Equipment Manufacturing News

America may have only entered the offshore wind sector recently, but it is wasting no time in playing catch-up. The White House has set targets of 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. The focus so far has centred on bottom-fixed installations, but the prospect of higher energy yields in deeper waters where the wind blows stronger and longer now beckon. The White House has also set a floating wind deployment target of 15 GW by 2035.From a standing start, there are immense challenges in America’s offshore wind development.

The Port of Rotterdam on Monday said it will help develop a 14,000 square metre factory for Battolyser Systems, a company that designs combined battery and green hydrogen production machines.Financial terms were not disclosed.The port, which has announced a series of hydrogen-related deals this year, said it views the company, a spin-off from the Delft University of Technology, as an anchor for a part of the port that will be devoted to companies helping to get carbon out of supply chains."Companies in the port are already actively working on projects regarding production…

China has entrusted a defense-focussed state firm to ship millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil despite U.S. sanctions, part of a deal to offset Caracas' billions of dollars of debt to Beijing, according to three sources and tanker tracking data. China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) stopped carrying Venezuelan oil in August 2019 after Washington tightened sanctions on the South American exporter. But it continued to find its way to China via traders who rebranded the fuel as Malaysian, Reuters has reported.

Ulstein Design & Solutions, part of the Norwegian-based Ulstein Group, said it has secured ship design contracts from ZPMC for two types of service operation vessels (SOVs) that the Chinese shipyard will construct for Shanghai Electric Windpower Group.The SOVs will be built to accommodate 60 POB and 100 POB respectively for the support of Chinese offshore wind operations and maintenance (O&M). Both designs will feature Ulstein's signature X-BOW and X-STERN, and both are engineered to optimize operational capacity…

HEMEXPO President, Helen Polychronopoulou, says Greek marine technology developers see collaboration between shipping industry stakeholders as the key to innovation and decarbonization.Helen Polychronopoulou has dedicated her career to the successful growth and development of the marine equipment manufacturing industry in Greece and today leads HEMEXPO –  Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters.Established in 2014, HEMEXPO has developed a pivotal role in representing Greek marine technology specialists by reinforcing links worldwide with ship owners and operators…

U.S.-based engines manufacturer Fairbanks Morse said Monday it has named Michael Clark its new chief operating officer. Clark will guide the company’s operations, engineering, supply chain and program management departments. He will also be responsible for the company’s environmental health and safety (EHS) initiatives.“Michael is a transformational leader dedicated to continuous process improvement,” said George Whittier, CEO of Fairbanks Morse, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management.

As remote surveys increasingly become business as usual, classification society ABS says it is now able to conduct nearly all annual surveys remotely on eligible vessels, after moving to further expand its remote offerings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Launching 10 additional remote survey options today, ABS says it now offers a total of 28 surveys and audits able to be delivered remotely.“The industry is telling us they want our services delivered remotely, particularly in the current challenging environment…

Remote vessel and equipment surveys have been available in the maritime world for years, but classification societies are seeing increased demand for these services as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business during the coronavirus outbreak.Using real-time video communication tools, and even drones and robotics when applicable, surveyors are able to work with stakeholders to perform inspections without having to be on site, which is especially beneficial amid current COVID-19 travel restrictions.ABS…

Classification society ABS said it is expanding its remote survey options for vessel owners and extending its remote survey and audit services for equipment and materials manufacturers and other service providers. The move comes as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business amid the coronavirus outbreak.“As organizations rely more heavily on remote and virtual operations, ABS is making it easier for vessel owners and equipment manufacturers to leverage digital applications by offering even more remote surveys and audit options,” said Christopher J.

China has built its first research and development test base for autonomous ships in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai next to Macao, state-owned newspaper Economic Daily reported.The test base named Xiangshan Marine Scientific & Technological Port is located in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. It will create an innovation platform for the design, research and testing of unmanned marine systems and intelligent equipment.The base will help develop the industrial chain of unmanned ships and foster research on advanced equipment manufacturing as well as new generation of information technology.Backed by local unicorn Zhuhai Yun Zhou Intelligent Technology…

As the Japan Coast Guard celebrates its 70th anniversary, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News offers insights on the current status and future direction of the JCG courtesy of an interview with Shuichi Iwanami, Commandant, Japan Coast Guard.*Note: At the time this interview was conducted, Shuichi Iwanami was still Vice Commandant for Operations.Could you please tell us the history and future development of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG)?The JCG, in 2018 celebrates the 70th anniversary of its foundation. When it was founded, the Japanese waters were in an eclipse period.

The proper lining of ballast tanks is essential and critical to ship safety. Not too many decades ago, ships traveling the North Atlantic routes were experiencing terrible losses from outright sinking in the turbulent seas. It was eventually discovered that the primary culprit was hull failure from ballast tanks rupturing from the inside out due to simple, plain old-fashioned rusting and galvanic corrosion. The U.S. Navy led the way and came up with a recommended formula, or recipe, for a ballast tank coating that paint manufactures could copy in bidding for Navy business.

China’s state-owned oil company, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), and U.S. independent energy company Cheniere Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for long-term sales and purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Reuters reported. The report quoted U.S. State Department saying that the deal between the two companies was signed during president Trump’s first state visit to China. Neither companies disclosed details of the transaction. According to CNPC, the agreement would strengthen its cooperation with Cheniere in regards to the latter’s liquefaction and export project in the Gulf of Mexico. Cheniere is owner and operator of the first LNG export terminal in the U.S., Sabine Pass in Louisiana.

Sunk by Japanese torpedoes near the end of World War II, heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis disappeared to the darkest depths of the Philippine Sea, where it remained undiscovered for more than 70 years. Recently a team of civilian researchers led by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen set out equipped with an arsenal of high-tech search equipment on a mission to locate the historic vessel last seen on July 30, 1945. The story of the USS Indianapolis is one of military might, heroism, tragedy, controversy and mystery.

The NAOEMC is comprised of a group of industry experts and leaders that establish expectations and align the industry for future growth and development in offshore equipment manufacturing. The formation and sponsorship of industry committees is a longstanding tradition within DNV GL. The current market situation is more conducive to establishing the NAOEMC, as all stakeholders recognize the shift to “work smarter, not harder” and see value in partnership and collaboration. “It is interesting to note that of all the years to start this committee, it happens during an unprecedented downturn in our industry,” concurred Ian Friesen, Technical Director at NOV. These committees are widely known in the offshore industry.

DNV GL's Center of Excellence for Drilling & Well Control Equipment recently hosted the inaugural gathering of the North American Offshore Equipment Manufacturers' Committee (NAOEMC). The NAOEMC is comprised of a group of industry experts and leaders that establish expectations and align the industry for future growth and development in offshore equipment manufacturing. The formation and sponsorship of industry committees is a longstanding tradition within DNV GL. The current market situation is more conducive to establishing the NAOEMC, as all stakeholders recognize the shift to "work smarter, not harder" and see value in partnership and collaboration.

The Belgian dredging, environmental and marine engineering group DEME and COSCO Shipping - the largest shipping company in the world - will work closely on the development of offshore wind energy in China. The umbrella agreement was signed today in the presence of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The attendance of both Heads of Government signifies the importance of the cooperation agreement and the Chinese vision concerning the transition to renewable energy. DEME and COSCO Shipping are both market leaders in their sectors and have found one another in a joint venture active in offshore wind energy in China.

Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Keppel Offshore & Marine USA, Inc., has completed the acquisition of Cameron International Corporation's offshore product division, which comprises the LETOURNEAU jackup rig designs, rig kit business, as well as its aftersales and aftermarket services. The acquisition will not only broaden Keppel O&M's suite of jackup rig designs but also expand its business in the provision of aftersales and aftermarket services, the company said. The acquired company will operate as Keppel LeTourneau with offices in the United States, United Arab Emirates and Singapore. Chow Yew Yuen…

The U.K. leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry continue to grow, according to new statistics published today by British Marine at the London Boat Show 2016. Growth in domestic consumer markets has helped off-set a tricky year for exporters who are still feeling the effects of a sluggish Eurozone and the wider global economic conditions felt by most U.K. business sectors. Inland hire, charter and passenger boat services have performed particularly well, capitalising on the increasing popularity of the U.K. with international visitors and the growth in U.K.

China COSCO Shipping Corp Ltd  (COSCOCS), a new company formed by the restructuring of China's top two shipping firms, was officially established on Thursday (February 18). The Chairman Xu Lirong said his company,now the world's largest bulk vessel and oil tanker operator by fleet size,  is planning to deploy more resources to six new businesses. According to a report in China Daily, the shipping major will focus on logistics, industrial equipment manufacturing, financial and shipping services, investment, and operations linked to the country's "Internet Plus" development program. "New businesses such as multimodal transportation, warehouse network development…

Kjeld Dittmann, the Managing Director of Lyngsø Marine A/S, is the new Chairman of the European Ships and Maritime Equipment Association (SEA Europe). He succeeds Govert Hamers, CEO of Vanderlande Industries in the Netherlands, who has completed his term as Chairman. The announcement was made at the SEA Europe Annual General Meeting in Istanbul on June 26 hosted by the Turkish Association of Ship Industrialists (full member of SEA Europe). “SEA Europe has established a strong voice in Brussels for both Europe’s shipyards and equipment suppliers…

Press release - Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) highlighted the issues and solutions surrounding LNG as a marine fuel at its industry forum, LNG as a Marine Fuel: Addressing the Challenges. Attended by close to 100 delegates from the ship owning, equipment manufacturing, brokering and media segments of the industry, the session was held in conjunction with London International Shipping Week 2015, which opened this Monday. Chaired by Chris Clucas, Corporate Expert - Liquefied Gas for BSM and the President of the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF)…

Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) announced today it has signed a “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Establishment of Industrial Cluster for Localizing Marine Equipment Between Marine Equipment Manufacturing and Supply Companies” at Hotel Hyundai Ulsan. Under the MOU, HHI will join forces with KOMERI, a domestic marine equipment research institute and 25 local marine equipment manufacturers to cooperate in the field of research and planning, product development, verification test, certification and engineer exchanges. Starting with the goal of localizing 18 marine equipment including pressure sensors for marine engines and gas injection valves, the three parties plan to increase production of the equipment that they can produce independently.