International News

Expect the first commercial autonomous ships by 2020 say Rolls-Royce

Posted on by News Hound
Autonomous ships are tipped to be operating commercially by 2020
Autonomous ships are tipped to be operating commercially by 2020

Rolls-Royce know a thing or two, having been a world class manufacturer for many years. So, whilst it may be easy to become obsessive with the onslaught and possibilities of new technology, clearly the subject of autonomous ships is not going to go away. It is becoming apparent that such vessels will become part of our everyday lives – and perhaps a lot sooner than most of us realise.

The Rolls-Royce led Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative (AAWA) project recently presented its first findings at a conference in Helsinki, expressing high hopes for vessel automation in commercial service and predicting that it will arrive soon.

Continue reading “Expect the first commercial autonomous ships by 2020 say Rolls-Royce”

World’s first ocean going vessels capable of running on methanol set for delivery

Posted on by News Hound

Starting in April, Waterfront Shipping Company Ltd. (WFS), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Westfal-Larsen Management (WL) and Marinvest/Skagerack Invest (Marinvest) are proud to welcome innovative, clean-burning, fuel-efficient vessels to the sea. These seven 50,000 dead weight tonne vessels are built with the first-of-its kind MAN B&W ME-LGI 2-stroke dual fuel engines that can run on methanol, fuel oil, marine diesel oil, or gas oil.

This groundbreaking ship technology will significantly reduce emissions while giving ship owners a viable, efficient and convenient fuel alternative. With the growing demand for cleaner marine fuel to meet environmental regulations, methanol is a promising alternative fuel for ships that can meet the industry’s increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Methanol is a biodegradable, clean-burning marine fuel that reduces smog-causing emissions such as particulates, sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides.

Continue reading “World’s first ocean going vessels capable of running on methanol set for delivery”

FPSO composite repair system for offshore structures approved by Bureau Veritas

Posted on by News Hound

cold patchLeading international classification society Bureau Veritas has approved in principle the repair of offshore structures using the bonded composite product Coldshield, developed by Paris based Cold Pad. Coldshield is a composite structural reinforcement specifically developed for the harsh environments of offshore units.

Matthieu de Tugny, Senior Vice-President and Head of Offshore, Bureau Veritas, says, “Coldshield offers a long awaited solution for the repair of corroded offshore structure without the need for welding or downtime. We have combined our expertise in marine composites and bonding with our experience of the hydrodynamic loadings and constraints of offshore units to assess Coldshield. We believe that Coldshield is the first non-welded structural repair method available for an FPSO hull.”

Continue reading “FPSO composite repair system for offshore structures approved by Bureau Veritas”

Just complying with new enclosed space regulations is not enough

Posted on by News Hound
New enclosed space regulations come into force from 1 July 2016
New enclosed space regulations come into force from 1 July 2016

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has advised that ship operators must combine vigilance, structure and care when enforcing the latest SOLAS regulation for safeguarding crews from the dangers of gas when entering enclosed spaces. But supplying a vessel with a single, portable, four gas detection unit as required to do so by the IMO is not enough on its own.

The new enclosed space regulations, which come into force on 1st July 2016, requires ships on international voyages to have at least one unit that can detect the presence of oxygen, flammable gases or vapours, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide.

Says Andrew Sherriff, WSS’s Business Manager for Marine Products – Safety Solutions, “The regulation musn’t be seen in isolation. It is sound legislating from the IMO, but it comes with a burden of responsibility for operators.”

Continue reading “Just complying with new enclosed space regulations is not enough”

DNV GL’s Technology Outlook 2025 looks ahead to the next ten years

Posted on by News Hound

Every five years, DNV GL publishes its Technology Outlook. This keenly awaited report is primarily intended to give customers and stakeholders a basis for discussion and insight into the technology landscape of the next decade within selected industries.

“It may be hard to believe we’re on the cusp of a technological revolution at a time when the global economy as a whole is slowing. But our view in DNV GL is that we are indeed entering a new ‘renaissance’ in industrial progress, with the accelerated uptake of cyber-physical systems,” says Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO.

Continue reading “DNV GL’s Technology Outlook 2025 looks ahead to the next ten years”

North P&I Club issues warning of the risks of reduced generator capacity

Posted on by News Hound
Reduced generator capacity onboard ships is the subject of North P&I Club's latest newsletter
Reduced generator capacity onboard ships is the subject of North P&I Club’s latest newsletter

North P&I Club is advising its members to be aware of the potentially severe consequences of poorly maintained or overloaded on-board generators being unable to meet the electrical demands of ships at sea. The warning about reduced generator capacity comes in the latest issue of the club’s loss prevention newsletter Signals.

According to deputy loss prevention director Colin Gillespie, ‘Generators have a critical function to play on all ships. They provide electrical power for ever-more complex navigation, communication and safety systems as well as essential on-board services and vital equipment such as cranes, winches and bow thrusters. If the generators cannot cope due to poor condition or excess demand, it can lead to total loss of electrical power and put the safety of the ship, crew and cargo at risk.’

Continue reading “North P&I Club issues warning of the risks of reduced generator capacity”

DNV GL issues technical guidance for deck cargo on bulk carriers

Posted on by News Hound
DNV publishes guidance on deck cargo for bulk carriers
DNV publishes guidance on deck cargo for bulk carriers

DNV GL has issued Technical and Regulatory News including all related information you need when preparing a deck cargo for bulk carriers.

Structural strength
The deck and hatch covers on modern bulk carriers usually have a structural capacity of around 2.0 to 2.5 t/m2 of uniformly distributed load (UDL), without any reinforcements. This load corresponds to the green sea pressure used in the approval of the vessel. With a few minor reinforcements, it may be possible to increase the UDL, especially for the deck area.

Stability documentation
Compliance with applicable stability and longitudinal strength criteria in deck cargo loading conditions shall be shown in updated/amended stability manuals.

In general, intact GM limit curves shall be recalculated taking into account an additional wind profile area from deck cargo.

Continue reading “DNV GL issues technical guidance for deck cargo on bulk carriers”

The next generation of superyachts by Migaloo could be ones that sail underwater

Posted on by News Hound
The range of Migaloo submersible yachts has five concepts to choose from
The range of Migaloo submersible yachts has five concepts to choose from

Austrian based company, Migaloo Private Submersible Yachts, has created multiple five submersible yacht concepts that could change the yachting landscape all together forever.

Migaloo currently has five models available that can be customised according to the owner’s preference. The range in size from 236.3 feet to 928.4 feet LOA. The submersibles wuill be built according to class, flag and in accordance with US Navy Subsafe safety standards. All models have modern acrylic pressure hull designs to ensure optimal safety for all passengers and crew onboard.

Continue reading “The next generation of superyachts by Migaloo could be ones that sail underwater”

Court rejects €1.56m claim against marine surveyor accused of poor stowage

Posted on by News Hound

International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has warned that the wording of instructions can potentially widen the scope of liability for marine service providers, citing the recent case of a marine surveyor sued for €1.56m for alleged poor onboard stowage of a cargo.

The marine surveyor in Germany was engaged by charterers to attend the loading of a cargo and to report on any damage caused by the stevedores. The emailed instructions from the charterer contained the following provisions:

“We hereby order the following: supervision of the loading/preloading survey; reporting of eventual damages to the coating or the material – and time of damage; reporting of negligence while handling the material and loading; detailed documentation, with photos, of the loading operations; no continuous supervision will be necessary, only during the important moments (commencement of loading operations – change of shift – securing of the cargo).”

Continue reading “Court rejects €1.56m claim against marine surveyor accused of poor stowage”

UK shipping sector risks sinking fortunes if Brexit prevails reports Reuters

Posted on by News Hound

Article by Jonatha Saul and reprinted from the Reuters web site

If Britain votes to leave the European Union, the country’s shipping sector faces years of disruption as trade agreements get reworked and currency volatility leads to higher costs at a time when the industry is battling its worst global downturn.

Shipping contributes some 10 billion pounds annually to the UK economy and directly employs 240,000 people in multiple areas including maritime services such as ports, transportation, as well as ship broking and marine insurance.

Continue reading “UK shipping sector risks sinking fortunes if Brexit prevails reports Reuters”

FONABSA container weighing survey says there is work to do

Posted on by News Hound

The second round of the FONASBA survey on the status of implementation of the amendments to SOLAS VI.2 shows that with just three months to go before the 1st July 2016 deadline, the situation varies widely across more than 50 countries represented in FONASBA membership. The results of the survey, covering a wide range of topics from the nomination of the “designated authority” to how trans-shipment containers and those shipped under FOB sales will be treated, are available from the FONASBA website. For ease of reference, the extensive, detailed and comprehensive full report, listing the information provided by each individual country, is complemented by a consolidated Executive Summary.

Of particular concern at this late stage is that eighteen associations have advised that no guidance has been issued on the practical application of the measures in the country concerned. This situation has been exacerbated by the failure, until very recently in some cases, of governments to nominate the designated authority.

Continue reading “FONABSA container weighing survey says there is work to do”

Lloyd’s Register releases guidance notes for inspections with drones

Posted on by News Hound

Lloyd’s Register has issued a new guidance note which supports the marine and maritime industry in the safe and effective deployment of the next generation drone and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology that can significantly improve productivity gains through reducing risk exposure, survey times and in-service inspection costs of offshore, marine and onshore infrastructure.

The first phase of its guidance notes for drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is giving operators in the energy and marine industries confidence in using UAS for offshore, marine and onshore surveys and in-service inspections.

Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register releases guidance notes for inspections with drones”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine