More than half a year into the inaugural data reporting for IMO’s carbon intensity indicator (CII) many shipowners still seem a little uncertain exactly what the new regulations will mean for them, according to Japanese classification society ClassNK. “We tried to arrange interviews with the shipowners but most didn’t take it seriously because the company […]
After nearly a decade in development, the announcement in January that French shipowner Neoline Armateur has signed a contract with a Turkish shipyard, RMK Marine, for the construction of the world’s first large sail-powered commercial cargo ship has been heralded as a landmark moment in the renaissance of wind propulsion. But while much of the […]
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) isn’t just a problem at deepwater offshore sites: bombs, shells, grenades, landmines and other undetonated munitions can also be present within the surf zone, posing a major safety risk to swimmers, surfers and other beach users. Should buried UXO become disturbed or moved, the result can be severe burns, lacerations, amputations and/or […]
What goes into producing a high-quality lifejacket? Obviously, there is the selection of suitable, durable materials, components and foam, as well as stringent tests to ensure that the jacket’s performance meets ISO, SOLAS and/or MED standards and helps to keep the wearer alive. Another consideration, though, is customer feedback: the end user’s requirements play a […]
Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff has teamed up with naval architect Macduff Ship Design, propulsion specialist Kongsberg Maritime and battery manufacturer Echandia to develop a zero-emissions harbour and coastal tug. Two tugs are specified in the initial order, each with a proposed length of 25.5m, a beam of 12m and a draught of 4.85m – although, […]
Over the past five or so years, it has become increasingly obvious that the seaborne carriage of electric vehicles (EVs) using lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious risk in the event of an accident. The main hazard is related to the risk of thermal runaway, which can cause fires or explosions if the Li-ion battery […]
For the 10th instalment of its Annual International Student Design Competition for a Safe, Affordable Ferry, spanning 2022-2023, the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) shook things up by introducing a new stipulation for the participating teams. Although previous years’ contests had called for ferry designs to meet specific operational demands, the panel of judges had […]
There’s been a recent upsurge in the production of boats dedicated to removing floating debris and trash from coastal and inshore waters – a task that cleans up the immediate environment and, crucially, prevents the outflow of this waste into the sea, where effective removal becomes far more difficult. The new Grasshop catamaran concept, developed […]
Long-term ocean freight rates fall again, with almost 50% drop in key pricing benchmark across last three months The beleaguered carrier industry took another major hit in June, with the latest data from Xeneta’s Shipping Index (XSI) showing a decline of 9.4% in global long-term shipping rates. Following on the heels of a 27.5% collapse […]
By Tom Barlow-Brown After heated talks delegates at the the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have finally agreed new goals aimed at tackling GHG emissions in shipping. The new policy was agreed by delegates of the organisations member states, and observer groups, at IMO’s headquarters in London last week on Friday, following two weeks of […]
Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and energy company Chevron Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a strategic alliance aimed at reducing the carbon intensity of marine fuels, as well as other decarbonisation technologies in shipping. The partnership will see joint studies carried out on next-generation fuels in various regions around the world […]
A new non-flammable battery type, based on vanadium redox technology, will soon have a chance to demonstrate its benefits in a maritime setting Class society ABS has issued New Technology Qualification (NTQ) status to a non-flammable marine battery technology developed by Gennal Engineering of Singapore. The battery system, called Blue G, is reportedly based on […]