International News

Bureau Veritas classes first ethane powered ships

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Bureau Veritas classes first ethane powered ships
Bureau Veritas classes first ethane powered ships

JS Ineos Insight is the first of a series of eight 27,500m3 ethane powered ships and multi-gas Dragon-class vessels being built at Sinopacific, China, for Denmark’s Evergas. The vessel is configured for transport of ethane, LPG or LNG. It has options for ethane, LNG and conventional diesel power.

“The ability to burn ethane as well as LNG to power these vessels is a major step forward in the use of clean fuels. It means the vessels can use cargo gas during transits to provide a clean and clear commercial and environmental advantage. We have worked with Evergas and the Danish Maritime Authority to verify and ensure that the use of ethane is at least as safe as required by the IGC and will not impair the engine compliance with MARPOL Annex VI,” said Martial Claudepierre, business development manager at Bureau Veritas

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IMO warns on bauxite liquefaction dangers

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The Bulk Jupiter which sank carrying a caro of bauxite with the loss of 18 lives
The Bulk Jupiter which sank carrying a caro of bauxite with the loss of 18 lives

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has taken action to warn ship Masters of the possible dangers of liquefaction associated with carriage of bauxite, following consideration of findings from the investigation into the loss of the 10-year-old Bahamas flag bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter, which was carrying 46,400 tonnes of bauxite when it sank rapidly with 18 fatalities in January 2015.

A circular approved by IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Containers and Cargoes (CCC), meeting this week at IMO Headquarters, warns ship Masters not to accept bauxite for carriage unless:

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Volvo Penta has unveiled its new Forward Drive (FWD) Duoprop concept

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The new Duoprop concept has been unveiled by Volvo Penta
The new Duoprop concept has been unveiled by Volvo Penta

Ten years ago, Volvo Penta revolutionised leisure boating with its Volvo Penta IPS forward facing propulsion system. Now the company is opening up a new realm for recreational water sports with the new Volvo Penta FWD. The system’s patented design — forward facing dual counter rotating props and adjustable trim drive — pulls the boat through the water rather than pushing, with an undisturbed water flow to the propellers.

The clean and efficient FWD propulsion system delivers superior responsiveness, acceleration, fuel economy and versatility, and is ideal for water sports that take place behind the boat, including wakeboarding and wakesurfing — a sport rapidly gaining in popularity in North America. Similar to wakeboarding but without the use of a rope and handle, wakesurfing provides a surfer with a perpetual wave in the wake of a boat for a much longer ride than in traditional surfing.

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Red Dot recognises new gauge range by Cygnus Instruments

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The new MK5 range of thickness gauges by Cygnus Instruments has captured the attention of the Red Dot Awards and the company has been awarded an 'Honourable Mention'
The new MK5 range of thickness gauges by Cygnus Instruments has captured the attention of the Red Dot Awards and the company has been awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’

Cygnus Instruments Ltd’s new MK5 ultrasonic thickness gauge has been awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’ by Red Dot Award for its durable design.

The Red Dot Award panel comprising a 38 member jury panel awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’ for the Cygnus Instruments Ltd’s design, which is the result of a twin shot injection moulded enclosure that has a soft but durable TPE outer skin, making them both comfortable and durable. Meanwhile, the inner shell is strong, keeping the electronics totally sealed from the outside environments.

Following extensive customer engagement and working within industry standards, Cygnus Instruments developed the new range of ultrasonic thickness gauges, which still use the well-established multiple-echo technique for error-checked readings through coatings but also incorporates single-echo and echo-echo measuring modes for obtaining measurements in areas of extreme corrosion or back wall pitting.

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IIMS launches handy guide publishing programme

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The IIMS has launched a new series of reasonably priced handy guides
The IIMS has launched a new series of reasonably priced handy guides

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a series of self help handy guides under the title ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’.

The guides are available in a compact and handy A5 size. The series is launched initially with four titles, but over the next year, it is expected to expand to cover over thirty different subjects and topics.

Typically the guides are published at various price points between £20 and £30, equivalent to about US$30 to US$45. The publications are currently only being sold directly from IIMS in paperback, but will also soon be available electronically to download as e-books through the web site as well as via Kindle.

Commenting on this striking new initiative, Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, said, ”It occurred to me that there is a gap in the market place for a range of sensibly priced books that would be of direct benefit to IIMS members as well as many other surveyors and those associated with the marine and maritime world in general. The range of scheduled specialist topics is vast and I expect the series to grow to 30 plus booklets over the coming year.“

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IIMS London Conference proves to be a hit with delegates

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Ken Hickling in full flow at the IIMS London Conference 2015
Ken Hickling in full flow at the IIMS London Conference 2015

The culmination of six months of planning and preparation came to fruition when the IIMS London Conference 2015 took place at the Old Library in the Lloyd’s of London building on 7 and 8 September. Probably the only library in London not to house any books, this excellent, historic and graceful space provided the perfect venue in which to meet.

Members and others from the marine world came from all parts of the globe for what proved to be a great conference if the positive feedback that has been received is anything to judge by.

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Sailor’s Society launches new Chapplaincy App

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Sailors' Society has announced the launch of their new Chapplaincy App for Android smartphones
Sailors’ Society has announced the launch of their new Chapplaincy App for Android smartphones

Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has developed Chapplaincy a Smartphone App which will enable port chaplains and ship visitors to deliver more effective care to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers.

Developed with the support of Augustea Group, Chapplaincy enables real-time activity reporting and maintains a history of ship visits and support provided to seafarers. Data can then be accessed by chaplains in other ports and subject to confidentiality and data protection policies, can be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage.

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New energy saving windshield on containership being tested

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The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph
The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph

News has been announced by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd that the company has started demonstration tests on a new energy saving windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOL jointly developed the device with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.

The new energy saving windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL operated containership MOL MARVEL. A demonstration test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is under way.

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First low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system installed on a bulk carrier

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The first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system has been fitted to a bulk carrier. Image copyright © Mercator Media 2015
The first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system has been fitted to a bulk carrier. Image copyright © Mercator Media 2015

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha have installed the first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system for a two-stroke diesel engine, onboard a 34,000dwt bulk carrier built by The Hakodate Dock Co.

The exhaust gas recirculation system, which recirculates some of the low pressure exhaust gas from a turbocharger outlet back to the turbocharger inlet after scrubber treatment, was confirmed as meeting IMO Tier III NOx emissions in both factory and sea trials. It was originally developed under ClassNK’s Joint R&D for Industry programme.

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Working group to assess feasibility of bringing the QE2 back to Scotland

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That famous old ship, the QE2, could be heading back to Scotland if a local working group gets their way
That famous old ship, the QE2, could be heading back to Scotland if a local working group gets their way

A working group has been established to assess the feasibility of bringing the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship back to Scotland where she was originally constructed.

Previous reports suggested the famous vessel was languishing in a dock in Dubai where it was sold to by the United Arab Emirates’ government for £64m in 2008; but it seems the the ship could be up for sale again. This has led one local councillor to write to the Scottish Government.

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe called for national support to bring the ship back to Scotland and the first steps have been taken with the new working group set to meet on Wednesday.

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New technology for container ships being developed by LR

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LR is developing new technology for container ships
LR is developing new technology for container ships

LR’s lashings specialists have been using state-of-the-art analysis techniques that will enable owners of ultra-large container ships to extend their vessels’ cargo-carrying capabilities.

LR is classing the world’s largest-ever container ships – led by a recent contract to oversee the building of six ultra-large container ships (ULCS) of more than 20,000 teu.

Four ULCS vessels of 20,150 teu will be built for the Japanese company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) at Samsung Heavy Industries’ (SHI) shipyard at Geoje Island, South Korea, while two 20,050 teu ships are being built for Shoei Kisen Kaisha on long charter to MOL at Shoei’s affiliate company Imabari Shipbuilding at Saijo shipyard, Japan.

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BIMCO Conference to tackle maritime cyber security

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The BIMCO Conference in Hamburg will tackle maritime cyber security
The BIMCO Conference in Hamburg will tackle maritime cyber security

BIMCO, the world’s largest shipping association, will focus on maritime cyber security and how to handle a maritime casualty crisis at its next annual conference in Hamburg on November 18 2015.

Angus Frew, Secretary General of BIMCO, said:

“Hamburg is one of the shipping capitals of the world and home to many BIMCO members – which is why we have chosen it for our annual conference this year.

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