Conventional Technology News

Turkey's Cemre Shipyard held a launch ceremony for the newbuild trawler Selvåg Senior being constructed for Norwegian owner Sørheim Holding.Developed in partnership with Skipsteknisk and Selvåg AS, the 79.5-meter-long Selvåg Senior purse seiner trawler will be the third in the world to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel, after the Cemre-built Libas and Sunny Lady.Thanks to the LNG fuel system, the new trawler will adapt to the new "environmentally friendly" vessel flow by reducing carbon emissions being in accordance with IMO Tier III.

As nations commit to reducing greenhouse gases, a fishing vessel is designed to do its share. Designed by Norway’s Skipsteknisk and Selvåg AS, it is in build at Cemre Shipyard for Sorheim Holding, the Selvåg Senior is a remarkable concept. Capable of both trawling and purse seining, the 79.5- x16.2-m vessel will have a molded depth of 6.9 m. The RSW holds, in the DNV-GL classed vessel, will have a total volume of just under 2550 cu. m.. The main propulsion engine will be a medium-speed Wärtsilä 8V31DF, producing 4,800 kW at 750 RPM.

When the maritime history books are written, 2020 will be viewed as a year of pivots, re-invention and new paradigms. By February 2020, concerns about marine fuel’s sulfur content quickly shifted to near-term disruptions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. By mid-year, with demand recovering, the conversation turned to longer term questions surrounding the moves towards reduced maritime carbon emissions and alternative fuels. How will this all impact the current fleet?Perhaps the most extreme reaction to the shifting landscape is the ongoing “pivot” of Scorpio Bulk (NYSE: SALT)…

Ecoship, a revolutionary new cruise liner set to feature the latest innovations in renewable energy usage, has been designed by specialist naval design and architecture firm Oliver Design, working from Getxo, Spain. The design was commissioned by Peace Boat, a Japanese NGO nominated for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize and the promoter behind this ambitious project to design and build the high-range eco-friendly cruise ship. The Spanish firm has been working on the project since 2012 and has now completed the full architectural design of the ship…

Crew transfer vessel operators using the new Voith Linear Jet (VLJ) marine propulsion system can save over £75,000 in fuel costs in a season, the manufacturer claims. The cost saving, around 20 percent, is a key figure from the collection of extensive data from four months’ operation in a range of sea conditions, working at different speeds and with different loadings. The Voith Linear Jet, unveiled last year as a “world first” in marine propulsion technology, combines elements of two existing technologies: conventional screw propellers and water jets.

Opec study on the impact of lower oil price assumptions on the penetration of LNG vessels has released. In light of the regulations on sulphur emissions issued by the IMO the prospect of using LNG as an alternative bunker fuel was explored. It was concluded that LNG had the potential to become an important marine bunker fuel in the long-term. This year the subject is re-considered in light of recent market and price developments, as well as the continuing uncertainty surrounding the implementation of new IMO regulations. These new regulations are supposed to be implemented at a global level on all shipping vessels by 2020. It obliges shipping companies around the world to either install exhaust scrubbers or switch to more expensive low sulphur (0.5%) gasoil.

Multipurpose vessels, especially those that operate primarily at part loads, have been facing pressure when it comes to making money in today’s business environment. Returning to times of big profit margins will not happen soon without finding a radically different approach. Using permanent magnet technology for electric propulsion systems is a bold and proven way to save ship owners money due to lower fuel costs, less maintenance and fewer failures. As cost pressures mount and environmental regulations become more stringent, the need for a novel and smarter approach is ever more apparent.

Rio Controls & Hydraulics (RCH) said it has developed a new steering system by modifying existing inductive sensors used in the oil and gas industry to reach a design that the company said will provide accurate and longer lasting sensor command and feedback signals. This technology aims to replace conventional devices such as potentiometers, as RCH claims its system offers many advantages over traditional steering. •    Inductive Technology has no moving parts, so the lifecycle when compared to the conventional technology is extended from an estimated 2.5 years to over 120 years.

Built Sumitomo Heavy Ind. Kvaerner Masa-Yards is well renowned for its ship and ship's equipment ice breaking technology. Upon visiting Finland on a recent excursion and enjoying winter in November, it's easy to see why. Quite simply, Finland must keep its icy shipping channels open during the winter to ensure its commercial survival. In the beginning of the 1990s, the company, in partnership with the Finnish Maritime Administration and ABB Industry of Finland, developed a new electrical propulsion system for icebreakers, the trade name of which is Azipod. The first vessels equipped with the new system, the 16,000 dwt tankers M/T Uikku and M/T Lunni owned by Fortum operated Nemarc Shipping…

The evolution of podded propulsion systems has gained steam in recent years, as a number of notable new systems have entered the market with new options. The era of podded propulsion is here and now, and despite some technical glitches with the systems - notably faster than anticipated bearing wear - it is safe to assume that the system's popularity will only grow with experience. Pods, obviously, are not the single solution for every marine application. As with any other technology, limitations exist. However, podded propulsion solutions have opened more marine technological avenues than they have closed as Harri Kulovaara, senior vice president of fleet operations and newbuilding…

Minoan Lines subsidiary Minoan Flying Dolphins added to a recent flurry of vessel acquisition with the purchase of 10 more ferries for an undisclosed amount, bringing its total fleet to 63 vessels. The ferries purchased are: Poseidon Express II, Pegasus, Milos Express, Papadiamantis, Poseidon Hellas, Aeas, Apostolos, Hellas, Aphaea and Aegina. Minoan Flying Dolphins' fleet includes 34 new technology ships, 25 of conventional technology, and four RoRo ships.