USCG Warns of Water Contamination in Fuel Systems
A towing vessel operating in a pushing-ahead configuration experienced a loss of all propulsion while operating on the Mississippi River. The loss of propulsion occurred approximately three hours after getting underway and about 3.5 hours after receiving fuel from a shore-side facility. Fortunately, there was no significant damage to the vessel, nor injuries to crewmembers because of this casualty.The subsequent investigation into the causal factors revealed that the vessel’s fuel tanks and fuel service system to the engine were heavily contaminated by water.
Katadyn Desalination Inks Three-year Contract with US Navy
Katadyn Desalination, LLC announced it has won a three-year contract to deliver lifesaving, hand-operated desalination devices for the U.S. Navy.Katadyn Desalination is part of the Katadyn Group, provider of reliable, sustainable and simple solutions for safe drinking water treatment. Whether outdoors, at sea, for emergency preparedness, humanitarian or tactical missions or industrial applications, clean water becomes a reality with Katadyn products. The brand’s product line ranges from mobile water filter systems and chemical disinfectants…
VDL AEC Maritime to Reduce Ship Emissions
Following on from the electrification of heavy duty mobility in the form of cars, buses, automated guided vehicles and tractor units, VDL Groep intends to continue help reducing the emissions from means of transport. The family-owned international industrial business headquartered in Eindhoven will now be supplying systems for ships that comply with the latest international requirements on the emission of harmful substances. For this project, VDL has entered into a joint venture with AEC Maritime, the Eindhoven-based specialist in air cleaning, that develops and markets filter systems for ships. These so-called scrubbers filter the sulphur particles and other components from the exhaust gases emitted by ship engines.
Ballast Water Treatment Modular and Just in Time
A pair of market entries — one a business of powerful Japanese technology players, the other a newbie with some pedigree — reveal how bold, modular design could pay dividends in a competitive market. Their increments of innovation add up to timely ways to comply with changes, including extra U.S. Coast Guard strictures due out on the eve of an International Maritime Organization meeting in November 2015. The record numbers of vendors at Norway’s Nor-Shipping show offer paths to compliance…
California Okays Ship Emissions Capturing System
Clean Air Engineering-Maritime (CAEM)'s emissions treatment system for ocean-going vessels has been approved by the California Air Resources Board, giving operators of container vessels a second option for complying with the state’s strict emissions requirements for vessels at berth. Technology, developed at the port of Los Angeles, captures 90% of 'at-berth' emissions. CAEM announced it has received CARB approval for the first commercially ready ship emissions capturing system called the Maritime Emissions Treatment System (METS). The METS-1 is CAEM’s first-generation system. It is mounted and deployed from a barge that is positioned alongside ships berthed at the Port of Los Angeles.
Marine Diesel Oil Price-Spike Expected End of 2014
Reuters – New fuel rules for ships entering low sulphur zones around northwest Europe and North America next year could trigger a price spike in European gasoil, whilst refiners will struggle to offload unwanted fuel oil. From January 2015, ships entering "Emission Control Areas" (ECAs) in the Baltic, North Sea and English Channel and around the North American coast, will have to switch from low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) with 1 percent sulphur content to 0.1 percent gasoil, in a crackdown on marine pollution.
New Fuel Rules Could Prompt Gasoil Price Spike
New fuel rules for ships entering low sulphur zones around northwest Europe and North America next year could trigger a price spike in European gasoil, whilst refiners will struggle to offload unwanted fuel oil. From January 2015, ships entering "Emission Control Areas" (ECAs) in the Baltic, North Sea and English Channel and around the North American coast, will have to switch from low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) with 1 percent sulphur content to 0.1 percent gasoil, in a crackdown on marine pollution. Industry experts believe shipowners will opt for gasoil rather than using exhaust filter systems known as scrubbers or alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), because of high investment costs, long payback times, and the lack of suitable port infrastructure.
Diesel FUEL FILTER ALERT System Keeps Workboats Working
SKIMOIL, Inc.’s new diesel FUEL FILTER ALERT and alarm system, developed specifically for the commercial marine industry, provides an accurate real-time indication of fuel filter status. The system is especially valuable for vessels that don't have constant filter monitoring by dedicated on-board engineers, such as harbor tugs and other workboats running with a small crew. "All it takes is a load of bad diesel fuel to get a workboat in serious trouble fast, and it's always when least expected…
Dynamic Positioning System Upgrades For Navigare Flotels
Mobile, Alabama based Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services recently completed Dynamic Positioning (DP) system upgrades for Navigare on the accommodation Semis Safe Regency, Safe Lancia and the Safe Britannia. The DP system upgrades, which were performed while working in conjunction with Rolls-Royce, primarily consisted of hydraulic tubing replacement, installation of distribution manifolds and filter systems installations. Several hydraulic pump and motor upgrades were also necessary to upgrade the DP system. Prior to completion of the job, Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services performed a system flush, hydrostatically tested all components and commissioned the systems.
FSL Establishes CBRN Expertise with Frigate Fit
Naval support company Fleet Support Limited (FSL) has completed the first fit of an upgraded Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) filter system to the Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke during a maintenance period in Portsmouth. Using the NATO Radial filter, the new system takes into account the latest developments in CBRN equipment and technology, enabling reduced through-life cost of ownership by requiring less frequent filter changes. The new fit is set to be the forerunner for similar units to be installed in all ships in the Type 23 Class and underlines FSL’s growing technical capability in CBRN systems and collective protection.
