An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operates independently from the ship and has no connecting cables while ROVs are connected to an operator on the surface host ship by a load-carrying umbilical cable which provides communication and control.
A Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle (ROV) is a tethered underwater mobile device. ROVs are unoccupied, highly maneuverable, and operated by a Continue reading “Micro ROVs enablers for Marine Surveyors”
Leading European scientists have released details of a study on the potential of ‘Nanotechnology Marine Applications’ as part of the two-year KETmaritime project.
The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is the lead partner in the €1million initiative backed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Project coordinator Ana Vila said, “Humidity and salinity levels at sea cause around 30% of all vessel failures, repair needs and equipment malfunctions. Corrosion and biofouling are two major by-products impacting vessel materials, durability and performance.”
While traditional solutions including protective coatings and paints partially offset Continue reading “Nanotechnology Marine Applications looks at a fix for corrosion and biofouling”
At a Ministerial Conference held in Torremolinos, Spain, 48 states signed a public declaration to indicate their determination to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety. This is a significant regime to create much-needed safety standards for fishing vessels.
During the Torremolinos Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (21-23 October), nearly 50 states signed the Torremolinos Declaration. By doing so they have publicly indicated their determination to make sure that the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety will enter into force by the tenth anniversary of its adoption, on Continue reading “Fishing vessel safety public declaration signed by nearly 50 States”
Respondents to the BDO survey rated the extent to which enterprise and business risk management is contributing to the success of their organisation at an average 6.4 out of a possible maximum score of 10.0, compared to 5.9 in the 2018 survey. The BDO survey was launched in 2015 with a rating of 6.9.
Owners posted the highest score of all main respondents, followed by managers, but the ratings for charterers and brokers were significantly down on last year. Asia was ahead of Europe in terms of geographical sentiment, but both were behind the Middle East.
The cost and availability of finance was cited by 29% of respondents (up from 17% Continue reading “BDO survey results: BDO show shipping must improve its risk management procedures”
Norway’s Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has released its report into the tug FFS Achilles grounding and foundering off Farsund on 3 March 2017, suggesting that the presence of a lookout would have reduced the risk of the incident occurring.
The vessel ran aground at a speed of 8.4 knots and sank shortly thereafter due to damage to the bottom under the engine room. FFS Atlas arrived at the scene before the vessel sank and rescued its crew, who were in the life raft. Two out of the three crew members had suffered minor injuries and received medical attention.
The mechanical control system for the propeller units (Voith Schneider) on board Continue reading “AIBN report: Tug grounding and sinking report”
Corrosion is a perennial concern for tank container owners and operators. The stainless steel construction is resistant to staining and corrosion, but may be vulnerable to pitting from certain cargoes or certain cleaning and maintenance operations. Visually minor pitting may conceal development of substantial or even catastrophic corrosion below the surface.
It may be expected that UN Class 8 dangerous cargoes (Corrosive Substances) are the predominant challenge where corrosion of UN portable tanks (tank containers) is concerned, although such commodities are not alone in presenting risk. In terms Continue reading “Corrosion nightmare in tanks, and how to mitigate”
IBM has announced that it is joining an effort to build an autonomous research vessel for an historic transatlantic crossing. In honour of the fourth centennial of the famous voyage of settlers from England to the Americas, it will be named the Mayflower.
The five-ton, wing sail/solar/diesel powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) is designed to make 20 knots on its eastbound voyage. Over the course of the 12-day crossing, it will take water samples for research on ocean microplastics, and its sensors will return data on water temperature and nutrient levels. For navigation Continue reading “IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage”
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?”
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”
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 “Hybrid SES: First hybrid powered Surface Effect Ship to be used for crew transfer”
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 “DNV GL: Performance of EALs triggers update to shaft alignment rules”
The Norwegian Maritime Authority 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 “Norwegian Maritime Authority issues warning about lithium-ion power following ferry fire and explosion”
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