Japan’s First LNG-Fueled Capesize Bulk Carrier Delivered
An LNG-fueled capesize bulk carrier, ordered by NYK and to be deployed to transport iron ore and coal from Australia to Japan under a long-term consecutive voyage charter contract with JFE Steel Corporation (JFE), has been delivered.The naming ceremony for the vessel was held on January 30, 2024, at Japan Marine United Corporation's Tsu Shipyard in Mie Prefecture.The vessel is the first capesize LNG-fueled bulk carrier to be built at a shipyard in Japan, according to an NYK research.The vessel was named ‘SG Ocean’ to reflect the ‘SG’ of NYK's ‘Sail GREEN’ brand…
NYK and JERA Agree Long-Term Charter for New LNG Carrier
NYK and JERA have signed a long-term charter contract for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to be built in South Korea by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.The vessel will be delivered in 2027 and will be used to transport LNG for JERA. The contract is expected to contribute to the stable supply of LNG in partnership with JERA and strengthen and promote NYK’s LNG business as a core business of the company.The vessel will be equipped with a next-generation X-DF2.2 iCER dual-fuel…
New Pusher Tugs Enter Service for Hidrovias do Brasil
A pair of new modern pusher tugs has entered service for Hidrovias do Brasil S.A., pushing barges containing bulk products in the Amazon River system.The newly built shallow-draft vessels, HB MAPARÁ and HB DOURADA, are RApide 4600-Z3 push boats designed by Canada's Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL) and built by Uzmar Shipyard in Izmit, Turkey.According to the designer, both vessels are designed to meet ABS and Brazilian Flag State (NORMAM-02/DPC) requirements and provide the highest standards for crew comfort and safety.
Cummins and Danfoss Partner on Hybrid Propulsion Solutions
Cummins announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Danfoss Power Solutions’ Editron division to partner in bringing a unique standard hybrid marine solution to the global maritime market.“This partnership is another step forward in Cummins’ Destination Zero strategy – our plan to reach net zero emissions across our products by 2050,” said Rachel Bridges, Global Marine Director, Cummins Inc. The respective products of Cummins and Danfoss’ are an ideal match, because both companies are focused on energy optimization, efficiency, and clean solutions.
Design Profile: Glosten's SA-100 Methanol-hybrid Tug
The commercial maritime industry is seeking solutions to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, and a wide range of new solutions are coming to market to answer the call. Among these is a new design for a methanol-hybrid tug from naval architecture and marine engineering firm Glosten. The SA-100, developed in collaboration with systems integrator ABB, is a high-powered tug with 90-ton bollard pull that’s “intended to give operators a means to improve environmental performance…
EDF Charters Fourth LNG Carrier from NYK
NYK-affiliated company France LNG Shipping has secured a long-term charter contract for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier with EDF LNG Shipping SAS. The newly built LNG carrier is scheduled for delivery in 2025 from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. This is the fourth NYK vessel on a long-term time-charter contract with the EDF Group.The newly built LNG carrier will be propelled by a WinGD-built, dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engine. The carrier will also feature an Air Liquide–manufactured*** Turbo-Brayton refrigeration system that can tap surplus boil-off gas.
LNG Carrier Elisa Aquila for Edison Delivered
On March 3, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Elisa Aquila commercially managed by France LNG Shipping and under a long-term charter contract with Edison SPA, a Milan-based energy company, was delivered.Elisa Aquila will be the second vessel to be chartered to the EDF group, a French electric power company, on a long-term basis (up to 20 years including extension options) and will be engaged in LNG transportation under the ship management of Gazocean, a French ship management company specialized in LNG…
Valmet, VTT Tests System to Dramatically Cut Ship Exhaust Gas Emissions
Valmet reports that it has tested a first-of-a-kind scrubber and wet electrostatic precipitator combination and cut exhaust gas emissions in a marine diesel engine by up to 99%. The solution potentially could allow shipping companies to lower their particle matter and black carbon emission levels, while benefitting the environment and helping to meet tightening emission regulations.The pilot testing and configuration project was carried out together with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT).Up to date…
Eye on Design: Repair and Conversion Conundrums in Hybrid Propulsion
I recently built a 35 foot Solar Hybrid Electric Wheelchair Accessible Catamaran for my wife who became wheelchair bound a few years ago. (In typing this sentence, I just realized that this vessel can be referred to as a SHEWAC)It is only a 35 foot recreational vessel, but it contains all the propulsion pieces that are found in any other modern hybrid propelled vessel.I have operated the vessel for one summer and have learned a lot of things that I had not considered when I first conceived her.Fortunately…
GAIL Charters NYK's Grace Emilia LNG Carrier
India's largest natural company GAIL has agreed to take NYK's liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Grace Emilia on a multi-year charter.According to NYK, the vessel is equipped with a WinGD-made dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engine (i.e., X-DF diesel engine) that has superior fuel-consumption efficiency and can operate on marine gas oil or boil off gas stored in the cargo tank. The vessel also features a re-liquefaction system that can use re-liquefied excess boil-off gas and return it to the cargo tank.The cargo tank is a 174…
Berg Partners with Yaskawa in Electric Propulsion Drive
Berg Propulsion has signed a key supplier and cooperation agreement to provide systems integration capability for Yaskawa Environmental Energy / The Switch permanent magnet (PM) and power electronics products. The cooperation creates a new and combined force offering the robustness and efficiency of propulsion systems where electric motors directly drive the propeller shaft, consolidating Berg’s growing presence in electric propulsion.“This is the latest step in Berg’s strategy to become a fully-fledged electrical propulsion systems integrator,” said Stefan Sedersten, CEO, Berg Propulsion.
Eminox, KBB Partner in Marine Engine Emission Reduction Solution
Earlier today in Rotterdam emissions control specialist Eminox and turbocharger maker Kompressorenbau Bannewitz (KBB) announced a collaboration to meet increasing emissions compliance requirements for marine diesel engines, a fully integrated system designed to enable medium-speed diesel engines to meet IMO III, Stage 5, and EPA regulations.The solution brings together KBB’s experience in marine turbocharging and air handling with Eminox’s EMx exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) technology.In an interview last week before the announcement, David Phillips, Engineering Director, Eminox and Dr.
Japanese Steelmaker to Charter Three 210,000-dwt LNG-fueled Bulk Carriers
Japanese steelmaker JFE Steel has signed long-charters shipping firms NYK Line, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines to charter three 210,000-ton LNG-fueled bulk carriers for transporting iron ore and coal from overseas locations to JFE Steel’s steelworks in Japan. JFE Steel said the charters would make it the first company in Japan to deploy LNG-fueled ships in the 210,000-ton class, and said the move would help it cut emissions.The ships, which have been designed by Nihon Shipyard and will be built by Japan Marine United and Imabari Shipbuilding…
Rolls-Royce, MAN Ink Deal on Turbochargers
Rolls-Royce and MAN Energy Solutions signed an agreement for a strategic partnership that will see MAN's PBST brand distribute mtu turbochargers. "With this cooperation, we are combining our competencies - on the one hand, PBST's global sales structure for turbochargers and, on the other hand, Rolls-Royce's latest high-efficiency mtu turbocharger technology for high-speed diesel and gas engines," explains Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems. The turbochargers developed and produced in-house by Rolls-Royce Power Systems will be made available in additional markets.
Shipbuilding: LNG Carrier Diamond Gas Crystal Delivered
On May 31, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Diamond Gas Crystal, was delivered, built to transport LNG from LNG Canada project in British Columbia, as well as from other locations around the world, under an 18-year time-charter contract with Diamond Gas International Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) who also has a stake in the LNG Canada project.The ship was built at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and is owned by NYK, Asia LNG Transport Dua Sdn. Bhd. (ALT Dua), and MC through the joint venture Diamond LNG Shipping 5 Pte. Ltd.
Electric Propulsion: The Dawn of a New Generation of Marine Power?
Technological advancement is opening new doors for hybrid and fully electric vessels.In mid-2020, the U.S. Navy accepted the delivery of the USS Zumwalt, the Navy’s first full-electric power and propulsion surface combatant. The ship’s new electric propulsion plant provides favorable efficiency coupled with a reduced total cost of ownership. The design is flexible and efficient to deliver power where it’s needed, when it’s needed. Its adoption is symbolic of a maritime future and what could be in store for other marine craft…
Interview: Joe Hudspeth, BAE Systems
Joe Hudspeth is the Director of Business Development for Global Marine at BAE Systems in Endicott, N.Y. BAE Systems offers complete, efficient propulsion and auxiliary power systems utilizing electric technology. Hudspeth has been involved with maritime sales, marketing and product development since 2000. He currently serves as a regional co-chairman for the Passenger Vessel Association, is a judge for the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association student design competition, and frequently speaks and writes on maritime and ferry related issues. Hudspeth lives in Bellingham, Wash.
Sovcomflot, Total Ink Timecharter Deal on LNG Transport
PAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group) and Total have concluded a time charter agreement for up to seven years for a newbuild 174,000-cubic-meter-capacity liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, scheduled to be delivered Q3 2023 and to be owned and operated by SCF, with options for up to two additional vessels.The new vessel will be the latest in a series of SCF’s new-generation conventional Atlanticmax LNG carriers, with three sister ships already in operation: SCF La Perouse, SCF Barents and SCF Timmerman.The vessel will be fitted with an X-DF propulsion system…
World's First LNG-hybrid Tug Will Run mtu Gas Engines
A new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-hybrid tug—said to be the world's first—will be equipped with two mtu 16V 4000 M55RN gas engines from manufacturer Rolls-Royce.The harbor tug will be built by Sembcorp Marine Integrated Yard and operated in Singapore by Jurong Marine Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine. The new LNG-hybrid tug is the first of 12 tugs that Sembcorp Marine plans to design and build to replace the existing diesel-powered ones between now and 2025.LNG as a fuel virtually eliminates sulphur oxide emissions…
Propeller Considerations for Inland River Pushboats
Inland river pushboats operate in a harsh environment. Transiting our rivers, bays, lakes and inland waterways, these vessels push barges between hubs of commerce. Swift currents, trash and debris, heavy traffic and narrow waterways are day-to-day realities for these vessels and operators.Pushboats have two typical modes of operation: steady-state (long haul running) and transient-dynamic operations (backing, maneuvering and acceleration). Unlike almost any other vessel type,…
Rolls-Royce Acquires Ship Control Systems Supplier Servowatch
Rolls-Royce has acquired Servowatch Systems, a UK-based international supplier of integrated marine automation solutions for navies, commercial vessels and large yachts.Representatives of Rolls-Royce's Power Systems business unit and the company’s previous owner, the Indian engineering, procurement and construction projects, manufacturing, defense and services group Larsen & Toubro, signed the contracts Wednesday. Commercial terms were not disclosed."Servowatch's modern and sophisticated…
MAN Bags Orders for Engines Meeting China's New Emissions Rules
MAN Energy Solutions said its Chinese license CMP has won a series of new small-bore, four-stroke orders within the Chinese inland-and-coastal segment. The orders are for MAN 21/31, 27/38 and 23/30H types and stem in great part from the Chinese government establishing new, impending, emission protocols for the segment with its GB15097 regulation – commonly known as C1 and C2.Finn Fjeldhøj, Head of Small-Bore, Four-Stroke Engineering, MAN Energy Solutions, said, “With the introduction of C1 and C2…
The Advantages of Variable Speed Gensets
Due to economic necessity, commercial ship operators have become increasingly focused on finding cost-optimized solutions to operate their vessels. In turn, power solutions providers like Rolls-Royce have been dedicated to finding ways to deliver the right technologies that will meet an operator’s specific requirements.In recent years, interest in variable speed units as a driver of certain commercial vessels has gained interest. Variable speed technology allows the speed of an engine to be regulated and adjusted according to the electrical load that is connected…