On March 1, Tallink’s vessel Victoria I will head to the regular drydock in Naantali, Finland. Thorough works await the underwater part of the ship, also a new additional passenger entrance will be constructed. During the dry docking period from March 1 to 14, travelling between Tallinn and Helsinki will be possible with the shuttle ships MyStar and Megastar.

The main purpose of this docking is to carry out maintenance on the underwater hull, which includes cleaning it and renewing the coating that reduces water resistance to maintain the good hydrodynamic properties of the ship. Other work that can only be done when the ship is in dry dock, will also be carried out, such as renewing some seawater pipes and valves.

The most notable construction project visible to passengers is the additional new entrance being built on deck 7. This will enable the ship to change its berth in the Port of Helsinki in the future. This change is due to extensive renovation and infrastructure works that are carried out at the Port of Helsinki’s West Harbour over the coming years, as additional yard and berth space is required for the vessels.

During Victoria I’s docking, passengers can travel between Estonia and Finland on the fast, comfortable and almost entirely biofuel-powered shuttle ships MyStar and Megastar. Once the docking work is complete, the Victoria I will resume her usual route. The first departure is scheduled for March 15 at 6:35 p.m. from Helsinki to Tallinn.

All Tallink Grupp vessels are regularly maintained in accordance with international regulations and the company’s high technical and safety standards. Passenger ships must dock at least twice every five years.

Often debated and long-awaited, The White House released its long-anticipated America’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP), a 40+ page blueprint aimed at what it calls a new “Maritime Golden Age” for the United States. The document, developed under Executive Order 14269 lays out a four-pillar strategy to rebuild domestic shipbuilding capacity, expand the U.S.-flag fleet, reform maritime workforce development, and strengthen industrial resilience. For U.S. shipbuilders, vessel owners and maritime suppliers, the plan signals potentially historic investment — paired with significant structural reform.

What It Means for U.S. Shipbuilders and Repairers

At the core of the MAP is an acknowledgment that the U.S. builds less than 1% of the world’s commercial ships and has only eight yards capable of constructing large oceangoing vessels. The administration’s response is multi-layered:

1. Infrastructure and Capital Investment: The plan calls for modernization of shipyards through expanded drydocks, heavy-lift cranes, panel lines, digital shipyard technologies, and automation. It proposes expanded eligibility and funding for Small Shipyard Grants, Title XI loan guarantees, and new tax-deferred capital reinvestment tools for yards.

2. Maritime Prosperity Zones (MPZs): Modeled after Opportunity Zones, up to 100 MPZs would be designated to attract private and allied capital into shipbuilding regions, including Gulf Coast, Great Lakes and inland river areas.

3. Multiyear Procurement and Stable Demand: The MAP emphasizes multiyear and multivessel contracting to eliminate stop-start production cycles that have historically strained yards and suppliers. A government-wide shipbuilding plan is envisioned to provide predictable demand signals.

4. Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing: The document strongly promotes AI, additive manufacturing, robotics and autonomous systems integration into shipbuilding workflows — both to increase throughput and reduce labor bottlenecks.

For ship repairers, regulatory reforms, tightened cargo preference rules, and potential redirection of repair work to U.S. yards could increase domestic sustainment activity.

What It Means for U.S. Vessel Owners

Perhaps the most consequential elements for owners involve fleet expansion incentives and regulatory reform.

Strategic Commercial Fleet (SCF): A proposed new fleet of U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged internationally trading vessels would receive construction and operating support, complementing the Maritime Security Program and Tanker Security Program.
Cargo Preference Expansion: The plan calls for increasing the percentage of government cargo moving on U.S.-flag vessels and instituting a new United States Maritime Preference Requirement for certain trading partners.
Universal Fee on Foreign-Built Vessels: A proposed per-kilogram fee on foreign-built ships entering U.S. ports could generate tens of billions in revenue for a new Maritime Security Trust Fund — and potentially reshape competitive dynamics for U.S.-flag operators.
Tax Reform for Mariners: The MAP proposes allowing foreign-earned income exclusions for U.S. mariners serving on U.S.-flag vessels operating internationally — a longstanding industry request aimed at boosting mariner retention.

What It Means for Maritime Equipment Suppliers

The plan squarely addresses supply chain vulnerability, calling for:
– Domestic production of marine engines, propulsion systems, forgings, castings and high-strength steels
– Expanded vendor activation grants and supplier development programs
– Stronger domestic content incentives in federal procurement
– Reduced sole-source dependencies

Suppliers positioned in propulsion, automation, advanced electronics, and additive manufacturing stand to benefit if funding mechanisms are implemented at scale.

National Security and Arctic Focus

The MAP also ties maritime revitalization directly to defense readiness, sealift recapitalization, robotic and autonomous vessel expansion, and Arctic infrastructure investment. The Arctic Waterways Security Strategy calls for enhanced icebreaking capacity and maritime domain awareness.

The Bottom Line

The MAP is sweeping in scope — combining industrial policy, trade enforcement, tax incentives, procurement reform, and workforce development into a single maritime strategy.

If implemented legislatively and funded as proposed, it would represent the most comprehensive federal maritime industrial policy initiative in decades.

For U.S. shipbuilders, it promises infrastructure investment and more predictable demand. For owners, potential fleet expansion tools — but also new competitive and compliance dynamics. For suppliers, an opportunity to rebuild a deeper domestic manufacturing base.

The key question now shifts from policy vision to congressional authorization, funding mechanisms, and execution timelines.

Responses will pour in as the MAP is analyzed, first out of the box [and into MarineLink.com’s inbox] is from The Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.), which praised the plan:

“We thank President Trump for releasing the Maritime Action Plan, a long-overdue recognition that America has allowed its maritime industry to atrophy for far too long,” said MEBA President Adam Vokac. “For several decades, U.S. mariners, shipyards, and the maritime industrial base have fallen victim to unfair practices by foreign competitors, particularly China, that exploit the rules at America’s expense. We believe the MAP provides meaningful, long-term solutions aimed at reversing the decline of our U.S. flag fleet and mariner pool, notably by expanding U.S. cargo preference requirements and incentives, providing tax relief for U.S. mariners, and dedicating financial investments to maritime workforce training and domestic shipyard capacity. These policies are essential to growing the U.S.-flag fleet, creating good-paying American maritime jobs, and ensuring the United States can once again compete against nations that use unfair practices and state subsidies to dominate global shipping and shipbuilding. M.E.B.A. stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress to secure a stronger maritime future and restore America’s leadership in global trade and sea power.”

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Container traffic maintains a positive trend and RORO traffic more than doubles
The performance of the main commercial traffic segments demonstrates the strength of the model introduced by Rodríguez

Alicante – January 30, 2026. – The Port of Alicante closes the 2025 financial year by consolidating its focus on higher value-added traffic, with sustained growth in the strategic segments of general cargo, container traffic, and RORO. These increases reflect the port’s strong operational performance and the effectiveness of the roadmap set by the President of the Port Authority, Luis Rodríguez, which is focused on sustainable growth and traffic diversification.

Although total traffic reached 2,906,944 tonnes—6.9% less than in 2024, a decline driven by lower international demand for aggregates—the performance of the main commercial traffic segments demonstrates the robustness of the model. Across the Spanish port system as a whole, traffic also fell slightly (–0.2%), affected by the slowdown in global trade, higher freight rates, and energy price volatility during the year.

General cargo traffic at the Port of Alicante grew by 12.5%, increasing from 1.237 to 1.392 million tonnes, driven by the expansion of international shipping lines and increased commercial exchange within the province. Imports rose by 37.8% and exports by 21.7%, confirming the Port’s role as an essential tool for enhancing the competitiveness of Alicante’s productive sectors.

Container traffic continued its positive trend, reaching 1.259 million tonnes—9% more than the previous year. Measured in TEUs (20-foot containers), 193,416 units were handled, representing growth of 7%, well above the national average (+2.7%). This traffic, predominantly short-sea shipping, strengthens connectivity with the Canary Islands and other Spanish ports, supported by the port’s freight rail connections.

One of the most notable figures is the increase in RORO traffic, which more than doubled (+120%) to exceed 87,000 tonnes, thanks to the consolidation of routes with the Middle East focused on the transport of tractor units and machinery. This result confirms the Port’s ability to adapt to new logistics demands and diversify its service offering.

Solid bulk traffic, meanwhile, fell by 20.4% (from 1.796 to 1.430 million tonnes) due to lower demand for aggregates, although signs of recovery were observed in the final quarter. It is important to note that, while solid bulk cargo still represents a significant share of total traffic, its impact on the Port’s economic results is limited compared to the higher value added generated by the growing traffic segments.

In terms of overall port activity, the number of vessel calls increased by 12%, approaching 1,000 calls, while total gross tonnage rose by 20.2% to 21.5 million tonnes, confirming the arrival of larger-capacity vessels.

In the tourism sector, cruise traffic also increased, with 103 calls (+3%) and more than 252,000 passengers (+7.5%), consolidating Alicante as a benchmark destination in the western Mediterranean.

“Growth in strategic traffic segments shows that we are doing things right, aligned with our sustainable development plan and with the productive economy of the province,” said Luis Rodríguez, President of the Alicante Port Authority, highlighting the Port’s role as “an engine serving the economic development of the province of Alicante.”

[1] Provisional figures, pending final closure.

Source: puertoalicante.com

GetJet Aviation Holdings, an international aviation services group headquartered in Lithuania, is rebranded as GetJet Group. This change supports the group’s 2026 Growth Strategy, aimed at building a more efficient and integrated structure to accommodate expanding global operations.

“We are simplifying our structure to operate more efficiently, while our main brand, GetJet, remains and becomes even more visible,” said Darius Viltrakis, CEO of GetJet Group. “GetJet Aviation Holdings used to function more as a legal name than a true brand, since each company operated under its own brand. Today, we clearly see the value of vertical integration and increasingly operate as a fully integrated group. That’s why we want to strengthen the core brand and position it as the unifying name of the entire group.”

GetJet Group will operate through several key entities: Lithuania-based ACMI and charter airline GetJet Airlines and its Maltese branch, GetJet Airlines Malta (in transition from former the name – Airhub Airlines); aviation asset management and maintenance provider Airhub Aviation; and the training center Airhub Training.

“In 2025, we expanded significantly beyond the European Union, building growing partnerships in the Middle East and other regions. As we prepare for accelerated growth in 2026, we are streamlining our operations to support our global expansion and stay ready for future opportunities,” said Darius Viltrakis.

The company has recently announced a new contract with Etihad Airways, further strengthening its customer portfolio. It continues to provide services for Air Senegal, Wizz Air, and other operators, while the previous summer season saw successful cooperation with national carriers including Royal Air Jordanian and TAP Portugal, among others. The upcoming summer season is already secured with several leading international customers, with additional announcements to follow in the near future.

200 New Jobs, Expands Training Operations in Latvia

As part of its 2026 Growth Strategy, GetJet Group plans to create 200 new positions across its holding companies in four countries, supporting expanded flight operations and MRO capacity.

“We are actively scaling our teams to match the pace of our growth. With new clients joining and expansion underway across all our holding entities, we will be hiring intensively to ensure we have the right talent in place to support both our operations and MRO capabilities,” said CEO of GetJet Group.

Recently, GetJet Group has transitioned GetJet Airlines Latvia from an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holder to a Cabin Crew Training Organization (CCTO), consolidating flight operations under its Lithuanian and Maltese AOCs while turning the Latvian entity into a platform for talent attraction and international training (Airhub Training). The move comes as the company prepares for intensive hiring, particularly targeting skilled aviation professionals affected by recent bankruptcies and market exits.

“Latvia has long been an important market for us, and we intend to maintain and build on the strong connections established there by developing a training hub. We also see an opportunity to engage highly qualified specialists affected by recent market changes in Latvia,” said Darius Viltrakis.

Fleet Expansion for Q1–Q2 and External Funding Plans

As part of its 2026 growth strategy, GetJet Group plans aircraft acquisitions in Q1 and Q2. “The decision to acquire five additional aircraft this year is directly linked to the clients we already have in the pipeline. We need to be fully ready to accommodate the growing demand. The aircraft are expected to join the fleet in Q1 and early Q2, in line with the group’s growth strategy,” said Darius Viltrakis.

GetJet Group is also strengthening its capital base. “We spent 2025 building the right investor base and financing structure, and today these discussions are at an advanced stage to support the growth of our asset management activities and the group’s broader growth strategy.” A formal announcement is expected next month.

Scaling MRO Capacity

GetJet Group is also set to manage two MRO hangars — Airhub Aviation’s MRO facility in Šiauliai and GetJet Airlines’ upcoming facility at Vilnius International Airport. The Airhub hangar is actively hiring technicians, while the VNO facility is scheduled for groundbreaking in Q4. “We are working to significantly increase MRO capacity in the Northern–Eastern European region, where such infrastructure is currently in short supply,” said Darius Viltrakis, CEO of GetJet Group. “Our focus is technical independence, ensuring GetJet remains among the most agile ACMI providers in the market while also developing into a leading technical partner in the region.”

BA Cityflyer, British Airways’ wholly-owned subsidiary, announces three new routes to popular leisure destinations across France, Italy, and Spain, in time for the summer season next year.  

From the glamour of Saint-Tropez to the beaches in Sardinia and the vibrant culture of San Sebastián, these new routes mean customers have more choice when booking their next getaway. The new additions bring BA Cityflyer’s route map to almost 30 destinations across Europe. 

Ian Romanis, Managing Director of BA Cityflyer, said: “We’re excited to grow our network next year with three fantastic new routes. Adding Toulon Saint-Tropez from London City Airport gives customers more choice and convenience when travelling to the French Riviera, further strengthening our leisure offering from the heart of London. 

“Olbia from Stansted Airport is perfect for a getaway to Sardinia’s crystal-clear waters and stunning Mediterranean landscapes, and complements existing British Airways services from London City and Heathrow Airports. San Sebastián from Glasgow offers an attractive break within easy reach for our Scottish customers. These routes will provide even greater options and flexibility for those planning summer holidays in 2026 – and we are confident that all three destinations will be popular with our customers.” 

All flights include a Club Europe (business class) cabin offering more personal space, additional baggage allowance, priority boarding and a selection of delicious meals with a full bar service.  

London City Airport to Toulon Saint-Tropez, France 

From 23 May to 1 September 2026, BA Cityflyer will operate twice-weekly flights (Tuesdays and Saturday) from London City Airport to Toulon Saint-Tropez. This is a brand-new destination for British Airways, the closest airport to Saint-Tropez at just 30 miles away, giving customers easier access than ever to the French Riviera’s glamorous beaches and coastal towns. Toulon Saint-Tropez becomes BA Cityflyer’s fourth French destination, joining Nice, Bergerac, and Chambéry.  

London City Airport offers access to central London in just 22 minutes. The single terminal allows a quick and seamless journey from kerbside to airside in under 15 minutes. 

BA Cityflyer flies from London City to Toulon Saint-Tropez from £127 each-way, including a generous hand baggage allowance.  

London Stansted to Olbia, Sardinia 

BA Cityflyer will also introduce flights from London Stansted to Olbia, Sardinia, between 23 May and 27 September 2026. Tourism in Sardinia reached record levels in 2024, with 18.9 million overnight stays, a 38 per cent increase from 2023, highlighting the region’s growing popularity*. The airline’s new Olbia route gives UK travellers the chance to experience one of Europe’s fastest-growing holiday hotspots. 

Flights will operate twice per week, on Saturdays and Sundays, making it easier for customers to enjoy Sardinia’s stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters this summer. 

BA Cityflyer also launched a seasonal summer route in May 2025 from London City to Olbia, which will fly in addition to the new service from London Stansted. BA Cityflyer will fly to Olbia up to five times per week in summer 2026 from London City and twice per week from London Stansted. 

BA Cityflyer flies from London Stansted to Olbia from £127 each-way, including a generous cabin baggage allowance.  

Glasgow to San Sebastián, Spain 

From 18 July to 8 September 2026, BA Cityflyer will operate twice-weekly flights from Glasgow to San Sebastián, a destination famous for its world-class cuisine and picturesque coastline. 

BA Cityflyer currently flies directly to San Sebastián from both London City and Edinburgh. The addition of services from Glasgow will provide another option for customers wishing to visit this lively Spanish destination next summer. BA Cityflyer will fly to San Sebastián up to three times per week in summer 2026 from London City, and twice per week from Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

BA Cityflyer flies to six destinations across Spain, including San Sebastián, Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. 

Spark Technologies, a company that designs and manufactures autonomous unmanned boats SPARK Bot, has joined the cluster of innovative technology companies in the Port of Riga. The fully electric, floating water drone is equipped with an artificial intelligence vision and navigation system that enables it to make real-time decisions and perform tasks on the water without human presence, mitigating risk in dangerous situations while saving resources, improving data accuracy and boosting work efficiency.

Designed as an open technology platform SPARK Bot can be adapted to the needs of various industries – security and defence, environmental monitoring, port infrastructure survey and navigation support, as well as rescue operations and transportation of goods.

“Our goal was to create a globally competitive technology platform that would become the benchmark for the sea drone industry. The advantage of Spark Technologies is that we combine practical shipbuilding experience with the development of high-end AI technologies. We think like engineers building the fleet of the future, not just as a robotics company. That is why our solution is practical, sustainable and adaptable, not just a theoretical concept or prototype,” said Otto Dzenis, founder of Spark Technologies

The SPARK Bot is made of carbon fibre materials, so it is lightweight, with little draft and literally non-submersible. Using a new generation electric engine with waterjet propulsion, the boat operates extremely quietly – without propeller noise, with a significantly reduced acoustic and thermal footprint. This technology makes the platform ideal for covert military operations, intelligence and patrols in low-profile mode, where silence and imperceptibility are critical.

Currently, in cooperation with another company based in the Port of Riga – an underwater drone manufacturer Eprons ROV, Spark Technologies is working on equipping SPARK Bot platforms with autonomous or remotely controlled underwater drones, which are launched directly from the boat. Thus, the capabilities of the SPARK Bot system are expanded, providing for a wide range of underwater missions.

Eprons ROV underwater drones can be equipped with high-resolution cameras, powerful lighting systems, and customizable accessories for specific tasks. Integrated sonars make it possible to scan and survey the seabed in detail, as well as detect underwater objects.

This solution provides a wide range of applications for ocean and environmental monitoring, seabed mapping and infrastructure surveillance, security and protection tasks, detection of potential threats or objects under water, as well as search and rescue operations.

“Our goal is not to compete with everyone, but to build strategic partnerships where different technologies and knowledge complement each other. SPARK Bot is an open platform that can be customized for various sensors, control systems, and customer needs. Our ambition is to become a trusted technology partner that helps other companies move to the next level of innovation on the water,” commented Otto Dzenis, referring to Spark Technologies’ strategic vision.

Wizz Air Albania continues to expand its network from Tirana International Airport with the announcement of two new direct routes launching as part of its Summer Season 2026, further strengthening Albania’s connectivity with key European destinations.

The newly announced routes will connect Tirana directly with Kalamata, Greece, and Santander, Spain, expanding Wizz Air’s presence across Southern and Western Europe and responding to the growing demand for leisure and cultural travel. Kalamata will join the Wizz Air network as a new station, further broadening the airline’s footprint in Greece.

From Summer 2026, Wizz Air will operate a new direct service between Tirana and Kalamata, marking the launch of the airline’s operations at Kalamata Airport. The route will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with the first flight scheduled for 31 March 2026. In parallel, Wizz Air will introduce a new direct connection between the Albanian capital and Santander, also operating twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, with the first flight scheduled for 29 March 2026.

Tickets for both routes are now available on wizzair.com and via the official WIZZ app, with fares starting from ALL 2,490 for Kalamata and ALL 2,990 for Santander, allowing passengers to plan their Summer 2026 travel well in advance and benefit from affordable travel options.

Kalamata, located in the southern Peloponnese region of Greece, is known for its rich cultural heritage, Mediterranean coastline and proximity to historic sites such as ancient Messene and the Mani Peninsula. As a growing leisure destination, Kalamata attracts visitors seeking a combination of history, gastronomy and outdoor experiences, making it an appealing addition to Wizz Air’s expanding network in Greece and a new station for the airline.

Santander, situated on Spain’s northern coast in the Cantabria region, offers a blend of urban culture and natural landscapes, with its Atlantic beaches, historic city centre and access to the surrounding green coastline of northern Spain. The city serves as a gateway to the Cantabrian region and provides travellers with opportunities for both city breaks and nature-focused travel, strengthening Wizz Air’s connectivity between Albania and Spain.

Salvatore Gabriele Imperiale, Communications Manager at Wizz Air, stated: “Expanding our network from Tirana remains a key priority for Wizz Air. The launch of these two new routes reflects our continued commitment to offering affordable and convenient travel options while strengthening connectivity between Albania and important European destinations. We are pleased to provide our passengers with even more choice for Summer 2026. Let’s Wizz!”

With the addition of these new routes, Wizz Air continues to support tourism growth, regional connectivity and increased mobility, reinforcing Tirana’s position within the airline’s expanding European network. The airline currently offers a network of 63 routes to 61 cities in 20 countries from Albania, enhancing connectivity and travel options for both residents and visitors. In 2025, the airline operated almost 31,000 flights to and from Tirana, carrying over 6,5 million passengers, with 99.83% of the flights completed, one of the best rates in the industry. Since launching operations in Albania in 2017, Wizz Air has carried almost 20 million passengers, creating direct jobs for more than 500 crew members and supporting more than 16 thousand in related industries.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will reissue 56 existing nationwide permits and issue one new permit for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

One existing permit will not be reissued.

A pre-publication copy of the new final nationwide permit action is posted to the Office of the Federal Register website. The final action is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register in the coming days. Once published, the Federal Register notice will indicate when the new permits take effect and on what date the existing permits expire.

The nationwide permits announced today are the culmination of a process that began with a notice of proposed rulemaking that was published in the Federal Register (90 FR 26100) on June 18, 2025. The proposed rule was for the reissuance and modification of 56 of the 57 2021 nationwide permits, along with the issuance of one new nationwide permit. Nationwide permit 56, authorizing activities associated with finfish mariculture, was not proposed to be reissued.

The 30-day public comment period ended July 18, 2025.

Nationwide permits authorize activities that are similar in nature and cause only minimal adverse environmental impacts to aquatic resources separately or on a cumulative basis. Activities range from work associated with aids to navigation and utility lines to residential developments and maintenance activities.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Army Corps of Engineers has taken decisive action to cut bureaucratic red tape and refocus our mission on American prosperity,” said Adam Telle, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “Ensuring that American citizens and businesses can chase their dreams and build our economy without needless delays is a clear victory for our ability to compete on a global stage during the 21st Century.”

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The Lufthansa Group and travel technology company Amadeus have entered a groundbreaking partnership to make booking, adjusting, and managing flights even easier and more intuitive for travelers. The focus is on the introduction of an “Order ID,” a new identification number that will eventually replace the previous booking and ticket numbers and bring together all components of a trip.

These include the flight, reserved seats, baggage, and additional services such as upgrades or lounge access. This consolidation replaces the previously separate booking systems and provides Lufthansa Group guests with a comprehensive overview of their entire trip.

“The Lufthansa Group is the pioneer in modern airline retailing. We are excited to partner with Amadeus to advance the development and implementation of an innovative order technology and to further improve the travel experience for our customers,” explains Tamur Goudarzi Pour, Executive Vice President Strategy at the Lufthansa Group.

The standardization will enable passengers to rebook even more quickly and conveniently in the future, make additions to their booking, or adjust their travel plans at short notice —especially in the event of flight irregularities or changes. With just one click, they will receive alternative solutions and other important passenger information about their trip. The new technological basis also creates greater transparency for passengers: in future, they will be able to see more easily which services are included in their booking and which additional options are available.

The new Order ID is being introduced gradually at several airlines in the Lufthansa Group and complements existing offerings such as Travel ID, which will continue to display the personal customer profile.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Suiso Energy have signed a contract to build the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier, marking a step toward the commercialization of an international hydrogen supply chain. The vessel will have a cargo capacity of about 40,000 cubic meters and will be built at Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ Sakaide Works in Kagawa Prefecture. 

Japan Suiso Energy is the project operator for Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Green Innovation Fund Project, which aims to demonstrate ship-to-shore loading and unloading of liquefied hydrogen and conduct ocean-going trials by fiscal year 2030.

The new carrier is intended to serve as a foundation for a commercial-scale hydrogen supply chain, responding to anticipated global demand in the 2030s. Using the vessel alongside a liquefied hydrogen terminal under construction at Ogishima in Kawasaki City, Japan Suiso Energy plans to demonstrate operational performance, safety, durability, reliability and economic feasibility for large-scale hydrogen transport.

The vessel is designed specifically for the transport of cryogenic liquefied hydrogen and will be equipped with cargo tanks totaling approximately 40,000 cubic meters. A high-performance insulation system is intended to reduce boil-off gas generated by natural heat ingress, supporting large-scale, long-distance transport.

Propulsion will be provided by a diesel and hydrogen-fueled electric propulsion system, combining a hydrogen- and oil-based dual-fuel generator engine with a conventional oil-fired generator. Boil-off gas from the cargo tanks can be compressed, heated and reused as fuel, reducing carbon dioxide emissions during operations.

The carrier will also feature a cargo handling system capable of loading and unloading large volumes of liquefied hydrogen, using double-wall vacuum-jacketed piping to maintain extremely low temperatures during transfer between shore facilities and onboard tanks.

Hull form and draft have been optimized to reflect the low density of liquefied hydrogen, improving propulsion efficiency and reducing power requirements. The hydrogen fuel, supply and cargo handling systems have undergone risk assessment, with safety measures incorporated to protect the crew, environment and vessel structure.

The vessel is expected to have an overall length of about 250 meters, a molded breadth of 35 meters and a fully loaded summer draft of 8.5 meters, with a service speed of around 18 knots.

It will be classed by ClassNK and registered in Japan.

By enabling the stable transport of large hydrogen volumes, the project is intended to support decarbonization across power generation, mobility and industrial sectors as Japan works toward a carbon-neutral society by 2050.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries previously built the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, the 1,250-cubic-meter Suiso Frontier, completed in 2021. The company has also participated in pilot demonstrations of liquefied hydrogen transportation between Japan and Australia and developed hydrogen receiving infrastructure in Japan.

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