It’s Good News Monday!
This Monday we talk about:
Air lubrication yields 6.6% fuel savings for decade-old LNG carrier
Exxon Mobil Floats Carbon Capture and Storage Project in Gulf of Mexico
Acergy Viking gets hybrid propulsion for offshore wind job
Crowley unveils autonomous electric-powered tug
“Methane Patricia Camila was fitted with an air lubrication system at Sembcorp Marine (source: Silverstream Technologies)”. Image from Riviera.
The LNG carrier Methane Patricia Camila was fitted with Silverstream Technologies Silverstream air lubrication system. The vessel, built in 2010, was tested at various speeds and saw significant fuel savings of 6.6% net. “To improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Silverstream system produces a thin layer of microbubbles along the full flat bottom of the vessel, reducing frictional resistance between the water and the hull. Air lubrication systems are becoming increasingly important to help improve energy efficiency in newbuilds and in existing vessels, underpinning shipping’s decarbonisation goals.” The system was approved by ABS.
“Image courtesy Exxon Mobil”. Image from gCaptain.
Exxon Mobil proposed a Carbon Capture and Storage plan for the Gulf of Mexico, near Houston, Texas. The plan would cost at least $100 billion and sequester 50 million metric tons of CO2 thousands of feet below the ocean by 2030, and perhaps doubling that number by 2040. Joe Blommaert, president of Exxon’s Low Carbon Solutions business, cited the dense concentration of “hard-to-decarbonize” businesses around the Gulf. The project would reduce emissions and create jobs around Houston.
“Acergy Viking will be more fuel [efficient] and produce less CO2 when the battery-hybrid system has been installed”. Image from Riviera.
Acergy Viking will be working on wind farms, under contract with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy until 2027. New plans show it will be converted to hybrid propulsion by Q1 2022, reducing diesel consumption up to 350 tons per year and CO2 emissions of over 1,000 tons per year. Vessel owner Eidesvik has been an early adopter of this technology on other vessels.
“Crowley/Jensen design for an all-electric and autonomous tugboat (source: Crowley)”. Image from Riviera.
Crowley has a new design for a 25 meter tug with batteries, motors, thrusters, and a bollard pull of 70 tons. It uses azimuth stern drive propulsion, fed from a 6 MWh battery and two azimuth thrusters with 1,800 kW each. The almost zero emissions tug will be expected to achieve about 12 knots. Crowley has also developed an onshore charging station and says that no exhaust stack means an unobstructed 360 degree view from the master’s station. It’s also designed with automation systems and intelligent maneuvering systems. Check out the video overview for more information.
Smile, it’s Good News Monday! :-)