Biofuels may be the most feasible low-cost zero-emission fuel for some shipowners and operators in a post-2030 shipping industry, finds latest research. In a report prepared by Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS) for the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), the most likely cost-effective alternatives to fossil fuels including hydrogen fuel cells,...
“The most important aspect of saving fuel and energy on board a vessel, is the crew,” Peter Knudsen, managing director at Blueflow Energy Management told VPO Global. The maritime industry has taken huge strides to improve the performance of the global fleet with the development of new technologies, increasing quantities of data, and improved connectivity...
In 2016, a consortium of ship designers, technology suppliers, and maritime engineers set out to design a new feeder vessel that would cut fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and make the world’s feeder fleet more energy efficient. The venture was named the Regional ECOFeeder project. Led by the Danish initiative, Green Ship of the Future, the project...
LNG, LPG, methanol, biofuel and hydrogen have been highlighted by DNV GL as the most promising alternative fuels to meet present and future environmental regulations, lower fuel consumption and emissions, and drive sustainable shipping. In a new White Paper, the classification society considers these fuels alongside wind-assisted propulsion, batteries, and fuel cell systems to have...
Wärtsilä has successfully carried out testing of its autodocking technology on Norwegian operator Norled’s Folgefonn ferry. The hybrid 83m long ferry, which was already installed with a Wärtsilä wireless charging system, completed tests between January and April this year, including actual harbour docking trials. All docking manoeuvres were done automatically with no manual control from...
Hurtigruten has signed a Letter of Intent with Rolls-Royce that will see the Norwegian cruise operator upgrade the main engines on up to nine of its ships from diesel to gas power as well as the installation of hybrid battery systems. Rolls-Royce will supply equipment to six existing passenger cruise vessels, with the option for...
The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is meeting this week in London for its 72nd session. The agenda includes discussions on shipping’s decarbonisation and enforcement of the 0.5% global sulphur cap, due to enter into force in 2020. In the last year, bunkering infrastructure for liquefied natural gas (LNG) has undergone rapid expansion and...
A recently developed bio-repelling antifouling ingredient known as medetomidine, already used as a sedative in drugs for humans and animals, is finding a new application in the marine coatings industry as a biological deterrent preventing barnacles from settling on ships’ hulls and other surfaces. Swedish company I-Tech is responsible for the introduction of this bio-technology...
More than half of 6,000 seafarers who took part in a crew connectivity survey have had a part of their role automated over the last two years, and 98% of these seafarers are positive about the change. The largest ever survey of seafarers to date revealed that nearly all who took part feel that technology...
Samsung Heavy Industries’ (SHI) Smart Ship Solution has been awarded a Certificate of CyberSafety Compliance by ABS. SHI’s Smart Ship Solution is designed to improve vessel efficiency by using real-time data produced by sensors and equipment on a vessel’s hull and sharing this data with land-based technical and fleet managers to facilitate ship and shore...
As the 2020 Global Sulphur Cap approaches fast, shipowners and operators are urged to consider the side effects of switching from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to low sulphur fuel as evidence of tank contamination and inadvertent non-compliance is brought to light. Like many others, Charlotte Røjgaard, global technical manager, marine fuel services at Bureau Veritas,...
ABB is to equip two new shuttle tankers for AET with future-proof solutions that are expected to deliver improved operational efficiency and lower emissions compared with similar tankers. The twin-skeg 125,000 DWT shuttle tankers will feature a range of ABB’s power and automation solutions, including the power distribution system Onboard DC GridTM, which enables integration...