IIMS News

Former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 opens as a hotel in Dubai

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The legendary former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) is set to finally open its doors to the public as a hotel in Dubai tomorrow, April 18, almost 50 years after her completion by the John Brown shipyard in Scotland and more than nine years after her retirement from active Cunard service in November 2008.

Initial plans by Dubai World to convert the vessel to a hotel were disrupted by the 2008 financial crisis, but now PCFC Hotels – part of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation – says it has “reinvented the legendary vessel as the latest must-see tourism destination, in a city renowned for its world-class attractions.”

The ship is now docked permanently at Mina Rashid, where her dining, accommodations and entertainment attractions will be unveiled.

Continue reading “Former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 opens as a hotel in Dubai”

Liquid nitrogen and heat system could meet new rules on emissions

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Perryman Technologies is developing what it believes is the marine power source of the future – a source of powering marine engines that do not rely on combustion and does not result in any harmful emissions. Instead, steam, gas turbine can be powered by heat and diesel engines can be powered thermal energy, heat, stored as molten metal, combined with liquid nitrogen or highly compressed air.

Spokesman Shiva Vencat says the Perryman battery system is timely, considering the IMO has just agreed to cut emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050. He also cites Wood Mackenzie’s prediction that global shipping fuel costs are likely to rise by a quarter in 2020 when the global sulfur cap takes effect.

Continue reading “Liquid nitrogen and heat system could meet new rules on emissions”

IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping

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Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently
Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently

Nations meeting at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently have adopted an initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, setting out a vision to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and phase them out, as soon as possible in this century.

The vision confirms IMO’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and, as a matter of urgency, to phasing them out as soon as possible.

Continue reading “IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping”

Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association

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Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts
Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts

The International Windship Association, along with its 40-plus member companies and organisations is positioned to help the shipping industry meet urgent and ambitious carbon reduction targets to be set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at MEPC72.

There is a wide range of wind-assist and primary wind propulsion technology solutions that offer between 10-30% savings for retrofits, and up to 50% on smaller new built fully optimised vessels. Wind is a primary renewable energy that is free at point of use, abundant and exclusively available giving the vessel better commercial and operational autonomy.

Continue reading “Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association”

Orders for Princess Yachts exceeded US$1BN in 2017

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Princess Yachts orders exceeded US$1BN last year
Princess Yachts orders exceeded US$1BN last year

Princess Yachts recorded its highest ever sales in 2017 with record turnover of £274.4m, an operating profit of £7.9m and advance orders totalling more than US$1bn for the first time in its history.

Financial results for the 12 months to 31 December 2017 show turnover is up 26.6% on 2016 and advance orders 20% higher than the previous year, with results helped by a strong performance at the Cannes, Fort Lauderdale and Düsseldorf boat shows.

Antony Sheriff, executive chairman of L Catterton-owned Princess Yachts, said: “This has been a landmark year in the history of Princess. We have a clear vision to be the highest quality, most innovative and best luxury yacht producer in the world and it is gratifying to our highly skilled and dedicated 2,700-strong team that the market has responded in tune with our efforts.”

2018 has already seen Princess launch the Continue reading “Orders for Princess Yachts exceeded US$1BN in 2017”

Martek Marine provides superyacht D-Fence from drone threat

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Martek Marine provides superyacht D-Fence from drone threat
Martek Marine provides superyacht D-Fence from drone threat

The superyacht fraternity are waking up to the growing threat that drones pose to privacy, safety & security on-board their yachts. Recent years have seen a massive advance in drone endurance, range and payload capacity whilst the price has also plummeted, leading to a proliferation of drones expected to reach 12 million by 2020.

Terrorist use of drones deploying explosives and poison gas attacks are well documented. The potential for a drone to deliver an explosive charge or even payloads such as nerve-gas on-board a superyacht is a stark reality. Paparazzi intrusion using drones approaching superyachts is already a recognised and growing problem. Yachts in port, at anchor or on coastal transits are simply ‘sitting ducks’ and currently powerless to know if/when they’re going to be attacked, let alone be in a position to defend against the threat.

To combat this emerging threat Martek Marine have Continue reading “Martek Marine provides superyacht D-Fence from drone threat”

Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions

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Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions
Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions

A recent UK court decision has concluded that a cargo insurer was not liable for general average contributions as the owner had failed to exercise due diligence, which led to the breakdown of a vessel’s main engine.

The crude oil tanker, “Cape Bonny”, was sailing between Argentina and China when the number 1 main bearing failed catastrophically. The breakdown happened when the vessel was trying to avoid a tropical storm and towage assistance was needed. The shipowner declared general average and contributions were sought from the parties to the common maritime adventure, which naturally included cargo interests. The cargo’s contribution was assessed at about US$ 2.5 million.

General average is governed by the York-Antwerp Rules and is included into charterparties and bills of lading. However, parties to the maritime adventure are not liable to contribute if they can successfully prove a breach of contract.

A breach of contract is possible if the vessel was not fit to sail before and Continue reading “Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions”

Standard P&I Club issues a guide to fire safety on ferries

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Standard P&I Club issues a guide to fire safety on ferries
Standard P&I Club issues a guide to fire safety on ferries

A fire is one of the most frightening things that can happen at sea. Often, seafarers have no ready access to the
emergency services when a fire breaks out and will need to rely on their own resources, courage and training to tackle and extinguish the blaze quickly to ensure the safety of the ship and everyone on board. To help Standard P&I Club has issued a guide to fire safety on ferries.

There are numerous causes of fire but the most relevant to ferries are:
– Electrical defects, such as overloaded electrical equipment, damaged cables and poorly formed connections. – Electrical faults in vehicles, especially when engines are hot/running. Reefer containers are major sources of fire.
– Mechanical failure, such as ignition from overheated bearings or a catastrophic engine failure.
– Uncontrolled release of oil or flammable liquid coming into contact with a hot surface, or the release of a low flashpoint fuel, such as petrol vapour, coming into contact with a source of ignition.
– Dry, readily combustible materials (such as wood, paper, textiles) coming into contact with an ignition source, such as a lighted cigarette, sparks or conducted heat from burning or cutting, highintensity lights or defective electrical equipment.

Continue reading “Standard P&I Club issues a guide to fire safety on ferries”

Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China

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Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China
Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China

On Sunday 8th April in Yantai, China, Pride Mega Yachts rolled out its latest 88.5-metre (290-foot) superyacht Illusion Plus in preparation for her launch.

With her keel laid back in December 2010, when the company operated under the name CIMC Raffles Yacht Ltd, her build re-started on speculation, and is now valued at $145 million USD.

Branded by the shipyard as “the superyacht for the future”, Pride Mega Yachts states that one of the most valuable assets of the design is its interior volume, which, with a beam of 15.4m and draft of 4m, totals a volume of 3,603 gross tonnes, making her the largest ever superyacht to have ever been built in China.

According to Pride Mega Yachts, Illusion Plus has been developed using world-class consultants and designers to ensure she exceeds exacting standards set by the company.

Spread over six decks, her modern exterior lines come from the boards of Rainsford Saunders Design, who describe her profile to Continue reading “Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China”

ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys

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ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys
ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys

Leading classification society ClassNK has released its Guidelines for Use of Drones in Class Surveys. These guidelines incorporate the applicable range and procedures for use of drones in class surveys, the technical considerations for safe operation and the requirements for drone service suppliers.

Because drone-related technologies are improving at an extremely rapid pace, application in diverse fields is increasingly expected. In the maritime industry as well, efforts aimed at utilization in the field of inspections and surveys are being carried out.

At the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), discussions on the use of Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) including drones in class surveys are already underway, and IACS Rec. 42 (Guidelines for Use of Remote Inspection Technics for Surveys) was revised in June of 2016. A revision of the related IACS Unified Requirements has also been completed and will take effect in January 2019.

On the other hand, when flying a drone in places such as Continue reading “ClassNK publishes guidelines for use of drones in class surveys”

DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts

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DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts
DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts

Following the successful development and subsequent launch to market of the electric roll damping system for yachts up to 30 metres, the MagnusMaster, DMS Holland has now started, in cooperation with Brabant Engineering, the development of a roll damping system for fast-planing yachts up to 30 metres.

This new AntiRoll damping system, like the MagnusMaster, will be produced as a standard-series stabiliser. Until now, AntiRoll has only been developed as a ‘custom build’ for super- and mega yachts. DMS Holland will be taking this patented dual-axis fin stabiliser and using it to form the basis for their new system. The fundamental concept behind AntiRoll remains the same, namely high-aspect fins that rotate whilst sailing and flap whilst the yacht is at anchor. It is stabilisation at fast speed that will form the extra addition and make it a 3-in-1 stabiliser. “How this will actually be achieved we are keeping to ourselves for a little while longer yet,” says Patrick Noor, DMS Holland’s co-owner responsible for sales & marketing.

Arnold van Aken, inventor of the dual-axis fin stabilisation AntiRoll system and co-owner / Technical Director of DMS Holland explains: “For years we have been Continue reading “DMS Holland to start developing stabilisers for fast-planing yachts”

Bavaria Yachts celebrates 40 years of manufacture

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Bavaria Cruiser 45
Bavaria Cruiser 45

Bavaria Yachts is celebrating 40 years of business and an operational model that has most recently produced the Bavaria C65.

Founder Winfried Herrmann saw a gap in the market for a new domestic boatbuilding company and alongside his business partner Georg Haubner, with whom he ran window production company ‘HeHa’, publicly launched the first Bavaria yacht models.

In 1979 the company acquired its first production facility and subsequently appointed designer Axel Monhaupt. In the 1980s, yacht and charter agent Josef Meltl joined Bavaria Yachts, adding expertise that was instrumental to the company’s successful charter market entry.

From 1992, Slovenian J&J Design designed the new models, while in 2000, the company’s first motorboats were launched. 2014 saw Bavaria Yachts enter the multihull market with the purchase of the French catamaran manufacturer Nautitech and in 2015, the Bavaria Nautitech 46 Open was launched.

Expert design has been a constant focus of the Continue reading “Bavaria Yachts celebrates 40 years of manufacture”

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