The participants include ocean carriers CMA CGM, COSCO SHIPPING Lines, Evergreen Marine, OOCL, and Yang Ming; terminal operators DP World, Hutchison Ports, PSA International Pte Ltd, and Shanghai International Port; and software solutions provider CargoSmart.

Hurtigruten has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kleven for the construction of their third hybrid powered expedition cruise ship.

AS Tallink Grupp and Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) last night signed a Letter of Intent for the construction of a new shuttle ferry for the Tallinn-Helsinki route. The estimated cost of the project is approximately 250 million euros and the new vessel will be built at the Rauma shipyard in Finland. The construction of the new ship is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. The project will provide approximately 1500 man-years employment for the shipyard.

The technology group Wärtsilä’s hybrid power module, the innovative Wärtsilä HY, has been granted Approval in Principle (AIP) by ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries. This AIP follows another issued by ABS in 2017 for Wärtsilä’s hybrid propulsion tug designs.

Today, on 3 September, the production of Viking Line’s new passenger cruise ship starts at the Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (XSI) shipyard in China. The first steel plates are being cut in the traditional Steel Cutting ceremony. The new vessel will be one of the most climate-smart ships in the world. The project has involved extensive engineering and development work with the intention to create a unique new-generation passenger ship. The collaborative project has engaged several suppliers in Finland and Europe. The vessel will be launched for operation in early 2021 on the Turku–Åland–Stockholm route.

This year’s SMM motto, ”Trends in SMMart Shipping”, is right on track: The maritime sector is driving the use of digital solutions. From network-integrated fleets and smart ship control to 3D printing and autonomous shipping, smart next-generation technologies will be showcased at exhibition stands along the Digital Route and discussed in the accompanying conferences.

A new 92 metre long ferry built for the Canadian operator Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), and fitted with a broad scope of Wärtsilä solutions, has been delivered. The final commissioning of the vessel took place at the Chantier Davie Canada shipyard in June 2018.