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Electric Technology News

21 Nov 2022

With HybriGen, BAE Systems Helps the Maritime Industry to Decarbonize

(Image: BAE Systems)

As the maritime industry continues along its emissions reduction journey, one company helping to lead the way is BAE Systems, a firm that’s been involved with electric and hybrid propulsion for over 25 years.“We’re all about helping maritime operators get to zero emissions, and it doesn’t matter if it’s all-electric, a hybrid application or even fuel cell. We have the technology to help operators achieve lower emissions and keep operating just as they’re used to with conventional based propulsion…

07 Jun 2022

Posidonia 2022: DNV, Saronic Ferries Sign MoU for Electric Ferry Development

The MOU signing took place at the Posidonia 2022 trade fair. From left to right: Ioannis Chiotopoulos, SVP, Regional Manager South East Europe, Middle East & Africa, at DNV Maritime, Joseph Lefakis, partner of Saronic Ferries, George Papaioannides, partner of Saronic Ferries. ©DNV

DNV and Saronic Ferries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to enable the development of an electric ferry for local deployment in Greece. The collaboration is targeted toward a fully electric concept for deployment on short-sea passenger routes in the Argosaronikos area. The MoU was signed at the Posidonia 2022 trade fair."The use of all-electric or hybrid vessels in the short sea ferry segment has surged in recent years as the benefits of the technology has been demonstrated in pilots and full-scale deployments.

23 May 2022

CSL’s New Laker Equipped with Berg Electric Drives

(Photo: Berg Propulsion)

Emissions reductions have been confirmed for the first laker to feature a diesel-electric drive train, after the initial weeks in service of Canada Steamship Lines’ new self-unloader Nukumi. The vessel arrived in Halifax in time to take up duties for the 2022 Great Lakes season complete with patented Direct Drive Electric technology from Berg Propulsion.Built by China’s Chengxi Shipyard, the delivery also marks a bulk carrier market debut for Direct Drive Electric - an integrated solution developed by Berg to make high efficiency electric propulsion easier to adopt.The 26…

20 Jan 2022

Staying Grounded About Electrification

The Gee’s Bend Ferry is the first battery-electric vehicle ferry in the U.S. (Photo: Glosten)

As a marine engineer focused on vessel design, I’ve watched the narrative on battery-electric and battery-hybrid vessels evolve from skepticism, to curiosity, to genuine acceptance in just a few short years. The passenger transportation sector, in particular, has been quick to embrace the concept of vessel electrification as a means of improving economics and reducing emissions. This makes sense as many ferry operations are excellent candidates for battery and hybrid-electric power due to their proximity to urban electrical grids…

25 Jan 2021

Interview: Joe Hudspeth, BAE Systems

Joe Hudspeth (Photo: BAE Systems)

Joe Hudspeth is the Director of Business Development for Global Marine at BAE Systems in Endicott, N.Y. BAE Systems offers complete, efficient propulsion and auxiliary power systems utilizing electric technology. Hudspeth has been involved with maritime sales, marketing and product development since 2000. He currently serves as a regional co-chairman for the Passenger Vessel Association, is a judge for the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association student design competition, and frequently speaks and writes on maritime and ferry related issues. Hudspeth lives in Bellingham, Wash.

19 Jan 2021

UK: Royal Navy to Get Uncrewed Minesweeping System

Three world-class autonomous uncrewed minesweeping systems, to dispose of sea mines while reducing the risk to life of Royal Navy personnel will be delivered under an agreement between industry and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), a trading entity and joint-defense organization within the UK Ministry of Defence - Credit: DE&S

Uncrewed minesweeping systems, designed by Atlas Elektronik, will detect and destroy sea mines on naval operations for the UK Royal Navy, thanks to a £25 million contract announced Tuesday.The Combined Influence Minesweeping (SWEEP) system will be the Royal Navy’s first uncrewed minesweeper.More than 25 jobs will be supported through the contract to deliver SWEEP at the Dorset-based company, plus 48 more jobs in the supply chain, the UK Government said in a statement.The system will allow personnel to neutralize mines from a remote and safe distance at sea while on operations worldwide…

10 Aug 2020

Considering an All-electric Future

Glosten is working with Ray Hunt Design and the Canaveral Pilots Association on a pilot/demonstration project for the design, construction and operation of an electric pilot boat. Marking a first for a pilot boat in the U.S., the vessel will feature a battery-electric propulsion system with an emergency ‘get home’ diesel engine. (Image: Glosten)

One can hardly read industry news these days without seeing mention of hybrid vessels or batteries. We’ve all heard the praise and the pitfalls discussed by proponents and critics alike. This article is not intended to convince you if batteries are right for you or not. Instead, for owners wondering if batteries are feasible for their operation, the optimal vessel characteristics and operational parameters for all-electric vessels are presented and discussed.Hybrid vessels, generally defined by having both a diesel engine and batteries…

29 Jul 2020

NZ Companies Collaborate to Build Electric Ferries

Frmo left to right: Ben Reed, Hon Dr Megan Woods and Michael Eaglen (Photo: HamiltonJet)

New Zealand companies HamiltonJet and EV Maritime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build advanced composite, battery-powered commuter ferries.Their cooperation was formalized at HamiltonJet’s Christchurch headquarters in May, in the presence of Hon Dr Megan Woods, New Zealand’s Minister of Energy & Resources and Minister of Research Science & Innovation.With the aim of decarbonizing the harbor cities of the world, the firms are seeking to develop one of the world’s first truly high-speed…

10 Jul 2020

Futureproof Tugs: Efficient, Sustainable and Automated

(Image: ABB)

Tug owners are cutting emissions and increasing automation. Subject to technology choices, ‘greener’ tugs are a global phenomenon today, while the autonomous tugs of tomorrow are starting to emerge. David Lee S,enior Account Manager, New Build, ABB Marine & Ports, discusses tugs of the future.Around the world, there is a growing appetite for hybrid and electric technology in tugboat operations. In the Asian and European towage markets, owners are responding to increasingly stringent regulations on air emissions in ports by investing in cleaner, more efficient propulsion.

04 Sep 2019

DP World Taps Kalmar for Indian Box Terminal Cranes

Cargotec company Kalmar is to supply RTGs to DP World for installation at the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal in Mumbai, India.

(Photo: Cargotec)

Cargotec company Kalmar has been contracted by DP World to supply 15 rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) for the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT) in Mumbai, India.The order includes 24 months of on-site maintenance support, with delivery scheduled to be completed during Q4 2020. NSICT was India’s first public-private partnership project and is part of the country’s largest port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), which handles 40 percent of India’s maritime trade.The Kalmar Classic RTG combines the diesel and electric technology to give fuel savings…

31 Oct 2018

Kalmar Bags Eurogate Order

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, is to deliver two rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) to EUROGATE, Europe's leading shipping line-independent container terminal operator, for use in their Tanger S.A. terminal in Morocco.The order was booked in Cargotec's 2018 Q3 order intake, with delivery scheduled to take place during Q3 of 2019. The EUROGATE Tanger container terminal is conveniently located on the Strait of Gibraltar in Morocco, making it the ideal transhipment hub for the western Mediterranean, Africa and South America.With a quay length of 812 m, a terminal area of 400,000 m² and a water depth of up to 18 m, the facility is well-equipped to handle the new generation of container ships. All RTGs currently operating at the terminal have been supplied by Kalmar.

24 Jul 2018

The ABB Electric Tow Boat Beckons to Inland Operators

Long a staple for offshore service providers, a more compact and carefully designed version of the diesel electric option is now available for inland pushboats. For budget conscious operators (and who isn’t, in this environment?), the stars may finally be aligned.For many years, electric propulsion has proven to be a viable propulsion solution for many different types of vessels. Most familiar to workboat stakeholders would be the advent of the ‘diesel electric’ offshore serve providers (OSV) that became commonplace during the offshore boom era. Those vessels operated in a different regulatory environment, with the emphasis more leaning towards operational efficiencies and fuel economy.

11 Jun 2018

Volvo Penta Going Full Charge into Hybrid & All-electric Drivelines

Volvo Penta’s chief technology officer, Johan Carlsson, and system engineer, Karin Åkman, discuss innovation for electromobility at the company’s new development-and-test laboratory in Gothenburg. (Photo: Volvo Penta)

Aiming to become a driving force in sustainable power solutions, Volvo Penta says it is going full charge into hybrid and all-electric drivelines, offering electrified solutions in both its marine and industrial segments by 2021.Volvo Penta’s chief technology officer, Johan Carlsson, and system engineer, Karin Åkman, discussed innovation for electromobility at the company’s new development-and-test laboratory in Gothenburg.By 2021, Volvo Penta will provide electrified power solutions for both its land and sea-based business segment…

21 Mar 2018

Inland Workboats Have Much to Gain from Diesel Electric Propulsion

Diesel electric technology, as part of a comprehensive engineering design process, should be considered by the inland towboat sector. Diesel electric propulsion is not a new concept. Like azimuthing drives, its application to the inland marine market has lagged behind other areas of the marine industry. Diesel electric has gained traction in industries where fuel economy and redundancy of propulsion systems for safety is paramount. In particular, vessels like passenger ferries and offshore supply vessels have enjoyed the benefits of the diesel electric systems.

13 Sep 2017

ESG Sees Green With its Tier IV Thunderbolt Design

Eastern Shipbuilding’s forward-thinking inland towboat design now features CAT Tier 4 propulsion and aftertreatment. When Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) introduced its cutting edge 4,000 hp Thunderbolt inland towboat designed around twin azimuthing AAA Propulsion electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology back in 2015, the approach was collaborative, with input from operators, naval architects (Gilbert Associates, Inc. (GAI)) and propulsion OEM’s. In selecting the podded propulsion system for inclusion on the design, Eastern met with two inland owner/operators that had Z-Drive towboats, and others that didn’t. Starting as far back as 2013, listening to each and noting their concerns, it was decided that the V-Pod was the best solution.

01 Feb 2016

Driving the Inland Waterways

Propulsion evolves, improves and powers forward in the inland markets. And, Z-Drive propulsion is the future. In a white paper released late in 2014 by The Shearer Group, Ed Shearer and Greg Beers outlined The Next Generation of inland vessels, what will drive design changes and the advantages of azimuthing stern drives – or ‘Z-Drives,’ for short. The authors point out that, until recently, towboats on all the inland waterways and Gulf Coast have traditionally been built using main engines connected to reduction gearboxes connected to long drive shafts passing through the towboat hull. In a nutshell, according The Shearer Group, the advantages of using z-Drives on inland towboats include decreased installation time…

04 Dec 2015

Shipbuilding: Inland Towing Thunderstruck

Eastern Shipbuilding offers the 4,200 hp Thunderbolt inland towboat designed around twin azimuthing Verhaar Omega electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology. The ESG approach was collaborative, with input from operators, naval architects (Gilbert Associates, Inc. (GAI)) and propulsion OEM’s (Verhaar Omega: since 2012, 19 Omega V-pods have been installed and are in service in Europe on various types of vessels). Thunderbolt will be built to ABS rules, but will not be classed.

04 May 2015

Hybrid Power for Workboats: The Future is Now

Deep Blue Hybrid by Torqeedo is a fully integrated scalable system, offering hybrid propulsion and providing complete onboard energy management.

Hybrid marine power and propulsion systems for workboats isn’t farfetched. In fact, it may be essential. In 2015, two significant developments are going to make many operators, owners and builders of professional vessels consider hybrid marine power. The new emissions laws – here and abroad – and the incentives for high technology manufacturers to invest in developing highly efficient batteries are the primary drivers. That said; dramatically reducing pollution in both water and…

09 Apr 2015

Thunderbolt: Eastern Delivers Innovative Towboat

Twin electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology combined. Image courtesy of Eastern Shipbuilding

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. introduced its new 120-ft., 4,200-hp Inland Towboat design, Thunderbolt, combining twin electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology for what the builder calls its “vision of the future for the U.S. Eastern said the idea for the Thunderbolt came from a conversation at a trade show. On the rivers, thruster propulsion systems are starting to get noticed and are outperforming conventional nozzle propeller propulsion systems with main/flanking rudder steering. Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. and Verhaar Omega, B.V.

13 Feb 2015

Eastern Debuts ‘Thunderbolt’ Towboat

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. introduced its new 120-foot, 4,200-horsepower Inland Towboat design, THUNDERBOLT, combining twin electric V-Pod propulsion and diesel-electric technology for what the builder calls its “vision of the future for the U.S. Eastern said the idea for the THUNDERBOLT came from across the aisle conversations at the 2013 International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans. On the rivers, thruster propulsion systems are starting to get noticed and are outperforming conventional nozzle propeller propulsion systems with main/flanking rudder steering. Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. and Verhaar Omega, B.V. began discussions and realized they were driving towards a more refined towboat thruster propulsion system design.

28 Feb 2014

MacGregor Acquires Norwegian Offshore Lifting Firm

Subsea Crane: Image credit MacGregor

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, says it has acquired Norwegian privately-owned Deep Water Solutions AS, a company specialising in lifting applications utilising electric multi-drive technology. "Customer requirements for environmentally friendly solutions are increasing in offshore load handling applications, such as subsea cranes, module handling and LARS (launch and recovery) systems and having Deep Water Solutions' experts in the MacGregor family we enhance and strengthen our multi-drive (electric) technology know-how to be able better to serve and support our customers"…

10 Sep 2013

GE to Propel Maran LNG Carriers

Courtesy Maran Gas

Induction-based electric propulsion motor technology from GE’s Power Conversion business will be used to power four new LNG carriers that Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries will build for Maran Gas Maritime, the gas shipping unit of the Angelicoussis Shipping Group. Contracts for the propulsion systems were signed in late May. Hyundai Heavy Industries will deliver the vessels over a 15-month period beginning in July 2015. In late April of this year, sea trials were completed…

19 Nov 2009

Singapores ASL Builds Big and Complex

Photo by A.Haig-Brown courtesy of Cummins Marine

The application of diesel electric technology gives a remarkable flexibility to vessels in the larger offshore market. In November Singapores ASL Shipyard completed work on the 295-ft by 72-ft diving support vessel Mermaid Asiana. Destined for service in Mermaids extensive Thai fleet, the DP2 classed vessel has redundancies well beyond the basics. With three Kawasaki bow thrusters the vessel could maintain DP2 status even if one thruster was down. This is but one example of the importance placed on maintaining position…