Paris MOU adopts new “White, Gray and Black” rankings
Santa has a naughty list and a nice list. The Paris MoU has a more graduated approach. It has just the one “White, Gray, and Black” list and, from July 1, 2021,
ships
Danish ship registries pass 20 million GT milestone
MAY 7, 2018 — The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) reports that the total gross tonnage of vessels under Danish registry recently went above 20 million GT for the first time ever. The
ABB announces turbocharger essay contest winners
On November 16, 1905 Swiss engineer Alfred Büchi patented the world’s first turbocharger for BBC, the precursor company of today’s ABB. Today, turbochargers are deployed across the globe in ships, locomotives, freight vehicles, heavy construction equipment and agricultural machinery, and in generating sets and power stations. More than 200,000 ABB turbochargers are in daily use to raise power output, lower emissions, cut fuel consumption and, ultimately, save money.
The competition, which was judged by three engineers from ABB Turbocharging Baden, required entrants to write a 750-1,250 word essay on the development of turbocharger technology and the key drivers for further technological progress in the future. Participants were also asked the challenging question: “How much would a pair of sneakers made in the U.S. and shipped to Switzerland cost if shipped without a turbocharged container vessel?”
ABB has named Charles Stuart from Ballycastle in Northern Ireland as the overall winner of the competition’s $2,500 first prize essay. His entry on “How 110 Years of Turbocharging Changed the World’ brought to life the critical impact turbocharging has had on engine development in general, and on shipping efficiency and costs in particular. Charles is a 24-year-old Ph.D. student researching compressor aerodynamics and 1-D design tools at Queen’s University, Belfast.
Second prize, worth $1,500, has been awarded to Anton Ronquist, also 24 years old, a mechatronics Masters student at Linköping University.Petr Kohout, a 24-year old mechanical engineering Masters student at Czech Technical University in Prague specializing in combustion engines, won the third prize, worth $1,000.
ABB has also awarded ten consolation prizes to runners-up in the contest.
Volkmar Haueisen, ABB’s Head of Research and Development, commented: “We are delighted that our essay competition attracted so many participants in this important year in ABB’s turbocharger timeline. The quality of their entries has been very high. Our wholehearted congratulations go to Charles whose entry was, in our opinion, outstanding. What Alfred Büchi invented more than a century ago has developed into a truly transformational technology which has played a vital part in raising engine efficiency for more than one hundred years. Millions of tonnes of fuel and harmful emissions have been saved. Charles’ entry reflects these remarkable achievements.”
Entrants to the competition may have wrestled with answering the question on sneakers, but they had no shortage of material to include from over 100 years of continuously evolving turbocharger technology.
Some of the key milestones include:
- 1920 – first turbocharged airplane reaches 33,000 feet
- 1925 – first marine turbochargers introduced to the market
- 1954 – first compact units launched for use in freight trucks
- 1973 – turbochargers became standard on all diesel vehicles as a result of the oil crisis
- 2010 – Power2 launched, a two-stage turbocharging system raising efficiency by another 10%
- 2015 – MSC Oscar, one of the world’s largest containerships, achieves a 75% increase in energy efficiency and a 62% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions through its ABB turbocharger installations
“This has been a fantastic record of continuous development in a technology with no downside. Turbochargers only improve performance,” Mr. Haueisen said. “Our research team is now fully focused on the science relating to the next stage of technological development. We are proud to be the pioneers of this outstanding technology.”
Download the winning essay HERE
Shipping bodies issue Ebola virus advice
AUGUST 4, 2014 — Three global shipping organizations today issued guidance to their members on the risks posed to ships’ crews calling in countries affected by the Ebola virus. A spokesperson for
Ocean Ships gets $32.3 million mod to MSC contract
OCTOBER 1, 2013 — Ocean Ships, Inc., Houston, Texas, is being awarded a $32,383,461 modification under a previously awarded contract (N00033-09-C-3200) for the operation and maintenance of eight Watson-class (T-AKR 310) large,
Port of Long Beach cuts air pollution
AUGUST 20, 2013 — The Port of Long Beach has cut emissions of diesel particulates by 81 percent since 2005, according to an analysis released today. The results for 2012 mark six
Bibby COO warns: Eco ships won’t arrive overnight
MARCH 25, 2013 — The eco ship revolution may be on the horizon but the new ships will not replace the existing fleet overnight and meantime ship managers are under increasing pressure
Sappio takes helm at Rickmers Americas
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 — The Rickmers Group has appointed Robert Sappio to the position of President and CEO of Rickmers Americas. He will report to Ronald D. Widdows, CEO of Rickmers Holding.