Classification News

When arriving at a destination port, ships can remain anchored for many hours or days until getting a berth. During this time, fuel is still being used – which can have a significant impact on port air quality. Could Just-In-Time (JIT) ship operation be part of the solution to reducing ship emissions? This is the question being discussed at an International Maritime Organization (IMO)-led roundtable meeting of the Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping (GIA) and relevant industry stakeholders, at IMO Headquarters, London (29 June).

Classification society DNV GL has presented Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia), with an approval in principle from DNV GL for the design of the new “Zero V” research vessel, developed in collaboration with Glosten and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The design emerged from a feasibility study funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration that set out to evaluate the technical, regulatory, and economic aspects of designing, building and operating a hydrogen fuel cell powered zero-emission coastal research vessel.

Overcrowding is dangerous. Listen to crew. Follow instructions. It could save your life. These simple but key messages to ferry passengers are included in a new one-minute animated International Maritime Organization (IMO) safety video, to be shown in ferry terminals across the Asia and Pacific region and on national TV channels. The video was commissioned following a series of IMO-sponsored regional discussion forums on ferry safety held in the Asia and Pacific region. Overloading…

ABS has confirmed  that the ABS-classed Diamond Gas Orchid, the world’s first "Sayaringo STaGE" next generation LNG carrier, has been delivered to Diamond LNG Shipping, a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK). Ordered by Diamond LNG Shipping through MI LNG Company, Ltd., constructed by Nagasaki-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Structure Co., Ltd. and delivered by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., the innovative carrier introduces…

DNV GL has appointed Neil Jamieson Fraser as its new head of Noble Denton marine services in the UK and West Africa. The role will focus on marine warranty, marine advisory/assurance, technical assurance, and advanced engineering services. Fraser  has worked with DNV GL for more than 25 years and has held a number of senior positions within the company in the UK, West Africa and most recently, in South America. He recently returned to the UK after nearly four-years based in Rio…

Drones increasingly take on the dirty, dangerous jobs in maritime. For insight, we spoke with David Knukkel, Founder & CEO, RIMS BVFor our readers not aware, please discuss the size and scope of RIMS BV.RIMS is  a global service provider to help revolutionize maintenance strategies with smart drones and robotic inspections. We offer expertise, as well as the market inspection of enclosed spaces with your drone, (and we have) a lot of experience with inspection of different assets (such as ships…

Tidewater Inc. and GulfMark Offshore, Inc. announced Monday that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive agreement to combine the two companies, creating the industry’s largest owner of offshore support vessels and continuing consolidation in the offshore sector.The combined company will be operated under the Tidewater brand and will be led by Tidewater president and CEO John Rynd, with the industry’s largest fleet and the broadest global operating footprint in the OSV sector…

Viega, manufacturer of mechanically attached pipe fittings (MAFs) for the maritime industry, recently obtained a type approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and an acceptance letter from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for its Viega MegaPress Stainless and MegaPress CuNi piping systems. These join  Viega’s previously approved MegaPress and MegaPressG systems for use with carbon steel and galvanized pipe, providing a full line of materials—carbon steel, galvanized, stainless and copper nickel.With the new approvals…

The maritime industry has been challenged, to say the least. Today, where do you see challenge? Where do you see opportunity?It’s clear our business environment continues to change and we have a new definition of what normal means: nothing is normal. We are in era of rapid, disruptive and impactful change.The coming years will bring further turbulence, shaking out our industry and setting the course for the next 20 years and beyond. Market cycles will continue to evolve and will be impacted differently than they are today.For example…

With the presentation of the RSD Tug 2513, on June 25th, at the ITS 2018 in Marseille, France, Damen introduces its next generation ship-handling tugs. Composed of a mix of new designs and a further evolution of existing designs, this next generation series is built on a solid foundation. New and proven technologies are combined and applied in a modular way, to achieve the best balance in flexibility with high value for money over the entire lifecycle. The next generation range is led by the innovative RSD Tug 2513, a compact and powerful tug redefining compact agility in harbor towage.

The scope of work that LR is undertaking covers design, procurement, certification, construction, integration and commissioning, as well as providing classification services under a risk based inspection regime to the FLNG when it enters into service in 2022.The Coral South field is being developed by Eni in Area Four of the Rovuma Basin, off the coast of Mozambique. The floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit will be Africa’s first floating gas facility. The size, quality and position of the field’s resources are set to transform Mozambique’s economy.

Leading classification society ClassNK has released its annual report on Port State Control. The report aims to assist ship operators and management companies in maintaining compliant operations by providing information about ships detained by PSC as well as deficiencies that were found on board from many port states in 2017. In line with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, PSC inspections ensure that vessels departing the port meet international standards and have proved to be highly effective in eliminating substandard ships that are in operation.

U.S. manufacturer of lithium-ion cells and battery systems XALT Energy’s XPAND Battery system has been certified as acceptable for installation on all marine vessels classified by DNV GL. According to a press release from the company, XPAND Battery System has been demonstrated to comply with DNV GL rules for Classification of Ships, Offshore Units, and High Speed and Light Craft, and was therefore granted Type Approval Certificate TAE00002YC. The certification includes XALT Energy’s XMP71P-based systems, including XALT’s Battery Management System (BMS).

Breaking new ground: the all-electric, zero-emissions Future of The FjordsNorwegian cruise vessel offers amazing tourist experience while protecting fragile UNESCO World Heritage environmentFuture of the Fjords, the world’s first all-electric and completely emissions-free ship, launched in April this year by Norwegian tours operator The Fjords, is now operating as a cruise vessel on the spectacular Gudvangen to Flåm route along the Nærøyfjord, Sognefjord and Aurlandsfjord of western Norway.

Classification society ClassNK has released its Guidelines for Liquefied Gas Carrier Structures – Independent Prismatic Tanks (Second Edition), which specify the technical requirements specifically related to the structural strength assessments of liquefied gas carriers by using direct calculation.The two components of the Guidelines include the Guidelines for Direct Strength Analysis, and the Guidelines for Fatigue Strength Assessment. The newly released Second Edition contains…

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered a new Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 250 to South Africa-based Dredging Africa to be used for mining sand from the Ash River, just east of Bethlehem in the Free State Province.Arend van de Wetering, Director of Dredging Africa, said, “We wanted to utilize the best equipment available, to be sure of the best production, reliability and lowest downtime. Ease of transport and commissioning were key for us as were sound after-market support and Damen’s offering met all of these requirements.”“Most dredging projects in South Africa are small- to medium-sized…

Norsafe Academy Hellas has entered into a cooperative agreement with classification society DNV GL regarding the training of its surveyors.“Safety Training for Experienced Surveyors” is a specialized practical course, which has been customized to comply with DNV GL’s requirements, offering preparation regarding practical safety and emergency field situations.After the completion of this safety training, each participant will be able to demonstrate practical knowledge associated with safety requirements and emergency situations on board.

ABS has announced it has issued the managed pressure drilling notation ABS MPD to Seadrill for the ABS-classed West Capricorn, a 6th generation ultra-deep water semi-submersible operating in the Gulf of Mexico.This notation demonstrates system compliance with the ABS Guide for Classification and Certification of Managed Pressure Drilling Systems (MPD Guide).Seadrill’s West Capricorn is the first Column Stabilized Drilling Unit to receive the ABS MPD notation complete with the Maltese Cross…

Tokyo-based Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, or ClassNK as it is more commonly known, is one of the world's leading classification societies with 9,104 ships representing 250 million gt under register, as of June 2018. We spoke with Koichi Fujiwara, Chairman, ClassNK, earlier this year in Tokyo for his overview of the market today, and the path forward on technological trends.While Koichi Fujiwara, like many of his colleagues, sees challenging times in the maritime market, he does note that conditions are improving…

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Pskov completed loading at the Port of Sabetta (YNAD), with the first cargo of LNG produced from the second high-tech production line at the Yamal LNG plant.August 08 marked the launch of the second production train at Yamal LNG, which happened six months ahead of schedule.Pskov is a state-of-the-art Atlanticmax LNG carrier with a cargo capacity of 170,000 cubic metres. She was built to order for Sovcomflot Group in 2014, to transport LNG under a long-term time charter agreement with Gazprom.

Classification society ABS said it was selected to class a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for Turkey’s oil and gas pipeline operator BOTAS.“As demand for gas has increased over the last decade, the supply chain has had to adapt and figure out new ways of getting gas to expanding markets,” said Jamie Smith, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer. “FSRUs, like this one for Turkey, are providing gas distributors and suppliers an efficient and effective solution for getting their product to consumers.”Planned to be built at Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard, the FSRU will have a 170,000 cubic meter storage capacity and a 1,000 MMSCFD LNG discharge capacity. The FSRU will be jetty moored off the coast of Turkey and operated by Mitsui O.S.K.

The ideal solution for the tightening regulatory noose also brings a different (and welcome) shade of ‘green’ for workboat operators.As the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ramps up enforcement of regulations that mandate that all vessels over 24 meters (78 feet) operating in US waters must switch over to EALs in all oil-to-sea interfaces before their next drydocking, it is an arguably good time to be in the lubricants business. At the same time, Thordon Bearings, a manufacturer of seawater lubricated bearings for the marine industry has its own thoughts on that very topic.

Bureau Veritas has issued new and updated notations and guidance to support the construction and operation of both Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) and Floating Storage Units (FSUs).Interest in FSRUs and FSUs is growing as floating gas terminals offer operational flexibility, reduced timescales, from concept to operation, and cost effectiveness in comparison with onshore terminals. Additionally, converting existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers offers a fast route to operational availability.