Sustainable Systems News

Singaporean shipbuilder Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) announced it has delivered Vox Ariane, the first in a series of three new 10,500-cubic-meter-capacity trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHD) for Dutch contracting company Van Oord.The high-specification dredger can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it the first dual-fuel TSHD built in Singapore, according to the builder.Tan Leong Peng, Managing Director (New Builds), Keppel O&M, said,  “LNG plays an important role in the clean energy transition.

Wärtsilä Voyage and Japan based weather routing provider Weathernews Inc (WNI) have signed a strategic partnership agreement enabling the integration of WNI’s weather forecasting data and Optimum Ship Routeing (OSR) service with Wärtsilä’s products and solutions. According to Wärtsilä, the move aims to increase navigational safety and support the decarbonization efforts of ship owners and operators.By automating navigation and route planning functions with weather avoidance technology, owners can reduce risks and allow seafarers to concentrate on other operational requirements.

Finnish marine equipment and technology company Wärtsilä said on Thursday it is working to develop an autonomous, emissions-free intra-port, inter-terminal container shuttle that would help address the emerging capacity bottleneck for internal container transportation.The project is part of an international alliance headed by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, which has this month been awarded nearly €25 million in EU funding to implement projects aimed at sustainable and smart port logistics.

Rotterdam-based dredging and marine contractor Van Oord has recently ordered two trailing-suction hopper dredgers as part of its continuous investment program. The vessels will be constructed at CNN LaNaval Shipyard in Sestao, Spain with delivery dates scheduled for 2017. Each vessel will feature a complete MAN Diesel & Turbo propulsion package with MAN 6L48/60CR engines, RENK gearboxes with PTO, MAN Alpha CP Propeller systems, AHT (Alpha High Thrust) Propeller nozzles and MAN Alpha AT3000 propulsion-control systems.

Van Oord has ordered two trailing suction hopper dredgers to be built by Spanish Construcciones Navales del Norte S.L., LaNaval at its yard in Bilbao. Both vessels are scheduled to be delivered in 2017. According to Van Oord, the order is in line with its innovative investment program and is part of the replacement program of older trailing suction hopper dredgers. The new vessels are a contribution to the further modernization of Van Oord’s fleet and mark the start of a new generation of trailing suction hopper dredgers.

Van Oord has ordered a new subsea rock installation vessel. Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group Shanghai will build the vessel at its Ningbo yard in China. The vessel will be delivered in 2016. Subsea rock installation is a proven technique for the protection and stabilisation of offshore structures and pipelines, and is one of Van Oord’s main activities for its clients in the oil and gas industry. The vessel, which has a DP-3 (dynamic positioning) system, will be suitable for installation of a wide range of rock sizes through a fall pipe or a tremie pipe at the side of the vessel. With a deadweight of 14,000 tons, a length of 154 metres and a beam of 28 metres, the vessel can operate in water depths of more than 600 meters. There is accommodation on board for 60 people.

BMT Asia Pacific (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, says it has completed a major strategic study - “Enhancing Hong Kong’s Position as an International Maritime Centre (IMC)”, undertaken on behalf of the Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau. The study aims to plot a development roadmap and strategy that will enable Hong Kong to remain a successful IMC in an increasingly competitive region. BMT explains that it conducted the IMC study utilising extensive industry engagement to examine the context and economic significance of Hong Kong’s maritime cluster, as well as the key challenges facing Hong Kong as an IMC. The findings, which were recently made available to the public…