Yanmar Holdings and its subsidiary Yanmar Power Technology are to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system for marine applications based on vehicle fuel cell technology.
Initially the new maritime fuel cell system will be installed on Yanmar’s own test boat with field testing starting by the end of 2020.
The USCG has published its 2019 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report, summarizing statistics regarding inspections and enforcement of regulations on US-flagged vessels. In comparison to 2018, the number of vessel inspections increased by 1,423 and the average number of deficiencies identified per inspection has increased from 1.26 to 1.48. The report also found that there were over 100 Flag State detentions.
In order to qualify for DNV GL’s SmartShip descriptive notation, a vessel must be equipped with technological features considered as smart technologies in marine applications in accordance with the DNV GL Class Guidelines for SmartShip CG-0508.
Eagle Petrolina received the notation for its navigation decision support system with route optimisation features, an energy efficiency management system with trim optimisation, as well as a ship performance monitoring system. The 279m shuttle tanker is also installed with SVESSEL, SHI’s own solution to meet the SmartShip standard, which allows onshore monitoring of the ship.
A drone has successfully inspected a 19.4 meter high oil tank on board a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel. The video shot by the drone was interpreted in real-time by an algorithm to detect cracks in the structure. It is the latest step in a technology qualification process that could lead to tank inspections becoming safer and more efficient. Scout Drone Inspection and DNV GL, the quality assurance and risk management company, have been working together to develop an autonomous drone system to overcome the common challenges of tank inspections. For the customer, costs can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars as the tank is taken out of service for days to ventilate and construct scaffolding. The tanks are also tough work environments, with Continue reading “Scout Drone Inspection: Autonomous drone inspections move step closer after successful test”
SGMF publishes guidelines for safe drydocking of gas-fueled ships
To help ensure the safe maintenance of gas-fueled ships, the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) has published new guidance on work practices for maintenance, repair and dry-dock operations for ships that use gas/LNG as fuel.
As an increasing number of ships switch to using gas as a fuel, owners will need to be prepared for when their gas-fueled ships undergo routine maintenance in dry dock. While cargo is normally removed from a vessel as part of the drydocking process, sometimes fuel is not.
The 11G95ME-C10.5 engine was constructed at HSD Engine Co. Ltd. in Korea (Photo: HMM Algeciras)
Everything about the HMM Algeciras is big, including the power output of its MAN B&W 11G95ME-C engine – the mightiest ever built by Germany-based MAN Energy Solutions.
The 23,964 TEU containership is the largest ever built, recently launched for South Korean shipping company HMM at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) Okpo shipyard in Geoje, Korea. The newbuild measures 400 metres in length and 61 meters in beam, and has recently entered service between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.
New guide for compliance with the Inventory of Hazardous Materials
The UK P&I Club, a leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance to the international shipping community, has published a guide for ship-owners to ensure compliance with the Inventory of Hazardous Materials legislation.
The guide addresses the technical aspects, important concepts, processes and requirements of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, aiming to assist Members in ensuring compliance with the existing regulations and reduce the likelihood of reputational risks.
Record high of engine failures reported to Sea Start
The UK’s marine assistance breakdown service Sea Start has experienced one of its busiest periods, with call outs to engine breakdowns at sea amongst the busiest on record.
It’s blaming owners’ “desperate rush to feel freedom” overshadowing much of the normal spring preparation made by conscientious owners.
One of the most illustrious names in marine propulsion has breathed its last with BRP’s announcement today that it will discontinue production of Evinrude E-TEC and E-TEC G2 outboard engines.
A company spokesperson said: “Our outboard engines business has been greatly impacted by COVID-19, obliging us to discontinue production of our outboard motors immediately. This business segment had already been facing some challenges and the impact from the current context has forced our hand,” said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP. “We will concentrate our efforts on new and innovative technologies and on the development of our boat companies, where we continue to see a lot of potential to Continue reading “Evinrude: Pandemic blamed for the demise of the famous brand of outboard engines”
IIMS has published the twenty-third guide in its series ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’, this one covering the important topic of on-off hire condition and bunker surveys.
Capt Allen Brink, a Past President of IIMS and a marine surveyor with many years’ big ship experience, has authored this impressive handy guide, now released for sale. Allen was a driving force in the early days and was one of those who worked hard behind the scenes to get the Institute off the ground nearly 30 years ago.
Running to 244 pages, this comprehensive handy guide takes the surveyor through the main parts and requirements of conducting on-off hire condition and bunker surveys. The handy guide contains examples of a number of templated reports which the surveyor can adapt for his/her use. There are photos to assist, diagrams and examples of the certification and documentation the surveyor needs to inspect too.
The handy guide also contains the most comprehensive appendix with a selection of marine terms to assist the marine surveyor when conducting inspections of ships for charter purposes.
Kelly Tolhurst, Minister for Aviation, Maritime & Security, UK Department for Transport
This is an extract from a longer open letter by Kelly Tolhurst MP about the UK government’s new border entry rules with details of those who are exempt when entering the UK from overseas.
Dear Colleague,
Earlier this month, the Government published Our Plan to Rebuild: the UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, setting out our plan to rebuild the UK and safeguard livelihoods. We are writing to update you on our progress; notably the self-isolation / quarantine measures for international arrivals that we announced yesterday (22 May).
Step One of our carefully planned timetable for lifting restrictions was enacted on 13 May in England. As the level of infection in the UK continues to reduce, it is important we manage the risk of importing cases from abroad. To that end,
we announced work on a series of measures that would be introduced at the UK border, including a requirement for international arrivals (with some notable exemptions) to self-isolate for fourteen days upon arrival. Continue reading “Inspectors and surveyors of ships exempt from new UK government’s border entry rules”
The recent second IIMS UAE Branch webinar on COVID-19 practical effects on “Claims handling and Surveys” – are they here to stay? attracted 436 registrations from 43 countries. The initiative was well-received by the community and there was excellent feedback by attentive listeners at the peak of the participation. The initiative taken by the IIMS UAE Branch to bring value to its local and international members was evident by the community coming together for this free to attend seminar for everybody.