Industry news

DNV GL, HHI Group present results of joint research on green tankers of future

21 December | ENVIRONMENT

Classification society DNV GL and shipbuilder HHI Group have presented results of a new joint research that is focused on the development of modern future-proof tanker designs.

At the ‘Green Tankers towards 2050’ industry webinar, which was attended by over 250 participants from shipping firms around the globe, DNV GL and HHI Group stated that the eco-friendly marine solutions will help managers and shipowners to cope with firmer environmental guidelines

In 2019, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed at the Gastech trade fair in Houston, US for the joint research to develop low and zero-carbon solutions for marine transportation.

The outcomes of the MOU were presented by lead researchers from HHI Group companies, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), in a virtual platform, which was co-hosted by DNV GL from its headquarters in Høvik, Norway.

HHI Group COO and SEVP Seong-Yong Park said: “Shipowners are faced with many uncertainties in the rapidly changing marketplace. We believe our research results, including proven engineering solutions and alternative fuels, will support them in developing their future strategy for ship operations and fleet renewal.”

During the webinar, DNV GL and HHI Group professionals explained the recent development in regulations with regard to the greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

Furthermore, the design index for existing vessels (EEXI) and a new Carbon Intensity Indicator, which are due to enter into force in 2023, were also detailed to the participants.

HHI Group stated that in response to the changing regulations, it introduced its eco-friendly vessels that are fitted with alternative fuel technologies and energy-reducing arrangements.

Around 40 LNG dual-fuelled vessels have already been delivered or are under construction by HHI.

With the application of DNV GL’s data-based carbon robust model to its very large crude carrier (VLCC) and Medium Range (MR) tanker vessels, HHI Group noted that an LNG fuel propulsion system along with advanced energy saving devices (ESDs) can assist a ship to meet the new Carbon Intensity Indicator over its estimated lifetime.

DNV GL maritime business development manager Christos Chryssakis said: “Since ESDs mainly have an impact on fuel consumption during sailing, the benefits are greater for large vessels such as VLCCs, which spend more days operating at sea.

“These ships are also less sensitive to price variations when it comes to selection of LNG as fuel. This is because the capital expenditures are paid back faster due to a higher fuel consumption.”

Chryssakis added that for smaller ships with lower fuel consumption, a higher price differential between very low sulphur oil (VLSFO) and LNG was needed to pay back the initial investment, thereby making these ships more sensitive to volatile fuel prices.

18 December | ENVIRONMENT

Gunvor invests in Artemis Technologies to decarbonise marine transport

Energy commodity trader Gunvor Group has made an investment in Artemis Technologies as part of its commitment for developing non-hydrocarbon solutions for marine transportation.

Previously, Artemis Technologies-led Belfast Maritime Consortium had received an innovation grant of £33m from the UK Government for developing zero-emission high-speed ferries.

Gunvor Group chairman Torbjörn Törnqvist said: “Artemis Technologies is working on a number of compelling innovations that will help decarbonise the maritime sector at a time when there is a growing demand for low-carbon alternatives.

“Gunvor has committed to reduce the carbon footprint of the commodities we’re trading and our industrial processes, as well as to explore relevant commercial opportunities. There is no silver bullet to the climate change issue. Many solutions are needed.”

Artemis Technologies will use the investment funds to develop a transformative electric hydrofoil propulsion system, Artemis eFoiler, which will power eco-friendly ships of the future.

The vessels developed under the Belfast project will use up to 90% less energy than outdated ferries during operations.

The new ships will be able to accommodate approximately 350 passengers and produce zero emissions during transit.

The Artemis eFoiler system combines technologies from the 13-partner Belfast syndicate, which includes a mix of companies, academic institutions, and public bodies.

Artemis Technologies CEO Dr Iain Percy OBE said: “With approximately 30% of ship emissions coming from domestic voyages, the maritime sector is under pressure to develop and adopt new disruptive innovations. This means that reducing emissions on smaller domestic fleets, which typically make these shorter journeys, will be key in meeting net-zero goals.”

17 December | REGULATIONS

LR and NETSCo to design Jones Act-compliant wind turbine installation ship

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has teamed up with Northeast Technical Services (NETSCo) to design and develop a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) in compliance with the Jones Act.

As per the Jones Act, also known as Merchant Marine Act of 1920, vessels transporting cargo between US ports, or between US ports and offshore centres, should be built and flagged in the country.

This comes after the US Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2021, which includes an amendment confirming full enforcement of the Jones Act and other federal laws in offshore wind development.

Under this project, NETSCo engineers and naval architects will work together to create the WTIV’s concept design.

NETSCo’s WTIV design will meet the requirements of ongoing developments along the US East Coast and the US Great Lakes regarding deck space, water depth, and crane capacity.

The design will use hull shapes that can be built in US shipyards and that are commonly found in the US shipbuilding market.

The concept design will be reviewed and examined by LR to ensure that the ship complies with all applicable rules and regulations.

The design will also be evaluated against international codes and standards and the US Coast Guard’s Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) by a team of technical compliance experts.

NETSCo vice-president Jan Flores said: “The lack of Jones Act-qualified compliant wind turbine installation vessels has become a major challenge for offshore wind turbine developers. With years of research and development in this industry, it is a perfect opportunity for us to leverage our engineering expertise in a strong collaborative enterprise with LR.

“This collaboration was a cumulation of efforts to better support the offshore wind turbine market with a Jones Act-qualified vessel alternative, as well as offering conversion options for vessels that have been dry-docked during this economic downturn."

17 DECEMber | SHIPBUILDING

MPA taps Wilhelmsen consortium for marine 3D printing project

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has selected the Wilhelmsen consortium to develop 3D printing technology for the marine industry.

The consortium will join a joint industry project (JIP) awarded by the MPA under its Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund.

Led by Wilhelmsen, the consortium includes names such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Wartsila, Hamworthy Pumps, DNV GL.

Some of the end-users already part of Wilhelmsen’s 3D printing customer programme are also participating in the project.

Kawasaki said that it is aiming to develop digitalised spare ship parts by using 3D printers at ports to print the parts.

The project is aimed at maximising a safe vessel operating period and increasing the availability of spare parts in case of any emergency.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries project leader Atsushi Ogura said: “Through the JIP, Kawasaki will establish technologies for fabricating spare ship parts by additive manufacturing and contribute to enhancing spare parts availability in times of emergency and maximise safe ship operating times. We’ll accelerate the feasibility study of additive manufacturing for spare ship parts.”

16 DECEmber | CYBERSECURITY

ABB Marine & Ports launches cybersecurity lab for shipping industry

ABB Marine & Ports has set up a new cybersecurity laboratory to support shipping companies at all stages of digitalisation.

The new lab has been opened just as harsher maritime cybersecurity rules are set to come into force from 1 January 2021.

According to the company, the new lab will feature all hardware and software systems required to help shipping companies counter the growing threats of cybersecurity.

ABB Marine & Ports head of cybersecurity Ahmed Hassan said: “The principles of cybersecurity must apply across all maritime stakeholders, from designers and builders to owners, operators, and crew; and from classification societies to universities and research bodies, government departments and insurers.”

The cybersecurity lab will offer services such as reference architecture, implementation of security policies to zones and conduits, as well as the ability to monitor network traffic and act on vulnerabilities.

It will also be equipped to gather and manage security logs for the control system components, the company said.

The ABB Ability Cyber Asset Inventory solution will discover and record system inventory and alert customers about possible susceptibilities.

The lab will also offer services such as event monitoring, which enables sending alerts to crew members and ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Centers across the world.

14 December | ENVIRONMENT

Mitsubishi joins Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has become a member of the Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships.

The Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships has been established for planning and proposing next-generation green ships through the integration of the total expertise of Japan’s shipbuilding industry.

Working with other members, Mitsubishi will pursue the development of advanced environmental performance-enhancing technologies for achieving carbon neutrality and targeting near-zero carbon emissions.

It will also be involved in activities, focusing on research and development related to the commercialisation of sustainable ships.

As a member of the Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will expand its marine and related technologies while also promoting the development of advanced environmental performance-boosting technologies with an aim to respond to the tightening environmental regulations.

Approximately nine domestic shipbuilders, including Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, have already joined or announced their intent to join the organisation.

To achieve the medium to long-range targets of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the centre will initially strive to prepare a detailed proposal on next-generation ships that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

11 December | Deal

ION to provide CalMac Ferries with port management information system

ION Geophysical’s Edinburgh-based software group has won a tender for the supply of Marlin SmartPort as a port management information system to CalMac Ferries.

CalMac Ferries is a ferry operator that manages nearly 29 routes to more than 50 destinations across 322km of Scotland’s west coast.

It also operates approximately 27 ports and harbours across Scotland.

Marlin SmartPort solution will deliver port management services to 17 of CalMac’s harbours over four-year term initially.

The cloud-based solution increases the competitive position of ports while reducing costs and environmental impact, making them more efficient and attractive for vessel owners and agents to use.

It also integrates data and systems to create a common operating picture that provides improved real-time visibility, optimising decision-making across the port community.

As an example, automating port call processes can reduce administration time by 50% while cutting down errors.

CalMac ports and harbours head Cameron MacPhail said: “After an extensive tender process, we are pleased to select Marlin SmartPort as a solution that not only meets all of our immediate requirements but also provides a long-term partnership to support our evolving needs.

“ION has a strong reputation in the UK port community for an efficient, integrated digital system and a support team that helps drive innovation and value. Marlin SmartPort will support our modernisation programme to improve operational efficiencies and enhance the customer experience, as well as our on-going environmental commitment.”

ION senior vice-president Stuart Darling said: “We are delighted to be awarded this important contract from CalMac Ferries Ltd. The Marlin SmartPort solution received development funding from Scottish Enterprise at the start of the year, and this contract presents a great opportunity for us to deliver value from that investment across a wide range of harbours in Scotland.

“This award validates the competitiveness of our offering and demonstrates the breadth of Marlin to support a wide range of applications, including port and ferry management. Marlin SmartPort was developed with input from port controllers and we continue to advance the platform to cover wide a range of use cases to deliver value to ports and harbours globally.”

11 December | Deal

FLIR Systems introduces digital control system Raymarine YachtSense

FLIR Systems has introduced Raymarine YachtSense, an advanced digital control system, which can provide command and awareness of a vessel’s electrical systems.

The company said that the modular nature of the system can redefine the future of ship automation for technical installers and boat builders.

The system is designed to be reliable, flexible, and easy to use, and offers customisable and failsafe marine automation via intuitive control of on-board systems through any Raymarine Axiom multifunction display.

YachtSense’s modular architecture enables boat builders to plan and standardise digital control solutions that are scalable across their whole model series.

The YachtSense system starts with the YachtSense Master Module and Power Supply Module and is completed with a group of additional multi-channel signal modules.

An individual module interfaces with particular kind of on-board devices and systems such as pumps, windlass, swim platforms, climate control, generators, and other on-vessel mechanical systems.

YachtSense’s tailored Axiom user interface options can help create modern vessel automation solutions for marine manufacturers and installers.

It provides captains with overall control of every on-board system from any Axiom multifunction display with simple, touchscreen operation.

FLIR Systems Raymarine general manager Gregoire Outters said: “YachtSense is the new standard in premium digital control solution for today’s most sophisticated vessels. Our smart, modular, and expandable system gives total freedom to boat builders to design ultra-reliable and highly tailored solutions that best meet the individual needs of their specific vessels and customers.”

Master Modules feature an LCD for system diagnostics and an integrated keypad for manual override.

Backed by a three-year warranty, YachtSense modules are kept inside rugged IPX6 waterproof enclosures.

In brief

Van Oord orders new green cable-laying ship from Vard

Dutch maritime contracting company Van Oord and Norwegian shipbuilder Vard have entered a deal for an eco-friendly cable-laying vessel. According to the deal, the next-generation custom-built vessel will feature an intelligent cable lay control system and the latest sustainable technologies.

KVH partners with ioCurrents for KVH Watch marine IoT solution

KVH Industries, a provider of mobile connectivity and inertial navigation systems, has announced that ioCurrents, a data analytics innovator, will offer KVH Watch connectivity as part of its maritime services.

Daehan Shipbuilding receives AIP for small-size LPG carriers

DNV GL has awarded the approval in principle (AIP) to Daehan Shipbuilding (DHSC) for a new design of small-size liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers in the range of 5,000 dwt – 7,000 dwt.

KNOT Shuttle Tankers to acquire Tove Knutsen

KNOT Shuttle Tankers, a wholly owned subsidiary of KNOT Offshore Partners, has finalised an agreement to acquire Tove Knutsen, a shuttle tanker, from Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers. The acquisition has been priced at nearly $117.8m.

Kongsberg Maritime selects Sonihull for anti-fouling systems

Norwegian maritime technology group Kongsberg Maritime has selected Sonihull to supply ultrasonic anti-fouling systems. The deal covers all applications in the Kongsberg Maritime’s range of Kamewa waterjets.

11 December | PORTS