Class Survey News

French engineering frim GTT said it has obtained approval in principle (AIP) from classification society Lloyd’s Register for its maintenance optimization solution for liquefied natural gas (LNG) membrane tanks.The AIP has been granted, in the Framework of Class Survey, for the use of an innovative digital solution for sloshing activity assessment, in order to optimize the LNG membrane tank maintenance. The approval project was conducted in close collaboration with Shell International…

Pascagoula, Miss. shipbuilder Halter Marine has been awarded a $149,053,160 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification to definitize contract number N00024-19-C-2208 for the detail design and construction of one oceanographic survey ship (T-AGS 67), the U.S. Department of Defense announced on Friday.The shipyard has delivered the seven previous survey ships in the Pathfinder-class, the first of which, USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS-60), entered service in 1994. Today, six of the ships are still operational, including the newest ship, USNS Maury (T-AGS-66), commissioned in 2016.Owned by the U.S.

Engineering firm GTT said it has obtained approval in principle (AIP) from testing, inspection and certification group Bureau Veritas for the use of a digital solution for sloshing activity assessment in the Framework of Class Survey in order to optimize the liquefied natural gas (LNG) membrane tank maintenance frequency.GTT said the digital solution is based on its “Sloshing Virtual Sensor” technology, using the tank digital twin, also designed by GTT, and the real-time operational data of the floating units (FSRU2…

Substandard maintenance was found to be a major contributing factor at the root of a 2018 engine room fire aboard the DFDS ro-ro vessel Finlandia Seaways in April 2018, U.K. accident investigators found.The Lithuanian registered vessel was in transit from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Rosyth, U.K., when it suffered a catastrophic main engine failure that caused serious structural damage to the engine and a fire in the engine room. The vessel’s third engineer, who was on duty in the engine room at the time…

Sperry Marine and DNV GL signed a strategic agreement to enable vessels to securely share their navigation data for use in DNV GL's digital classification services and obtain real-time class status of the navigation systems.The agreement seeks to improve process efficiency for class surveys covering the core elements of vessel navigation, through co-operation on new digital solutions. It will help to streamline the class survey inspection process by giving DNV GL access to data from the ship’s bridge…

ABS and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) are working together to deliver Korea’s first end-to-end 3D model-based class process, encompassing engineering and survey.The signing of a new joint development project (JDP) to develop 3D model-based surveys follows ABS and SHI’s development of a paperless 3D model-based design and review process, completing a previous JDP signed in September 2019. The project moves into the next phase now with pilot 3D model-based surveys of an liquefied…

Partners DNV GL, Kongsberg Maritime and Subsea 7 have concluded the pilot testing of Kongsberg Maritime’s (KM) DP Digital Survey (KMDS) application on board the Subsea 7 vessel Seven Kestrel.The pilot tested the use of a remote digital verification tool for testing dynamic positioning (DP) systems as part of classification society DNV GL’s D-Class project.In March 2019,  DNV GL rolled out the first fleet-wide remote survey scheme for some inspections in the classification industry.

Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Ngqura has hosted the testing and launch of the first ever locally manufactured aluminium vessels by PE-based boat builder, Legacy Marine. As the company’s ship yard is based in Perseverance, the low bridges blocked the route to the Port of PE in the past, restricting the building of larger vessels. When the new Port of Ngqura stepped up as an alternative port, it contributed to the expansion of boat building in the Eastern Cape.“Now that the port is available for new vessel launches…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that it participated in a demonstration test of ship class survey using aerial drones to inspect an MOL-operated coal carrier in service, along with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), Hitachi Systems, and Mitsui Co.According to MOL, the demonstration test included a simulated ship inspection inside the cargo hold and ballast tank (which holds water used to balance the ship when it is not carrying cargo), using video shot from an aerial drone.The test verified the effectiveness of using drones to monitor rust, corrosion, and the presence of cracks, it said.ClassNK has conventionally conducted visual inspections…

Monaco-based owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, reported a third-quarter ended September 30, 2018 loss of $654,000, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.The gas shipping company said that the Q3 results included $2.3 million of scheduled class survey and dry-docking costs related to the Yenisei River, one of the three tri-fuel diesel engine (TFDE) vessels in our fleet.The company said it had a loss of 7 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 4 cents per share. It has posted revenue of $31.3 million in the period, which beat Street forecasts.Tony Lauritzen, Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership, said: “Our reported earnings for the third quarter of 2018 were in line with our expectations.

This month we caught up with Jeong-kie Lee, Chairman and CEO of the Korean Register and also the Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), for his insights on the dominant trends moving the maritime industry into the future.The maritime industry has been challenged, to say the least. Today, where do you see challenge? Where do you see opportunity?The maritime industry is in a state of extreme upheaval, with private and public organizations having to deal with a wide range of ever changing…

A pair of multifunctional 29-meter catamaran passenger vessels, Acadia Explorer and Schoodic Explorer, have been delivered on the U.S. East Coast.Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Gulf Craft in Franklin, La. for Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co, the USCG Subchapter T certified vessels will be used for whale watching excursions, nature cruises and light house tours in the Acadia National Park and surrounding areas as well for providing tender services to cruise ships which frequent picturesque Bar Harbor…

Incat Crowther launched of Spirit of the Wild, a spectacular new tour vessel for Gordon River Cruises, and the first in Australia to operate in World Heritage-listed wilderness with Silent Drive. Offering interpretive tours into the heart of the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Spirit of the Wild will give customers a unique natural experience. Built by Richardson Devine Marine, Spirit of the Wild is fitted with a pair of MTU 10V2000M72 main engines. Added to this is a cutting-edge hybrid electric system, consisting of a pair of ABB e-motors, driving Hybrid-ready ZF gearboxes.

Tanzanian ferry operator Azam Marine has placed an order for a newbuild 45-meter catamaran passenger vessel. This ferry is the 10th vessel designed by Incat Crowther for the operator and will be the seventh vessel built for the operator by Richardson Devine Marine. The 500-passenger, 35 knot vessel features the operator’s trademark parallel boarding system, whereby five ramps per side load passenger and cargo in segregated flows. VIP and Royal Class passengers board directly into a discreet stair tower to the upper deck cabin, while economy passengers load separately aft and midships.

Two new 50-meter multi-mission offshore vessels (MMOV) will soon help the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) fight illegal fishing in Philippine waters. The sister ships – DA BFAR MMOV 5001, named BRP Lapu-Lapu, and DA BFAR MMOV 5002, named BRP Francisco Dagohoy – were built by Manilla-based Josefa Slipways, and have recently completed speed and endurance trials ahead of their upcoming delivery. According to designer Incat Crowther, the new vessels will enhance law enforcement’s capability to patrol and protect territorial waters…

The first of two new 18-meter catamaran dive support vessels built for Paris-based Stapem Offshore has been delivered by South African shipbuilder Legacy Marine Group. The Marshal Island-flagged vessel, Stapem Beluga, will operate in the coastal waters of Angola in support of oil and gas exploration and production. The vessel, designed by Incat Crowther, has been customized to suit Stapem’s specific operational requirements. The aft exterior deck utilizes available space by combining deck lockers and racks for diving equipment storage with a covered dive prepping area.

A newbuild 27-meter catamaran passenger ferry has been delivered to the Australian Public Company Sealink, and has commenced operations on Sydney Harbor. Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Aluminium Marine, Nancy Wake is a 280 passenger vessel accommodating 198 passengers inside and 82 outside. Nancy Wake is the fourth vessel of this design, which includes Incat Crowther’s new generation propeller tunnel which reduces draft and offers a flat transom to integrate with standard fixed or active interceptor systems. Fuel consumption is also reduced, the designer said.

A new 30-meter aluminum passenger ferry Isle of la Digue built by Richardson Devine Marine is the latest vessel designed by Incat Crowther for the Seychelles operator Inter Island Express. The catamaran newbuild, which required a very shallow draft to afford access to the operator’s confined harbor berth, is the first to feature Incat Crowther’s new generation propeller tunnel to reduce propeller draft and offer a flat transom which can integrate with standard fixed or active interceptor systems, the designer said.

As the maritime world increasingly turns to unmanned and autonomous systems to carry out difficult and dangerous work, one drone innovator has received certification from a leading classification society to this end. Cyberhawk Innovations reports that it has been certified as an External Specialist by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in providing inspections for internal tanks using UAVs. Achieving ABS recognition means that the data captured by Cyberhawk’s UAVs can now be…

The latest passenger ferry constructed by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding for Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority signals a milestone delivery for marine design firm Incat Crowther. The 27-meter catamaran Champion marks the 500th vessel designed by Incat Crowther. “To have successfully designed 500 large commercial vessels is no accident,” said Incat Crowther CEO, Brett Crowther. Crowther added, “It’s apt that our 500th vessel is a Gladding-Hearn build. Peter Duclos, Director of Business Development at Gladding Hearn, said, “Gladding Hearn’s philosophy is to build commercial vessels that make our customers successful. Incat Crowther said Champion’s design is optimized for bow loading, with double-width gates and doors.

Two newbuild next generation CrewZer Class catamarans, SEACOR Puma and SEACOR Panther, have been delivered and have entered service for SEACOR Marine. The vessels were designed by Incat Crowther and built by Astillleros Armon in Spain and are unique in their capability to transfer personnel and equipment to offshore platforms at maximum speeds in excess of 40 knots. The design features 30 percent more deadweight capacity than its predecessor, while offering equivalent service speeds, Incat Crowther said.

Greece-based Dynagas LNG Partners has reported a second-quarter loss of USD 5.2 million, after reporting a profit in the same quarter a year before. "We are satisfied that the class surveys, including dry dockings, were completed in a quick and efficient manner with an average of approximately 15 days per vessel from arrival to departure at the shipyard. The vessels are on a 5-year special survey cycle, therefore we expect the next special class survey and related dry docking to occur in about 5 years," he added. "Our reported earnings for the second quarter of 2017 were, as expected, below those of the second quarter of 2016 and were impacted by the following: (i) the class surveys and related dry dockings of three of our vessels…

Majestic Ferries’ fleet continues to grow with the delivery of Majestic Dream, the first of a new class of Incat Crowther-designed fuel-efficient 39m HSC compliant passenger vessels. Majestic Ferries operates vessels between Singapore and Batam in a competitive marketplace. The operator worked with Incat Crowther to develop a cost-effective vessel that offers comfort, performance and fuel consumption superior to that of the competition. This process saw the construction of a trio of 33m vessels; Majestic 7, Majestic 8 and Majestic 9.