It’s Good News Monday!
This Monday we talk about:
Belgium Expands Vaccination Campaign to All Seafarers
bp joins the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping as a strategic partner
KSOE group wins US$1.4Bn in deals to build seven LNG carriers
'World's Most Powerful Tidal Turbine' Brought Online in Scotland
Naval architects adapt designs in a drive towards zero emissions
“Photo courtesy Port of Antwerp”. Image from gCaptain.
Belgium is now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all seafarers of any nationality. The Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association helped organize the campaign that will allow medical teams to board vessels to give crew the Johnson & Johnson shot. According to gCaptain, “Belgium joins other countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany and Greece as one of the few countries currently providing vaccines to seafarers. It’s the first to do so on board ships with a mobile medical team.” We all hope this will reduce pressure on seafarers and supply chains as they have more opportunities to get vaccinated.
Container ship on the ocean. Image from bp.
“bp and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping today signed a partnership agreement committing to a long-term collaboration on the development of new alternative fuels and low carbon solutions for the shipping industry.” bp will work with them on safe, sustainable shipping fuels to help decarbonize shipping. bp and the Center have high goals for getting to net zero and reducing emissions in shipping while keeping everyone safe and efficient. A focus on new technologies will be key to their success.
“KSOE signed a combined US$1.4Bn deal (source: HHI)”. Image from Riviera.
Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) will be building seven LNG carriers for multiple clients at a cost of $1.4 billion. Three of the 174,000-m3 carriers will be built by subsidiary Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for an Asian shipowner, with four more built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI). Two of the remaining four will go to a European company with two more going to a Liberian company. According to Riviera, “With the latest round of orders, KSOE has obtained orders for 176 ships and two offshore plants worth a combined US$16.8Bn so far this year, which take up 113% of its annual order target worth US$14.9Bn.”
“Credit: Orbital Marine”. Image from Offshore Engineer.
Orbital Marine, a Scottish engineering firm, started power generation on O2, the world’s most powerful tidal turbine. The floating turbine is in Orkney at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in the Fall of Warness. The 74 meter long turbine produces 2MW of power and is expected to supply 2,000 UK homes with clean energy. It will also produce green hydrogen through an onshore electrolyzer. The project was made possible by Abundance Investment, an ethical investment platform and the Saltire Tidal Energy Challenge Fund. Commercialization will involve “the deployment of multiple-MW arrays”.
“OSD IMT and Nedstack designed an Azistern tug with hydrogen fuel cells (source: OSD)”. Image from Riviera.
Tug designers are now incorporating electric, hybrid, and multi-fuel capabilities into their tug designs, along with increased safety and stability. These new systems and desire for greening are causing tug designers to rethink their designs, especially the engine room. Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) has a new series called ElectraRA 2800 with a 6,102 kWh battery capacity so it can run on battery power alone. There are many more designs with varying battery capacities fit for different applications, definitely check out the original article for more information.
Smile, it’s Good News Monday! :-)