Cummins Working with Ocean Infinity on Methanol Retrofit Project
Cummins is working with partners in the U.K. to develop and deploy a methanol conversion kit for an engine aboard an Ocean Infinity offshore support vessel (OSV) as the maritime industry works toward transitioning to cleaner fuels.The engine manufacturer announced its proposal to jointly develop a Methanol Kit for its QSK60 engine was selected to receive funding as part of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, funded by the U.K. government and delivered…
Isle of Man Ship Registry Reduces Fees for ‘Green’ Ships
The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) announced it will reduce registration fees for ships deploying green technology, in a move aimed at spurring decarbonization in the maritime industry.The new measure, which the flag state claims is the first of its kind in the world, will give a 15% reduction on annual registration fees for cargo ships, commercial yachts or passenger ships investing in biofuel, alternative fuels, wind or shore-side energy technology.The initiative forms part of the Isle of Man Government’s Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2022…
Techcross Expands into Anti-biofouling Business
Ballast water management system manufacturer Techcross said it has opened the door to a new business: anti-biofouling technology.Having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a total of four customers, including three major domestic shipping companies and one Japanese shipping company at the end of last year, South Korea-based Techcross is working alongside each to research and develop technologies related to ship biofouling prevention and treatment equipment.Biofouling…
Hyundai to Build 2 LNG carriers for Knutsen
Norwegian shipping company Knutsen said that Shell signed separate agreements for four LNG carriers with affiliates of Knutsen liquefied natural gas (LNG), two LNG carriers with Korea Line Corporation and two LNG Carriers with Global Meridian Holdings Limited.The LNG carrier owner and ship management company informed that the 174,000 cbm LNG carriers will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.The new vessels will all be equipped with efficient dual-fuel X-DF engines, boil-off management plants, air lubrication systems and shaft generators for auxiliary power. They will be integrated into Shell’s time-chartered trading fleet.Dr Grahaeme Henderson…
TOP Ships Acquires 2 Scrubber Fitted Tankers
Greece-based international ship-owning company TOP Ships has acquired two ultra-high specification scrubber-fitted 50,000 dwt Medium Range (MR) product/chemical tankers under construction at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. in South Korea.The tanker owner stated in a press release that it has acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Santa Catalina Inc. and Santa Monica Inc., which are Marshall Islands companies that have originally entered into new building contracts for the two tankers.The MR tankers are scheduled for delivery during February 2020, added the owner and operator of modern, fuel efficient "ECO" tanker vessels.TOP Ships has acquired the shares of both companies from an entity affiliated with its Chief Executive Officer…
Interview: Mika Koli, The Switch
The Switch is a 10 year old company working to advance the world with electrical drive train technology. It is still a relative new player in the global maritime sector with nearly four years of experience, but its first reference ships with The Switch technology onboard are starting to ply the world’s waterways – including one of MR’s “Great Ships of 2016,” Ternsund. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News met with Mika Koli, Business Development Manager, for his insights on The Switch and its future in maritime.
Spain Introduces New Military Shipbuilder
The new Spanish military shipbuilder, Navantia, has been unveiled by Pedro Solbes, the Spanish government’s second vice-prime minister and economics minister, along with Enrique Martínez Robles, the Chairman of the state holding company Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (SEPI), and the Chairman of the new company, Juan Pedro Gómez Jaén. The company, specializing in the design, construction and integration of military ships, is owned by SEPI and is the result of the desegregation of Izar’s military activities in line with the agreement reached in order to make publicly-owned shipyards viable. Mr. Solbes’ referred in his speech to the creation of this new company as the start of a new future for Spanish shipyards…
EU Endorses Dutch Financing Scheme
The European Commission has authorized, under the EC Treaty’s state aid rules, a state guarantee scheme introduced by The Netherlands. Guarantees will be granted to financial institutions providing loans to Dutch shipyards in order to finance the construction of ships. Guarantee premiums will be charged and vary according to the risk of the loan. The premium level will cover the risks of payments and the administrative costs generated by the scheme. Consequently, the scheme should be self-financing. This measure therefore does not constitute state aid and does not threaten to distort competition in the single market. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said: “Financial institutions remain reluctant to grant financing to shipbuilding…
China's Shipbuilding Industry Sees Rapid Growth
China's shipbuilding industry continues to grow rapidly with shipbuilders getting new orders totaling 16.08 million deadweight tons in the first half of the year, a 113-percent rise over the same period last year, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The NDRC said shipbuilders hold total orders of 50.92 million deadweight tons in the first half of the year with an increase of 43 percent, accounting for 20 percent of the world's market share. The national Medium-and Long-Term Plan of the Shipbuilding Industry, which was approved in August by the State Council, the country's cabinet, said the industry should accelerate its restructuring and upgrading to become strong enough to drive the growth of related sectors.
Minoan Flying Dolphins Acquires 10 More Ferries
Minoan Lines subsidiary Minoan Flying Dolphins added to a recent flurry of vessel acquisition with the purchase of 10 more ferries for an undisclosed amount, bringing its total fleet to 63 vessels. The ferries purchased are: Poseidon Express II, Pegasus, Milos Express, Papadiamantis, Poseidon Hellas, Aeas, Apostolos, Hellas, Aphaea and Aegina. Minoan Flying Dolphins' fleet includes 34 new technology ships, 25 of conventional technology, and four RoRo ships.
