Marine Link
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Bmw News

26 Mar 2024

Automakers Reroute Shipments After Baltimore Bridge Collapse

© aerial-drone / Adobe Stock

U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford will reroute affected shipments after a bridge collapse in the U.S. shuttered the Port of Baltimore, but the companies said on Tuesday the impact will be minimal."We expect the situation to have minimal impact to our operations. We are working to re-route any vehicle shipments to other ports," GM said in a statement.The Port of Baltimore is the busiest U.S. port for car shipments, handling at least 750,000 vehicles in 2023, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration.

03 Feb 2024

Americas Cup Innovation & a Carbon-Free Shipping Future

Image © AYRO  UNI PROD

The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) represented by BMW Oracle Racing and the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), the Americas Cup defending champion, represented by Team Alinghi were entwined in a 2.5-year legal battle over multiple court cases, including hearings in the New York Supreme Court and the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, prior to the 33rd edition of the race, due to take place in 2010.The parties disagreed about the location, format, and restrictions on boat design, all of which were changed by the courts prior to the race.

14 Jan 2024

Tesla, Volvo Car Pause Output as Red Sea Shipping Crisis Deepens

© Björn Wylezich / Adobe Stock

Automakers Tesla and Geely-owned Volvo Car said they were suspending some production in Europe due to a shortage of components, the first clear sign that attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are hitting manufacturers in the region.The United States and Britain launched a series of strikes on Yemen on Thursday, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia whose attacks on international shipping have disrupted one of the world's most important shipping routes.Container shipping rates jumped…

15 Nov 2023

UECC's EU ETS Solution Brings Clarity to Emission Costs

Source: UECC

Cargo owners seeking to determine their Scope 3 emission liabilities from the logistics chain must contend with multiple calculation methods from different shipping lines that will affect their costs exposure to the EU ETS for shipping. To resolve this conundrum for its clients, pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) owner and operator UECC has adopted a standardised methodology based on an existing and trusted industry framework.The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), set to be phased in for shipping from January 1…

10 Jul 2023

Deep-sea Mining: A New Gold Rush or Environmental Disaster?

Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration

In the depths of the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii, trillions of potato-shaped rocks are scattered across the seabed - containing minerals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese vital for new green technologies in the global energy transition.In this ocean region - the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) - an abundance of the rocks, known as polymetallic nodules, is increasingly fuelling debate about the mining of metals needed to produce technology such as batteries for electric…

28 Oct 2021

UN Deep-sea Mining Rules Unlikely to be Completed by 2023 Deadline, Latam Countries Say

(Photo: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research)

Regulations governing deep-sea mining will take longer to finalize due to the global pandemic, a group of Latin American countries said, creating uncertainty for companies looking to mine the sea bed for metals, including cobalt and nickel.The delayed negotiations also pose a potential difficulty for companies seeking financing from investors to mine the sea floor.The U.N.’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) is working on global rules covering sea bed mining, which is not allowed…

20 Sep 2021

Roberts Joins BAR Technologies as COO

Marine engineering consultancy BAR Technologies (BAR) announced that Simon Roberts, former Williams Racing Managing Director and Team Principal, has joined the business as Chief Operating Officer. Roberts will work alongside the BAR senior leadership team of Chief Executive, John Cooper, Chief Technical Officer, Simon Schofield and Head of Engineering, Lauren Eatwell.Prior to joining BAR, Roberts forged a career across a broad range of engineering sub sectors, comprising engines and drivetrains…

03 Aug 2021

Subsea Mining: All Eyes on Marine Minerals Offshore Norway

In July, Allseas’ ‘Hidden Gem’ heads to Tenerife for drydock modifications ahead of a collector “wet-test” in the Atlantic at the end of 2021 and the official start of pilot mining tests in the Pacific, 1200 nautical miles west of Mexico, in 2022. Photo from Allseas.

Marine minerals are coming under sharp focus offshore Norway. Analysts suggest it could be a $20 billion annual revenue industry by 2050, which is why many are taking an interest and developing the technology to make it happen. Marine mineral mining has been something of a slow burner in the wider marine world. It has some clear challenges, not least location and depth of these potential resources, but also concerns around its environmental impact.Yet it now appears to be coming into a distinctly sharp focus…

06 Apr 2021

Greenpeace Stages Pacific Ocean Protest Against Deep-sea Mining

© Marten van Dijl / Greenpeace

Greenpeace protested against deep-sea mining in the Pacific on Monday, with the environmental organization’s Rainbow Warrior boat trailing a ship doing research for DeepGreen, a company which plans to mine the seabed for battery metals.Greenpeace activists were pictured in rubber dinghies holding banners reading “Stop Deep Sea Mining!”, with the Maersk Launcher, a ship chartered by DeepGreen, in the background.The protest took place 900 nautical miles (1,036 miles) off Mexico’s western coast…

14 Aug 2020

Torqeedo Drives Toward Marine Electromobility

A 14-meter launch placed into service last year by the Swedish Sea Rescue Society has parallel diesel and electric drives consisting of twin 650 hp diesels with waterjets and dual Torqeedo Deep Blue 50 kW electric motors with 10 kWh Deep Blue lithium batteries. (Photo: Torqeedo)

The future is painted bright for companies dealing in hybrid and electric marine propulsion, as vessel owners and operators pursue cleaner technologies to comply with ever-stricter environmental regulations while also seeking ways to improve their bottom line.Case in point is Germany-based electric drives manufacturer Torqeedo, which has to date delivered more than 100,000 electric propulsion products for a wide range of recreational and commercial customers.The hybrid/electric market is one that’s ripe for growth, says Dr. Ralf Plieninger, COO and CTO, Torqeedo.

16 Apr 2020

Behind the Scenes with Cox Powertrain

Cox Powertrain engineers analysing test data at company HQ in Shoreham-by-Sea, UK (Photo: Cox Poowertrain)

Engineers at Cox Powertrain have developed a sophisticated testing process for the company's new 300hp diesel outboard to be run through to ensure that, once the engines go to market, there are no faults or failures.With any engineering R&D project, testing is a fundamental aspect of the process. With the production of the CXO300 just around the corner, Cox Powertrain’s Test and Development team have worked tirelessly over the past few years, continuously running an extensive…

28 Nov 2019

Jongen Deploys Damen's Mobile BWTS

German maritime waste specialist Jongen GmbH has taken delivery of a Damen InvaSave 300 mobile ballast water treatment system (BWTS), which will protect the Elbe from invasive Species.Jongen can now offer IMO-certified ballast water treatment services to ship operators needing to comply with the latest ballast water regulations that came into effect on 8 September 2019.Jongen GmbH delivers waste oil, waste water, and the waste removal services for maritime traffic in the Port of Hamburg. The company’s services include the cleaning of the ships’ storage tanks and machinery along with the management and cleaning of oil spills.The addition…

30 Oct 2019

Maersk Join Forces to Develop LEO

A.P. Moller - Maersk alongside with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, BMW Group, H&M Group, Levi Strauss & Co. and, Marks & Spencer to explore LEO - a blend of lignin and ethanol - that could be part of the future solution for sustainable shipping.From the phone, tablet or computer you are reading this on, to the fruit you eat, the trousers you wear or the car you drive, around 80% of the goods you use every day are delivered to you by sea. Shipping accounts for 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, a proportion that is set to increase as global trade continues to grow at a sluggish but steady pace. As such, this industry has an urgent need to reduce its environmental impact.Maersk and Wallenius Wilhelmsen have teamed up with Copenhagen University and major customers including BMW Group…

29 Oct 2019

Maersk Develops Ship Fuel from Alcohol

Danish shipping conglomerate A.P. Moller - Maersk has joined forces with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, BMW Group, H&M Group, Levi Strauss and Marks & Spencer to explore LEO, a blend of lignin and ethanol, as a potential future sustainable shipping fuel.The LEO Coalition, which also includes Copenhagen University, will consider the environmental and commercial viability of LEO fuel for shipping. Shipping accounts for 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, a proportion that is set to increase as global trade continues to grow at a sluggish but steady pace. As such, this industry has an urgent need to reduce its environmental impact.The marine sector has very different fuel requirements than automotive or aviation.

29 Oct 2019

The Quest to Develop IMO 2020 'bio' Fuels

File Image: A typical Maersk boxship works cargo alongside a pier. (CREDIT: Maersk)

Top shipping, retail and transport companies are looking to develop an alternative marine fuel which aims to reduce carbon emissions from ships, in another step to push the sector to go green.International shipping accounts for 2.2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), more than aviation's 2% share.The IMO, a United Nations agency, has said it aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 levels by 2050.Investor and activist pressure is prompting companies to look to speed up reducing the industry's carbon footprint.Denmark's A.P.

12 Aug 2019

Ship Recycling: Wallenius Wilhelmsen Wins Award

Norwegian/Swedish shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s role in developing the pioneering Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative has been recognised with another award from the automotive sector, as efforts to improve vessel recycling practices step up a gear."Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s founding role in the Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative (SRTI) has been recognised with a second automotive industry award," the  logistics and shipping solutions provider said in a press note.Wallenius Wilhelmsen was recognised with the Greener Supply Chain award at the Automotive Logistics Europe Awards for its work with the SRTI, which helps cargo…

11 Jul 2019

Go-slow at Port Hits South African Car and Commodity Exports

A go-slow by workers at a major South African port is hitting exports of cars and other commodities, the country's Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Thursday.State-owned rail operator Transnet said it had suspended a number of employees at its Ngqura Container Terminal for engaging in what it said was an illegal industrial action."We are getting reports of a go-slow at some of our ports which is beginning to (have an) impact on the export of vehicles from South Africa in particular but perhaps other commodities as well," Gordhan, whose portfolio includes Transnet, said.Carmakers including Ford, BMW and Nissan have invested billions of dollars to upgrade assembly plants and boost exports from Africa's top automotive hub.The action was also beginning to hit other sectors…

08 Jul 2019

EIB Invests in Low-Emissions Outboard Engines

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a EUR 14 million venture loan agreement with Sweden’s Cimco Marine AB to co-finance its innovation and growth investments.As per the unsecured credit facility agreement, the EIB will finance up to 50 percent of Cimco’s development of a new family of diesel outboard engines, inter alia a 3 liter, 6- cylinder twin turbo BMW diesel engine with a number of power outputs between 200 hp and 300 hp."The total facility is split into three tranches of EUR 4 million (A), EUR 4 million (B) and EUR 6 million (C) respectively," it said.The availability period for the facility is 30 months from signing, during which Cimco can meet all milestones for tranches A-C.

16 Apr 2019

World's First: Torqeedo Powers Electric Freefall Lifeboat

The German manufacturer of electric outboards Torqeedo provided the integrated propulsion system for the world’s first electric-powered freefall lifeboat, which is being built by the Dutch builder Verhoef.The vessel recently passed its final drop tests, making it the first fully functional electric lifeboat in the world, said a press release from the company.The first of the new Verhoef aluminium 32-passenger lifeboats will be deployed on an offshore platform in the new Valhall Flank West oilfield project in Norway. The contract includes an option for similar lifeboats in the future.Verhoef and Torqeedo engineers have developed and tested a fully integrated emission-free propulsion system consisting of a 50 kW…

22 Mar 2019

Teekay Joins SRTI

Teekay Shipping Corporation, the global marine energy transportation, storage & production company, has signed up to the Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative (SRTI).The Canadian shipowner thus  joined A.P. Moeller-Maersk, the China Navigation Company, Wallenius Wilhelmsen and other major maritime players and becomes the eighth to make public their approach to ship recycling.“Teekay is committed to helping the ship recycling facilities that we work with elevate their skills and performance to increase safety and sustainability,” said Kenneth Hvid, President and CEO, Teekay.“Our employees are on-the-ground throughout the recycling process to perform regular inspections and audits and provide training to staff and workers.

20 Mar 2019

Squid: The All-Electric Dolphin Watcher

(Image courtesy Sunflare)

Deep in the blue waters of Key West, Honest Eco’s founding captain, Billy Litmer, said its dolphin watching tours help their guests “understand and interact with wildlife from a curious yet courteous proximity.”In creating his eco touring company, Litmer invested in everything he needed to guarantee an unforgettable experience for his guests--knowledge, custom boats, and quality gear.His boat is called Squid, and Billy built it from the hulls up. He asked David Walworth, an MIT educated boat designer and builder, to design the perfect boat for the dolphin watching excursions.

19 Mar 2019

Mercury Marine Wins iF Design Award

Photo: Mercury Marine

Mercury Marine won an International Forum Design (iF) award in the Discipline Product category, presented to the company for its V-6 outboard lineup. iF International Forum Design organizes the iF Design Awards each year and has thousands of entries from close to 60 countries compete for the prize. Mercury’s 3.4L, V-6 FourStroke outboard lineup was officially launched at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show and has been praised for performance and design. According to its website…

06 Mar 2019

Stepping Up Transparency on Ship Recycling

The first report of the Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative (SRTI)  clearly indicates that there is a growing movement stepping up the pressure on shipowners to disclose their approaches to ship recycling.Since the SRTI online platform went live just over two months ago eight large shipowners – operating a combined total of more than 1,800 vessels – have voluntarily shared data on their company’s ship recycling policies and practice.All disclosing shipowners have a written policy on ship recycling for their own vessels covering issues related to the environment, labour and human rights in accordance with the Hong Kong Convention.“We’re seeing increasing pressure on shipowners from key stakeholders including investors…