Wartsila waterjets selected for Mols-Linien superferry

The shipyard has previously specified Wärtsilä waterjets for a number of fast ferry projects. This latest order was placed in November.

The scope of supply includes four Wärtsilä LJX 1500 SRI waterjets and a Wärtsilä Lipstronic control system. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the shipyard in September, 2016.

“The strong relationship between Wärtsilä and the Incat yard continues, and this latest order confirms the good cooperation that the two companies enjoy. It also underlines Wärtsilä’s commitment to the Australian market. We are pleased to once again be supplying Wärtsilä waterjets, which provide reliable and efficient propulsion for fast ferry applications,” says Hans Laheij, Sales Director, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

“Incat, and our client Mols Linien, have continued to be satisfied with the performance of the Wärtsilä waterjets on KatExpress 1 and KatExpress 2 so it was a logical decision to select the Wärtsilä LJX 1500 SRI jets for KatExpress 3,” says Robert Clifford, Incat Chairman.

Set for delivery in March 2017, KatExpress 3 is a 109 m long wave piercing catamaran capable of carrying around 1,000 passengers and with capacity for 411 cars or a mix of trucks, vans and cars. .

Signal International in $5 million settlement with EEOC

DECEMBER 19, 2015 — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reports that bankrupt Mobile, AL, headquartered shipbuilding and repair company Signal International, LLC will pay an estimated $5 million to 476

MAN Diesel and Turbo to power giant crane ship

 

The scope of MAN Diesel & Turbo’s contract includes twelve MAN 8L51/60DF four-stroke engines and twelve MAN SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems.

MAN Diesel & Turbo says that the total power output of the engines is some 96 MW, meaning that this will be one of the largest engine installations ever seen aboard a commercial ship.

The vessel will be the first in its size range to feature dual-fuel technology and, on completion, will be the world’s largest vessel of its kind.

Engine delivery is scheduled for first quarter 2017 with vessel delivery due from the shipbuilder in 2018.

The highly efficient MAN Diesel & Turbo package ensures full fuel-flexibility and will meets NOx Tier III emission limits at all times – whether the vessel is within Tier III zones or not – both during operation on LNG and during operation on MGO with the help of the SCR system.

MAN Diesel & Turbo says that the engines maintain their high efficiency – including during SCR operation – through integrated and customised control strategies.

“The entire project has special requirements in all aspects – it is absolutely a customized solution and a notable feather in our cap to have been selected as propulsion-system supplier for this unique vessel,” says Lex Nijsen – Head of Four-Stroke Marine – MAN Diesel & Turbo. “This is not just the largest, dual-fuel propulsion system ever featured on a single vessel, it also ensures Tier-III compliance in all operational scenarios, whether in gas- or MGO-modes, and whether within or without NOx Tier III-controlled areas. The solution MAN Diesel & Turbo is delivering to Sembcorp Marine and Heerema is reliable, efficient, flexible and meets the highest safety and environmental standards.”

A key determinant in the choosing of the 51/60DF engine was its ability to fulfill the particularly high load-ramp requirements demanded by the NSCV’s two giant Huisman 10,000 ton cranes in both diesel and gas modes while maintaining its efficiency.

Another key characteristic of the four-stroke unit is its ability to operate at 100% MCR and above, in gas mode, and to switch smoothly and seamlessly from gas to liquid-fuel operation (and vice versa) at full load without any fluctuation in output or speed. These are all essential features to satisfy the SSCV’s vital DP-3 (dynamic positioning) station-keeping requirement.

Furthermore, with the aim of becoming the most environmentally friendly crane vessel ever built, operation will be on ultra-low sulfur fuel, a fuel type that the 51/60DF readily handles.

MAN Diesel & Turbo’s SCR system provides an integrated solution for its entire portfolio of four-stroke engines and serves as a standard solution to meet Tier III emission limits.

The MAN SCR solution is a modular system, with the built-in flexibility to adjust to the NSCV’s particular requirements such as its long exhaust-gas lines, the distance between the SCR and engine. Nor does the SCR system negatively affect load-ramp requirements. In this respect, MAN’s SCR is very much a customized solution.

With a length of 220 m and a width of 102 m, the NSCV will be the world’s largest crane vessel. Despite the vessel’s large dimensions, optimally locating the engines and SCR systems aboard proved a challenge, one which MAN Diesel & Turbo and the flexibility of the SCR system helped resolve.

The vessel features four engine rooms, each with three MAN 8L51/60DF engines. The integration of SCR and engine-control system enables the SCR to be operated at a relatively low exhaust-gas temperature, which is the basis for a high engine efficiency, and enables the SCR to be positioned further away from engines. In consequence, no compromises have to be made with the vessel layout and the SCR systems will be positioned under the ship’s funnel in a vertical arrangement, some 80 m away from the engines.

GulfMark and Simek agree PSV delivery delay

 

According to the filing, “on December 14, 2015, a subsidiary of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (“GulfMark”) entered into an agreement with Simek AS to delay the delivery of its North Sea vessel under construction in Norway from 2016 to 2017. Under the original agreement, GulfMark’s subsidiary paid 20% of the construction price within three months of contract inception, and was to pay the remaining 80%, or approximately $33 million, in February 2016 upon delivery. Under the new agreement, GulfMark’s subsidiary will take delivery of the vessel in January 2017 and will pay approximately $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, approximately $5 million in the first quarter of 2016, approximately $4 million in the second quarter of 2016 and approximately $22 million in the first quarter of 2017 upon delivery of the vessel.”

Eagle LNG to be fuel provider for Crowley ConRo duo

To support Crowley’s LNG needs, Eagle LNG will build a natural gas liquefaction plant (LNG plant) offering a capacity of 200,000 gallons per day (87,000 gallons per day initially) in Jacksonville, FL. The state-of-the-art facility is slated to be operational by early 2017.

The decision to partner with Eagle LNG was made by Crowley in part because of the two companies’ shared commitment to the environment.

“Crowley is proud to take a leadership position in the industry’s shift to cleaner-burning, natural gas fuel solutions,” said Crowley’s John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico services. “The partnership with Eagle LNG is an important first step in developing sustainable supply infrastructure to ensure these highly technical, environmentally friendly vessels operate to their full capability.”

“The marine sector represents a significant opportunity for LNG fueling in the U.S., and Eagle LNG is well-positioned to build the necessary infrastructure and provide the specialized logistics to facilitate this energy transformation,” said Dick Brown, CEO, Eagle LNG “It takes companies like Crowley to lead that wave of change. Eagle LNG is proud to work with such a pioneering organization.”

“This project is an important investment in our community from both economic and environmental perspectives,” said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. “It clearly demonstrates the leadership role our region is playing in LNG development and progression, while strengthening our commitment to leaving a smaller footprint through cleaner-burning fuel.”

The supply agreement between Eagle LNG and Crowley will provide LNG fuel for the El Conqui and Taino, which are expected to be in service in the second quarter and fourth quarter of 2017 respectively. 

The Jones Act ships will replace Crowley’s towed triple-deck barge fleet, which has served the trade continuously  since the early 1970s.  The new ships, will offer customers fast ocean transit times, while accommodating the company’s diverse equipment selection and cargo handling flexibility.  

The LNG  liquefaction plant is separate from the previously announced Eagle LNG Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) export terminal located along the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, which will continue to focus on export markets in the Caribbean and Atlantic Basin.

Triyards tanker trio to be Wartsila equipped

The 153 m long ships are being built for Swiss-Canadian Maritime Ltd and will be managed by Switzerland based ABC Maritime A.G. They are set to be delivered by the shipbuilder in 2017 and will operate between Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Montreal, Canada.

The contract covers Wärtsilä largest scope of supply thus far for delivery to a shipyard in Vietnam. It was signed in November and includes options for three more vessels.

Wärtsilä’s capability to provide a total solution package and to be responsible for the engineering and integration of the solutions provided were key factors in winning the contract.

For each vessel, Wärtsilä will supply a controllable pitch propeller (CPP), a tunnel gearbox, a shaft alternator, two tunnel thrusters, three Auxpac generating sets, a Wärtsilä Propulsion Condition Monitoring System (PCMS), as well as all related auxiliaries for the various systems.

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered to the yards during 2016.

In addition, the ships will be powered by a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä X40-B two-stroke main engine designed by Winterthur Gas & Diesel, a joint venture between Wärtsilä and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). The engine contract was agreed separately between Triyards Marine Services Pte. Ltd. and Chinese two-stroke engine builder, Yuchai Marine Power Co., Ltd. (YCMP).

“Wärtsilä is a global leader and their propulsion and power generation systems are among the best in the world. We are therefore confident that the technology of their systems will enhance the capabilities and performance of the chemical tankers we are building,” says Chan Eng Yew, Chief Executive Officer of Triyards Holdings Limited.

“These are the first chemical tankers that the yards have been contracted to build, and Wärtsilä’s support and know-how for the engineering and systems integration is of considerable importance. We are delighted to be working once again in Vietnam and are extremely pleased to be cooperating with Triyards in this important project,” says Hans Laheij, Sales Director, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

Triyards 700

Brodosplit cuts steel for LNG fueled containerships

“By building these ships we enter a market niche that will enable sustainable business operation, bigger engagement of capacities and acquisition of references for the building of ships that will be in higher demand in the near future,” says Tomislav Debeljak, CEO of Brodosplit and owner of Brodosplit Shipping Company.

“DNV GL experts were involved from the design phase and worked very closely with Brodosplit to realize this project. We are very pleased with the cooperation and look forward to continuing our work together in the future,” says Ivo Siljic, Senior Lead Surveyor at DNV GL – Maritime.

With an individual deadweight of 24,000 dwt, the vessels will be over 184 meters long and 27.5 meters wide. They will have a capacity of 2,000 TEUand reach speeds of up to 18 knots.

The containerships feature two-stroke dual fuel (LNG/MGO) engines built under license from MAN by Brodosplit’s diesel engine factory, which will also build the ships’ LNG tanks.

Transpetro cancels two LPG newbuilds at Vard Promar

It reported today that it has been notified that Petrobras Transportes S.A. (Transpetro) has terminated the contracts for two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers on order at 50.5% owned indirect subsidiary Vard Promar.

The vessels in question are the last two of a series of eight LPG carriers originally contracted at the Brazilian shipyard in June 2010, for delivery from Vard Promar between 2014 and 2016. The combined contract value for the series of eight vessels was $536 million.

The first of the eight vessels, the 8,000 cu.m Oscar Niemayer, was delivered this past July.

Singapore listed Vard, which is 55.63% controlled by Fincantieri, says that the construction of the two vessels that have now been canceled is “at a very early stage.”

Vard is currently reviewing its overall exposure to the Brazilian market, and it says that the termination of the contracts – if effective – is “expected to reduce the company’s overall exposure. At the same time, the company intends to claim compensation from Transpetro for damages in relation to the terminated contracts.”

Vard says the impact of the termination is not expected to have a material effect on the earnings per share of the Group for the financial year ending December 31, 2015.

First 18,000 TEU box ship is on its way to U.S.A.

The vessel will later call at the Port of Oakland on December, 31.

CMA CGM  Group Chairman and CEO Jacques R.Saadé made the decision to deploy an 18,000-TEU capacity vessel to the U.S.

CMA CGM will be the first carrier to call at a U.S. port with vessels of this size. It says it reflects its faith in the long-term growth potential of the U.S. economy and its commitment to increasing its U.S. market share.

A pioneer in deploying large-capacity vessels to the U.S., the CMA CGM Group has been working closely with the Ports of Los Angeles and Oakland to ensure there is sufficient infrastructure to support an 18,000 TEU vessel.  It says it looks forward to working with other ports throughout the U.S. as they begin similar assessments of their infrastructure.

CMA CGM  offers 23 shipping lines connecting the U.S. to the rest of the world and employs more than 800 people in the U.S. through its subsidiary CMA CGM (America) LLC.

The U.K. flagged CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin will be deployed on the Pearl River Express, a service connecting the main China ports, including Xiamen, Nansha and Yantian, with the U.S. West Coast ports.

The 399.2 m x 54 m vessel was delivered December 4 by shipbuilder Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.

Chinese liftboats to have Cat diesel electric propulsion

Identical diesel-electric systems, comprising four Cat Propulsion MTA-523 1500 kW azimuth thrusters driven by electric motors and soft starters as well as eight Cat C32 generator sets, will be delivered for each vessel.

“As a comprehensive power and propulsion solutions provider for the marine industry, we’re pleased to continue to integrate our full portfolio of offerings in our customers’ operations,” said Wang Xiaohua, Caterpillar Propulsion sales manager.  “China remains an area of strategic importance for us and this particular order is significant because it is the first time in China that we have supplied a full diesel-electric propulsion solution, including engines, propulsion systems and main switchboards.”

The two vessels, designed by Shanghai Bestway Marine Technology Development Company Ltd, are being built for Chinese owner Mekers Offshore Company Ltd and are due for delivery in summer 2016.

Over the course of 2016, Caterpillar will also supply all of the other components in the electric power system.

In addition to the main switchboard, Caterpillar will provide power management systems, central monitoring and alarm systems, transformers, uninterruptible power supplies and variable frequency drives.

MTA azimuth thrusters incorporate a number of key features to support effective vessel operation. They are hydro-dynamically optimized for good in-water performance. Available in both L-drive and Z-drive configurations, MTA azimuth thrusters can be supplied with controllable or fixed pitch propellers. Blade and hub materials are either bronze or stainless steel and the complete structure is designed to minimize the cost of through-life maintenance and to maximize the duration of in-service operation.

Built for reliability in harsh conditions, C32 generator sets have high efficiency and a minimized environmental footprint integrated into the design. The units can accept 100% load rate in one step and their integrated control system protects the power supply and offers scope for remote monitoring. Cat C32 generator sets are available in a power range from 830 ekW to 940 ekW.

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