Heat Energy News

“If we are to state our strategy in one word, it’s decarbonization,” said Juha Kytölä, director of R&D and engineering at Finnish tech company Wärtsilä. “What we are going toward is to supply the market with a portfolio of products that are ready for zero-carbon fuels.”In order to achieve its sustainability goals—including a 2030 target for carbon neutrality in its own operations—Wärtsilä has been taking big strides in research and development, having ramped up its investment on this front in recent years, Kytölä said.

Seen as a next step toward the maritime industry’s decarbonization goals, Methanol—if produced from renewable green sources—will bring the industry to a level of carbon neutrality. At Alfa Laval, the technologies to enable that step are being developed.As a low-flashpoint fuel, methanol poses significant challenges that require a new approach to fuel supply. Alfa Laval is partnering with MAN Energy Solutions to develop a low-flashpoint supply system (LFSS) for ME-LGIM two-stroke engines.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie commenced Operation Taconite, the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation, Monday, in response to expanded ice growth in the commercial ports of Western Lake Superior and the St. Marys River.Operation Taconite encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, Green Bay, northern Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. Ice breaking operations are based on the following order of priorities: search and rescue…

The first Sayaringo STaGE type LNG carrierMitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MHIMSB) delivered the first Sayaringo STaGE type liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, named Diamond Gas Orchid in June, 2018. The Sayaringo STaGE, which was developed based on MHIMSB's cutting-edge technology, has a continuous cover over the cargo tanks, a feature inherited from its predecessor the “Sayaendo”, and while keeping this merit, incorporates apple-shaped MOSS-type cargo tanks and a twin-shaft hybrid propulsion system “STaGE” plant, enhancing economic efficiency, environment friendliness, and versatility.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has signed a contract covering construction of four next-generation "FLEXIE" car carriers at Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. To be delivered in 2017 and 2018, the ships will serve on on MOL's worldwide car carrier services and will offer increased capacity and a new deck design for more flexible loading. Deck construction of the newly-ordered car carriers will be substantially altered to change the number of decks from the current 12 to 14. Furthermore, the number of liftable decks will be increased from two to six. This means two adjustable decks can be placed between two fixed decks. The newly designed liftable decks will offer greater flexibility in accommodating vehicles of different heights…

The marine environment is extremely harsh and delivering equipment capable of performing reliably and efficiently requires expert design engineers combined with advanced materials technology. Neil Wright, Managing Director of Wichita Clutch, assesses the requirements of modern marine clutches and brakes, which play such a crucial role in a variety of applications. As marine exploration for oil and gas continues to greater depths, so the equipment used to exploit the new reserves needs to perform on a whole new level.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) has firmly shown its ability to comply with Tier III NOx limits, which will enter into force in January 2016. Developed by MAN Diesel & Turbo, the EGR process already relies on Alfa Laval’s PureNOx, which provides the vital cleaning of the scrubber water. Now Alfa Laval is cooperating with MAN Diesel & Turbo to implement an EGR boiler, which could potentially add major energy benefits to the secure emission compliance. Over 1000 hours of EGR operation have now been achieved aboard the Maersk Cardiff, a container newbuild from A.P.

Mitsui OSK Lines, Ltd. today announced receipt of the 2014 Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE) Award for development of a waste heat energy recovery system for marine diesel engine used to generate electric power and assist ship propulsion. The system was installed on a MOL-operated large-scale iron ore carrier. The award was made in ceremonies held in Sendai International Center, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on May 26, 2014. The system was jointly developed by MOL, Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY), said it has recently achieved a milestone with the repair of its 4,000th ship. The vessel, the Gas Al Gurain, is an LPG Tanker owned by Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) one of ASRY’s longest standing customers. ASRY, established in 1977, noted that reaching the 4,000-ship mark was achieved in part thanks to some of the world most prestigious fleets, including KOTC, Maersk, UASC, Odfjell MidEast and many more. Installation of a new Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) system, exhaust gas economizer which utilizes the heat energy from diesel generators.

Attaining full membership of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in 2010 appears to have opened a wider choice of opportunities for Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Since Arun Sharma assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director in February 2012, IRS has embarked on a trajectory of rapid expansion and growth, positioning itself in the new avatar of a solution provider for its clients, offering not just innovative solutions but assisting them with tailor made remedies for meeting their individual needs. “Making a departure from its traditional role as a regulatory body, IRS is focused on a new approach,” said Mr. Sharma.

U.K. independent marine safety equipment supplier Ocean Safety will debut the latest range of fire extinguishers from Sea-Fire at Seawork. The range, which was introduced earlier in the year, is the 3M Novec 1230 NDF and NFG Series. Novec introduces a safer gas which is less harmful than other types of gas if used in enclosed compartments such as small engine rooms. Sea-Fire's pre-engineered NFD and NFG systems are automatically heat-activated, using 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid.

GE Marine has signed an agreement with Echogen Power Systems, Akron, Ohio, to be the exclusive provider of Echogen’s heat-to-power system for use on commercial and military marine vessels worldwide. Echogen’s product enhances GE Marine’s mechanical, hybrid and all-electric propulsion system solutions. Echogen’s system captures the exhaust heat energy that typically vents to atmosphere from gas turbines and/or diesel engines and converts it to useful power. While this concept is not new…

Alaris Companies last month announced it is working with the U.S. Coast Guard to help it decrease energy use and emissions via its fleet energy management program. Maritime Reporter recently visited with Alaris CEO, Bobbi Wolff, and Executive VP of Engineering, Michael Gaffney, to discuss the company, its system and the global trend to minimize maritime’s carbon footprint. Alaris recently won a contract to help the U.S. Coast Guard decrease energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Can you give us an overview of the vessels studied and the findings?

Tokyo, March 28, 2011 - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Jiujiang Haitian Equipment Manufacture Co., Ltd. (JHT), a state-owned major marine equipment manufacturer in China, have signed an agreement under which MHI will license marine boiler* technologies to JHT. JHT has been looking forward to acquiring marine boiler manufacturing technology from MHI for some time, while MHI has hoped to achieve greater penetration by its marine boilers into China's robustly expanding shipbuilding market. In this way, the new agreement meshes the aspirations of both companies.

For years, general manufacturing companies have enjoyed the benefit of laser cutting systems for producing complex or simple parts in batch volumes as low as one, and as high as tens of thousands. The laser is an incredibly powerful tool that remains unsurpassed in manufacturing activities across the world. As flexible and reconfigurable production tool that provides welding, cutting and machining capabilities in a single device, lasers are readily automated and have demonstrated that they can easily operate in "lights-out" mode for even greater productivity. With all this said, why aren't there any laser shipyards? Why hasn't one of the worlds largest and most important transportation industries rushed to implement laser cutting and welding technology?