Maiden voyage for Germany’s first newbuild LNG powered seagoing vessel

Fassmer ship on the eaThe first ever newbuild liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled German seagoing vessel, which is powered by a complete Wärtsilä LNG propulsion solution, had its maiden voyage on December 11. The ship has been built at the Fr. Fassmer shipyard in Germany.

The passenger ferry, owned by Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH, will operate between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland. This route takes the vessel close to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wadden Sea National Park, an ecologically sensitive area in the south-eastern part of the North Sea. Because of the need to minimise exhaust gas emissions in this area, the ferry will operate primarily on LNG using two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF medium-speed dual-fuel engines.

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Ferguson launches third hybrid ferry for CalMac

Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd of Port Glasgow has launched a third hybrid ferry
Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd of Port Glasgow has launched a third hybrid ferry

A cutting edge ferry, which is the third of three unique ‘hybrid’ vessels, was launched on the Clyde today at Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd’s (FMEL) shipyard in Port Glasgow.

The hybrid ferry, named MV CATRIONA, is a sea-going passenger and vehicle roll-on, roll-off ferry incorporating a low-carbon hybrid system of traditional diesel power and electric lithium-ion battery power. Her sister ship, the MV HALLAIG, was the first in the world to incorporate this technology in a sea-going vessel when launched in December 2011. The innovative vessel was launched by Mrs. Anna Østergaard, wife of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) Chairman, Erik Østergaard.

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The application of technology in marine surveying

Risto dashboardThe world of marine surveying is no different to any other industry sector or profession when it comes to the onslaught and proliferation of new technologies. The aim always is to make the task easier to carry out and arguably just as accurate, but in a shorter time frame and all down-loadable digitally. For some, this new technology is frightening. Dr Risto Talas sets out to prove the doubters wrong by explaining how iassessor™, a software app, can be deployed to good effect.

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Hull Vane ®: Enhancing performance and efficiency through technology

Smart ship propellorsFuel saving devices for ships, sometimes called energy saving devices, are considered as something new, but some of them have been around for quite a while. Perhaps the most wide-spread and well-known fuel saving device is the bulbous bow.

The protruding bulb on the bow was first applied in the late nineteenth century, and gathered wider acceptance in the 1920’s. On ships sailing at an appropriate draught and speed-to-length ratio, the bulbous bow is said to reduce resistance by 10 to 12 percent. These days, it’s hard to find a containership, large ferry or cruise ship without a bulbous bow.

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Marine Installation Safety Training: Diesel fuelled heating

The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before
The safety of diesel fuelled heating systems in boats is challenged as never before

The history
For over 40 years diesel fuelled heating has enjoyed a faultless safety record within the marine industry. This has been achieved despite being largely ignored by most regulating bodies.

So why are we writing this? Heaters are safe right? Well, yes, if installed and maintained correctly, diesel fuelled heating is still one of the safest forms of heating you can use.

Unfortunately, in recent years a worrying trend has started to develop, fuelled by a glut of cheap second hand vehicle diesel heaters and dubious internet knowledge.

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Fuel hoses for petrol inboard engines

workboat on fireThe context of this article is in relation to improving the safety of operators and crew of existing inboard petrol powered vessels including auxiliary petrol motors from the possibility of explosion resulting in death or injury.

As one of our clients stated: “This vessel has only exploded once in all my 40 years of fishing. The explosion throwing me backwards onto the net board, so my vessel is perfectly safe!”

This particular case was the result of the fuel tank breather line falling off the fuel tank connection with the resulting fumes allowing free passage through the open boat structure as no bulkheads were included in the construction of the vessel finally allowed to gathering in the bilge under the motor. This nearly resulted in a personal space shuttle, he was lucky.

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Problems with skin fittings

Surveyors should be aware of the issues caused by faulty skin fittings
Surveyors should be aware of the issues caused by faulty skin fittings

In the last month I have come across two situations which highlight the potential problems with skin fittings, reports Eugene Curry. One vessel, a GRP sea angling charter boat, was a licenced Passenger Boat (12 passengers and 2 crew) permitted to operate up to 40 nautical miles offshore. The other vessel was an aluminium hulled yacht undergoing inspection for renewal of its passenger Boat Licence and permitted to operate up to 30 nautical miles offshore. In both instances the owners grumbled about the additional expense involved but changed their tune when problems were found.

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The effect of water moisture damage on containerised cargo

Mountains of containersWe have all heard stories of import cargo arriving with water or moisture damage and the Insured/Consignee complaining bitterly when their claim is denied, believing that they have paid a lot of money for insurance that is worthless. It is even more frustrating when we come across these claims with Insureds/Consignees that are regularly importing (or exporting) goods.

Insured peril
So when is water moisture damage on containerised cargo covered by Insurance? Firstly, let’s make a few assumptions to keep this simple: we will consider the cargo as being a Full Container Load (FCL) and that the Policy coverage is Institute Cargo Clauses (A) [ICC (A)], which is All Risks.

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UK P&I Club advises on the hazards of shipping coal from Indonesia

Shipping coal can be a hazardous and dangerous process
Shipping coal can be a hazardous and dangerous process

There are various hazards associated with the trade of shipping coal. UK P&I Club’s Loss Prevention Team highlights the risks involved, and advises on the relevant actions to take in order to reduce accidents.

Self-heating incidents involving coal cargoes loaded at Indonesian ports have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The problem appears to be primarily related to the nature of the coals, and may be exacerbated by the way they are handled prior to and during loading.

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Unique explorer concept presented by Fassmer

Fassmer unveils its latest explorer concept and design
Fassmer unveils its latest explorer concept and design

German shipyard, Fassmer, a business that is better known for the construction of offshore and naval vessels, has presented a unique explorer concept, which has been aimed at the superyacht owner in search of an explorer option that is based on a proven and trusted platform.

With design by Beiderbeck Design, the OPV80 is a new-build project based on the engineering platform of Fassmer’s proven 80m OPV 80 (Offshore Patrol Vessel).

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Kitack Lim confirmed as new Secretary General by IMO Assembly

Kitack Lim is confirmed as the next Secretary General of IMO
Kitack Lim is confirmed as the next Secretary General of IMO

The IMO Assembly has unanimously endorsed the appointment of Mr. Kitack Lim (Republic of Korea) as the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with effect from 1 January 2016, for an initial term of four years.

Mr. Lim was president of Busan Port Authority (until end July 2015). He served as the Republic of Korea’s Deputy Permanent Representative to IMO from 2006 to 2009 and was Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation (FSI) from 2002 to 2004.

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Fairline Boats goes into administration

A luxury yacht made by Fairline Boats shown at sea
The future of Fairline Boats is uncertain following the announcement that the company has finally gone into administration

UK Yacht builder, Fairline boats has entered administration, putting 450 jobs at risk. FRP Advisory LLP, a restructuring and business advisory firm, has been appointed as its administrators.

News of the administration comes only days after it was reported that staff had been moved out of Fairline’s head office in Oundle and into its factory. The majority of Fairline’s 450 staff are divided between Oundle and Corby in Northamptonshire, with a further testing site in Ipswich.

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