LNG shipbuilding boom time ahead. But are we ready for it?

LNG shipbuilding around the corner
LNG shipbuilding around the corner

It has been nearly a decade since the last mega LNG newbuilding program in South Korea was completed. Building forty-five LNG carriers for Qatargas at three major Korean shipyards – Hyundai, Samsung, and Daewoo — had been challenging on many fronts. Several new technologies and systems had to be qualified at the design stage, during plan approval, construction and shop trials and verified during commissioning, gas trials, and sea trials. Anomalies and deficiencies, if left undiscovered, cause rework, costly delays and considerable technical problems after delivery. Fortunately, with a handful of very experienced engineers involved in the QG project from concept to commissioning, it was a job well done in the end, to the Continue reading “LNG shipbuilding boom time ahead. But are we ready for it?”

Safer boating week kicks off in New Zealand after a tragic winter

Safer Boating Week
Safer Boating Week

New Zealand’s annual Safer Boating Week has started in the shadow of a record number of recreational boating deaths during the winter months.

Already, this year 18 people have died in recreational boating accidents, compared to just four in the whole of last year and 12 of this year’s fatalities have been since the end of March.

Leading up to Labour Weekend, the Safer Boating Forum wants to make sure boaties heed the “prep, check, know message” as they start getting ready for Continue reading “Safer boating week kicks off in New Zealand after a tragic winter”

New Australian Mariner’s Handbook now available online

Australian Mariner's Handbook 5th edition now available online
Australian Mariner’s Handbook 5th edition now available online

The Hydrographic Office has published the new Australian Mariner’s Handbook 5th edition for Australian Waters and it is now available online.

Previously known as the Seafarer’s Handbook for Australian Waters, edition five contains a new chapter on interpreting the accuracy of depth information in Electronic Navigational Charts.

The handbook is an official nautical publication, which should be carried on all international and domestic commercial vessels.

It contains important instructions to aid planning and navigation in Australian waters, and information on marine protected areas, pilot Continue reading “New Australian Mariner’s Handbook now available online”

IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires

IUMI speaks out about container ship fires
IUMI speaks out about container ship fires

The shipping industry has witnessed many fire incidents on container ships this year, some of which have resulted in fatalities and others in significant economic losses. At a recent conference, IUMI took the chance to alert and feedback on the situation and call the shipping industry to improve its onboard firefighting systems and seafarers’ training.

Gard P&I Club organised a conference in Arendal, Norway on 17-18 October 2019. The event attracted many shipping stakeholders, including IMO, flags states, shipowners and insurers. Their aim? To push for more discussions on preventing Continue reading “IUMI says Time to take action on container ship fires”

2020 sulphur cap: Authorities plan to discuss enforcement

2020 sulphur cap
2020 sulphur cap

The 2020 sulphur cap is a significant challenge for the shipping industry. A cooperation between the Danish Maritime Authority and the World Maritime University will bring administrations together to share knowledge on sulphur enforcement in key regions.

On 1 January 2020, the new global sulphur limit will enter into force. The sulphur content of ship fuel must not exceed 0.5 percent after this date. To ensure the full environmental effect of the new regulation, it is essential that the new rules are enforced effectively by all national administrations. Enforcement is also key to Continue reading “2020 sulphur cap: Authorities plan to discuss enforcement”

First hybrid SES to be used for crew transfer

Hybrid SES
Hybrid SES

CWind has announced a long-term charter contract agreement with Ørsted, delivering by mid 2020, the world’s first hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship (SES) to Borssele 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. The agreement between the world’s leading windfarm operator Ørsted and CWind, part of the Global Marine Group, covers an initial three-year firm charter with options available for a further two years. The Hybrid SES crew transfer vessel will be operating from the Dutch port of Vlissingen, to Borssele 1 and 2, located 23km from the Dutch coast in the North Sea.

The development of the Hybrid SES for use as a crew transfer vessel is in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce Continue reading “First hybrid SES to be used for crew transfer”

Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules

DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules
DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules

Classification society DNV GL will update its shaft alignment design rules to differentiate between Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and mineral oils in stern tubes. The update, effective 1 July 2019, is based on the phase 1 findings from the joint development project (JDP) DNV GL has been running in cooperation with marine insurers The Swedish Club, Norwegian Hull Club, Gard and Skuld to test the potential influence of EALs on failures in stern tube bearings.

The JDP was prompted by an upsurge in stern tube bearing Continue reading “Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules”

NMA issues warning over lithium-ion power following ferry fire

Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after fire
Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning after lithium-ion fire

The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) has published an alert concerning a small fire that erupted in the battery room onboard the MF Ytterøyningen passenger ferry. The Norwegian Maritime Authority is warning shipowners, operators and other stakeholders and interested parties about the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery systems after a fire and subsequent gas explosion on board a diesel-electric ferry in Norway.

The small fire was reported October 10 in the battery room of the Norled passenger ferry MF Ytterøyningen. The ferry returned to harbour under its own power where passengers and crew were evacuated to land. Overnight, however, a serious gas explosion rocked the battery room causing significant damage.

Specifically, on October 10, a small fire erupted onboard the ferry. Norwegian broadcasting company NRK reported at the time that twelve Continue reading “NMA issues warning over lithium-ion power following ferry fire”

HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies

HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group
HPI-CEproof: HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group

Two leading organisations in the global marine compliance industry, HPi Verification Services (HPiVS) and CEproof Group, have merged to create HPI-CEproof.

It’s been a milestone 12 months for EU Notified Body HPiVS, which completed accreditation with The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) in 2018 for HPi Verification Services (Ireland) Ltd to ISO 17065 so that it can continue to certify products to the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and the EU Pressure Equipment Directive. This has enabled HPiVS to provide continuity of service, irrespective of Britain’s future status in the EU.

Recreational Craft Directive specialist, CEproof, has enjoyed an equally successful period. Its core UK operation and 10 global offices have continued to develop its Continue reading “HPI-CEproof: the merging of two leading global marine compliance companies”

Voyaging through time – “K” Line celebrates 100 years

“K” Line is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year
“K” Line is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. As part of their centennial commemoration, they have published a company history entitled “Voyaging Through Time” and posted it on their company website.
This publication describes how “K” Line has proceeded in its course over the last century and includes a multiple number of photos and illustrations.

“In this April, we released a Corporate Profile Video which introduces our 100-year history and present organization. It is our hope that you will deepen your understanding of our company’s activities through this publication and Continue reading “Voyaging through time – “K” Line celebrates 100 years”

The world’s first in 3D printed rescue boat is on its way

3D printed rescue boat design competition
3D printed rescue boat design competition

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 full-scale rescue boat which will be delivered by 3D printing.

Large scale 3D printing allows for complete design freedom versus conventional manufacturing and enables development of better performing complex hull Continue reading “The world’s first in 3D printed rescue boat is on its way”

Could nuclear powered ships help the industry meet the 2050 emissions target?

Container ship
Container ship

Nuclear powered ships as a fuel are completely zero-emission solution – it does not emit any SOx, NOx, CO2 or particulates. The technology is also millions of times more power-dense than fossil fuels and alternative fuel options that are currently being considered like methanol, ammonia and hydrogen. In terms of meeting the IMO’s 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction ambition, it’s the only proven solution available today, capable of replacing fossil fuels in all marine applications.

The technology is far from new – the first nuclear power plant became operational in 1955 with the US Navy. Since then, there has been around 700 reactors operational at sea, and currently there are about 100. This equates to thousands of operating years’ experience. The technology is not just limited to navies – there have also been civil marine applications. Russia has been operating nuclear merchant ships for many years. At present this includes nuclear-powered icebreakers with some of these vessels becoming passenger ships in the summer, cruising to the arctic circle. Therefore, it could be argued that on the fringes of the cruise industry there are already nuclear-powered ships operating. Continue reading “Could nuclear powered ships help the industry meet the 2050 emissions target?”

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