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ABS leads BlueBARGE project to develop offshore electrical power bunkering

ABS is leading the project involving 14 partners from 10 European countries to develop a comprehensive solution for offshore electrical power bunkering.

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ABS leads BlueBARGE project to develop offshore electrical power bunkering

Classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on Monday (1 April) said it has joined the BlueBARGE Project, a programme funded by the Horizon Europe program and involving 14 partners from 10 European countries to develop a comprehensive solution for offshore electrical power bunkering.

ABS is leading the 36-month, EUR 11 million (USD 11.8 million) project and will support the consortium in safety, classification and regulatory compliance.

To limit local pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, BlueBARGE is developing and testing a new way for ships docked in port to plug into electrical power known as cold ironing. 

The BlueBARGE model will look at an offshore supply of electrical power to moored and anchored vessels. It will address challenges related to electrical integration, platform interfacing with ships, ports, and local networks, as well as operational safety and regulatory compliance aspects.

Konstantinos Voutzoulidis, ABS Business Development Manager and Head of Europe for Contracted Research and Development, said: “ABS is supporting cutting-edge electrification projects around the world for shipowners, shipyards and other stakeholders.”

“We are well-positioned to use our deep industry knowledge to advance electrification and power connection technologies and to understand the risks as vessels and infrastructure become increasingly electrified and connected.”

“ABS is excited to collaborate with such a great consortium in supporting the maritime industry to achieve the European Union and International electrification and decarbonisation goals.”

 

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 3 April 2024

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EU ETS

DNV: Making emissions data verification manageable at scale

DNV’s article features its customers sharing how a proactive, digital approach to emissions data verification is helping them manage reporting more efficiently and at scale to ensure compliance under FuelEU Maritime.

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Classification society DNV recently published a Maritime Impact article featuring its customers sharing how a proactive, digital approach to emissions data verification is helping them manage reporting more efficiently and at scale to ensure compliance under FuelEU Maritime: 

The FuelEU Maritime regulation has been in force since 1 January 2025, and the due date for verification of the first year’s emissions data at the end of April is imminent.

FuelEU Maritime adds reporting complexity

FuelEU Maritime (FEUM) has brought the number of emissions reporting obligations for ships operating in European waters to four, along with IMO DCS as well as EU MRV and ETS. The UK’s own MRV and ETS reports and any pooling arrangements under FEUM add further complexity. “Customers are finding it challenging to meet the verification due date,” says Conrad Golebski, Global Sales Manager, MRV, DCS, and FuelEU Maritime at DNV. “But non-compliance results in costs, which can be quite high for vessels that do not meet the emission targets.”

Data quality issues are widely underestimated

Preparing the document of compliance for the regulatory authorities has been an annual exercise – and a very stressful one, emphasizes Golebski. The annual verification process is often challenging, as the extent of data quality issues tends to be underestimated and only becomes apparent after year-end submissions, leading to a growing number of correction requests during verification for shipowners.

“Rectifying these issues can be a complex and time‑consuming process, involving an intense communication exchange before verification can proceed.”

There are two types of error that compromise data quality, says Golebski. “Human data entry errors must be corrected one by one. Systematic errors will affect the data of the entire fleet, and detecting and correcting them as early as possible will make a big difference towards minimizing the rectification effort.”

Continuous emissions data submission enables early, high quality verification

 “Clients who choose to upload their ships’ emissions data to the OVD Admin continuously throughout the year instead of waiting until January can benefit from our quality checking algorithms and make the necessary corrections as they go,” Golebski points out. “This will make the actual verification step the following spring much more comfortable and avoid missing the submission deadline.”

From DNV’s data warehouse, the data can be distributed to the client-requested services, such as Fleet Status, Emissions Insight, the DCS-, MRV-, and FEUM-specific applications, or Emissions Connect. 

“It is this centralized digital concept that makes our system so convenient,” says Golebski. 

“We maintain and update our infrastructure constantly to account for client needs and improve user-friendliness.

Note: The full DNV article can be found here

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 25 May, 2026

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Hydrogen

DNV launches new recommended practice for use of hydrogen as bunker fuel

New RP outlines the competence requirements for crew, inspectors, and technical personnel to support the proper handling of hydrogen systems on board ships.

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DNV study for EMSA backs design-based safety approach for hydrogen‑fuelled ships

Classification society DNV on Wednesday (20 May) said it has released a new recommended practice (RP) for hydrogen as ship fuel, outlining the competence requirements for crew, inspectors, and technical personnel to support the proper handling of hydrogen systems on board ships.

Hydrogen is gaining traction as a marine fuel, with seven vessels currently in operation and another 30 in the orderbook. However, several safety barriers like hydrogen leakage, low ignition energy, and management of high‑pressure or cryogenic storage, still limit its uptake. But with proper training and a strong safety culture, and with ship designs engineered to limit risk as much as possible, its use can be managed more safely and efficiently.

The DNV-RP-0703 “Competence related to use of hydrogen as fuel” addresses hydrogen’s specific risk profile by defining structured competence requirements. The RP can also be used as a basis for operational procedures and emergency preparedness planning. It builds on DNV’s existing competence framework for low‑GHG fuel, following RPs and Standards for LNG, ammonia, and methanol.

Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, CEO Maritime at DNV, said: “Hydrogen represents one of several possible pathways in maritime decarbonization. The development of efficient safety regulations and guidelines is fundamental for hydrogen to evolve from large-scale demonstration to commercial use. 

“To get there it is essential that the industry develops competence levels among seafarers in parallel with technical solutions so that they can operate hydrogen‑fuelled vessels with confidence.”

DNV’s RP is designed to supplement existing regulatory frameworks such as the STCW Convention and ISM Code by providing hydrogen‑specific competence guidance for organizations considering using hydrogen as a marine fuel. 

It is also intended for use by shipowners and operators for onboard familiarization and competence management, by maritime academies and training institutions to develop curricula and courses, and by third parties as a reference for certification or verification of learning programs and competence assessments.

Kirsten Birgitte Strømsnes, Business Development Leader in DNV, said: “The use of hydrogen as a ship fuel requires that crew and shore-based personnel are trained on its specific hazards, and that organizations reflect these risks in their management systems and competence frameworks. It also means ensuring safer ship designs and implementing the necessary technical barriers.

“We have developed this recommended practice using DNV’s established methodology for competence standards, with input from industry partners and with reference to international regulations. As industry experience with hydrogen-fuelled vessels grows, this RP is intended to evolve in line with emerging best practices into a competence standard.” 

DNV has collaborated with industry partners Samskip, eCap Marine, Naval Dynamics, Chart Industries, LH2 Shipping, Torghatten, Shell, Everllence, and GreenH in developing the recommended practice. 

Note: More information on DNV’s new RP can be found here

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 21 May, 2026

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Technology

DNV gives nod to Kongsberg Maritime’s new ship engine room simulator

Kongsberg Maritime received a DNV Simulator Statement of Compliance for its new Engine Room Simulator model based on Höegh Aurora (CO₂ Pilot), a flagship vessel in Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class.

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DNV gives nod to Kongsberg Maritime’s new ship engine room simulator

Kongsberg Maritime on Wednesday (13 May) said it has received a DNV Simulator Statement of Compliance for its new Engine Room Simulator (ERS) model based on Höegh Aurora (CO₂ Pilot), a flagship vessel in Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class.

The approval follows a full demonstration and audit of the simulator model, confirming compliance with DNV’s maritime simulator requirements and validating the model’s fidelity for advanced training applications.

Designed to support Höegh Autoliners’ ambition to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, the vessels combine multi-fuel capability with readiness for zero-carbon fuels such as ammonia, alongside a suite of energy-efficient technologies and advanced onboard systems. 

With capacity for up to 9,100 vehicles and enhanced capabilities for electric vehicle transport, Höegh Aurora sets a new benchmark for future-ready car carriers.

“This achievement reflects close collaboration across teams and partners and underlines our commitment to delivering high-fidelity simulator models for the industry’s most advanced vessels,” said Leif Pentti Halvorsen, VP Engine Room and Cargo Handling, Maritime Simulation, Kongsberg Maritime.

“Independent verification from DNV demonstrates the accuracy and quality of our simulator models,” said Are Føllesdal Tjønn, Managing Director Maritime Simulation, Kongsberg Maritime. 

“At the same time, it strengthens our ability to support customers as they introduce new vessel designs and transition to more sustainable operations.”

Kongsberg Maritime has played a key role in enabling the Aurora Class through its integrated technology suite, including automation, propulsion optimisation and digital solutions that support more efficient and lower-emission operations throughout the vessel lifecycle. Extending this capability into simulation ensures that crews can fully understand and operate these systems from day one.

With the Statement of Compliance in place, the Höegh Aurora ERS model is now part of Kongsberg Maritime’s standard simulator portfolio and available for deployment across training centres worldwide.

 

Photo credit: Kongsberg Maritime
Published: 18 May, 2026

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