Wallenius Wilhelmsen Nets $766M Multi-Year Shipping and Logistics Deal
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the worldâs largest RoRo vessel operator, has signed a five-year agreement with an agriculture, forestry and roadbuilding equipment manufacturer to provide its shipping and logistics services.The agreement with an unnamed Wallenius Wilhelmsenâs client is valued at approximately $766 million in total, based on expected volumes over the five-year period.Rates are in line with current market levels and the agreement includes a partnership on decarbonizationâŚ
NSMV Empire State Suffers Technical Issues
The first in a series if brand new training ships for the U.S.' state maritime academies has had to alter course on its inaugural summer training voyage after running into technical issues. The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Empire State, built by Philly Shipyard and delivered to SUNY Maritime Academy in September 2023, made it through about half of the 2024 summer sea term before the problems arose, SUNY Maritime College president Admiral John Okon said in a message to the school community."When the ship departed from Port Canaveral to PortsmouthâŚ
Twin Disc Inks Deal to Acquire Katsa for $23 Million
U.S. based power transmission equipment manufacturer Twin Disc announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Katsa, a Finnish-headquartered manufacturer of power transmission components and gearboxes for industrial and marine markets, in an all-cash transaction valued at âŹ21 million (approximately $23 million).The transaction is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, TwinâŚ
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Bags $1.2B in New Deals
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has signed significant contracts whose combined worth amounts to $1.2 billion for the worldâs largest RoRo vessel operator.The contracts have been signed with a leading global construction and mining equipment manufacturer, and with one of the largest automotive distributors in the Americas.The first multi-year shipping contract with equipment manufacturer has a duration of three years, plus a two-year extension option.It is valued at approximately $1 billion in totalâŚ
3D Printed Spare Part Cuts Downtime for Wallenius Wilhelmsen's RoRo Vessel
Pelagus 3D said Wednesday it had delivered a Return Oil Standpipe at Kobe, Japan, to be installed on Wallenius Wilhelmsen's RoRo vessel TYSLA. The collaboration involved Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Wilhelmsen Ship Management.Traditionally, the procurement, fabrication, and delivery of specific spare parts has been a time-consuming process, often leading to costly downtime for the maritime and offshore industries. However, with the advent of Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D PrintingâŚ
Future Fuels: Methanol
Any commentator on the maritime business decarbonization voyage will offer something along the lines of "There will be multiple fuelsâŚ" With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings of its Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) set for early July, it is likely that targets for emissions will be tightened. Whatever mileposts that the IMO actually establishes, there will be no prescriptions handed down on how to get there. By mid-2023, nearly two years after the late 2021 alternative fuels crescendo in the aftermath of the COP26 meetings in GlasgowâŚ
NYK Commences Operation of CTV for Offshore Wind Farm
NYK has delivered Rera As, an NYK-owned crew transport vessel (CTV), to Siemens Gamesa for the Ishikari Bay New Port offshore wind farm.The ClassNK certified vessel is the first CTV owned and operated by the NYK Group and is largest gross tonnage CTV currently in operation in Japan (according to NYK research). NYK Group's Hokuyo Kaiun will manage and operate the vessel.The vessel was completed in Singapore in April, and it was reflaged to Japan after equipment modifications, such as fenders and radio equipmentâŚ
KR Approves Methanol-fueled MR Tanker
Korean Register (KR) has granted an approval in principle (AIP) for a methanol-fueled MR tanker, jointly developed by KR, South Korean shipbuilders K Shipbuilding and equipment manufacturer S&SYS.As part of the joint development project (JDP) between the three companies, the MR tanker is designed as a dual-fuel vessel, harnessing the power of marine gas oil (MGO) and methanol. The vessel incorporates two methanol fuel tanks positioned on the port and starboard sides of the open deck.K Shipbuilding spearheaded the vessel's basic design and the methanol fuel tank designâŚ
Wrong Size Bearing Led to Engine Failure and Fire on Supply Vessel
An incorrectly sized bearing led to an engine failure and fire last year onboard the offshore supply vessel Ocean Guardian, reports the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).On May 27, 2022, the vessel was conducting a sea trial in Shilshole Bay when its no. 3 diesel generator engine suffered a mechanical failure, resulting in an engine room fire that caused $1.1 million in damages.After maintenance was completed on all four main diesel generator engines in January and February 2022, full-function tests of vessel systems were conducted in open waters.
DSC Dredge Names Louviere VP of Operations
Over the last few months Reserve, La. based dredging equipment manufacturer DSC Dredge has been redefining its team by investing in them, promoting from within and adding fresh perspectives. On April 23, 2023, DSC Dredge introduced Josh J. Louviere as vice president of operations. In his new role, Louviere will lead and oversee all aspects of the companyâs operational activities. With over 16 years of experience in manufacturing and industrial equipment automation, Louviere spent the majority of his career leading operations in the manufacturing sectorâŚ
Thordon Bearings Installed on ADNOC Offshore Platform
Thordon Bearings said Monday that its water-lubricated elastomeric polymer bearings have been installed to well pumps aboard an undisclosed offshore oil platform operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).Five KSB three-stage mixed flow impeller-type pumps were each retrofitted with Thordon pump bearings - 13 SXL intermediate bearings, four Composite bearings and a single SXL throttle bearing - replacing the original silicon carbide bushes, the company said.Dubai-based engineering firm Ocean Power International (OPI)âŚ
Region in Focus: Norwayâs West Coast Shipping Tech Hub
Two load-bearing pillars of Norwayâs leading maritime industry cluster in Sunmøre on the countryâs west coast â offshore energy and the expedition cruise sector â took severe knocks from plunging energy prices in the 2010s followed by COVID-19. However, a recent tour of the region found the cluster in recovery mode.At the time, the clusterâs diversification strategy was to dive into the emerging expedition cruise sector: small, highly sophisticated ships designed to operate in some of the worldâs most sensitive environments incorporated features including the highest ice-classâŚ
Japanese Firms Working on Ammonia Floating Storage & Regasification Barge
NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY), ClassNK, and IHI Corporation (IHI) have signed a joint research and development agreement for the commercialization of an ammonia floating storage and regasification barge (A-FSRB). Specifically, the parties will work on the R&D of the world's first barge equipped with a floating storage and regasification facility for ammonia.Since ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when combusted, it is expected to be a next-generation fuel that contributes to global warming countermeasuresâŚ
Cummins Names Rumsey Its First Female CEO
Cummins said Thursday that Tom Linebarger will end his term as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Jennifer Rumsey, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will assume the role of President and CEO.Rumsey will be the seventh CEO and first woman to lead the company since it was founded in 1919. "Linebarger will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and in an Executive Chairman role, working directly with Rumsey on specific initiatives that position the company for continued successâŚ
NYK to Study, Trial Emission Reduction Gear On Up to 50 Bulk Carriers
NYK signed a business alliance agreement with Nakashima Propeller, a marine equipment manufacturer that develops and sells ship propellers as well as energy-saving devices, and Fluid Techno, a ship design company with fluid analysis technology, to explore options to help cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Specifically, the agreement signed on July 7 aims to verify the effects of energy-saving devices that enhance vessel fuel efficiency by improving water flow generated at the aft-end of ships, select optimal combinations of those energy-saving devices, and install them on existing ships.
CTO in Focus: Henrik Stiesdal, Wind Power Pioneer
Wind power pioneer Henrik Stiesdal built his first wind turbine in 1978. It was one of Denmarkâs first step towards becoming a wind energy powerhouse, with Stiesdal regularly at the helm. Heâs now got wider climate initiatives in his sights, including industrializing floating offshore wind. He reflected with OEâs Elaine Maslin.By 2021, a total of 35 GW of offshore wind had been installed across the world. To meet global climate targets, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that another 80 GW of it needs to be built per year by 2030.
Governor Control Systems, Motor Services Hugo Stamp Unify Under MSHS Brand
Motor Services Hugo Stamp and Governor Control Systems are rebranding as one entity named MSHS. The unification marks the next milestone in the companyâs history spanning nearly 40 years of engine sales and services, control systems, and engineered solutions for marine, industrial, energy, defense and government clients.âAfter years of cooperation and synergy between the two companies, the time has come to unite them under one brand,â said David A. Santamaria, CEO of the newly unified MSHS. âMany of our customersâ power generation and propulsion systems require service for their engines and auxiliary equipment, as well as their control systems.
NYK, ABS, WinGD Working on Battery-Hybrid System to Cut GHG Emissions from Ships
NYK and NYK Group company MTI Co., Ltd. (âMTIâ), together with the American Bureau of Shipping (âABSâ) and Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd. ("WinGD"), have started joint research for optimization of ship design by utilizing a battery-hybrid system to aid ship propulsion and thus reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vessels.A vesselâs main-engine revolutions may increase significantly when a vessel tries to maintain its sailing speed during strong waves and winds.This phenomenon is called âload fluctuation.â The shaft generator may also increase the burden on the main engine.
GE Power Conversion Wins Contract for Military Sealift Command Vessel Maintenance
The U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) has awarded GE Power Conversion an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to maintain the electric and hybrid electric power and propulsion systems aboard its vessels. The five-year contract potentially could be worth $125 million.The contract covers maintenance, modernization and upgrades, training, repairs, parts, remote technical support, and program management on 35 vessels, with more ships to be added as they are built and turned over to MSC after commissioning.
World's First: Wärtsila, Eidesvik to Equip OSV with Ammonia-fueled Combustion Engine
Norwegian offshore vessel owner Eidesvik and Finland-based marine equipment manufacturer Wartsila are going to convert an offshore supply vessel (OSV) to operate with an ammonia-fuelled combustion engine with the required fuel supply and safety system. "This project will be the first of its kind ever in the world and has a provisional completion target by the end of 2023," Wärtsilä said.The offshore vessel considered for a retrofit currently has Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines operating primarily with LNG fuel. The conversion will allow the vessel to operate with a 70 percent ammonia blend.
Ian-Conrad Bergan Rebrands as Bergan Marine Systems
Ian-Conrad Bergan, LLC.âa marine equipment manufacturer for over 45 yearsâannounced the companyâs rebrand, new leadership and new direction. Rebranding as Bergan Marine Systems under new president and CEO, Kyle Durden, the company will expand its focus to include electronic and computer controls, as well as cloud-based solutions for marine data systems, along with continuing their traditional products.âWhile weâve been a mostly product-centered company throughout our history, weâre now integrating our products with computer-based control systems and generating data thatâs transmitted to the cloud, to customers in real-time,â Durden said.Initially founded in Norway, the company moved to the Pensacola, Fla.
Marine Design: Multi-Physics Simulation (MPS) & Decarbonization Walk Hand-in-Hand
Chris Wiernicki, CEO, ABS, discusses the evolution of multi-physics simulation and its importance in reaching decarbonization goals through 2050.As the pace of technological evolution rapidly quickens, shipowners are increasingly forced to embrace change to ensure their fleets stay in compliance with new regulations and stave off obsolescence.Going forward, efficient, cost-effective delivery of goods from âpoint A to point Bâ must be done in a more environmentally benign mannerâŚ
ERMA FIRST Acquires Marine Water Treatment Specialists RWO
Greek headquartered ballast water equipment manufacturer ERMA FIRST said it has acquired German marine water treatment specialist RWO GmbH.RWO provides water and wastewater treatment systems for ships, ports and offshore installations. Its product portfolio includes the treatment of drinking and process water, oily waters, ballast, wastewater as well as sales spare parts and services..âThis is a win for ERMA FIRST and a win for RWOâs customers and staff. We have acquired a world leader in water treatment systems for the shipping industry with a strong customer base and a reputation for excellence and reliability,â said ERMA FIRST managingâŚ