Wightlink unveils plans for new Fishbourne Portsmouth ferry

An artist's impression of the new Wightlink ferry for the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route
An artist’s impression of the new Wightlink ferry for the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route

Wightlink has unveiled the dates and locations for its public exhibition of its proposed £45 million investment plans, which include a new ferry for the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route capable of taking 1,000 passengers, plus port improvements on both sides of the Solent.

Senior managers from Wightlink are looking forward to hearing views from customers, stakeholders and local people in both Fishbourne and Portsmouth during the first weekend in June:

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Global demand for LNG ships is growing

Worldwide demand for LNG ships is growing fast and Korean yards are expected to be the main beneficiary
Worldwide demand for LNG ships is growing fast and Korean yards are expected to be the main beneficiary

Ship owners around the world are placing orders for new LNG ships one after another. Many of them are expected to go to Korean shipbuilders.

According to industry sources, Gail of India is planning to purchase nine LNG ships, three from Indian shipbuilders and the rest from foreign ones. BP Shipping is discussing LNG ship order placement with three ship owners to reach a conclusion within this month, too. Engie of France is expected to buy up to four ships for the Cameron LNG Project. Korean shipbuilders boasting of a high level of technical strength are appealing to the ordering parties.

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The first electric car ferry in the world starts work

Norwegian shipbuilder Fjellstrand has built the world's first electric car ferry for Norled
Norwegian shipbuilder Fjellstrand has built the world’s first electric car ferry for Norled

The world’s first electric car and passenger ferry powered by batteries – the MF Ampere – has entered service in Norway.

The vessel’s owner Norled has started operating the electric car ferry on a route across Sognefjord between Lavik and Oppedal. The fully electric ferry travels six kilometers across the fjord 34 times a day, with each trip taking around 20 minutes.

The ferry, which is 80 meters long and 20 meters wide, is driven by two electric motors, each with an output of 450 kilowatts. It is made exclusively of light aluminum, which makes it only half as heavy as a conventional ferry, despite its ten ton batteries and a capacity for 360 passengers and 120 vehicles.

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World’s most environmentally friendly ultra large container vessel named by UASC

UASC has named the industry’s most eco-efficient container vessel at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), Mokpo South Korea
UASC has named the industry’s most eco-efficient container vessel at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), Mokpo South Korea

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) named the industry’s most eco-efficient container vessel at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI), Mokpo South Korea today. M.V. ‘Barzan’ is a part of the industry’s first LNG-ready ultra-large container vessel fleet.

With a loading capacity of 18,800TEU, the DNV GL classed vessel M.V. ‘Barzan’ is first in a new class of leading ultra-large container vessels that will be the largest in UASC’s fleet to date and will set new standards for fuel and energy efficiency, due to optimized vessel design and an array of propulsion and equipment efficiency technologies. Preliminary calculations indicate an EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) value that is close to 50% below the 2025 limit set by IMO. UASC is working to establish a range of additional metrics and targets through which the efficiency of UASC’s vessels can be managed to drive further reduction in carbon emissions across all UASC vessels.

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Wärtsilä launches new AHTS vessel design

A new AHTS vessel design has been launched by Wärtsilä at this year’s Sea Asia exhibition
A new AHTS vessel design has been launched by Wärtsilä at this year’s Sea Asia exhibition

A new AHTS vessel design has been launched by Wärtsilä at this year’s Sea Asia exhibition. The focus of the new design is on simplicity, efficiency, low fuel consumption and a reduced environmental impact.

The equipment solutions are suitable for a medium to large size AHTS vessel, where one of the key components is a 2-speed gearbox system selected to meet the design targets of reduced costs and less complexity without compromising operational safety. Wärtsilä estimates that the new design provides a reduction of 20 to 25 percent in fuel consumption compared to conventional diesel mechanical four engine solutions. The exhaust emissions are reduced accordingly.

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Third generation domestic Faroe Islands ferry to be designed by Knud E Hansen

Knud E Hansen says it has been contracted to design the third generation domestic ferry for  the Faroe Islands
Knud E Hansen says it has been contracted to design the third generation domestic ferry for the Faroe Islands

Knud E Hansen is pleased to announce it has been contracted to design the third generation domestic ferry for service between Nólsoy and Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands.

This project is the second design within the last 15 years for the domestic ferry company Strandfaraskip Landsins and the third generation design by KNUD E. HANSEN A/S for the same route. The first Knud E Hansen ferry design was built in 1949 and was named Ritan. The second was built in 1971 and was also named Ritan.

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Anthem of the Seas delivered

Meyer Werft has delivered the nearly 348 metres Anthem of the Seas to Royal Carribean Cruises
Meyer Werft has delivered the nearly 348 metres Anthem of the Seas to Royal Carribean Cruises

Meyer Werft has delivered the 168,600-gt cruise ship Anthem of the Seas to the US cruise operator Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

The second ship of the Quantum class sets new standards in terms of eco-friendliness. It features highly energy-efficient systems, optimised hydrodynamics, heat recovery, an effective underwater paint coating, a state-of-the-art exhaust gas treatment plant (hybrid scrubber) as well as energy-saving LED lighting systems.

Sophisticated alarm, safety and communication systems combined with the latest technology in propulsion and navigation are typical for Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The same high standard applies to entertainment and interiors.

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BC Ferries announces its second LNG ferry is under construction

BC Ferries announces its second of three LNG ferries is under construction
BC Ferries announces its second of three LNG ferries is under construction

The first steel cut on BC Ferries’ second of three new intermediate class ferries (ICF) took place at Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland recently. The steel cut is another significant milestone in the construction of three new dual-fuel ferries, capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or diesel.

These brand new vessels will replace ageing ships in the fleet and are part of a vessel replacement plan for standardized ships by BC Ferries to allow for greater interoperability. Standardization will provide the company with more flexibility to best utilize ships over their 40-year lifespan. This strategy will save on training and operating costs, and will better match capacity with demand throughout the system.

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Two new windfarm service vessels enter service with Esvagt

Esvagt has taken delivery of two state-of-the-art windfarm service vessels
Esvagt has taken delivery of two state-of-the-art windfarm service vessels

The Danish shipping company, Esvagt, is now introducing the first SOV vessels especially constructed for servicing windfarms.

The first vessel, “ESVAGT FROUDE”, went on contract on Wednesday February 18th, while her sister ship, “ESVAGT FARADAY” is contracted to start at the beginning of April. In both cases they will work as windfarm service vessels for Siemens Wind Power.

The German energy company has provisionally chartered “ESVAGT FROUDE” for a five year contract to service the field and transport personnel during the constructing and operation of the offshore windfarm Baltic 2 and the “ESVAGT FARADAY” for similar jobs for the Butendiek project in the northern part of the Germany provisionally for a 10 year contract.

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New P&O cruise ship BRITANNIA makes her debut

P&O's new and largest cruise ship, BRITANNIA, has announced her presence on the world stage. © P&O Cruises
P&O’s new and largest cruise ship, BRITANNIA, has announced her presence on the world stage. © P&O Cruises

The new monster 143,000 ton P&O cruise ship, BRITANNIA, was ordered in 2011 and her keel was laid down on 15 May 2013. The ship was constructed at a cost of £473 million by the Fincantieri yard in Italy. The ceremonial launch and float out took place on the afternoon of 14 February 2014.

In early March 2015, BRITANNIA made her way to her home port of Southampton, bucking the modern day trend by not opting to fly an overseas flag, where she was officially christened on Tuesday 10 March by Queen Elizabeth II.

Speaking on board BRITANNIA before she departed on her first voyage to the Mediterranean, Captain Amir Esmiley, area operations manager for Southampton based Maritime and Coastguard Agency congratulated P&O Cruises on choosing to register the ship in the city.

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Indonesian government to build 25 new ships

The Indonesian government to build 25 new ships
The Indonesian government to build 25 new ships

The Indonesian government has earmarked US$292.5 million to build freight and passenger ships to serve new routes aimed at facilitating the movement of goods and people outside Java and to spur growth in the country’s east.

The investment, which has been allocated in the revised 2015 State Budget, will go on 15 freight ships and 10 passenger ships, the Transportation Ministry’s sea transportation director general, Bobby Mamahit, said.

The new ships are expected to help stabilize commodity prices outside Java, especially in the east of the country, where prices can be inflated by high logistics and distribution costs.

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Munkebo Maersk becomes the biggest ship to sail the Thames

Munkebo Maersk becomes the biggest ship to sail the Thames
Munkebo Maersk becomes the biggest ship to sail the Thames

The 399 metre long Munkebo Maersk, which weighs in at 195,000 tonnes and is 60 metre wide became the largest vessel ever to sail up the Thames. The Munkebo Maersk is one of the largest container vessels in the world. She was helped into port by pilots from the Port of London Authority.

Munkebo Maersk can carry 18,300 x 20 foot containers.

Simon Moore, chief executive of DP World London Gateway, said: “This is yet another record and landmark moment for DP World London Gateway.

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