The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) on Wednesday (7 May) said it held a table-top workshop with Britannia P&I Club in Singapore where attendees planned a response to a spill scenario of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as part of a new training exercise called HYDRO NEXUS. 

The half-day event saw team members from Britannia successfully responding to a spill of LNG bunkers from an alternatively fuelled vessel, who were assisted by the ITOPF team on how best to approach the response, taking into account the risks and hazards presented by this substance.

“The Britannia team were guided by ITOPF’s experts on the steps of an alternative fuel and HNS (Hazardous and Noxious Substances) response, including information gathering, risk assessment, appropriate PPE selection, and use of different techniques and equipment used in these spill scenarios,” it said on its website. 

“One key component of the exercise was to demonstrate the potential impacts and claims that the P&I insurers may face during an alternative fuel/HNS incident. Teams collated costs for loss of life and personal injury, clean-up and preventive measures, property damage, economic loss and environmental damage claims.”

Photo credit: International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
Published: 9 May, 2025

European shipping company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), part of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, on Thursday (1 May) signed an order for four new LNG -powered RoPax vessels from a Chinese shipyard.

The vessels will be built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China.

This new order, combined with a previous order, will allow GNV to expand its fleet with eight new units between 2025 and 2030.

“Work will begin in 2026, with the first ship delivered within the first months of 2028 and the following ones every six months,” it said in a social media post. 

“The new units, with a capacity of 2,500 people, over 500 cabins, and 3,500 linear metres of garage space, will be the largest and most spacious in the Mediterranean by tonnage (71,300 tonnes).”

The new vessels will all be powered by LNG, ensuring a reduction in CO2 emissions of over 50% per unit compared to the previous generation. 

“This significant operation provides a strong push towards the transition to more sustainable and environmentally friendly models,” the company said.

GNV added the four newly ordered ships will represent an evolution compared to those from the previous order, which includes GNV Polaris and GNV Orion (shown in the image).

Photo credit: Grandi Navi Veloci
Published: 9 May, 2025

Peninsula and the University of Gibraltar on Wednesday (7 May) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see them partner to provide expert knowledge in the alternative marine fuel training and to develop a framework to improve knowledge on this topic.

Under the MoU, Peninsula and the University will establish a joint study group tasked with developing educational and training content on alternative marine fuels, looking specifically at the transportation, storage and supply of these fuels. The partnership will include subject matter experts from Peninsula delivering some guest lectures at the University.

The ongoing transition to alternative marine fuels has revealed a significant skills gap in shipping, with research suggesting that growing industry demand for alternative fuels far outpaces the pool of seafarers who are qualified to handle these fuels.

John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of Peninsula, said: “In line with the industry’s commitment to decarbonise, many of our customers are looking into alternative marine fuels such as LNG and biofuels for the first time, and skills gaps can be a barrier to adoption. Simply put, the demand on the seafarer community will increase and we want to be there to help customers close the skills gap.

“Our motivation for entering into partnership with the University of Gibraltar is to support our community, customers, and indeed the wider industry, amid the transition to cleaner fuels. The University has a reputation for producing cadets who are both technically capable and industry-ready and for upskilling current seafarers and we’re proud to continue contributing to this.

“By contributing to develop a robust framework for specialised training and education, we hope this initiative will make it easier for organisations to access resources and upskill their teams, so that we’re ready to meet IMO and the industry’s long term sustainability goals.”

Aaron Lopez, Head of Maritime Academy from the University of Gibraltar, added: “Seafarers are vitally important to the world economy – working behind the scenes, they are responsible for the movement of almost all the world’s goods.

“We need to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do this important job, particularly as the fuel landscape continues to evolve.

“At the University of Gibraltar, we’re proud to be at the forefront of maritime education and training, preparing cadets to meet the demands of a changing industry. Through our partnership with Peninsula, we will gain valuable insight from a global leader in bunkering and together begin to address the skills gaps that come with the transition to cleaner fuels.”

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 9 May, 2025