Cleaner Technologies News

NY Waterway announced plans to repower four more of its older ferries, transitioning from traditionally diesel driven units to hybrid technology before eventually operating on pure electric.The private company, which runs ferry and bus service in the Port of New York and New Jersey and in the Hudson Valley, was awarded $7.298 million in grant funding for the project through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant program with the support of NJ TRANSIT.Each ferry upgrade consists of removing all main engines and generators…

Trade is a major cause of global warming. Think of all those goods travelling from far away on polluting ships – and raw materials and components whizzing across the world in complex supply chains.But the right trade policies can also do a lot to save the planet. The solution is to tax trade in carbon-intensive goods and get rid of tariffs on clean ones – while also subsidising green technologies and stopping aid to dirty ones. And to do all this fairly.Trade wasn’t prominent at COP27, the United Nations climate conference which just finished in Egypt.

The future is painted bright for companies dealing in hybrid and electric marine propulsion, as vessel owners and operators pursue cleaner technologies to comply with ever-stricter environmental regulations while also seeking ways to improve their bottom line.Case in point is Germany-based electric drives manufacturer Torqeedo, which has to date delivered more than 100,000 electric propulsion products for a wide range of recreational and commercial customers.The hybrid/electric market is one that’s ripe for growth, says Dr. Ralf Plieninger, COO and CTO, Torqeedo.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a EUR 14 million venture loan agreement with Sweden’s Cimco Marine AB to co-finance its innovation and growth investments.As per the unsecured credit facility agreement, the EIB will finance up to 50 percent of Cimco’s development of a new family of diesel outboard engines, inter alia a 3 liter, 6- cylinder twin turbo BMW diesel engine with a number of power outputs between 200 hp and 300 hp."The total facility is split into three tranches of EUR 4 million (A), EUR 4 million (B) and EUR 6 million (C) respectively," it said.The availability period for the facility is 30 months from signing, during which Cimco can meet all milestones for tranches A-C.

The shipping industry and the European Independent fuel suppliers welcome the European Parliament’s support to incentivize the uptake of low-carbon and carbon-free alternative fuels and to remove disparities in energy taxation.On 25 October the European Parliament adopted its report on The deployment of infrastructure for alternative fuels in the EU which pointed out that taxation has a major impact on the price competitiveness of alternative fuels and underlined that a technology neutral approach should be adopted to create a level playing field.A press release from European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) noted that disparities in energy taxation for shore-side supply for ships and energy used to generate alternative fuels should be addressed.

Starting in 2018, all ships that use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as their primary fuel can apply for a discount of four percent on tonnage fees when calling at harbours of the Port of Tallinn. The goal of the discount is to contribute to the adoption of environmentally friendlier technologies in the Baltic Sea shipping sector. “Similarly to other ports in the European Union and Norway, the Port of Tallinn has set a course toward environmentally differentiated port fees, with the aim of reducing the amount of air pollution and marine pollution from ships’ waste handling and gaseous emissions,” said the head of quality and environmental management department at the Port of Tallinn, Ellen Kaasik.

GE’s Marine Solutions recently delivered its power take off/power take in (PTO/PTI) solution along with its Power Management System digital software solution onboard four of the largest container vessels owned by Maersk Line—Madrid Maersk, Munich Maersk, Moscow Maersk and Milan Maersk. Madrid Maersk is the first container vessel delivered from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME)—back in April—and Munich Maersk and Moscow Maersk have both completed successful sea trials. Milan Maersk will soon be in service.

The Port of London is set to become the first UK port to recognise ship owners committed to progressively improving their environmental performance, as part of a wider approach to reduce the port’s environmental impact. The Port of London Authority (PLA) is set to introduce a discount on port charges for vessels with lower emissions that meet an Environmental Shipping Index (ESI) score of 30, or above. The ESI, developed by the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI), ranks ships’ environmental performance based on factors including emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide, and carbon dioxide. It gives a ready reckoner rating for ships that perform better in reducing emissions than the current International Maritime Organisation emission standards.

For over 130 years, AkzoNobel’s Marine Coatings business, International, has pioneered the development of market-leading coatings for the shipping industry. The firm prides itself in its commitment to innovation, continual investment in research and development and a resolute focus on solving the increasing challenges our customers face. AkzoNobel’s marine coatings business, International, has worked hard to create the first approved carbon credit methodology in the marine industry.

The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) has said it welcomed Prime Minister Harper’s announcement of the framework for the New Building Canada Plan (NBCP). Details were also released on the New Building Canada Fund (NBCF), the $14-billion component of the NBCP that will support infrastructure projects of national, regional and local significance that promote job creation and economic growth. “The Harper government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to developing and renewing Canada’s transportation infrastructure through this $53 billion investment,” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA.

The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) voiced its support for the agreement in principle on a comprehensive trade agreement between Canada and the European Union. Under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the current Canadian tariff of 25% on ferries shorter than 129 metres will be eliminated over a period of 7 years. "We applaud the Harper government’s efforts in establishing a free trade agreement with the European Union,"” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA. Ferries form an essential part of Canada’s transportation infrastructure and ferry operators make key contributions in driving Canada’s economy. Continued to provide a safe and environmentally friendly means of transportation by investing in cleaner technologies and more efficient vessels…

The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) officially released 'Keeping Canada Moving', an industry report that highlights the ferry sector’s significant economic contributions and that demonstrates the need for further government investment in marine transportation infrastructure. "“Ferries form an essential part of Canada’s transportation systems, and ferry operators provide vital economic connections for Canadians across the country,"” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA. “"While…

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has announced an open solicitation period for the Proposition 1B Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program Ships at Berth and Cargo Handling Equipment funding category. See the Program website (http://www.arb.ca.gov/gmbond) for more information. The $1b Proposition 1B:  Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program (Program) is a partnership between the State Air Resources Board (ARB) and local agencies (like air districts and seaports) to quickly reduce air pollution emissions and health risk from freight movement along California's trade corridors. Local agencies apply to ARB for funding, then those agencies offer financial incentives to owners of equipment used in freight movement to upgrade to cleaner technologies.

For the first time in 63 seasons of scenic cruises on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, the M/S Mount Washington will rely on clean diesel power from a pair of newly installed Cat C32 ACERT marine engines. Through the help of funds from the U.S. government’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Mount Washington Cruises received an EPA grant to replace older diesel engines with new “greener” technology. The M/S Mount Washington was one of nine projects funded in the northeast and the only project funded in New Hampshire.

The Senate on Thursday backed a White House compromise that drastically reduced proposed oil and natural gas drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast, rejecting a bid by the state's Democratic senators to temporarily block development of the tract. Voting 67-33, the Democratic-led Senate rejected an amendment pushed by Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Bob Graham to delay for six months oil and gas leasing in a lucrative tract in federal waters off the coasts of Florida and Alabama. After the Republican-led House of Representatives voted last month for a six-month ban on the leasing, President George W. Bush agreed to shrink the tract by 75 percent and keep it at least 100 miles away from Florida's beaches. Florida lawmakers, including Gov.