Rolls-Royce’s new mtu engines, new mtu ship automation system, and new mtu Go! tool for remote service have future-proofed the high-speed catamaran Avemar Dos run by Spanish operator Balearia. Four new generation mtu 20V1163 M84 units replaced the previous 1163 units, taking the vessel to a new level of ecological soundness. Fuel consumption – and CO2 emissions – are 8% lower than with the previous propulsion system. Furthermore, the new Series 1163 units deliver the same power output, but with a 33% reduction in NOx emissions, thereby meeting the requirements of the IMO Tier II emissions standard.

The ferry’s automation system has also been renewed: the mtu ship automation not only controls and monitors engines and gearboxes, but numerous other crucial ship systems such as fuel tanks and on-board generator sets. That means that the crew can benefit from an all-round view of the ferry. The new ship automation system brings not only new software, but new screens and computers with interfaces to other systems on board. The digital platform mtu Go! puts the finishing touch to the ferry’s all-round update, allowing the customer to remotely access the vessel’s operating data at any time, monitor its condition and predictively plan maintenance.

Pablo Vivancos, Sales General Manager at Rolls-Royce Solutions Iberica, said, “The Avemar Dos is now the fourth Balearia ferry to be powered by mtu. Several these ferries are supported by mtu Value Care maintenance agreements, individually tailored to suit each vessel.  We’re very proud to be Balearia’s trusted partner.”

The Avemar Dos catamaran was built in 1996 by the Austal shipyard in Australia. It went into service in 1997 and following several changes of owner was taken over by ferry operator Balearia in 2008. It originally served the Strait of Gibraltar route between Algeciras and Ceuta. Now the new repowered ferry plies beween the mainland port of Denia and the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Majorca. The 82m ferry can accommodate 855 passengers and 174 vehicles.

Besides the Avemar Dos, the Ramon Lull high-speed ferry was recently re-powered using mtu engines  – in this case Series 4000 units. Other high-speed ferries, like Nixe and HSC Formentera Direct, have used mtu propulsion ever since going into service.

Nick Brown, chief executive of Lloyd’s Register, has been formally introduced as the new Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).

Brown was elected as the new Chairman of IACS in April and his term of office will be 30 months following a recent IACS governance change. In his first speech in the role, Brown told journalists that work is underway on a long-term strategic roadmap to support industry through decarbonisation with IACS welcoming increasing levels of collaboration.

“Everyone is talking about decarbonisation but very few people, if any, are talking about the impact of the transition on safety. This is fundamental to IACS’ role as the primary technical advisor to the International Maritime Organization,” Brown said.  “Through its work, IACS will continue take a holistic risk-based approach to assure that the safety performance of the industry is maintained or improved.”

With the potential introduction of many new technologies on ships to address decarbonization and other advancement opportunities, Brown announced that the human element is being written into IACS’ strategy as “IACS rules are based on a fit healthy competent crew being on board”. And a joint industry working group will also be established to help assess the regulatory regime in the fast-moving technology environment. He stressed that it was in society’s collective interests to prioritise and ensure seafarer wellbeing with the critical role of crew being recognised by this year’s World Maritime Day theme “Seafarers: At the Core of Shipping’s Future”.

Referencing IACS’ resilience and agility during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown pointed to its work with industry stakeholders to agree certificate extensions and its support for the use and acceptance of remote survey to maintain global supply chains, but always with a keen eye on maintaining or improving actual levels of safety in the industry. He said the association had released 178 publications since January 2020, of which 21 were new as IACS “kept on top of the updates needed to ensure IACS instruments were responsive to technical, industrial and regulatory drivers.”

ITIC – International Transport Intermediaries Club – has appointed Tom Irving as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) during its Annual General Meeting earlier this month. Irving is taking over from ITIC’s long serving Stuart Munro, who is retiring on 1 November 2021.

ITIC Chairman Lars Säfverström commented, “We are delighted to announce Tom Irving’s recent appointment as CEO of ITIC. Tom has been a valuable member of the ITIC team for over 10 years, covering various positions during his time here from an Account Executive to Executive Director. Owing to Tom’s extensive background and current duties within the company, he will have overall responsibility for all matters within ITIC. Tom brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role and he will undoubtably be a great asset to the organisation as its CEO.”

Speaking of Stuart Munro’s retirement Lars Säfverström said, “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our current ITIC CEO Stuart Munro, who retires soon. During Stuart’s 16 years as CEO, ITIC has seen substantial growth in premium, number of members and the free reserves, which have increased from $61.0m to $213.9m. On behalf of the ITIC Board, I would like to thank Stuart for his years of service and wish him all the best for his retirement.”

Irving’s career at ITIC began over 10 years ago, joining the Thomas Miller Sydney Office in 2007 after graduating from Victoria University, New Zealand, with a degree in Law and Arts. During the beginning of his career at ITIC, Irving spent three years handling a range of property and liability claims for the TT Club’s Australasian members, as well as handling claims for ITIC and the UK P&I Club as a correspondent. In 2011, Irving joined ITIC as an Account Executive, becoming ITIC’s General Manager and CEO, in 2016 and 2021 respectively. He is also an Executive Director of ITIC.

Commenting on his recent appointment, Irving said, “I am excited to be taking on this new position. ITIC has been a big part of my career and I look forward to steering the business through the challenges ahead. First and foremost, I am looking forward to reconnecting with members and brokers after the disruption of the last 18 months. It is an honour to succeed Stuart as CEO, who leaves ITIC in a very strong position. I would like to thank him for his leadership and guidance over the years and on behalf of all at ITIC wish him well in his retirement.”

A consortium of Japanese organisations comprising Nippon Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Cement, NS United Naiko Kaiun Kaisha, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have agreed to construct a vessel with a hybrid propulsion system combining a gas-only engine and a battery as the replacement of the limestone carrier Shimokita Maru owned by NSU Naiko.

The Vessel is scheduled to start the operation in February 2024, and will be equipped with Japan’s first gas-only engine and total 2,847kWh lithium-ion battery. The LNG fuel tank is planned to use 7% nickel steel plate developed by Nippon Steel Corporation for the first time as a marine tank.

The propulsion power and the onboard electric power during the sailing are generated by the gas-only engine developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Only natural gas will be used for high power, long distance, and long duration navigation. The propulsion power and the onboard power during entering, leaving and berthing ports will be provided from the battery to achieve zero-emission operation.

The CO2 emission reduction effect of introducing the propulsion system of this vessel is 23.56% (about 30% at normal load operation) compared to conventional vessels of the same type, and the exhaust gas of the gas-only engine contains almost no SOx, and NOx emissions is far below the Tier IIIstandard.

In addition, on its main routes, the loading port, Shiriyamisaki and the unloading port, Muroran, the zero-emission operations that are friendly to the environment will be carried out.

The construction of the Vessel was adopted by the Global Environment Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment and the Maritime Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for the “Projects to promote the introduction of advanced technologies that will simultaneously achieve social innovation and the decarbonization of logistics (Projects to promote the introduction of LNG fuel systems, etc.)” FY2021 Subsidy for the expenses in projects for measures to suppress carbon dioxide emissions.

Wärtsilä has received marine sector commercial certification for compliance with the EU’s Stage V standards. The Stage V legislation, which came into force in 2020, tightens restrictions on non-road engines and equipment, and sets stricter limits on emissions, especially particulate matter (PM) and NOx emissions. The certification applies to the total solution, including the Wärtsilä 14 engine and exhaust after-treatment system, and was received by Wärtsilä.

Stage V certification is required for engines powering the European inland waterways vessels, which together comprise a fleet of approximately 17,500 ships. The first deliveries of the certified Wärtsilä 14 engine will be for two new passenger ferries being built for the Swiss company General Navigation Company (CGN) by Shiptec. The ferries will operate between Switzerland and France across Lake Geneva, with the first vessel expected to commence operations in December 2022.

“This certification is an important step in Wärtsilä’s commitment to promoting greater environmental sustainability for shipping, and to achieving a decarbonised maritime sector. The fact that the Wärtsilä 14 marine engine has been so recognised is clear evidence of the technical developments achieved in support of these commitments,” said Johan Penninga, Account Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

In addition to the Wärtsilä 14 engine itself, the key technology element is the new high-speed engine version of Wärtsilä’s NOx Reducer system, which utilises selective catalytic reduction technology, and a Diesel Particulate Filter. The system was shown to have successfully demonstrated all required performance and functionality features by TÛV Nord, the official technical services provider. Final type approval was issued by Generaldirektion Wasserstrassen und Schiffahrt (GDWS).