Barge mounted solution brings LNG to challenging locations

The Wärtsilä Mobile LNG solution has been developed for challenging locations where pipelines and large-scale LNG receiving terminals are not feasible, or where the quantities of LNG needed are smaller. It is well-suited for shallow water areas where access for larger vessels would not be possible without major jetty constructions or dredging operations.

The all-in-one solution includes a jetty-based LNG receiving system receiving system, LNG storage and a regasification barge. The barge can be used in combination with a fixed or floating power plant with an installed capacity of up to 250 MW, which is ideal for many medium-sized communities. Its capacity can be ramped up by floating a second barge next to it

Compared to constructing conventional land-based terminals in difficult soil conditions and areas with an undeveloped infrastructure, the barge can mean a significantly lower capital investment (capex) and faster delivery. And, being mobile, it can be easily re-located giving it a high resale value.

The Wärtsilä Mobile LNG solution will make LNG available to new consumer segments, and will benefit both utilities and end-users. The flexibility of location it provides can bring clean energy to areas that have only limited or no access to a national electrical grid.

“Wärtsilä’s solutions support the entire gas value chain, from drilling and production, to delivery, liquefaction, regasification, storage, and power generation. This latest innovation is one more important step towards completing our LNG infrastructure offering. Most existing facilities are geared for larger-scale users, whereas the Wärtsilä Mobile LNG offers a flexible and mobile option for small to medium requirements,” says Timo Koponen, Vice President, Flow and Gas Solutions, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The LNG is transferred by a small scale LNG carrier.

mobile LNG 2

Havyard wins order for 90 m fishing vessel for Danish owner

 It  will be the largest pelagic fishing vessel within its segment.

The vessel is to be delivered from Havyard’s Myklebust shipyard Q4 2017 and is being built to SALT 0155 design, developed in a close cooperation between the shipowner, design company Salt Ship Design and Kleven.

It will be able to operate in full diesel electrical mode, in diesel mechanical mode or in a combined hybrid mode. A total 7,720 kW of power driving a 5 m propeller will deliver a bollard pull of more than 130 tonnes.

Norwegian suppliers involved in the project include Brunvoll, Scana Volda, Hareid Elektriske, Karmøy Winch and Havyard MMC, which will provide a complete fish handling package consisting of loading systems from shipside and stern with double drainage, collecting bins and closed distribution to thirteen fish tanks, three MMC SX RSW (Refrigerated Sea Water) systems, remote controlled valves for RSW and ballast systems, quantity calculator for loading of fish, MMC vacuum pump system with tanks and vacuum unit for unloading, ozone system for cleaning of pipes and tanks and automation systems for remote control of MMC systems from deckhouse, control room and bridge.

In all, the vessel will have an RSW tank carrying capacity of 3,600 cu.m and an RSW cooling capacity of approx. 4,000 kW.

“We are very pleased with a new contract so quickly after Salt in September this year signed its first contract in fisheries,” says Egil Sandvik at Salt Ship Design. “Being assigned another large fishing vessel less than two months later is more than we expected.”

“Unlike the current offshore market, fisheries and fish farming are doing very well and these segments represents an increasingly important market for Salt,” he adds.

DSME reports more losses, but bail out looks likely

OCTOBER 27, 2015 — South Korean shipbuilding accountants must be buying red ink in 10 gallon jugs by now. After yesterday’s announcements of heavy losses by Hyundai Heavy Industries, today Daewoo Shipbuilding

Fred Olsen Energy terminates rig contract at HHI

Today, Fred. Olsen Energy said that its Bollsta Dolphin Pte. Limited subsidiary has notified HHI that it has exercised its contractual termination right under the newbuilding contract as a result of the delay in delivery of the rig, the Bollsta Dolphin, a Moss CS 60 E, sixth generation ultra deepwater semi-submersible.

Fred. Olsen Energy says that the rig construction contract provides that on termination Bollsta will be
entitled to a refund of the first instalment paid to HHI of $186,390,240 plusaccrued interest.

The rig had been under contract to Chevron North Sea Limited under a contract entered into in October 2012. That contract has now been “mutually terminated” on “amicable terms.”

Great Lakes Shipyard holds a double celebration

The sponsor of the Commissioning Ceremony was Karen W. Penale, Real Estate Administrator – Western Region, New York Power Authority – Niagara Project.
Breaking the traditional bottle of champagne, she declared “I name this tugboat Joncaire II. May God bless here and all who will sail on her.”

Joncaire II and its sister vessel will be used to service winter operations at the Niagara Power Plant in Buffalo, NY. They will augment and replace aging vessels that are used for the installation, removal, and maintenance of the Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice Boom and for various associated marine construction projects.

Construction for the first tug began last April. The second tug is scheduled for delivery in late-2017.

The new tugs are specially reinforced with heavy stems and shell reinforcement for operations in seasonal ice. The design of the conventional drive tugs includes elevated pilothouses for improved visibility when maneuvering and a spacious work deck aft to facilitate ice boom connections.

In 2010, Great Lakes Shipyard built the New York Power Authority’s new 80′ x 34′ Ice Boom Operations Barge, which incorporates a Terex 80-ton pedestal mounted lattice boom crane.

KEEL LAYING

The tug commissioning was followed by a separate ceremony, marking the keel laying of a new 3,400 H.P. tugboat to be built for Regimen de Pensiones y Jubilaciones del Personal de la Empresa Portuaria Quetzal, Guatemala, Central America. Representing the owner at the ceremony was Eduardo De Jesus Paiz Lemus, Presidente Junta Administrador.

Congresswoman Marcy C. Kaptur, U.S. Representative of the 9th District of Ohio, the principal speaker, commended the Company indicating that “We are fortunate to have a company like Great Lakes – their industry is the gift that keeps on giving. They are [through their education programs] passing on skills to the next generation, who will keep this country great.”

Congresswoman Kaptur also paid compliments to the company’s team – paying special recognition to Ronald C. Rasmus, President of the Great Lakes Group.

She highlighted the significance of the achievement, “To create here, in the heart of America, a shipyard; a place that faces global competition every day, is no small achievement. It is extraordinary. Look at all of the suppliers that benefit from your efforts.”

The tugboat is being built under a contract awarded this August. It will be another of the company’s HandySize Class 3,400 HP twin-screw tugboats and will be used for harbor towing operations in Puerto Quetzal; a growing commercial cargo, container, and cruise port on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.

The buyer, Regimen de Pensiones y Jubilaciones del Personal de la Empresa Portuaria, is a pension benefits plan for port employees and retirees who operate a commercial tugboat service in the port under a Port Authority franchise for the purpose of ensuring future retirement benefits.

Representing the Regimen at the ceremony was Eduardo De Jesus Paiz Lemus, Presidente Junta Administrador, who inscribed his signature on the keel plate declaring that “The keel has been truly and fairly laid.”

The HandySize Class tug was designed by Jensen Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, Seattle, WA.

Set for delivery next year, the tug is specifically designed for harbor work and coastal towing. It is 74-feet long with a beam of 30 feet, and a design draft of 11.5 feet. It is to be built to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards and its Cummins QSK-50 main diesel propulsion engines, each rated at 1700 BHP@ 1600 rpm meet US EPA Tier III emission regulations delivering superior fuel economy, durability, and reliability.

In recognition of the significant achievement for a U.S. domestic shipyard in competitively concluding a foreign sale, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the U.S. Embassy, Guatemala City, was represented at the ceremony by Antonio Prieto, Sr. Trade Specialist, who was credited by the company with facilitating the transparent negotiations and sale.

LNG bunkering: GTT concept tanker puts the pressure on

Granted Approval in Principle by classification society Bureau Veritas, the bunker tank uses tanks with a GTT Mark III Flex Cargo Containment system operating up to a pressure of 2 barg to deliver LNG as ships’ fuel. Combining the membrane containment system with the ability to store LNG at pressures up to 2 barg allows the bunker vessel to have a higher capacity and increased operational flexibility.

“Practical LNG bunker tankers are the key to building a viable LNG supply chain on which to develop LNG as a ship’s fuel,” says Philippe Donche-Gay, Executive Vice President and head of BV’s Marine and Offshore Division.”This pressurized membrane tank concept from GTT means LNG bunker tankers can manage Boil Off Gas (BOG) better and increase loading and delivery flow rates. Our studies show it is both safe and practical. We look forward to seeing the concept taken forward to a new construction.”

Under GTT’s system. the BOG management during loading and bunkering operations is made more flexible because of the wide vapor pressure operating range. Vapor can be buffered and condensed in the tanks to help the fueled ship or feeding facility handle the vapour. Condensation may be performed by spraying LNG into the vapor phase.

The higher pressure also means that during voyage and stand-by mode, the duration before gas pressure in the bunker tanker’s tanks reaches the upper limit is longer. This improves the holding time when BOG is not being consumed and reduces the use of reliquefaction plant, diminishing costs.

GulfMark Offshore trims its C suite

On October 21, 2015, says the filing, the company and Mr. David B. Rosenwasser, its Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, mutually agreed that his employment will terminate effective October 31, 2015.

On October 23, 2015, the company entered into an agreement with Mr. Rosenwasser that, among other things, provides for the following:

The agreement also provides for payment for limited consulting services by Mr. Rosenwasser over the following 24 months.

Damen hands over RoPax ferry to Canadian customer

 

Launched at the end of March by Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania the vessel will start services from Fogo Island and Change Islands before the end of November.

MV Veteran was delivered by the shipbuilder on time and within budget.MV Veteran is the first of a two-vessel contract. Its design results from a partnership between Fleetway of Canada and Denmark’s Knud E. Hansen.

Several Canadian companies have provided services, rangingrom electrical equipment to fire-fighting systems, for the MV Veteran and its sister ship, the MV Legionnaire, which is scheduled for delivery from Galati in the spring of 2016 and will operate on the busy short-haul route from Portugal Cove to Bell Island.

The Veteran will replace the MV Earl Windsor built in 1975. The Legionnaire will replace the MV Beaumont Hamel built in 1985.

Both vessels are part of a large “lifeline” vessel replacement program being undertaken by the Provincial Government to modernize its fleet, which annually transports over 900,000 passengers, 400,000 vehicles and 20,000 tonnes of freight with more than 50,000 arrivals and departures.

As the region in which they operate is located near the Arctic, the vessels have to maneuver in drifting ice.

According to Damen Manager North America Jan van Hogerwou, the two new ferries can handle the impact of 40 cm-thick floating ice at 4 knots.

“Their rudders, hull and propellers have been strengthened and are outfitted with extra plate thickness for heavy winter conditions,” he says.

Damen Ferries Product Director Henk Grunstra says: “The highest certificate available for ferries is the Ice Class 1A Super certificate. These diesel-electric propelled vessels also have redundant systems. The bridge is ergonomically designed and has optimal working space for efficient and safe operation. The modern, low maintenance interior was designed by an internationally recognized designer. The shift crew lives on board the ship in 15 single crew cabins.”

A Canadian service and support hub for these vessels is being established. A certified Damen maintenance center will be located in the capital of the Newfoundland and Labrador region, St. John’s. An agreement with a local Newfoundland-based company is in place and its employees are currently being trained at Damen Shipyards Galati.

Hyundai Heavy’s hurt continues

 

Both figures were far worse than analysts had predicted. 

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, sales declined 8.7%, while operating loss and net loss widened by 507.4 billion won and 209 billion won respectively, due to delays in offshore projects and lackluster sales by HHI’s construction equipment business. 

HHI said the rise in operating loss was attributable to early recognition of losses from contract cancellation of a semi-submersible rig; a loss provision for adverse changes in the offshore business environment such as the oil price decline; and an increase in the restructuring cost from divestiture of underperforming subsidiaries. 

A source said, “The shipbuilding business was hit by cancellation of a semi-submersible rig as oil prices nosedived to $40 a barrel. The offshore business set up a reserve for possible losses that may be incurred from belated change orders, increased manhours or delays in delivery caused by design changes.” 

HHI also booked the cost of liquidating unprofitable overseas subsidiaries, which started in 2014, as 3Q15 losses. 

A source in HHI said, “With a heavy focus on profitable businesses, HHI has taken bold steps to eliminate ailing subsidiaries since September 2014, as keeping them would only inflate the losses. The restructuring process is nearing its end, and part of the cost has been recognized as losses this quarter.” Meanwhile, HHI sees 4Q15 as a critical juncture for earnings turnaround. A source in HHI said, “4Q15 can be the starting point of earnings improvement: the shipbuilding business is recovering, with the phase-out of low-price orders and profit turnaround of commercial vessels. The offshore business has also booked all perceivable losses. Also, other businesses such as electro electric systems and engine and machinery have continued to cut costs.

“Even though the company has failed to turn a profit in 3Q15, it will spare no effort to normalize its operations, with a focus on profitable businesses, reshuffle for more responsible management of each business division, cost competitiveness enhancement, disposal of stock holdings and elimination of poor-performing subsidiaries to set the stage for a turnaround.” 

Time will tell.

Hyundai Heavy’s shares were down 2.3% at the end of trading in Seoul today

Contest aims to find a Marine Mastermind

Aimed at start-up companies and entrepreneurs, the purpose of the Wärtsilä Marine Mastermind innovation contest is to find new and unique digital services for the marine industry.

It’s being launched in conjunction with Slush. Organized by a community of entrepreneurs, investors, students and music festival organizers, this non-profit event will be held in Helsinki, Finland, November 11-12 as a focal point for startups and tech talent to meet with top-tier international investors, executives and media. In 2014, it brought together over 14.000 attendees and more than 3,500 companies, with more than 750 investors coming to Helsinki to meet startups in nearly 3,800 pre-booked meetings.

Wärtsilä’s contest is open to existing companies as well as to aspiring entrepreneurs. The winner will get to further develop the idea together with Wärtsilä’s experts and Shift Actions, which specializes in agile concept and product development.

Wärtsilä is holding the contest to build closer relationships with international start-up companies and entrepreneurs and discover interesting digital business opportunities together. The aim is to develop a new value adding digital service or solution in collaboration with start-ups to support the growth of Wärtsilä’s customers’ business. The winner also gets a chance to become part of the highly international marine business.

“We are living in the age of disruptive innovations. This applies also to our business. Start-ups are playing a vital role in this,” says Pierpaolo Barbone, President of Wärtsilä Services.

“The marine industry provides an enormous amount of possibilities for new product and service innovations. Already today Wärtsilä’s innovations increase the predictability of maintenance requirements, optimise the use of vessels’ equipment and even enable the utilization of virtual reality in remote support. The innovations we are looking for in the contest can for instance bring efficiency gains, better usability, improve transparency of operations to the customer or enhance safety. Only the imagination is the limit,” comments Tero Hottinen, General Manager, Business Innovation at Wärtsilä Services.

The contest kicks off today, with information now available HERE.

Wärtsilä begin accepting submissions for the contest after a presentation at the Slush Clean Solutions event in Helsinki November 12.
Submissions can be sent to Wärtsilä by 31 December 2015. The winner of the contest will be chosen by an international jury established by Wärtsilä.

The best ideas will be showcased to the jury in February. The winner will be announced in March 2016.

What’s in it for the winner? A 30-day agile “Lean Innovation Lab” product or service development sprint supported by business coaching specialist Shift Actions that will focus on the challenges of innovation, development of the concept for commercialization, its prototyping as well as the business plan and its implementation plan. The goal is to then use the concrete idea together with Wärtsilä.

Submissions can be sent to Wärtsilä by December 3, 2015. The winner of the contest will be chosen by an international jury. The best ideas will be showcased to the jury in February.

The winner will be announced in March 2016.

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