New Technology

Hempel launches two new epoxy primers

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Denmark-headquartered coatings specialist Hempel is introducing two new coatings; Hempadur Quattro XO 17820 and 17870.

They are being introduced to increase the service life and reduce on-station maintenance requirements of offshore assets. The new high-performance pure epoxy uni-primers presented are claimed to combine excellent corrosion protection with construction flexibility.

Hempadur Quattro XO 17820 / 17870 are part of a series of two-component epoxy primer coatings which provide advanced crack resistance using Hempel’s patented fibre technology. They can be applied in immersed and non-immersed areas of any offshore asset, from offshore platforms and drilling rigs through to support vessels.

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VEKA Group set to build the world’s first hybrid trimaran for transporting personnel offshore

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VEKA Group set to build the world's first hybrid trimaran workboat
VEKA Group set to build the world’s first hybrid trimaran workboat

Workers on drilling rigs and offshore wind farms can hopefully look forward to a more pleasant commute to work with considerably lower risk of seasickness thanks to a special, innovative ship built by VEKA Group. VEKA will be building two trimarans intended specifically for transporting personnel and freight to offshore wind farms. These are the first hybrid trimarans in the world. Transporting offshore personnel takes place mainly by catamaran. These will be VEKA’s first trimarans.

Most of the innovations are intended to make the so-called workboat more stable and more comfortable, thereby reducing the risk of seasickness. For example, the ships have lower windows than is customary, so that the passengers have a better view. The third bow is designed to ensure additional stability and comfort. There are also innovative stabilisers built into the hull.

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Fully automated electric ferries for Norway

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From January 2018, Fjord1 will be operating the two new electric ferries on the 2.4 km route between Anda and Lote on the west coast of Norway and this will be the first ferry connection in Norway where the Road Administration requires the use of zero-emission technology.

Although the Road Administration has allowed for partly hybrid operation, using biodiesel or biogas on the ferries, Fjord1 decided on using fully electric operation of the new ferries. Charging of batteries will be done through fully automatic charging stations at the quayside and battery capacity will be adequate to continue operations for several hours without charging.

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Ships are going increasingly zero-carbon

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Marine innovation has been driven by big corporations. Now, the sector is evolving and accepting open innovation ecosystem allowing experts of various disciplines to contribute to maritime development. Clean oceans have become a priority. Therefore substituting traditional fuel to biofuel comes in play and is essential. Currently, the European Parliament set a share of biofuel in traffic fuel usage to reach up to 10% by 2020. But in Finland the target is 20% of biofuel usage by 2020 and 40% by 2040. The industry, like the rest of sectors, follows the aim of being clean and zero-carbon. The aim is to find new and innovative ways to power the ship to make shipping and cruising environmentally-friendly.

There are initiatives worldwide to substitute the fuel in shipping. The industry is putting lots of research and development resources to find sustainable substitution to current fuels to achieve zero-carbon emissions. Biodiesel is one of the options highly explored by Lloyds Register. Lloyd’s Register has Continue reading “Ships are going increasingly zero-carbon”

Fully electric propulsion on a passenger ship becomes possible

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The Norwegian explorer cruise line, Hurtigruten, is to build its two new expedition ships using a new and environmentally sustainable hybrid, electric propulsion technology from Rolls-Royce. The MS «Roald Amundsen» and MS «Fridtjof Nansen» are about to be constructed at Kleven Yard in Norway.

In addition to the hybrid power solution, the vessels will have the latest of automation and control systems, including the Rolls-Royce Unified bridge, the first delivery of two azipull propellers using permanent magnet technology, two large tunnel thrusters, stabilisers, four engines, winches and power electric systems. And of course the Rolls-Royce ship design.

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Announcing the world’s first electric powered trawler

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What is believed to be the world’s first electric powered trawler is being developed by Trondheim Trawlers
What is believed to be the world’s first electric powered trawler is being developed by Trondheim Trawlers

With an eye on extended voyages and rough weather, the Trondheim 40 Trawler is being billed as the world’s first electric powered trawler and will be able to go into shallow and icy waters such as Alaska or the Norwegian fjords. The trawler is 40-foot long and has a steel hull and is powered by two Torqeedo electric motors.

This innovative design should come as no surprise to those who know of the work and reputation of Russian designer, Max Zhivov.

“The main idea of our project Trondheim Trawler is a revision of classic trawler design and usage of innovative electric technologies,” explained Zhivov, who believes this is the first electric powered trawler.

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Hyperloop One: new concept will ship freight underwater – no joking!

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Hyperloop One is conducting feasibility studies that would cause disruptive changes in the way good are shipped port to port
Hyperloop One is conducting feasibility studies that would cause disruptive changes in the way good are shipped port to port

One of the strangest and potentially most far reaching stories of the year must surely be the desire of Hyperloop One desire to explore the feasibility of shipping freight underwater. Far sighted? Yes very, but it seems the whole idea is not as daft as it may seems on first reading about it.

Developed by Hyperloop One, just one of the companies involved in the Hyperloop vision, this aquatic version sees the opportunity to radically change how goods arrive at ports and terminals, dispensing with the well-trodden idea of port-to-port container shipping.

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Guidance on the use of drone technology issued by ABS

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ABS has announced the publication of the ABS Guidance Notes on Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This comprehensive set of best practices, developed through extensive marine and offshore trials and testing, is introduced as industry considers the advantages of adopting aerial drone technology.

“UAVs provide a safer and more efficient platform for the next generation of surveys and inspections,” says ABS Vice President and Chief Surveyor Joseph Riva.

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Hydrofoil water taxi Sea Bubble zero emissions concept

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The new concept Sea Bubble zero emissions water taxi coming to a river near you soon?
The new concept Sea Bubble zero emissions water taxi coming to a river near you soon?

A new concept of water taxi designed to operate on rivers has been developed in France. Called the Sea Bubble to reflect its shape this new water taxi is powered by electric thrusters and uses hydrofoils to reduce the power requirements, allowing the Sea Bubble to operate at speeds up to 15 knots.

The futuristic egg-shaped river shuttles are the creation of French yachtsman Alain Thébault and Swedish windsurfer Anders Bringdal, and the current plans suggest that this new water taxi concept could be tried out on the River Seine in Paris. The water taxi system is proving attractive because of its zero emission profile in this environmentally conscious Continue reading “Hydrofoil water taxi Sea Bubble zero emissions concept”

PowerCell Sweden AB has received the first marine order for two S3 prototype stacks

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Per Wassen, CEO of Powercell Sweden AB
Per Wassen, CEO of Powercell Sweden AB

The leading fuel cell company PowerCell Sweden AB (publ) has received the first marine order for two PowerCell S3 prototype stacks, which Swiss Hydrogen will install on a ship powered by photovoltaics.

“The marine industry is a very interesting area, in which our capacity to deliver electricity without emissions is extremely important. This order comprises two PowerCell S3 prototypes. The order is of strategic importance, but has a limited effect on the result. We are responsible for the fuel cells and Swiss Hydrogen will manufacture the system and conduct adjustments to certify it for the marine environment. The advantage is that our fuel cell stacks are modular and in this way we can get in a few hundred horsepower where it is required in marine applications”, said Per Wassén, CEO, PowerCell Sweden AB.

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Automated Ships Ltd and Kongsberg to test the water with a fully automated offshore vessel

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Automated Ships Ltd from the UK and Norway’s Kongsberg Maritime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the world’s first unmanned and fully-automated vessel for offshore operations. In January 2017, Automated Ships Ltd will contract the ‘Hrönn’, which will be designed and built in Norway in co-operation with Kongsberg.

Sea trials will take place in Norway’s newly designated automated vessel test bed in the Trondheim fjord and will be conducted under the auspices of DNV GL and the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). The Hrönn will ultimately be classed and flagged, respectively.

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Esthec® Solar Glow pioneers revolutionary luminous decking powered by the sun

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Esthec® introduces a special concept luminous decking material in what it claims is World first that will provide more safety on board and a new dimension in design.

It works like this. Solar energy that has been stored during the day is converted into light at night time. The Dutch producer of composite decking for the yacht industry has achieved a world first with this revolutionary invention, which was given the provisional name “Solar Glow”. The luminous decking ensures that gangways remain visible in the dark and thus substantially increases safety aboard boats. At the same time, the innovation is sustainable, since the luminous deck uses solar power instead of electricity from non-renewable sources. In addition to improving safety, the concept also provides designers with a new dimension in creative deck design. Esthec® expects the luminous decking material, which it developed in-house, to be used both by competitive sailors and in recreational boating. The first prototype has already been presented.

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