Methanol-operated Fuel Cell System Gets DNV GL AIP
A methanol-operated fuel cell system from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has received approval in principle (AIP) from classification society DNV GL, setting the course for further testing aboard the cruise ship AidaNova as soon as 2021.Converting the approximately 100,000 commercial ships on the world’s oceans to CO2-neutral propulsion systems is one of the maritime industry's greatest challenges.
Singapore Launches Its First 'Cruise to Nowhere'
Hit by cabin fever, hundreds of Singapore residents itching to get out of the tiny country boarded a “cruise to nowhere” on Friday, a rare chance to sail the seas after the coronavirus pandemic shut down much of the cruise industry.Before starting their short “seacation” on the 335-meter World Dream, passengers underwent coronavirus swab tests before boarding the vessel, which was operating at half capacity to prevent crowding.Retiree Ang Sen Hock…
NAT Expects Tanker Market Lull Will Be Short Term
The recent slowdown in the oil tanker market is expected to be short-lived, shipowner Nordic American Tankers (NAT) said Friday in a letter to shareholders.NAT,…
MESPAS Revamps its Technical Ship Management Software
Swiss IT and engineering firm MESPAS informs it has completely redesigned its Technical Ship Management software, resulting in a user interface that is more modern, intuitive and user-friendly.The new look is based on Microsoft design guidelines, says, noting the new software solution feels familiar and easy to use for those who know Microsoft Office products. Meanwhile, the interface itself uses…
Baltic Index Edges Higher on Stronger Capesizes Rates
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, edged up on Friday on stronger rates for the capesize vessel segment.The Baltic dry index was up 2 points, or 0.2%, at 1,196.However, the index lost 6.9% this week, its fifth straight weekly loss.The capesize index rose 30 points, or 1.8%, to 1,739, but declined about 8.8% for the week.Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore a
Schottel Scores Two-year Supplier Deal for Sanmar's Bigaçay Tugs
Turkish boatbuilder Sanmar Shipyards has signed a framework agreement with Schottel that makes the German propulsion specialist the exclusive supplier of thrusters for the Bigaçay class tugs for two years.“The agreement puts Sanmar in a position of a contractual partner offering the latest propulsion technology with Schottel exclusively providing our shipyards with two 2,700 kW rudderpropellers type SRP 560 CP for each vessel of the Bigaçay tugboat class…
Concordia Damen Bags Order for 40 Dual-fuel Tank Barges
Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen said Friday it has signed a contract for 40 eco-friendly dual-fuel barges with institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The barges will be chartered by Shell and operated by the VT Group/Marlow. Frachtcontor Capital Partners was the broker for the deal.The 110- by 11.5-meters vessels will have liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion and extreme shallow draft capabilities – 2…
Austal's Vietnam Yard Delivers Its First Newbuild
Shipbuilding group Austal announced Friday that its Vietnam yard opened in 2018 has delivered its first vessel fully constructed at the Vung Tau shipyard.The 94-meter high-speed catamaran A.P.T James was officially handed over from Austal Vietnam to the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCo), to be used for maritime transport services on the Trinidad and Tobago ‘sea bridge’ route between…
EU Eyes Huge Hike in Offshore Wind Capacity to Meet Climate Goals
The European Union is considering a plan to increase its offshore wind energy capacity five-fold this decade and 25-fold by 2050, as it seeks to become climate neutral by mid-century, according to a draft policy.The 27-nation EU, which is already home to 42% of the world's offshore wind capacity, says the technology now produces clean power at a lower price than any fossil fuel-based source.A draft of the European Commission's strategy for offshore renewable energy…
Asia Energy Logistics Sells Bulk Carrier
Hong Kong-based Asia Energy Logistics has said it has agreed to sell its bulk carrier MV Asia Energy.In a brief statement on Thursday, Asia Energy Logistics said that on November 5…
