Ship News

Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size

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The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag
The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag

The Danish Parliament adopted a legislative amendment on 26 of April, which cancels the registration fee for vessels in the Danish Registers of Shipping. The aim of this amendment is to increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag.

Denmark supports that this measure will indeed increase the attractiveness of the Danish Flag, as it now offers the same benefits as foreign Flags.

This amendment also provides increased economic activity and international influence, when the Danish Flag attracts more vessels from both national as foreign shipowners.

The amendment will enter into force on the Continue reading “Denmark cancels registration fee for Danish Register in attempt to boost fleet size”

London P&I Club reveals key causes of recent container loss claims

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Photo credit: London P&I Club
Photo credit: London P&I Club

A recent run of container loss claims by the London P&I Club has highlighted some of the common contributory factors that emerge as part of the investigation process. The Club noted that the subject of misdeclared container weights continues to be a problem. But with this particular run of claims it was the attending surveyor’s observations about cargo securing equipment that caught the eye.

In these cases, it became clear that several manual twist locks were not correctly locked at the time of the incident. The causes for this were considered to be two-fold – some twist locks were damaged (specifically with locking levers either bent or missing), or the units in service were a mixture of right and left-hand locking units, leading to confusion over the observed status of the twist lock.

Upon investigation, a number of container corner castings and container foundations showed no signs of having a locked twist lock forcibly removed during the collapse, the natural conclusion being Continue reading “London P&I Club reveals key causes of recent container loss claims”

Heinen & Hopman launches new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs

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Heinen & Hopman have launched new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs
Heinen & Hopman have launched new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs

Marine HVAC supplier Heinen & Hopman has introduced a new service that can accurately predict where deficiencies in an HVAC system may occur before mounting a single piece of equipment on board a vessel.

According to Heinen & Hopman, computational-fluid dynamics (CFD) technology is used to analyse the HVAC-system design to validate whether the HVAC installation shall meet specific requirements.

In a recent press release, Heinen & Hopman outlined, “CFD is a well-established technology in many industries. With CFD technology, airflows can be realistically simulated to identify common HVAC problems, such as drafts, high levels of turbulence, high-pressure drop[s] and poor air-distribution. CFD considers everything from Continue reading “Heinen & Hopman launches new CFD-analysis service to reduce HVAC costs”

Former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 opens as a hotel in Dubai

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The legendary former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) is set to finally open its doors to the public as a hotel in Dubai tomorrow, April 18, almost 50 years after her completion by the John Brown shipyard in Scotland and more than nine years after her retirement from active Cunard service in November 2008.

Initial plans by Dubai World to convert the vessel to a hotel were disrupted by the 2008 financial crisis, but now PCFC Hotels – part of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation – says it has “reinvented the legendary vessel as the latest must-see tourism destination, in a city renowned for its world-class attractions.”

The ship is now docked permanently at Mina Rashid, where her dining, accommodations and entertainment attractions will be unveiled.

Continue reading “Former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 opens as a hotel in Dubai”

IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping

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Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently
Nations met at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently

Nations meeting at the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London recently have adopted an initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, setting out a vision to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and phase them out, as soon as possible in this century.

The vision confirms IMO’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and, as a matter of urgency, to phasing them out as soon as possible.

Continue reading “IMO adopts climate change strategy for shipping”

Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association

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Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts
Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts

The International Windship Association, along with its 40-plus member companies and organisations is positioned to help the shipping industry meet urgent and ambitious carbon reduction targets to be set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at MEPC72.

There is a wide range of wind-assist and primary wind propulsion technology solutions that offer between 10-30% savings for retrofits, and up to 50% on smaller new built fully optimised vessels. Wind is a primary renewable energy that is free at point of use, abundant and exclusively available giving the vessel better commercial and operational autonomy.

Continue reading “Wind Propulsion is an Essential Tool in Shipping’s Decarbonisation Efforts says the International Windship Association”

Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions

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Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions
Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions

A recent UK court decision has concluded that a cargo insurer was not liable for general average contributions as the owner had failed to exercise due diligence, which led to the breakdown of a vessel’s main engine.

The crude oil tanker, “Cape Bonny”, was sailing between Argentina and China when the number 1 main bearing failed catastrophically. The breakdown happened when the vessel was trying to avoid a tropical storm and towage assistance was needed. The shipowner declared general average and contributions were sought from the parties to the common maritime adventure, which naturally included cargo interests. The cargo’s contribution was assessed at about US$ 2.5 million.

General average is governed by the York-Antwerp Rules and is included into charterparties and bills of lading. However, parties to the maritime adventure are not liable to contribute if they can successfully prove a breach of contract.

A breach of contract is possible if the vessel was not fit to sail before and Continue reading “Recent court ruling found cargo insurer not liable for general average contributions”

Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China

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Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China
Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China

On Sunday 8th April in Yantai, China, Pride Mega Yachts rolled out its latest 88.5-metre (290-foot) superyacht Illusion Plus in preparation for her launch.

With her keel laid back in December 2010, when the company operated under the name CIMC Raffles Yacht Ltd, her build re-started on speculation, and is now valued at $145 million USD.

Branded by the shipyard as “the superyacht for the future”, Pride Mega Yachts states that one of the most valuable assets of the design is its interior volume, which, with a beam of 15.4m and draft of 4m, totals a volume of 3,603 gross tonnes, making her the largest ever superyacht to have ever been built in China.

According to Pride Mega Yachts, Illusion Plus has been developed using world-class consultants and designers to ensure she exceeds exacting standards set by the company.

Spread over six decks, her modern exterior lines come from the boards of Rainsford Saunders Design, who describe her profile to Continue reading “Pride Mega Yachts prepares to launch the largest ever superyacht to emerge from China”

Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly

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Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly
Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly

The inexorable race to develop autonomous ships has taken another step forward with the announcement of an autonomous shipping only joint venture between well known shipping major Wilhelmsen Group and technology company Kongsberg, entitled Massterly.

“Norway has taken a position at the forefront in developing autonomous ships,” said Thomas Wilhelmsen, Wilhelmsen group CEO.

“[Through] Massterly, we take the next step on this journey by establishing infrastructure and services to design and operate vessels, as well as advanced logistics solutions associated with maritime autonomous operations. Massterly will reduce costs at all levels.”

Continue reading “Kongsberg and Wilhelmsen joint venture to launch an autonomous shipping only organisation entitled Massterly”

Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050

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Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050
Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050

Global shipping should set a goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Norway’s government and shipowners’ association said on Thursday before talks by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London next week.

Norway’s fleet is worth about $45 billion, the fifth most valuable in the world behind Japan, Greece, China and the United States. Norway’s shipping includes offshore, gas, chemicals, car vessels, dry bulk, crude, crude products and containers.

The IMO, which says international shipping represents about 2.2 percent of world carbon dioxide emissions, will meet from April 9-13 to develop a strategy to combat climate change. Shipping was not included in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Continue reading “Norway targets IMO to halve global shipping emissions by 2050”

Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG

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Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG
Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG

The US Coast Guard has published a safety alert to inform operators and other interested parties of the role that the main propulsion lube oil system was found to have played in the El Faro incident. They have recommended that operators, especially ships’ engineers, review the operational procedures and limitations of vital propulsion machinery and verify compliance with SOLAS, Classification Societies and regulatory standards.

The El Faro sank along with its 33 crew onboard in October 2015, marking one of the worst maritime disasters in US history. The USCG official report on the sinking of the El Faro revealed that loss of propulsion during heavy weather was contributing to the sinking. The exact operational status of all vital El Faro engineering equipment prior to the casualty could not be determined, but bridge audio recordings indicate that the vessel lost lube oil pressure to the main propulsion turbine and reduction gear bearings, resulting in loss of propulsion.

Continue reading “Lessons Learned from El Faro on main propulsion published by USCG”

A plan for a digital twin to develop Blue Denmark is announced

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Digital Tvilling
Digital Tvilling

Danish Maritime Authority has prepared a report on “the digital twin”. A digital twin presents a ship digitally throughout its lifetime.

Imagine having access to every bit of information on a ship – from engine performance to hull integrity – available at a glance throughout the full lifetime of the vessel?

A digital twin is a ”digital presentation” of a vessel with associated processes and systems, based on continuous data collection. And these processes or systems are presented digitally. Rather than arranging for a physical test cycle, the processes can be followed easily and quickly.

Mogens Schrøder Bech, Senior Consultant of R&D at the Danish Maritime Authority:
“The potential of the digital twin is huge because it is possible to make a number of decisions on optimisation digitally rather than by means of physical tests. And this potential will increase along with the development of digital tools.

“This enables us Continue reading “A plan for a digital twin to develop Blue Denmark is announced”

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