It’s Good News Monday!
This Monday we talk about:
Black History Month – Meet The US Navy’s First Female African-American Officers
‘Tesla of the Seas’ – British Company Unveils Zero-Emission Ship Concept
Damen and Sea Machines Aim to Accelerate Adoption of Autonomous Ships
Former Scorpio Bulkers Makes Its Offshore Renewables Debut Under New Name
With Oil Past Peak, Shell Sharpens 2050 Zero Emissions Goal
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Harriet Ida Pickens (left) and Frances Eliza Wills close a suitcase after graduating from the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School (WR) at Northampton, Massachusetts, circa December 1944. They were the Navy's first African-American WAVES officers and graduated with the Northampton school's final class. Official U.S. Navy Photograph. Image Credit: gCaptain.
When President Roosevelt opened the Navy to African-American women in October 1944, a breakthrough happened - the first female Navy officers. WAVES, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, selected Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Eliza Wills. “How did it happen so late in World War II and under a national cloud of racial tension and persistent discrimination that a pair of African-American women managed to accomplish the seemingly impossible—that is, enter the WAVES as officers in spite of an increase in racial strife during the latter half of the war?” Check out the original article about the first two African-American female Navy Officers.
Zero-emissions ship concept. Image Credit: gCaptain.
Windship Technology has designed a new ship that uses stowable triple wing rigs, diesel-electric drive, solar, carbon capture, optimized hull, and weather routing to achieve “True Zero” operation. The design could be used for bulk carriers and tankers, and is being tested at the University of Southampton. The combination of all these technologies, including reducing exhaust emissions to zero, creates a vessel that is effectively net zero. Windship has partnered with DNV to further this concept - Marius Berrefjord, Senior VP of DNV said: “We are delighted to be working with such experienced professionals at Windship Technology in a project which aims to help transform the entire shipping industry to True Zero.”
Damen Smart Bridge. Image Credit: The Maritime Executive.
Autonomous technologies are continuing to increase the safety and efficiency of ships. Damen Shipyard and Sea Machines Robotics have seen the trend toward these technologies and are forming a strategic alliance to look at collision avoidance. Damen Shipyards Group has been investing in autonomous technologies for about four years and doesn’t see them as unmanned “ghost vessels”, but rather advanced ships that can automate tasks, keeping crews safer and vessels more efficient. Both companies expect autonomous vessels to be the standard in the future.
Scorpio Bulkers' Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV). Image Credit: gCaptain via Scorpio Bulkers.
Scorpio Bulkers now has a new name, Eneti, Inc., trading under the ticker symbol NETI. Eneti is transitioning away from dry bulk to offshore renewables, specifically wind turbines. They will be selling their entire fleet of dry bulkers. Their first wind vessel will be delivered in 2023 with options for three additional vessels.
Ben van Beurden, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell. Image Credit: gCaptain.
Shell vowed to eliminate net carbon emissions by 2050, accelerating their timeline to match bp. They are currently revamping their business toward renewables and low carbon solutions. This commitment is different from their net zero commitment last year because that largely depended on their customers, whereas they now are focusing on their own business. They will still focus on oil for the short-term, getting the largest $8 billion slice of the $19-22B budget.
Smile, it’s Good News Monday! :-)