World’s greenest cruise ship to be unveiled at COP21

 

That’s the hope of the Japan based Peace Boat, an NGO that has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN and serves as an official messenger for projects including the UNISDR Resilient Cities Campaign.

Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008, Peace Boat’s main means of taking its message to the world is through its ship, currently the chartered in Ocean Dream (which was delivered in 1982 as Carnival Cruise Line’s first newbuild, the Tropicale).

Since its establishment in 1983, and using a variety of ships,  Peace Boat has organized over 80 voyages, carrying more than 50,000 people to over 180 ports.

Now, though, Peace Boat has scheduled a briefing that will be held December 5 in Paris during the COP21 conference. It will reveal more details of the design for its Ecoship, which it says will be the  world’s “greenest” cruise ship, along with its plans for the ship’s maiden voyage in 2020.

The plans for the future-ready 55,000 ton Ecoship have been developed by a team of over 30 engineers, scientists and thinkers from the fields of shipbuilding and  eco-technology (including renewable energy, architecture, and waste management).

With a hull form inspired by the whale, the vessel’s ecologically friendly features include 10 retractable solar-paneled sails and retractable wind generators, as well as a future-ready hybrid engine.

Peace Boat says that with its energy efficiency and projected cuts in CO2 emissions its Ecoship will be the flagship for green technology in passenger shipping, serving as a model for cruise operators worldwide.

“Peace Boat’s 2020 launch of the Ecoship offers a vision for a climate-friendly future and can lead the way towards a green cruising model that can also impact the wider shipping industry. The industry must adapt to the planet’s needs,” says Yoshioka Tatsuya, Founder and Director of Peace Boat.

“We are delighted to see wind propulsion being used on this innovative cruise ship design. The Ecoship will be a front runner in the design of lower impact cruise vessels and we will be working with the industry segment to help bring more wind propulsion solutions into the mix,” says Gavin Allwright, Secretary of the International Windship Association (IWSA), “IWSA has recently welcomed Peace Boat onboard as one of our newest members, and we look forward to working together over the coming years, helping to spread the message of low carbon, sustainable shipping worldwide.”

DNV GL and Hempel cooperate on performance analytics

The agreement is based on the use of DNV GL’s ECO Insight portal.

Torsten Büssow, Head of Fleet Performance Management at DNV GL, says that ECO Insight’s state of the art hull degradation analytics will not give Hempel customers transparent and verified data with only a few simple measurement inputs while giving Hempel access to advanced analytics for the further optimization of its coatings.

“We’ve already seen the benefits our customers have gained from having real fleet performance analytics easily available – especially in the area of hull and propeller performance – and we’d like to welcome Hempel customers to the ECO Insight family,” says Mr. Büssow.

The potential for improvements in hull and propeller performance on the energy efficiency of vessels is significant, with estimates of potential savings in the range of ten percent in terms of fuel and greenhouse gas emissions savings.

ECO Insight can offer better performance baselines and demonstrate a more explicit relationship between hull and propeller performance and the actual fuel consumed. This allows customers who have invested in Hempel’s coatings the ability to better quantify the value of their investment.

“At Hempel we place great importance in being close to our customers and providing the best individual service,” says Christian Ottosen, Group Vice President Marine Marketing, Hempel. “With the data analyzed by DNV GL, we will be able to optimize our customers’ fuel performance, improving hull performance matching specifications precisely to individual needs and trade, dry dock intervals and technical service in dock. This will benefit our customers and support their businesses being more efficient in their operations. So far, we have been very pleased to cooperate with DNV GL, and we look forward to working even more closely with their staff from now on.”

With one of the most sophisticated analysis methodologies for hull and propeller performance on the market, ECO Insight uses advanced normalization algorithms to increase the accuracy of its analysis and is able to benchmark a vessel’s performance relative to other similar vessels. Additionally, by tapping into additional ship specific data (beyond what is used to calculate performance) ECO Insight’s analytics can be used to further customize paint specifications up front and to proactively manage performance once the ship enters service.

Sanmar and Rolls-Royce sign LOI for supply of MTU engines

DECEMBER 2, 2015  – Rolls-Royce and Turkish shipbuilder Sanmar Shipyards have signed a letter of intent for the supply of MTU engines. The Class RAstar 2800-E Azimuth Stern Drive tugs currently being

Gibbs & Cox acquires Donald L. Blount and Associates

“DLBA’s new association with Gibbs & Cox will significantly enhance DLBA’s depth and breadth in providing timely and quality high performance marine solutions to our world-wide market, while continuing to foster and maintain our important and close relationships with our clients,” said Don Blount, President of DLBA. “This new relationship with Gibbs & Cox will provide our clients with the assurance of new technology application and expert staff reach-back from one of the largest, premier naval architecture and marine engineering firms in the world. We are proud of the many accomplishments of DLBA over the last twenty-seven years and look forward to being an integral part of Gibbs & Cox.”

“With this key strategic acquisition, Gibbs & Cox continues our strategy aligned to provide high performance marine craft solutions to our military and paramilitary clients,” said Gibbs & Cox Chief Executive and President Rick Biben, “as well as continued expansion of our commercial market areas in engineering, design and construction management of vessels including mega yachts, commercial craft, and production boats.”  

Mr. Biben emphasized Gibbs & Cox’s focus on expansion and innovation. “We will continue to identify and pursue other candidate companies to further expand our vision,” he said, adding, “Our agreement with DLBA further solidifies Gibbs & Cox’s industry leadership role in the in the design and development of some of the most prestigious and capable maritime craft afloat today.”

Founded by Mr. Blount in 1988, DLBA specializing in the technical development of high-performance marine craft consulting services related to the design, evaluation, testing, and construction management of motor yachts, custom sport fishing boats, production boats, commercial, military and paramilitary vessels.

Independent and privately held, Gibbs & Cox is a global leader in maritime engineering and design, with nearly 7,000 vessels designed to its standards since 1929. Gibbs & Cox supports military and commercial clients in the U.S. and internationally with all phases of marine design, construction, and lifecycle management.

Algoma adds more Equinox newbuilds to order book

Today, Algoma said that contracts for two ships had been made effective with the delivery of refund guarantees by the shipyard, China’s Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.

“Our search for a shipyard in China to replace the now-bankrupt Nantong Mingde Heavy Industries (“Mingde”) led us to Yangzijiang,” said Ken Bloch Soerensen, President and CEO of Algoma. “We have been pleased with the professionalism and enthusiasm the yard has shown for our project and the quality that they have shown on work done for other shipowners.”

The announcement of the two ship order at Yangzijiang follows a November 25 announcement that contracts for three Equinox newbuilds with Uljanik d.d. of Croatia had become effective with delivery by the yard of security for the contractually required construction installments.

Algoma now has five Equinox Class ships under construction at the Uljanik Group’s 3Maj shipyard in Rijeka.All the vessels will have an overall length of 225.55 metres (740 feet) and a beam of 23.77 metres (78 feet), qualifying as Seaway Max size ships. The vessels will carry 29,300 tonnes at maximum Seaway draft.

The two most recently ordered at Uljanik will feature a boom-forward configuration designed to provide greater flexibility in certain delivery situations. The others will feature a standard rear boom.

The new Equinox vessels will have all of the features of the existing Equinox design, including the exhaust gas scrubber technology pioneered by Algoma on the Great Lakes in its first Equinox Class gearless bulk carriers.

With seven ships now under construction, Algoma expects to invest approximately $450 million in this phase of its fleet renewal program. It is also reviewing its fleet plan and considering the retirement of certain older vessels.

ABB takes wraps off two turbocharger developments

DECEMBER 1, 2015 — ABB has used the Marintec 2015 event in Shanghai, China, to launch two new products. One is the large engine industry’s first commercial turbocharging air outlet silencer package

ABB takes wraps off two turbocharger developments

The air outlet silencer is the first product available to the market to reduce noise emissions for turbochargers on low-speed marine engines. It reduces the noise level of compressed air leaving the turbocharger and is a key element in ABB’s noise reduction packages, now available for A100-L and A200-L turbochargers. The turbocharger noise reduction package contains additional special noise damping elements and has been designed to meet IMO noise emission standards revised in July 2014.

The revised SOLAS regulation II-1/3-12 requires new ships to be constructed to reduce on-board noise and to protect personnel from noise in accordance with the revised Code on Noise Levels On Board Ships. Mandatory maximum noise levels are set out for all spaces on ships; for accommodation areas this is a reduction to 55 dB(A) from 60 dB(A).

The ABB air outlet silencer has been designed to reduce air-related noise emissions by approximately 5 dB, depending on the turbocharger location, and other variables.

“With up to a 5 dB reduction in noise emissions, the noise level perceived by a human ear is almost reduced by half, thus making a considerable contribution to the noise level limit set by the IMO SOLAS regulations, said Joachim Bremer, Head of Product Line, Low Speed, ABB Turbocharging. “The development of the air outlet silencer underlines our focus on the safe operation of our turbocharging products, and on reducing environmental pollution. In creating a quieter working environment for seafarers, we are bringing to our customers the ABB Group commitment to occupational health & safety.”

abb dk blu thingNew small turbocharger

The newly launched A160-L completes ABB’s series of turbochargers for low speed engines and is designed for operational flexibility and sustained high efficiencies in small-bore diesel, dual fuel and gas engines. The product enables reduction of engine fuel consumption and lower emissions – two key concerns for customers. The axial-turbine design with high efficiency and robustness enables the application of latest technologies for IMO Tier III compliance without compromise on fuel economy, thereby fulfilling customer needs.

Smaller in size than the well-known A165-L, the A 160-L allows more space on the engine. In addition, it offers simplified, rapid maintenance in line with market demand.

“Our A100/A200 series is proven technology, delivering unrivaled performance in its class,” says Mr. Bremer. “The design for highest efficiencies enables optimized engine tunings, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions on-board some of the largest vessels in the world. With the A160-L we are now able to deliver the same benefits for small-bore low speed engines. In addition, we have listened to our customers’ requirements to maximize uptime, resulting in a product that is easier to maintain, with longer service intervals so operators can be assured of their turbochargers’ reliability, literally from dry dock to dry dock.”

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding delivers ATB

DECEMBER 1, 2015 — Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS), Sturgeon Bay, WI, has delivered the Articulated Tug Barge Unit (ATB), tug Leigh Ann Moran and tank barge Mississippi, to Moran Towing Corporation. It

New seal can be fully serviced underwater

The new Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal is the first product of its kind on the market, offering customers increased uptime and lifecycle efficiency.

The fully split, underwater serviceable seal is designed to minimize overhaul downtime and costs. Designed and built to the highest standards, the oil-lubricated outboard face type seal is available for stern tubes and thrusters. The seal has been designed to provide a smoother, faster service, as well as enhanced overall performance and endurance.

“We are very excited about the Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal, as it is the first fully diveable seal on the market,” says Wärtsilä Director, Seals and Bearings Damian O’Toole. “We at Wärtsilä understand that the first priority of our customers is uptime, and they naturally want to avoid unnecessary disruptions. This innovative new seal is yet another Wärtsilä solution to optimize the operations of our customers: overhauls can be carried out underwater for the Sternguard IWSS without having to set up a habitat or even to unload the cargo.”

Wartsila Sternguard In Water Serviceable SealThe Wärtsilä Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal can be used to retrofit any other type of seal and is available for merchant, offshore, IWW and cruise & ferry vessel types, running on Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) or mineral oils. Retrofit and service in dry dock can be carried out without removing the propeller or shaft, and it is not necessary to drain oil from the stern tube for underwater overhaul.

The Sternguard IWSS also includes an inflatable emergency seal and inner rope guard for enhanced protection.

“With its easy retrofit and serviceability, this unique new seal offers flexibility of operations to customers across industries. At the same time, additional safety features ensure continuous reliability. Wärtsilä has a long history in designing and manufacturing first-rate seals to answer the needs of each and every customer segment, and the Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal is a fresh example of that expertise,” Mr. O’Toole concludes.

Wärtsilä Sternguard In-Water Serviceable Seal

Castrol launches new cylinder oil

Cyltech ACT utilizes Ash Control Technology (ACT), which minimizes the risk of ash build up.

Castrol says that preventing hard ash build up is essential for protecting critical parts of the engine when burning low sulfur fuel oil.

Cyltech ACT has a BN of 16 and creates over 30% less ash than a 25BN oil, whilst at the same time delivering excellent ring-zone cleanliness. As a result, Cyltech ACT has Letters of No Objection from major engine manufacturers and has performed exceptionally well in engine tests to date.

“New regulations, changes in engine design and vessel operations plus alternative fuels are presenting our customers with increasing challenges,” says Castrol VP marine and energy Paul Turner. “Castrol has always maintained that effectively lubricating the cylinders of large two-stroke engines in today’s complex environment can only be achieved through the selection of a range of lubricants. In terms of the 2015 ECA requirements, we have invested in analyzing vessels’ transitions so that we can bring a high performance lubricant to market that is based on insight-driven technology. This is the latest example of how we are working collaboratively with ship operators to recommend the right lubricants for each vessel’s operating profile as well as helping them to create efficiencies through approaches such as feed rate optimization.”

ECA legislation, which came into force on January 1, 2015, requires vessels to meet sulfur restrictions of 0.10%. Castrol has always maintained that every vessel will require a different cylinder oil strategy tailored to meet specific trading patterns and operational factors, which relies upon selecting the right combination of lubricants. This is a position that is mandated by the OEMs.

Through building an in-depth understanding of ECA transitions and by concentrating on its customers and chemistry, Castrol has accumulated significant experience across a wide range of engines and operating regimes. Castrol understands that careful assessment of engine type and mark, length of time spent in ECAs, fuel sulfur content outside of ECAs, specific operating parameters such as slow steaming and the number of lube oil storage tanks on a vessel all directly influence the optimal cylinder oil strategy for any given vessel or fleet.

Castrol has a global network of knowledgeable and experienced technical support engineers to advise customers on the best options for every vessel.

The new lubricant joins existing products within the Cyltech range, including Cyltech 70 and Cyltech 100. Only by selecting the right combination of products can acceptable levels of protection against corrosive wear be achieved, particularly for many engines that were on slow steaming regimes or for new engine designs that were particularly prone to corrosive wear.

Cyltech ACT will be available in Singapore, ARA and key U.S. ports by the end of first quarter 2016 with other countries and ports following throughout 2016.

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