Maritime Industry Briefing: ICS Backs Onboard Carbon Capture, AI-Designed CTV Unveiled, Piracy Resurges Off Yemen

## ICS Endorses Onboard Carbon Capture as Near-Term Decarbonisation Tool The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has formally backed onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) as one of the most viable near-term solutions for reducing vessel emissions, according to Splash247. The position is outlined in a newly published 146-page report from the organisation, which argues that OCCS represents a practical bridging technology while the shipping industry awaits the broader commercial availability of alternative fuels such as green ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen. The endorsement carries significant weight given the ICS's role as the principal international trade association for shipowners and operators. With the IMO's revised greenhouse gas strategy targeting net-zero emissions by or around 2050, the industry faces mounting pressure to deploy credible interim solutions. OCCS technology captures CO2 directly from exhaust gases aboard vessels, preventing its release into the atmosphere — a concept that has gained traction among shipowners seeking compliance pathways that do not require immediate fuel switching. --- ## AI-Designed Crew Transfer Vessel Promises Major Efficiency Gains In a notable development for the offshore wind sector, Compute Maritime — the deep tech company behind NeuralShipper, described as the world's first AI platform for ship design — has unveiled a next-generation crew transfer vessel (CTV) developed in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software, Rapid Fusion, HP, and BYD Naval Architects, Splash247 reports. The vessel has been engineered using artificial intelligence to optimise hull form, structural efficiency, and propulsion systems, with the stated goal of significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions compared to conventionally designed CTVs. As the global offshore wind industry scales rapidly, demand for purpose-built, high-efficiency support vessels is intensifying. AI-assisted design represents a potentially transformative shift in how the maritime sector approaches newbuilding, compressing design cycles while delivering performance gains that traditional methods may struggle to match. --- ## Armed Pirates Approach Vessel Off Yemen Amid Gulf of Aden Resurgence Seatrade Maritime reports that a vessel has been approached by armed pirates off the coast of Yemen, highlighting a resurgence of Somali piracy activity in the Gulf of Aden in recent months. The incident adds to growing concerns among shipowners and security analysts about the re-emergence of a threat that had been largely suppressed through international naval patrols and industry best-management practices over the past decade. The Gulf of Aden remains one of the world's most strategically critical shipping corridors, connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. The renewed piracy activity compounds existing security pressures in the region, where Houthi militant attacks on commercial shipping have already prompted widespread route diversions around the Cape of Good Hope. Operators transiting the area are advised to consult the latest guidance from the Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) portal and adhere to Best Management Practices (BMP5).