Marine News

Autonomous Ships: Are regulations being left in their wake?

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Michael F. Merlie is a partner at the law firm Gawthrop Greenwood, PC
Michael F. Merlie is a partner at the law firm Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

The general public is well aware of the continuing development of autonomous vehicles. The media constantly provides stories on the advances of these self-driving cars, trucks and cabs. Autonomous vehicles are expected to increase safety while also resulting in significant cost savings in the transportation of goods.

While not receiving the same amount of media coverage, the technology for autonomous ships is also rapidly developing. Earlier this year, a Norwegian partnership announced plans to build the world’s first fully-autonomous containership. The goal is for manned voyages to begin in 2018, with unmanned voyages to begin in 2020.

Rolls Royce has been a leader regarding the technology developments for autonomous vessels. Earlier this year, it announced its collaboration with a Finnish ferry company in developing an intelligent awareness system for vessels. Rolls Royce expects to have the Continue reading “Autonomous Ships: Are regulations being left in their wake?”

Research demonstrates the ecological threat posed by biofouling

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Researchers at the Tel Aviv University’s School of Zoology have published a new study recently demonstrating the ecological threat posed by biofouling. Their analysis found that half the ships passing along the Mediterranean coast of Israel are carrying potentially invasive ascidians on their hulls, among other organisms picked up from around the world.

“These ascidians are passing through the Suez Canal, latching onto ropes and the bottom of the ship. They’re filter feeders, so they cover and clog every surface they latch onto, creating a lot of drag for the ship and damaging marine biodiversity in their new environments. They’re a major threat to our coasts and are very costly to shipowners,” said TAU’s Dr. Noa Shenkar, who led the research.

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Superyachts and their interiors could be created by 3D printers says naval architect Greg Marshall

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Naval architect Greg Marshall predicts the technology for 3D printed yachts and superyachts could be available by 2030. Entire superyachts and their interiors could be created by 3D printers, using more efficient materials for stronger and more affordable designs.

Already used across many industries, 3D printing is currently used in the maritime industry on a relatively small scale, but could soon revolutionise and dominate the industry. Next generation 3D printers are due later this year, which will have the ability to print large scale parts.

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Royal Huisman announces construction of the world’s largest aluminium yacht is underway

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Royal Huisman has confirmed that construction of an 81m (266ft) three-masted schooner, said to be the largest aluminium yacht ever build, has begun at its world class yard in Vollenhove, Netherlands.

The project, for an Asian client, is by the joint team of Royal Huisman, Dykstra Naval Architects, designer Mark Whiteley and Bart Kimman of Northrop & Johnson Asia.

Design work has taken a year to complete with Royal Huisman’s largest shipbuilding hall also upgraded as part of the preparations.

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Improperly tightened bolts on fuel inlet flange the probable cause of fire on Carnival Liberty

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The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined the probable cause of the engine room fire on the Carnival Liberty as improperly tightened bolts on a fuel inlet flange.

On the morning of September 7, 2015, the Liberty was alongside at the Charlotte Amalie cruise terminal on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. At 1133 hours, fuel pressure alarms and fire alarms went off for the Liberty’s #4 diesel generator, located in the aft engine room. The third engineer activated the space’s HI-FOG fire suppression system within one minute of the alarm, and the second engineer switched the ship’s electrical load over to the #2 generator, which is located in the ship’s forward engine room. Shortly thereafter, the chief engineer arrived at the control room and authorized the closure of fuel and lube oil shutoff valves for generators #4-6. By 1137, the engineering team had also closed off fans and dampers to the aft compartment.

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New underwater mountable thruster from Schottel for hard to dock vessels launched

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Schottel has further expanded its portfolio with the addition of a new underwater mountable thruster designed for offshore vessels, rigs, cable laying vessels, offshore construction and crane ships.

The 5.5 MW SRP 800 U rudder propeller can be installed afloat and is ideal for vessels that cannot be docked easily due to their size or area of operation.

“As a result of customer requests, Schottel decided to further develop the robust, well-proven rudder propeller technology in the power range up to 5.5 MW,” said Roland Schwandt, sales director tug & offshore energy, Schottel.

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The Queen has named Scotland’s newest navigable link

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Fifteen years after she officially opened the restored Forth & Clyde and Union canals, the Queen has returned to Scotland’s waterways for the naming of the country’s newest navigable link as the Queen Elizabeth II Canal.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh boarded the Seagull Trust’s barge Wooden Spoon Seagull to lead a flotilla along the ¾ mile length of canal, built as part of the £25m Helix Park regeneration of ex-industrial land between Falkirk and Grangemouth.

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Leading classification society ClassNK releases Annual Report on Port State Control

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Click to download the ClassNK Annual Report on Port State Control
Click to download the ClassNK Annual Report on Port State Control

The leading, Tokyo based classification society, ClassNK, has released its annual report on Port State Control, which makes fascinating reading. The report aims to assist ship operators, management companies and surveyors in maintaining compliant operations by providing information about ships detained by Port State Control as well as deficiencies that were found on board from many port states in 2016.

Port State Control inspections ensure that vessels departing the port meet international standards and have proved to be highly effective in eliminating substandard ships that are in operation. They oversee not only the physical structures and components of a ship, but also examine operations related to safety management systems and labor conditions such as wages and hours of rest with regards to MLC, 2006. Over 100 port states have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) over the years and established a harmonized system for Port State Control to strengthen PSC-related activities, ensuring maritime safety, decent working and living conditions, and reducing maritime pollution.

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IIMS Certifying Authority two day training event in November set to focus on workboat coding

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The IIMS Certifying Authority has put together what promises to be an informative and valuable two day programme on 20/21 November 2017. The programme is relevant to coding surveyors who currently survey workboats, but is equally likely to appeal to those wanting more knowledge in this crucial and growing area. This event is a mix of hands on surveying coupled with classroom based training with informative presentations to conclude day two.

IIMS is especially grateful to Mike Proudlove MIIMS (and his colleagues), who have agreed to host this special workboat themed training event at his place of work, Offshore Turbine Services Ltd (OTS). The OTS yard is located at 3 Maypool Building, Dartside Quay, Galmpton, Nr Brixham TQ5 0GD. Continue reading “IIMS Certifying Authority two day training event in November set to focus on workboat coding”

Grant awarded to Teignbridge Propellers for research into propeller efficiency

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A purpose designed 14m catamaran will allow Teignbridge Propellers to test propeller efficiency
A purpose designed 14m catamaran will allow Teignbridge Propellers to test propeller efficiency

Teignbridge Propellers received a £3m grant to research propeller efficiency last year with much of the work to be carried out from a new vessel due to be launched later this summer.

The grant to Teignbridge Propellers from the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) comprised 50% from industry finance and 50% from the UK Government and will enable the company to look for energy and CO2 savings of 8% in the UK’s heavy-duty vessel fleet.

Testing of a range of propellers for various vessels is due to begin in the Autumn. And while initially this will be for ships, the efficiencies will inevitably filter down to the pleasure industry says Teignbridge Propellers MD Mark Phare.

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Beneteau announces details about the new generation of Oceanis sailing yachts

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Oceanis 51.1 by Beneteau was designed by Olivier Racoupeau and is the first of the next generation
Oceanis 51.1 by Beneteau was designed by Olivier Racoupeau and is the first of the next generation

Beneteau has announced the first of a new generation of Oceanis sailing yachts which promise to be faster than previous models and feature up to 35% additional sail area.

Fitted with an extra-long carbon or aluminium mast, the customisable Oceanis 51.1 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau and has a stepped hull which creates additional interior space without changing the shape of the bottom.

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Sam Newington, son of Fairline founder, passes away peacefully

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Sam Newington, the man who built Fairline into one of Britain’s leading boat manufacturers, has died peacefully at home aged 82. The family’s involvement with the marine industry began in 1964 when Sam’s father Jack Newington converted a gravel pit in Oundle, digging a trench to link it to the River Nene. Oundle Marina was created, the basis for a small inland waterways and marina business that hired and repaired boats. It was originally something of a hobby alongside the family’s main business of frozen foods. In 1966 Jack bought a mould for a 19ft glass fibre boat from a failing company. That boat became the Fairline 19 and Fairline was born.

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