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Marine News
Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon
Major French vehicle manufacturer, Groupe Renault, has signed a three year agreement with Neoline, a start up that says it aims to become the first modern shipowner to fully embrace energy efficiency by relying on wind power as its primary energy source. Nearly 60% of Renault’s parts and vehicles are transported by sea.
“Groupe Renault’s objective is to reduce the environmental impact of each vehicle throughout its entire life cycle, from parts transportation up to delivery and end-of-life processing,” says Jean-Philippe Hermine, Vice President, Strategic Environmental Planning Groupe Renault. “In the context of our strategy to explore new sustainable mobility solutions and to continue along the road to reducing our carbon footprint, the solution designed by Neoline, which combines energy efficiency and operational relevance, has truly captured our attention”.
Jean Zanuttini, CEO of Neoline, declared: Continue reading “Renault eyes wind powered ships to cut supply chain carbon”
Markel and Pantaenius set to partner up
It has been announced that Markel International is to partner with European yacht insurance provider Pantaenius.
Pantaenius has offices across Europe, USA and Australia and has been providing a range of yacht insurance and related protection for yacht owners for more than 50 years.
Markel’s yacht and superyacht team was established two years ago, with the appointment of senior underwriter Mike Wimbridge to head up the business. Mike will become part of Pantaenius, while remaining located in Markel’s London office.
The impact of IMSBC Code changes on coal cargoes
On 1 January 2019 amendments to the IMSBC Code will apply. In an article to Gard Club, Penelope Cooke of Brookes Bell LLP, explains the impact of these changes on vessels carrying coal cargoes.
The amendments to the IMSBC Code regard the criteria under which coal cargoes are considered Group A, namely liable to liquefy, in addition to Group B chemical hazards which apply to all coal cargoes. Thus, coal cargoes may need the same TML and moisture certification as other Group A cargoes, such as concentrates, nickel ore and iron ore fines.
Continue reading “The impact of IMSBC Code changes on coal cargoes”
US Coast Guard reviews rigid hull inflatable vessels
The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Center published an update to its technical note “Marine Safety Center Review of Rigid Hull Inflatable Vessels.” The document provides an alternative design standard equivalent to certain regulatory requirements found in 46 CFR Subchapters T and S for rigid hull inflatable and rigid hull foam collar small passenger vessels (RHIs).
The alternative design standard presented in the technical note provides consideration of the unique stability and structural characteristics of RHIs. These guidelines do not preclude the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) from approving RHI structures and stability or applying alternative requirements or restrictions.
The major changes include adjustment Continue reading “US Coast Guard reviews rigid hull inflatable vessels”
Dynamic loading contributed to deck slewing crane failure says report
Transport Malta’s MSIU has published its investigation report on the slewing deck crane failure onboard the Maltese-flagged product tanker ‘Bozdag’, while the ship was in the port of Tallinn on 28 November 2017.
The report revealed that the dynamic loading and the sudden halt of the free falling loads were two major contributing factors to the failure of the deck slewing crane.
Details of the incident
A regular, five-yearly compulsory test on the ship’s deck slewing crane was planned for 28 November 2017. Given that the safe working Continue reading “Dynamic loading contributed to deck slewing crane failure says report”
CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year
The International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC) has released a statement on marine fuel incidents that have occurred this year highlighting that it is unable to draw any firm conclusions about the cause of the problems.
CIMAC Working Group Fuels – WG7 – made the statement after the unusually large number of ships that experienced marine fuel incidents with seemingly on-spec fuels earlier this year. The statement confirms much of what the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has already said on the issue.
In March 2018, a number of ships experienced operational problems using residual fuels bunkered in Houston. The analyzed fuels met the Continue reading “CIMAC unable to explain marine fuel incidents that occurred earlier this year”
Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing
Cargo hold cleaning is a critical aspect of the complex bulk carrier operations that require careful preparation to maintain cargo quality and to avoid any delays. A conventional bulk carrier may transport coal this week and soya beans the next week, which requires thorough wash-downs and cleaning in between. Danish shipping company Norden has said it has tested a cargo hold robot which can be remotely operated to prevent risk and delays, also leading to enhanced safety for crew and others who are required to enter holds.
The prototype, developed by Danish company CLIIN with assistance from the Market Development Fund, is a new belt-driven robot which can be operated remotely to go up and down along the sides of the holds while pressure cleaning them. The robot is driven forward by Continue reading “Cargo hold cleaning robots undergo testing”
CRT to create regional teams to improve customer service
Canal & River Trust will move resource from its centrally based roles into its six regional customer-facing teams to improve customer service and engage with local communities.
The changes will be made as part of the trust’s waterways and well being strategy and will see operational management roles adapted to meet the requirements of the new regions.
Richard Parry, CEO, commented: “The Canal & River Trust has been repositioning as a charity for the waterways and well being, with a new structure that has seen us move from ten waterways to six larger regions, with some activities previously managed centrally now devolved to these regional teams, and a reduction in senior manager numbers overall.
Continue reading “CRT to create regional teams to improve customer service”
Recommendations on reducing yacht racing risks released
A new Volvo Ocean Race (VOR)-commissioned report has examined ocean racing at night in areas of high vessel traffic density to establish possible steps to mitigate risk following the death of a fisherman during the race.
The independent Volvo High Traffic Density Report follows the collision between Vestas 11th Hour Racing and a fishing vessel this January, in the final stages of the leg into Hong Kong during the most recent edition of the race. The crews recounted that virtually all the vessels had some form of lighting and exhibited AIS. The fishing vessels were either stationary or travelling at slow speeds of 3-6 knots and they did not form an impenetrable barrier.
Recommendations made in the report included use of Continue reading “Recommendations on reducing yacht racing risks released”
Cley Harbour rejuvenated after many years of disuse
Norfolk’s Cley Harbour has received its largest traditional working sailing vessel for more than 60 years, marking its return to activity after falling into disuse.
The Coastal Exploration Company owned 30ft open wooden gaff rigged whelk boat Salford came into the harbour to deliver a cargo of North Norfolk beer from Barsham Brewery to the Cley Windmill.
Simon Read, chairman of Cley Harbour committee said: “This is the largest traditional working sailing vessel to visit Cley in over 60 years and will be mark a key moment in the rejuvenation of Cley Harbour.”
The clinker-built traditional Norfolk fishing boat has remained in and around Norfolk’s waters since it was built in the 1950s and was recently in the filming of Continue reading “Cley Harbour rejuvenated after many years of disuse”
New dry dock initiative uses inflatable buoyancy
Unique Group’s Buoyancy & Ballast division has recently facilitated a high-profile dry dock initiative in Romania, involving the supply and operation of 840t of Seaflex inflatable buoyancy.
The hull and lower decks of the Australian Antarctic Division’s (AAD) new icebreaker Nuyina were constructed in the dry dock initiative at Damen’s Galati Shipyard.
“Our Buoyancy & Ballast division is truly unique within the market and we consistently bring added value to our clients, working in partnership,” said Chris Sparrow, global sales manager, Buoyancy & Ballast at Unique Group.
“We get right up to speed early on in a project during Continue reading “New dry dock initiative uses inflatable buoyancy”