Industry news
Cavotec launches next-generation automated vacuum mooring solution
28 October | technology
Cavotec, a manufacturer of connection and electrification solutions for the maritime industry, has launched its next-generation automated vacuum mooring solution, called MoorMaster NxG.
The usual system of anchoring ships to the port using ropes and chains takes up to one hour. However, MoorMaster NxG will enable ships to anchor in as little as 30 seconds, which helps to cut down docking times.
Furthermore, hands-free and quick mooring enables ports to boost productivity while also reducing emissions and keeping employees safe.
Cavotec CEO Mikael Norin said: “As the inventors of vacuum mooring, we’ve used every minute of data from 20 years’ service to redesign MoorMaster from the ground up, to deliver faster, smarter installation, improved performance, continuous monitoring, and easier maintenance. All in a unit with a smaller more streamlined footprint and an aesthetically pleasing design.
“These are qualities that ASKO Maritime have seen as crucial when they are planning the introduction of the world’s first autonomous, zero-emissions vessels. We are very proud of having been selected as a key partner to ASKO.”
27 October | technology
Foreship employs drones to boost accuracy in draught surveys
Foreship, a naval architecture and marine engineering company, has stated that drones can boost the accuracy, speed and safety of draught surveys.
After conducting trials successfully, Foreship has added this approach to its service offering.
Usually, a draught survey is carried out from a boat that takes readings using the markings painted on the ship's hull.
Foreship chief naval architect Markus Aarnio said: “The traditional way of taking draught readings is time-consuming, and there are always some risks when launching a manned boat from a vessel, such that it is best avoided when not absolutely necessary.
“Then there is the question of accuracy: it can be difficult for a surveyor to take precise measurements in waves, while the ship operator’s interest is for the process to be completed in as short a time as possible, for example.”
27 October | SHIPBUILDING
Damen Shipyards completes rebuild of research vessel OceanXplorer
Damen Shipyards Group has completed the rebuild of research vessel OceanXplorer at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The ship will contribute to OceanX’s mission of exploring the ocean and building a global community that is engaged in protecting the oceans.
Following the completion of the project, OceanXplorer has become an advanced exploration, research and media vessel.
Serving as OceanX’s new flagship, the vessel builds on the legacy of the company’s first ship, Alucia.
Featuring a series of submersibles, sonar arrays, manned submarines, a remotely operated vehicle and an autonomous underwater vehicle, OceanXplorer can map the depths of the oceans.
The vessel can gather live samples and bring them onboard so that researchers can use them to conduct DNA sequencing.
26 October | operations
Stena Line to expand operations across Baltic Sea
Ferry company Stena Line has announced the expansion of its operations across the Baltic Sea region. From 2021, it plans to replace the current vessels on the Nynäshamn-Ventspils route with two new ferries. The two roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessels – Stena Lagan and Stena Mersey – will add 30% freight capacity on the route.
Stena Line has 18 ferry routes in Europe with three of them operating across the Baltic Sea. Since the company acquired the ferry route between Nynäshamn in Sweden and Ventspils in Latvia in 2012, it has more than doubled its operations from one vessel and ten departures every week to the present fixed timetable of two vessels and 24 departures every week for passengers and freight.
The freight capacity on the route will increase by almost a third. The 222m-long ferries will provide space for both passengers and freight.
26 October | Staff
Maritime Skills Commission publishes annual report on UK skills needs
Maritime UK’s Maritime Skills Commission (MSC) has published its first annual report, which highlights the work done since its establishment in July 2020 and sets out future steps.
Over the last three months, the commission – chaired by University of Central Lancashire vice-chancellor Graham Baldwin – has focused on producing a Scheme of Work and a Labour Market Intelligence Scoping report. The former focused on reviewing the support for the maritime training (SMarT) scheme, which has been running since 1998.
Looking ahead, the report also outlined the need for members to focus on the programme’s overall productivity, assessing whether it’s still delivering the skills needed by cadets in the months to come.
As part of the initiative, the commission will also carry out an initial assessment of the Exporting Maritime Education & Training programme, which bids to promote greater collaboration not only between organisations, but also with the UK Department for International Trade.
26 October | POrts
Greece receives five bids for operating part of port in Kavala
Greece has secured five non-binding bids to run a part of a port in the northern city of Kavala, according to HRADF, the country’s privatisation agency.
HRADF has received expressions of interest for a sub-concession to run a terminal of Philippos II port, reported Reuters.
Currently, the port is being managed by Kavala Port Authority.
The bids have come from the International Port Investments Kavala consortium, which includes Black Summit Financial Group, EFA Group, and GEK TERNA; and a consortium of IMERYS, Goldair Cargo and IMG.
The bids also came from PFIC, Quintana Infrastructure & Development, and Thessaloniki Port Authority.
Greece began its privatisation plan in 2010 to cut down its public debt.
23 October | ENVIRONMENT
Maritime innovation HySHIP project receives EU grant
HySHIP, a maritime innovation project, has received EU funding of €8m ($9.4m) as the Government of Norway focuses on the development and commercialisation of hydrogen as a carbon-neutral fuel.
The project encompasses 14 partners in Europe. These partners will collaborate on the design and construction of a new roll-on / roll-off (RoRo) demonstration vessel, which will operate on liquid green hydrogen (LH₂ ), as well as in setting up an LH₂ feasible supply chain and bunkering platform.
The project will reduce the development and operational cost while making a shift to LH₂ for ship propulsion in Europe.
The vessel will be operated by Norwegian maritime industry group Wilhelmsen.
LH₂ will be distributed to hydrogen hubs along the Norwegian coast.
The vessel is scheduled to be operational from 2024.
22 October | Environment
Global Ports to sell Turkey’s Port Akdeniz in $140m deal
Global Ports Holding (GPH) has agreed to sell Turkish company Ortadogu Antalya Liman Isletmeleri (Port Akdeniz), which operates the Akdeniz-Antalya port, for $140m to Qatar-based QTerminals.
In its regulatory statement, the British cruise port operator said that the net cash proceeds from the deal at closing will be calculated by subtracting net debt of Port Akdeniz, as well as paying transaction-related costs and taxes.
QTerminals will withhold a small portion of the purchase price and will pay it 12 months after the closure of the transaction.
Subject to regulatory approvals and clearances from Turkish authorities, Global Ports expects to complete the deal in the fourth quarter of this year.
Akdeniz-Antalya port is being operated by Port Akdeniz under a concession agreement, which will expire in August 2028. The Turkish port specialises in handling cargo containers and general and bulk cargo.
In brief
Rheinmetall Canada to add Sentinel IDS in command and control system
Rheinmetall Canada has included submarine defence technology expert Sonardyne’s Sentinel Intruder Detection Sonar (IDS) in its command and control system to enhance its security offering.
Wartsila secures contract for VLEC from HHI
Wartsila has secured a new contract for very large ethane carriers (VLEC) from the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in SouthKorea.
EPS wins bid to operate VLECs for Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has secured a bid to acquire, build, and operate four 98,000m³ very large ethane carriers for China-based Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical.
Austal signs agreement to buy BSE Maritime Solutions
Austal has signed an agreement to buy Australia-based BSE Maritime Solutions Group for an enterprise value of A$27.5m ($19.5m). Operating in Cairns and Brisbane, BSE Maritime Solutions is a ship repair and support business for customers in defence, commercial, tourism and luxury vessel markets.
Japan’s LBV Kaguya carries out ship-to-ship LNG bunkering
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel Kaguya has supplied LNG fuel to an NYK pure car and truck carrier at the berth of Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding. It is the first time that LNG fuel has been supplied to a vessel through ship-to-ship bunkering in Japan.
23 October | ENVIRONMENT
Maritime innovation HySHIP project receives EU grant
HySHIP, a maritime innovation project, has received EU funding of €8m ($9.4m) as the Government of Norway focuses on the development and commercialisation of hydrogen as a carbon-neutral fuel.
The project encompasses 14 partners in Europe. These partners will collaborate on the design and construction of a new roll-on / roll-off (RoRo) demonstration vessel, which will operate on liquid green hydrogen (LH₂ ), as well as in setting up an LH₂ feasible supply chain and bunkering platform.
The project will reduce the development and operational cost while making a shift to LH₂ for ship propulsion in Europe.
The vessel will be operated by Norwegian maritime industry group Wilhelmsen.
LH₂ will be distributed to hydrogen hubs along the Norwegian coast.
The vessel is scheduled to be operational from 2024.
22 October | PORTS
Global Ports to sell Turkey’s Port Akdeniz in $140m deal
Global Ports Holding (GPH) has agreed to sell Turkish company Ortadogu Antalya Liman Isletmeleri (Port Akdeniz), which operates the Akdeniz-Antalya port, for $140m to Qatar-based QTerminals.
In its regulatory statement, the British cruise port operator said that the net cash proceeds from the deal at closing will be calculated by subtracting net debt of Port Akdeniz, as well as paying transaction-related costs and taxes.
QTerminals will withhold a small portion of the purchase price and will pay it 12 months after the closure of the transaction.
Subject to regulatory approvals and clearances from Turkish authorities, Global Ports expects to complete the deal in the fourth quarter of this year.
Akdeniz-Antalya port is being operated by Port Akdeniz under a concession agreement, which will expire in August 2028.
