Design News

The physicist Max Planck (actually born as Marx Planck) is best known for the development of his universal constant that defines physics at the most basic level. It is an important number, and today it even defines the kilogram and therefore most engineering units. Regardless, in my daily life I have little use for it.Max Planks is less known for his Principle, which, to me, is much more useful and I encounter it almost on a daily basis. Max Planck provided this Principle in his Scientific Autobiography (and Other Papers…

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard -- a Tokyo-based joint venture for ship design and sales between Imabari Shipbuilding  and Japan Marine United Corporation -- have started joint study for the development of an ocean-going liquified CO2 (LCO2) carrier. Nihon Shipyard is pursuing this project with the aim of completing construction of the vessel from 2027 onwards.Demand for LCO2 carriers is expected to grow in the future as a means to transport large volumes of CO2 safely for CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) projects, in which captured CO2 is stably stored underground.

In February Gard published the results of its review of Lloyds Open Form (LOF). Their review indicated a disturbing reduction in the number of LOF contracts, and noted some other concerns with regard to loss of use of LOF in salvage situations.Lloyds Open Form is a classic and, in my mind, cherished, example of the core beauty of maritime. It combines a large number of maritime concepts into a simple device that solves a complex problem.It reminds me of a few of the lines in the song “Wooden Ships” by Crosby, Still, Nash and Young.

Companies in the renewables energy business have set out to determine whether a green ammonia floating production vessel can be deployed on certain offshore wind locations.Norway-based H2Carrier AS, developer of the unique P2XFloater concept, said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Norwegian state-owned hydropower company Statkraft for the study.H2Carrier recently received an approval in principle (AIP) from classification society DNV for the use of the P2XFloater for near-shore production.

Naval architecture students in Galati, Romania and Gdansk, Poland, used their technical and soft skills to compete in the final of ShipDX (Ship Design Exercise), the first naval architecture competition in Romania.GLO Marine, the organizer of the competition, looked at current industry trends to propose the theme of this year’s edition: the concept design of a highly autonomous, self-propelled floating house, with a focus on integrating green and sustainable technologies into the smart design.

German industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TMS) plans to use 3D printers increasingly in manufacturing submarine parts. This offers decisive advantages over conventionally produced components.The corresponding quality and safety approvals have already been granted. Through acquisition of the thyssenkrupp TechCenter Additive Manufacturing (in Mülheim an der Ruhr, North Rhein-Westphalia), the required technology and expertise will now come to the Kiel Fjord. It is planned to complete the transition by June 2020.Dr. Luis Alejandro Orellano, COO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems said: "3D printing opens up completely new potentials for us. In the design engineering, we no longer have to consider the limits of conventional manufacturing processes everywhere.

French LNG containment specialist Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) announced that it has received an order from the Chinese shipyard Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd for the tank design of two new LNG carriers (LNGC) on behalf of the Japanese ship-owner “K” LINE.Each vessel will offer a capacity of 79,960 m3. GTT will design the tanks of the vessels, which will be fitted with the NO96 L03+ membrane containment system, a technology developed by GTT. The delivery of the vessels is planned during the second quarter of 2022.Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT, said: "We are pleased to receive this new order for mid-scale LNG Carriers…

The global LNG bunkering supplier Probunkers has agreed terms with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the construction of two firm units of 7,600 m3 LNG Bunker Vessels, signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the South Korean leading yard.The signing of this LOI comes as the product of a long optimization process during which probunkers’ technical team reviewed more than thirty (30) ship design proposals to serve the purpose of the project involving prestigious organizations such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), leading design, engineering and manufacturing companies, as well as experienced seafarers who have all followed the developments…

SBM Offshore announced it has signed contracts with Chinese shipyards for the construction of the company’s fourth and fifth hulls under its purchase program for Fast4Ward newbuild multipurpose floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) hulls.The contracts were signed with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding and Offshore Co., Ltd. (SWS) and China Merchants Industry Holdings (CMIH). Both yards are also progressing the construction of SBM Offshore’s first three hulls which…

Will Moon was one of my very early engineering interns (and also helped me finish out the second story of my house decades ago). He has since moved to the West Coast and has worked for the naval architecture firm Glosten for quite a while now. On Marinelink.com I saw a quick flash of a foiling passenger ferry and the name Glosten and I contacted him for a closer look.Will provided me with more information and this is one of those cases where I really like what I see. This is still an early concept that was developed with the designers and composites engineers at Bieker Boats…

Royal IHC, the provider of design and construction for the specialist maritime sector, has been awarded another contract by Van Oord to design and supply the dredge installation for its new 10,500m3 trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD).The suction pipe installation with underwater pump, two dredge pumps and three jet water pumps will be installed on the new TSHD and built in Singapore.Earlier this year, IHC was commissioned to deliver similar systems for two other Van Oord TSHDs.“We were delighted to receive this repeat order from Van Oord, a long-standing and highly valued customer of ours,” says IHC Group Executive Director Diederik van Rijn.

MSC Cruises, a global cruise line registered in Switzerland and based in Geneva, has held a steel-cutting ceremony for its first new-generation World-Class ship at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.The first of five liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered cruise ships on order, MSC Europa is the first LNG ship to be built in France.On the occasion of the cutting of the first steel ceremony held in Saint-Nazaire, MSC and Chantiers de l’Atlantique unveiled a groundbreaking R&D project named PACBOAT.The project focuses on the integration of a new fuel cell technology demonstrator onboard the first of four MSC Cruises’ World Class of vessels, due for delivery in 2022.

The evolution of marine design is increasingly influenced by three drivers: New three-dimensional design tools, the increasing complexity of power systems, and new access to high-latitude shipping routes. While new digital design tools are a natural progression of the current Information Age, new propulsion energy requirements and Polar shipping routes are reactions to the legacy of the ebbing Industrial Age. Three-Dimensional Design WorkflowsA young naval architect recently stated…

American manufacturer of recreational boats Malibu Boats announced the launch of an all-new multi-sport boat to the 2020 lineup, the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX. The 20 VTX is the industry’s renowned, best-selling crossover boat of all time, claimed the towboat sales and the manufacturer of ski boats.The 20 VTX is  designed for families that love to ski glass in the morning and make wakes and waves for boarding and surfing in the afternoon.“Our engineering team put in countless hours developing innovative hull designs that continue to make the 20 VTX the greatest cross-over boat in watersports history,” said CEO Jack Springer.“What makes this new boat unique is the ability to select the sport you prefer without compromising performance for the rest of your crew.

Japanese floating production specialist MODEC has developed a pair of next generation new build hull designs for floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels developed in partnership with Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, targeting greater production and storage capacity.As a result of increases in required crude oil and gas production capacities, FPSO topsides have become bigger and heavier, which has led to insufficient deck space area and insufficient crude oil storage capacity on on converted very large crude carriers (VLCC), MODEC said.

French liquefied natural gas containment system specialist GTT has received two orders from the Hyundai group concerning the tank design for two LNG carriers.The French LNG storage specialist said that the two LNGCs will be built in Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) shipyards in Korea.The two LNGCs have a capacity of 180,000 m3, for the first and 174,000 m3, for the second, on behalf of two ship-owners which names remain confidential at this stage.GTT’s Mark III Flex membrane containment system has been selected to equip the tanks of the vessels, the deliveries of which are scheduled between the…

Offshore personnel transport provider Bourbon Mobility said it is proposing services inspired by the aviation industry for its customers.The company has called on the expertise of the PEUGEOT Design Lab for the design of new cabins developed in a range of three comfort levels: Business Class, Premium and Eco. Designers created a cabin layout that guarantees optimal safety, VIP comfort seats and ergonomic storage. “We want to establish new standards of comfort for offshore personnel transport inspired by the aviation industry,” said François Lesle, CEO of Bourbon Mobility.

Kent-based Saga sails into its future, as the first of two new boutique cruise ships, Spirit of Discovery, arrived at her home port of Dover for the first time. Sailing past the iconic White Cliffs and into Dover’s recently developed Western Docks, Spirit of Discovery’s British arrival marks the start of a new chapter for cruising in the UK. With HRH The Duchess of Cornwall as her ‘Godmother’, Spirit of Discovery’s Naming Ceremony on the 5th July will mark the start of a significant new era for the Saga Cruise division…

Canada's Island Tug and Barge (ITB) christened the second of two new ATB tugs, the Island Regent, at its headquarters in Burnaby.The Island Regent was designed by acclaimed Robert Allan Ltd. naval architects and marine engineers of Vancouver, B.C. to be paired with ITB’s double-hulled oil tank barge, the ITB Reliant, as an articulated tug and barge (ATB), said a press release from the subsidiary of Tidewater Canada.Bob Curcio, Tidewater President and CEO said: “The first ATB, the Island Raider and ITB Resolution, has performed exceptionally well in its first year of service. We are excited to have the Island Regent and ITB Reliant joining it soon.

American international technical professional services firm Jacobs will deliver design engineering services for what will be the largest shipyard on the Arabian Gulf: the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Services at Ras Al Khair, Saudi ArabiaA press announcement stated that Jacobs has been selected by SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation to deliver engineering services for Packages 4, 5 and 6 of the Complex.Jacobs Buildings and Infrastructure Senior Vice President and General Manager Patrick Hill said: "This award continues Jacobs' long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where we have…

Canadian naval architectural firm Robert Allan (RAL) announced they have been awarded the contract from Ocean Industries to design a new generation of Ship Handling tugs.The new tugs are to be built at the Ocean Industries Inc. shipyard at L’Isle-aux-Coudres, Quebec for the Royal Canadian Navy, said a press release.According to the release, four tugs are to be built, with two delivered to each of Canada’s major naval bases, at Esquimalt, BC and Halifax, NS.Known as the Naval Large Tug (NLT) project, the new IMO Tier III vessels are based on a proven Robert Allan Ltd. RAmparts 2400 design which has been built in large numbers by Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey as well as three additional international shipyards.Varying power levels of this design are available.

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced a vessel design it calls "EeneX," for a 90-type (90,000 DWT) next-generation coal carrier, developed in cooperation with Japanese shipyards.The vessel's design draws on the shipyard's extensive knowledge of coal carriers as well as MOL's know-how in ship operation, with the goal of achieving safe, reliable and economically efficient transport of coal, an important energy resource for Japan.MOL proposes the "EeneX" brand under its concept of providing optimal, "stress-free" transport service for customers and the environment.Main characteristics of EeneX includes: The adoption of a double-hull structure…

Spurred by the IMO strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Oshima Shipbuilding and classification society DNV GL have signed a long-term strategic cooperation to conduct research and development together on new bulk carrier designs. The first design to result from the cooperation, the “Oshima Ultramax 2030” leading to a 50% reduction in EEDI, was launched at the Nor-Shipping trade fair in Oslo.The partners aim to continue the strategic cooperation through to 2030, developing and updating a road map towards the IMO zero emissions scenario…