Environment

Unacceptable levels of barnacle fouling found in over 40% of ships reveals I-Tech whitepaper

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Barnacle fouling has been exacerbated by the pandemic says whitepaper
Barnacle fouling has been exacerbated by the pandemic says whitepaper

More than 40% of vessels were suffering from over 10% hard fouling coverage on the hull even before the idling of fleets caused by COVID-19. This is one of the key findings of hull fouling collection data in a study commissioned by I-Tech AB, the results of which are set out in a white paper entitled ‘Quantifying the scale of the barnacle fouling problem on the global shipping fleet’.

I-Tech contracted independent marine coating consultants, Safinah Group, to analyse underwater hull barnacle fouling conditions on a sample of 249 ships which drydocked over a four-year period between 2015-2019. The sample included Continue reading “Unacceptable levels of barnacle fouling found in over 40% of ships reveals I-Tech whitepaper”

Over 100 tons of fishing nets and plastic removed from the sea following Ocean Voyages Institute initiative

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The Ocean Voyages Institute initiative has cleaned up over 100 tons of ocean debris
The Ocean Voyages Institute initiative has cleaned up over 100 tons of ocean debris

After a 48-day expedition, S/V KWAI, the marine plastic recovery vessel operated by the Ocean Voyages Institute, successfully removed 103 tons of fishing nets and consumer plastics from the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone, more commonly known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch or Gyre.

Establishing its lead in open ocean clean-up, Ocean Voyages Institute has set a new record with the largest at sea clean-up in the Gyre to date, more than doubling its own results from last year. You can read more about the work of the organisation here.

“I am so proud of our hard working crew,” says Mary Crowley, founder and executive director of Ocean Voyages Institute. “We exceeded Continue reading “Over 100 tons of fishing nets and plastic removed from the sea following Ocean Voyages Institute initiative”

Terror takes to the water: British research vessel cargo tender launched

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Terror, research vessel, launched
Terror, research vessel cargo tender, launched

Terror, the new 22-tonne cargo tender for the upcoming British research vessel Sir David Attenborough, was recently launched on the Exeter Ship Canal for her maiden voyage and to undergo a series of technical and engineering tests to check sea-worthiness, stability and crane operations.

The cargo tender will play a critical role onboard the polar research ship, Sir David Attenborough, which, in addition to its scientific role, will support the resupply of the five Antarctic research stations operated by British Antarctic Survey.

Terror will transfer food, fuel and science equipment to any locations where the water is too shallow for the new polar ship to approach. Continue reading “Terror takes to the water: British research vessel cargo tender launched”

Scrubbers Coatings as important as quality material of scrubber components to prevent corrosion

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Coatings for scrubbers
Coatings for scrubbers

Corrosion has emerged as the arch-enemy of the exhaust gas cleaning systems as the uptake of the technology rose with the entrance into force of the IMO 2020 sulphur cap.

Like with any new technology, scrubber maintenance and operation has been a learning curve for ship owners and operators, especially in the context of preventing failures of the technology and reducing downtime.

“Corrosion mainly happens on the overboard pipes, the last piece from GRE piping and connection to shell plating of the hull, especially near the connections and welding seams, and the area on the external hull around the overboard pipe outlet,” said Manuel Hof, Sales & Production Executive, NACE Coating Inspector Level 2 at Subsea Industries.

“These areas will need to be protected against acid-containing water (highly corrosive sulphuric acid) coming from the exhaust gas cleaning system. Continue reading “Scrubbers Coatings as important as quality material of scrubber components to prevent corrosion”

Golden Ray: Heavy crane set to lift and salvage capsized vessel

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Golden Ray Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer John D. Miller
Golden Ray Photo by U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer John D. Miller

The team working on the removal of the capsized car carrier Golden Ray is preparing for the final stage of the operation to remove the vessel that has been lying on its side in St. Simons Sound since September 2019.

The twin-hull heavy lift vessel VB-10,000 arrived at the Port of Fernandina in Florida on July 3 for final modifications and function checks before heading to St. Simons Sound. The lift vessel is currently scheduled to arrive at the wreck site by mid-July.

The 255-foot tall gantries of the VB-10,000 made an impressive sight at the docks in Florida. The configuration of the rigging beams underneath the top of the gantries will be modified to prepare for the lifting on the Golden Ray.

Continue reading “Golden Ray: Heavy crane set to lift and salvage capsized vessel”

Yanmar aiming for zero emissions using new engine technology

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Yanmar are to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system
Yanmar are to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system

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 company will start with coastal vessels and work vessels in ports with the aim of expanding the Continue reading “Yanmar aiming for zero emissions using new engine technology”

Biofouling industry partnership launched by IMO

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IMO launches industry partnership on biofouling. Image credit: Hamish Lass, BOP
IMO launches industry partnership on biofouling. Image credit: Hamish Lass, BOP

The UN-led GloFouling partnership has launched a new alliance with a group of fouling control companies to accelerate the development of hull fouling solutions. Four companies have become the founding members of the new biofouling initiative: hull cleaning service providers CleanSubSea, ECOsubsea and HullWiper and sonic antifouling system manufacturer Sonihull. IMO expects that more companies will join the program.

The four firms in the new Global Industry Alliance for Marine Biosafety (GIA) will work with the GloFouling Partnerships Project – a joint initiative between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and IMO – in order to promote biofouling control solutions.

“This alliance is about the collective pioneering efforts by all maritime industries in undertaking the fight Continue reading “Biofouling industry partnership launched by IMO”

DCSA give fresh impetus to electronic bills of lading development

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Fresh impetus given to electronic bills of lading development by the DCSA
Fresh impetus given to electronic bills of lading development by the DCSA

The target of 50% of all bills of lading to be electronic within the next decade has been set by the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) in an announcement made last week. The international freight transport insurer, TT Club welcomes the commitment by the group of container shipping lines that together operate nearly 70% of the world’s capacity. The initiative is consistent with the increased trend towards digitisation across the industry to improve efficiency and reduce costs. However, the current pressures felt through the supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have no doubt spurred the action.

In its role as liability insurer and adviser on risk management throughout the container industry, TT Club is Continue reading “DCSA give fresh impetus to electronic bills of lading development”

Transport Malta: Report issued into the sinking of fishing vessel Zaira in heavy weather

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Transport Malta issues report
Transport Malta issues report

Transport Malta has published its investigation report on the sinking of the fishing vessel Zaira in Marsascala Bay, resulting in death of two fishermen on 4 May 2019. The findings from the investigation show that the vessel sank after flooding of compartments and a loss of stability in heavy weather.

On 4th May, Zaira was heading towards Valletta to seek shelter from inclement weather. The vessel was around 3.5 nautical miles from Valletta, when a high wave from the East caused it to heel heavily to the port side. Eventually, a second wave caused the vessel to heel further to port and she started to take in water through her hull openings. The fishermen lost control of their vessel and had to abandon it.

The combined wind and wave action caused the vessel to drift towards Marsascala Bay, where it eventually Continue reading “Transport Malta: Report issued into the sinking of fishing vessel Zaira in heavy weather”

INTERCARGO publishes Bulk Carrier Casualty Report

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INTERCARGO publishes Bulk Carrier Casualty Report
INTERCARGO publishes Bulk Carrier Casualty Report

The INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report provides an analysis of casualty statistics covering the years 2010 to 2019. Over that period, thirty-nine bulk carriers with 173 seafarers were reported lost, based on available reports of total losses and constructive total losses from public sources and IMO’s GISIS.

Cargo shift and/or liquefaction has been one of the greatest concerns for the safe carriage of dry bulk over Continue reading “INTERCARGO publishes Bulk Carrier Casualty Report”

The Swedish Club shares lessons learned about an oil spill incident while bunkering

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The Swedish Clue - oil spill incident whilst bunkering
The Swedish Clue – oil spill incident whilst bunkering

The Swedish Club has analysed an incident of an accidental oil spill while bunkering in its recent club bulletin. The subsequent report by The Swedish Club highlights that the crew did not deploy the oil boom because of the potential cost implications. As a result the oil spread across the harbour.

The vessel in question was starboard side alongside and carrying out a cargo operation. The Chief Engineer had ordered a fuel barge to bunker 350 MT of fuel oil. The fuel barge came alongside on the port side in the morning. A hose was connected from the barge to the portside bunker station. The Chief Engineer had Continue reading “The Swedish Club shares lessons learned about an oil spill incident while bunkering”

The RIVER project designed to elimate CO2 emissions underway

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The RIVER project underway
The RIVER project underway

Engineers at Aqueduct Marina have won a tender to work on the RIVER project, a new initiative they believe could help shape the development of the next generation of boat engines.

The RIVER project, of which a new boat to be built by Aqueduct Marina for the Canal & River Trust will play a major part, consists of nine partners from five EU states and five associated partners involved in the capture, storage, treatment of CO2 and waterways.

The project aims to develop internal combustion engines to virtually eliminate CO2 emissions. Continue reading “The RIVER project designed to elimate CO2 emissions underway”

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