Shipping

Helm Operations report pinpoints workboat and OSV safety shortcomings

Posted on by News Hound
Some 50% of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say ‘no’ to clients or senior management says a new report by Helm Operations
Some 50% of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say ‘no’ to clients or senior management says a new report by Helm Operations

In a shocking study by Helm Operations, some 50% of crews working on offshore support vessels are willing to compromise safety rather than say ‘no’ to clients or senior management, while nearly 80% believe commercial pressures could influence the safety of their working practices. These findings and more come from a new report on workboat and OSV safety commissioned by operations and maintenance management software specialist Helm Operations.

The chilling findings, released to coincide with this week’s International Maritime Organization Maritime Safety Committee meeting, come from a new report on workboat and OSV safety commissioned by operations and maintenance management software specialist Helm Operations.

Continue reading “Helm Operations report pinpoints workboat and OSV safety shortcomings”

Lloyd’s Register issues new guidance on large battery installations

Posted on by News Hound
The new guidance note issued by Lloyd's Register on large battery installations is freely available to download
The new guidance note issued by Lloyd’s Register on large battery installations is freely available to download

LR’s experience with large battery installations is captured in a new guidance document aimed at facilitating a risk-based approach to battery use. The guidance describes the key hazards to consider when installing battery technology, and gives an overview of our non-prescriptive approach to approval. The guidance also covers battery chemistry and industry standards.

The guidance starts at the beginning of a battery system’s life cycle when the cells are being manufactured, and goes on to consider how an installation affects or is affected by a vessel’s power system, placement on board, ventilation, fire-fighting, electrical protection and maintenance. The guidance aims to help industry consider the hazards associated with large battery installations but is not specific to a particular cell chemistry.

Continue reading “Lloyd’s Register issues new guidance on large battery installations”

Becker Marine Systems LNG barge refuels cruise ship for the first time

Posted on by News Hound
A man filling up a ship with fuel
A man filling up a ship with fuel

A cruise ship received environmentally friendly power from the LNG Hybrid Barge for the first time recently. Becker Marine Systems’ barge, christened the HUMMEL, provides 7.5 megawatts of low-emission power to AIDAsol during its layover at port.

After the AIDAsol berthed at the Port of Hamburg on the morning of 30th May 2015, the infeed of power on the cruise ship was for the first time ensured by way of low-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel. “This means that we have carried out the first successful transfer of power to a cruise ship in Europe”, said Dirk Lehmann and Henning Kuhlmann, both Managing Directors of Becker Marine Systems.

Continue reading “Becker Marine Systems LNG barge refuels cruise ship for the first time”

Deltamarin showcases the ro-pax of the future

Posted on by News Hound
The new DeltaChallenger ro-pax concept design has been unveiled by Deltamarin
The new DeltaChallenger ro-pax concept design has been unveiled by Deltamarin

Deltamarin launched their new showcase ro-pax vessel “DeltaChallenger” during the Nor-Shipping 2015 exhibition in Oslo. Deltamarin has called on its extensive experience of developing ship concepts and with the help of well-known partners, with expertise in their respective areas, a most energy efficient and environmentally friendly vessel has been developed. The design incorporates the latest technologies available, many of which are not yet used on any other ro-pax vessel.

To reduce fuel consumption the vessel has six rotor sails by Norsepower, giving ca. 10% of the total propulsion power (1.3 MW). Impressive fuel economy and manoeuvrability is gained through the combination of dual-fuel electric machinery, four power plants (2 x 6 MW and 2 x 3 MW) and the new compact Azipod D pod propulsion system from ABB. The steering unit of the pod can be fitted in one deck so that it does not hamper the loading of cars.

Continue reading “Deltamarin showcases the ro-pax of the future”

Rolls-Royce launches new permanent magnet azimuth thrusters

Posted on by News Hound
New permanent magnet azimuth thrusters have been announced by Rolls-Royce
New permanent magnet azimuth thrusters have been announced by Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the latest addition to its range of marine thrusters, with the launch of new permanent magnet Azimuth Thrusters powered by permanent magnet (PM) technology. Launched at the Nor-Shipping maritime exhibition in Oslo, the new thruster is the Group’s latest development of PM technology, which already includes tunnel thrusters and a newly developed winch.

The launch follows a programme of sea trials in which a pair of permanent magnet azimuth thrusters demonstrated efficiency savings of 7-13% depending on ship speed, and in comparison to azimuth thrusters powered by a conventional diesel-electric system. The trials took place on board the RV Gunnerus, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s (NTNU) research ship, based in Trondheim.

Continue reading “Rolls-Royce launches new permanent magnet azimuth thrusters”

India and Bangladesh agree new coastal shipping arrangement

Posted on by News Hound
Two ships at port
Two ships at port

The union cabinet has approved an agreement on coastal shipping between India and Bangladesh for coastal movement of goods between the two countries.

“Exim trade between India and Bangladesh would be benefited by way of reduction in freight charges. It will also improve the utilisation of port capacities of Indian ports and open up new opportunity for Indian coastal vessels. It will also help in decongestion of roads especially at the land custom stations/integrated check posts at the Indo-Bangladesh boarder,” an official statement said.

Continue reading “India and Bangladesh agree new coastal shipping arrangement”

New life for coastal shipping: Australian Government plan announced

Posted on by News Hound
New life for coastal shipping: Australian Government plan
New life for coastal shipping: Australian Government plan

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss outlined the Government’s plan to bring new life for coastal shipping planned at a luncheon of shipping companies, unions and maritime stakeholders, hosted by Shipping Australia Limited.

“These changes are urgently needed,” Shipping Australia CEO, Rod Nairn said. “Moving long-haul freight by sea is four times more environmentally efficient than rail, and twenty times more efficient than road, in terms of green-house gas emissions.

Continue reading “New life for coastal shipping: Australian Government plan announced”

IMO set to adopt Polar code from January 2017

Posted on by News Hound
At its 68th session the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization adopted the Polar code
At its 68th session the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization adopted the Polar code

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met for its 68th session from 11 to 15 May 2015 to discuss the polar code and IMO set to adopt Polar code from January 2017.

The MEPC adopted the environmental requirements of the Polar Code and associated MARPOL amendments to make the Code mandatory; adopted amendments to MARPOL related to tanks for oil residues; designated an extension to the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA); and furthered its work on implementation of air pollution and energy efficiency measures and the Ballast Water Management Convention.

Continue reading “IMO set to adopt Polar code from January 2017”

New software to calculate a ship’s speed trial launched by ClassNK

Posted on by News Hound
A freely available piece of software called PrimeShip-GREEN/ProSTA, which analyses and calculates a ship's speed trial has been launched by ClassNK
A freely available piece of software called PrimeShip-GREEN/ProSTA, which analyses and calculates a ship’s speed trial has been launched by ClassNK

Classification agency ClassNK has introduced a new software called PrimeShip-GREEN/ProSTA to analyse and calculate a ship’s speed trial, which is freely available.

Results can be used to calculate the energy efficiency design index (EEDI) in compliance with the latest International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines. In its guidelines on survey and certification of the EEDI, the IMO has provided two methods to avoid the effects of external factors during sea trials and deliver a way to analyse and calculate a ship’s speed in calm sea conditions.

IMO’s assigned approaches include ISO 15016: 2002 and the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) Recommended Procedures. ISO and ITTC collaborated to create the new harmonised international standard after the IMO requested to eliminate this dual standard.

Continue reading “New software to calculate a ship’s speed trial launched by ClassNK”

Global demand for LNG ships is growing

Posted on by News Hound
Worldwide demand for LNG ships is growing fast and Korean yards are expected to be the main beneficiary
Worldwide demand for LNG ships is growing fast and Korean yards are expected to be the main beneficiary

Ship owners around the world are placing orders for new LNG ships one after another. Many of them are expected to go to Korean shipbuilders.

According to industry sources, Gail of India is planning to purchase nine LNG ships, three from Indian shipbuilders and the rest from foreign ones. BP Shipping is discussing LNG ship order placement with three ship owners to reach a conclusion within this month, too. Engie of France is expected to buy up to four ships for the Cameron LNG Project. Korean shipbuilders boasting of a high level of technical strength are appealing to the ordering parties.

Continue reading “Global demand for LNG ships is growing”

New Panama Canal tolls structure approved

Posted on by News Hound
New Panama Canal tolls structure has been approved and will start from 1 April 2016
New Panama Canal tolls structure has been approved and will start from 1 April 2016

The Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama has officially approved a proposal to modify the Panama Canal tolls structure, following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Board of Directors. The accepted proposal, which modifies the pricing structure for most Canal segments, will better facilitate the Canal’s goal of providing outstanding service and reliability to the global shipping and maritime community while allowing the ACP to safeguard the competitiveness of the waterway.

Today’s passage follows more than a year of informal consultations with representatives from various industry segments, an open call for comments, and a public hearing to solicit industry feedback on these changes.

Continue reading “New Panama Canal tolls structure approved”

Carriage of bauxite cargoes and liquefaction risks

Posted on by News Hound
Writing in the London P&I Club's bulletin StopLoss, Dr Martin Jonas considers the potential liquefaction of bauxite cargoes
Writing in the London P&I Club’s bulletin StopLoss, Dr Martin Jonas considers the potential liquefaction of bauxite cargoes

The potential liquefaction of bauxite cargoes has been the subject of a number industry bulletins in recent years. These concerns have been renewed following the recent sinking of the bulk carrier Bulk Jupiter, which was reportedly carrying 46,400 MT of bauxite loaded at Kuantan in Malaysia.

Writing in the April issue of the London P&I Club’s bulletin StopLoss, Dr Martin Jonas, Brookes Bell LLP, Liverpool, makes the following observations.

Similar to other unprocessed ores, such as iron ore fines and nickel ore, grades of bauxite that contain a high proportion of fines capable of retaining significant moisture are potentially at risk of liquefaction, resulting in cargo shift which may cause the capsizing of the carrying ship. Such Continue reading “Carriage of bauxite cargoes and liquefaction risks”

Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine