University Of Melbourne News

Sailing cargo ships are making a genuine comeback.Japanese bulk carrier MOL is operating a wind-assisted ship. American food giant Cargill is working with Olympic sailor Ben Ainslie to deploy WindWings on its routes. Swedish shipping company Wallenius is aiming for Oceanbird to cut emissions by up to 90%. The French start-up Zephyr & Borée has built the Canopée, which will transport parts of European Space Agency’s Ariane 6 rocket this year.I researched the decarbonisation of the shipping industry.

In 80% of the world, we don’t really know.Across much of the world’s oceans, waves are getting bigger. In the Southern Ocean, where storm-driven swell can propagate halfway across the world to California, the average wave has grown about 20cm in the past 30 years.These changes are part of climate change, and are likely to continue well into the future. If you’re making long-term plans near the sea – like building ships, or constructing flood defenses in coastal cities – you need more detail about how big those waves are going to get.In a study published this week in Science Advances…

Member states of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the UN agency that regulates international maritime affairs, are meeting on December 5-16 to discuss how to accelerate the industry’s climate mitigation efforts.An initial strategy – agreed in 2018, when the industry’s emissions were roughly the same as Germany’s – targeted a 50% reduction in shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and included a noncommittal aim to phase out emissions in line with the 1.5℃ temperature…

Antarctica, the world’s last true wilderness, has been protected by an international treaty for the last 60 years. But the same isn’t true for most of the ocean surrounding it.Just 5% of the Southern Ocean is protected, leaving biodiversity hotspots exposed to threats from human activity.The Western Antarctic Peninsula, the northernmost part of the continent and one of its most biodiverse regions, is particularly vulnerable. It faces the cumulative threats of commercial krill fishing…

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) today announced up to $20 million for a new research and development (R&D) round dedicated to industry-partnered projects that seek to develop and commercialise renewable energy technologies. ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht was joined by founder of Suntech Power Dr Zhengrong Shi to officially open the new funding round at an event held at RMIT University in Melbourne. “I am pleased to announce up to $20 million for our second R&D round through ARENA’s Research & Development Programme,” Mr Frischknecht said. “This round will support industry and research partnerships to deliver R&D projects with practical applications and commercially-oriented outcomes that integrate renewable energy into networks, buildings and industrial processes.

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

The Office of Naval Research Global (ONR Global) announced Jan. 30 a grant to the University of Melbourne that will provide new insights into ocean conditions-crucial information for Navy planners involved in tactical and strategic decision-making. The project is intended to improve understanding of conditions in the Indian Ocean, including validating satellite data on salinity, or salt, levels. Confirming satellite findings with actual field-level research is an area scientists have deemed essential to improving the Navy's oceanographic models. The research is in collaboration with Kenyan and Indian scientific organizations. "The major goal of this kind of research is to be able to provide the best information possible on the environmental…

Leading international energy business advisors Douglas-Westwood today opened a new office in Singapore. Located at 1 Fullerton in Singapore’s central business district, the new facility will manage the Douglas-Westwood group’s Advisory and Research business across the Asia Pacific region. Group CEO Andrew Reid said “Establishing in Singapore is core to our continued internationalisation strategy and provides our organisation with a global presence, building on the investment in expanding our European and North American offices in previous years.