Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
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South Korea to lift sunken ferry Sewol by July
South Korea's maritime ministry said Thursday (Apr 14) that it will start to hoist a passenger ship next month that sank two years ago and complete it before the end of July.
The 6,825-ton ship, the Sewol, sank off the country's southwestern coast on April 16 in 2014 while en route to the southern resort island of Jeju.
The accident killed 304 people, mostly high school students on a school excursion. Nine of them still remain missing.
The sunken ship will be pulled out of the water intact in order to keep any remains of people still missing from the tragic sinking, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
"We will recover the vessel without cutting the 145 meter-long ship as we do not want to lose any missing bodies believed to remain inside the ship," the ministry said in a release.
Computer graphics of lifting the Sewol (Courtesy of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)
The 85.1 billion won (US$72 million) project to recover the ship will be operated by a Chinese consortium led by China's state-run Shanghai Salvage.
Divers have closed all openings of the ship with nets to prevent any contents of the ship from slipping out.
They are now working on making the ship buoyant, by injecting air into the tanks in the vessel and installing some 30 large balloons and other floatation devices.
A crane vessel works to recover the sunken ferry Sewol in the waters off South Korea's west coast on April 12, 2016. Image: Yonhap
The ship will be on land before July unless there is unexpected inclement weather like a typhoon, the ministry said.
It will be the first time in world maritime history that a 145m vessel is elevated from the depths of 45m without dividing the body, according to the ministry.
The area where the sunken ship is submerged is notorious for fast currents and a muddy seabed with poor visibility.
"The working conditions are tough, but we will do our best to complete the salvage safely and successfully," said Yeon Yeong-jin, deputy minister for marine policy office at the ministry.
Source: Yonhap NA
South Korea's maritime ministry said Thursday (Apr 14) that it will start to hoist a passenger ship next month that sank two years ago and complete it before the end of July.
The 6,825-ton ship, the Sewol, sank off the country's southwestern coast on April 16 in 2014 while en route to the southern resort island of Jeju.
The accident killed 304 people, mostly high school students on a school excursion. Nine of them still remain missing.
The sunken ship will be pulled out of the water intact in order to keep any remains of people still missing from the tragic sinking, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
"We will recover the vessel without cutting the 145 meter-long ship as we do not want to lose any missing bodies believed to remain inside the ship," the ministry said in a release.
- sk.jpg (89.75 KiB) 2949 keer bekeken
The 85.1 billion won (US$72 million) project to recover the ship will be operated by a Chinese consortium led by China's state-run Shanghai Salvage.
Divers have closed all openings of the ship with nets to prevent any contents of the ship from slipping out.
They are now working on making the ship buoyant, by injecting air into the tanks in the vessel and installing some 30 large balloons and other floatation devices.
- sk 2.jpg (24.44 KiB) 2949 keer bekeken
The ship will be on land before July unless there is unexpected inclement weather like a typhoon, the ministry said.
It will be the first time in world maritime history that a 145m vessel is elevated from the depths of 45m without dividing the body, according to the ministry.
The area where the sunken ship is submerged is notorious for fast currents and a muddy seabed with poor visibility.
"The working conditions are tough, but we will do our best to complete the salvage safely and successfully," said Yeon Yeong-jin, deputy minister for marine policy office at the ministry.
Source: Yonhap NA
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
Antwerp gets off to another strong start after a record year in 2015
The port of Antwerp handled 53,265,552 tonnes of freight in the first three months of this year, 3.9% more than in the same period last year.
The container volume in TEU did particularly well with growth of 4.6%, while liquid bulk rose to new heights with growth of 10.6%. Overall, last month was the best month ever recorded in the port of Antwerp in terms of freight volume handled.
The Antwerp Port Authority is naturally very pleased with these excellent growth figures but nevertheless guards against unbridled optimism in view of the continuing volatility and turbulence in the market.
Containers and breakbulk
The container tonnage rose by 3.2% during the first quarter, finishing at 29,143,365 tonnes. This corresponds to a volume of 2,459,847 TEU, up 4.6% on the same period last year.
The ro/ro volume for its part remained almost static, up just 0.4% to 1,111,278 tonnes. On the other hand the number of cars handled rose by 5.7%, to 308,484 units. Conventional breakbulk also registered growth in comparison with last year, thanks among others to the volume of steel handled (up 14.5% to 1,806,160 tonnes). At the end of March the total volume of conventionalbreakbulk stood at 2,373,819 tonnes, an increase of 2.4%.
Liquid bulk
The volume of liquid bulk handled rose by an impressive 10.6% during the first three months of this year, to 17,693,219 tonnes. As for oil derivatives, these amounted to 13,178,993 tonnes for the first quarter, representing growth of no less than 17.0%.
Dry bulk
The amount of dry bulk handled in the port for its part came to 2,943,871 tonnes, a drop of 17.9% compared with the first quarter of 2015. In the meantime the falling demand for coal resulted in a negative first-quarter result in this sector, falling very sharply by 81.1% to 69,975 tonnes. The planned conversion of the coal-fired power station in Langerlo (Belgium) weighed heavily on the result, but ports in general where coal is stored are faced with falling imports and declining stocks. The volume of ore handled also fell significantly, down 33.9% to 465,796 tonnes, helping to push down the overall result for dry bulk.
Seagoing ships
A total of 3,535 seagoing ships called at the port of Antwerp during the past three months, an increase of 3.7%. The gross tonnage for its part rose by 15.2% to 96,557,856 GT.
Source: Port of Antwerp
The port of Antwerp handled 53,265,552 tonnes of freight in the first three months of this year, 3.9% more than in the same period last year.
The container volume in TEU did particularly well with growth of 4.6%, while liquid bulk rose to new heights with growth of 10.6%. Overall, last month was the best month ever recorded in the port of Antwerp in terms of freight volume handled.
The Antwerp Port Authority is naturally very pleased with these excellent growth figures but nevertheless guards against unbridled optimism in view of the continuing volatility and turbulence in the market.
Containers and breakbulk
The container tonnage rose by 3.2% during the first quarter, finishing at 29,143,365 tonnes. This corresponds to a volume of 2,459,847 TEU, up 4.6% on the same period last year.
The ro/ro volume for its part remained almost static, up just 0.4% to 1,111,278 tonnes. On the other hand the number of cars handled rose by 5.7%, to 308,484 units. Conventional breakbulk also registered growth in comparison with last year, thanks among others to the volume of steel handled (up 14.5% to 1,806,160 tonnes). At the end of March the total volume of conventionalbreakbulk stood at 2,373,819 tonnes, an increase of 2.4%.
Liquid bulk
The volume of liquid bulk handled rose by an impressive 10.6% during the first three months of this year, to 17,693,219 tonnes. As for oil derivatives, these amounted to 13,178,993 tonnes for the first quarter, representing growth of no less than 17.0%.
Dry bulk
The amount of dry bulk handled in the port for its part came to 2,943,871 tonnes, a drop of 17.9% compared with the first quarter of 2015. In the meantime the falling demand for coal resulted in a negative first-quarter result in this sector, falling very sharply by 81.1% to 69,975 tonnes. The planned conversion of the coal-fired power station in Langerlo (Belgium) weighed heavily on the result, but ports in general where coal is stored are faced with falling imports and declining stocks. The volume of ore handled also fell significantly, down 33.9% to 465,796 tonnes, helping to push down the overall result for dry bulk.
Seagoing ships
A total of 3,535 seagoing ships called at the port of Antwerp during the past three months, an increase of 3.7%. The gross tonnage for its part rose by 15.2% to 96,557,856 GT.
Source: Port of Antwerp
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
Multipurpose shipping awaits an elusive recovery
The multipurpose shipping market is not expected to recover until the end of 2017, when it is anticipated that there will be more bulk demand for the Handy vessels and therefore more breakbulk cargoes for multipurpose vessels, according to the latest Multipurpose Shipping Market Review and Forecast 2016 report published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.
Damen multi-purpose vessel design Combi Freighter 8200 "Onego Arkhangelsk" Image: Damen
The last 12 months have been dreadful for the multi-purpose vessel (MPV) market with rates at rock bottom and competition for cargo from every angle. Weak demand, coupled with falling commodity prices and the oversupply of tonnage in competing sectors has brought rates down to levels not seen since just after the global financial crisis. The demand for multipurpose shipping registered a drop of almost 3% in 2015 as global demand for dry cargo slowed considerably while competition for it increased. The main competition faced by the MPV sector comes from Handy bulk carriers and containerships. The market for the first finished 2015 on its knees with earnings less than half the operating costs for the vessels, whilst the container lines were offering rates at close to zero just to hang on to market share.
Going forward, dry cargo growth is set to improve in 2017 and beyond but the return to growth for the MPV market share will be almost entirely dependent on the competing sectors. Whilst we are confident that both breakbulk and project cargo demand are showing signs that, in the medium term at least, volumes will return to growth trends, we are not confident that the competing sectors will move back to their more traditional cargoes anytime soon. The container market, however, is not expected to show any improvement for two and possibly three years. It is likely that containerships will continue to aggressively target breakbulk and project cargo for the foreseeable future.
In order to estimate the effective demand for the MPV fleet, we assess the demand for all possible commodities and the modal split for these between bulk, breakbulk and container. Susan Oatway, lead analyst for multipurpose shipping comments:
“We expect the effective demand for the MPV fleet to return to a positive trend with average annual growth of 2.7% to 2020. However, this growth will be very subdued through 2016 and will not show any significant improvement until the end of 2017. This is due to a combination of the lack of project finance and aggressive competition from the container and Handy bulk carrier sectors. ”
The supply of multipurpose vessels to carry this cargo is growing very slowly as well. Drewry has assessed future newbuilding deliveries, potential demolition candidates and slippage at the yards to determine that the future fleet will grow at less than 0.5% a year to 2020. However, more interestingly, the project carrier fleet is expected to grow at almost 4% a year, whilst the ‘simple’ MPV fleet will contract at a rate of almost 3% a year. Owners have borne untenable market conditions for longer than expected but now there is a very real risk for the financial stability for a number of companies.
“All this suggests that for those that can survive 2016 and position themselves with unique qualities – whether that is financial stability, good management, eco-friendly engines or extraordinary lift – there is an end to this recession. While we do not see any sign that, even in the longer term, the market will return to pre-2009 levels, it should see enough improvement to recover to 2011 levels by the end of our current forecast period,” added Oatway.
Source: Drewry
The multipurpose shipping market is not expected to recover until the end of 2017, when it is anticipated that there will be more bulk demand for the Handy vessels and therefore more breakbulk cargoes for multipurpose vessels, according to the latest Multipurpose Shipping Market Review and Forecast 2016 report published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.
- MP1.jpg (101.07 KiB) 2840 keer bekeken
The last 12 months have been dreadful for the multi-purpose vessel (MPV) market with rates at rock bottom and competition for cargo from every angle. Weak demand, coupled with falling commodity prices and the oversupply of tonnage in competing sectors has brought rates down to levels not seen since just after the global financial crisis. The demand for multipurpose shipping registered a drop of almost 3% in 2015 as global demand for dry cargo slowed considerably while competition for it increased. The main competition faced by the MPV sector comes from Handy bulk carriers and containerships. The market for the first finished 2015 on its knees with earnings less than half the operating costs for the vessels, whilst the container lines were offering rates at close to zero just to hang on to market share.
Going forward, dry cargo growth is set to improve in 2017 and beyond but the return to growth for the MPV market share will be almost entirely dependent on the competing sectors. Whilst we are confident that both breakbulk and project cargo demand are showing signs that, in the medium term at least, volumes will return to growth trends, we are not confident that the competing sectors will move back to their more traditional cargoes anytime soon. The container market, however, is not expected to show any improvement for two and possibly three years. It is likely that containerships will continue to aggressively target breakbulk and project cargo for the foreseeable future.
- Mp2.jpg (83.38 KiB) 2840 keer bekeken
“We expect the effective demand for the MPV fleet to return to a positive trend with average annual growth of 2.7% to 2020. However, this growth will be very subdued through 2016 and will not show any significant improvement until the end of 2017. This is due to a combination of the lack of project finance and aggressive competition from the container and Handy bulk carrier sectors. ”
The supply of multipurpose vessels to carry this cargo is growing very slowly as well. Drewry has assessed future newbuilding deliveries, potential demolition candidates and slippage at the yards to determine that the future fleet will grow at less than 0.5% a year to 2020. However, more interestingly, the project carrier fleet is expected to grow at almost 4% a year, whilst the ‘simple’ MPV fleet will contract at a rate of almost 3% a year. Owners have borne untenable market conditions for longer than expected but now there is a very real risk for the financial stability for a number of companies.
“All this suggests that for those that can survive 2016 and position themselves with unique qualities – whether that is financial stability, good management, eco-friendly engines or extraordinary lift – there is an end to this recession. While we do not see any sign that, even in the longer term, the market will return to pre-2009 levels, it should see enough improvement to recover to 2011 levels by the end of our current forecast period,” added Oatway.
Source: Drewry
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
IRAN in LNG Supply MOU, New FLNG development emerging
Enel Trade, an Italian gas and power utility has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Iranian Gas Export Company to buy liquefied natural gas.
The agreement was signed during the state visit of Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi to Tehran, a report by the Iranian Mehr News Agency reveals.
With the recent lifting of sanctions, Iran is looking to snatch a share in the LNG market. Iran’s LNG projects stalled due to the sanctions, leaving the country with partially built LNG projects.
Director general of NIGEC, Alireza Kameli was cited as saying that the deal with Enel is a result of several months of negotiations and sets the tone for future cooperation in the sector that would not only include long-term LNG supply, but information exchange and cooperation in the field of gas and LNG.
Iran’s LNG plans
Iran has recently been evaluating several options to place its gas on the international market by setting up an LNG facility or through utilizing LNG plants abroad.
In January, Kameli said that Iran could pump 28 million cubic meters of gas per day to Oman, up to 30 percent of which would be allocated for liquefaction.
India is also interested in constructing an LNG terminal in Iran, with the minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, Dharmendra Pradhan saying India’s companies could invest up to US$20 billion in various projects in Iran.
During February, Greek energy minister Panos Skourletis said the facilities already available in the country could be Iran’s gateway to the European market.
Iran is also looking to get its stalled projects back on track. The 10.8 mtpa Iranian LNG project could continue construction with Linde Group’s liquefied natural gas division ready to deliver the necessary technology. Necessary facilities are already in place.
Floating LNG options have also been investigated as there were reports that Iran began talks with Belgium over a possible deployment of floating LNG technology off the Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.
At the end of last year, Iran’s deputy petroleum minister, Roknoddin Javadi said that two Iranian companies have reached a final deal with a French company on floating LNG production from associated gas from the Forouzan oilfield.
In a most recent development, Ali Kardor, the vice president for finance and investment affairs of the National Iranian Oil Company said a Norwegian company is in the mix to build a floating LNG facility in the Persian Gulf.
No names were revealed, but the NIOC statement says the specialized vessel could be deployed in Iran by March 2017.
Source: LNGWorldNews
Enel Trade, an Italian gas and power utility has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Iranian Gas Export Company to buy liquefied natural gas.
The agreement was signed during the state visit of Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi to Tehran, a report by the Iranian Mehr News Agency reveals.
- lng.jpg (72.34 KiB) 2839 keer bekeken
Director general of NIGEC, Alireza Kameli was cited as saying that the deal with Enel is a result of several months of negotiations and sets the tone for future cooperation in the sector that would not only include long-term LNG supply, but information exchange and cooperation in the field of gas and LNG.
Iran’s LNG plans
Iran has recently been evaluating several options to place its gas on the international market by setting up an LNG facility or through utilizing LNG plants abroad.
In January, Kameli said that Iran could pump 28 million cubic meters of gas per day to Oman, up to 30 percent of which would be allocated for liquefaction.
India is also interested in constructing an LNG terminal in Iran, with the minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, Dharmendra Pradhan saying India’s companies could invest up to US$20 billion in various projects in Iran.
During February, Greek energy minister Panos Skourletis said the facilities already available in the country could be Iran’s gateway to the European market.
Iran is also looking to get its stalled projects back on track. The 10.8 mtpa Iranian LNG project could continue construction with Linde Group’s liquefied natural gas division ready to deliver the necessary technology. Necessary facilities are already in place.
Floating LNG options have also been investigated as there were reports that Iran began talks with Belgium over a possible deployment of floating LNG technology off the Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.
At the end of last year, Iran’s deputy petroleum minister, Roknoddin Javadi said that two Iranian companies have reached a final deal with a French company on floating LNG production from associated gas from the Forouzan oilfield.
In a most recent development, Ali Kardor, the vice president for finance and investment affairs of the National Iranian Oil Company said a Norwegian company is in the mix to build a floating LNG facility in the Persian Gulf.
No names were revealed, but the NIOC statement says the specialized vessel could be deployed in Iran by March 2017.
Source: LNGWorldNews
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
World record holding Wärtsilä 31 engine wins European Marine Engineering Conference award
The Wärtsilä 31 engine, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine, has won yet another award. At the European Marine Engineering Conference’s gala dinner, held in Amsterdam on April 13, the Wärtsilä 31 was announced as being the winner of the Marine Engines Award.
Wärtsilä 31 engineThe category entry requirements noted that “the winning entry will be an innovative and original development that demonstrates an engineering innovation that represents a step-change in engine technology.”
“The Wärtsilä 31 truly represents a breakthrough in marine engine efficiency, and its introduction last year marked the setting of a new benchmark for 4-stroke engines. It provides customers with the marine industry’s most advanced, powerful, fuel efficient, fuel flexible, and environmentally sound engine. The engine’s development has been based on the very latest technology, and it opens the door to a new level of optimisation that is valid throughout the entire life of the vessel,” says Stefan Wiik, Vice President, Engines, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
The Wärtsilä 31 engine comes in three alternative versions; Diesel, Dual-Fuel (DF) and Spark-Ignited Gas (SG). The multi-fuel capabilities that the Wärtsilä 31 brings to the market extend the possibilities for operators to utilise different qualities of fuels, from very light to very heavy diesel, and a range of different qualities of gas. The engine is designed to serve a variety of vessel types requiring main engine propulsion in the 4.2 to 9.8 MW power range.
The remarkable increases in fuel efficiency and fuel flexibility that the Wärtsilä 31 brings to the market are matched by significant reductions in maintenance costs. For example, the first service on the Wärtsilä 31 is required after only 8000 running hours, whereas alternative standard marine engines require maintenance after 2000 running hours.
The first Wärtsilä 31 engines have already been ordered. They will power a state-of-the-art new generation icebreaker currently under construction at the PJSC Vyborg Shipyard in Russia. The ship is being built on behalf of FSUE Atomflot, a subsidiary of ROSATOM, the Russian State Corporation for Atomic Energy. The order was signed in September 2015.
Source: Wärtsilä
The Wärtsilä 31 engine, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine, has won yet another award. At the European Marine Engineering Conference’s gala dinner, held in Amsterdam on April 13, the Wärtsilä 31 was announced as being the winner of the Marine Engines Award.
Wärtsilä 31 engineThe category entry requirements noted that “the winning entry will be an innovative and original development that demonstrates an engineering innovation that represents a step-change in engine technology.”
- wa.jpg (94.98 KiB) 2838 keer bekeken
The Wärtsilä 31 engine comes in three alternative versions; Diesel, Dual-Fuel (DF) and Spark-Ignited Gas (SG). The multi-fuel capabilities that the Wärtsilä 31 brings to the market extend the possibilities for operators to utilise different qualities of fuels, from very light to very heavy diesel, and a range of different qualities of gas. The engine is designed to serve a variety of vessel types requiring main engine propulsion in the 4.2 to 9.8 MW power range.
The remarkable increases in fuel efficiency and fuel flexibility that the Wärtsilä 31 brings to the market are matched by significant reductions in maintenance costs. For example, the first service on the Wärtsilä 31 is required after only 8000 running hours, whereas alternative standard marine engines require maintenance after 2000 running hours.
The first Wärtsilä 31 engines have already been ordered. They will power a state-of-the-art new generation icebreaker currently under construction at the PJSC Vyborg Shipyard in Russia. The ship is being built on behalf of FSUE Atomflot, a subsidiary of ROSATOM, the Russian State Corporation for Atomic Energy. The order was signed in September 2015.
Source: Wärtsilä
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
UK Royal Navy uses pilotless aircraft to navigate through ice
The UK Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector has launched tiny pilotless aircraft from her decks for the first time to assist with navigating through the Antarctic. A quadcopter and a 3D-printed aircraft have scouted the way for the survey ship so she can find her way through the thick ice of frozen seas.
It’s the first time the Royal Navy has used unmanned aerial vehicles in this part of the world.
The Service has been operating ScanEagle ‘eyes in sky’ from frigates in the Gulf for the past couple of years which feed vital live imagery back to ships on maritime security patrols.
“The whole team has overcome significant hurdles to demonstrate the enormous utility of these aircraft for affordable and persistent surveillance and reconnaissance from ships” Commodore James Morley RN
The craft launched from Protector are smaller and less hi-tech, but still provided the icebreaker with real-time high-quality information courtesy of a detailed picture of the surrounding environment from a perspective that is only available from the air.
The quadcopter has been used for short-range reconnaissance missions, while the 3D-printed mini aircraft has been sent off on longer patrols.
The brainchild of experts at Southampton University, the Laser-Sintered Aircraft – shortened to SULSA – is made of nylon, printed in four major parts and assembled without the use of any tools – it is the world’s first ‘printed’ airplane.
It is controlled from a laptop on board, cruises at nearly 60mph and is all but noiseless thanks to its tiny engine. Each one costs no more than £7,000 – cheaper than an hour’s flying time by a Fleet Air Arm helicopter.
Having been tested off the Dorset coast last summer with HMS Mersey, the 3kg aircraft has been given a much more rigorous work-out over Antarctica.
After flights of up to 30 minutes’ duration it’s fished out of the icy waters by one of HMS Protector’s boats so it can be launched once more.
“This trial of these low-cost but highly versatile aircraft has been an important first step in establishing the utility of unmanned aerial vehicles in this region,” said Captain Rory Bryan, Protector’s Commanding Officer.
“It’s demonstrated to me that this is a capability that I can use to great effect.”
The results of Protector’s trial have been fed back to Royal Navy headquarters in Portsmouth, 700X Squadron in Culdrose – the Navy’s dedicated unmanned aircraft unit – and the Maritime Warfare Centre at HMS Collingwood.
“I am delighted with the successful deployment of small unmanned aerial vehicles from HMS Protector in the Antarctic,” said Commodore James Morley, the Navy’s Assistant Chief of Staff Maritime Capability.
“The whole team has overcome significant hurdles to demonstrate the enormous utility of these aircraft for affordable and persistent surveillance and reconnaissance from ships – even in the environmentally challenging environment of the Antarctic.
“Although this was a relatively short duration trial to measure the relative merits of fixed and rotary wing embarked systems, we are continuing to review our options for acquisition of maritime unmanned aerial vehicles in the future.”
VIDEO
Source: UK Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector has launched tiny pilotless aircraft from her decks for the first time to assist with navigating through the Antarctic. A quadcopter and a 3D-printed aircraft have scouted the way for the survey ship so she can find her way through the thick ice of frozen seas.
It’s the first time the Royal Navy has used unmanned aerial vehicles in this part of the world.
- ib.jpg (64.88 KiB) 2835 keer bekeken
“The whole team has overcome significant hurdles to demonstrate the enormous utility of these aircraft for affordable and persistent surveillance and reconnaissance from ships” Commodore James Morley RN
The craft launched from Protector are smaller and less hi-tech, but still provided the icebreaker with real-time high-quality information courtesy of a detailed picture of the surrounding environment from a perspective that is only available from the air.
The quadcopter has been used for short-range reconnaissance missions, while the 3D-printed mini aircraft has been sent off on longer patrols.
The brainchild of experts at Southampton University, the Laser-Sintered Aircraft – shortened to SULSA – is made of nylon, printed in four major parts and assembled without the use of any tools – it is the world’s first ‘printed’ airplane.
It is controlled from a laptop on board, cruises at nearly 60mph and is all but noiseless thanks to its tiny engine. Each one costs no more than £7,000 – cheaper than an hour’s flying time by a Fleet Air Arm helicopter.
Having been tested off the Dorset coast last summer with HMS Mersey, the 3kg aircraft has been given a much more rigorous work-out over Antarctica.
After flights of up to 30 minutes’ duration it’s fished out of the icy waters by one of HMS Protector’s boats so it can be launched once more.
“This trial of these low-cost but highly versatile aircraft has been an important first step in establishing the utility of unmanned aerial vehicles in this region,” said Captain Rory Bryan, Protector’s Commanding Officer.
“It’s demonstrated to me that this is a capability that I can use to great effect.”
The results of Protector’s trial have been fed back to Royal Navy headquarters in Portsmouth, 700X Squadron in Culdrose – the Navy’s dedicated unmanned aircraft unit – and the Maritime Warfare Centre at HMS Collingwood.
“I am delighted with the successful deployment of small unmanned aerial vehicles from HMS Protector in the Antarctic,” said Commodore James Morley, the Navy’s Assistant Chief of Staff Maritime Capability.
“The whole team has overcome significant hurdles to demonstrate the enormous utility of these aircraft for affordable and persistent surveillance and reconnaissance from ships – even in the environmentally challenging environment of the Antarctic.
“Although this was a relatively short duration trial to measure the relative merits of fixed and rotary wing embarked systems, we are continuing to review our options for acquisition of maritime unmanned aerial vehicles in the future.”
VIDEO
Source: UK Royal Navy
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
Arkas signs deal with Iran’s shipping company to boost ties
Arkas Holding has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) to establish a Turkey-based joint venture to offer maritime transportation and logistics services across the Mediterranean Sea.
Arkas Chairman Lucien Arkas, and IRISL Executive Board Chairman Dr. Mohammad Saeedi attended the signing ceremony, which was held in IRISL’s head office in Tehran, said the Izmir-based Arkas said in a written statement on April 12.
“The relationship between Turkey and Iran, who have been neighboring countries for centuries, progresses day by day. I believe that the partnership agreement we have made with IRISL Group will support and also make a significant contribution to the developing trade between the two countries. The associate company, which will be founded within the scope of the agreement, will function as a bridge between Iran and nearby countries by using the transport infrastructure of Arkas,” said Arkas.
Arkas currently operates in many different fields, including, agency services, ship operations, port operations, logistics services that integrate sea, land, rail and air transportation as main fields and bunkering, automotive, insurance services, information systems and tourism.
Arkas Holding currently has 58 offices, 14 in Turkey and 22 in other countries.
Source: Hurriyet Daily News
Arkas Holding has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) to establish a Turkey-based joint venture to offer maritime transportation and logistics services across the Mediterranean Sea.
- ark.jpg (58.19 KiB) 2833 keer bekeken
“The relationship between Turkey and Iran, who have been neighboring countries for centuries, progresses day by day. I believe that the partnership agreement we have made with IRISL Group will support and also make a significant contribution to the developing trade between the two countries. The associate company, which will be founded within the scope of the agreement, will function as a bridge between Iran and nearby countries by using the transport infrastructure of Arkas,” said Arkas.
Arkas currently operates in many different fields, including, agency services, ship operations, port operations, logistics services that integrate sea, land, rail and air transportation as main fields and bunkering, automotive, insurance services, information systems and tourism.
Arkas Holding currently has 58 offices, 14 in Turkey and 22 in other countries.
Source: Hurriyet Daily News
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
COSCO launches the seventh livestock carrier for Vroon
Vroon has announced that the launching of the livestock carrier Gudali Express took place last week at COSCO Guangdong Shipyard, P.R. China. The vessel is the seventh and last newbuilding livestock carrier to be built for Vroon at this shipyard.
Six newbuilding livestock carriers have already been delivered to the company by COSCO, all of which are trading successfully.
These livestock carriers incorporate a revolutionary bow design that ensures maximum comfort for cargo and crew, while maintaining high speeds. Optimal pen arrangements guarantee smooth loading and discharging, whilst providing all livestock with easy access to water and fodder.
The innovative bow design will also assist in achieving fuel savings. The vessels boast a cargo capacity of approximately 4,600m2, with a cruising range of around 18,000 NM; sufficient for a voyage from Brazil to China and back without refuelling.
Gudali Express is scheduled for delivery to Vroon later in the year.
Source: Vroon
Vroon has announced that the launching of the livestock carrier Gudali Express took place last week at COSCO Guangdong Shipyard, P.R. China. The vessel is the seventh and last newbuilding livestock carrier to be built for Vroon at this shipyard.
- vr1.jpg (60.64 KiB) 2639 keer bekeken
These livestock carriers incorporate a revolutionary bow design that ensures maximum comfort for cargo and crew, while maintaining high speeds. Optimal pen arrangements guarantee smooth loading and discharging, whilst providing all livestock with easy access to water and fodder.
- vr3.jpg (88.31 KiB) 2639 keer bekeken
Gudali Express is scheduled for delivery to Vroon later in the year.
Source: Vroon
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
Cheap oil slows appetite for LNG as alternative shipping fuel
Low oil prices are denting the take-up of liquefied natural gas as a cleaner source of energy to power ships, and it will be a few more years yet before the fuel makes serious inroads into the marine bunker market.
The global shipping sector is under pressure from governments to reduce harmful emissions from vessels, including sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (C02), by using cleaner fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) rather than traditional heavy fuel oil and diesel sources.
The momentum has increased since December’s global climate deal in Paris, but industry officials say it will take time for LNG to grow as a bunker fuel because the infrastructure needed requires heavy investment at a time when companies are slashing budgets.
The low price of oil, which has tumbled as much as 70 percent since mid-2014 and fell to around $40 a barrel on Monday after a producers’ meeting in Qatar to freeze output ended with no agreement, is also discouraging a shift away from traditional fuels.
“We are not in the world of fuel stress at the moment … when oil was over $100 a barrel,” said Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of oil tanker company Euronav. “Yes it is a fuel of the future, but not yet.”
Norwegian LNG producer and industrial supplier Skangas told Reuters that shipowners have delayed planned conversions to LNG from diesel for up to two years due to the fall in oil prices.
International shipping accounts for around 2.2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but the International Maritime Organization, a U.N. agency, projects maritime emissions will swell by 50 percent by 2050 due to growth in world trade, 90 percent of which is transported by ship.
According to industry estimates, using LNG instead of bunker fuels would reduce NOx and SOx emissions by 90-95 percent and CO2 emissions by 20-25 percent.
The Port of Gibraltar, the biggest bunkering hub in the Mediterranean, said offering LNG as a fuel was an option.
“There is of course the price differential and the upfront cost of infrastructure,” Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the Gibraltar Port Authority, told Reuters.
“If the move is towards LNG, we will be watching and taking note of the market and what the demand is.”
Most LNG-fuelled ships are car or passenger ferries, tugs and platform supply vessels.
As of March, there were 77 LNG-fuelled ships in operation worldwide out of over 50,000 vessels trading around the globe, according to ship and energy inspection firm DNV GL.
“The main challenge is that the price competitive advantage of LNG for fuel has been eroded in the short term,” said Ryan Pereira, principal commercial manager of global gas and LNG at oil and gas consultancy firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates.
“This could particularly affect smaller operators, who are less able to justify using LNG on the basis of its likely medium and long-term cost savings.”
Stricter environmental regulation is however coaxing larger players to plan for the longer term.
The world’s biggest LNG producer, Qatargas, and Royal Dutch Shell have agreed to develop LNG as a marine fuel for use by No. 1 container line Maersk.
Russia’s gas giant Gazprom and Belgium’s Fluxys have agreed to cooperate on the small-scale LNG market in Europe.
Pereira said an estimated 15 million tonnes of LNG could be soaked up by the marine sector in the next five to seven years and up to 30 million tonnes by 2030.
“When you consider current LNG trade is circa 250 million tonnes a year, about 10 percent of today’s trade could come from the marine bunkering market.”
Source: Reuters / By Jonathan Saul and Nina Chestney, Additional reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo; Editing by Susan Fenton
Low oil prices are denting the take-up of liquefied natural gas as a cleaner source of energy to power ships, and it will be a few more years yet before the fuel makes serious inroads into the marine bunker market.
The global shipping sector is under pressure from governments to reduce harmful emissions from vessels, including sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (C02), by using cleaner fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) rather than traditional heavy fuel oil and diesel sources.
- lng.jpg (72.8 KiB) 2636 keer bekeken
The low price of oil, which has tumbled as much as 70 percent since mid-2014 and fell to around $40 a barrel on Monday after a producers’ meeting in Qatar to freeze output ended with no agreement, is also discouraging a shift away from traditional fuels.
“We are not in the world of fuel stress at the moment … when oil was over $100 a barrel,” said Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of oil tanker company Euronav. “Yes it is a fuel of the future, but not yet.”
Norwegian LNG producer and industrial supplier Skangas told Reuters that shipowners have delayed planned conversions to LNG from diesel for up to two years due to the fall in oil prices.
International shipping accounts for around 2.2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but the International Maritime Organization, a U.N. agency, projects maritime emissions will swell by 50 percent by 2050 due to growth in world trade, 90 percent of which is transported by ship.
According to industry estimates, using LNG instead of bunker fuels would reduce NOx and SOx emissions by 90-95 percent and CO2 emissions by 20-25 percent.
The Port of Gibraltar, the biggest bunkering hub in the Mediterranean, said offering LNG as a fuel was an option.
“There is of course the price differential and the upfront cost of infrastructure,” Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the Gibraltar Port Authority, told Reuters.
“If the move is towards LNG, we will be watching and taking note of the market and what the demand is.”
Most LNG-fuelled ships are car or passenger ferries, tugs and platform supply vessels.
As of March, there were 77 LNG-fuelled ships in operation worldwide out of over 50,000 vessels trading around the globe, according to ship and energy inspection firm DNV GL.
“The main challenge is that the price competitive advantage of LNG for fuel has been eroded in the short term,” said Ryan Pereira, principal commercial manager of global gas and LNG at oil and gas consultancy firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates.
“This could particularly affect smaller operators, who are less able to justify using LNG on the basis of its likely medium and long-term cost savings.”
Stricter environmental regulation is however coaxing larger players to plan for the longer term.
The world’s biggest LNG producer, Qatargas, and Royal Dutch Shell have agreed to develop LNG as a marine fuel for use by No. 1 container line Maersk.
Russia’s gas giant Gazprom and Belgium’s Fluxys have agreed to cooperate on the small-scale LNG market in Europe.
Pereira said an estimated 15 million tonnes of LNG could be soaked up by the marine sector in the next five to seven years and up to 30 million tonnes by 2030.
“When you consider current LNG trade is circa 250 million tonnes a year, about 10 percent of today’s trade could come from the marine bunkering market.”
Source: Reuters / By Jonathan Saul and Nina Chestney, Additional reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo; Editing by Susan Fenton
Re: Aktueel Scheepvaart Nieuws
La Collectivité Territoriale de St. Pierre et Miquelon selects Damen for two Fast Ferries
New RoPax vessels will open geographical and economical access, improving inter-island passenger and cargo movement
In 2015 Collectivité de Saint Pierre et Miquelon launched a tender for two new Mixt Ferries to operate between the two Islands and Fortune (Canada). The same year the contract was awarded to the Damen Shipyards Group and, in January 2016, the Loan agreement with Rabobank was signed. The project was launched on 11 March at an event in Paris and the vessels will be delivered at the end of 2017.
In close cooperation with the client, Damen designed the Fast RoPax 5510, 55 m long, 11 m wide, with a capacity for 192 passengers and crew, 3 trucks or 18 cars, motorcycles and cargo. Collectivité de Saint Pierre et Miquelon is a new customer for Damen.The client required full redundancy for the vessels; the French islands being situated some 25 miles from Fortune. The high speed capability of the RoPax5510 ensures a crossing in a little over one hour.
Image: Damen
A representative of the Collectivité said: “The construction of the ferries for the Collectivité has been subject to a European tendering procedure. Damen has been chosen at the final outcome for a number of reasons, including the technical capacity to meet the requirements of the Collectivité. These consist of building capacity, compliance with the specifications, understanding of the project, and capability to execute the mission. Additionally, Damen’s financial capacity makes possible the completion of such deal along with the offering of all necessary warranties. Also important were Damen’s willingness and ability to provide answers and information during the tendering process, the company’s quality certification and, of course, tendering in line with the project financing capacities.
“Since the signing of the contract and the administrative orders, we have been delighted with the choice we have made because of the warm welcome we received, and the quality of the follow up of the project.”
Reinier van Herel, Damen’s Regional Director France, comments: “This design combines a passenger ferry and a fast supply boat. The vessels have the renowned Damen Axe Bow. This first of the ‘5510 Series’ is actually based on more than 150 Axe Bow vessels – a proven design – but it has been lengthened and widened for cargo and cars. This pioneering design is a result of a very close cooperation between Damen’s Ferry and High-Speed Craft departments, as well as with the client.”
It is expected that the arrival of the ferries will make the islands much more accessible, encouraging, amongst other things, an increased level of tourism in the region. The sister vessels will be operated by Régie des Transport Maritimes. They will sail to Saint Pierre et Miquelon under their own keel from Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.
The ferries will be customised to withstand the severe weather conditions common to the area and will be built under the regulations of Marine Marchande and registered under the French Flag State. Additionally, given the pristine environment in which the ferries will operate, it was important that emissions be minimised. The new ferries are IMO, EPA, MARPOL and Transport Canada compliant.
Source: Damen
New RoPax vessels will open geographical and economical access, improving inter-island passenger and cargo movement
In 2015 Collectivité de Saint Pierre et Miquelon launched a tender for two new Mixt Ferries to operate between the two Islands and Fortune (Canada). The same year the contract was awarded to the Damen Shipyards Group and, in January 2016, the Loan agreement with Rabobank was signed. The project was launched on 11 March at an event in Paris and the vessels will be delivered at the end of 2017.
- d1.jpg (153.32 KiB) 2634 keer bekeken
- d2.jpg (45.92 KiB) 2634 keer bekeken
A representative of the Collectivité said: “The construction of the ferries for the Collectivité has been subject to a European tendering procedure. Damen has been chosen at the final outcome for a number of reasons, including the technical capacity to meet the requirements of the Collectivité. These consist of building capacity, compliance with the specifications, understanding of the project, and capability to execute the mission. Additionally, Damen’s financial capacity makes possible the completion of such deal along with the offering of all necessary warranties. Also important were Damen’s willingness and ability to provide answers and information during the tendering process, the company’s quality certification and, of course, tendering in line with the project financing capacities.
“Since the signing of the contract and the administrative orders, we have been delighted with the choice we have made because of the warm welcome we received, and the quality of the follow up of the project.”
Reinier van Herel, Damen’s Regional Director France, comments: “This design combines a passenger ferry and a fast supply boat. The vessels have the renowned Damen Axe Bow. This first of the ‘5510 Series’ is actually based on more than 150 Axe Bow vessels – a proven design – but it has been lengthened and widened for cargo and cars. This pioneering design is a result of a very close cooperation between Damen’s Ferry and High-Speed Craft departments, as well as with the client.”
It is expected that the arrival of the ferries will make the islands much more accessible, encouraging, amongst other things, an increased level of tourism in the region. The sister vessels will be operated by Régie des Transport Maritimes. They will sail to Saint Pierre et Miquelon under their own keel from Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.
The ferries will be customised to withstand the severe weather conditions common to the area and will be built under the regulations of Marine Marchande and registered under the French Flag State. Additionally, given the pristine environment in which the ferries will operate, it was important that emissions be minimised. The new ferries are IMO, EPA, MARPOL and Transport Canada compliant.
Source: Damen