Promising Technology News

Hy2gen, the global developer, financier builder, owner and operator of renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-based e-fuels plants, and Amogy, the provider of ammonia power technology, today have signed an MoU to collaborate in the field of renewable ammonia.The agreement encompasses the pooling of resources to advance the use of renewable ammonia as a maritime fuel, participate in joint development projects and secure the safe usage of ammonia on board maritime vessels.Amogy’s ammonia-to-power solution aims to decarbonize the hard-to-abate sectors…

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) for Bumi Armada’s pioneering design for a floating carbon storage and injection unit (FCSIU).Bumi Armada’s FCSIU concept is a floating terminal capable of storing and injecting liquified carbon dioxide (LCO2) into depleted oil and gas fields or aquifers. This novel concept incorporates the ability to accept LCO2 deliveries in an offshore setting, the flexibility to manage LCO2 at low or medium pressure…

Swedish developer of twin offshore wind turbine technology Hexicon has partnered with Australia-based engineering giant Worley for FEED, Engineering Procurement Fabrication (EPF), and installation management of Hexicon's technology demonstrator project TwinWay, in Norway.As reported back in May this year, Hexicon said it would develop a demonstrator project - TwinWay- for floating wind power at Metcentre’s deepwater area off Norway’s coast. With TwinWay, a pilot to commercialize new offshore floating wind technology…

MSC Group's cruise division, shipbuilder Fincantieri, and Italian energy infrastructure company Snam have signed a memorandum of understanding to determine the conditions for the design and construction of what would become the world’s first oceangoing hydrogen-powered cruise ship.The owner of the world’s third largest cruise brand and part of the leading global shipping and logistics conglomerate MSC Group, giant shipbuilding group Fincantieri, and Snam have joined forces to…

Classification society DNV GL said it has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE) for a new wing-sail auxiliary propulsion system for ships designed to help reduce shipping emissions and fuel burn.The wind-powered auxiliary propulsion system, designed for installation aboard many vessel types, is the result of a joint research project from KSOE, the shipbuilding holding company of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, and SK Shipping…

Europe's second-largest seaport Port of Antwerp has ordered construction of a tug powered by hydrogen, the first in the world.The unique "Hydrotug" is driven by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with diesel. The motors also comply with the very strictest standard, the EU Stage V, making them the lowest-rated for emissions on the market.The Belgium-based port operator said that this ultra-low-emission tug is being built by Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), a pioneer in the field of hydrogen power for shipping. With this world first Antwerp is making an important step in the transition to a sustainable, CO2-neutral port.By lending support to this promising technology Port of Antwerp hopes that the shipping industry will follow.

Around 360 cruise vessels are operating on the ocean today, transporting thousands of passengers to both new and established locations across the world. The Cruise Boom relishing the industry in recent years has driven growth and advancement with 93 new vessels now under construction showcasing the latest technology available today. Now, the rising popularity of remote and adventurous routes such as the Polar Regions and UNESCO heritage sights has raised concerns about the impacts on marine environments and coastlines. The stakeholders continue to wait for environmental legislation to be set that will determine the green strategies adopted by different operators. Here, we take a brief look at some of the most promising technology available to the cruise industry today.

Singapore’s shipyards are looking to recent investments in capacity, design and newly acquired technology to combat order declines after a decades-long offshore buildup. Sembcorp and peer Keppel are making the most of partnerships in FLNG and showing signs they’ll be okay through the downturn, helped by their gas-hungry Australasian backyard and renewed ties with old charterer parties and suppliers. With drilling contractors unable to pay for the offshore rigs they’ve ordered, Singapore’s heavyweight yards have had to defer deliveries and become defacto rig owners.

Intellian’s appointment to Korea’s prestigious ‘World Class 300’ list of the country’s most promising technology companies is a distinguished achievement and confirms its commanding lead in the mobile satellite communications terminal sector. Intellian, the global leader in maritime satellite communication antenna systems is now a fully-fledged member of the exclusive “club” comprising a group of Korean corporates recognized as the best and brightest in creative innovation, outstanding development and future market potential. Intellian expects to receive multi million dollars in R&D funding from the Korean Government over the next five years as a result of joining the World Class 300 group.

Silverstream Technologies and Shell announced the sea trial of Silverstream Technologies’ new air lubrication technology for ships, the Silverstream System. The sea trials, independently verified by Lloyds Register Ship Performance Team, show net energy efficiency savings in all analyzed cases, the companies reported. Shell funded, and with Silverstream, oversaw the installation of the Silverstream System on the 40,000DWT products tanker MT Amalienborg, owned by the Danish Shipping company Dannebrog Rederi. The trials verified by the Lloyds Register Ship Performance Team showed net average energy efficiency savings of 4.3% and 3.8% for the vessel in ballast and laden conditions respectively.

On May 13, 2014 Mitsubishi Corporation, GDF SUEZ and NYK signed a framework agreement aiming to develop the LNG bunkering market worldwide, in the context of international regulations that seek to reduce the impact of shipping activities on the global environment. This partnership now resulted in two concrete contracts: a joint order of an LNG bunkering vessel, the world’s first LNG bunkering vessel with the aim of providing LNG to LNG-fueled vessels; and also an LNG bunkering contract between GDF SUEZ and United European Car Carries (UECC)…

On December 19, 2013 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will implement its new Vessel General Permit (VGP), which the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) said will demand a technical solution that is currently unavailable to the marine industry. However, there is little flexibility in the VGP to accommodate this delay, leaving shipowners with an impossible requirement, the CSA said. This untenable situation could lead to significant impacts for Canadian shipowners if left unresolved. Given the dependence of American and Canadian industry on the marine transportation sector, finding a short-term solution to facilitate commerce is imperative. The CSA has been working on multiple fronts to find relief from this situation of inflexibility.

MHI Develops System to Enhance Damage Stability of Ships To Reduce Capsizing Risk: Response to Revised SOLAS Convention; First Order for Vessel with New System Placed by Nippon Shipping. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has developed a system to enhance the damage stability of ships, enabling reduction in capsizing risk, as well as a roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ship* equipped with the new system. The company has already received an order for the newly equipped vessel from Nippon Shipping Co., Ltd., a group company of Nippon Express Co., Ltd.

Regardless of today’s economic and financial reality, wealth creation and oil prosperity go hand in hand. While the medium to long term prospects are good, it is a major challenge for the offshore and maritime communities to secure the financing that is required to respond to immediate market opportunities, and also re-finance the completion of existing projects, such as offshore supply vessel new-builds. The funding necessary to invest in leading-edge research & development, introduce alternative & renewable ocean energy sources, fully commercialize promising technology, fast-track the expansion & grow of companies, and restructure capital requirements for mergers & acquisitions…

As hybrid electric cars become more commonplace on America’s highways, the Navy is working to bring hybrid electric ships to the high seas. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is developing innovative propulsion systems based on new fuel-cell technology for efficient generation of electrical power and greater design flexibility for future ships. To ensure a relatively quick transition to this promising technology, ONR is funding development of a method to extract hydrogen from diesel fuel. A diesel reforming system would take advantage of the relatively low cost of the fuel and the Navy’s established infrastructure for buying, storing and transporting it.

Engineers in the Wastewater Management Branch at the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock Division (NSWCCD) in Bethesda, Maryland assess, test and evaluate technologies for treating ship-generated graywater. Graywater consists of wastewater from showers, sinks, galley, scullery and laundry sources. The most recent accomplishment includes the design, fabrication, installation and initial testing of a shipboard graywater treatment system sponsored by NAVSEA 05R24. The equipment treats graywater generated by a crew of 75. It was installed on USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6) by an alteration installation team from the Environmental Improvement Section (Code 9153) at NSWCCD Ship Systems Engineering Station in Philadelphia…