EU Backs Project to Minimize Methane Slip from Marine Engines
A consortium has secured European Union funding to develop solutions minimizing methane slip from marine engines, advancing the environmental and climate benefits of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a ship fuel.Coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the Green Ray project brings together several companies from across the shipping value chain: shipyard Chantiers de lâAtlantique, ship owner CMA CGA, classification society DNV GL, technology group Wärtsilä, the Finnish Meteorological InstituteâŠ
Valmet, VTT Tests System to Dramatically Cut Ship Exhaust Gas Emissions
Valmet reports that it has tested a first-of-a-kind scrubber and wet electrostatic precipitator combination and cut exhaust gas emissions in a marine diesel engine by up to 99%. The solution potentially could allow shipping companies to lower their particle matter and black carbon emission levels, while benefitting the environment and helping to meet tightening emission regulations.The pilot testing and configuration project was carried out together with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT).Up to dateâŠ
Methods for Decreasing Future Fuel Uncertainty
The marine fuel market is undergoing significant change. Following the implementation and impact of IMO 2020, weâre now seeing the focus shift to low and zero carbon fuels, and an expansion of other marine fuel options, predominantly driven by the International Maritime Organizationâs (IMO) impending 2030 and 2050 decarbonization targets. With heavy fuel oil (HFO) the dominant fuel type in the maritime sector since the 1960s, there is no question that such incredible change toâŠ
Nokia, ABB and Kalmar Trial 5G Technology for Harbor Automation
Nokia, ABB and Kalmar, part of Cargotec, have successfully conducted industrial trials that leverage the low latency capabilities of 5G to support time-critical applications and enhance protection and efficiency in a smart electricity grid and in harbor automation.In a joint press release the companies said that the trials, conducted as part of the Wireless for Verticals (WIVE) research project, represent one of the first real-world applications of time-critical 5G applications on electricity grid and harbor automation.URLLC (ultra-reliable low latency communications) has been identified as one of the three main usage scenarios for 5G due to its ability to transmit data, within a few milliseconds or less, with high reliability.
Methanol as an Alternative Fuel for Vessels
The Methanol Institute welcomed the findings of the Sustainable Marine Methanol (SUMMETH) project, which has backed the increased use of Methanol as a marine fuel. The research concluded that there are no obstacles to the efficient use of Methanol in a converted diesel engine and that smaller vessel conversion projects are feasible and cost-effective, with levels of safety that easily meet existing requirements. Switching to Methanol would offer immediate environmental benefits, including close to zero SOx and particulate matter emissions and significantly lower NOx emissions compared to conventional marine fuels or biodiesel. Joanne EllisâŠ
Rising Tide of Innovation at Davos to Keep Plastic out of the Sea
Technology that could avoid the equivalent of 100 garbage bags of plastic waste being created per second received a funding boost at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. The five winners of the "Circular Materials Challenge", which focuses on the 30 percent of plastic packaging that is too small or complex to be recycled and often ends up in the ocean, will share the $1 million prize to develop their solutions, said the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and innovation network NineSigma.
Europort Tackles Shippingâs big issues
Shippingâs data revolution, its environmental responsibilities and its continuing reliance on âthe human factorâ will be the focus of attention as the eyes of the maritime world turn once more to Rotterdam between 7th-10th November 2017, for the staging of the long-established, and always well-supported Europort event. Organised by Rotterdam Ahoy, Europort is the highlight of the maritime exhibition calendar in 2017, with a finely crafted programme expected to attract an estimated 30,000 visitors and 1,100 exhibitors. The Europort exhibition team has chosen three highly topical themes for the event this year. These are: Big Data; The New Environmental Age; and The Human Factor.
Rolls-Royce Outlines Visions for Autonomous Shipping
A new whitepaper from the Rolls-Royce led Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative (AAWA) outlines the projectâs vision of how remote and autonomous shipping will become a reality. âThis is happening. Itâs not if, itâs when,â said Oskar Levander, Rolls-Royce, Vice President of Innovation â Marine, speaking at the Autonomous Ship Technology Symposium 2016 in Amsterdam. âThe technologies needed to make remote and autonomous ships a reality exist. The AAWA project isâŠ
Measuring Shipping Emissions in the Arctic
A new global challenge and a compliance monitoring market are emerging, due to tightening environmental regulations. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Tampere University of Technology and the University of Turku have joined forces in an international project â Shipping Emissions in the Arctic â with the aim of making the measurement of black carbon emissions from shipping more reliable. The initial results show that engine loads and fuel types have a major impact on black carbon emissions from ships.
Rolls-Royce to Lead Autonomous Ship Research
Rolls-Royce announced it will take the lead on a âŹ6.6 million project that could pave the way for autonomous ships. The Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative will produce the specification and preliminary designs for the next generation of advanced ship solutions. The project is funded by Tekes (Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation) and will bring together universities, ship designers, equipment manufacturers and classification societies to explore the economicâŠ
Norsepowerâs Rotor Sail Solution Successfully Tested
Norsepower Oy Ltd. and Bore Ltd today carried out successful sea trial of Norsepowerâs Rotor Sail Solution, a new wind propulsion technology for ships. The sea trials, verified by NAPA and supported by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, confirm fuel savings of 2.6% using a single small Rotor Sail on a route in the North Sea. With these fuel savings, the technology has a payback period of 4 years. Based on the trials, Norsepower and Bore believe that a full system on Estraden with two rotors has the potential to deliver 5% efficiency savings on an ongoing basis. Norsepower forecasts savings of 20% for vessels with multiple, large rotors traveling in favourable wind routes. The Norsepower Rotor Sail Solution was installed on the 9,700 DWT Ro-Ro carrier MS Estraden.
New Propulsion Test Centre for Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä's new Propulsion Test Centre has been established and funded by Wärtsilä with strong support from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, who will provide the resources to operate the facility. The test centre is located in Tuusula, southern Finland, and will enhance the company's capabilities in product validation and research activities. The new facility enables Wärtsilä to speed the development of new, high quality and environmentally sound propulsion products together with research institutes, universities and suppliers.
Cargotecâs New MacLux Series of Lighting Equipment
Cargotecâs MacLux lighting system for cargo holds uses LED technology to produce a high light output from a low power input. âMacLux is an easy and cost-effective way to increase the safety of working conditions on board by adding light to areas where it is needed, for example cargo holds and lashing bridges, possibly also on RoRo car decks,â said Janne Suominen, Product Manager for new products, Dry Cargo. âWe started the development project following feedback from our customersâ. âOur MacLux lighting is resistant to vibration, temperature changes and corrosive environments.