Subsea contractor goes under

A priority will be to find a buyer for its flagship Ceona Amazon, delivered by shipbuilder Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, in 2014 and hailed as a game-changing deepwater subsea-tie-back and field development asset.

A signal that all was not well at Ceona came on September 4 when Norway’s GC Rieber Shipping said it had terminated a five year charter entered into in March 2014 with Ceona Chartering (UK) Ltd for the subsea vessel Polar Onyx, “by reason of Ceona’s default.”

GC Rieber said Ceona had provided security, in the form of cash deposit in a Norwegian bank, equivalent to nine month’s hire, and that it would seek to recover outstanding and future claims and losses through the cash deposit. In addition, said GC Rieber, it would seek to recover excess amounts through Ceona.

Ceona Ship Holdings Limited, Ceona Ship 1 Limited, Ceona Equipment Limited, Ceona Services (UK) Limited, Ceona Chartering (UK) Limited, Ceona Contracting (UK) Limited and Ceona Investments Limited are being administered by insolvency pactitioners Alan Robert Broom, Alan Michael Hudson and Colin Peter Dempster,

Ceona Crewing Ltd and Ceona Holdings Ltd are being administered by Stuart Arthur Gardner and Mr. Hudson

Maersk Tankers orders nine for $300 million

 

They will be built by shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries, which will deliver them from its Ningbo shipyard in China in 2017 and 2018.

Claus Grønborg, Maersk Tankers VP and head of business development, said the ships “will support our Taking the Lead strategy in the product segment and maintain our strong focus on cost effectiveness. The renewal of our fleet will help us to stay environmentally efficient, competitive and better equipped to meet our customers demands.”

Cuba cruise and ferry services get a little nearer

 

They will take effect on Monday, September 21, 2015, when they are published in the Federal Register. Coincidentally, or probaby not, that’s the day before Pope Francis arrives in Washington, DC, from Cuba.

The Pope is widely credited with initiating the dialogue that led to the new direction in U.S.-Cuba relationship.

A fact sheet issued by the the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Commerce includes the following regulatory changes:​

While there’s no explanation as to how spacecraft got in there, the “temporary sojourn” authorization should be particularly useful to Carnival Corporation’s start up brand fathom. It intends offering cultural exchange voyages to Cuba starting in May 2016, using the 704 passenger cruise ship as a “comfortable home base” during travelers stay on the island.

Cruise lines and ferry operators are now waiting for the Cuban permissions needed to initiate service.

Read the Treasury backgrounder HERE

MAN 32/44CR receives EPA certification

Chuck Griffith, Sales Manager, MAN Diesel & Turbo, North America, said: “This certification is a significant step in our four-stroke, marine-engine strategy for the U.S. market. The engine family has been certified US EPA Tier 2 for Category 3 engines and builds the foundation for us to introduce our US EPA Tier 3 for Category 3 product in 2016. This will allow U.S. customers to benefit from the high power output and low fuel-consumption of our medium-speed, common-rail engines.”

EPA Tier 3 is currently the final emissions tier for Category 3 (≥ 30L/cyl displacement) engines, and is similar to EPA Tier 4 for Category 1 and 2 (< 30 L/cyl displacement) engines.

MAN Diesel & Turbo initiated the EPA certification process in response to demand from the American fishing industry. The company has already received several U.S. orders for the engine, including one for an MAN 8L32/44CR engine to power a newbuilding trawler for Fishermen’s Finest. The order was a breakthrough for the CR engine in the important, U.S. domestic-fishing segment (see earlier story).

Since being introduced in Europe eight years ago, the CR engines have consistently proven their reliability and durability within the fishing industry and are known for their excellent fuel efficiency and low operating costs. They are among the most technologically advanced in MAN Diesel & Turbo’s common-rail engines are its portfolio with a segment-leading SFOC that significantly lowers emissions of soot and NOx over the complete operating range.

The MAN 32/44CR is characterized by:

MAN 32/44CR engines are suitable for a variety of applications including fishing, ATBs (Articulated Tug Barges), anchor handlers, offshore construction vessels, dredges and drill ships.

epa cert1

The EPA certification: (top) 2015 Model Year, Certificate of Conformity with the Clean Air Act; (bottom) Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Engine International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate

epa cert2

First MHI-MME low speed engine enters service

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Engine Co (MHI-MME) has been developing the 500 mm bore, 2,300 mm two stroke as a state-of-the-art engine incorporating cutting-edge technology to meet market needs that including reduced fuel consumption, slow steaming, low engine-load capabilities and compliance with emission regulations.

The 6UEC50LSH-Eco-C2 in Chemroad Queen was built by licensee Kobe Diesel and was delivered to the shipbuilder, Shin Kurushima Dockyard, in March after completing shop testing, onboard testing was completed last month and the ship, owned by Iino Kaiun Kaisha, went into service without any complications.

Design of the UEC50LSH-Eco engine began with thorough market research and engine power output and speed were adjusted to those suitable for chemical tankers, handymax bulk carriers, supramax bulk carries and medium range tankers.

MHI-MME has now received follow up orders for M/E 5UEC50LSH-Eco-C2 main engines for 38,000 dwt chemical tankers to be built at Kitanihon Shipbuilding and says that many inquiries are also being received.

Principal Particulars of the UEC50LSH-Eco Engine

– 5UEC50LSH-Eco 6UEC50LSH-Eco
Cylinder bore mm 500
Piston stroke mm 2,300
Stroke / bore – 4.6
Engine output kW 8,900 10,680
Revolution min-1 108
Mean effective pressure MPa 2.19
Fuel consumption rate g/kWh 164
Weight ton 194 225

Genting Hong Kong to buy German shipyard

 

The deal will see Genting invest EUR 17.5 million for 70% of the new shipbuilding business and a 50% ownership of the shipyard’s land. Genting Hong Kong will complete the acquisition of Lloyd Werft subject to certain final purchase conditions.

“Lloyd Werft has built and lengthened six of the ships owned by an affiliate of the company and has the expertise to build a series of world class cruise ships for the company, which will include the ‘Exclusive Class’ vessels for Crystal Cruises, the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Genting Hong Kong. “Ownership in Lloyd Werft will enable Genting Hong Kong to leverage on the shipyard’s technical expertise and their well-established and long track record in the shipbuilding industry.”

Genting Hong Kong (GHK), the owner of Star Cruises and a major shareholder in Norwegian Cruise Lines, bought two ship luxury line Crystal from Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) in a deal announced this March. It followed that up with an announcement in July revealing that over the next three years Crystal will will add not only three new ocean ships but will get into the cruise yacht and river cruise segments and create a new type of luxury travel with its own Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (see earlier story).

Lloyd Werft will play a key part in the expansion. It is to build the river cruise ships for the new Crystal River Cruises  and has a letter of intent to build three new “Crystal Exclusive Class,” polar ice class cruise ships with the first expected for delivery in late 2018.

“With such great anticipation for Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Exclusive Class ocean vessels, we are incredibly excited about Genting’s groundbreaking investment in the Lloyd Werft shipyard that will contribute mightily to Crystal Cruises’ expansion,” said Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s president and CEO.

Lloyd Werft was founded in 1857 and initially focused on the general ship repair business, moving into the conversion and newbuilding businesses in the 1970s. The yard, situated on 260,000 square meters and comprising of six docks and a 1,600 meter pier, has a newbuilding track record including cruise vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line including Pride of America, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun, mega yachts and pipe-laying vessels.

Lloyd Werft is to build the river cruise vessels for new Crystal River Cruises

Crystal River Cruises Yacht ArtistConcept

TOTE unifies maritime companies’ branding

SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 — Jones Act operator TOTE today announced that its  operating companies — Sea Star Line, which serves Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and Totem Ocean Trailer Express, serving the

Blount delivers double hull bunkering tanker

The Chandra B is named after one of owner Stephen Bragoli’s daughters and, as we reported earlier, was launched from the shipbuilder’s newly refurbished production hall using its lift dock.

Designed by Farrell & Norton Architects, the vessel has been built to USCG Subchapter D specifications and will operate in New York Harbor and New Jersey.

Main propulsion power is provided by twin Tier III Cummins Model QSL9, six-cylinder diesel engines. Each is rated at 330 hp at 1,800 rpm and each drives a 48 inch diameter, 54 inch pitch, four bladed propeller from HS Marine Propulsion viah ZF Model W325 marine hydraulic gears with a 4.91:1 reduction ratio The vessel is also equipped with a 50 hp Wesmar hydraulic bow thruster. 

Access vessel particulars and equipment list HERE

Five paths to greener coastal shipping

The program was launched by DNV GL and now also involves 25 partners from the Norwegian maritime industry and the Norwegian authorities.

The pilot projects include several different ship types, and infrastructure with an emphasis on alternative fuel concepts.

“When we launched the Green Coastal Shipping Programme, we said we wanted to make Norway a world showcase for green coastal shipping. With these five pioneering pilot projects we are well on our way,” says Program Director Narve Mjøs.

CargoFerry plug-in hybrid: Shipping company Nor Lines will lead the first pilot project, CargoFerry Plug-in Hybrid, which aims to develop a cost-effective and profitable short-sea containership powered by a plug-in hybrid LNG/battery propulsion system. It is a short-sea containership concept with a zero-emission solution during port sailing and operations. After developing the technical concept, the project partners will calculate the vessel’s environmental footprint and carry out a cost/benefit analysis.

Next-generation green shuttle tanker: Teekay Tankers will lead the second pilot project, which will investigate technical solutions for utilizing batteries and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) in a shuttle tanker. Battery technology has not been used on this vessel type yet and the project will explore how it could potentially help to optimize operations and reduce the need for installed power. The project partners will also look at the possible use of batteries as a “spinning reserve.”

After assessing the economic and regulatory feasibility of battery-powered shuttle tankers, the project will review new technological solutions for utilizing VOC (volatile organic compounds) produced on board by capturing and condensing the recoverable gases produced during offshore loading. Using the liquid VOC for onboard power generation could reduce total fuel consumption and the environmental impact of the vessel. As VOC are generated during offshore loading, using them as an energy source could offer an additional environmental benefit to reduction in total demand for fuel.

Hybrid ocean farming vessel: The third pilot project, by ABB and the Cargo Freighters’ Association, aims to define an optimized hybrid propulsion system for more energy efficient operations with greater redundancy.

Conversion of cargo carrier into battery-hybrid LNG carrier: This project aims to develop a cost-efficient LNG distribution concept with a hybrid LNG/battery propulsion solution and zero-emission port operations. Converting an existing vessel may provide a cost-effective option for small LNG carriers. The project owners Øytank Bunkerservice and the Norwegian Gas Association will lead the way in developing the technical concept, calculating the environmental footprint and carrying out a cost/benefit analysis.

Pioneering green port project: The fifth pilot project has the objective of developing a low-energy-consumption port with a minimal carbon footprint. Some of the technologies being employed to achieve this include electric heavy-duty vehicles and cranes. The green port will also be equipped with smart gates, offer cold ironing services and charging stations for plug-in hybrid ships.

Risavika Harbor in Stavanger will take the lead in the green port project, developing the technical concept, undertaking a cost/benefit analysis, calculating the environmental footprint and presenting a plan for further development of the concept.

MTU engines picked for Sunseeker yacht range

The contract, announced at the Southampton Boat Show, will see MTU engines power the new Sunseeker 95, 116 and 131 yachts.

“I am delighted that our long-standing relationship continues with the supply of MTU’s latest and most advanced engines for all of our largest models, matched to industry leading standards of service and support,” said Sunseeker International CEO Phil Popham.”

Bruce Phillips, MTU UK, Managing Director said: “We are very pleased to have concluded this agreement. The signing of the general contract marks another milestone in our successful collaboration with Sunseeker. The yacht market demands continual progress and innovative technologies, and we are delighted that the new Series 2000 M96L engine generation forms part of this new agreement.”

MTU’s new Series 2000 M96L engine generation delivers improved acceleration and reduced fuel consumption as well as meeting the strict emission limits of the EPA Tier 3 standard for leisure craft. The engine will be offered as a 12 or 16-cylinder version with power outputs ranging from 1,432 to 1,939 kW to be fitted to a number of yachts including two new models, the 95 yacht and the 116 yacht.

The larger Series 4000 engines will power the new 131 yacht which has already secured four retail orders, months before the firstis launched in January 2016. In combination with the MTU Blue Vision monitoring and control system, both engine series provide the ultimate in advanced yacht engine technology.

MTU has supplied equipment for a variety of Sunseeker yachts of 24 metres or more over many years including the 155 yacht “Blush,” the largest Sunseeker craft ever built, which is powered by the Series 4000.

New contract will see the supply of MTU Series 2000 and Series 4000 engines for different yacht types, including the the new Sunseeker 116 seen below

Sunseeker 116 Yacht kl

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