New automated mooring technology now operational for tankers

Cavotec’s EX-certified MoorMaster automated mooring units have supported the first ever transfer of LNG from a ship to a floating LNG platform. MoorMaster is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines. Remote-controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels within 30 seconds.

Gas Natural Fenosa and Connect LNG successfully conducted a commercial LNG delivery with a Universal Transfer System in Norway on October 7. The system was fitted with two MoorMaster units – the first EX- and DNV GL-certified automated mooring systems ever built. Continue reading “New automated mooring technology now operational for tankers”

Manhole cover leakage leads Steamship Mutual to issue an alert

Photo credit: Steamship Mutual P&I Club
Photo credit: Steamship Mutual P&I Club

The Steamship Mutual P&I Club has published an alert following a spate of claims for cargo damage and other liabilities that have been caused by leakage from the manhole covers of either ballast or bunker tanks.

In some of the most recent cases, the manhole covers had either been left completely unattached, or were improperly fitted allowing leakage into the adjacent cargo hold when the tank was filled.

The Club notes that manhole covers on vertical bulkheads, such as those on wing tanks or side tanks of container ships, are generally Continue reading “Manhole cover leakage leads Steamship Mutual to issue an alert”

Following recent fires, IUMI urges improved firefighting systems on boxships

A combination of ever larger container vessels, coupled with a number of recent fires on board boxships has caused the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) to call for better firefighting systems. IUMI is concerned that current provisions are inadequate. Consequently it and has published a paper calling for better onboard firefighting systems specifically for container vessels.

Whilst IUMI expressly welcomes the 2014 amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to increase the effectiveness of firefighting, the association believes more should be done.

Continue reading “Following recent fires, IUMI urges improved firefighting systems on boxships”

Ecospeed hard coating stands up to polar research conditions

Subsea Industries’ Ecospeed hull protection system will be applied to the hull of the 15,000 gt RRS Sir David Attenborough, the polar research ship under construction at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, Liverpool for British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

The decision to apply the Ecospeed hard coating to the hull of the new polar ship has been validated by the recent drydocking of sister vessel RRS Ernest Shackleton. The 80 m long vessel, coated with Ecospeed in 2009, drydocked last month at the Orskov shipyard, in Frederikshavn, Denmark, where the hull was found to be in “very good condition.”

Continue reading “Ecospeed hard coating stands up to polar research conditions”

New unified ship design revealed by Rolls-Royce

Marine giant, Rolls-Royce, has showcased an extensive overhaul of its design philosophy which it believes will set the tone for the immediate future. Their aim is to optimise construction and operations without reducing the use of available space on board. As a consequence, any Rolls-Royce designed vessel will become instantly recognizable worldwide no matter what type it is.

The new design incorporates four key features in each design. These are:
– a knuckle line that slopes down towards the bow and links the new designs with older UT and NVC designs,
– a vertical side area and
– vertical upper stem, which simplify the design and decouples the hull form from the superstructure.
– a topside sheer line with a small convex curvature.

Continue reading “New unified ship design revealed by Rolls-Royce”

New vessel contract for the iconic Staten Island run awarded to Eastern Shipbuilding

Photo credit: Elliot Bay Design Group
Photo credit: Elliot Bay Design Group

One of the best known ferry routes in the USA, if not the world, the Staten Island run, is due to have three new ferries following the awarding of a contract to Florida based Eastern Shipbuilding.

The instantly recognisable bright orange Staten Island passenger ferries carry 70,000 people a day between St George and Whitehall Street, with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn, Governor’s Island and the Manhattan skyline. The free boarding at the conveniently located terminal near Wall Street makes the short route a major tourist attraction.

Continue reading “New vessel contract for the iconic Staten Island run awarded to Eastern Shipbuilding”

First purpose built LNG bunkering ship has been delivered

Delivery is complete of the world's first purpose built LNG bunkering ship
Delivery is complete of the world’s first purpose built LNG bunkering ship

ENGIE, Fluxys, Mitsubishi Corporation and NYK have taken delivery of the world’s first purpose built LNG bunkering ship from Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction in Busan, Korea.

She will run on LNG for her maiden voyage, after a few days of loading LNG delivered by trucks at the shipyard.

Zeebrugge in Belgium will be the home port of the vessel, which has been named ENGIE Zeebrugge accordingly. From there, the 5,000m3 LNG capacity vessel will supply LNG as a marine fuel to ships operating in Northern Europe.

Continue reading “First purpose built LNG bunkering ship has been delivered”

MAIB releases its report into the loss of life onboard Joanna C during cargo operations

Photograph of the vessel Johanna C taken by Marc Piché, shipspotting.com
Photograph of the vessel Johanna C taken by Marc Piché, shipspotting.com

On 11 May 2016, the chief officer on board the UK registered general cargo ship Johanna C fell from a large steel cargo unit that was being repositioned in the vessel’s forward hold. The chief officer was moved ashore and taken to a local hospital by ambulance, but he died shortly after arrival.

The investigation identified that:
• It was inherently unsafe and unnecessary for the chief officer to stand on top of the cargo while it was being lifted; the risks of standing on a load under tension were not recognised.
• The chief officer lost his balance and fell onto the deck following the sudden and unexpected movement of the cargo and/or its lifting slings as the cargo was lifted.
Continue reading “MAIB releases its report into the loss of life onboard Joanna C during cargo operations”

Fully electric propulsion on a passenger ship becomes possible

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.

Continue reading “Fully electric propulsion on a passenger ship becomes possible”

New design of coastal feeder ship wins Japan award

Feeder ship with innovative new designA coastal container vessel featuring a novel, aerodynamic bow form has been voted ‘Best Small Cargo Ship’ at the Japanese Ship of the Year event hosted by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE).

Deployed since delivery in December on the Japanese feeder network operated by Imoto Lines, the 548 teu Natori won the award on account of its energy-saving and safety features. The vessel is highly unusual in appearance, by virtue of a hemispherical-like prow, with integral, rounded forward bridge and superstructure, rendering a highly unusual appearance.

Continue reading “New design of coastal feeder ship wins Japan award”

New hybrid ferry named M/V Berlin by Scandlines

Scandlines has christened its new hybrid ferry Berlin
Scandlines has christened its new hybrid ferry Berlin

On Tuesday 3 May it became official. The first of two new passenger ferries for the route Rostock-Gedser was named M/V Berlin by Scandlines at a ceremony in Rostock.

150 specially invited guests had a festive day with views of the beautiful Warnemünde passage from on board the new hybrid ferry, which is currently lying in her new berth in Rostock.

“It has definitely been worth the wait, and I am pleased that Scandlines kept their resolve in spite of the history of M/V Berlin and her sister vessel,” says Ines Rehberg, the Godmother of the vessel. Ines Rehberg is married to Eckhard Rehberg, a member of the Bundestag Continue reading “New hybrid ferry named M/V Berlin by Scandlines”

UK’s new £200m polar research ship could be called RRS BOATY MCBOATFACE

Shackleton. Endeavour. Falcon. These are just some of the names suggested for the UK’s next world-class polar research ship as part of a campaign that has been launched for the public to put forward names for the state-of-the-art vessel to be built in the North West of England.

Set to set sail in 2019 and backed by £200 million of government funding, the polar research ship will be built at the world-famous Cammell Laird shipyard on Merseyside.

Continue reading “UK’s new £200m polar research ship could be called RRS BOATY MCBOATFACE”

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