Role of hydrogen and batteries in delivering net zero in the UK analysed in new report

The Faraday Institution has published a report analysing how hydrogen and battery technologies are likely to be used in different sectors within the UK, including transportation, manufacturing, the built environment, and power sectors, to 2050. Both are anticipated to play an increasingly vital role as the UK transitions to a low-carbon future to address critical concerns of climate change and energy security.

Professor Pam Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Faraday Institution said: “Batteries and hydrogen have distinct characteristics and should largely be viewed as complementary rather than competing technologies. Continue reading “Role of hydrogen and batteries in delivering net zero in the UK analysed in new report”

How to protect battery systems update by the Norwegian Maritime Authority

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has published some safety recommendations for vessels featuring battery systems in order to protect them against humid, salty air and seawater intrusion.

Responding directly in the wake of the Brim accident on 11 March 2021 which involved lithium-ion batteries and a preliminary report from the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority, the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) carried out surveys on board vessels with battery installations with a low IP rating (less than IP- Continue reading “How to protect battery systems update by the Norwegian Maritime Authority”

UK Chamber of Shipping to examine risks of lithium ion batteries

UK Chamber of Shipping to examine risks of lithium ion batteries
UK Chamber of Shipping to examine risks of lithium ion batteries

The UK Chamber of Shipping has established an ad hoc working group to gain a comprehensive understanding of the risks associated with lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The group is to examine various aspects of batteries, including how to guard against such batteries going into thermal runaway and catching fire.

The group has participants from the Chamber membership, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and expert specialists. It is aiming to develop:
– Proposals for regulations relating to the carriage of LIBs on ships
– Recommendations for training and information for ships’ crews Continue reading “UK Chamber of Shipping to examine risks of lithium ion batteries”

Ports Of Stockholm explores safety aspects of autonomous shipping

Image courtesy of Ports of Stockholm
Image courtesy of Ports of Stockholm

Ports of Stockholm and its collaborative partners have been awarded funding from the Swedish Transport Agency maritime transport research and innovation portfolio. Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) is coordinating the research project, which has the name PLUZ Policy Lab Urban Zjöfart. Other organisations participating in the project are Norwegian shipping company Torghatten, technology supplier Zeabuz, Det Norske Veritas Sweden (DNV), who work with vessel classification and certification, as well as the Vattenbussen AB organisation, which focuses on efficient use of resources and the potential of waterways to contribute to a sustainable society. Continue reading “Ports Of Stockholm explores safety aspects of autonomous shipping”

ChatGPT: The AI chatbot that will change the way marine surveyors work and live

ChatGPT is set to change the digital landscape for good
ChatGPT is set to change the digital landscape for good

Article by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer

ChatGPT is in our midst. The one thing we know for sure is that in this modern digital world, things never stand still for long and there is always something bright, shiny and new coming along to challenge us, threatening to change the digital landscape and the way we operate for good.

ChatGPT is one such innovation. Perhaps you have already heard about this phenomenon, or maybe it is completely new to you. As a business acquaintance said to me when I asked her about it, Continue reading “ChatGPT: The AI chatbot that will change the way marine surveyors work and live”

Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?

Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook
Image credit: Stevie-Iona Vaughan/Facebook

Authored by Mike Schwarz, IIMS Chief Executive Officer

“Mike’s suffering from mild hysteria”, they said. Well, perhaps I have been, yes. The cause of my hysteria? Lithium-ion batteries and fires caused by them! There are believed to have been nearly 70 fires last year alone involving large and superyachts. As more new information on this subject comes to light on a regular basis, I simply have to come back to it time and time again and share what we know. It is a massive and worrying subject and one that is consuming the finest technical minds in the marine world right now. We all need to be aware of the phenomenon for it will not resolve any time soon. As always, I say I understand fully the need to decarbonize and embrace this technology and am not against progress. But it comes at a price and one we need to be prepared to pay. Continue reading “Are lithium-ion batteries safe on yachts – and other vessels?”

Antifouling performance is being enhanced

The biocide, Selektope, is being introduced into marine antifouling coatings to enhance the performance of self-polishing co-polymer (SPC) marine coatings. I-Tech’s team of R&D scientists have been working on the technology for the last five years and say they have discovered new ways in which the first-of-its-kind biocide, Selektope can be introduced to marine antifouling coatings in combination with other biocides with little or no effect on formulation chemistry or performance.

The technology works by improving the dispersion of the active substance via adsorption to paint pigment particles. Continue reading “Antifouling performance is being enhanced”

New report reveals that the use of digital tools onboard is positively perceived

As part of this project, the two partners, The European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) and the Euopean Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) wanted to investigate the increased use of digital tools on board and the possible benefits and /or improvements to shipboard safety and welfare. As a result of the survey, there are a number of recommendations made which are summarised at the end of this article.

The research starting point was a desk-based exercise to map out and analyse existing research findings. To get detailed insights as regards life on board, and the impact of increased digitalisation, the research targeted those with first hand experience through online surveys. Continue reading “New report reveals that the use of digital tools onboard is positively perceived”

Onboard carbon capture explored by ABS in new publication

Emerging onboard carbon capture (OCC) technology is explored in a new publication from ABS in its latest support for the maritime energy transition. Launched at the global trade fair for Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM), Insights into Onboard Carbon Capture examines the various methods of OCC as well as carbon handling and storage and downstream considerations, as well as regulatory issues.

“Although there has been increased interest from the industry, the technology and its associated value chains have a long way to mature, and there are many factors to consider such as onboard power supply, Continue reading “Onboard carbon capture explored by ABS in new publication”

Rolls-Royce and Sanlorenzo team up for methanol propulsion in luxury yachts

 

Rolls-Royce and Italian yacht builder Sanlorenzo plan to develop and build a large motor yacht with an engine that usees a methanol propulsion system able to run carbon-neutrally on ‘green’ methanol. The two companies announced an exclusive memorandum of understanding to this effect for yachts between 40 and 70 meters on the eve of the opening of the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival. Powered by two mtu methanol engines based on the Series 4000, the Sanlorenzo yacht is expected to undertake her maiden voyage in 2026.

“We’re making shipping more environmentally friendly and easier on the climate, and this agreement Continue reading “Rolls-Royce and Sanlorenzo team up for methanol propulsion in luxury yachts”

Wärtsilä and Maersk come up with a way to stop scrubber discharge pipe corrosion

Wärtsilä and A.P. Moller – Maersk have developed a means for preventing corrosion in exhaust-gas scrubber discharge pipes. The permanent in-pipe solution is designed to solve corrosion problems associated with open-loop scrubber washwater discharge.

The majority of the estimated 5,000 scrubber systems installed across the world fleet are of open-loop configuration. With this system, seawater is used to scrub SOx from the exhaust gas, with the used water then being discharged back to the sea after cleaning. Under IMO Guidelines, the washwater from exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers, should have a pH Continue reading “Wärtsilä and Maersk come up with a way to stop scrubber discharge pipe corrosion”

Joint industry initiative to tackle microbial corrosion issue

Image credit: DNV
Image credit: DNV

DNV has joined ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company and Microbial Insights, Inc in a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop the next generation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) detection, monitoring and mitigation technology.

With global costs of corrosion estimated at USD 2.5 trillion, the project aims to significantly enhance detection and monitoring methods of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). MIC poses a significant problem in numerous industries, and taking early action to mitigate its effects can protect the environment and safe operations by reducing the risk of costly pipeline failures. Continue reading “Joint industry initiative to tackle microbial corrosion issue”

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