UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries

UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries
UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries

Tackling climate change is the number one priority for the UK Chamber of Shipping and Chief Executive, Bob Sanguinetti, recently visited Wightlink in Portsmouth where he was shown their state-of-the-art hybrid ferry.

Victoria of Wight, which takes passengers all year round to the Isle of Wight, entered service in August 2018 and was the first hybrid ferry in England. The ship uses a hybrid energy system, which works much like a hybrid energy car, allowing her to run partly on electricity when required. At the time of launching the Victoria Continue reading “UK Chamber of Shipping calls for more hybrid ferries”

Nanotechnology Marine Applications looks at a fix for corrosion and biofouling

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is located in Braga, north Portugal.
The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is located in Braga, north Portugal.

Leading European scientists have released details of a study on the potential of ‘Nanotechnology Marine Applications’ as part of the two-year KETmaritime project.

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is the lead partner in the €1million initiative backed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Project coordinator Ana Vila said, “Humidity and salinity levels at sea cause around 30% of all vessel failures, repair needs and equipment malfunctions. Corrosion and biofouling are two major by-products impacting vessel materials, durability and performance.”

While traditional solutions including protective coatings and paints partially offset Continue reading “Nanotechnology Marine Applications looks at a fix for corrosion and biofouling”

IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.

The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”

The world’s first in 3D printed rescue boat is on its way

3D printed rescue boat design competition
3D printed rescue boat design competition

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is partnering with Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), Autodesk, ST Engineering’s Electronic sector and AML3D to launch a global design competition offering a first prize of S$30,000 (c£17,500) to the winner of the best innovative design idea for a 3D printed rescue boat hull. This will be the first ever full-scale rescue boat which will be delivered by 3D printing.

Large scale 3D printing allows for complete design freedom versus conventional manufacturing and enables development of better performing complex hull Continue reading “The world’s first in 3D printed rescue boat is on its way”

Sunseeker launches a dedicated superyacht division

Sunseeker has announced its intention of moving into metal-built yachts
Sunseeker has announced its intention of moving into metal-built yachts

Sunseeker has announced its intention of moving into metal-built yachts with the launch of a dedicated superyacht division.

Announcing the new direction, chief executive Andrea Frabetti also spoke of the company’s ambitions to double the yard’s range to 26 models from 38ft to 50m by 2022. Since 2000 Sunseeker has delivered 137 yachts over 100ft and has now set its sights on a distinctive range of superyachts from 101ft to 161ft.

The expansion of its superyacht line has in part been motivated by the loss of customers as the market moves into larger, metal-built vessels. It has been a long-term ambition of Sunseeker’s to move into metal-hulled designs and the company Continue reading “Sunseeker launches a dedicated superyacht division”

US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system

Topside Drone
Topside Drone

The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research has recently worked with the operator of the retired WWII-era carrier USS Midway to test a drone-based corrosion detection system.

ONR’s fast-prototyping division, TechSolutions, has developed a sensor package and processing system called Topside Drone that can detect corrosion and anomalies on hull surfaces automatically, saving time in surveys. The technology will be used to inspect and detect material defects, corrosion, warping and other forms of deterioration.

In a manner broadly similar to technology under development by ABS, Topside Continue reading “US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system”

DNV GL supplies ShipManager Hull software to realize Saipem 7000’s digital twin

ShipManager Hull software by DNV GL will be used by Saipem
ShipManager Hull software by DNV GL will be used by Saipem

Saipem, the energy and infrastructure solution provider, is implementing DNV GL’s hull planned maintenance system, ShipManager Hull, based on 3D digital twins of crane and pipelaying vessels.

DNV GL will supply its advanced software, ShipManager Hull, for implementation on five vessels of the Saipem fleet. It will start with Saipem 7000, one of the world’s largest crane vessels with a lifting capability of 14,000 tonnes at 42 meters. Indeed, crane vessels are exposed to high stresses during lifting, demanding particular attention to structural integrity. The frequent ballasting of the vessel increases the need for efficient monitoring of ballast tank corrosion. Saipem will be able to use a digital twin of the entire structure for optimal planning of periodic inspections and dry-dock repairs.

Continue reading “DNV GL supplies ShipManager Hull software to realize Saipem 7000’s digital twin”

Maiden commercial trip completed by world’s first all-electric ferry

The world's first all-electric e-ferry has completed its maiden voyage
The world’s first all-electric e-ferry has completed its maiden voyage

The world’s largest all-electric ferry has completed its first commercial voyage between the ports of Søby and Fynshav in southern Denmark.

This revolutionary ship, e-ferry Ellen, capable of carrying approximately 30 vehicles and 200 passengers, is powered by a battery system with an unprecedented capacity of 4.3MWh provided by Leclanché SA one of the world’s leading energy storage companies. The motor system was supplied by Danfoss Editron.

Participating in this event celebrating the first scheduled ferry service between the two Danish islands were the respective mayors of the two municipalities, Ole Wej Petersen of Aerø and Erik Lauritzen of Søndeborg. E-ferry Ellen is expected to be fully operational within a few weeks. E-ferry is part of the Danish Natura project, which aims to provide environmentally friendly transport for local residents. This project was initiated in 2015 and was funded by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 and Innovation Program. Continue reading “Maiden commercial trip completed by world’s first all-electric ferry”

Smart fuel hose set to enhance safety at sea

Smart fuel hose set to enhance safety at sea
Smart fuel hose set to enhance safety at sea

“A fire in the engine room is any seafarer’s worst nightmare,” says Tom Backlund, Wärtsilä’s General Manager Large Bore Engines.

This is especially true when it comes to fuel leakages in vessel engine rooms. This is why the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulation, enforced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), stipulates a number of minimum safety standards for operations throughout the vessel, including the engine room, with a strict limit for splash guards’ surface temperatures that could ignite liquid and cause fires.

Wärtsilä continuously delivers improvements to its engines and has introduced a variety of new solutions to comply with the hot surface Continue reading “Smart fuel hose set to enhance safety at sea”

Hapag-Lloyd tests ship-painting robots

Traditional manual work is increasingly being replaced by automated processes, such as self-driving Automated Guided Vehicles in container terminals. Thanks to robots, the quality of ship painting can also be improved and the docking time shortened. Hapag-Lloyd is currently testing the process with nine ships.

Keeping barnacles, mussels and algae off the hull – the subject of fouling is as old as shipping itself. Fouling dramatically increases drag, which results in high fuel consumption and makes it harder to achieve climate targets. So, it’s a question that repeatedly arises: How can fouling be efficiently and reliably prevented over a period of five years, when a vessel will have to go into a shipyard anyways for its regular classification survey? Continue reading “Hapag-Lloyd tests ship-painting robots”

Wavefoil is set to give ferries wings to optimize wave power

Photo by Wavefoil
Photo by Wavefoil

The boat wings (wavefoil) started as an unfinished idea in Eirik Bøckmann’s head. Now they’re being mounted on a ferry in the Faroe Islands.

Actually, he doesn’t call them boat wings, but wavefoils. Eirik Bøckmann won the regional finals of the NTNU Researchers’ Grand Prix with a lecture on wave-propelled ships in 2013.

The wavefoils on the front of the ship enable the waves to contribute to propelling the ship forward. This reduces fuel consumption. At the same time, the foils can dampen some of the pitching and heaving motion from the waves and provide a more comfortable journey.

Continue reading “Wavefoil is set to give ferries wings to optimize wave power”

Delivery of first vessel with Wärtsilä HY hybrid technology marks new era in shipping

The ‘Vilja’, an escort tug operated by the Port of Luleå in Sweden, is the first vessel of its kind operating with the Wärtsilä HY hybrid power module. Copyright: Port of Luleå.
The ‘Vilja’, an escort tug operated by the Port of Luleå in Sweden, is the first vessel of its kind operating with the Wärtsilä HY hybrid power module. Copyright: Port of Luleå.

The technology group Wärtsilä’s hybrid power module solution, the Wärtsilä HY, is now fully operational on the ‘Vilja’, an escort tug owned by the Swedish port of Luleå. The tug was built at Gondan Shipbuilders in Asturias, Spain and was delivered in the end of June 2019 following successful completion of the commissioning and sea trials. The Wärtsilä HY is the first hybrid power module in the marine industry, and its operational application onboard the ‘Vilja’ marks a new era in shipping.

The solution has been specially developed to meet the specific needs of the tug market. It features operating characteristics that include ‘green mode’, with zero emissions and no noise, a ‘power boost’ that delivers a higher bollard pull than any other conventional solution of comparable size, and ‘smokeless operation’ whereby no smoke is produced even during start-up of the main engines. These features have all been successfully tested and demonstrated. Continue reading “Delivery of first vessel with Wärtsilä HY hybrid technology marks new era in shipping”

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