Fortnightly maritime news for the industry and PortXL community.
MARITIME NEWS
Shell and Google owner enter offshore energy kite venture
Experimental wind power developer Makani, owned by Google parent company Alphabet, has partnered with the energy giant Shell to accelerate access to new offshore wind areas.
Inchcape and V.Group inks mutual acquisitions in travel and agency
Port agency and marine services company Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has acquired V.Group’s port agency business. In a reciprocal agreement, V.Group has added Inchcape’s Global Marine Travel (ISS GMT) to its portfolio.
Maersk acquires American customs brokerage firm Vandegrift
Close on the heels of CMA-CGM’s acquisition of a major stake in CEVA Logistics, Maersk has announced its first acquisition of the year with Vandegrift Inc., a premier US-based Customs House Broker.
Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) re-entering tanker sector after decade absence
The move comes almost exactly 10 years after WSM quit the tanker management market when it sold Dubai-headquartered ITM to V.Ships in early 2009.
Cleaner marine fuel demand to push LNG bunkering to over USD 12 billion by 2024
According to a Global Market Insights report, US LNG bunkering is predicted to exceed 3,000 kilotons by 2024 owing to expanding emission regulations, a growing demand for cleaner marine fuel, and the advent of shale gas.
Rotterdam port sets new record in container volumes
The port’s total throughput volume stood at 469 million tons in 2018, a 0.3% increase compared to 467.4 million tons recorded a year earlier.
ABB to power Iceland’s first electric ferry
ABB will supply integrated power and electric storage solutions to a new 70-metre long battery hybrid ferry that will connect the Icelandic mainland with Westman island.
Inmarsat and Eastern Pacific Shipping launch maritime startup initiatives
Satellite communications giant Inmarsat is teaming with Rainmaking’s Trade and Transport Impact (T&TI) and Bluetech Accelerator to seek out maritime startups focused on IoT and big data innovation. In addition, earlier this month Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping and startup specialists Techstars launched the ‘world’s first global MaritimeTech accelerator’.