Ro-Ro Container

Air Cavity System Aims to Help Reduce Emissions

DK Group will install its emissions-reducing Air Cavity System (ACS) technology on a 12,580 deadweight ton (DWT) multi-purpose vessel owned by Danish shipowner and ship management company Dannebrog Group. The deal marks the first time that DK Group's patented air lubrication technology has been installed on an international commercial vessel, and represents significant progression in the adoption of clean technology within the shipping industry. The Air Cavity System uses air bubbles in the boundary layer of the vessel to reduce frictional resistance between the water and the hull surface. The fuel efficiency generated by ACS will be up to 10 percent and will depend on vessel type and size. The investment payback period will range between 18 months and 3 years. Sea trials will be conducted by hydrodynamic research company HSVA and overseen by classification society Germanischer-Lloyd, both pre- and post-conversion to establish and benchmark relative fuel consumption and the associated emission profile. The Air Cavity System will be retrofitted onto a 12,580 DWT multi-purpose heavy lift vessel in Q3 2012, before potentially being rolled out across a fleet of six sister vessels. “Our decision to install DK Group's Air Cavity System onto one of our new-built, multi-purpose vessel reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability, as well as the future vision for our fleet,” said Johan Wedell-Wedellsborg, Chairman of Dannebrog Group

Flensburg Makes its Mark Again

By David Tinsley, Technical Editor In a further display of hard-earned competitiveness tempered by pure industrial will, Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft has brought another export shipbuilding contract to Germany at a time of ever-more determined incursions by oriental yards into the European market. The Flensburg yard's sealing of a deal with Belgian shipping and logistics company Cobelfret for two container/RoRo (ConRo) vessels has strengthened its standing as a builder of large

Ro-Clean Presents New Disc Skimmer

Ro-Clean Desmi has introduced a new disc skimmer for the recovery of floating oils - Ro-Disc, a high efficient skimmer for inland waters and industrial process applications such as separators and tanks. Ro-Disc has a single bank of rotating oleophilic (oil attracting) discs driven by a hydraulic motor. Oil is recovered from the water's surface as it sticks to the disc surface. As the discs are rotated through the skimmer, head oil is scraped off and collected in the sump on an ongoing basis.

North of England P&I Club Updates Guide

The ‘A’ rated, 75 million GT North of England P&I club has updated its comprehensive guide to stowage and securing of non-bulk cargo items. Co-authored by Charles Bliault of international marine consultancy Brookes Bell, the 2nd edition of Cargo Stowage and Securing: A Guide to Good Practice* is set to play a significant role in helping shipowners reduce the rising tide high-value cargo claims.The new 112-page edition substantially updates and extends the original edition published in 2003

Port of Le Havre's Container Traffic Up by 5.7 Percent

The Port of Le Havre set a new record for general cargo in 2001 with 18 million metric tons (MT), an increase of 5.2 percent from 17.1 MT in 2000, according to preliminary traffic statistics. Overall traffic at the port rose to 69.5 MT from 68 MT in 2000. Within the general cargo category, container traffic showed robust growth to 14.6 MT, an increase of 5.7 percent over 2000's figure of 13.8 MT. The port handled around 1,525,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2001

Crowley Delivers Incinerator to Tortola

Crowley's logistics and liner services groups completed the transport of an incinerator to Tortola on Jan. 18 to replace the island's existing trash disposal unit. The government purchased the mid-size incinerator from Consutech, Systems LLC and contracted Crowley to move it from the factory in Richmond, Va.  The 42 individual pieces were handled with specialized equipment including 10 flatbeds and four open-top containers. The largest of the pieces was 30 ft long and 13

Negotiations with EPIC Shipping

Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd. announced that EPIC Shipping, UK, has contracted to purchase six RO-RO vessels at Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd. Final contract with EPIC Shipping is expected to be signed at the end of June 2007.

GAC Appoints Steindamm, Bjorklund

GAC has expanded its regional Shipping Marketing team with the appointment of Niko Steindamm. As Marketing Manager, Shipping, based in Bremen, Germany, Steindamm will promote GAC's global shipping and related services to the maritime and commodity/trading communities in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.   Prior to joining GAC, Steindamm worked in sales and operations for a large container line in Germany

Panama Canal Transit Fees Up

Government of Panama approves canal tolls increases effective Ocober 2012. The Government of Panama has approved the proposal to restructure and apply selective increases in the Panama Canal pricing system, effective from 1 October 2012 to 1 October 2013. The Panama Canal Authority will increase the tolls for the following segments: * general cargo * dry bulk * tanker * chemical tanker * LPG * vehicle carrier and ro-ro * others

Wärtsilä Earns Repeat Order from Messina

Wärtsilä has been contracted by the Korean yard STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, to supply exhaust gas cleaning systems for four new Container Ro/Ro (ConRo) vessels being built for Ignazio Messina & Co, the Italy based ship owner and operator. This latest order will enable the new vessels to comply with both current and pending environmental legislation relating to exhaust emissions. For ships sailing in European waters, the maximum sulphur content will be limited to 0