Marine Log

JUNE 4, 2012 — Robert Allan Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C., and Rotortug (KST) B.V. of Rotterdam have formed new strategic alliance for the future development of the Rotor Tug concept.

Robert Allan will now act as the exclusive designer for all Rotor Tugs under an agreement that covers the continuous technical development for all existing and future Rotor Tug designs.

The Rotor Tug line will be added to the Robert Allan design portfolio enabling the designers to offerits worldwide clientele a complete range of the best available advanced tug designs, including ASD, VSP and now the Rotor Tug option, according to the specific needs of any port or terminal application.

The agreement highlights the strengths of Rotortug's experience in the initial development and refinement of the Rotor Tug concept, and Robert Allan Ltd.'s extensive experience and strength as a design leader in the international tug market.

The cooperation has been developed through the joint recent experience of the two companies in the design of two major  Advanced Rotor Tugs, the ART 110-37 and the latest ART 85-35.

With this cooperative agreement, says Robert Allan, the Rotor Tug concept is poised to enter its next phase of development as the unique triple Z-drive concept evolves further as a truly viable solution for ship-handling in today's ever busier and more constricted ports, and for major escort towing applications in environmentally sensitive areas.

Featuring enhanced omni-directional maneuverability, and the benefits of a fully redundant and precise propulsion machinery configuration, the Roto Tug concept offers increased security for ship-handling and escort towing, as well as enhanced crew safety.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 — Four low emission dry cargo vessels have been given energy efficiency design index (EEDI) certificates by Germanischer Lloyd (GL). Built for U.K.-based Carisbrooke Shipping by Chinese shipyard Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, the four 8,500 DWT sister vessels, the Vectis Eagle, Falcon, Harrier and Osprey incorporate a number of innovative features, including the distinctive Groot Cross-Bow.

The four Super Green 8500 design vessels have been built to Finnish Swedish Iceclass 1A and have been designed and constructed to optimize energy efficiency in almost every facet of operation.

The Groot Cross-Bow has been incorporated to minimize vessel pitching and reduce the load fluctuations on machinery and speed loss in heavy weather - resulting in less wasted energy and fuel consumption. The high bow also cuts down on the amount of water shipped on deck in heavy weather.

An extremely large and efficient ducted propeller has been designed to work with the hydro-dynamically optimized hull form to match the performance of similar vessels with significantly reduced power requirements. As a result, a derated 2,400 kW main engine has been fitted which further reduces exhaust emissions & fuel consumption.

The vessels also have equipment and operational features that have been included to further reduce their environmental impact. The two 80 t cranes are fully electric and use 30 percent less power than similar sized electro-hydraulic cranes, all winches on the vessels are also electric - further reducing power consumption and the risks of pollution. The sterntubes are water lubricated and the oils used above decks are fully biodegradable.

"At GL we see the EEDI as a powerful driver of innovation within the maritime industry, both in terms of shipyards and designers focusing more on energy efficiency and taking advantage of new computational tools and ship owners who now have a clear guide to rely on in ordering new ships," said Dr.Pierre C. Sames, SVP Research and Rule Development of GL Maritime Services. "Our calculations show that these new vessels are some 30 percent below the reference EEDI line, which is a reflection of the commitment that Carisbrooke has made to invest in an extremely efficient vessel."

"Carisbrooke Shipping has always been proud of the vessels that we have built and with our new super green 8500 vessels we have never been more so. Since entering service the ships have proven to be extremely efficient and we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint," said Simon Merritt, Technical Manager Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd. "The fuel savings and shorter passages are always attractive to charterers and the eco-efficiency of the vessels really is a credit to the company and those who have been involved. Carisbrooke shipping will continue to look into new ways to ensure that their ships remain at the top of the premier league of environmentally friendly low emission ships."

"Our goal at Groot Ship Design is to design and optimize the complete vessel together with the owner intensively; we call it 'Co-Creation in Shipdesign'. Working together with all the parties involved, like classification society GL, research institutes and the manufacturers of the main and auxiliary engines and propeller, we are able to deliver the design which best fits the owner's requirements," said Jan Willem Cuperus, spokesman for Groot Ship Design.

"We are very pleased the final vessels show the very positive EEDI and prove the results from the calculations and tests we made during the design. We are sure these vessels will set the benchmark in this market segment giving Carisbrooke an advantage compared to others."

The EEDI, which will come into force in 2013, seeks to spur design innovation in shipbuilding, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.

OCTOBER 22, 2012 — ABB recently delivered four Azipod C propulsion systems for the Blue Ocean II wind turbine installation vessel built by Samsung Heavy Industries at its Geoje shipyard in Korea.

Previously, ABB delivered a similar Azipod C package to Samsung for the first Blue Ocean wind turbine installation vessel, delivered by the shipbuilder in September, 2011. Both vessels were built for Singapore based Swire Pacific Offshore Operation (Pte.) Ltd.

ABB says that the compact Azipod C marine propulsion system saves space inside the vessel hull for more efficiency in ship design and equipment placement, and can help reduce vessels' fuel consumption by 25 percent, while improving their maneuvering capabilities.

The improved maneuverability will help the Blue Ocean vessels operate in a wider range of weather conditiond, providing more flexibility in the transportation and installation of offshore wind foundation materials and turbines of all types and sizes.

The Azipod systems for these projects were delivered from ABB's new Azipod C factory in Shanghai, China, which was established in 2011 to serve customers in the Asian region.

"The Azipod C factory in Shanghai helps us meet the fast-growing demand of the Chinese shipyards for high-end vessels, at the same time, allowing us to get closer to customers of other key shipbuilding markets like Japan and South Korea," says Heikki Soljama, global head of ABB's Marine and Cranes Business Unit.

The Azipod C systems for the Blue Ocean vessels are the first to be delivered from the Shanghai factory for installation outside China.

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued the first license for a U.S. tidal power plant  to transmit energy onto the local and national grid. The pilot commercial license allows Verdant Power to construct, operate, and maintain its Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) Project  in the East Channel of the East River in New York City. 

The RITE Project will use the natural tidal currents of the East River to power tidal energy turbines that will generate up to 1 megawatt (MW) of emission-free electricity in a three-staged development approach, beginning in 2013.  The RITE pilot project is estimated to have an annual generation of 2.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) after the completion of Phase 3.

Verdant Power, will install its fifth Generation Free Flow System, an updated version of the technology previously demonstrated in the East River.

Verdant Power's license application was submitted under FERC's Hydrokinetic Pilot Project Licensing Process, developed to allow for the advancement of U.S. hydrokinetic technologies (tidal, river, wave power), while maintaining FERC oversight and agency input.  FERC's issuance of the license for the RITE Project is based on its analysis of a variety of monitoring measures proposed by Verdant Power that protect and enhance fish, wildlife, recreational, public safety, cultural, and aesthetic resources at the project

According to the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition, a trade organization for the U.S. marine and hydrokinetic energy industry, the potential for such projects is up to 3,000 MW of installed capacity by 2025 - enough to power more than three million homes.  The Ocean Energy Council estimates the global potential for tidal power exceeds 63,000 MW. Maybe include OREC web link.

Verdant Power says the issue of the RITE license is "the culmination of years of technology advancement beginning in 2002 with prototype system testing, and initial RITE project consultations."

During 2006-08, Verdant Power demonstrated a full-scale grid-connected Free Flow System at the project, successfully delivering energy to operating businesses in New York City. This effort represented the world's first grid-connected array of tidal energy turbines. Verdant Power also conducted environmental monitoring of the Free Flow System during the RITE demonstration, developing significant environmental data. The RITE Project has received major support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).  Other project funding has been received from the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

January 24, 2012