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Electrical Energy News

25 Mar 2024

US Dredging: Plenty of Issues, New WRDA on the Way

(Photo: Janet Meredith / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

2024 marks another year for development of a biennial WRDA bill—Water Resources Development Act, critical legislation for the Nation’s waterways, ports and harbors. WRDA encompasses a range of issues, from environmental regs to energy use to agriculture and, of course, a focus on projects critical for economic growth.Because these are dynamic and timely issues, Congress and the maritime sector like to keep WRDA on a two-year reauthorization timeline. Indeed, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, December and January, held three WRDA information hearings.

12 Feb 2024

Cavotec Awarded $5.7 Million Shore Power Refit Contract

(Photo: Cavotec)

Cavotec reports it has signed a $5.7 million contract to retrofit vessels with shore power solutions for an undisclsoed major European shipping line.The agreement entails the complete retrofit of containerships from installation of Cavotec's cable management system to modifications of the ship’s switchboards. The works will be completed in drydock for some of the vessels and during commercial sailing for the rest. Deliveries are scheduled throughout 2024.The implementation of…

18 Jan 2024

IACS Adopts New Unified Requirement on Ammonia Releases

Š vchalup / Adobe Stock

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has developed a Unified Requirement (URH1) covering the release of ammonia from the onboard systems for bunkering, storing, preparing and using ammonia as fuel.IACS URH1 aligns with the Recommendations from U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and establishes that an ammonia concentration of 300 ppm or more is immediately dangerous, and a concentration of 25 ppm or more is dangerous if the exposure is longer than eight hours.Additionally…

17 Nov 2023

HGK Orders "Future-Fuel-Ready" Dry Goods Carrier

Illustration: Illustration of the newly constructed dry goods vessel for Salzgitter Flachstahl (Copyright: HGK Shipping)

HGK Shipping ordered from De Gerlien van Tiem shipyard in Druten, Netherlands, a new, low-emission dry goods vessel, a vessel to be specially tailored to the requirements of Salzgitter Flachstahl. Equipped with a diesel-electric drive system and solar panels and designed to be “future-fuel-ready”, the new vessel is outfitted to make a contribution to the sustainability ambitions of HGK Shipping and Salzgitter AG. Once it goes into service, it will replace one of the three vessels from the existing fleet…

27 Jul 2023

US Invests Nearly $10 Million to Advance Marine Energy

Source: Oneka Technologies

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced nearly $10 million for seven projects that will accelerate development and testing of marine energy technologies. These investments advance research on wave-powered technology for use in seawater desalination and support a feasibility study for a potential ocean current test facility. “Marine energy technologies have incredible potential to provide clean electricity as well as clean water,” said Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

01 Nov 2022

Region in Focus: Norway’s West Coast Shipping Tech Hub

Photo credit: NTNU

Two load-bearing pillars of Norway’s leading maritime industry cluster in Sunmøre on the country’s west coast – offshore energy and the expedition cruise sector – took severe knocks from plunging energy prices in the 2010s followed by COVID-19. However, a recent tour of the region found the cluster in recovery mode.At the time, the cluster’s diversification strategy was to dive into the emerging expedition cruise sector: small, highly sophisticated ships designed to operate in some of the world’s most sensitive environments incorporated features including the highest ice-class…

31 May 2022

First Emissions-free Pusher Tug Elektra Delivered

(Photo: BEHALA)

A first-of-its-kind emissions-free push boat has been christened and delivered in Germany.The unique and innovative vessel, Elektra, was built over the course of nearly 2.5 years at Hermann Barthel GmbH in Derben and features battery-electric propulsion system combined with hydrogen and fuel cell technology, reportedly the world's first for a push boat. It will now undergo long-term prior to commencing commercial operations.The basis of the newly developed hybrid system is the battery package…

02 May 2022

'Revolutionary' Vessel Orion Joins DEME Offshore's Installation Vessel Fleet

Credit: DEME

Belgian offshore installation contractor DEME said Saturday that the "revolutionary" offshore installation vessel Orion officially joined its fleet.This next-generation vessel is equipped with a powerful 5,000-tonne crane and is designed to handle the massive turbines and foundations of the future.Amélie Michel, the spouse of  Charles Michel, President of the European Council, agreed to be the godmother of the Orion.In a traditional DEME naming ceremony, she wished ‘Orion’ and the crew a safe and successful career in the fleet.

06 Apr 2022

SCHOTTEL Acquires Majority Stake in elkon

Left to right:  Knut Herman Gjøvaag, Chairman of the Supervisory Board SCHOTTEL GmbH; Stefan Kaul, CEO SCHOTTEL GmbH; and Ertuğ Yaşar, Managing Director Elkon Elektrik Sanayi ve Ticaret. A.Ş (Photo: SCHOTTEL)

German propulsion company SCHOTTEL said it has acquired a majority stake in Turkish marine electrical system integration specialist elkon as vessel hybridization and electrification gain traction amid industry efforts toward decarbonization and improved energy efficiency.The contract for the purchase of the majority stake in elkon by the holding company SCHOTTEL Industries GmbH was signed in Istanbul, Turkey, and announced this week at the Nor-Shipping trade fair in Oslo, Norway.“With elkon as renowned and very successful supplier of electrical power system engineering…

29 Mar 2022

Bureau Veritas Issues New Rule Note for Fuel Cells on Ships

Bureau Veritas has released its new rule note NR 547 on fuel cell power systems on board ships, covering safety requirements for ships using any type of fuel cell technology. (Image: Bureau Veritas)

Classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) has released a new rule note on fuel cell power systems on board ships. The rule note covers safety requirements for ships using any type of fuel cell technology, providing rules for the arrangement and installation of fuel cell power systems and the delivery of electrical energy.Over the last few years, fuel cells have proved to have strong potential to help decarbonize the maritime industry. The technology, which is based on an electrochemical reaction like that in batteries, can run continuously without recharging as long as energy is provided.

15 Jul 2021

Interview: Ben Reed, Managing Director, HamiltonJet

Ben Reed (Photo: HamiltonJet)

Ben Reed is a mechanical engineer from the U.K. now leading New Zealand-based waterjet manufacturer HamiltonJet as managing director.Raised in Shropshire, Reed graduated from Loughborough University of Technology in 1995 and later became a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering. He’s worked for a U.K. gas utility company developing natural-gas-powered engines; Ford Motor Company as a Systems Analyst, and 17 years for Caterpillar UK in diesel engine and transmission development for off-highway machinery and military products…

09 Jul 2021

Grimaldi Group’s Fifth Hybrid RoRo Christened

(Photo: Grimaldi Group)

The fifth in a series of 12 hybrid ro-ro ships for the Grimaldi Group has been christened in the port of Catania.Built by the Chinese Jinling shipyard in Nanjing, Eco Catania and its sister vessels already in service in the Mediterranean are part of the GG5G (Grimaldi Green 5th Generation) class, which rank among the largest and most eco-friendly ro-ro ships in the world.With a transport capacity of more than 500 trailers, these green giants are able to halve CO2 emissions compared to the previous generation of ro-ro ships operated by the Grimaldi Group…

08 Jun 2021

Selvåg Senior: New LNG-Powered Purse Seiner/Trawler cuts GHG 42%

Image courtesy Skipsteknisk and SelvĂĽg AS

As nations commit to reducing greenhouse gases, a fishing vessel is designed to do its share. Designed by Norway’s Skipsteknisk and Selvåg AS, it is in build at Cemre Shipyard for Sorheim Holding, the Selvåg Senior is a remarkable concept. Capable of both trawling and purse seining, the 79.5- x16.2-m vessel will have a molded depth of 6.9 m. The RSW holds, in the DNV-GL classed vessel, will have a total volume of just under 2550 cu. m.. The main propulsion engine will be a medium-speed Wärtsilä 8V31DF, producing 4,800 kW at 750 RPM.

08 Apr 2021

Hybrid-electric Pilot Boat Delivered in Singapore

(Photo: Penguin International Limited)

Singaporean shipbuilder Penguin said it has delivered Singapore’s first hybrid-powered pilot boat.Built, owned and operated by Penguin, the 15-meter vessel Penguin Tenaga is certified by Bureau Veritas with a "ZE" (zero emission) class notation and is capable of running in pure electric mode at 5 knots for more than 30 minutes. In conventional diesel mode, the vessel can reach a maximum speed of 24 knots.In addition, solar panels installed on the roof of Penguin Tenaga generate…

05 Apr 2021

GONDAN Building 10 Electric Ferries for Transtejo

(Image: Gondan)

Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros GONDAN said it is gearing up to start building a series of 10 fully electric passenger ferries  for the Portuguese river passenger transport operator Transtejo – Transportes Tejo, S.A.The 40-meter-long ferries are designed based on a catamaran-type hull form specifically optimized to make the most of the almost 2MWh of electrical energy stored in its batteries, with silent operation and no CO2 emissions. With a capacity of around 540 passengers,…

28 Jan 2021

Electric Propulsion: The Dawn of a New Generation of Marine Power?

A foil ferry designed to use battery electric propulsion (Image: Glosten)

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…

23 Oct 2020

Stealthy Submarine Concept Unveiled

(Image: Naval Group)

Naval Group has unveiled its new SMX 31 E submarine concept, integrating the latest digital technologies for reinforced operational efficiency and improved versatility. Stealthier thanks to her biomimetic covering, the ship also benefits from an unmatched electrical energy storage capacity and a new propulsion concept.The new sub is designed to deliver upon Naval Group's long-term vision. The French-based company said its naval architects considered operational needs expressed…

30 Sep 2020

Taiwan: First Steel Cut for 'Green Jade' Offshore Installation Vessel

Credit: DEME

The first steel cutting ceremony was held in Taiwan Wednesday for the Green Jade DP3 heavy lift and installation vessel, the first such vessel built in Taiwan.The vessel has been commissioned by CDWE, a joint venture between Taiwanese company CSBC and Belgian offshore contractor DEME, and will be built at CSBC in Taiwan for delivery in 2022 for deployment in the region’s offshore wind market.The vessel will have has a 4,000-tonne crane capacity and DP3 capability, and will be able to transport and install the next generation…

03 Aug 2020

ABS Class for First Taiwan-built Offshore Installation Vessel

Image Credit: Deme Offshore

Marine classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will provide classification services to the first floating heavy lift and installation vessel to be built in Taiwan.The vessel named the Green Jade has been commissioned by CDWE, a joint venture between Taiwanese company CSBC and Belgian offshore contractor DEME, and will be built at CSBC in Taiwan for delivery in 2022 for deployment in the region’s offshore wind market.“This is a key development for the region’s offshore wind capability and for the Taiwanese shipbuilding industry and we are delighted to be able to support it…

30 Jun 2023

Early Works Start for First Taiwan-built Offshore Installation Vessel

Image Credit: Deme Offshore

CDWE, a joint venture company between Taiwanese company CSBC and Belgian offshore contractor DEME, has initiated the early works contract for the very first floating heavy lift and installation vessel to be built in Taiwan.To be named ‘Green Jade’, the vessel will be built at CSBC in Taiwan for delivery in 2022 for deployment in the growing local offshore wind market.CDWE, Taiwan’s first offshore wind EPCI contractor, was established in February 2019  by CSBC, the largest shipbuilder in Taiwan…

07 Nov 2019

Wes Amelie Retrofit for Synthetic Natural Gas

The Wes Amelie (picture courtsey Wessels)

First dual-fuel retrofit now set to be first vessel globally to use SNG derived from renewable energy in furtherance of Maritime Energy Transition MAN Energy Solutions and Wessels Marine GmbH have announced a technical showcase whereby the 2017-retrofitted ‘Wes Amelie’, a 1,036-teu feeder container ship, will use liquefied SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) produced from renewable electrical energy as drop-in fuel. The companies are cooperating on the Wes Amelie project with Nauticor…

06 Nov 2019

Maersk Tests Containerized Battery System

Danish shipping giant Maersk will install a containerized 600 kWh marine battery system on board the 4,500 TEU Maersk Cape Town in December 2019 to improve vessel performance and reliability while reducing CO2 emissions.“This trial will provide a greater understanding of energy storage that will support Maersk in moving towards further electrification of its fleet and port terminals. Maersk will continue to facilitate, test, and develop low-carbon solutions on our journey to become carbon neutral by 2050,” explains Søren Toft, Maersk COO.Propelling marine vessels with battery power alone is still years away from being a technically- and economically viable option.

06 Nov 2019

Containership to Convert to Synthetic Fuel

Stefan Eefting, SVP PrimeServ, MAN ES (left) and Christian P. Hoepfner, Managing Director, Wessels Marine, announcing the plan to run the containership Wes Amelie on Synthetic Natural Gas. Photo: Greg Trauthwein

ROTTERDAM – Today in Rotterdam Wessels Marine and MAN Energy Systems announced an innovative project to convert the containership Wes Amelie to run on Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG).While SNG today is far to sparse and expensive to make it a near term commercial reality, this step forward is significant in that a ship outfitted with an MAN propulsion unit to run on LNG would need no modification to have it run on SNG, effectively making it ‘future proof’ while helping to dispel the…