Moonrise: Largest Dutch superyacht ever built is launched

Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands
Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands

As the worldwide demand for megayachts seems undiminished, Dutch shipyard Feadship has launched the 99.95-metre (327.91-foot) Moonrise, the largest yacht by waterline to be built in the Netherlands. The vessel successfully marries sleek sensual lines with a modern masculine profile. A wide range of luxurious details, long hull windows, a glorious grey hull and striking vertical bow add to the elegance of the design by Studio De Voogt.

Moonrise has a very impressive volume thanks to a 15.50-metre beam. This has generated great interior space for 16 people across eight staterooms. There is also exceptionally high-end crew accommodation for up to 32 crew, which are bathed in Continue reading “Moonrise: Largest Dutch superyacht ever built is launched”

Wärtsilä & DNV GL agree to collaborate in accelerating marine sector’s digital transformation

Roger Holm, President, Wärtsilä Marine and Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV GL – Maritime
Roger Holm, President, Wärtsilä Marine and Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV GL – Maritime

The technology group Wärtsilä and classification society DNV GL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in which they agree to work together to contribute to the marine industry’s ongoing digital transformation. In particular, the two companies wish to further explore the potential use of digital technologies, collaborative data sharing, and standardisation to enhance existing products and services, and to develop new ones. The agreement was signed by Roger Holm, President, Wärtsilä Marine and Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO, DNV GL – Maritime on 6th February.

Among the focus areas will be collaboration on digital technologies and big data in classification and the requirements for their use. The project will examine the application of these technologies in areas such as autonomous ships, advanced Continue reading “Wärtsilä & DNV GL agree to collaborate in accelerating marine sector’s digital transformation”

What news of the world’s largest electric ferry six months on from its first commercial voyage?

Ferry leaving port - Image courtesy of Adrienne Murray
Ferry leaving port – Image courtesy of Adrienne Murray

In August 2019, Leclanché (battery system provider) announced the world’s largest electric ferry had completed its first commercial voyage when Ellen connected the ports of Søby and Fynshav in Denmark.

Six months on, Halfdan Abrahamsen, an information officer from Ærø EnergyLab, tells the BBC: “Ferry shipping in general is very dirty business.” Ships usually use marine diesel or heavy fuel oil, “which is just about the bottom of the food chain when it comes to product from refineries”. But he says, the only oil onboard Ellen is for the gearbox and in the kitchen for making French fries.

Powered entirely by batteries, Ellen is something of a Tesla among ferries. Fully charged, the 60m vessel can sail 22 nautical miles with up to 200 passengers and 30 cars onboard. That’s a roughly 40km (25-mile) round-trip, and seven times further than other electric ferries. Continue reading “What news of the world’s largest electric ferry six months on from its first commercial voyage?”

Shiptech 2020 report reveals the scale of venture funding invested in maritime last year

The Shiptech 2020 report shows an annual year on year investment decline once the Flexport project is removed
The Shiptech 2020 report shows an annual year on year investment decline once the Flexport project is removed

According to the Shiptech 2020 report, over $1bn was invested in technology companies working in the maritime sector in 2019.

The Shiptech 2020 report, published by technology research and innovation consultancy Thetius, found that 2019 was a record year for venture capital investment in the maritime sector. However, the headline figure is distorted by the massive $1bn investment in Flexport, led by Softbank’s Vision Fund. If Flexport’s contribution is removed from the figures, venture funding in the industry actually declined by 24%, from $190m in 2018 to $144m in 2019. Overall, 8% fewer deals were made through the year compared with 2018, though the average size of deals has increased by 18% Continue reading “Shiptech 2020 report reveals the scale of venture funding invested in maritime last year”

Boyan Slat is one to watch in the 2020s as his Interceptor vessel and ambitious project to clean the rivers takes shape

The interceptor
The interceptor

Boyan Slat, CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, the Dutch non-profit organization developing advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, late last year unveiled his invention to prevent the unrelenting flow of plastic pollution into the world’s oceans. The Interceptor™, under development by Boyan Slat’s The Ocean Cleanup since 2015, complements the organization’s founding mission by attacking the flow of plastic garbage at its source, the world’s vast network of rivers.

“To truly rid the oceans of plastic, we need to both clean up the legacy and close the tap, preventing more plastic from reaching the oceans in the first place. Combining our ocean cleanup technology with the Interceptor™, the solutions now exist to address both sides of the Continue reading “Boyan Slat is one to watch in the 2020s as his Interceptor vessel and ambitious project to clean the rivers takes shape”

Dyena provides vessel trials data for naval architects

Dyena systems GPS at work
Dyena systems GPS at work

The global maritime data tracking and shock measurement specialist, Dyena, has launched a version of their monitoring system aimed at supporting Naval Architects who are involved in running vessel trials.

Dyena OFFSHORE Premium records detailed information on a vessel’s motion, position and performance, through various parameters including pitch, roll, yaw and accelerations in 3 axes. With sampling up to 1000 Hz, all data is recorded alongside GPS data to include SOG, COG, time and position. With upto 2 years memory capacity, the system provides high resolution data for development and long-term trials.

Continue reading “Dyena provides vessel trials data for naval architects”

CMA CGM launch alternative propulsion research initiative

The Jacques Saade (image courtesy CMA CGM)
The Jacques Saade (image courtesy CMA CGM)

At the French Maritime Economy Conference in Montpellier, CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé stressed his firm’s commitment to LNG as a marine fuel but left the door open to new propulsion technology.

“With the choice of liquefied natural gas, the CMA CGM Group is a pioneer in the energy transition of the maritime industry. To meet the challenges ahead, we must go even further and work together: maritime, air and land carriers, logisticians, energy companies and motorists, in Europe and around the world,” Saadé said.

To illustrate its position, CMA CGM released a new promotional video on the Continue reading “CMA CGM launch alternative propulsion research initiative”

Micro ROVs enablers for Marine Surveyors

Evolution of flying drone technology fueled by microprocessor, video and communication technology has been a great enabler for Marine Surveyors. These same advances in microprocessors, video and communications has enabled remotely operated subsea vehicle technology which can be utilised in marine surveying and further enable the capability of the Marine Surveyor
Evolution of flying drone technology fueled by microprocessor, video and communication technology has been a great enabler for Marine Surveyors. These same advances in microprocessors, video and communications has enabled remotely operated subsea vehicle technology which can be utilised in marine surveying and further enable the capability of the Marine Surveyor
Micro ROV graph
Micro ROV graph

An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operates independently from the ship and has no connecting cables while Micro 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”

Nanotechnology Marine Applications – a fix for corrosion and biofouling

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is located in Braga, north Portugal.
The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is located in Braga, north Portugal.

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 – a fix for corrosion and biofouling”

IBM backs new autonomous research vessel for historic transatlantic voyage

IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel
IBM joins effort to build an autonomous research vessel

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”

The world’s first in 3D printed rescue boat is on its way

3D printed rescue boat design competition
3D printed rescue boat design competition

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is partnering with Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), Autodesk, ST Engineering’s Electronic sector and AML3D to launch a global design competition offering a first prize of S$30,000 (c£17,500) to the winner of the best innovative design idea for a 3D printed rescue boat hull. This will be the first ever full-scale rescue boat which will be delivered by 3D printing.

Large scale 3D printing allows for complete design freedom versus conventional manufacturing and enables development of better performing complex hull Continue reading “The world’s first in 3D printed rescue boat is on its way”

US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system

Topside Drone
Topside Drone

The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research has recently worked with the operator of the retired WWII-era carrier USS Midway to test a drone-based corrosion detection system.

ONR’s fast-prototyping division, TechSolutions, has developed a sensor package and processing system called Topside Drone that can detect corrosion and anomalies on hull surfaces automatically, saving time in surveys. The technology will be used to inspect and detect material defects, corrosion, warping and other forms of deterioration.

In a manner broadly similar to technology under development by ABS, Topside Continue reading “US Navy develops corrosion Topside Drone detection system”

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