Palmer Johnson Yachts to move manufacturing to the Netherlands

Palmer Johnson Yachts has signalled its intention to close its American yard and to transfer manufacturing to the Netherlands
Palmer Johnson Yachts has signalled its intention to close its American yard and to transfer manufacturing to the Netherlands

In an official statement, American superyacht builder, Palmer Johnson Yachts has announced their plans to relocate their manufacturing facilities to the Netherlands, confirming that their American facility will close its doors by the end of October with the loss of 100 jobs.

The relocation of the Palmer Johnson facility comes as part of the yard’s strategic plan to increase its production of the new carbon SuperSport series. Declining sales and escalating offshore competition also contributed to the closure of the Sturgeon Bay shipyard.

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New energy saving windshield on containership being tested

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

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

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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BIMCO Conference to tackle maritime cyber security

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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Obituary Capt Paul Townsend FIIMS

Capt Paul Townsend FIIMS who has sadly passed away
Capt Paul Townsend FIIMS who has sadly passed away

News has reached the IIMS head office of the sad death of Capt Paul Townsend, who passed away after a long illness fought with courage and fortitude. He died on 28 August 2015 at a hospice on the Isle of Wight, UK. He was 76 years old.

Paul was a Fellow of the Institute and an active member of the IIMS Management Board. Until recent months, he was a regular contributor to that forum. He also regularly attended Certifying Authority training days. He joined IIMS in 2002 and was made a Fellow in 2010.

Paul joined the Merchant Navy as a Cadet with Clan Line, studying at Warsash Maritime College, Hampshire, UK and obtained his Master’s Certificate in 1969.

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Lloyd’s Register to class world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel

Lloyd's Register is set to class world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel for Heerma
Lloyd’s Register is set to class world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel for Heerma

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has won a contract to class the world’s largest heavy lift crane vessel (NSCV) for the Netherlands-based Heerema Group. The semi-submersible vessel will be constructed at the newly opened Sembcorp ‘Mega yard’ in Singapore.

The dual-fuel LNG and MGO vessel is due to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2018 and will be a key asset in the offshore market and a leading player in the installation and decommissioning of offshore facilities. It follows another significant Heerema project, the delivery of the LR-classed Aegir deepwater construction vessel (DCV) in 2013 (see article in the January 2014 Horizons).

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MCA small commercial vessel code of practice – yellow and blue codes

MCA small commercial vessel code of practice - yellow and blue codes first draft review underway
MCA small commercial vessel code of practice – yellow and blue codes first draft review underway

The British Marine Technical team, working with the RYA, has completed the first drafting of the review of the SCV technical specifications as laid down in MGN 280, the Code of Practice for the construction, machinery, stability, operation, manning and examination of small commercial vessels less than 24m load line length that carry 12 or fewer passengers.

This draft can be found on the British Marine website for those companies or individuals who wish to read through and provide feedback on the proposed text. The cut-off date for comments is 5 October 2015. All comments will be compiled and a Working Group of interested parties will then be asked to take part in a one or two day meetings at Marine House at the end of October, prior to the first draft being submitted to the MCA for discussion.

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New class notation for ship to ship gas bunkering released by DNV GL

DNV GL has released a new class notation for ship to ship gas bunkering
DNV GL has released a new class notation for ship to ship gas bunkering

DNV GL has developed a new class notation for gas bunker vessels that ensures safe fuel transfer operations from one ship to another.

Until now, the development of standards guiding gas fuel transfer operations in ports has lagged behind, as the maritime industry focussed on developing standards for gas fuelled ships rather than bunkering arrangements. This notation addresses safety concerns in this field and covers gas bunker vessels design and additional requirements to support the development of gas fuelled shipping and bunker operations in ports. The rules are flexible and include a variety of gas fuels as well as the configuration of bunker transfer systems.

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Tianjin explosion highlights growth of accumulation risks

Photo credit: Associated Press
Photo credit: Associated Press

The recent catastrophe at the port of Tianjin in China resulted in the loss of at least 100 lives and many more people are still missing. It is far too early to speculate on the cause but the explosions left extensive physical damage as well as the appalling loss of life.

Accumulation risks – when a single event causes an exceptionally large group of related losses – such as this, are continuing to grow.

IUMI President, Dieter Berg says: “This extremely sad and regrettable incident demonstrates the persistent growth of accumulation of Continue reading “Tianjin explosion highlights growth of accumulation risks”

DNV.GL ECO Retrofit service set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof

ECO Retrofit service by DNV.GL set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof
ECO Retrofit service by DNV.GL set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof

Many shipowners and operators are turning to bulbous bow retrofits to increase their vessels’ energy efficiency. DNV GL has developed a new tool as part of the ECO Retrofit service to support the industry in tailoring retrofit projects to the future needs of their fleet. While the service identifies new bow shapes based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations, the new tool explores the effect of alternative operational options. Overall, this approach can customers help save five to ten per cent on their annual fuel bill.

The biggest issue in many retrofit projects is the definition of the individual operational profile. In the past two years the ECO Retrofit service has already helped to upgrade some 200 vessels. Aside from analysing their fleet’s past performance, shipowners and operators Continue reading “DNV.GL ECO Retrofit service set to make bulbous bow optimizations future proof”

Jensen Maritime to develop two new LNG bunker barge concepts

Jensen Maritime is planning the development of two new LNG bunker barge concepts
Jensen Maritime is planning the development of two new LNG bunker barge concepts

Crowley Maritime Corp. subsidiary, Jensen Maritime has announced the development of two new, liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge concepts that can be fully customised to meet a customer’s unique needs.

The first concept involves outfitting an existing barge with an above-deck LNG tank. The concept can be further modified to accommodate more than one type of product, if a customer has a need for multiple liquid transfers. Advantages of this design include a fast turnaround and a reduced need to invest in specialised assets if a customer has short-term LNG requirements.

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