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British Ports Association rolls out its sustainability charter

Posted on by News Hound

The British Ports Association (BPA) has published its new sustainable development charter which commits to supporting the dual aims of a strong and healthy environment and a thriving economy.

Astonishingly, 90 percent of the UK population lives within 30 miles of the coast, and no part of the UK is more than 70 miles from it. The Charter notes action underway for shoreside power with some British ports having already installed shoreside power for smaller vessels such as fishing boats and leisure craft. For the majority of ports, particularly those handling large vessels such as cruise ships and large cargo vessels, the installation cost is currently prohibitively high. However, all major ports in England (and many others in the rest of the Continue reading “British Ports Association rolls out its sustainability charter”

World’s first autonomous and electric container ship is one step closer to launch as yard is chosen

Posted on by News Hound

The world’s first autonomous and electric container ship is one step closer to launch, with Norwegian agricultural company Yara signing a deal with Vard worth approximately NOK 250 million ($30 million) to build the vessel.

Vard will deliver the 120-TEU Yara Birkeland for launch in early 2020 from its Brevik yard in Norway, and the vessel will gradually move from manned operation to fully autonomous operation by 2022. The hull will be delivered from Vard Braila in Romania.

The project was initiated in an effort to improve the logistics at Yara’s Porsgrunn fertilizer plant. Every day, more than 100 diesel truck journeys are needed to transport products from Yara’s Porsgrunn plant to ports in Brevik and Larvik where the company ships products to Continue reading “World’s first autonomous and electric container ship is one step closer to launch as yard is chosen”

MCA propose a new code of practice to allow pleasure vessels to be temporarily used for business purposes and as race support boats

Posted on by Mike Schwarz

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking feedback from the public on a new code of practice for intended pleasure vessels (IPV)

The MCA would like feedback on a new proposal to allow pleasure craft to be temporarily used for business purposes and has race support boats.

The organisation has been working with British Marine, RYA, and the Yacht Brokers, Designers and Surveyors Association (YBDSA) to develop the new code of practice which is due to be published on 1 January 2019.

The code is divided into parts. The first refers to intended pleasure vessels (IPV) to be used for temporary commercial reasons and the second for said craft to be used to support race boats.

Continue reading “MCA propose a new code of practice to allow pleasure vessels to be temporarily used for business purposes and as race support boats”

World’s first ocean going solar powered superyacht set to be unveiled

Posted on by News Hound

Swiss company SolarImpact Yacht AG has announced plans to debut its new project. What is believed to be the world’s first ocean-going solar superyacht, which has been in the research phase for five years, is now ready to be unveiled to the world.

The 23.7-metre (78-foot) vessel, designed by Marlena Ratajska, draws power from a solar-based energy supply and uses optimised SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) construction. The concept merges top-end luxury features and comforts with cutting-edge design and sustainability, and can reportedly boast an unlimited cruising range.

SolarImpact Yacht AG’s technological marvels will be unveiled at Cannes Yachting Festival 2018 (at Palais stand 089), and visitors to the Continue reading “World’s first ocean going solar powered superyacht set to be unveiled”

Wärtsilä’s divers make the need for unscheduled dry-dockings avoidable

Posted on by News Hound

Vessels’ repair needs do not always match with planned maintenance schedules. With specialist underwater teams, no vessel is far from fast, high-quality repair and refurbishment that enable operators to avoid the potential loss of income related to dry-docking.

As the first global operator in the underwater services market, the technology group Wärtsilä is uniquely positioned to offer marine service and maintenance, regardless of the vessel’s location. Maintenance and repair services performed by specialist divers add to Wärtsilä’s comprehensive service offering and allow for operators to minimise or eliminate vessel downtime.

“Reduced fuel consumption, efficiency improvements, and higher utilisation rates are always on the top of operators’ agenda. With our in-house specialist teams of certified diver technicians and propulsion experts, we are equipped to offer our customers underwater services Continue reading “Wärtsilä’s divers make the need for unscheduled dry-dockings avoidable”

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