Hull News

The Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) Hull Stress Monitoring System has received the ABS SMART Tier 2 approval in principle (AiP) for structural health monitoring (SHM).Recognized with a certificate presentation at Nor-Shipping 2023, the AiP is part of a larger joint development project (JDP) between SHI and ABS that aims to enhance hull safety with smart ship technology.The AiP verifies that the design is feasible for the intended application and, in principle, complies with the ABS requirements that include vessel-specific loads and operations monitoring…

Greensea introduces a new hull crawler that easily attaches a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to a ship hull without magnetics, allowing the operator to “drive” the ROV and payloads over the hull. Initial hull crawlers are designed to work exclusively with the VideoRay Mission Specialist Defender ROV. The hull crawler represents a milestone in Greensea’s hull robotics program, which is advancing navigation and localization capabilities for a fully autonomous robotic hull inspection and proactive in-water cleaning solution. “VideoRay is a valued Greensea partner with a dynamic and powerful ROV.

Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has deployed underwater robots to help clean the hull of its vessels."We plans to replace human laborers in a risky environment with underwater robots when it comes to hull cleaning work on its vessels. Underwater robots help to prevent industrial accidents and cut environmental pollution," HMM said in a statement.HMM has signed a cooperation agreement with TAS GLOBAL CO., LTD., a domestic manufacturer specializing in underwater robots.Hull fouling has long been a problem for shipowners, conspiring to reduce speeds and increase fuel consumption, and emissions.In step, shipping companies have made an effort…

ClassNK released the latest version of its design support software PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR) Ver.7.0.0.Developed in response to the IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (CSR BC & OT). The new version incorporates the latest rule amendments to CSR BC & OT including amendments based on feedback from the industry.Various functions were also added or improved in the PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR) prescriptive calculation software and direct strength assessment software.Rule Calculation Software• The creation speed of calculation reports significantly increased.

European naval architecture and marine engineering consultant International Contract Engineering (ICE) group was awarded an Approval in Principle (AIP) by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its latest generic floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) hull design, designated the G-1600-SM/W.The AIP means that experts at ABS’ world headquarter in Houston have reviewed critical plans and calculations of the vessel and have found that they comply with the applicable rules and regulations and good practice.The Generic FPSO Hull design benefits from ICE’s extensive experience from more than 40 FPSO projects, including new construction…

The hull of 78-meter AMELS Full Custom yacht arrived from Damen Shipyards Galati on the Danube river in Romania.When completed in 2021, the yacht will be the largest AMELS to date.Currently 13 yachts are at the busy Vlissingen hub of the Damen Shipyards Group’s yachting division, including both the Vlissingen City yard and the Vlissingen East yard.The AMELS Full Custom yacht joins four AMELS Limited Editions yachts, two DAMEN SeaXplorers and five refits.In total we currently have 26 yacht projects underway at both our new build and hull building facilities. Completing all these projects requires expert project management and craftsmanship from everyone involved.In early January the hull of the 78-meter AMELS Full Custom project arrived for outfitting from the hull builder…

Underwater hull cleaning specialist HullWiper Ltd is joining forces with GAC Qatar in preparation to launch its hull cleaning solution at the Qatari port of Ras Laffan in early 2020 to meet growing demand for eco-friendly hull cleaning solutions.GAC Qatar is the only company to have been granted a license by the country’s Environment Ministry to operate hull cleaning equipment in its waters.HullWiper’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) complies with Qatar’s regulations, which include collection of 100% of biofouling removed during cleaning for safe disposal at the Qatar Petroleum (QP) facility after a QP test, and the maintain proper cleaning records for monthly submissions to QP Environment office…

Lloyd’s Register and Lloyd’s Register Foundation support the development of the world’s first 3D printed rescue boat.Lloyd’s Register (LR) is partnering with Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), Autodesk, ST Engineering's Electronic sector and AML3D to launch a global design competition offering a first prize of S$30,000 (c£17,500) to the winner of the best innovative design idea for a 3D printed rescue boat hull. This will be the first ever…

Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd. of China has delivered Cao Gang 27 to Caofeidian Tugging Services Co., Ltd, Tangshan Port.The vessel designed by Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) for service at Cao Fei Dian Port located in Tangshan in the northeastern part of Hebei Province China is a customized RAmparts 2800 tug with a shallow draft, ice strengthened hull.The Cao Gang 27 was designed and constructed to Chinese Classification Society rules, said a press note from RAL.The vessel’s accommodations are compliant with MLC standards for a normal operating crew of up to 9 personnel. The Master and Chief Engineer cabins are located on the main…

The heavy-lift vessel Black Marlin will arrive in the Port of Rotterdam on Monday 12 August.This semi-submersible vessel departed on Monday, 17th June Shanghai, on deck with eighteen Concordia Damen inland shipping vessel hulls and a Damen Crane Barge 6324.The 18 hulls were constructed in China for delivery to Concordia Damen in Werkendam.The Black Marlin will berth on the Rotterdam/Maasvlakte inland lake, after which Boskalis will submerge the Black Marlin at dolphins 90-91 on Wednesday 14 August.The pontoons carrying the 18 hulls will then be towed to Waalhaven. The hulls will start being unloaded on 20 August; a task that will take seven working days.Bonn en Mees will unload the hulls using three floating sheerlegs.

Italian energy major Eni has started installation works on the hull of the Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) treatment and liquefaction unit that will be moored offshore in Mozambique.According to a press note from ENI, the unit is part of the Coral South project, which will put in production 450 billion cubic meters of gas from the giant Coral reservoir. The hull is expected to be launched in 2020, in line with the planned production startup of the Coral South Project in 2022.The Coral Sul FLNG facility will have a gas liquefaction capacity of 3.4 million tons per year when completed and will be the first FLNG vessel ever to be deployed in the deep waters of the African continent.The vessel…

German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has laid the keel for the British P&O Cruises’ first-ever LNG ship, which will be named Iona and be the greenest cruise ship in the UK when she debuts in May 2020.The keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft  in Papenburg marked the official start for assembling the hull of the new luxury liner for the United Kingdom. The ship will be handed over to the customer in spring 2020.The traditional keel laying coins were placed by Paul Ludlow (President P&O Cruises) together with Stephan Schmees (Executive Board Member Project Management) Meyer Werft  und Jürgen Storz (Project Leader Meyer Werft).Block 1B measures 21.5 m in length, 19.4 m in width and 9.8 m in height.

Dubai-headquartered hull-cleaning company has announced it is opening its first operations base in the Americas, in partnership with subsea services in Panama, Talleres Industriales, to offer its hull cleaning solution to the vessels transiting the Panama Canal.The agreement forms part of HullWiper’s global leasing programme introduced in 2017, which works with partners around the world to offer ship owners and operators an affordable, brush- and diver-free alternative to traditional hull cleaning methods that protects both vessel hull coatings and the delicate marine ecosystem.The Panama Canal is a key transit point for vessels sailing between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitating world trade by avoiding the lengthy voyage around the southern tip of the American continent.

Bermudan tanker owner and operator Team Tankers International has committed four additional ships to using the the anti-barnacle active agent Selektope following fouling prevention performance during a 40-month trial of an antifouling coating containing the technology on an MR tanker in their fleet.The vertical sides of the46,067DWT chemical and products carrier Team Calypso were coated with Chugoku Marine Paints’ SEAFLO NEO CF-Premium antifouling coating that contains Selektope during its five-year drydocking at the Sembcorp shipyard, Singapore in 2015.During the last 40 months the MR tanker has been in active operation across a wide range of trade routes globally…

Vessel hull cleaning specialist HullWiper has signed a hull cleaning frame agreement with Equinor ASA for its fleet of oil and gas tankers operating in Scandinavia, Far East, Middle East and Europe.HullWiper is a global service provider of cost-efficient, safe and eco-friendly hull cleaning solutions which boost vessel efficiency and fuel savings to reduce CO2 emissions, whilst protecting vessel hull coatings and the delicate marine ecosystem.Its Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) system uses adjustable seawater jets under variable pressure to remove fouling, instead of brushes or abrasives, minimising the risk of damage to expensive anti-fouling coatings.No divers are used…

Georgia is the 112th State to accede to the International Convention on Load Lines (1988 Protocol), announced  International Maritime Organization (IMO).According to the UN body, limitations on the draught to which a ship may be loaded are included in the treaty, making a significant contribution to the ship's safety. These limits are given in the form of freeboards.The treaty takes into account the potential hazards present in different ocean zones and different seasons, it said.The 1988 Protocol updates and revises the earlier treaty. The technical annex contains several additional safety measures concerning doors, freeing ports, hatchways and other items. These measures help to ensure the watertight and weathertight integrity of ships' hulls below the freeboard deck.

Italian custom superyacht builder Baglietto said that its construction of the hull no. 10225 is right on schedule, according to the program that will be launched next spring.The new 55-meter hull is part of Baglietto’s traditional platform (the T-Line) designed by Francesco Paszkowski Design, said a press release.The vessel’s soft and sleek lines reflect Baglietto’s traditional Italian style, and, together with the lowered gunwales and side air vents, will embody the Seagull brand’s unmistakable aesthetic features. Francesco Paszkowski designed the warm and cozy interior in collaboration with architect Margherita Casprini."The layout…

Norwegian ship designer Ulstein Design & Solutions announced that it has received totally six firm ship contracts, and options for further six vessels."With 12 contracts including options on expedition cruise vessels in three years, we have now consolidated a strong position as expedition cruise designers,” said Tore Ulstein, COO Design & Solutions in Ulstein.The X-BOW hull line design is a feature that makes Ulstein vessels stand out from the crowd, said a press release from the shipyard.The X-BOW splits the waves and removes the slamming and associated vibrations, increasing comfort for passengers and crew. And because it uses less fuel to get through the waves…

The hull of the Ronja Storm, which is destined to become the world’s biggest wellboat, has arrived at the Havyard shipyard in Norway for fitting out after construction in Turkey.Ronja Storm will be the world’s biggest in more ways than just being much longer than other wellboats at 116 metres. There are also no other ships in the world that have such a big freshwater production facility.The boat can produce 16.8 million litres of freshwater a day, thereby potentially covering the daily freshwater consumption of 100,000 average Norwegians.Nor are there any other wellboats that can match her fish tank capacity or have such a great capacity for processing and transport of fish. Its capacity is nearly twice that of the average wellboat.

Polar Cruises, the provider small-ship travel to Antarctica and the Arctic, is now using high power permanent magnets for its 'Silver Cloud' when deploying boats for passenger excursions.The magnets, supplied by Miko Marine of Norway, each have a holding power of 500 kg and are being used by the boat crews to create additional mooring points on the hull of the ship, said a press release.This enables Zodiacs and other boats to be held close against the ship before being relocated to the point where passengers must disembark for excursions, it said.The MAM-003S magnet is the latest addition to the Miko range of magnets and it is housed in a stainless-steel casing for enhanced resistance to seawater corrosion.Despite its holding power…

London Offshore Consultants (LOC) Group announced the appointment of Nikos Benetis as Group Director of Hull & Machinery and Due Diligence Services.Nikos has been with LOC since 2017, previously in the role of Director of Financial Institution Advisory Services, and takes on his new role as part of the Group’s ongoing initiative to structure its shipping division to reflect the changes in the industry and client’s needs.According to a press release from the marine and engineering consultancy to the world’s shipping and offshore energy industries, Nikos has over 20 years’ experience in the Maritime and Finance Industries, which include several years at Lloyd’s Register and at RBS as Director of Distribution…