Tag: New Technology

Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?

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The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax fiber in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.
The all-electric Voltaire 33 Sky utilizes flax fiber in a bioepoxy resin that can be fully recycled when the power cat is no longer in use.

At last year’s METSTRADE show, the I-nnovationLab hosted speakers proudly presenting projects which had deliberately moved away from glass fiber and/or polyester resin composites; the kind that have dominated the boat construction market for decades, and still don’t have an environmentally acceptable waste stream solution in order to deal with the ever-increasing volumes coming from end-of-use boats.

For instance, Amer Yachts announced their intentions to build from a basalt (volcanic fiber) based composite, while Greenboats presented their 27ft day sailer constructed from a flax/bio resin derived matrix. James Starkey from Norco Composites speaking on one of the Continue reading “Are sustainable flax and basalt fibers the future of marine composites and set to replace glassfibre in boat production?”

Sembcorp Marine and BV newbuild remote surveys trial is successful

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Successful trials of newbuild remote surveys could lead to a new class procedure for the remote inspection of vessels under construction
Successful trials of newbuild remote surveys could lead to a new class procedure for the remote inspection of vessels under construction

Bureau Veritas (BV), Nokia and Sembcorp Marine, have successfully completed newbuild remote surveys that pave the way for establishing a new class procedure for the remote inspection of vessels under construction.

The new solution enables newbuild remote surveys to be performed at multiple locations with feedback transmitted to a single monitoring station. This optimizes the waiting time between surveys and increases operational efficiencies by providing connectivity between all stakeholders involved, while minimizing inspectors’ and workers’ exposure to onsite safety risks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continue reading “Sembcorp Marine and BV newbuild remote surveys trial is successful”

Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol guidance issued by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute

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Procedures for safe bunkering of methanol are included in the new Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute
Procedures for safe bunkering of methanol are included in the new Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute

UK-based classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Methanol Institute (MI) have released a Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol. The new guidance outlines the procedures required for the safe bunkering of methanol and incorporates dedicated checklists to assist shipowners/operators, ports, bunker suppliers and other stakeholders with safe storage and handling, it said.

LR notes methanol is already in use as a marine fuel on several vessel types. Compared with traditional heavy fuel oil options, its sulphur-free characteristics and lower GHG emissions than conventional fuel can support owners with efforts to meet IMO2020 regulations, it explained.

Continue reading “Bunkering Technical Reference on Methanol guidance issued by Lloyds Register and Methanol Institute”

The elephant in the room: What do remote surveys mean for the marine surveying profession?

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Are remote surveys the future for the profession?
Are remote surveys the future for the profession?

Many things have changed in the past few months and not all of them good as we have learned to cope with tragedy and a new way of living courtesy of the pandemic. COVID-19 certainly has a lot to answer for, but out of the situation that was forced upon the profession, a new way of surveying is fast emerging, particularly in the area of commercial ships and offshore assets. I refer to remote surveying, actually not new, but probably unimaginable to most of us just a few years ago; and a shock to the system of more traditional surveyors and those sceptics amongst us too undoubtedly. They are suddenly fashionable – the talk of the town it appears – and the pandemic has fuelled the latent demand for remote surveys.

Can a vessel really be successfully surveyed remotely? The answer is, of course, yes, but how detailed are remote surveys and what depth of Continue reading “The elephant in the room: What do remote surveys mean for the marine surveying profession?”

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