Drone Swarms Sent from Uncrewed Vessels Could be Used for Offshore Wind Farm Inspections
U.S.-based seabed survey company Ocean Infinity, is, together with the University of Portsmouth, Airborne Robotics, and Bentley Telecom, working to develop an autonomous offshore wind farm inspection capability utilizing aerial drone swarms deployed from an uncrewed marine robotic vessel.Using 5G and satellite connectivity, the project will see a swarm of drones autonomously inspect wind turbines subsequently removing the need for manual…
The Path to Zero: Study Shows Hydrogen-Based Ship Fuel Projects on the Rise
The Getting to Zero Coalition’s updated Mapping of Zero Emission Pilots and Demonstration Projects uncovers emerging trends, sees a strong climb in the number of identified projects as well as increased activities in Asia.The 'fuel of the future' debate is one of the hottest topics in maritime circles, as shipowners eye ever tightening emission regulations through 2050. While there is no 'silver bullet' solution…
Kongsberg to Deliver $40M Tech Package for First Jones-act WTIV
Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has secured a $40 million contract to supply an integrated technology solution for the first U.S.-built wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) - the Charybdis.The vessel, being built at Keppel AmFELS shipyard in the U.S., is being constructed for US energy company Dominion Energy. The vessel is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023 and will be among the largest of…
VIDEO: North Star to Deliver SOV Trio for Dogger Bank Wind Farm in $375M Deal
Aberdeen-based offshore vessel owner North Star Renewables has won contracts worth around £270 million (~$375 million), to deliver three service operation vessels (SOVs) to be used on what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the UK North Sea.North Star said its contract award followed a highly-competitive tender process, in which it had beat off strong…
Panama Asks IMO for Help in China's Coal Carrier Dispute with Australia
Panama is urging the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to step in to help stranded seafarers and shipowners wrapped up in a trade dispute between China and Australia.Some 74 vessels loaded with Australian coal and more than 1,500 mariners are currently idled in Chinese ports and waters after Beijing last year placed an unofficial ban on imports from Australia, reportedly in retaliation for Canberra's call for an international probe of the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wärtsilä to Test Marine Scrubbers for Carbon Capture
Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment said exhaust gas abatement systems, also known as scrubbers, may soon be used to directly tackle maritime carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as technology advances enable manufacturers to design and upgrade scrubbers to capture carbon at the point of exhaust.Wärtsilä said it has found carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be developed and scaled for ships, and that the solution…
Ardmore Shipping Announces Hydrogen Joint Venture
Tanker owner and operator Ardmore Shipping Corporation said it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Element 1 Corp. (E1) and Maritime Partners, LLC (MP) to establish…
SCHOTTEL to Equip Germany's New Multipurpose Ships
Three new multipurpose vessels ordered from the Abeking & Rasmussen ship and yacht shipyard (A&R) in Lemwerder by the German government for the Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) will be equipped with SCHOTTEL propulsion systems. Planning and design as well as tendering and continuous construction supervision are carried out by the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW)…
Oil Demand Drag Takes a Toll on Tankers
U.S. refiners are scaling back on hiring ships for longer periods to save on costs in another sign of uncertainty over when global oil demand will return to pre-COVID levels, shipping and trade sources say.The global rollout of coronavirus vaccines and the expectation that government-offered stimulus packages will boost the world economy has raised expectations of a recovery in oil consumption. But fuel demand remains sluggish…
Tech File: Engineered Cooling Solutions Help Improve Environmental Footprint
As owners and operators work to achieve dramatic new emission reductions, vessels’ cooling solutions should not be overlooked.A wave of green initiatives is sweeping through the maritime market as owners and operators seek ways to reduce emissions from their vessels. One company supporting this drive is R.W. Fernstrum, a global leader in engineering and manufacturing keel cooling technologies.Sean Fernstrum…
China Seizes 11 Ships in $770 Million Oil Smuggling Bust
China foiled criminals seeking to smuggle nearly 1 million tonnes of refined oil worth 5 billion yuan ($770 million), with officials seizing 11 ships and detaining 171 suspects in a sprawling swoop on Tuesday, customs authorities said.The operation, which saw customs officers from the port city of Ningbo join forces with local law enforcement and maritime police, spanned eight Chinese regions, including the coastal provinces of Zhejiang…
Top Japanese Lenders Join Shipping Industry Scheme to Cut Carbon
Leading Japanese lenders have joined an initiative that links the provision of shipping finance to cuts in carbon dioxide emissions as the sector accelerates efforts to go green.In recent weeks, Shinsei Bank Ltd, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Finance & Leasing and MUFG Bank have signed up to the scheme, the banks said.With about 90% of world trade transported by sea, global shipping accounts for nearly 3% of the world’s CO2 emissions.In 2019…
VIDEO: Topsides Modules Lifted on Guyana-bound Liza Unity FPSO
SBM Offshore, the Dutch-based FPSO company, said Tuesday that the topsides lifting campaign for the Liza Unity FPSO was recently completed. The FPSO is being built for deployment at ExxonMobil's Stabroek offshore block in Guyana."Thanks to the efforts of the integrated team, over 26,000 tons of topsides were safely lifted in position at Keppel Shipyard in Singapore since the vessel came out of dry-dock in October of last year…
Charity Golf Event to Benefit Mercy Ships
Core Group Resources is hosting a charity golf event in support of Mercy Ships' volunteer crew fund, on March 29, in Katy, Texas, west of the Houston Energy Corridor.The hosts are currently seeking additional teams, sponsors and donations to support the golf outing at the Falcon Point Golf Club, which will also include a barbecue, auction and raffles for golfers and non-golfers alike.Mercy Ships is…
BV Publishes Rules for Wind Propulsion Systems
Bureau Veritas (BV) has released new-generation classification rules for wind propulsion systems amid growing interest in and support for the development of zero carbon propulsion solutions for modern ships.Wind propulsion is among a number of options being examined and implemented by owners and operators who are today seeking ways to reduce air emissions from their vessels.The new BV rule notation for WIND PROPULSION SYSTEMS (WPS) – NR 206…
Tug Master Falls Asleep at the Helm and Crashes Into Dock
A gravel barge allided with private docks and homes near Gig Harbor, Wash., after the master of the towing vessel fell asleep at the helm.The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday that its watchstanders at Sector Puget Sound received notification from Pierce County dispatch that an unmanned gravel barge, under tow by the towing vessel Island Chief, had smashed into several privately-owned docks and residences. No injuries or pollution have been reported.
Rolls-Royce Gains EPA Tier 4 Certification for mtu Marine Propulsion Systems
U.K.-based equipment and engines manufacturer Rolls-Royce said it has received U.S. EPA Tier 4 certification for its mtu propulsion systems based on its Series 4000 M65L 16-cylinder diesel engines.EPA Tier 4 regulations are considered the most stringent emissions standard for marine applications, requiring the propulsion system to have very low particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions throughout its…
China Cracks Down on Illegal Yangtze River Sand Dredging
China has launched a crackdown on illegal sand mining operations on the Yangtze river, which have made large parts of central China more vulnerable to drought.Excessive sand mining on the Yangtze, which provides water for a third of the Chinese population, is believed to be responsible for the abnormally low levels of water during the winter drought season in recent years.Sand mining in the river and…
NOIA Says Ready to Work with New Interior Secretary to Advance Offshore Energy Sector
Following Monday's confirmation of the U.S. Representative Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior, the U.S. National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), representing interests of the country's offshore energy industry, said it was ready to work with Haaland and the Biden Administration to "advance America's offshore energy sector."NOIA President Erik Milito said: "NOIA is ready to work with Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration to advance America’s offshore energy sector.
Crowley, ESVAGT Partner to Service the US Offshore Wind Industry
U.S.-based Crowley and Danish shipping company ESVAGT are teaming up to build and operate purpose-built, Jones Act vessels to support the emerging U.S. offshore wind energy market.As the U.S. offshore wind industry continues to gain momentum at pace, a large number of Jones Act compliant vessels will be needed to build, service and eventually decommission America's significant pipeline of to-be-developed offshore wind farms.
