Lloyds News

Over the past year, H2 Energy and DFDS have worked together on a project to analyze the feasibility of retrofitting large ferries with a hydrogen propulsion system.The project, supported by the Danish Maritime Fund, has led to the publication of a hydrogen propulsion feasibility study.With support from the Danish Maritime Fund, DFDS, H2 Energy and Lloyds set out to uncover the technical and operational feasibility of hydrogen propulsion systems by analyzing the main aspects of…

Exmar LPG has ordered two ammonia-powered Midsize Gas Carriers (MGCs) from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea.According to the company, a joint venture between EXMAR and Seapeak, the ships will be the first-ever oceangoing vessels to be propelled by dual-fuel ammonia engines, allowing for close to zero emissions trading when using ammonia. The engines will be delivered by Swiss marine power company WINGD, and the fuel supply system by Finland-based Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.Carl-Antoine Saverys…

The Royal Thai Navy has taken delivery of the new tug H.T.M.S. Ta Chai built by Asian Marine Services PCL. The vessel, having already undergone sea trials, was officially handed over on August 21.The newly completed RAmparts 3200-SD tug was designed by Canada's Robert Allan Ltd. to serve the navy’s surface ships and submarines.The design features a slightly wider hull form with improved features compared to two RAmparts 3200 tugs delivered to the Royal Thai Navy in 2017 and 2019…

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has joined the major classification societies to amend its rules relating to the inspection of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems.The amendment means that ships with open seawater-lubricated propeller shafts that are built to ClassNK rules are subject to the same 15-year shaft withdrawal inspection periods as oil-lubricated shafts and sterntubes, subject to monitoring criteria.The announcement brings ClassNK’s requirements in line with those of other large class societies…

Any commentator on the maritime business decarbonization voyage will offer something along the lines of "There will be multiple fuels…" With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings of its Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) set for early July, it is likely that targets for emissions will be tightened. Whatever mileposts that the IMO actually establishes, there will be no prescriptions handed down on how to get there. By mid-2023, nearly two years after the late 2021 alternative fuels crescendo in the aftermath of the COP26 meetings in Glasgow…

Offshore wind vessel firm Purus Wind has appointed Oliver MacManus as general manager, with immediate effect.MacManus will focus on overseeing the running of the construction/service operation vessels (“C/SOV”) business. "The appointment is integral to positioning Purus Wind for future growth as the business continues to expand its fleet of next-generation battery hybrid C/SOVs and crew transfer vessels (“CTVs”)," Purus Wind said.Tom Nevin, business head, Purus Wind said: “Oliver is a great asset to the team, strengthening its leadership as the business continues to grow.

Port agency and marine services provider Inchcape Shipping Services announced it has appointed Anna Evangelidis as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective June 6, 2023.Evangelidis brings with her a wealth of experience, having previously worked at BP, Saipem and LR (Lloyds Register), where she held various positions as a naval architect, pipeline engineer, procurement, and other operational leadership roles. Evangelidis secured an honors degree in Ship Science from Southampton University. In her new role, Evangelidis will be responsible for three major areas of our company.

In February Gard published the results of its review of Lloyds Open Form (LOF). Their review indicated a disturbing reduction in the number of LOF contracts, and noted some other concerns with regard to loss of use of LOF in salvage situations.Lloyds Open Form is a classic and, in my mind, cherished, example of the core beauty of maritime. It combines a large number of maritime concepts into a simple device that solves a complex problem.It reminds me of a few of the lines in the song “Wooden Ships” by Crosby, Still, Nash and Young.

Lloyd’s Register has acquired a 50% interest in ISF Watchkeeper, a work and rest hours compliance software solution from IT Energy Systems and Consulting Limited. The acquisition will result in LR becoming a joint owner of ISF Watchkeeper with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).Originally developed by ICS and IT Energy, ISF Watchkeeper is a suite of digital solutions that helps global ship operators to plan, manage and report their crew’s rest hours compliance in accordance with International Convention on Standards of Training…

Qilak LNG plans to invest $5 billion in a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Alaska's North Slope to compete with Russia's Yamal project for Asian customers towards the end of this decade, its chief executive said. Major LNG importers such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are rethinking Russian supplies after sanctions on Moscow after it invaded Ukraine and more natural gas could be needed to produce lower emission and alternative fuels as nations try to reduce their carbon emissions.

Classification society Bureau Veritas has successfully reviewed a 3D design of a 2500 m³ hopper dredger from Damen Shipyards, being a step to granting it approval in principle. The pilot project for 3D model-based class approval is meant to pave the way toward using three dimensional computer designs as standard procedure to achieve class notation for seagoing vessels.Vessel steel hull Design evaluation based on 3D models in parallel to its classification review process has become possible thanks to the new data exchange format - OCX.

Shadowcat expanded its portfolio to include a monohull shadow vessel. Dubbed Shadowolf, this is its first single-hulled support yacht and is available to meet the increasing demand for guest-level comfort and services. The vessel's new hybrid hull design focuses on passenger comfort and accommodation, while still enhancing adventures at sea.Designed by Shadowcat partners Incat Crowther and YCTS, Ltd., the 69.2m Shadowolf offers an 11.5m beam and 3.25m draft, and will be built upon Incat Crowther’s aluminum hull design.Other Shadowolf features include a fully certified helipad and hangar…

Defense company Babcock International has started a post-life extension (LIFEX) on the U.K. Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll at Babcock Devonport’s facility. It is the first Type 23 to begin their post-LIFEX upkeep, adopting a new innovative approach to recertification at the Frigate Support Centre (FSC).Babcock will be overhauling key equipment and carrying out design changes for new capabilities such as communications upgrades and mixed crewing. The Duke Class frigate will also receive a full spray coat on the outer bottom and ship side.Sarah Hilder…

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) confirmed the appointment of Marion Leslie as Non-Executive Chair. Leslie will chair the UKHO Board in this independent position after a year as interim Non-Executive Chair and six years as a Non-Executive Director at the UKHO.The Board supports, challenges and validates the UKHO business strategy and oversees the organization's performance. Leslie leads the Board as Chair, acting in the interests of the Ministry of Defense and key stakeholders…

Shipbuilder Strategic Marine has unveiled its new Aluminium 42m Gen 4 Fast Crew Boat (FCB) design. According to the company, the vessel comes with an efficient new hull form and Z-bow which improves seakeeping, requires less power for the same speed and deadweight (DWT), reducing fuel consumption and lower emissions."The new hull form has been developed in collaboration with Southerly Designs with CFD analysis and optimization by Seaspeed Marine Consulting. It has been put through…

Automation, where routine tasks are handled by machines, has been talked about throughout maritime sectors for much of the 21st Century. Initially touted by suppliers of engine room and bridge management systems for its cost savings (with reduced manning levels), its value proposition was then infused with risk management (reduced human error) and remote operations, where vessels could be managed from a shoreside control room. In early 2017, Rolls Royce —an early proponent of unmanned operations—teamed with tug operator Svitzer on a remotely operated vessel…

A ship financier’s primary security is the mortgaged ship. If the ship becomes a total loss, the mortgage will provide no valuable security, leaving the financier to rely on its rights as assignee and loss payee (and occasionally as co-assured) under the shipowner’s marine insurance policies. However, the owner’s insurers may decline a claim, for example on grounds of breach of warranty or material non-disclosure, or because the loss is not covered by the policy, such as where the owner scuttles the mortgaged ship.

While the adoption of unmanned/uncrewed surfaces vessels (USVs) was initially in defence, use of these low footprint systems has spread into other sectors, not least survey, and now the race is on for greater capability, endurance and autonomy. Elaine Maslin reports.After starting small, in inland waterways, use of USVs for survey operations has moved into coastal and now offshore waters. Given the extensive amount of seabed and rapid growth in offshore wind, there’s plenty of work out there for them to do.With the travel restrictions posed by Covid and increasing awareness of climate change…

The UK-based Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has said it has secured funding for five projects as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.Fifty-five projects successfully secured £23m funding as part of the Competition, announced at an event during London International Shipping Week by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.ORE Catapult is either leading or is a consortium partner in five of those projects, totaling £3.3m in funding awarded.

Quickly growing turbine numbers, installed in deeper waters offshore and farther out to sea are needed to serve accelerating demand for wind energy, but safety issues for such structures go beyond the feats of civil engineering making them possible.Supervised remotely, all of these offshore assets nonetheless need periodic physical inspection and maintenance, with the engineers landing on remote platforms either from helicopters or via gangways connecting to vessels in motion.

Russia's leading shipping company Sovcomflot plans to sell part of its fleet on Friday, as it grapples with Western sanctions and seeks to repay outstanding loans.Sovcomflot has faced growing challenges in concluding charters as ports, end purchasers, marine insurers, and other freight companies pull back from Russian business amid sanctions imposed in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Lloyds List shipping newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources, that up to a third…

Celsius Tankers and partners have ordered two additional 180,000-cubic-meter-capacity (CBM) liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from south Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). The two new ships are scheduled to be delivered in 2024 and will enter into long term time charter with an energy major.According to Celsius, the new vessels’ highly efficient design minimizes CO2 emissions and methane slip from operations via installation of air lubrication, optimization of hull shape and use of the best available paint system to reduce the vessels’ friction in water.

Danish shipping company Celsius Tankers announced it has ordered a series of four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries. Upon delivery during 2023 and 2024, the 180,000-cuboc-meter capacity newbuilds will enter into long-term time charters with Clearlake Shipping, a subsidiary of Gunvor Group Ltd.Celsius Tankers recently took delivery of the fourth and last LNG carrier from the previous series of 180,000-cubic-meter capacity XDF vessels ordered at Samsung Heavy Industries in 2018.