DNV GL launches alternative fuels white paper

Tuesday, 17th April 2018

Hamburg, 17 April 2018: Classification society DNV GL has issued a new white paper that assesses a range of alternative fuels and technologies. The white paper “Alternative fuels and technologies for greener shipping” examines the price, availability, regulatory challenges and environmental benefits of alternative fuels and technologies, including LNG, LPG, hydrogen, fuel cells, and hybrid and battery technologies, and comparing them to the use of conventional fuel with scrubbers and new low sulphur alternatives. Through the new white paper DNV GL intends to offer the shipping industry insights that will help them in their preparations for the upcoming Global Sulphur Cap, which is due to come into effect on 1 January 2020.

“The incoming International Maritime Organization (IMO) sulphur cap on emissions from shipping could have a significant effect on the maritime industry, and it has the potential to be a game changer for alternative fuels,” says Trond Hodne, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing Director at DNV GL – Maritime. “Our new white paper is designed to set out the options for interested stakeholders and to offer a balanced assessment of the potential of these fuels and technologies going forward. We hope that by doing so we can add to the growing body of knowledge and enable investment decisions to be made with greater certainty and confidence.”

The technologies and fuels considered in the white paper are many of the most commonly used in the shipping industry today: LNG, LPG, methanol, biofuel, hydrogen, battery systems, fuel cell systems, and wind-assisted propulsion. The white paper identifies and examines the factors that will affect the uptake and acceptance of alternative fuels and technologies in shipping, including: environmental compatibility, availability, fuel costs and the international rules within the IGF Code. Over the short term, the white paper foresees that the vast majority of conventionally fuelled vessels already in service will either switch to low sulphur conventional fuels, or implement a scrubber system while continuing to use heavy fuel oil (HFO).

For newbuilding vessels, the sulphur cap could be a major driver for alternative fuels, and DNV GL’s Gerd Würsig, Business Director Alternative fuelled ships, at DNV GL – Maritime, believes that LNG is the prime contender among them: “LNG has already overcome the barriers related to international legislation and is available in sufficient quantities today to meet the requirements of the shipping industry for many years. It also fits within the trend of demands to lower emissions of CO2, NOx and particulate matter. At the end of the day however, the best concept for a given application needs to be determined by the shipowner on a case-by-case basis, and at DNV GL we are ready to assist in finding the best solution.”

Performance Inflatables Company acquires Avon Engineered Fabrications, an operating company of Avon Rubber p.l.c.

Thursday, 12th April 2018

Performance Inflatables Co., LLC, and Avon Rubber p.l.c. jointly announced today the acquisition by Performance Inflatables Co. of Avon Engineered Fabrications, Inc., Avon Rubber’s US based hovercraft skirt and bulk liquid storage tank business.

Avon Rubber, an innovative technology group specializing in respiratory protection systems and milking point solutions, has sold Avon Engineered Fabrications (AEF) to Performance Inflatables Co., LLC, a worldwide leader and innovator in the design and manufacture of engineered inflatables.

AEF is a major supplier to the U.S. Military including the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. With leading design and production engineering capability, AEF is recognized as a world class supplier of industrial coated fabric goods. As part of the Performance Inflatables portfolio along with Subsalve USA, the focus on demanding military and commercial solutions will provide the opportunity for the continued growth of the AEF business, allowing it to prosper and thrive under the small business supply chain requirements of AEF customers in a way it couldn’t under Avon Rubber’s long term strategy.

Paul McDonald, CEO of Avon Rubber commented “AEF has made a significant contribution to Avon and I believe with its investment in people, facilities and product capabilities it will have a bright future ahead as a small business with Performance Inflatables and I wish them every success for the future.”

“We are excited to add Avon Engineered Fabrications to the portfolio along with Subsalve USA” said Richard Heath CEO of Performance Inflatables Company. “The businesses have complimentary capabilities and customers but most importantly, they share a similar culture dedicated to Customers, Quality and Innovation. Our ability to bring the focus of our team, with more than 40 years in related businesses, as well as SBA small business status will unleash the potential embodied in the AEF team. We will continue to invest in and grow our capabilities from our North Kingstown, RI and Picayune, MS sites”.

“The AEF team is thrilled to be joining a US headquartered organization with such a strong focus and complimentary capabilities within our industry,” said Jamie Rogers GM of Avon Engineered Fabrications. “The Avon Rubber history will always be part of us, but now we are able to accelerate our growth as part of Performance Inflatables.“

Maid of The Loch Gains Steam With Further Funding

Thursday, 12th April 2018

Loch Lomond’s paddle steamer, Maid of the Loch, continues its momentum with The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) pledging a further £50,000 to get the Maid sailing once again.

The funding boost will not only take the regeneration campaign closer to its end goal of £5.5m to restore the ship back to its former glory, but will also go towards a match-funding target to gain a significant £3.8m donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Currently moored at Balloch Pier as a static tourist attraction, a group of dedicated volunteers of charity the Loch Lomond Steamship Company have worked tirelessly since 1996 to transform and restore the ship, with the aim of bringing her ‘back to life’ and fully operational once again.

The PSPS support follows recent backing from the Scottish Government, and comes at a critical time with the HLF match-funding deadline fast approaching.
John Beveridge, Chairman of the charity that owns the Maid, said “The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society has supported us from the beginning, and to now give us £50,000 shows the faith they have in us to get the Maid sailing once again. Their support takes us yet another step closer to our goal, and it is a huge boost to have the country’s leading preservation organisation demonstrating this commitment. We are most grateful, and look forward, with confidence, to the Maid’s first sail”.

Paul Semple, PSPS National chairman, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the PSPS is able to offer this level of support to help ensure that the Maid of the Loch returns to service. I look forward to joining the historic steamer for a sail on Loch Lomond in the near future and I am sure that a fully restored paddle steamer will become a very popular attraction with locals and visitors alike.

“I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the stunning Scottish scenery along the bonnie banks than from the decks of a Clyde built steam ship. I urge other organisations and individuals to back this project and ensure that future generations can enjoy a great example of 20thcentury Scottish engineering.”

The Maid currently operates as a tourist attraction, with a tearoom, children’s quizzes and teddy trail.
Donations to return the Maid back to sail can be made through their dedicated website, www.maidoftheloch.org/donate, with the aim of offering cruises from Easter to October, and being open for events and function hire the rest of the year.

DLM expand their offering in Singapore

Thursday, 12th April 2018

DLM’s distributor in Singapore, Talurit Pte Ltd, now has the capacity to calibrate load cells from 0-50t in tension and compression, and 75t-300t in Tension in Singapore. The news comes after a surge in DLM products being purchased across Asia, and an increasing demand for calibration service within this region.

The 50t test machine will be the third of its kind that DLM have designed and built, with one recently purchased by Nigerian distributors Gammatec. The test machine, which is operated by a hydraulic hand pump and valve set, which allows the load to be securely held at certain points for accurate calibration, will now enable Talurit Pte Ltd to calibrate load cells ranging from 5t – 300t locally. DLM will be visiting Talurit Pte Ltd in Singapore to give full calibration training on this new product.

Nicholas & Nazri Nasir, DLM Exclusive Agent from Talurit Pte Ltd Singapore comments ‘This is fantastic news for us. We have so many requests from customers, who need their load cell calibrated in accordance with safety standards, but do not have the time to send them back to the UK. It is great to be able to offer them a solution to do this in house.’

Martin Halford, Managing Director from DLM comments ‘ DLM are going from strength to strength at the moment with more distributors on-board across the globe selling DLM standard products and having full product training on our bespoke load cells, it is great to be able to offer customers the added advantage of getting their load cell calibrated locally, rather than having to send it back to us here in the UK.’

Talurit Pte Ltd’s machine is ready for load cell calibration in South East Asia. We look forward to receiving your calibration request. Please contact Talurit Pte Ltd at enquiry@talurit.sgif you have any enquiry.

Bloctube Marine Services announce launch of new Twinlite Search Light

Thursday, 12th April 2018

Bloctube are proud to announce the launch of their NEW TwinLite 300 Watt LED Twin Beam Search Lights available in their Model 100, 200 and 300 series.

Available in combinations of LED/LED – LED/Halogen – LED/Xenon – LED/HMI – LED/UV Filer – LED/IR Filter.

Zeus Hydratech will be exhibiting at Fluid Power & Systems 2018

Monday, 9th April 2018

Visit us at stand: AF1678

Zeus Hydratech are your official UK distributor for all Daikin hydraulic components.

Daikin hydraulic power packs, Oil chiller units and solenoid operated control valves are used extensively by many of the major CNC machine tool manufacturers, including Mazak, Mori Seiki and Doosan. In addition to the extensive stock inventory held by Zeus Hydratech, we also offer repairs, power pack and oil chiller setup and technical support.

For customers also visiting the MACH 2018 exhibition, visit the Zeus Hydratech stand to see the full range of Daikin parts for your CNC machine tools. We love meeting customers and would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your current machine tool maintenance requirements. We look forward to seeing you there.

http://www.fluidpowersystems-expo.com/welcome-to-Fluid-Power-Systems-2018

Damen shipping multiple pontoons to Rotterdam

Monday, 9th April 2018

Delivery ensures clients fast, cost effective delivery of stock pontoons

In week eleven, the SAL Heavy Lift vessel MV Lone loaded onboard a newly built batch of eleven Damen flat top Pontoons in Shanghai. MV Lone is bringing the pontoons to the Netherlands. The majority of the pontoons will be available quickly to Damen’s clients from stock. Mr. Maximillian Karp, Senior Chartering Manager at SAL Heavy Lift said, “We are pleased to have found once again the opportunity to cooperate with Damen and tender our flag ship MV Lone for this transport.”

Two of the pontoons have been sold already to a client in the Netherlands. The pontoons have diverse applications in civil construction projects, fish farms, heavy lift, dredging and renewable energy operations amongst other things.

In total there are nine Stan Pontoons on board the vessel of the types Stan Pontoon 4111, Stan Pontoon 5211, Stan Pontoon 4113, Stan Pontoon 5213, Stan Pontoon 6313, Stan Pontoon 6120 and , Stan Pontoon 7220. These units are built for stock and are available to clients for direct delivery. The vessel is expected to arrive in week 16.

As well as the Stan Pontoons, there are two Spill Pontoons, which have been already been sold to Damen’s client, Amsterdam-based Maja Stevedoors. These pontoons will limit the spill of dry bulk materials in the Port of Amsterdam during transshipment operations. These Spill Pontoons are purpose built for the client and feature specific features to control and handle dry bulk materials on the pontoon. Such a feature is based on the client’s wish to optimise environmental sustainability in its operations.

The idea of bringing the pontoons to the Netherlands on board a heavy lift transport is explained by Damen Product Director Pontoons and Barges Frank Koppelaar:

“We have identified that there is a demand pontoons in Europe. Bringing them here means we have them ready for the fastest possible delivery when our clients need them. Additionally, shipping multiple units on a heavy lift vessel is very cost efficient, which means we are able to offer our clients a competitive price per unit.”

This is a very effective means of transporting large numbers of vessels around the world and one that Damen has used successfully on multiple occasions for various sectors of the maritime industry.

P&O Cruises Ventura completes two-week docking at Damen Shiprepair Brest

Monday, 9th April 2018

The P&O Cruises Grand-class cruise ship Ventura has just completed a two-week docking at Damen Shiprepair Brest. Launched in 2008, this was the first visit of the 290-metre, 116,000 DWT vessel to the yard, where she underwent a regular docking together with a range of maintenance works.

Major features of the maintenance programme included the installation of two exhaust gas scrubbers, for which Damen Shiprepair Brest (DSBr) designed, manufactured and installed a sea chest. While the Ventura was in DSBr’s Drydock number 3, at 420m by 80m the largest of DSBr’s three dry docks, the hull was ultra-high-pressure water blasted and then, along with the superstructure, repainted. Additional works included maintenance of the propulsion systems and stabilisers, plus other minor repairs.

As with all cruise ship dockings, completing the works within the scheduled period was absolutely critical with the Ventura due to depart Southampton on 28 March on a 12-day cruise to the Canary Islands and Lisbon. The logistics were particularly challenging, with a wide range of subcontractors needing access to the vessel both inside and out, and hundreds of containers, trucks and garbage skips to be positioned around the dock and manoeuvred as necessary during the two-week period. As always, meticulous planning and exact specification of all the different tasks to be undertaken took place in the months before her arrival. That, plus excellent organisation while she was in the yard, was the key to success. In the event, the Ventura departed DSBr on 26 March with all works completed and in top shape for her 3,574 passengers and 1,220 crew.

“This is the first time that we have welcomed a vessel owned by Carnival plc (which operates the P&O Cruises brand),” said Patrick Renavot, Managing Director Damen Shiprepair Brest, “and we were delighted that the project was a success. All planned work was finished on time and the vessel returned to its busy schedule on schedule.

“As cruise ships expand in terms of both numbers and size, we hope to see our general activity in this sector grow. With two dry docks of 420-metres and 338-metres respectively plus a convenient and easily-accessed location for cruise ships entering and leaving the Atlantic, DSBr has much to offer owners and operators looking for yards capable of meeting their specific needs.”

In recent years, the yard has made substantial investments in its facilities including an enhanced black and grey water disposal capability and a new fire and cooling water supply system. The yard also features ample owners’ storage, extensive laydown areas and spacious temporary workshops for subcontractors. There is even an adjacent container terminal. The yard has a constructive relationship with the local authorities and, with a culture at the yard based on maximising safety and cooperation, customers can rely on a committed, efficient service at every level.

Month: April 2018

Advertise with Seaplant

Join us