Blue Amazon: Preparing the LNG ship of the future

A small yellow boat in
Photo credit BG Group

An innovative project to optimise LNG ship hull forms is set to reduce emissions and save significant amounts of fuel for LNG vessel operators.

On the shores of the Amazônia Azul – or Blue Amazon, the part of the Atlantic off the coast of Brazil – the LNG ship of the future is being designed. The shape of an LNG ship’s hull and cargo tanks are critical for the vessel to sail with minimal resistance through water. This is important as fuel use is the biggest cost for ship operators, and reducing fuel use significantly lowers emissions.

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Urgent clarity on container weighing sought by operators

Clarification is being sought by operators on the upcoming new container weighing regulations.
Clarification is being sought by operators on the upcoming new container weighing regulations.

The implementation of the new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) container weighing rule is due to come into effect on 1 July 1 2016, yet there is still a lack of information on their application, which is causing terminal operators to request further clarity as a matter of urgency.

Private port federation FEPORT has called on national authorities to develop guidelines that protect the efficiency of the logistics chain and do not create competitive distortions between Member States.

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New EU Watercraft Directive to replace RCD is now applicable

The new EU Watercraft Directive comes into force from 18 January 2016
The new EU Watercraft Directive comes into force from 18 January 2016

The new EU Watercraft Directive (formerly known as the Recreational Craft Directive or RCD) 2013/53/EU has become applicable from Monday 18 January 2016.

As a result, the European Boating Industry and International Council of Marine Industry Associations’ (ICOMIA) invaluable ‘RCD Guide’ is now applicable to boating professionals intending to manufacture, import, distribute and sell products on the EU single market as well as Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland (as part of the European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association), and Turkey (candidate EU member).

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New battery propulsion concept under development by Wärtsilä

Wartilsia YahctWärtsilä is launching a new zero, or low emissions ferry design utilising battery engine hybrid propulsion.

As well as a complete electrical and automation package, azimuth propulsion units and a complete bridge control system, Wärtsilä’s wireless inductive charging system enables the ferry to begin charging immediately when the vessel arrives at quay, saving time and circumventing reliability problems associated with plugging in cables.

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Marshall Islands Registry to insist on accredited security companies

The Marshall Islands Registry has issued a directive on the use of accredited security companies only
The Marshall Islands Registry has issued a directive on the use of accredited security companies only

The Marshall Islands Registry has released a directive to companies with vessels under its flag, stating that with effect from 1 January 2016 companies shall engage only those Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) that are certified to the ISO PAS 28007:2012 standard by a UK Accreditation Service authorised (UKAS) certification body.

The Marshall Islands, the world’s third largest registry, has a fleet of more than 3,500 ships. It is the first flag to implement the new rules following a revised interim recommendation, as published in June’s Maritime Safety Committee circular MSC.1/Circ.1406/Rev.

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Gigantic containership Al Muraykh visits the UK setting a new world record

The MV Al Muraykh in London. Photo taken by Andrew McAlpine
The MV Al Muraykh in London. Photo taken by Andrew McAlpine

DP World London Gateway Port has welcomed one of the world’s largest container ships carrying a record 18,601 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units). The UASC owned Al Muraykh chose to call at DP World London Gateway to unload 3,800 containers.

The ship is one of the largest in the world measuring 400 metres in length. The containers are loaded 11 storeys high above deck and 23 containers across the ship. With thousands more stowed below deck, the ship can carry up to 18,800 containers. The ship left Malaysia’s Port Klang carrying the most ever shipping containers on board a vessel and arrived at DP World London Gateway Port as its first port of call in Europe.

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CASCADe project to improve bridge efficiency and prevent accidents ends

Simulation of the Cascade ProjectAn EU funded project that has been funded for three years called CASCADe is coming to a close this month. The project has developed new methodologies in which information is shared and displayed on a ship’s bridge, helping to improve efficiency on board and contribute towards the prevention of accidents at sea.

Drawing directly from the experience of seafarers, the CASCADe project has developed a new adaptive bridge design methodology that treats both human agents and electronic equipment as parts of a cooperative system. This allows for the sharing of information to be optimised.

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Out of water survival craft FAQ’s published by USCG ahead of new policy

Out of water survival craft FAQ's have been released by USCG ahead of a new policy in February 2016
Out of water survival craft FAQ’s have been released by USCG ahead of a new policy in February 2016

The US Coast Guard has published a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about out of water survival craft to answer questions raised ahead of its new policy that takes effect from 26 February 2016.

Question: What laws require me to change my current survival craft?
Answer: Section 609 of the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization Act (Public Law No. 111-281 – OCT. 15, 2010), when it added section 3104 to Part B of 46 U.S. Code. This new section prohibited the approval of survival craft unless the craft “ensures that no part of an individual is immersed in water.”

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ClassNK releases amendments for steel ships survey and construction

Amendments for steel ships survey and construction have been released by ClassNK
Amendments for steel ships survey and construction have been released by ClassNK

ClassNK has released amendments to its rules and guidance for the survey and construction of steel ships, including structural strength requirements of container carriers.

In response to a large container ship casualty in June 2013, ClassNK established The Investigative Panel on Large Container Ship Safety, which comprised of shipbuilders, shipping companies, and people with relevant knowledge and experience, to investigate the possibility of casualty occurrence and the structural safety of large container carriers. The results from the investigation and ClassNK’s action plan were released in the Investigation Report on Structural Safety of Large Container Ships in September 2014.

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IIMS President presents cheque to SNSM

bertrand1Last month, IIMS President, Capt Bertrand Apperry, met representatives from Les Sauvateurs en Mer at Ouistreham, Caen in France. The purpose of this ceremony was to present a cheque for £600 to the charity. This money was raised by IIMS members at the 2015 London Conference. Les Sauvateurs en Mer is Bertrand’s chosen charity. They are a volunteer force who do amazing work aiding and protecting seafarers and members of the public who hit trouble around the French coastline.

Here is an extract from Bertrand’s speech:

“Ladies and gentlemen.

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Concrete solutions for end-of-life boat dismantling

Boat dismantling is a tricky and contentious issue. Photo courtesy of Gwynnie Griffiths
Boat dismantling is a tricky and contentious issue. Photo courtesy of Gwynnie Griffiths

How to approach the global problem of boat dismantling was under discussion at the recent ‘Boat’s end-of-life, truly the end?’ conference.

The event, held at the Nautic Paris International Boat Show on 8 December 2015, was organised by the European Boating Industry, the French federation FIN and Reed Exposition.

It brought together exhibitors, companies, visitors and public authorities who all heard the clear message that concrete solutions were available for boat’s end-of-life while more work was necessary at EU level to address remaining technical, legal and financial issues.

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Hempel innovates by releasing a fuel saving fouling release coating

Hempel has released a new fuel saving fouling release coating
Hempel has released a new fuel saving fouling release coating

Global marine coatings supplier Hempel A/S has announced that it has launched an innovative new fuel-saving fouling release coating, known as Hempasil X3+, that tricks organisms into believing the hull is liquid, and not a solid structure.

“This innovative new fuel saving fouling release coating has been developed in consultation with our customers to offer an additional choice for owners and yards and to deliver optimal fuel savings,” said Henrik Dyrholm, Group Product Manager at Hempel.

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