Technology Options News

Marine and energy equipment maker Wartsila will roll out its first methanol-powered engine in a new ship next year as the group accelerates green fuel technology options for shipping, a company executive said.With about 90% of world trade transported by sea, shipping accounts for nearly 3% of the world's CO2 emissions, yet environmental campaigners say efforts by the sector to cut emissions by 2050 are still slow.While Denmark's AP Moller Maerskhas ordered eight container ships that can be powered by methanol for delivery in 2024…

Applied Satellite Technology (AST) Ltd announced it is now offering Intelsat’s FlexMaritime service, a reliable, secure, high-speed global connectivity solution. Designed specifically for global commercial maritime trade routes, the service also supports multiple antenna sizes and new service options to meet the growing global bandwidth needs of fishing, leisure and workboats.Intelsat FlexMaritime leverages Intelsat’s global fleet of multi-layered, high-throughput satellites (HTS)…

ABS and Vanderbilt University have published a landmark report analyzing decarbonization strategies for U.S. inland waterways.“Decarbonization of the Inland Waterway Sector in the United States” evaluates the potential for possible future propulsion technologies and alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions. The report also demonstrates the feasibility of near-term electrification of smaller vessels operating on the inland river system with a case study and renderings of a…

A group of shipping industry partners are working together to assess the technical, financial and environmental potential of converting existing vessels to zero-carbon fuels and technology as part of the transition to a global zero carbon fleet by 2050.American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), A.P. Moller – Maersk, MAN Energy Solutions, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NYK Line, Seaspan Corporation and Total are joining forces through the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping to assess the technical…

In a collective call to action for the decarbonization of shipping last year, 34 signatory CEOs from the industry made clear that efforts to significantly lower the carbon footprint of shipping presented “biggest technology challenge in the past 100 years”.This statement was not an exaggeration. In fact, the transition to a low-carbon future will take more than an unprecedented commitment to the research and development that traditionally underpins technological advance. Finding complex solutions that are at once commercially viable…

Part I: Enhancing Engines & Fuels"Wood Mackenzie forecasts a 25 percent increase in price for lower sulfur content fuel based on a SOx scrubber adoption rate of about two percent, but some scenarios could cause LSFO prices to spike by as much as 60 percent."Around 80 percent of global trade is carried by sea. With more than 125,000 commercial and naval vessels operating around the world, ship-engine emissions are projected to rise by 250 percent by 2050 unless controls are imposed.

DNV GL - Maritime has released its second Maritime Forecast to 2050, part of a suite of Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) reports launched today in London. The Forecast provides an independent forecast of the maritime energy future and examines how the energy transition will affect the shipping industry.“The energy transition is undeniable,” says Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV GL. “Last year, more gigawatts of renewable energy were added than those from fossil fuels and this is reflected in where lenders are putting their money.”Following on from the 2017 report, the new Maritime Forecast to 2050 focusses on the challenges of decarbonizing the shipping industry.

Recently, Radio Holland Canada and Radio Holland USA celebrated the renewals of key airtime contracts on the Great Lakes with Algoma Central Corporation (ACC), The CSL Group (CSL) and American Steamship Corporation (ASC). Collectively, the three companies operate approximately 65 Lakers which include tankers, self-loading and conventional bulk carriers. The companies signed initial agreements with Radio Holland in 2007. The new agreements include increased bandwidth to meet the growing needs for the companies’ business operations and crew welfare.

A new 65k open-hatch general cargo carrier design concept jointly developed by DNV GL and Oshima Shipbuilding has been launched at Nor-Shipping. Intended for a wide range of project cargoes and packaged goods, the vessel design includes composite tween decks to maximize space utilization and save weight. This tween deck solution was also awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) by DNV GL, presented to Sho Minami, the CEO of Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, by Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO DNV GL – Maritime.

In connection with the Gastech 2017 conference and exhibition in Tokyo, project partners Consolidated Marine Management (CMM), Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Wärtsilä Oil & Gas, and DNV GL presented the results of a joint industry project (JIP) to develop a new LPG fuelled carrier design – LPGreen. Launched at the Posidonia trade fair in 2016, the JIP sought to develop a more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and safer vessel for the transportation of LPG products. “In order to increase the competitiveness of modern LPG carriers, novel ship designs need to simultaneously account for the market and trade route characteristics…

Lloyd's Register report looks at the commercial landscape, regulatory issues and technical realities of a new trade in ethane emerging as a result of increased U.S. U.S. ethane production capability, as a byproduct of total increased U.S. gas production, is underutilized. The potential exists for annual exports of 1 million metric tons of ethane to provide employment for 0.18 million cubic meters of shipping capacity if shipped to North Europe, a further 0.32 Mn Cu M if shipped to South Asia and a similar amount to China through the Panama Canal.

As a part of the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, the U.S. Energy Department today announced the selection of three pioneering offshore wind demonstrations to receive up to $47 million each over the next four years to deploy innovative, grid-connected systems in federal and state waters by 2017. These projects – located off the coast of New Jersey, Oregon and Virginia – will help speed the deployment of more efficient offshore wind power technologies. Building…

Wärtsilä has been granted Alternate Management System (AMS) acceptance for its AQUARIUS UV Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) by the United States Coastguard (USCG). This allows all U.S. and foreign flag ships fitted with the Wärtsilä AQUARIUS UV BWMS to operate in U.S. territorial waters and to discharge its treated ballast water for an interim period of up to five years from the ship specific implementation date. AMS acceptance is the first stage towards obtaining full USCG type approval. Wärtsilä anticipates having all activities necessary to gain full U.S.

DNV now offers shipowners the support they need to make newbuilds and existing vessels LNG ready with class approved designs, ready for later, simple retrofit of LNG technology. The service enables shipowners to make smart choices and minimal investments now in readiness for when LNG bunkering becomes widely available. Shipowners are supported through all stages of the decision-making process as they prepare to meet the IMO air emission regulations entering into force from 2015.

Managing the risks associated with a new ship acquisition, whether commercial or military, can be a daunting process. For the commercial operator, the new ship must make a reasonable profit after the cost of design and the annual operating costs are accounted for. The warfighter must fit his new acquisition into ever-shrinking fiscal budgets while ensuring that a vital mission capability is met. Programmatic Risk – Will the selected hull form and associated requirements successfully meet the owner’s needs?

FarSounder is a sponsor for Day 2 of the 2013 American Superyacht Forum in Las Vegas, hosted by The Superyacht Group. FarSounder, Inc. is a U.S. based high technology marine electronics manufacturer specializing in underwater acoustics, and the provision of realtime 3D sonar systems. The workshops and exhibits at the American Superyacht Forum will run throughout the day, providing an opportunity for leading superyacht decision makers and influencers to discuss serious and sustainable business within the American market place.

General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded an $11 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to support research and development of advanced submarine technologies for current and future undersea platforms. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Under the terms of the modification, Electric Boat will perform advanced submarine research and development studies in support of a wide range of technology areas including manufacturability, maintainability, survivability, hydrodynamics, acoustics and materials. General Dynamics will conduct research and development work in additional areas including hull integrity, performance, ship control, logistics, weapons handling and safety.

The results show that high fuel costs will result in a drive towards more energy efficient ships ahead of the EEDI regulatory timeframe. Fuel choices up to 2020 will be driven by the time spent in an Emissions Control Area (ECA), but distillate is a more likely option than scrubbers for most ships towards 2020. By 2020, it is expected that new tankers, bulkers and container vessels will be up to 30 per cent more energy efficient than today’s newbuildings. DNV predicts that one-third of the reductions will be cost effective for shipowners.

General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $117.8 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to develop advanced submarine technologies for current and future undersea platforms. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Under the terms of the modification, Electric Boat will perform advanced submarine research and development studies in support of a wide range of technology areas including manufacturability, maintainability, survivability, hydrodynamics, acoustics and materials. Electric Boat also will conduct research and development work in additional areas including manning, hull integrity, performance, ship control, logistics, weapons handling and safety.

General Dynamics Electric Boat recently was awarded two U.S. Navy contracts worth $56.7 million to perform submarine modernization and maintenance work and develop advanced technologies for current and future undersea platforms. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Under the first award, worth $41.6 million, Electric Boat will continue operating the New England Maintenance Manpower Initiative at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. The company provides a wide range of overhaul, repair and modernization services in support of submarines, floating dry docks, support and service craft and other equipment at the base. About 270 Electric Boat employees will be engaged in the work.

General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $41,616,738 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for New England Maintenance Manpower Initiative requirements. Facility, New London, Conn. Electric Boat is the only source capable of performing this work. Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and is expected to be completed by November 2012. be provided at time of contract award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. (N00024-12-C-4312). and development of advanced submarine technologies for current and future submarine platforms. submarine safety, and affordability.

General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $12.5 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to develop advanced submarine technologies for current and future undersea platforms. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Under the terms of the modification, General Dynamics Electric Boat will perform advanced submarine research and development studies in support of a wide range of technology areas including manufacturability, maintainability, survivability, hydrodynamics, acoustics and materials. General Dynamics will conduct research and development work in additional areas including hull integrity, performance, ship control, logistics, weapons handling and safety.

General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $33.5 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to develop advanced submarine technologies for current and future undersea platforms. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Under the terms of the modification, Electric Boat will perform advanced submarine research and development studies in support of a wide range of technology areas including manufacturability, maintainability, survivability, hydrodynamics, acoustics and materials.