Crews - News

Helm Operations announced that it has reached 400 customers and more than 10,000 vessels and assets running on Helm CONNECT worldwide, marking a major milestone for one of the maritime industry’s most widely adopted maintenance and operations platforms. The achievement reflects Helm’s expanding role as the operational foundation for fleets across towing, offshore support, passenger vessels, barges, dredging, and other specialised service segments. As more operators in more verticals...

ABB has verified a major advancement in vessel Dynamic Positioning (DP) technology, following successful Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) proving trials and sea trials on board the new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Norse Wind. By integrating ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control – a ship control system that unifies dynamic positioning, manoeuvering, and transit functionalities into one intuitive interface – with Azipod® propulsion units, the vessel showcases...

Mintra, a pioneer in digital learning and workforce management solutions for the maritime and energy sectors, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of SQLearn, a pioneering Greek provider of online maritime training solutions. This strategic acquisition marks the next phase in Mintra’s commitment to support the maritime industry’s digital transformation, with a special focus on Greece and beyond. Advanced training delivery tools With decades of internat...

SMT Shipping, a pioneering global bulk cargo operator, has implemented Spinergie's Smart Fleet Management (SFM) system to reduce crew workload and improve onboard data accuracy. Approximately 30 SMT Shipping vessels use Spinergie reporting across the company’s global operations. The system frees crew members from repetitive, time-consuming reporting tasks while ensuring SMT Shipping remains fully compliant with evolving regulatory requirements. Digital reporting tools Spinergie has desi...

Cyan Sentinel has strengthened its long-term commitment to developing future maritime officers, with cadets praising the company’s support, culture and hands-on experience across its fleet. The company has now supported and sponsored 43 cadets through its cadetship programme, with seven completing their training this year. A further 10 new cadets – six deck and four engineering – joined the programme in August and September. Willingness of crews and officers Recent cadets hi...

Inmarsat Maritime, a ViaSat company, has unveiled the next phase in the evolution of its NexusWave bonded connectivity service, following the successful launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite and in anticipation of the launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 3 satellite. As the two ViaSat-3 satellites are scheduled to enter service in 2026, NexusWave customers will benefit from a dramatic increase in available bandwidth via a new generation of maritime terminal, with additional capacity expected from...

Strategic Marine, a pioneering builder of high-performance aluminium vessels and Prima Marine, a pioneering Thai marine transport company as a key strategic partner, proudly announce the successful delivery of two 42-metre Generation 4 Fast Crew Boats (FCBs) to NMDC LTS, a prominent provider of marine and offshore services in the Middle East. This first-ever delivery to NMDC LTS marks an important milestone for Strategic Marine, showcasing its ability to secure new partnerships with pioneering...

Inchcape Shipping Services, a global pioneer in port agency and maritime services, is proud to announce the opening of its new office in Geoje, Korea. This expansion increases Inchcape’s footprint in South Korea to three offices - Seoul, Busan, and now Geoje, covering 23 ports nationwide. Geoje is a strategic hub for global shipbuilding and offshore projects, playing a critical role in the construction of LNG carriers, container vessels, naval ships, and offshore platforms. The city is ce...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has signed an agreement to deliver NexusWave for longstanding customer Coastal Transportation as the family-owned shipping company seeks a reliable and cyber-secure connectivity solution for its fleet of refrigerated and general cargo ships. Operating a regular schedule between its home terminal of Seattle, Washington, and ports throughout Western Alaska, Coastal Transportation depends on stable connectivity to safeguard mission-critical and crew communicati...

Earliest mid-2026, the Coastguard will be strengthened with ENFORCER, a Damen FCS 5009 vessel. This vessel will be deployed in the years ahead to ensure the continuity of general coastguard duties in the North Sea. ENFORCER will provide additional support until the new generation of Coastguard ships goes into operation. Modern addition to current fleet The duties of the Coastguard have expanded in recent years. The Rijksrederij (the Government Fleet Agency, part of Rijkswaterstaat) has theref...

Technology group - Wärtsilä and Sinocrew Maritime Services, a globally renowned provider of integrated crew management and marine training services to the international shipping industry, have inaugurated an advanced maritime simulation suite in Beihai, China. The new simulation suite will provide advanced, simulation-based training to equip seafarers with the skills needed for the safe adoption of new decarbonisation technologies and will support the transformation of the maritime in...

MarTrust, part of Marcura, and the crew payments solution supporting more than 150,000 seafarers worldwide, has partnered with the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the international not-for-profit maritime organisation providing 24/7 helplines and welfare resources for seafarers and their families. The partnership is designed to improve awareness and access to mental health and financial wellbeing support across the maritime sector. Strengthening crew welf...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, is installing NexusWave on board selected Northern Marine Management Ltd (NMM) vessels operated by Stena Bulk and Proman Stena Bulk. This is part of their ongoing strategy to continually improve crew welfare through enhanced communications. Building on existing onboard connectivity provisions, NMM recognises the growing importance of high-speed internet access in attracting and retaining talent and supporting operational performance. The implementation of Ne...

Wallem Group, a major global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters to Hong Kong. The celebrations will be marked by a special event on 12 November 2025 in the presence of Guest of Honour Hong Kong Finance Secretary, commemorating 100 years since the relocation – 22 years after Norwegian shipbroker and agent Haakon Wallem formed Wallem & Co. in 1903. By 1925, Haakon had earned the nickname ‘Typhoon Wallem’, reflecting his energy and busi...

Raymarine – global pioneer in high-performance marine electronics – announced that its innovative Pathfinder Radar System has been selected by New Orleans-based Blessey Marine to support the company’s inland tow boat and barge fleet operating across the United States. As required on new and refitted vessels, Blessey Marine’s full fleet will be outfitted with Raymarine Commercial radars and displays in the coming months. T hese cost-effective and easy-to-install radar sy...

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a global pioneer in maritime safety solutions and supplier of high-performance boats for professional applications, has signed a contract with Tolletaten (the Norwegian Customs Service) to deliver a new fleet of cutting-edge patrol and fast response craft. The new boats will strengthen Tolletaten’s maritime capabilities and support its law enforcement and inspection duties in Norwegian waters. The contract further reinforces VIKING’s position as a trust...

Seatrade Maritime announces the return of Crew Connect Global, the premier conference and exhibition focused on maritime crewing, training, and technology, bringing together pioneers, officials and seafarers to address challenges in crewing and ship management. This year's Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global conference, taking place on 11-13 November 2025 in Manila, Philippines, will tackle key issues in the crewing sector and will shine a light on the latest technology. From geopolitical di...

ABS hosted the second edition of the Middle East Women in Maritime Summit at the Address Dubai Mall, gathering more than 150 industry professionals to celebrate the expanding role of women in the region’s maritime sector. Themed “Advancing Women in Maritime – Challenges and Opportunities,” the summit showcased stories of leadership and mentorship across the Middle East’s fast-growing maritime ecosystem. Keynote address Guests of honour included Her Excellency Eng...

Icelandic tech company - Hefring Marine has announced a new partnership with the Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation (NIFF), which was formed in early 2025 to pilot innovative solutions that support the fishing fleet in tackling rising fuel costs, improving safety, and reducing emissions. With support from the previous Marine Environment & Fisheries Fund from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, this initiative will see members of the N...

In a landmark deal to deliver immersive, next-generation training at scale to the maritime industry, ABS has signed an agreement to purchase the MetaSHIP intellectual property and related vessel simulator software assets from Orka Informatics as part of the strategic growth plan for ABS Training Solutions. The acquisition, subject to Turkish regulatory approval, will allow ABS to expand its highly realistic digital training program, which can be delivered on board, in port or at home, as well a...

Helm Operations, the major provider of maritime operations and crew management software, announced a key leadership transition as James Wadsworth assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Nolan Barclay, Helm’s first employee and most recent CEO, will continue to support the company as Chairman. Wadsworth brings more than two decades of maritime industry experience and visionary leadership to the role. He joined Helm a decade ago after nearly ten years with ClassNK in Japan, where...

To mark World Mental Health Day, The London P&I Club has funded one full day of Stella Maris’ UK operations, supporting the charity’s work in providing practical, spiritual, and emotional support to thousands of seafarers every year who are struggling with stress, loneliness, exhaustion, bullying or exploitation. The Club’s contribution covers the costs of the charity’s ship visits, welfare support and pastoral care for a 24-hour period, ensuring thousands of seafare...

The International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF) has secured a major grant worth US$450,000 from The TK Foundation to create the world’s first free global e-learning system for the maritime search and rescue (SAR) sector. The project marks a major milestone in international efforts to strengthen the capabilities of key SAR and shipping personnel, and close critical training gaps for those who continue to put their lives at risk at sea.  To ensure equitable access and long-term su...

“We must design for safety, train for safety, and lead with safety. If we don’t, the consequences can be profound, not just for business, but for lives. Every innovation, every operational change, must be tested against one question: Does it make us safer?” This was the message from ABS Chairman and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki in a welcome address to attendees at the Gala Reception for London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25). Wiernicki emphasised the importance of h...

NorthStandard has appointed Matt Holmes and Andrew Carter to lead its newly created Upstream Energy and Marine & Energy Liability sectors, expanding the insurer’s specialty portfolio into significant adjacent markets. Holmes and Carter join from Dale Underwriting Partners on 29 September, bringing decades of expertise in energy and complex liability risks. Integrated marine and energy solutions Matt Holmes will head NorthStandard’s Upstream Energy sector, with Andrew Carter pi...

Technology group - Wärtsilä has signed a strategic training partnership agreement with GigaMare Inc., a major provider of tailor-made training in maritime operations, repairs and maintenance. The agreement makes GigaMare an official Wärtsilä training partner with the right to deliver crew training on selected Wärtsilä engines in the Philippines. The Philippines plays a significant role in the global maritime industry, home to a large percentage of the world's seafa...

The 2025 edition of the Future of Maritime Safety Report from Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, reveals that distress calls at sea remain high, underlining the vital role of human factors in safe shipping. According to the report, the number of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress calls registered on the Inmarsat Maritime network increased from 788 in 2023 to 801 in 2024, broadly in line with the 2018-2023 annual average of around 800 calls. Implementation of new syst...

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, together with distribution partner - Station Satcom have secured an order to install NexusWave on a bulk carrier managed by Singapore-based Norse Ship Management as the ship manager looks to meet the growing demands for crew and business connectivity across its fleet. In line with Norse Ship Management’s digitalisation objectives, NexusWave provides uninterrupted remote access to business-critical applications and real-time engine-monitoring, ensuring...

KR (Korean Register) has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Mipo and HD Hyundai Samho for their Internet of Things (IoT)-based Smart Accommodation System, announced on September 9 at the Gastech exhibition in Milan, Italy.  The approval highlights KR’s leadership in supporting the safe adoption of smart ship technologies, while showcasing the innovation of next-generation accommodation design. Advancing safe technology standards The Smart Accommodation System employs...

Inchcape Shipping Services, a global pioneer in port agency and marine services, is proud to announce the opening of its newest office in Las Palmas, Spain. This strategic expansion reinforces Inchcape’s commitment to delivering world-class maritime solutions across key global trade routes. Dynamic and versatile ports The port serves as a vital hub for container transshipments, break-bulk cargo, bunkering, and ship repairs Located at the crossroads of Europe, West Africa, and the Ameri...