The new RK Lab diesel injector is set to change the fuel system landscape and reduce emissions
A new type of diesel injector developed by a Swiss company, RK Lab AG, is claimed to be about to change the face of diesel engine fuel systems and at the same time to reduce emissions.
Not only is this new injector claimed to increase the efficiency of diesel engines, but it is also claimed to greatly simplify the fuel system, removing the need for complex common rail fuel systems.
GE’s Marine Solutions reports that the world’s first Liquid Propane Gas (LPG)-fueled ferry design to use GE’s Combined Gas turbine Electric and Steam (COGES) system has successfully completed Hazard Identification (HAZID) meetings. The consortium of Youngsung Global, DINTEC, Korea LPG Industry Association, GE’s Marine Solutions and Far East Ship Design & Engineering Co. (FESDEC) signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding in November 2016 to cooperate on this unique ferry design.
“Bureau Veritas, a world-leading classification society with a large and recognized expertise and experience in gas fueled ships, chaired the HAZID meetings. All consortium members were represented as well as SK Gas and E1 who are members of the Korea LPG Industry Association. These meetings took place over a three-day period in Busan and are a crucial tool used to identify hazards and safeguards at the early ship design stage,” said Brien Bolsinger, GE’s Vice President, Marine Operations, Cincinnati, Ohio. “Now with HAZID meetings successfully completed, the consortium will proceed with securing a shipbuilding contract and will seek Approval in Principle to further validate the safety of the ship design including the COGES propulsion system and the LPG fuel supply,” Bolsinger added. Continue reading “World’s first LPG-fueled ferry design using GE Gas Turbine completes HAZID meetings”
The Bahamas Maritime Authority issued a safety alert to inform about the sudden disengagement of a lifeboat during a ship inspection onboard a tanker. The safety alert includes a description of the incident and lessons learnt to try and prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
The incident
Whilst alongside the loading port, a Aframax tanker conducted a Port State Control (PSC) inspection during which the testing of the lifeboat engine and rudder was required. While swinging out the starboard lifeboat, the lifeboat disengaged from the aft fall hook without any warning. The lifeboat hook did not open, instead the master link pulled clear through the gate on the on-load release gear resulting in the lifeboat falling heavily. The aft end of the boat hit the fish plate on the main deck and slid over the side resulting in the boat hanging from the forward hook. No personnel were in the lifeboat and no injuries were sustained.
The Port of Rotterdam is creating a new 70-hectare space for a specialist offshore centre for wind energy at sea, decommissioning oil and gas platforms and the oil and gas market.
Offshore Centre Maasvlakte 2 (OCMV2) will be located in Princess Alexiahaven against the seawall, near the berth of the heavy lift vessel Pioneering Spirit. The Port Authority will initially reclaim the first 30 hectares and install a heavy load deep sea quay, initially of 600 meters, with the necessary infrastructure. The plan is that the first businesses will become operational on OCMV2 in the course of 2019. The centre could potentially be extended by a further 40 hectares and 1,000 meters of quay wall.
ClassNK has announced that it has released some amendments to its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships with effect from 1 June 2017.
ClassNK is constantly revising its Rules and Guidance in order to reflect the latest results from relevant research and development projects, feedback from damage investigations, requests from industry as well as changes made to relevant international conventions, IACS unified requirements (UR), national regulations, etc.
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.
UK P&I Club says that it has seen an increase in refrigerated cargo claims for fresh fruit being shipped from South America to the United States due to cargo cold treatment failure. George Radu, Claims Executive at Thomas Miller Americas, comments on this increase and offers prevention solutions.
The process of cargo cold treatment is a more efficient way to exterminate fruit insects than fumigation, as it maintains a sufficient low temperature for a pre-determined period, in order to exterminate insects and larvae in perishable cargo. The period and temperature required are defined in protocols established by the relevant authorities of the importing countries.
The CSS Code provides an international standard to promote the safe stowage and securing of cargoes
Instructions from the Administration of Panama regarding IMO MSC.1/Circ. 1352/Rev.1 Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing – CSS Code Annex 14 – were announced in ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-1097 dated 28 December 2016. The Administration has updated MERCHANT MARINE CIRCULAR MMC-340, including their additional guidance on the application of relevant requirements to existing containerships, as attached.
This Technical Information supersedes the previous ClassNK Technical Information No.TEC-1097 dated 28 December 2016.
American P&I Club surveys revealed a number of deficiencies in 2016
Personnel from the American P&I Club conducted 106 condition surveys during the 2016. They say that ninety one of the surveys resulted in deficiencies but only fifteen surveys resulted in no deficiencies noted at all. 46% of the surveys were conducted on dry cargo vessels, whilst tankers accounted for 35% of the surveys that were conducted.
American P&I Club reveals that tankers were found to have the most deficiencies per survey with just under 10 per survey. Dry cargo vessels (excluding container ships) were found to have just over 7 deficiencies per survey. Out of the 873 deficiencies noted, the most frequent individual category of deficiency found was related to the condition of machinery spaces. The most frequent deficiencies overall were related to the conditions and functions of cargo systems, particularly related to bulk carriers.
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has issued a notice announcing that all vessels arriving in New Zealand must have clean hulls from May 2018 as new biofouling regulations are set to become law. The Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) has been developed to provide guidance regarding compliance.
From May 2018, vessels must arrive in New Zealand with a clean hull. Vessels staying up to 20 days and only visiting designated ports (places of first arrival) will be allowed a slight amount of biofouling. Vessels staying longer and visiting other places will only be allowed a slime layer and goose barnacles.
The UK MAIB has released a seventy page Safety Digest, which is free to read regarding twenty five cases it has investigated in recent times.
This Safety Digest draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. It contains information which has been determined up to the time of issue.
The threat of liquefaction onboard remains as ominous as ever. This new guide will help.
London P&I Club has released a joint publication, in association with TMC Marine and Bureau Veritas. The aim of this excellent guide is to give operational guidance for vessels that carry cargoes which could be subject to liquefaction. The Club says that, although significant progress on the issue has been made so far, the liquefaction phenomenon continues to be as relevant today as it was years ago.
While the main requirements for the safe carriage of solid bulk cargoes are enshrined in the IMSBC Code, this booklet outlines the precautions operators should take before accepting cargoes for shipment and the procedures they should follow for the safe loading and carriage of the nominated cargo.
