Wolfson Unit News

British company Windship Technology has unveiled a whole-ship solution to tackle CO2 emissions from ships, launching its emissions-free bulk carrier and tanker designs alongside an investment partnership with classification society DNV.Starting from a clean drawing board, Technical Director Simon Rogers and his design team developed and tested at the Wolfson Unit in Southampton the company’s patented high performance, highly efficient triple-wing rig. The technical team further developed a new diesel electric ship drive system that eliminates CO2…

Environmental concerns are influencing a greater need for renewable and sustainable energy across the world with specialist technologies being at the forefront of new designs and solutions. As maritime industries begin to tackle the climate change issues, ports and shipping companies are looking for carbon-free alternatives by testing potential solutions for vessels. The requirement to make a move toward greener shipping is imminent. As companies start to concentrate their efforts in developing efficient solutions for improving performance and reducing emissions…

The 2013 ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress was held in London, United Kingdom from June 11-14,  2013 and was hosted and organized by the British Marine Federation (BMF) at Devonport House, located in London’s exclusive Royal Greenwich, a World Heritage Site. The first two days of Congress consisted of various committee meetings including the first gathering of ICOMIA’s new committees: "Grow Boating," which examines current campaigns dedicated to growing recreational boating globally and the "Exporters Committee," which provides members a forum to share knowledge on export markets, discuss import regulations and exchange information on overseas boat/trade show experiences.

Developments are underway at the University of Southampton to design the modern world’s first 100% fossil fuel free sailing cargo ships, in a project which aims to provide efficient and affordable low-carbon shipping in the face of rising fossil fuel prices and the global challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project combines proven technology and a state of the art dyna-rig sail propulsion system with an off the shelf Rolls-Royce engine powered by waste derived liquid biomethane (liquid gas). The ships are being developed by B9 Shipping, part of the B9 Energy group of companies, which has started work on a full-scale demonstration vessel validating the engineering and economic assumptions of the initial vessel design.

Kha Shing, Taiwan builder of luxury yachts, has begun building the first of its newest model in its Monte Fino range, designated hull 84/6. The ecHo is an 85-ft motor yacht, and its name derives from being ecologically friendly as well as the result of a partnership with Humphreys Yacht Design. The Monte Fino ecHo is a completely new design based on the principals of energy efficiency, minimal emissions and the philosophy that the act of travelling on board should be as much a pleasure as arriving at the destination.

Imtech Marine Group (global technical services provider) has been commissioned to supply the entire “green” technical infrastructure on board Greenpeace’s new flagship Rainbow Warrior III. Together with a large number of other initiatives, this project serves as proof of the present development in “green” ships. The Rainbow Warrior III (almost 190-ft in length) is the successor of the present Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior II. Greenpeace wants its new flagship to be the ultimate example of sustainability.

The U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has assumed a series of projects researching aspects of the stability of craft certificated under the IMO Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft (2000). Following recommendations by the High Speed Craft Advisory Group (an MCA consultative committee), proposals were submitted to the Research Board in 2002, and contracts have been awarded during the first few months of 2003. Project 501 is investigating the mechanics of raking damage of high-speed craft, taking into account hull material and scantlings, and the vessel’s displacement and speed. The objective is to determine scientifically the extent of damage that should be considered on such craft if a level of safety equivalent to conventional merchant shipping is to be attained.