ONE Sparkle

Ocean Network Express (ONE) recently named ONE Sparkle, the company's first owned and operated newbuilding container vessel. "The naming of ONE Sparkle represents another important milestone for ONE,” said Jeremy Nixon, CEO, ONE. “This vessel is our first owned newbuilding, and it also showcases our commitment to sustainable shipping with its innovative design and alternative fuel capabilities." The ship was built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, and she can carry about 13,800 twenty feet equivalent (TEU) containers. ONE Sparkle is classed ABS, flagged Singapore, and is managed by OneSea Solutions Pte. Ltd, a ship management company jointly owned by ONE and Seaspan Corporation. ONE Sparkle is part of a series of 20 large ammonia/ methanol ready vessels that will be built in Korea and Japan and scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026.

Reach Remote USV

REACH REMOTE 1, a 24-m unmanned surface vessel (USV), a collaboration between Kongsberg Maritime, REACH SUBSEA ASA, Massterly, and Trosvik Maritime, was recently delivered. Its initial mission will be to conduct underwater surveys off the coast of Haugesund, Norway, but its potential applications extend far beyond this. The second vessel, REACH REMOTE 2 recently started sea trials. Kongsberg Maritime served as the prime contractor for this turnkey project, taking responsibility for vessel design, yard delivery, supply chain management, systems integration, and commissioning. A key feature of the REACH REMOTE USV design is its ability to operate without a crew, controlled remotely from the ROC. This approach offers significant advantages in terms of operating costs, safety, and emissions, when compared to carrying out the same duties with a much larger, crewed vessel.

eCSOV

Bibby Marine signed a new shipbuilding contract with Spanish shipyard Armon to build its electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) for offshore wind industry. The eCSOV will feature a battery system complemented by dual-fuel methanol engines offering alternative green operating solutions. With the capability to operate solely on battery power for a typical full day of operations, the range of the vessel will allow for passage from field to port and return. Located in Vigo, Spain, Armon has been operating since 1963, and its selection follows Bibby Marine’s move away from the original shipbuilders Gondan.

Sails Fitted to OPV

Generally, government owned vessels, particularly ones engaged in law enforcement, are seemingly last in line when it comes to fuel efficiency. Not so in France, as the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA), which in late 2024 sealed the deal and commissioned the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium to design and build an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) which combines hybrid propulsion and wind sails, amongst other energy saving/emission reduction enhancements.

The wind-assisted propulsion solution, combined with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion and IMO TIER III compliant engines, are designed to position the vessel “at the forefront of maritime ecological transition,” wrote DGAMPA.

As with all vessel designs, there is not a silver-bullet solution to increased efficiency, and this vessel will also have a hull design optimized through computational fluid dynamics, enhanced insulation with optimized energy management, photovoltaic panels, and an active trim control system. The 54m OPV is designed for extended 12-day missions with a crew of 20. It will be equipped with two launch and recovery systems for 6.5-m fast semi-rigid inflatable boats capable to intercept at a speed up to 35 knots. The propulsion configuration allows a maximum speed of 17 knots and a range exceeding 3,600 nm at a cruising speed of 12 kts. Construction will be carried out at Socarenam's shipyard in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2027.

UK’s First Full Electric Pilot Boat

The Port of Tyne has purchased the UK’s first fully electric foiling pilot vessel, to be delivered before the end of the year. Designed and built by Artemis Technologies in Belfast, the Artemis EF-12 pilot is powered by Artemis’ patented eFoiler technology, producing zero operational emissions and offering a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel-powered vessels. The integration of advanced hydrofoil and electric propulsion technologies ensures a smooth, quiet and safe journey.

BRIX Marine Delivers Bridge Cat 49

BRIX Marine launched the Bridge Cat 49 (4519-DCT), built for Bridgemans Services. The 44-ft. personnel transfer vessel, dubbed Bridge Cat 49 (BC49), accommodates 45 passengers plus 3 crew, and is built to meet Transport Canada passenger vessel requirements for use in British Columbia, Canada.

The BC49 is built with a 45-ft. aluminum hull and an 18.5-ft. beam, ensuring stability and efficiency. It is powered by twin Cummins QSL9 405HP diesel inboard engines, paired with ZF marine transmissions for smooth operation. The vessel has a 500-gallon fuel capacity and a lightship weight of approximately 43,000 lbs.

The navigation and electronics suite includes Garmin GPSMAP multi-function displays, radar, and VHF radios, ensuring enhanced situational awareness. The vessel is equipped with an Espar/Eberspacher heating system, Fireboy-Xintex fire suppression system, and Delta T ventilation for safety and comfort in all operating conditions.

New Ferry Design for Caribbean Route

Incat Crowther designed a new 24-m passenger fast ferry for Caribbean operator Smith's Ferry Services. Built by Australian shipyard Aluminium Marine in Brisbane, the new ferry will transport 149 passengers at speeds of up to 28 knots and has been designed for the busy Charlotte Amalie (U.S Virgin Islands) to Road Town (British Virgin Islands) tourism route. The main deck can transport 118 passengers in air-conditioned comfort. It boasts a large service kiosk, two bathrooms, and luggage space. The vessel is powered by two MAN 2862 LE454 EPA Tier 3 compliant diesel engines rated for 588 kilowatts (kW) in a continuous duty application.