• News

Wartsila solutions chosen for first LNT A-BOX LNG carrier

The vessel is being built for Saga LNG Shipping Pte. Ltd., a new LNG player backed by Shanghai based Landmark Capital, at China Merchants Heavy Industry’s Haimen based shipyard in China’s Eastern Jiangsu province.

Originally, plans were to build the ship at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry, but, for undisclosed reasons, the project was delayed and to meet strict deadlines with potential end-users, the project was moved to another shipyard.

Now set to be delivered in early 2018, the vessel will be the to utilize the LNT A-BOX containment system (see earlier story), licensed and designed by another company backed by Landmark Capital, LNG New Technologies (LNT).

Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply the complete cargo handling system including the fuel system, as well as the main propulsion system.

The Wärtsilä cargo handling system for LNG carriers has an integrated fuel system utilizing both compressors and forced vaporizing. The automation and safety control systems are state-of-the-art, while the Wärtsilä cargo pumps include the EFP pump series, the latest development for LNG fuel and spray.

The total solution package comprising the cargo and propulsion systems is designed to attain maximum overall efficiency for the vessel, thereby producing notable savings in operating costs. Furthermore, the total solution concept minimizes interfacing and system design risk during the vessel building process.

“This will be a very modern and highly efficient LNG Carrier and we were selected because our technologies in both the propulsion equipment and cargo handling are world leading,” says Timo Koponen, Vice President, Flow and Gas Solutions, Wärtsilä. “The new ship has been designed for worldwide trade of LNG, but with special consideration given to the reloading of cargoes and local and regional trading. Therefore, the cargo handling system and the fuel efficiency of the engine have to be the most efficient possible. Our unmatched track record with proven LNG technologies and dual-fuel solutions was a key factor in the award of this valuable contract.”

Wärtsilä’s scope of supply includes a comprehensive propulsion package comprising a 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel main engine, 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel generating sets, a Wärtsilä controllable pitch propeller (CPP), a Wärtsilä Energopac efficiency rudder, a Wärtsilä gearbox, and a Wärtsilä tunnel thruster.

Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment to the shipyard will commence in late 2016.

  • News

Wartsila solutions chosen for first LNT A-BOX LNG carrier

Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply the complete cargo handling system including the fuel system, as well as the main propulsion system.

The vessel is being built for Saga LNG Shipping Pte. Ltd., a new LNG player backed by Shanghai based Landmark Capital, at China Merchants Heavy Industry’s Haimen based shipyard in China’s Eastern Jiangsu province.

Originally, plans were to build the ship at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry, but, for undisclosed reasons, the project was delayed and to meet strict deadlines with potential end-users, the project was moved to another shipyard.

lntabox300Now set to be delivered in early 2018, the vessel will be the to utilize the LNT A-BOX containment system (see earlier story), licensed and designed by another company backed by Landmark Capital, LNG New Technologies (LNT).

The Wärtsilä cargo handling system for LNG carriers has an integrated fuel system utilizing both compressors and forced vaporizing. The automation and safety control systems are state-of-the-art, while the Wärtsilä cargo pumps include the EFP pump series, the latest development for LNG fuel and spray.

The total solution package comprising the cargo and propulsion systems is designed to attain maximum overall efficiency for the vessel, thereby producing notable savings in operating costs. Furthermore, the total solution concept minimizes interfacing and system design risk during the vessel building process.

“This will be a very modern and highly efficient LNG Carrier and we were selected because our technologies in both the propulsion equipment and cargo handling are world leading,” says Timo Koponen, Vice President, Flow and Gas Solutions, Wärtsilä. “The new ship has been designed for worldwide trade of LNG, but with special consideration given to the reloading of cargoes and local and regional trading. Therefore, the cargo handling system and the fuel efficiency of the engine have to be the most efficient possible. Our unmatched track record with proven LNG technologies and dual-fuel solutions was a key factor in the award of this valuable contract.”

Wärtsilä’s scope of supply includes a comprehensive propulsion package comprising a 12-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel main engine, 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel generating sets, a Wärtsilä controllable pitch propeller (CPP), a Wärtsilä Energopac efficiency rudder, a Wärtsilä gearbox, and a Wärtsilä tunnel thruster.

Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment to the shipyard will commence in late 2016.

MAN engines to power Mols-Linien superferry

In total, four 20V28/33D STC engines, each delivering 9,100 kW, will drive the four waterjets that will power the 109-m, wave-piercer.

“This is an important order for us and a welcome addition to our existing references in the high-speed ferry segment,” said Lex Nijsen – Head of Four-Stroke Marine – MAN Diesel & Turbo. “It is a technically-enhanced, repeat order with our newest, state-of-the-art engine; a success that builds on our ability to deliver engines with unrivlled fuel consumption in their class within a tight, customer-defined schedule. Importantly, it also builds on our existing good relationships with both Incat and Mols-Linien.”

Engine delivery is due over two shipments in September and October, 2016.

KatExpress 3, which is scheduled for completion by March 2017, will have 1,000 tonnes deadweight, with seating capacity for 1,000 persons and up to 411 car spaces, or a combination of cars, trucks and other vehicles.

The newbuilding’s near-sisterships KatExpress 1 and KatExpress 2 are both currently in service for Mols-Linien and were also built by Incat.

The MAN 28/33D STC is a compact, powerful engine with a high power-to-weight ratio. It is fully compliant with current environmental standards and employs an advanced SaCoSone engine-control system. The engine has been installed in several ferry applications and is also regularly employed by naval segments.

Characteristics of the engine include:

  • most powerful engine in its class and proven in service
  • high power-to-weight ratio
  • best-in-class SFOC
  • low maintenance costs due to long service intervals and on-board maintenance
  • robust design for high availability
  • capable of continuous, low-load operation
  • high torque for fast acceleration
  • unrestricted operation
  • IMO Tier II and EPA Tier 2-compliant.

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.”

  • News

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.

  • News

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.

  • News

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.

  • News

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