International News

Panama confirms April 2016 opening for Canal expansion

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Visualization of the Panama Canal ExpansionThe Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Miguel Hincapie, Panamanian Foreign Vice Minister, Saturday confirmed that the Canal’s third set of locks will be complete in time for the scheduled opening date of April 2016, local media reports.

The ACP in a public statement asserted that the completion of the expansion project has “reached 94 percent completion, and everything indicates that in April 2016 the new locks will come into commercial operation.”

Speaking on arrangements for the opening ceremony, Hicapie said that heads of state and government officials will be invited from 70 countries, as “related to trade with the Panama Canal.”

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Green shipping project set to be launched in Norway

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Norwegian Government and DNVGL join to launch a new green shipping project
Norwegian Government and DNVGL join to launch a new green shipping project

The shipping industry is in a state of transition as it adjusts to increasingly strict emissions standards set forth by regulators in a new green shipping project. The European Parliament recently stated its aim to reduce emissions by more than 40 percent by 2030. The International Transportation Forum has also proposed reducing emissions by more than 50 percent by 2080, as well as taxes on those who exceed regulations.

And with the U.N. Climate Change Conference on the horizon, it is possible that emissions regulations will only get more stringent. Government officials and industry leaders are scrambling to innovate to stay ahead of new rules.

In a joint program with the Norwegian government, Oslo-based DNV GL recently launched the Green Coastal Shipping Programme which aims to create the most environmentally-friendly vessels in the world.

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Revolutionary new multigas carrier design launched

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Revolutionary new multigas carrier design launched by DeltaMarin and Brevik Technology
Revolutionary new multigas carrier design launched by DeltaMarin and Brevik Technology

Deltamarin Ltd and Brevik Technology AS, a VARD affiliate, have joined forces by developing a novel multigas carrier design, which is expected to change the nature of the gas carrying industry. The concept combines in unprecedented way the successful design of Deltamarin’s B.Delta and the new-generation patented cylindrical gas tanks by Brevik Technology.

By combining the readily available and proven B.Delta design and separate cylindrical gas containment tanks, a cost-efficient and easy-to-build solution is now available to the gas carrier market. The design can be utilised for LNG, LPG, LEG and ethane carriers.

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Shipping confidence levels rising says latest Moore Stephens research

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The latest research by Moore Stephens reveals shipping confidence levels are rising. Busan New Port, South Korea (Reuters)
The latest research by Moore Stephens reveals shipping confidence levels are rising. Busan New Port, South Korea (Reuters)

Overall shipping confidence levels rose in the three months ended August 2015 to their highest level this year, according to Moore Stephen’s latest Shipping Confidence Survey. Respondents to the survey were concerned predominantly about low freight rates and overtonnaging, with continuing doubts also expressed about private equity funding. In August 2015, the average confidence level expressed by respondents in the markets in which they operate was 5.9 on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high). This compares to the 5.3 recorded in May 2015, which equalled the lowest figure recorded in the life of the survey, launched in May 2008 with a confidence rating of 6.8. All main categories of respondent recorded an increase in confidence this time, most notably charterers (up from 4.2 to 6.5) and owners (up from 5.1 to 5.8). The confidence of brokers, meanwhile, was up from 4.8 to 5.2, and that of managers from 6.1 to 6.4. Geographically, confidence was up in Asia from 4.9 to 5.8, in Europe from 5.3 to 5.9, and in North America from 6.0 to 6.3.

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Bureau Veritas classes first ethane powered ships

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Bureau Veritas classes first ethane powered ships
Bureau Veritas classes first ethane powered ships

JS Ineos Insight is the first of a series of eight 27,500m3 ethane powered ships and multi-gas Dragon-class vessels being built at Sinopacific, China, for Denmark’s Evergas. The vessel is configured for transport of ethane, LPG or LNG. It has options for ethane, LNG and conventional diesel power.

“The ability to burn ethane as well as LNG to power these vessels is a major step forward in the use of clean fuels. It means the vessels can use cargo gas during transits to provide a clean and clear commercial and environmental advantage. We have worked with Evergas and the Danish Maritime Authority to verify and ensure that the use of ethane is at least as safe as required by the IGC and will not impair the engine compliance with MARPOL Annex VI,” said Martial Claudepierre, business development manager at Bureau Veritas

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IMO warns on bauxite liquefaction dangers

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The Bulk Jupiter which sank carrying a caro of bauxite with the loss of 18 lives
The Bulk Jupiter which sank carrying a caro of bauxite with the loss of 18 lives

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has taken action to warn ship Masters of the possible dangers of liquefaction associated with carriage of bauxite, following consideration of findings from the investigation into the loss of the 10-year-old Bahamas flag bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter, which was carrying 46,400 tonnes of bauxite when it sank rapidly with 18 fatalities in January 2015.

A circular approved by IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Containers and Cargoes (CCC), meeting this week at IMO Headquarters, warns ship Masters not to accept bauxite for carriage unless:

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Volvo Penta has unveiled its new Forward Drive (FWD) Duoprop concept

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The new Duoprop concept has been unveiled by Volvo Penta
The new Duoprop concept has been unveiled by Volvo Penta

Ten years ago, Volvo Penta revolutionised leisure boating with its Volvo Penta IPS forward facing propulsion system. Now the company is opening up a new realm for recreational water sports with the new Volvo Penta FWD. The system’s patented design — forward facing dual counter rotating props and adjustable trim drive — pulls the boat through the water rather than pushing, with an undisturbed water flow to the propellers.

The clean and efficient FWD propulsion system delivers superior responsiveness, acceleration, fuel economy and versatility, and is ideal for water sports that take place behind the boat, including wakeboarding and wakesurfing — a sport rapidly gaining in popularity in North America. Similar to wakeboarding but without the use of a rope and handle, wakesurfing provides a surfer with a perpetual wave in the wake of a boat for a much longer ride than in traditional surfing.

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IIMS launches handy guides publishing programme

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The IIMS has launched a new series of reasonably priced handy guides
The IIMS has launched a new series of reasonably priced handy guides

The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) has launched a series of self help handy guides under the title ‘What a marine surveyor needs to know about’.

The guides are available in a compact and handy A5 size. The series is launched initially with four titles, but over the next year, it is expected to expand to cover over thirty different subjects and topics.

Typically the guides are published at various price points between £20 and £30, equivalent to about US$30 to US$45. The publications are currently only being sold directly from IIMS in paperback, but will also soon be available electronically to download as e-books through the web site as well as via Kindle.

Commenting on this striking new initiative, Mike Schwarz, IIMS CEO, said, ”It occurred to me that there is a gap in the market place for a range of sensibly priced books that would be of direct benefit to IIMS members as well as many other surveyors and those associated with the marine and maritime world in general. The range of scheduled specialist topics is vast and I expect the series to grow to 30 plus booklets over the coming year.“

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Sailor’s Society launches new Chapplaincy App

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Sailors' Society has announced the launch of their new Chapplaincy App for Android smartphones
Sailors’ Society has announced the launch of their new Chapplaincy App for Android smartphones

Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has developed Chapplaincy a Smartphone App which will enable port chaplains and ship visitors to deliver more effective care to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers.

Developed with the support of Augustea Group, Chapplaincy enables real-time activity reporting and maintains a history of ship visits and support provided to seafarers. Data can then be accessed by chaplains in other ports and subject to confidentiality and data protection policies, can be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage.

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New energy saving windshield on containership being tested

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The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph
The new MOL energy saving windshield is clearly demonstrated in this photgraph

News has been announced by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd that the company has started demonstration tests on a new energy saving windshield for containerships, which has the potential to reduce wind resistance, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOL jointly developed the device with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.

The new energy saving windshield was installed on the bow of the MOL operated containership MOL MARVEL. A demonstration test of its effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions is under way.

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First low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system installed on a bulk carrier

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The first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system has been fitted to a bulk carrier. Image copyright © Mercator Media 2015
The first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system has been fitted to a bulk carrier. Image copyright © Mercator Media 2015

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha have installed the first low pressure exhaust gas recirculation system for a two-stroke diesel engine, onboard a 34,000dwt bulk carrier built by The Hakodate Dock Co.

The exhaust gas recirculation system, which recirculates some of the low pressure exhaust gas from a turbocharger outlet back to the turbocharger inlet after scrubber treatment, was confirmed as meeting IMO Tier III NOx emissions in both factory and sea trials. It was originally developed under ClassNK’s Joint R&D for Industry programme.

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BIMCO Conference to tackle maritime cyber security

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The BIMCO Conference in Hamburg will tackle maritime cyber security
The BIMCO Conference in Hamburg will tackle maritime cyber security

BIMCO, the world’s largest shipping association, will focus on maritime cyber security and how to handle a maritime casualty crisis at its next annual conference in Hamburg on November 18 2015.

Angus Frew, Secretary General of BIMCO, said:

“Hamburg is one of the shipping capitals of the world and home to many BIMCO members – which is why we have chosen it for our annual conference this year.

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