ABB Supplies Charging System for Auckland’s New Electric Ferries
ABB has secured a contract with Auckland Transport (AT) to deliver the maritime world’s first megawatt charging system (MCS) to recharge electric ferries using the same interface as trucks and airplanes. Lowering the barrier to entry, the standardized and highly adaptable system is expected to improve electric vessel competitiveness against fossil-fueled counterparts.As part of its Mission Electric initiative, AT has ordered two 200-seat all-electric ferries and two 300-passenger…
Maritime Craft Services Expands Workboat Fleet with Damen's Multi Cat 2712
Damen Shipyards has delivered one of its Multi Cats to workboat specialist Maritime Craft Services (Clyde) Ltd. The 27-meter Multi Cat 2712 is a mid-range model in the 13-strong class and Damen builds them in series to meet the consistent demand for vessels of this size and capability, the Dutch shipbuilder said.Based on the Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland, Maritime Craft Services (MCS) operates a fleet of 17 workboats, of which 13 have been built by Damen. The company provides services to offshore energy contractors and dredging clients for activities including anchor handling…
MOL Establishes Indonesian Manning Company
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and PT MCS Internasional (MCSI) have established PT McMOL Crewing International, a new joint-venture LNG carrier manning company. MCSI is part of PT Humpuss Maritim Internasional Tbk. Group in Indonesia.The JV plans to begin operations in April 2024, and will primarily allocate seafarers for the MOL Group's fleet of LNG carriers.In operating vessels transporting LNG, it is essential to recruit, train, and retain top-quality seafarers who are qualified to handle LNG, says MOL.
Perkins Marine Unveils Two New Auxiliary Engines
Perkins marine is set to launch its new Perkins E44 and E70B auxiliary engines for use on inland waterways, tugs, governmental, fishing and ferry services.The new Perkins E44, an electronic 4.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine and the evolved E70B offer a broad range of power ratings and factory configurable power solutions to meet boat operators auxiliary power needs, the manufacturer said.“Our customers require more, and we are here to meet their expectations,” said Ben Lewis, sales support manager at Perkins marine engines…
Rapid Charging Systems: Current Technology for the Future of Ferries
As the devotion to more sustainable shipping expands and regulations become more stringent, the demand for lower emissions operations continues to increase. As a result, the marine industry is confronted with the challenge of large-scale electrification as an alternative energy solution.For electric ferries, one developing technology is Rapid Charging Systems (RCS), which transfer electrical power from the shore to a vessel at a high rate. These charging systems establish a ship-to-shore connection quickly…
AI-Driven Maritime Custody Service Now Available Commercially
BlackSky Technology and Spire Global have teamed up to create a real-time, commercially available Maritime Custody Service that can automatically detect, identify and track more than 270 thousand vessels worldwide in open water, along rivers and canals, and while docked at port.The system uses data from Spire’s radio frequency-monitoring satellite constellation to detect emissions from maritime targets, including the ability to detect and locate dark vessels that manipulate their reported position in order to conceal nefarious activities.
Austal USA Delivers USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13)
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA delivered Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) to the U.S. Navy. This is the second Navy ship named after the coastal Florida city; both ships were built in Mobile.EPF 13 is now the largest surface ship in the U.S. Navy fleet with autonomous capability. EPF 13 went to sea five times over a several-month duration allowing Austal USA and their industry partners, L3Harris and General Dynamics Mission Systems, to test and analyze…
Wärtsilä to Supply Systems on Four PIL Containerships
Wärtsilä will supply the LNG Fuel Gas Supply System, Propulsion Control System and Alarm Monitoring and Control System for four new 8200 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships being built for Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) at the Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding yard in China. The orders were included in Wärtsilä’s order book in Q4 2022.Wärtsilä Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) will feed LNG fuel to power both main and auxiliary engines from the vessel’s 7500 cu. m. membrane tank.
Wärtsilä to Equip Pacific International Lines' Newbuilds
Technology group Wärtsilä announced it will supply the liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel gas supply system, propulsion control system and alarm monitoring and control system for four new 8200 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships being built for Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) at the Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding yard in China. The orders were included in Wärtsilä’s order book in the fourth quarter of 2022.Wärtsilä Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) will feed LNG fuel to power both main and auxiliary engines from the vessel’s 7500 m3 membrane tank.
Cavotec Unveils Ultra-fast Megawatt Charging System
Cleantech engineering company Cavotec this week unveiled its ultra-fast Megawatt Charging System (MCS), a turnkey DC charging solution with grid-to-inlet functionality, capable of providing up to 3MW of power from a single connector to support the decarbonization of vessels and industrial vehicles.“MCS enables the safe and quick connection of heavy-duty vehicles and ships to electrical power in a reliable, ergonomic unit. As the most powerful system on the market, MCS significantly reduces typical charging times…
MSC Signs On with Kongsberg Digital to 'Digitalize' 500 Ships
Kongsberg Digital and MSC has signed a contract for digitalizing MSC’s entire fleet consisting of approximately 500 vessels with Vessel Insight.“This is a very important contract for MSC as making our fleet more sustainable is one of our top priorities. With Kongsberg Digital and the Vessel Insight data infrastructure we will be able to optimize our vessel operations to become more effective, sustainable, and safer. The maritime industry is facing strict regulatory requirements to cut emissions and become more sustainable…
Stena RoRo's Ro-Pax Vessel Trio to Sport Broad Range of Wärtsilä Solutions
Finland-based marine technology and equipment specialist Wärtsilä will provide a broad scope of its solutions for three new LNG-fuelled Ro-Pax vessels being built in China for Swedish ferry operator Stena RoRo.China Merchants Jinling (Weihai) Shipyard is building the vessels. They will operate with Wärtsilä engines and propulsion machinery when delivered in 2024 and 2025. The vessels, each around 200 meters long, are part of a series of E-Flexer class ferries ordered by Stena RoRo for European line service.
Supply Chain Shocks: Ocean Shipping Challenges Abound
Supply chain issues tied to liner shipping have been front page news throughout 2021; just about everyone agrees that there’s a problem. The underlying cause is right out of Economics 101: a surge in demand for moving containerized cargo, in the face of “inelastic” throughput capacity (which includes vessels and their landside interfaces to surface transportation, trucks and rail) that could not handle the swell, attributable to re-stocking of containerized cargo as economic activity recovered from the pandemic induced jolts.
Interview: Chris Deegan, President & Chief Executive, Gibbs & Cox
In 1985, Chris Deegan was hired out of Penn State as a nuclear submarine cost estimator by the Naval Sea Systems Command and retired nearly 28 years later as the Executive Director of PEO Integrated Warfare Systems, with the last 10 as a member of the Senior Executive Service. He’s been with Gibbs & Cox since 2013, first as the Vice President of Engineering, and as President and Chief Executive since 2016.Please give a “by the numbers” look at Gibbs & Cox today.Since our founding in 1929…
Antarctic Supply Ship Returns to Australia After Engine Room Fire
Antarctic resupply ship MPV Everest berthed in Fremantle, Australia at 5:30 p.m. local time Tuesday, after it suffered an engine room fire earlier this month, the Australian Antarctic Division said.Australia’s chartered Antarctic resupply vessel MPV Everest was about 1,700 nautical miles south of Perth when the April 5 fire engulfed the vessel's port engine room and destroyed two inflatable rubber boats on the deck. There were no injuries to the 72 expeditioners and 37 crew on board.The ice-strengthened ship…
'Small Fire' Aboard Antarctic Supply Ship
The Australian Antarctic Division said a small fire broke out on board a vessel used to resupply Australia’s Casey research station in Antarctica.The fire was discovered around 7 a.m. local time on January 29, in a battery room above the bridge of Bahamas-flagged MPV Everest while the vessel was transiting back to Hobart following an Antarctic resupply trip.The fire was quickly put out using handheld fire extinguishers, AAD said. There were no injuries.AAD said the ship’s operator…
Caterpillar Marine Unveils C32B 2433 MHP Engine
Following the launch of the C32B 2025 MHP engine, Caterpillar Marine has announced the release of the new Cat C32B Triple Turbo 2433 MHP (2400BHP) high-performance marine engine, with a rated engine speed of 2,300 rpm.With a 20% increase in power output, the C32B Triple Turbo engine leverages the same core engine upgrades as the C32B 2025 MHP rating while offering additional features and benefits, the manufacturer said. The C32B 3-Turbo is geared toward yachting, sportfishing and governmental applications.Compared to the C32B 2025 MHP model…
Tersan Orders Parat Boilers for Arctic Freezer Trawler
Turkish shipyard Tersan has ordered a boiler package from Parat for the NB1105 Arctic Freezer Trawler, which it is building for PF Havborg from the Faroe Islands."Steam will be delivered by our MCS combined steam boiler utilizing the exhaust heat and is equipped with an MDO atomizing burner. Parat will also deliver an MVH oil-fired smoke tube boiler for hot water," Parat said.The system will be delivered with a feed water tank, water treatment, heat exchangers, hot water boiler, pumps, and surplus steam dumping system.
Diverse Marine Wins CTV Gig from Turner Iceni
Refit and repair provider Diverse Marine Ltd has signed a modification and upcycling contract with an offshore wind crew transfer vessel (CTV) service provider Turner Iceni Ltd. for the modification and upcycling of ‘Iceni Courage’ following a competitive tender process.According to the UK-based naval architect, the Iceni Courage is a 15m crew transfer vessel built in the yard back in 2009.The dynamic offshore wind sector has developed over the last decade with a requirement for larger, faster and more efficient craft so the time had come for the vessel’s owners to consider a sale or repurposing of the vessel out of the offshore wind industry.However…
Bergink takes over as Framo CEO
Sameer Kalra has passed the helm of pumping system manufacturer Framo over to new CEO Martijn Bergink.Bergink will be based in Bergen, Norway. Formerly President of Business Unit Boiler and Gas System at Alfa Laval, he has held various positions within Alfa Laval since 1998. Educated as a chemical engineer, Bergink holds an McS degree in Chemistry.Kalra, the former Framo CEO moves across to parent company Alfa Laval as the new head of the Alfa Laval Marine Division and a member of the Alfa Laval Group Management.
Operation ATALANTA Deputy Meets with French Forces
Operation ATALANTA Deputy Commander R. Adm. Giovanni Battista Piegaja spoke with French Base Commander Colonel Francois Tricot and Deputy COMFOR FFDJ Colonel Emmanuel Antoine, during a meeting with the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ).The FFDJ hosts the Support Element ATALANTA (SEA) and the Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircrafts (MPRA) Detachments from Spain and Germany on the Air Base (BA 188).During the meeting, R. Adm. Piegaja expressed gratitude to the French Armed Forces for the support they provide to the Operation ATALANTA MPRAs, the Support Element ATALANTA and the Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachments (AVPDs)…
"A Maritime Disaster Waiting to Happen"
Since the founding in 2016, cyber defence company Naval Dome has won awards for its Endpoint cyber defense system and achieved the highest level of security certification from classification society DNV GL, helping to protect merchant ships, cruise ships and yachts from cyber-attack.In 2019, Naval Dome optimized Endpoint with a “Dashboard” App, providing maritime users with a clear picture of the cyber status of all critical systems on board the ship, designed to allow users…
Bergink Takes the Helm at Framo
Martijn Bergink has taken over as CEO of pumping systems manufacturer Framo.Former Framo CEO Sameer Kalra has officially handed Bergink responsibility for the business as Kalra becomes the new head of the Alfa Laval Marine Division and a member of the Alfa Laval Group management.As CEO of Framo and President of Business Unit Pumping Systems, Bergink will be based out of Bergen. He is educated chemical engineer and holds an McS degree in Chemistry. He began working for Alfa Laval in the Netherlands in 1998 and most recently held the position of President of Business Unit Boiler and Gas Systems.