ANDROMEDA VOYAGER

The shipping industry has been watching the dual-fuel engine choices made for newbuildings as an indicator of what many see as an uncertain fuel future.In December, DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights platform counted 27 ammonia and 322 methanol-fueled vessels currently on the orderbooks.Methanol has raced ahead of ammonia, which currently lags in both engine and regulatory development.As the years tick by, 2025 is here and 2030 is rapidly approaching, eyes are now turning to the existing fleet – to the potential for engine retrofits. Again, methanol is ahead of ammonia.

Mining company Rio Tinto has reported that a deck fitter on board its bulk carrier RTM Zheng He, travelling from China to Western Australia, went missing.A deck fitter, named Gel Aguaviva, was reported missing on December 26, 2024.Rio Tinto said an extensive and ongoing search and rescue operation has been conducted over the past seven days, with the company working in collaboration with RTM Zheng He ship and crew manager, Anglo Eastern, and relevant authorities.The Philippine Coast Guard is leading the search and rescue operation."Our thoughts are with Gel's family, friends and colleagues, and we stand with everyone affected by this distressing situation.

BP has started gas flow from Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 deepwater project, offshore Mauritania and Senegal.The gas from wells at the GTA Phase1 liquefied natural gas (LNG) project now flows to the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel for the next stage of commissioning. The GTA FPSO, located approximately 40 kilometers offshore, arrived to Mauritania and Senegal in the second quarter of 2024. It is designed to process over 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

Russian gas exports via Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine came to a halt on New Year's Day, marking the end of decades of Moscow's dominance over Europe's energy markets.The gas had kept flowing despite nearly three years of war, but Russia's gas firm Gazprom said it had stopped at 0500 GMT after Ukraine refused to renew a transit agreement.The widely expected stoppage will not impact prices for consumers in the European Union - unlike in 2022, when falling supplies from Russia sent prices to record highs, worsened a cost-of-living crisis and hit the bloc's competitiveness.

Two bulk carriers, one sailing under the Singaporean flag and other under Japan’s, have collided in Changjiang River in China.Singapore-registered bulk carrier, YANGZE 22, and a Japan-registered bulk carrier, VEGA DREAM, collided on December 30, 2024.Both carriers are in stable condition and no injuries to the crew have been reported on either of the vessels.YANGZE 22 suffered damage to its hull and is currently anchored at Hengsha East Anchorage for damage assessment.The bulk carrier also reported that about 9 metric tonnes of fuel oil spilled due to the collision, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) informed.