Attractive Solutions News

Digitalisation is the maritime game changer. This is why the digital transformation will be in focus at SMM DIGITAL, which has been given the leitmotif “Driving The Maritime Transition”. As a purely digital event, SMM DIGITAL will feature conferences with top-ranking panelists discussing current trends in Smart Shipping. International experts will report about the challenges facing the maritime industry, and highlight attractive solutions.Complex contractual relationships, the enormous dimensions of ships and routes…

After the acquisition of 66.4% of the shares by Finnish Industry Investment Ltd (fully owned by the State of Finland) Aker Arctic Technology Inc.’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting today appointed the new Board of Directors for the company. Ole Johansson was nominated Chairman and Juha Marjosola Vice-Chairman of the Board. The board members are Ole Johansson, Juha Koskela (ABB Oy), Antti Kummu (Finnish Industry Investment), Valborg Lundegaard (Aker Engineering & Technology A/S) and Juha Marjosola (Finnish Industry Investment). Ole Johansson, BSc (Econ.) served as the President&CEO of Wärtsilä Corporation from 2000 to 2011. He is the Chairman of eQ Oyj and member of the Board of Svenska Handelsbanken AB.

MAN is presenting the D2868 LE421 and LE422, a fully classifiable marine diesel engine for medium and heavy duty applications. In order to fulfill the emission standards, the high speed engine from Nuremberg, uses the latest Common Rail technology. The D2868 is MAN’s first Common Rail 8 cylinder engine for medium and heavy duty applications. Due to the use of the latest Common Rail technology, this high speed engine fulfills the most common international emission standards without a specific exhaust gas treatment.

Bomin & Linde outline JV plans to target infrastructure supply of LNG in the European maritime sector. The Linde Group announce a joint venture with Bomin, a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls, to build infrastructure for liquefied natural gas in the European maritime sector. The transaction, subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities is due to start its operations in the latter part of 2012 with  headquarters in Hamburg. The Joint Venture company will establish operations in a number of key ports throughout the so-called "Emission Control Areas" in North-West Europe. Vessel emissions in ECAs will have to be reduced from January 1st 2015, which would force ship owners to limit their sulphur emissions drastically.

Recent orders for Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines for two LNG carriers, eight engines in all, are no coincidence. This engine type promises benefits for LNG operators including larger cargo capacity, lower fuel consumption, higher flexibility in operation, and lower emissions. Gaz de France is the first to take the plunge. Until now, steam turbines have dominated as propulsion machinery for LNG carriers, with their apparent reliability and the ease with which they can burn the boil-off gas from the ship's cargo tanks while at sea. The low fuel efficiency of steam turbines, however, has already encouraged almost all other shipping segments to switch to diesel-powered ships.

Continuity is a valuable asset in the marine field, especially so in relation to the most essential products pivotal to vessel design and operation. The diesel engine producers' adeptness at enhancing existing, successful designs at intervals through power and performance upgradings is a prime example of the development potential built into ships' machinery, making for longevity of the series involved. The ensuing continuity of the product line offers practical benefits to the client market and also to the licensors and manufacturers, given the huge investment costs entailed in developing entirely new engines and putting the requisite tooling in place.