United States Environmental Protection Agency News

What will COVID-19 mean for the offshore wind industry? An industry not yet spinning on its own.Epitomized by the roller coaster ride that defined the stock market over the last few weeks, unpredictability has emerged as one of the few certainties of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Every industry has seen the effects of the pandemic, from hospitality, to travel, and even to the renewable energy sector. Indeed, even though the US offshore wind industry is not yet fully established…

As Trace Laborde, Marine Manager for Laborde Products, says, “The OXE diesel is the complete package, a true diesel engine. It’s great for any maritime application that requires fuel efficiency, simple maintenance, compliance with all European and EPA Tier 3 regulations, and unmatched performance.” That’s high praise, predictably coming from one of OXE’s authorized North American distributors, but in this case, the talk is matched by this OEM’s proven performance.The OXE was recently…

Swedish manufacturer Cimco Marine has developed the world’s first 200hp diesel marine outboard – named the OXE Diesel – for maritime security agencies, yacht tenders, municipalities and military applications.As Trace Laborde, Marine Manager for Laborde Products, said, “The OXE diesel is the complete package, a true diesel engine. It’s great for any maritime application that requires fuel efficiency, simple maintenance, compliance with all European and EPA Tier 3 regulations, and unmatched performance.

The Port of New Orleans and project partner, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), were awarded a National Clean Diesel Funding grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.The EPA grant will provide 40% of total project cost, allowing NOPB to retrofit the engine of a conventional diesel locomotive to a cleaner engine with low emissions beyond current requirements. This will be the first locomotive of its kind in the New Orleans gateway.This eco-locomotive will meet ultra-low emitting standards (Tier 4) and result in immediate air quality benefits such as reducing ozone precursors, diesel particulate matter, as well as fuel consumption and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. It will boast a sleek new paint scheme with green accents.

APM Terminals Inland Services Uruguay (also known as Montevideo Port Services SA) switched on 648 solar panels this month, capable of producing 228.6 MWh per year, enough to meet up to 90 percent of the facilities entire annual consumption.By switching to their own renewable energy source, Inland Services Uruguay, the largest equipment maintenance and repair provider in the country, will reduce its CO2 emissions by almost 50 tonnes per year. To put this in perspective, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency it would take around 1,300 seedling trees 10 years to absorb this amount of CO2.As a result of the project…

GE’s Marine Solutions and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd. (DSIC) completed a preliminary design for the conversion of a steam turbine powered LNG Carrier (LNGC) to a gas turbine-based propulsion system. The study aims at steam powered LNGCs that offer low fuel efficiency but are not ready to be retired from service. The new design will feature GE’s reliable and compact COmbined Gas turbine, Electric and Steam (COGES) system. According to Yingbin Ma, DSIC Deputy Technical Director…

Safe Bulkers, an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today that it has agreed with Erma First, a Greece based company, to install in all Company's vessels a Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS). The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and entered into force on 8 September 2017. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had adopted similar regulation for ballast water treatment effective on January 1, 2016. Both organizations have provided certain extensions for BWTS installation for various reasons including type approval.

Devon Grennan, president and CEO of Global Diving & Salvage, and president of the Spill Control Association of America (SCAA) asks the tough questions. What are the biggest challenges the spill response industry faces in light of the current political and economic climate in the United States? And what is SCAA doing to meet these challenges? I see the primary challenge that the spill response industry – as well as SCAA’s membership – currently has is to manage expectations and competing interests at a unique point in our nation’s energy renaissance.

GE’s Marine Solutions and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. (HZ) have received Approval in Principle (AIP) from the America Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a jointly developed liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier design to be powered by GE’s Combined Gas Turbine Electric and Steam (COGES) system. “We are delighted to work with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding on this 178,000 cubic-meter LNG carrier design that will use our efficient, reliable and dual-fuel marine gas turbine,” said GE’s Brien Bolsinger, Vice President, Marine Operations.

Being an island nation, Japan is inevitably dependent on seaborne trade. Over time, this has led to it becoming a strong player in the global maritime market. Japan’s shipbuilding pedigree has gained the country a foothold in LNG carriers, dry bulk cargo barge and pure car truck carriers (PCTC). While Japan is still a significant player, large-scale investments made by the Chinese and South Korean governments in the 1980s pushed them ahead. Japan’s energy market is also going through a period of change.

GE’s Marine Solutions business is showcasing how its latest technologies are helping future cruise ships to be safer, cleaner and more efficient. “GE is dedicated to delivering innovative technical solutions to drive the cruise industry forward. Our long track record with major cruise lines underlines our strong position as a strategic partner for our customers,” said Tim Schweikert, president & CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions. Most recently, GE was chosen to provide upgrade services to three cruise vessels owned by the Carnival group.

From the price of oil to environmental regulation, 2015 was a year of turmoil and uncertainty for the marine sector. Despite this, there were some common global trends that will define 2016. In December 2015, world leaders met at the COP21 conference to discuss climate change. The event’s outcome marks a decisive move towards a low carbon future focused on achieving the agreed-upon world target of 1.5 degree climate change ceiling. Indeed, despite being the most carbon-efficient form of commercial transport[1]…

Press release - GE Marine and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) announced it has obtained Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Approval in Principle (AiP) for the jointly developed gas turbine-powered LNG carrier design, the two companies announced  at the Marintec China 2015 trade show. “With the AiP in hand, customers can feel confident in procuring a COGES-powered LNG carrier through DSIC, said Brien Bolsinger, Vice President, Marine Operations, GE Marine, Evendale, Ohio. “Operational benefits of gas turbines to naval architects…

We are proud to announce that Turkey-based Ulusoy Denizyollari Isletmeciligi A.S. has selected the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) system to retrofit 12 vessels, including bulk carriers. The project was secured in conjunction with Trojan Marinex Turkish channel partner Esko Marine. “Being the first in the world to have submitted for United States Coast Guard Type Approval, we are committed to providing vessel owners the certifications they need to not interrupt their business of trade,” says Christian Williamson, Senior Vice President, Trojan Technologies. “Ulusoy required not only regulatory compliance confidence but also a solution that was both compact and seamless to operate, minimizing disruption to the vessel and crew.

In the wake of increased environmental scrutiny and potentially expanding liability issues, oil spill remediation continues to be of great interest to marine operations. While most outsiders think of oil spills in terms of major failures or leaks, more common oil leakage or lubricant discharges from marine equipment result in millions of gallons of oil being released into the aquatic environment each year. Leaks, which are very difficult to prevent, far outpace catastrophic events and result in lost productivity, environmental damage, costly fines and remediation and negative public image.

EPA has released a penalty policy for ECA violations. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a penalty policy for violations of the sulfur in fuel standard and related provisions for ships. The policy, which pursues violations of U.S. and international air pollution requirements by ships operating in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emissions Control Areas (ECA), applies to violations of new international standards for sulfur emissions from ships that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2015, and violations under the previous standards.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) will retrofit 19 of its ships with advanced emissions purification (AEP) systems. These systems, also known as scrubbers, will remove more than 97% of the sulfur dioxide emissions generated by the ships' diesel engines. According to RCL, the move will position the company ahead of all forthcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO) Emission Control Area (ECA) emissions standards, and will ensure compliance with existing European Union (EU) standards.

Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. Wärtsilä operates from more than 200 locations in nearly 70 countries around the world. The company’s net sales totaled $6.4 billion in 2013. By emphasizing technological innovation and efficiency, Wärtsilä maximizes environmental and economic performance. The company is a leader in dual fuel marine engines and is on the forefront of this technology, here and overseas. Wärtsila…

Trojan Marinex announced that Damen Shipyards have selected the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) system for a fleet of Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) it is building for Atlantic Towing Limited – a Canadian-owned marine transportation company. “It’s been an exciting year for us,” said Marv DeVries, president, Trojan Technologies. “Our entire product suite achieved IMO Type Approval in March, AMS acceptance in August, and we are on course for U.S. Coast Guard Type Approval.

GE Marine and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) announced at the SMM 2014 exhibition they have received Approval in Principle (AIP) for their jointly developed gas turbine-powered LNG carrier design. The AIP, issued by Lloyd’s Register, was sought for this LNG carrier since this is an innovative and novel concept not covered by traditional classification rules. It was late 2013 when the three companies initially announced the gas turbine LNG design and then swiftly set out to obtain AIP.

Trojan Marinex today announced that Laurin Maritime has selected the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) system for its 11-vessel tanker fleet. “Laurin Maritime and Trojan Marinex is an outstanding partnership,” said Dr. Christian Williamson, vice president, Trojan Technologies. “Our vessels sail in waters in the United States, and we are convinced that the Trojan Marinex system offers Laurin Maritime the ability to meet emerging regulatory requirements, especially requirements for U.S. Coast Guard Type approval,” explained Capt.

Trojan Marinex ballast water treatment system receives U.S. Trojan Technologies’ Trojan Marinex ballast water treatment (BWT) product suite is one of the few to receive United States Coast Guard (USCG) Alternate Management System (AMS) acceptance, in accordance with the USCG’s final rule for Standards for Living Organisms in Ships’ Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. waters, for all water qualities: freshwater, brackish water and marine water. While AMS is an important certification, Trojan said USCG Type Approval continues to be its main objective.

Great Lakes Shipyard has been awarded a contract for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) R/V Lake Explorer II. The research vessel was hauled out using the 770-ton capacity Marine Travelift at Great Lakes Shipyard. The repair contract that started on August 14, 2014 includes drydocking, routine repairs and maintenance, upgrades and design, fabrication and installation of a new bulbous bow. The 90-foot research vessel has been stationed in its homeport of Duluth, Minnesota since 2009, and is the newest addition to the U.S.