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World’s Largest Hydrogen-Powered RoPax to be Built at Norway’s Myklebust

The designs have been finalized and the shipyard was chosen for an ambitious project to build two of the world’s largest hydrogen-fueled passenger and car ferries. The project has been in development for several years with the designs initially approved in 2022 and now with the shipyard selected, Norway expects the vessels will be delivered in 2026. “There are no other maritime hydrogen projects internationally that come close to the scale and ambitions of this project,” says Marius Hansen Managing Director of Norwegian ferry company Torghatten Nord. He recognizes that extensive time was spent developing the designs for the pioneering vessels noting that there has been a strong focus on safety and developing the Norwegian suppliers. The project selected Myklebust Verft to build the two ferries. They are calling it a big boost for Norwegian technology and the shipyard. The project is expected to set the standard for a new class of ship and continue Norway’s leadership in sustainable shipbuilding. The two hydrogen fueled RoPax ferries were designed by Norwegian Ship Design. Each vessel will be approximately 380 feet (117 meters) long with a capacity to carry 120…

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Trapped Vessels Start to Move Out of Baltimore Following Bridge Disaster

The U.S. state of Maryland has opened a temporary channel on the northbound side of the collapsed Baltimore bridge, allowing limited tug and barge traffic around the container ship stuck at the disaster site, Governor Wes Moore said on Monday. "It will help us to get more vessels in the water around the site of the collapse," Moore told a news conference. The Port of Baltimore's shipping channel has been blocked since a fully loaded container ship lost power and collided with a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge last Tuesday, killing six road workers and causing the highway bridge which loops around Baltimore to fall into the Patapsco River. The temporary channel opened on Monday has a controlling depth of 11 feet (3.35 meters), freeing some commercial tugs and barges that had been trapped in the harbor, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told the news conference. Gilreath said he did not know if those vessels carried goods or were empty and seeking to reload elsewhere. The port is the largest in the U.S. for "roll-on, roll-off" vehicle imports and exports of farm and…

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Panama Canal Continues to Restore Capacity While Warning of Water Concerns

The Panama Canal Authority is increasing vessel draft levels as the rainy season boosts water levels, facilitating navigation for larger ships. Draft limits have been raised to 48 feet, aiding containerships and gas carriers. The Authority plans to restore daily transits to 35, with a focus on water conservation and increasing transit efficiency. Despite short-term improvements, long-term water challenges and climate effects remain concerns. Potential solutions include identifying alternative water sources and enhancing storage capacity for sustained operations. The Canal plays a crucial role in global commerce, facilitating transit for thousands of vessels yearly, connecting numerous countries and ports worldwide.

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