New Technology

Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?

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The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax fiber in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.
The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax and basalt fibers in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.

At last year’s METSTRADE show, the InnovationLab hosted speakers proudly presenting projects which had deliberately moved away from glass fiber and/or polyester resin composites; the kind that have dominated the boat construction market for decades, and still don’t have an environmentally acceptable waste stream solution in order to deal with the ever-increasing volumes coming from end-of-use boats. Instead opting for flax and basalt fibers.

For instance, Amer Yachts announced their intentions to build from a basalt (volcanic fiber) based composite, while Greenboats presented their 27ft day sailer constructed from a flax/bio resin derived matrix. James Starkey from Norco Composites speaking on one of the Sustainability panels, emphasised the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to determine what the real long term environmental impact of any given construction material will be. This means taking its entire life span into account, from raw material harvesting, through to eventual end-of-life impact. Continue reading “Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?”

Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol guidance issued by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute

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Procedures for safe bunkering of methanol are included in the new Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute
Procedures for safe bunkering of methanol are included in the new Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute

UK-based classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Methanol Institute (MI) have released a Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol. The new guidance outlines the procedures required for the safe bunkering of methanol and incorporates dedicated checklists to assist shipowners/operators, ports, bunker suppliers and other stakeholders with safe storage and handling, it said.

LR notes methanol is already in use as a marine fuel on several vessel types. Compared with traditional heavy fuel oil options, its sulphur-free characteristics and lower GHG emissions than conventional fuel can support owners with efforts to meet IMO2020 regulations, it explained.

Continue reading “Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol guidance issued by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute”

The elephant in the room: What do remote surveys mean for the marine surveying profession?

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Are remote surveys the future for the profession?
Are remote surveys the future for the profession?

Many things have changed in the past few months and not all of them good as we have learned to cope with tragedy and a new way of living courtesy of the pandemic. COVID-19 certainly has a lot to answer for, but out of the situation that was forced upon the profession, a new way of surveying is fast emerging, particularly in the area of commercial ships and offshore assets. I refer to remote surveying, actually not new, but probably unimaginable to most of us just a few years ago; and a shock to the system of more traditional surveyors and those sceptics amongst us too undoubtedly. They are suddenly fashionable – the talk of the town it appears – and the pandemic has fuelled the latent demand for remote surveys.

Can a vessel really be successfully surveyed remotely? The answer is, of course, yes, but how detailed are remote surveys and what depth of Continue reading “The elephant in the room: What do remote surveys mean for the marine surveying profession?”

Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures

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Autonomous Barge Master gangway
Autonomous Barge Master gangway

A new autonomous landing solution for offshore structures, called the Barge Master gangway, is designed to significantly improves both safety and performance.

Through a combination of radar technology, cameras and sensors, Bosch Rexroth’s system automatically attaches the landing from the ship to the required site without the need for manual input. This means that the operation is consistent and reliable, regardless of weather and ocean conditions.

After the automated landing procedure, the Barge Master gangway is held safely in place through a combination of motion compensation and the ship’s dynamic positioning.

“There are a number of benefits to the autonomous landing system,” says Rene Coppens, Business Development Manager for Continue reading “Autonomous Barge Master gangway landing solution set to improve safety for offshore structures”

Washington Maritime Blue leads joint innovation project to design innovative Mosquito fleet

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Washington Maritime Blue is leading a joint initiative to develop the Mosquito fleet of fast, fuel efficient ferries
Washington Maritime Blue is leading a joint initiative to develop the Mosquito fleet of fast, fuel efficient ferries

Led by Washington Maritime Blue, a consortium of players in the blue economy has come together to launch a Joint Innovation Project to speed the design of a fast foil ferry, an innovation that promises a leap forward in zero-emissions, high-speed passenger ferry service.

In this unique public-private partnership, three ports in Washington have joined forces to support the effort: Port of Anacortes, Port of Bellingham, and Port of Skagit. The vessel is under design by Glosten, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm, and Bieker Boats, a performance marine craft designer. Kitsap Transit has identified a potential route for its ferry operations and sponsored the team in applying for additional funding to advance the concept. Leading this collaborative joint innovation project effort is Washington Maritime Blue, a strategic alliance formed to foster maritime innovation and sustainability in support of an inclusive blue economy, and DNV GL, a Continue reading “Washington Maritime Blue leads joint innovation project to design innovative Mosquito fleet”

New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval in principle

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New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval
New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval

BAR Technologies and Chartwell Marine have secured the Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the design and construction of a new crew transfer vessel (CTV).

BAR, with the support of Chartwell, developed the new crew transfer vessel, a 30m CTV with FOSS technology (foil optimized stability system), said to enhance seakeeping and maneuverability while reducing vertical acceleration by up to 70% in 2.5m wave heights.

This initial vessel will be closely followed by a 50m variant capable of 45kn top speed and 30kn in a 3m high sea, the companies said, adding that the new design will work in partnership with the vessels Continue reading “New crew transfer vessel get ABS approval in principle”

Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo

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Cargo containers being moved - AI based system detects misdeclared cargo
AI based system detects misdeclared cargo

Dealing with misdeclared cargo and its consequences is one of the most challenging issues for the shipping industry at this current time. Known to be at the root of many major marine accidents, including fires causing loss of life and significant damage, shipping lines have been seeking to develop an approach to detect and reduce the risks of misdeclarations.

In July 2020, the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) reported that its recent inspection initiatives revealed an alarming number of containers included misdeclared dangerous cargoes. Citing the fact that on average a containership suffers a major fire every 60 days, the NCB reported that it conducted more than 32,000 dangerous dry and tank good inspections in the US in 2019, finding that more than six Continue reading “Artificial intelligence based system detects misdeclared cargo”

P70 motor yacht unveiled by Spirit Yachts

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P70 motor yacht on the sea - P70 motor yacht unveiled by Spirit Yachts
P70 motor yacht unveiled by Spirit Yachts

Spirit Yachts has unveiled its largest modern classic to date: The Spirit P70 motor yacht.

The 21.7m P70 was designed and built by Spirit Yachts for an experienced motor yacht customer who requested an owner-driven yacht capable of cruising 1,000nm at an average of 18 knots across the North Sea without having to refuel.

“The launch of the P70 motor yacht represents a significant step forward for the Spirit Yachts power range. Whilst the company’s core business remains sailing yachts, we are seeing increasing demand for larger motor yachts tailored to suit an owner’s cruising plans,” says Spirit Yachts managing director Nigel Stuart. “We are responding to that demand by investing in innovation and expertise devoted to delivering beautiful modern classic motor yachts that perform on the water.”

The design of the yacht took into account the owner’s itinerary and preferences. Spirit Yachts founder and chief designer Sean Continue reading “P70 motor yacht unveiled by Spirit Yachts”

ABS and Samsung Heavy progress with 3D model based surveys

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Several men holding a sign saying 'Leading the way in 3D Model Based Engineering' - 3D model based surveys could be the way of the future to reduce paperwork
3D model based surveys could be the way of the future to reduce paperwork

Classification society ABS and shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have signed a new joint development program (JDP) agreement to develop 3D model based surveys.

The signing of the new agreement follows development of a paperless 3D model-based design and review process that completed a JDP signed at Gastech in Houston, Texas, in September 2019.

The project now moves into the next phase now with pilot 3D model based surveys of an LNG carrier.

“We are excited to be extending this technology to Class survey to further demonstrate reduction of paper documentation is feasible,” said Continue reading “ABS and Samsung Heavy progress with 3D model based surveys”

Terror takes to the water: British research vessel cargo tender launched

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The Terror at port - Terror, research vessel, launched
Terror, research vessel cargo tender, launched

Terror, the new 22-tonne cargo tender for the upcoming British research vessel Sir David Attenborough, was recently launched on the Exeter Ship Canal for her maiden voyage and to undergo a series of technical and engineering tests to check sea-worthiness, stability and crane operations.

The cargo tender will play a critical role onboard the polar research ship, Sir David Attenborough, which, in addition to its scientific role, will support the resupply of the five Antarctic research stations operated by British Antarctic Survey.

Terror will transfer food, fuel and science equipment to any locations where the water is too shallow for the new polar ship to approach. Continue reading “Terror takes to the water: British research vessel cargo tender launched”

Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey on LNG dual fuel harbour tug PSA Aspen

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Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey
Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey

Bureau Veritas Marine Singapore (BV), in collaboration with PSA Marine (Pte) Ltd (PSA Marine), has successfully completed a remote marine survey on ‘PSA Aspen’, an LNG dual fuel harbour tug. Supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the project marks the first time a harbour tug registered under the Singapore Registry of Ships has undergone a fully accredited annual survey conducted remotely, without a surveyor physically present onboard the vessel.

Marine services provider and vessel owner, PSA Marine, has been working with leading classification Continue reading “Bureau Veritas completes a remote marine survey on LNG dual fuel harbour tug PSA Aspen”

SmartShip notation awarded to world’s first DP2 shuttle tanker by DNV GL

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SmartShip VisualisationIn order to qualify for DNV GL’s SmartShip descriptive notation, a vessel must be equipped with technological features considered as smart technologies in marine applications in accordance with the DNV GL Class Guidelines for SmartShip CG-0508.

Eagle Petrolina received the notation for its navigation decision support system with route optimisation features, an energy efficiency management system with trim optimisation, as well as a ship performance monitoring system. The 279m shuttle tanker is also installed with SVESSEL, SHI’s own solution to meet the SmartShip standard, which allows onshore monitoring of the ship.

The newbuilding project is a result of a joint development project (JDP) between DNV GL and SHI, aimed at developing a “Half Crew Ready Smart Ship”. Signed in 2019, both companies have since then worked Continue reading “SmartShip notation awarded to world’s first DP2 shuttle tanker by DNV GL”

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