Good news for the UK maritime sector as it boosts the economy by £22bn annually

According to a recent report for Maritime UK, the sector reports strong growth with an increase of 12.7% in turnover, 6.6% in GVA and 3.9% in employment over a five-year period.

It also showed that productivity per worker stood well above the UK average at £77,897, compared to £50,830, and that the sector contributes nearly £40 billion to the UK economy.

“As the engine of British trade, the UK maritime sector supports nearly 1 million jobs, contributes tens of billions to the UK GDP and drives exports as well as inward investment. Half a trillion pounds worth of goods pass through UK ports each year,” said David Dingle, chairman of Maritime UK. Continue reading “Good news for the UK maritime sector as it boosts the economy by £22bn annually”

IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo

Picture credit IMO
Picture credit IMO

According to a new warning issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it says that bauxite could become unstable when carried in bulk onboard a ship, potentially resulting in the vessel capsizing.

Bauxite is one of the world’s major sources of aluminium with around 100 million tonnes transported annually by sea. In 2015, a bulk carrier sank while transporting, with the loss of 18 seafarers. Research presented this week to an IMO Sub-Committee found that certain forms of bauxite with a large proportion of smaller particles could be subject to a newly-identified phenomenon of “dynamic separation” when there is excess moisture in the cargo.

Continue reading “IMO highlights hazard of bauxite ship cargo”

New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust

In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence
In response to changing market conditions, the Canal & River Trust has launched a Static Letting Licence

The Canal & River Trust has introduced a new static letting licence in the UK to ensure the safety of the increasing number of people living and staying on rented boats.

Canal & River Trust has responded to the numbers of boats for rent in London and further afield as people try to find alternatives to rising housing costs. A second market has sprung up with the advent website letting sites, which regularly feature listings of boats for rent, while anecdotal evidence from boaters shows that it’s becoming more common.

Continue reading “New Static Letting Licence introduced for boat renting by the Canal & River Trust”

MAIB report published on the grounding of Transocean Winner rig after the loss of tow

At 0652 on 8 August 2016, the Marshall Islands registered semi-submersible rig Transocean Winner grounded on the Isle of Lewis following the loss of tow from the Dutch registered tug ALP Forward. The tug and tow was on passage from Stavanger, Norway to Valletta, Malta when it encountered severe weather west of the Hebrides. The effect of the wind and waves on Transocean Winner led to the loss of ALP Forward’s ability to control the direction and speed of the tug and tow. After being dragged backwards by the tow for over 24 hours, the tow line, weakened by the repeated sudden loadings, parted and the tug was unable to pick up the emergency towline.

Continue reading “MAIB report published on the grounding of Transocean Winner rig after the loss of tow”

Concept multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response time

This bizarre looking Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response times
This bizarre looking Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response times

Is it a bird, a plane, or a boat? This startling looking craft is being developed by a team of Russian developers that have been working on the creation of a multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground or ekranoplan, which they believe could contribute significantly to the speed of seaborne traffic and Search and Rescue response times.

The unique project will be presented by MariNet, the National Technological Initiative (NTI) working group, on the sidelines of the International Exhibition NEVA-2017 in St Petersburg, September 19-21.

Continue reading “Concept multipurpose sea-going Wing-in-Ground craft could cut search and rescue response time”

Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report

On the night of 21 December 2016, the Danish offshore supply ships MÆRSK SEARCHER and MÆRSK SHIPPER capsized and sank in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast, while being towed by another offshore supply ship, MÆRSK BATTLER, en route to Turkey. The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board has now published a report on the accident.

The incident
The ships were configured in a side-by-side towing setup during the voyage. During the passage of the English Channel, the fenders between the ships on tow failed, and the ships started to interact. This caused damage to the ships’ superstructure, which eventually compromised MÆRSK SEARCHER’s watertight integrity and led to water ingress. MÆRSK SEARCHER capsized and sank, and subsequently MÆRSK SHIPPER was pulled under by MÆRSK SEARCHER. The crew on MÆRSK BATTLER carried out a controlled breakage of the towing wire and came loose of the foundered towage. Continue reading “Poor risk assessment contributed to the sinking of two MÆRSK supply ships says newly published DMAIB report”

Bureau Veritas approves RIMS BV for use of drones during surveys

David Knukkel, CEO of RIMS BV, whose company has been approved by Bureau Veritas
David Knukkel, CEO of RIMS BV, whose company has been approved by Bureau Veritas

RIMS BV (Robotics In Maintenance Strategies) are the first company to receive an attestation from Bureau Veritas (BV) Marine & Offshore, as an approved service supplier, allowing the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (drones) during surveys of hull structure of ships and mobile offshore units classed with BV.

RIMS are a global provider of high tech, safe, autonomous and sustainable surveying and maintenance solutions. They supply and provide services which aid with the replacement of old and expensive, slower, high-risk and resource intensive maintenance activities, with new smarter drone and robotic technologies.

Continue reading “Bureau Veritas approves RIMS BV for use of drones during surveys”

The first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells has been named

The MS innogy, the first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells, has been named. The passenger ferry, which will sail on Lake Baldeneysee, Essen, features a fuel cell system manufactured by the Danish fuel cell manufacture SerEnergy.

The ferry was built to showcase the potential of methanol as a fuel of the future and is the result of cooperation between energy company innogy and SerEnergy.

Continue reading “The first vessel in Germany to be powered by methanol fuel cells has been named”

Havyard designs a purpose built vessel for ESVAGT to meet the needs of the wind energy sector

There is an expected NOK 1000 billion investment within offshore wind energy in Europe alone. In addition, there is an increasing number of ocean windfarms around the globe. Farms are also increasingly further away from shore compared to previously. As a result, purpose-built vessels are needed. The equipment package includes DE propulsion system from Norwegian Electric Systems AS.

“We have developed a vessel that has met requirements from both shipowner and the operator of the vessel. We have balanced technical aspects with commercial requirements, and as such, we have been able to win this contract in a tough and competitive market. The vessel is due to be delivered to ESVAGT in August 2019, and will enter a contract with the Danish wind power company MHI Vestas and serve in the OWF Deutsche Bucht field”, says Sales Director Gisle Vinjevoll Thrane of Havyard Design & Solutions.

Continue reading “Havyard designs a purpose built vessel for ESVAGT to meet the needs of the wind energy sector”

Jan Koudstaal, celebrates 50 years in the coatings industry

On September 1st 2017, Jan Koudstaal, an IIMS member and senior coatings consultant in the superyacht industry, celebrates fifty years in the business. On September 1st 1967, he started in the paint industry when he was just 18 years old as an assistant manager/calculator at a blasting and painting company. In the following years, Jan worked in several functions at (among others) Sigma Coatings and International Paint Benelux. His specialty became tank coatings and corrosion protection.

From 2006, he travelled the world for CCS Coating Consultants for Superyachts as senior coating consultant and Technical Manager. Jan has contributed a lot to the superyacht industry for his involvement in setting the standard for Acceptance Criteria, acting as an expert witness, being the Continue reading “Jan Koudstaal, celebrates 50 years in the coatings industry”

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