake conversion: The world’s first ammonia-fuelled tugboat, converted from LNG fuel to demonstrate low-carbon alternatives. Samskip’s SeaShuttle feeder vessels: Hydrogen fuel cell-powered zero-emission container ships for shortsea routes. Bibby Marine’s eCSOV hybrid vessels: Offshore wind support vessels designed for long-term zero-emission operations. From challenge to opportunity The Ocean Solutions Award, meanwhile, is open to Nor-Shipping participants with landmark innovations capable of helping the industry meet some of its most pressing challenges. As always, the competition was intense, with the expert jury eventually selecting the following shortlisted nominees: Wärtsilä Carbon Capture and Storage: A modular system designed for integration into existing propulsion setups, reducing CO₂ emissions. Zeabuz autonomous ship platform: Pioneering remote and autonomous vessel operations to address crew shortages and enhance safety. Wärtsilä ammonia solution: A full-scale deployment of ammonia as a marine fuel, showcasing safety and operational efficiency. ORCA AI situational awareness: An AI-driven platform enhancing navigational safety through real-time risk detection and data analysis. bound4blue’s eSail system: Innovative ‘suction sail’ wind propulsion solutions cutting fuel consumption, emissions and easing regulatory compliance for a wide range of vessel types. Fierce competition “What a year,” comments Nor-Shipping Director Norvik. “The competition was fiercer than ever, with some outstanding entrants, so getting this far in the awards should be a huge source of pride for all the shortlisted companies and teams." “The evolving nature of the competing fields every time we run these initiatives is a testament to both the progress within the industry and the continued commitment of key stakeholders to build a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient maritime future. We’re proud to support these innovations and can’t wait to see the winners enjoying the spotlight when the shipping world meets next month in Norway!” Winners of the Next Generation Ship Award The winners of the Next Generation Ship Award and Ocean Solution Award will be revealed in front of an audience of key industry decision makers at Nor-Shipping’s Ocean Leadership Conference on 3 June. This year’s Nor-Shipping programme, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the event week, focuses on the theme of #Future-Proof. More than 50,000 decision makers, and around 1,000 exhibiting companies, will attend the unique week-long event.

Kongsberg Maritime has won a major contract to supply an integrated package of equipment for Bibby Marine’s new eCSOV, the world’s first full-electric offshore vessel. Kongsberg Maritime’s comprehensive package will be at the core of this advanced vessel’s systems. The company will provide full-electric rim-drive propulsion with azimuth and tunnel thrusters. Integrate with the battery system The new eCSOV will feature the largest-ever battery facility on an offshore ship, with a capacity of 25MWh The scope of supply also includes the automation system, full electrical control system, Dynamic Positioning, and thruster control. The new eCSOV will feature the largest-ever battery installation on an offshore vessel, with a capacity of 25MWh. Kongsberg Maritime’s equipment will seamlessly integrate with the battery system and optimise the use of energy on board. Largest maritime battery installation UK-based Bibby Marine has commissioned this pioneering service operation vessel from Spain's Armon shipyard. The hybrid vessel will be capable of operating entirely on electricity for a full day, thanks to the 25MWh Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System from Norway’s Corvus Energy. This lithium iron phosphate system, the largest maritime battery installation to date, will enable the vessel to operate on electricity for 24 hours. Kongsberg’s fully integrated package Bibby Marine has trusted this pioneering service operation vessel from Spain's Armon shipyard Bibby Marine New Build Project Director, Gavin Forward said: “We are thrilled to embark on this pioneering journey with Kongsberg Maritime as one of our partners. This groundbreaking vessel, equipped with Kongsberg’s fully integrated package, including Rim Drive thruster units, will ensure our optimal efficiency and operational excellence." “The eCSOV marks a significant milestone not only for Bibby Marine and its partners, but also for the entire maritime industry and will certainly push the boundaries of innovation in the offshore energy sector.” Integrated package of advanced maritime technologies Birger Teien Evensen, Sales Director – Offshore, at Kongsberg Maritime, said, “We are delighted to be part of this groundbreaking project with Bibby Marine, as they take hybrid operations in the offshore market, to the next level." "Our integrated package of advanced maritime technologies will ensure the new eCSOV operates with unparalleled efficiency and sustainability, setting a new standard for the industry.” Offshore charging systems The eCSOV will have engines running solely for charging, optimising efficiency, extending battery life, and reducing emissions. A DC grid setup will minimise energy losses, and offshore charging systems will allow simultaneous battery charging and dynamic positioning. The vessel is expected to be delivered in 2027.