Shipping

Wärtsilä’s battery technology to be used on Wightlink flagship ferry

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Impression of the new Wightlink flagship ferry
Impression of the new Wightlink flagship ferry

A ship under construction at Cemre shipyard for UK operator Wightlink will be the first ferry to employ Wärtsilä’s technology that uses batteries to manage engine load fluctuations.

The use of batteries in conjunction with four six-cylinder Wärtsilä 20 generating sets – controlled by a 690v main switchboard, an integrated automation system and a power management system also supplied by the Finnish company – is expected to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions while lowering noise levels.

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Lloyds Register defines levels autonomous ship design and operation

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Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce

With autonomous ships likely to enter service soon, LR has set out the ‘how’ of marine autonomous operations in a new ShipRight procedure guidance. The guidance describes autonomy levels (AL) ranging from ‘AL 1’ through to ‘AL 6’ denoting a fully autonomous ship design with no access required during a mission.

The ‘AL’ system of levels provides clarity to designers, shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, ship owners and operators, enabling accurate specification of the desired level of autonomy in design and operations and paves the way to a clearer understanding of the investment opportunity/risk equation. Continue reading “Lloyds Register defines levels autonomous ship design and operation”

Danish ships to be issued with digital certificates

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The Danish Flag
The Danish Flag

Denmark is set to become an international frontrunner as ships flying the Danish flag are to be fitted with digital certificates. As one of the first countries in the world to make this move, Denmark has put an end to the 100 years old tradition of certifying ships by means of old-fashioned certificates on paper.

Until now, the certification has been carried out by printing, stamping and signing paper certificates and subsequently sending them around the world to be kept on board ships.Digital certification or electronic certification which is the term used internationally – will put an end to these cumbersome procedures, reduce administrative workloads and pave the way for further maritime digitalisation.

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Japan P&I Club warns of increasing ignition during petcoke loading in Venezuela

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Japan P&I Club Logo
Japan P&I Club Logo

Petcoke (petroleum coke) is a byproduct of the oil refinery coking process that produces low-cost fuel, often with a high sulphur content. Petcoke may also be known as green delayed coke, sponge coke, needle coke, delayed coke or raw coke-fuel grade. Petcoke is over 90 percent carbon and emits 5 to 10% more carbon dioxide (CO2) than coal on a per-unit of-energy basis when it is burned. As petcoke has a higher energy content, petcoke emits between 30 and 80 percent more CO2 than coal per unit of weight.

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First in-tank drone survey undertaken by DNV GL

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A in-drone survey
A in-drone survey

This week, DNV GL announced that it had completed its first drone survey. This most recent maritime application for drones demonstrates a growing interest in the technology that has, over the last year, seen applications emerging across merchant, naval and research fleets around the world.

The survey took place on the MV Apollo, a chemical tanker owned by Carl Büttner Shipmanagement in Germany. Two DNV GL surveyors used the drone survey to inspect 14 tanks over a period of two and a half days.

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Cyber security goes under scrutiny in The Navigator

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The 12th edition of The Navigator is out now
The 12th edition of The Navigator is out now

The hot topic of cyber security is examined in the twelfth issue of The Navigator. The magazine looks at how cyber security is developing and how navigators can protect themselves, their crew mates and vessel from the associated threats. Articles include a discussion on spoofing and hacking, advice on how to prepare for the worst and an insight into the use of smart technology, social media and the internet at sea.

Emma Ward, Editor of The Navigator, said: “With more advanced onboard technology, this subject should concern everyone. Targeted, malicious cyber attacks are not the only way a ship can come under threat. Risks can come from sources much closer to home, for example a crew member plugging a smart phone into a USB port on the ECDIS and disrupting the display, or an unsuspecting social media download introducing a virus. So, the more we know about cyber security, the better we can shore up our defences and stay safe at sea.”

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IMO issues advice regarding verification of gross mass of packed containers as deadline looms

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Containers and Container ships
Containers and Container ships

An MSC circular on Advice to Administrations, port State control authorities, companies, port terminals and masters regarding the SOLAS requirements for verified gross mass of packed containers has been agreed by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), following discussion on the pending entry into force of the requirements in SOLAS regulations VI/2.4 to VI/2/6 on the verification of the gross mass of packed containers on 1 July 2016.

Concerns were noted with regards to the application of the requirements to a container which was loaded before 1 July 2016 and then transhipped. The Committee, meeting for its 96th session (11-20 May), also noted delegations’ comments that, in the first few months after 1 July 2016, some leeway should be provided in order for any problems resulting from software updates, required for the electronic collection and transmittal of verified gross mass data, to be rectified without causing delays to containers being loaded.

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MED directive for domestic passenger ships and vessels consultation open

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Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open
Will these life jackets meet the MED Directive? The consultation is open

Marine equipment of a safety, or anti-pollution nature (such as lifejackets, fire extinguishers, oily water separators and ships’ radios and radars) installed onboard UK vessels must meet performance and testing standards to ensure it functions as required. Equipment required according to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions is to be of an approved type and in the European Union (EU), this is achieved through Council Directive 96/98/EC2, otherwise known as the Marine Equipment Directive (MED).

Difficulties have been observed in implementing the MED Directive, particularly regarding protection of the EU market against non-compliant and fraudulent equipment and the communication of the applicable testing standards for equipment within the scope of the MED.

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Caterpillar Marine unveils new hybrid thruster in pursuit of efficiency

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Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies
Caterpillar Marine has announced delivery of its first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system in search of ever increasing efficiencies

Caterpillar Marine has unveiled a new hybrid thruster concept which it claims can offer dramatic cost. Caterpillar Marine has announced that the first Cat Marine Hybrid Thruster system will be delivered to an undisclosed shipyard in Singapore and will be commissioned this year.

This new propulsion setup is claimed to outperform a straight diesel mechanical drive system in all partial load conditions and offers improved fuel economy and substantial through-life savings for a variety of offshore support vessels. Caterpillar claims that for vessels spending long periods of time in standby or DP (dynamic positioning) service, the annual fuel savings by adopting this hybrid system could be as high as 35% calculated across the entire operating profile of the vessel.

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The importance of fire safety in engine rooms is highlighted

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An engine room post fire

DNV GL has been considering the aspects of fire safety in engine rooms with respect to both new-build and ships in service and offers the following advice. Insulation, screening and the routing of pipes cannot be easily addressed in the design and approval phase. As a result, DNV GL are keen to remind people, including surveyors that these aspects require adequate attention during the new-build construction phase.

Insulation and screening deteriorate during the vessel’s operational phase and require extra attention during the vessel’s in service phase. Often, deficiencies within these two aspects are easy to detect during a survey. However, missing insulation or screening is not always easy to identify, especially on relatively new ships. Therefore, it is important that all requirements are met when the vessel is delivered – making follow-up during the ship’s lifetime simpler.

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Marine surveyor gives testimony on El Faro Steam Plant inspection

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A El Faro containership
A El Faro containership

The US Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation into the loss of the El Faro continued with testimony from marine surveyors for the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), which provided classification and inspection services for the vessel.

Mark LaRose, a senior marine surveyor for ABS, performed a survey for the El Faro in June 2015, part of its continuous machinery survey program. Under the program, the ABS surveys 20 percent of the machinery on a ship every year for five years.

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Jordan is the latest to ratify MLC 2006

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Containership
Containership

The Government of Jordan deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Jordan’s decision to join up makes them the 73rd member State to have ratified this landmark Convention. Now over 80 per cent of the world gross tonnage of ships have signed up to MLC 2006.

Jordan, the first Middle East Arab country to have the ratified this landmark Convention, has a merchant fleet totalling 109,602 gross tonnage.The MLC, 2006 entered into force on 20 August 2013 for the first 30 member States that had registered their ratification by 20 August 2012. The Convention will enter into force for Jordan on 27 of April 2017, that is, one year after its ratification.

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