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15 Dec 2023

PNNL's New Research Vessel Launched

(Photo: PNNL)

Seattle shipyard Snow & Company has launched a new 15-meter hybrid catamaran research vessel that will be operated by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.The plug-in hybrid research vessel, Resilience, will be delivered to the Department of Energy's (DOE) PNNL-Sequim marine research facility in 2024.The Incat Crowther designed vessel, equipped with both standard diesel engines and electric motors, will be the first hybrid vessel in the DOE fleet. The vessel will be powered by an advanced parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system


03 Nov 2023

Glosten Designs New Research Vessel for KAUST

(Image: Glosten)

Naval architecture firm Glosten announced it has completed the design for the R/V Thuwal II, KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)’s new research vessel optimized for generalized oceanography and tailored to the Middle East’s hot climate.Once built, it will be the largest and most specialized research vessel based in the Red Sea, supporting everything from biology to geology.The new vessel will replace the existing Thuwal, which is more than 20 years old and has served KAUST scientists for as many as 220 days at sea per year since 2013.

25 Oct 2023

All American Marine Launches New Research Vessel for NOAA

(Photo: All American Marine)

Bellingham, Wash. boatbuilder All American Marine (AAM) has launched the newly built research vessel Gannet for NOAA Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS).The newbuild is a 52- by 19-foot semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel is based on the proven design elements found in the recently commissioned research vessel Storm Petrel, built for NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine


16 Oct 2023

US Issues Draft RFP for New Antarctic Research Vessel

Rendering of an Antarctic Research Vessel. (Image: NSF, illustrated by Gibbs & Cox, a Leidos Company)

The U.S.' National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a draft request for proposal (RFP) for its Antarctic Research Vessel (ARV) Integrator requirement.According to NSF, the draft represents a functionally complete RFP with sections A through M, released to provide transparency and early exposure for what is a robust requirement.NSF said it seeks feedback from industry on the whole of the RFP, be that technical or contractual requirements, instructions to offerors and evaluation criteria, or small business engagement.

20 Sep 2023

All American Marine Delivers Research Vessel for the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine (AAM) announced it has delivered a new research vessel for the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa on behalf of the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB).The state-of-the-art research vessel, Imua, is a 68.5’ x 25’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel contains proven design elements found in the recently commissioned research vessels Blue Manta and Shearwater built for BlueTide Puerto Rico and Duke University


30 Aug 2023

ABB to Supply Ice-Classed Azipod Propulsion for Research Vessel

Illustration of the polar research Icebreaker. Image credit: Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited.

ABB has received an order from the Guangzhou Shipyard International to supply an Azipod® DI propulsion system for the new compact icebreaker of China’s Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering. The ship is expected to be delivered in 2025, after which it will begin to carry out operations in the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.A complete electric propulsion system including two 4.5MW Azipod® units will drive the vessel through harsh weather and thick first-year ice to enable research on behalf of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

28 Aug 2023

Brix Marine Delivers Research Vessel for Pacific Whale Foundation in Hawaii

(Photo: Brix Marine)

Port Angeles, Wash.-based Brix Marine has delivered the Pacific Whale Foundation's new research vessel Kaiao, custom-built to support marine research, conservation and education.Founded in 1980 and based in Maui, Hawaii, the PWF is a nongovernmental organization that has been at the forefront of whale research and public education, striving to safeguard the marine environment and prevent the destruction of Humpback whale populations and other aquatic species in the region.With an overall length of 30 feet and a beam of 11 feet


24 Jul 2023

ABS Study Explores Potential of Commercial Nuclear Propulsion

Concept design showing the arrangement of nuclear reactor and supporting equipment. (Image: ABS)

New research explores how nuclear propulsion could transform the design, operation and emissions output of vessels in the commercial maritime industry.Classification society ABS said it commissioned Herbert Engineering Corp. (HEC) to carry out the study to examine the potential of advanced modern reactor technology for commercial marine propulsion. The study is designed to help industry better understand the feasibility and safety implications of nuclear propulsion and to support future development projects.The study


06 Jul 2023

Thoma-Sea Awarded Contract to Build Two NOAA Research Ships

NOAA Ship Fairweather is one of the current charting and mapping vessels in the NOAA fleet. (Photo: NOAA)

Houma, La. shipbuilder Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors has been awarded a contract to design and build two new research vessels for NOAA, for expected delivery in 2027 and 2028.The $624.6 million deal was awarded following a request for proposals that was open June–October 2022 and includes purchase options for up to two more vessels.The new ships will be less than 90 meters long, engineered to focus primarily on ocean mapping and nautical charting as part of NOAA’s mission to deliver tools and information to help mariners safely navigate the nation’s ports and harbors.

08 Jun 2023

America's Sea Services Building Large Fleet of Small Ships and Craft

U.S. Navy Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48), moor a landing craft, utility during amphibious operations, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, in March 2023. (Photo: Christopher R. Lape / U.S. Marine Corps)

Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program offices—PMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliaries


18 Apr 2023

Survey: 28% of Seafarers Were Charged Illegal Recruitment Fees

© Denys Yelmanov / Adobe Stock

New research has found that of almost 5,000 seafarers surveyed, almost 40% have experienced at least one form of unethical or illegal action in violation of international standards relating to worker rights either during the recruitment process or while working at sea.The research report was published by the Institute for Human Rights and Business and Sustainable Shipping Initiative and is based on surveyed data obtained between September 2022 and February 2023.The findings include that 70% (around 1


15 Mar 2023

AAM Delivers Survey Vessel for NV5-Geodynamics

(Photo: All American Marine)

Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine (AAM) announced it has delivered a new research and hydrographic survey vessel for NV5-Geodynamics. The vessel was sea-trialed on Bellingham Bay, prior to shipping via cargo ship to its homeport of Beaufort, N.C.Built to service the growing offshore wind market as well as accomplish many other scientific survey missions, Shackleford is a 73- by 26.7-foot semi-displacement aluminum catamaran developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand.

15 Feb 2023

ABS to Class Scripps' New Research Vessel

(Image: Glosten)

A hydrogen-fueled research vessel commissioned by the University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography will be built to ABS Class.Designed by Glosten, the vessel will feature a new hydrogen-hybrid propulsion system that integrates hydrogen fuel cells alongside a conventional diesel-electric power plant, enabling zero-emission operations. The design is scaled so the ship will be able to operate 75% of its missions entirely using hydrogen. For longer missions


13 Feb 2023

AIMS Selects Naval Architects to Design its New Research Vessel

The new research vessel will replace the R/V Cape Ferguson (pictured), which joined AIMS’ research fleet in 2000. (File photo: Marie Roman / AIMS)

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has selected a team of naval architecture and engineering firms to design its new state-of-the-art research vessel. The design team, led by U.S.-based Glosten, includes One2three Naval Architects from Sydney and Maritime Survey Australia (MSA) from Melbourne.The new vessel will be bigger and more capable than its predecessor, with a larger working deck, room for more scientists on board, and the ability to act as a multi-technology and sensor platform, coordinating a range of autonomous systems.

28 Dec 2022

Wanted: A Sea-change in Climate Finance for Oceans

© Jason / Adobe Stock

The oceans are inextricably connected to the health of the planet, and of humans: they absorb up to 30% of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 90% of excess heat, and over 3 billion people — almost half the global population — depend directly on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.Healthy coastal ecosystems are also critical to the world’s ability to withstand the impact of climate change. Not only do mangrove forests, for example, hold four times the amount of carbon per hectare as tropical forests


12 Dec 2022

Danfoss to Power US' New Hybrid-electric Research Vessel

(Image: Incat Crowther)

Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division has been chosen by the Pacific Power Group and Seattle shipbuilder Snow & Company to provide the drivetrain system powering the U.S. Department of Energy’s first hybrid-electric research vessel. Due to enter operation in February 2023, the vessel will be used by PNNL-Sequim.The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a research center specializing in research advancing sustainable energy through decarbonization and energy storage.

17 Nov 2022

Incat Crowther Designs University of Wisconsin-Superior's New Research Vessel

(Image: Incat Crowther)

The Lake Superior Research Institute (LSRI) at the University of Wisconsin-Superior has commissioned naval architecture firm Incat Crowther to design a new low-emission battery hybrid research vessel.The aluminum-hulled vessel will be built by Louisiana shipbuilder Midship Marine for expected delivery in spring 2024.Described as a ‘floating classroom’, the 65-foot USCG-certified catamaran will support the university’s on-water education and research and features proven parallel


08 Nov 2022

Freire Shipyard Floats MBARI's New Research Vessel

(Photo: Freire Shipyard)

The hull of MBARI’s new flagship research vessel has been floated out at Freire Shipyard in Spain.The new oceanographic vessel, David Packard, which entered the waters of the Vigo estuary for the first time last month, is scheduled for delivery in 2023 to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), a private, non-profit oceanographic research center in Moss Landing, Calif.“The RV David Packard will be the first state-of-the-art research vessel built not only in Spain


08 Nov 2022

Thailand to Receive New Research Vessel

(Image: Incat Crowther)

Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in 2023 will receive a new research vessel to patrol its coastal environments and monitor the nation’s fisheries and marine resource.Designed by Australian naval architecture and marine engineering frim Incat Crowther, the vessel will be built by Seacrest Marine, which held a keel laying ceremony for the newbuild in August 2022.The Incat Crowther 25 is based on a proven Incat Crowther design, the 25m catamaran has a


18 Oct 2022

AAM to Build Research Vessel for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

(Image: All American Marine)

All American Marine (AAM) on Tuesday revealed it has been awarded a contract to build a research vessel for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation (UHF), on the behalf of the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). This research vessel, with construction already underway in AAM’s facility on Bellingham Bay, is a 68.5’ x 25’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand.

12 Sep 2022

Wärtsilä Reports Chinese Orders

(Image: WÀrtsilÀ)

The technology group Wärtsilä on Monday informed of recent orders for engines compliant with China’s stage II, or C2 emissions standard. This legislation entered into force in July 2021 and is applicable to vessels sailing on inland waters, in coastal areas, and in most rivers. It covers domestic bulk carriers, feeder containers, oil tankers, passenger Ro-Ro ferries and government vessels.“Wärtsilä is heavily focused on making the decarbonization of shipping a reality. China’s C2 legislation sets challenging limits on emissions of nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter.

08 Sep 2022

New Research on Combined Use of Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Batteries in Vessel Propulsion

ionn Iversen, Chief Scientist at NORCE and Svenn Kjetil Haveland, VP of Development Projects at Corvus Energy, discuss the research project “Optimized Hydrogen Powered Maritime Mobility” or “OptHyMob” for short, to coordinate the operation of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries for optimum lifetime and lower total cost of ownership. (Photo: Corvus Energy)

Corvus Energy announced it has been selected to lead an IPN project – a program funded by the Research Council of Norway to promote innovation in the industry. Corvus Energy joins forces with research institute NORCE and other partners for the project which has been awarded 13,9 million NOK in funding.The industrial project, titled “Optimized Hydrogen Powered Maritime Mobility” or “OptHyMob” for short, will improve operations of hydrogen-driven marine vessels in order to reduce costs and extend the lifetime of both the hydrogen fuel cells and the batteries in hybrid configurations.

30 Aug 2022

Nuclear Energy Viable as Future Maritime Propulsion Option -C-Job

(Image: C-Job Naval Architects)

Nuclear energy could be applied and should be considered as a viable marine propulsion option in the future, according to independent ship design company C-Job Naval Architects.Based on new research shared on Tuesday, C-Job concludes that the Molten Salt Reactor has the most potential in the long term. The combination of passive safety, high burn-up, and the future potential to use the thorium cycle make it the best fit for maritime application. With thorium, the high-level nuclear waste longevity can be reduced from more than 10


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