Marine News

International Chamber of Shipping publishes its 2017 Annual Review on shipping

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The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest Annual Review running to some 72 pages. It reflects on the key issues facing the world shipping sector and gives an insight into the complex legislative and economic landscape currently faced by ship operators.

Specifically, the ICS Annual Review explores the challenges presented by the need to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the ambition set by the Paris Agreement on climate change; the worldwide entry into force of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention in September 2017; and the implementation in 2020 of the global 0.5% sulphur in fuel cap, each which will have profound implications for the economics of shipping.

The Review also covers developments with respect to the wide range of other issues in which ICS is involved on behalf of the global industry, ranging from legal Continue reading “International Chamber of Shipping publishes its 2017 Annual Review on shipping”

5th edition of the Palma Superyacht Show hailed a success

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The Palma Superyacht Show, which concluded on Tuesday the 2nd of May, saw an eclectic mix of visitors overawed by the huge variety of super yachts on display.

One of the legendary yachts on show included the 34m dramatically beautiful classic gaff cutter MERRYMAID, a ready-to-go-anywhere-yacht which has thousands of miles under her keel. Think also the 43m sleek sailing yacht THIS IS US, easily one of the most elegant performance sailing yachts currently on the charter market, the 59m mega yacht MAYBE, which boasts being the largest private yacht to have ever been built and designed in Spain, and the 46m Baltic Yachts-built PINK GIN, known as the “Marilyn Monroe of yachts”.

The display of some of the world’s most celebrated super yachts was naturally a hot topic, but the 60 exhibitors were also a big part of the Continue reading “5th edition of the Palma Superyacht Show hailed a success”

VPLP design launches Oceanwings

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Oceanwings is a new development and concept from VPLP
Oceanwings is a new development and concept from VPLP

Drawing on extensive experience in the field of rigid sail development, France’s VPLP Design has developed a two-element wingsail for commercial craft which is furlable, reefable and entirely automated.

Called Oceanwings, this new automated sailing system has been tested on small sail craft but is being developed for use as a sail assistance system for shipping.

VPLP Design’s interest in rigid sails started in 2010, when they were involved in the design of high performance America’s Cup sailing Continue reading “VPLP design launches Oceanwings”

Finland’s oldest ferry goes all-electric

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From steam to diesel and now electricity: the oldest operating ferry in Finland has become the nation’s first all-electric passenger vessel after being fitted with Visedo power.

The City of Turku has seen the historic Föri ferry relaunched, complete with a new zero-emission electric drivetrain that will deliver greater efficiency, less noise and reduced operating costs.

The Föri initially entered service in 1904 after the City of Turku commissioned local shipyards Aktiebolaget Vulcan to build a city commuter ferry to take passengers across the Aura River to Åbo.

Continue reading “Finland’s oldest ferry goes all-electric”

New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal

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The new Wavecraft CTV from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal
The new Wavecraft CTV from Norwegian firm Umoe Mandal

Umoe Mandal in Norway has unveiled a new design, the Wavecraft, a series of high-speed, all-composite service vessels designed for fast crew transport. The company says the high-speed craft offers offshore operators “a long range economical, commercially feasible and safe alternative to helicopters.”

The company says the Wavecraft “delivers substantially Continue reading “New CTV unveiled by Umoe Mandal”

Inaugural eCMID Conference report

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Lead tutor, Capt Ian Coates, addressing the first eCMID conference
Lead tutor, Capt Ian Coates, addressing the first eCMID conference

IIMS in conjunction with Marine Surveying Academy delivered a hugely successful first eCMID one day Conference, which took place in Amsterdam by Schiphol Airport on 25 April.

The feedback from the event, which drew around 40 delegates, was extraordinarily positive. On behalf of IMCA, Chris Baldwin said how delighted he was with the number of Accredited Vessel Inspectors that have already come forward to join and be accepted on the scheme. He praised IIMS for their delivery of the programme and its robustness.

eCMID AVIs play a key role inspecting and auditing offshore vessels in the oil and gas and renewables sectors. The Conference was a chance for some of them to come together to network with other AVIs and to learn abut the programme and its constituent components.

Continue reading “Inaugural eCMID Conference report”

MAIB contracts with BMT Ship & Coastal Dynamics for their REMBRANDT simulator

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REMBRANDT simulator will aid the MAIB in future investigations
REMBRANDT simulator will aid the MAIB in future investigations

BMT Ship & Coastal Dynamics (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has announced a new contract with the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), acknowledged as a world leader in ship electronic evidence gathering, including VDR data recovery and interpretation. BMT has installed its industry leading marine navigation and manoeuvring REMBRANDT simulator and will provide ongoing specialised training, to allow MAIB personnel to benefit from its unique attributes.

Richard North, Technical Manager at MAIB comments: “REMBRANDT simulator is a well-regarded and trusted solution, widely used by a broad spectrum of stakeholders including pilot organisations, shipping companies on-board and ashore, naval architects, civil marine engineers and port authorities, therefore it was a natural choice for us. A key and unique attribute of REMBRANDT is its ability to automatically input a broad range of VDR data including 3D, Radar and bridge audio to deliver a more enhanced and accurate visual Continue reading “MAIB contracts with BMT Ship & Coastal Dynamics for their REMBRANDT simulator”

New handy guide surveying metal craft published by IIMS

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IIMS has added to its series of handy guides with the publication of what a marine surveyor needs to know about surveying metal craft
IIMS has added to its series of handy guides with the publication of what a marine surveyor needs to know about surveying metal craft

IIMS has released for publication a new handy guide entitled What a Marine Surveyor needs to know about surveying metal craft. This brings the total number of publications in the What a Marine Surveyor needs to know about handy guide series to thirteen. More manuscripts are in the pipeline too and will be published as the year goes by.

Steel boats may be made of a variety of metals. Very old vessels may be built of iron. Ordinary carbon steel, usually called mild steel, is commonly used. Shipbuilding quality steel is not used as much as it is not easy to source. Cor-Ten steel is sold as a low rust product, but there is no universal opinion about this special formula.

In this handy guide on surveying metal craft, written by the doyen of marine surveyors, Ian Nicolson draws on some comparisons:
Surveyors are detectives, looking for clues. When they find them, they have to deduce what caused such things as discolouration, dents or broken fastenings. Surveying is also like veterinary work, as both practitioners cannot get answers to questions asked. Good eyesight, excellent lighting and an enquiring mind which never falters on the job are what surveyors need.

Continue reading “New handy guide surveying metal craft published by IIMS”

AIMEX calls for legislation changes for Australian superyacht industry

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AIMEX, the Australian organisation that supports and promotes Australian marine exporters to succeed in global markets has called on the Federal Government to change restrictive legislation holding back Australia’s superyacht industry after an economic impact study revealed its high value to the Australian economy.

The AEC Group study found the Australian superyacht industry contributed a total of A$1.97 billion ($1.5 billion) to gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2016 financial year.

Continue reading “AIMEX calls for legislation changes for Australian superyacht industry”

Hamburg Port Authority adds a dual head multibeam survey system to its range of hydrographic survey equipment

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Conducting around 900 surveys per year in the port of Hamburg, Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) requires high-end products for their multi-sensor systems and survey vessels.

The vessel ‘Deepenschriewer IV’ is the smallest survey vessel of HPA and intended to carry out multibeam surveys for depth control and documenting in shallow water areas. For this purpose, MBT, MacArtney Germany, has done supply, installation, and setting-to-work of a dual head multibeam echo sounder system suitable for hydrographic survey applications.

Continue reading “Hamburg Port Authority adds a dual head multibeam survey system to its range of hydrographic survey equipment”

Canal & River Trust launches its first ‘Boats in Bloom’ Awards

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The Canal & River Trust kicks off 'Boats in Bloom' Awards. (Photo from Gardeners' World Live 2016)
The Canal & River Trust kicks off ‘Boats in Bloom’ Awards. (Photo from Gardeners’ World Live 2016)

‘It’s blooming marvellous on the waterways’ is the theme by the Canal & River Trust about the green fingered boaters and waterside gardeners in the UK. The charity is launching its first-ever ‘Boats in Bloom’ awards to say thank you to the many people who bring the waterways in Britain to life with plants and flowers.

Starting in May, the Canal & River Trust will be presenting colourful certificates to anyone whose boat or waterside planting is putting a smile on the face of passers-by. The charity is also calling on people to share photos of blossoming boats and waterways to create an online gallery to inspire and delight others.

Continue reading “Canal & River Trust launches its first ‘Boats in Bloom’ Awards”

The month of April yields brighter skies and new optimism

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As we emerge from winter and go full into Spring in the UK, I become fully energised at this time and the passing of the years does not diminish this. As we emerge from the gloom of winter, the weather improves, daylight hours get longer, I can cycle in the late evening sunshine and my life changes with the changing seasons.

Setting this new found optimism against a darkening international political backdrop slightly takes the edge off things for sure. These are worrying times. We are all watching what is happening in the world closely I am sure. It leads me to question if there are implications for the marine surveying sector specifically? I suspect not however.  Many surveyors already work in highly dangerous locations across the world and in difficult circumstances too, performing their important and challenging roles. But if I have one message it is to be safe in your work and to ensure you risk assess carefully.

Continue reading “The month of April yields brighter skies and new optimism”

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