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 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 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 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 Continue reading “Delivery of first vessel with Wärtsilä HY hybrid technology marks new era in shipping”

METSTRADE set to get bigger still in 2019

The expansion of the METSTRADE trade show is set to continue say the organisers with almost 1,500 companies already signed up including newcomers Suzuki, Nuova Protex, NOCO and Nautinov.

The SuperYacht Pavilion, which was extended to three halls last year, has already sold out and will host 334 exhibitors including first time participants, Inmarsat, Vedder, Pianeta Gemme and LuminellWhile.

Away from the SuperYacht Pavilion, space has been created on the METSTRADE floor for the 2019 event by removing and combining some show items and areas. In recognition of the success of the MaterialDistrict Pop-up and to enable growth for the Construction Continue reading “METSTRADE set to get bigger still in 2019”

Ammonia comes under the spotlight as a potential new low emissions fuel

Ammonia can be safely and effectively applied as a marine fuel to reduce harmful emissions according to new research published by C-Job Naval Architects.

The ground-breaking research uses a new concept design, an ammonia carrier fuelled by its own cargo, to study the concept of using ammonia as a marine fuel and achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in shipping. It shows ammonia can be used as marine fuel if a number of safety measures are included in the design.

Niels de Vries, Lead Naval Architect at C-Job Naval Architects and research lead, said: “Reviewing all ammonia power generation options, Continue reading “Ammonia comes under the spotlight as a potential new low emissions fuel”

Remote surveying techniques are on the rise

Remote surveying techniques are becoming increasingly popular. Image courtesy Martek Marine
Remote surveying techniques are becoming increasingly popular. Image courtesy Martek Marine

New technologies such as drones, climbers and robot arms are rapidly entering the marine survey and inspection arena. And, in turn, major classification societies are embracing the so-called Remote Surveying Techniques for their class surveys. If you are looking for the reasons why, it is easy to answer – safer and less intrusive surveys!

Without requiring confined space entry, Remote Surveying Techniques are considerably less expensive than other methods. Likewise, they’re far safer than traditional methods of inspection that involve sending inspectors/surveyors into unsafe conditions. Analytically, the pros of Remote Surveying Techniques in conjunction with class surveys are as follows:
– improve efficiency of inspection techniques
Continue reading “Remote surveying techniques are on the rise”

New technology aims to reduce underwater radiated noise generated by ships’ propeller cavitation

While PressurePores are suitable for all types of vessel, they are particularly suitable for naval vessels, fishing fleets, offshore vessels and cruise ships operating in sensitive environments.
While PressurePores are suitable for all types of vessel, they are particularly suitable for naval vessels, fishing fleets, offshore vessels and cruise ships operating in sensitive environments.

A new technology aimed at reducing the underwater radiated noise (URN) generated by ships’ propeller cavitation has been developed by Strathclyde University and Oscar Propulsion.

The patented Oscar PressurePores system reduces propeller tip vortex cavitation by applying a small number of strategically bored holes in the propeller blades.

The addition of these pressure-relieving holes now allows ships to operate with a more silent propeller with a minimum of compromise on its efficiency or having to slow steam. Reducing cavitation also reduces its associated erosive effect.

Continue reading “New technology aims to reduce underwater radiated noise generated by ships’ propeller cavitation”

Oceanco’s Bravo Eugenia receives new Yacht Club of Monaco award

Bravo Eugenia, Oceanco’s first LIFE-designed yacht, developed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects.
Bravo Eugenia, Oceanco’s first LIFE-designed yacht, developed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects.

Oceanco’s recently delivered 109-meter motoryacht, Bravo Eugenia, won the accolade in the category Technology and Innovation at the Yacht Club of Monaco’s awards.

This newly conceived award is based on the Yacht Club of Monaco’s fundamental values and criteria, which include Naval Etiquette, Preservation of the Ocean and its biodiversity, and Technological Innovation.

Bravo Eugenia, Oceanco’s first LIFE-designed yacht, developed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects, is characterised by its Lengthened waterline, Innovative layout, Fuel-efficient hull design and integration of Ecologically conscious technologies.

The LIFE Design not only adds a slender elegance to the yacht, but also leads to a reduction in the overall demand for propulsion power. As a result, the engine room is condensed to a single tier – a rarity in large yachts. This affords additional room for lifestyle areas – particularly on the lower deck, where space is usually restricted.

Continue reading “Oceanco’s Bravo Eugenia receives new Yacht Club of Monaco award”

The future of fish farming vessels is here now in the form of a fully electric workboat

‘Astrid Helene’ is a fully electric salmon farm workboat designed and built by Grovfjord Mekaniske Verksted, Norway. Owner/ operator Northern Lights Salmon saves the planet from up to 90t CO2 and 900kg of NOx particles annually – the average emission of a diesel powered fish-farm workboat.

There are no longer any diesel fumes on deck either. For crew, the fumes could be quite annoying – particularly if the wind was blowing it in their direction. Now, there is just clean air.

Fully electric work boats such as Astrid Helene will play a key role in the industry’s future: “Electric work boats are perfect for fish farming. Continue reading “The future of fish farming vessels is here now in the form of a fully electric workboat”

DNV GL rolls out remote surveys for all vessels

The Maritime Operational Centre in Høvik from where remote surveys are being carried out.
The Maritime Operational Centre in Høvik from where remote surveys are being carried out.

Leading classification society DNV GL announced today that all DNV GL classed vessels are now able to utilize the possibility of remote surveys for some inspections through the Veracity data platform. This means that for a range of surveys, a DNV GL surveyor will not be required to travel to the vessel.

Instead, by using an online connection or video streaming link, a dedicated team of remote surveyors can provide support to vessels anywhere in the world with documentation, images, video (streaming or recordings), and input provided by the customer and crew.

“This is another big step forward in using the power of digitalization and increased connectivity to deliver smarter and more efficient services,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL – Maritime.

Continue reading “DNV GL rolls out remote surveys for all vessels”

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