CONSULTANCY Archives - SHIP IP LTD

At the moment, LNG as a fuel is dominating the orderbook of larger ships. Data from DNV shows that of the 1,046 ships on order with alternative fuels, 167 are LNG-fuelled LNG carriers, and 367 are LNG-fuelled ships of other types.

The challenge with LNG lies in the occurrence of the ‘methane slip’, the unburned fuel emitted from dual fuel internal combustion engines on ships, as well as the methane leakage that happens throughout the LNG supply chain. Various studies have pointed out that these spillages result in higher well-to-wake (WTW) CO2e emissions from ships using LNG compared with conventional marine fuels.

Therefore, the uptake of LNG as a ‘climate-friendly’ fuel for the maritime industry hinges on the assumption that ships can switch to bio and e-LNG (renewable LNG) in the future, cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

However, for this to happen, there must be enough renewable LNG to meet future demand and using it must result in a substantial reduction in GHG emissions on a life-cycle basis compared to fossil LNG, as indicated in the recent report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).

ICCT’s report focuses on ships trading within the European Union. It predicts a tripling demand for LNG as marine fuel between 2019 and 2030, based on trends in fuel consumption. It also estimates that renewable LNG will cost seven times more than fossil LNG in 2030 and, therefore, subsidies or other policies would be needed to encourage its use.

It dives into three possible scenarios until 2030 in the EU with governmental subsidies supporting the use of renewable LNG.

Offering no subsidy means that 2030 LNG demand would be met using 100% fossil LNG, which would result in a tripling of WTW GHG emissions from LNG-fueled ships compared to the 2019 level.

With a subsidy of 25 euros per gigajoule (€25/GJ), which is the current midrange level of EU policy support for grid-injected biomethane and is equivalent to €1,200 per tonne of LNG, only 4% of LNG demand would be met with renewable LNG and WTW GHG emissions would approximately triple from 2019 levels.

Only LNG made using inexpensive landfill gas would be cost-competitive with fossil LNG in 2030 and this feedstock is in limited supply, the study shows.

Doubling the subsidy to €50/GJ would enable the use of 100% renewable LNG because it would create price parity between more expensive LNG biofuels made from agricultural residues as well as e-LNG. This level of price support would require annual public expenditures of €17.8 billion in 2030, the council noted.

The figure below compares a scenario in which ships use 100% renewable LNG in 2030 (far right, representing a €50 per gigajoule subsidy) to emissions from using 100% fossil in 2019 (far left).

“For renewable LNG to significantly contribute to achieving climate goals, methane slip from marine engines needs to be virtually eliminated and methane leaks upstream need to be greatly reduced. Additionally, methane leaks from onboard fuel tanks and cargo tanks, which researchers are still working to adequately quantify, would need to be near zero. It is important for policymakers and stakeholders to understand that other fuels, including synthetic diesel and green methanol, could offer low life-cycle emissions without the methane problem,” ICCT said.

Synthetic diesel and green methanol have production costs and technical constraints similar to renewable LNG, but these liquid fuels are easier to store onboard than LNG and could be supplied using existing distribution networks. Synthetic diesel can be used in conventional marine engines or dual fuel engines, including those on existing LNG-fueled ships, and methanol can be used in new or modified dual fuel engines.”

What is more, at the moment there are no globally recognised methods for measuring methane slip – with a lack of available data and tools contributing to the issue.

To address the problem, ICCT launched the FUgitive Methane Emissions from Ships (FUMES) project to quantify methane emissions from LNG-fueled ships. Using in-stack continuous emissions monitoring, drones, and helicopters, the project will examine and quantify methane emissions from ships fueled by LNG under a variety of real-world operating conditions.

Industry majors who have been vocal proponents of LNG for their own ships, including Shell and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), have launched a coalition targeting technology solutions for the maritime industry to measure and manage methane emissions.

In its first year, the Methane Abatement in Maritime (MAM) Innovation Initiative plans to identify and pilot new technologies to monitor and reduce ‘methane slip’ from vessels fuelled by LNG.

The initiative will also look into the ways of encouraging ship owners and operators to adopt proven abatement technology at scale.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/icct-for-renewable-lng-to-make-climate-sense-methane-slip-must-be-eliminated/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


New Trade and Plasabas admitted that oily bilge water was illegally dumped from the Longshore directly into the ocean without being properly processed through required pollution prevention equipment. Oily bilge water typically contains oil contamination from the operation and cleaning of machinery on the vessel. The defendants also admitted that these illegal discharges were not recorded in the vessel’s oil record book as required by law. Specifically, on two separate occasions between October and December 2021, Chief Engineer Plasabas, who was employed by New Trade, ordered lower-ranking crew members to use a portable pneumatic pump and hose to bypass pollution prevention equipment by transferring oily bilge water from the vessel’s bilge holding tank to the vessel’s sewage tank, from where it was discharged directly into the ocean.

Plasabas then failed to record these improper transfers and overboard discharges in the vessel’s oil record book. Additionally, in order to create a false and misleading electronic record as if the pollution prevention equipment had been properly used, Plasabas directed lower-ranking crew members to pump clean seawater into the vessel’s bilge holding tank in the same quantity as the amount of oily bilge water that he had ordered transferred to the sewage tank.

Plasabas then processed the clean seawater through the vessel’s pollution prevention equipment as if it was oily bilge water in order to make it appear that the pollution prevention equipment was being properly used when in fact it was not. The electronic records indicate that approximately 9,600 gallons of clean sea water were run through the pollution prevention equipment.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes occurring at sea, no matter how wrongdoers may try to cover them up,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure polluters are held fully accountable.”

“We are committed to protecting our environment from people who cause immeasurable harm with shortcuts,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California. “This was a very calculated plan to violate the rules, and today the offenders are being held to account.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the U.S. Coast Guard for their excellent work on this case.

“This prosecution highlights the U.S Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard’s dedication in safeguarding our oceans against those that seek to deliberately harm our natural resources,” said Captain James W. Spitler, Sector Commander of the Coast Guard Sector San Diego. “Illegal dumping of oil and falsification of oil record books are egregious violations. Today’s guilty plea should serve as a reminder that the Coast Guard and our partners at the Department of Justice will work tirelessly to hold accountable those that seek to deliberately discharge oil and falsify ship records.”

New Trade and Plasabas each pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships for failing to accurately maintain the Longshore’s oil record book. Under the terms of the plea agreement and subject to court approval, New Trade will pay a total fine of $1,100,000 and serve a four-year term of probation, during which any vessels operated by the company and calling on U.S. ports will be required to implement a robust Environmental Compliance Plan.

Sentencing for the defendants is currently set for Nov. 18th, 2022.

Source: US Department of Justice (DOJ)

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


Van Ameyde Marine, the global marine consultancy and surveying firm, is advising ship managers to remain Covid aware and ensure that crews are fully vaccinated amid the prospect of a further wave of infections from a new strain of the virus.

Michael Robertson, a senior marine consultant with the company’s McAuslands division, said: “With reports in Europe and Asia pointing to an increase in the number of Covid cases, ship managers and crews should not let their guard down. If there is another wave this winter, we could see ships and crews quarantined again and trade disrupted. There are reports of a new strain of the virus emerging in China, so I don’t think Covid is going away any time soon.”

While a Covid infection may be less severe for a fully vaccinated individual, Van Ameyde McAuslands’ crew care team is concerned that some seafarers have yet to receive their booster jabs.

“In the UK, we have seen an increase in vaccinations to keep boosters up to date but, in general, seafarers are not as vaccinated as well as perhaps they should have been. Some seagoers would certainly have missed getting their boosters in the time frame required for them to be effective,” said Robertson.

Charlotte Malkin, Crew Care Coordinator, Van Ameyde McAuslands, said: “While Neptune Declaration statistics point to a seafarer vaccination rate of 89.3%, which is probably an over estimation, we are finding that some crew members have only had one or two of the doses and missed boosters when they were at sea. We’re arranging a lot of vaccinations and tests at the moment.”

While travel entry requirements for many countries have eased, the crew welfare team is arranging more and more in Antigen tests arranged for crews at airports, with results sent directly to the ship manger and individual within 30 minutes.

“When travelling to Asia, a PCR test is still a travel entry requirement. We continue to carry out PCRs for crews travelling back home to the Philippines, for example. Chinese Embassy approved PCRs are also required if vessels are scheduled to visit Chinese ports or if crews are flying back home from China,” said Malkin.

If tested positive, Van Ameyde McAuslands places the seafarer under quarantine at an approved hotel, providing welfare support and carrying out tests at regular intervals. If symptoms persist or advance the crew care team transports the individual to hospital.

The marine consultancy is also advising ship operators to keep managers and crews abreast of the rapidly developing monkeypox situation and how to mitigate against the risk of infection.

“We are keeping a fairly close eye on the implications of the monkeypox outbreak, which is now shown to be transmissible by touch at a certain point in the incubation period. P&I Club clients are already issuing advisories based on our recommendations,” said Robertson.

Katy Peters, Founder and CEO of 360 Health, a medical services provider that supports the Crew Care team with vaccination supplies, medical escorts and nursing support, said: “Similar to Covid-19, monkeypox infection is likely to bring on flu-like symptoms – fever, headaches etc. but the incubation period could be up to 21 days. A rash usually appears within one to five days after the onset of symptoms and this could be on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. The illness will typically last between 2-4 weeks.”

Van Ameyde Marine encourages crews to practice good and frequent handwashing and advises against close contact with anyone showing signs of extensive skin eruptions, blisters and rashes.

If seafarers do show signs of a mild monkeypox infection, they should take medication to manage symptoms. If they develop more severe symptoms, they should be isolated in a separate room to prevent the infection spreading to other crew members.  Social-distancing measures should be maintained with disposable gloves and face masks worn when in close proximity to an infected person.

Van Ameyde Marine also recommends crews to strop sweeping and vacuuming in infected areas to avoid disturbing virus particles. Infected bedding, clothing, and towelling should be carefully placed in plastic bags without shaking the items before carrying them to washing areas. Items should be boil washed at more than 60°C.

“Ship operators should advise their P&I Clubs immediately if they suspect they have a case on monkeypox on board one of their vessels,” said Robertson. “The Club can provide advice and guidance and instruct experts to assist as different ports will react differently to the presence of monkeypox on board a visiting vessel just as they do with Covid-19.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Source: https://maritime-professionals.com/what-to-do-if-a-monkeypox-outbreak-is-suspected-on-board/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


Bowman Consulting Group Ltd (Bowman) (NASDAQ: BWMN), today announced the purchase of Anchor Consultants LLC (“Anchor”). Headquartered in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Anchor specializes in the planning, inspection, design, environmental permitting, dredging engineering, and construction management of waterfront infrastructure along coastal and inland waterways throughout North America. Under the leadership of Ahmad Nadeem, PE, the company’s founder, Anchor’s experience ranges from industrial ports and harbors to urban waterfront development. On the industrial side, Anchor services facilities handling bulk materials and containerized freight. On the urban side, Anchor services commercial and mixed-use waterfront developments, ferry terminals, and recreational docks. Anchor has also worked on military port facilities and cruise terminals.

“The acquisition of Anchor furthers our diversification initiative adding to our customer base that builds and maintains critical infrastructure,” said Gary Bowman, CEO of Bowman. “Ports and harbors are a critical component of the nation’s infrastructure and Anchor provides us with a solid platform from which to build our presence and market share in this growing space. Ahmad has built a great team of experienced marine engineers serving an impressive list of clients with a broad array of services. Their expertise in waterfront planning, design and engineering will enable us to provide these services to many of our current clients and gain immediate cross-selling opportunities for our client relationship managers.”

“Bowman’s vision for expanding Anchor’s business was extremely compelling to us,” said Ahmad Nadeem, founder of Anchor. “Being part of a larger organization with more resources and a national footprint will no doubt facilitate accelerated growth for us. Bowman’s culture aligns with what we have worked so hard to build here at Anchor and that was a major factor in our decision to join with them. We are grateful for the trust that Gary and his team have placed in us to build Bowman’s ports and harbors and waterfront engineering practice.”

The Company expects the Anchor acquisition to initially contribute approximately $2.5 million of annualized net service billing and be immediately accretive. The transaction was financed with a combination of cash and notes including an unsecured seller note and a convertible seller note with an $18.00 per share conversion option.

“Anchor is our fifth acquisition of 2022, bringing the total annualized net revenue we have acquired this year to just under $50 million,” said Bruce Labovitz, Bowman’s CFO. “The Anchor acquisition, which was transacted well within our target multiple range, meets all objectives for operating metrics, revenue synergy and cross-selling opportunities. As is our practice, we will provide more detailed information on M&A activities, pipeline, and guidance in connection with our scheduled quarterly communications.”

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/corporate/bowman-consulting-group-expands-into-marine-engineering

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022

 


An LNG tanker and a bulk carrier have collided off Gibraltar, leaving the latter beached, authorities in the British overseas territory on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula said on Tuesday.

The collision forced the closure of the port for four hours, but it has fully reopened, authorities said, while booms were being deployed around the beached vessel to prevent any potential fuel spill.

“The Gibraltar Port Authority remains at the scene and is continuously reviewing all aspects of the situation,” the Gibraltar government said in a statement.

The vessel OS 35, loaded with steel bars and carrying over 400 tonnes of fuel, clipped the ADAM LNG as the former was moving to exit the bay. The Marshall Islands-flagged ADAM LNG arrived in Gibraltar after unloading in Malta. It remains at anchor near the place where the collision took place.

The Gibraltar Port Authority directed the OS 35 to the eastside to ensure it could be safely beached to minimize the risk of the vessel sinking.

Its 24-strong crew remain onboard at the request of the captain, but could be evacuated if necessary.

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/bulk-carrier-aground-collision-lng-499103

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


HAV Hydrogen, part of Norway’s HAV Group, is set to launch a deck-based containerised hydrogen energy system for ships. The solution is described as a stand-alone, scalable power supply where all support and safety systems as well as electrical power management are included.

Based on 200kW hydrogen fuel cell modules, the system can be set up with a 1,000 kW output from standard-size 20-foot containers, HAV said, noting that by using larger containers or combining several containers, larger capacity energy systems will also be available. Installed effects can be used for the main propulsion systems or for additional power supplies on board the vessel.

“The containerised, deck-based system is our response to shipowners who want a retrofit option that represents significantly lower cost and risk for vessels that have not already been prepared for a conventional retrofit installation below deck. Whereas for newbuild vessels, it can be a solution that reduces risk and complexity for a technology that is new to most shipyards,” said Kristian Osnes, managing director at HAV Hydrogen.

The Fosnavåg-based HAV Group was formed last year, when HAV Design, HAV Hydrogen, Norwegian Electric Systems and Norwegian Greentech joined forces to collaborate on forward-looking energy-efficient solutions.

The containerised H2 solution is based on HAV’s hydrogen-based energy system with a liquid hydrogen tank below deck, developed as part of the FreeCO2ast project in collaboration with Sintef Ocean and Prototech. Earlier this year, the Norwegian Maritime Authority and DNV granted preliminary approval for this system.

Source: https://splash247.com/norwegians-to-roll-out-containerised-hydrogen-system-for-ships/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


A ship is regarded as substandard if the hull, machinery, equipment or operational safety and the protection of the environment is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or if the crew is not in conformity with the safe manning document.

Evidence that the ship, its equipment, or its crew do not comply substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety of ships or the prevention of pollution may be clear grounds for the PSC inspector to conduct a more detailed inspection. Good ship and crew preparation is always essential, in keeping up to date with all International, National and Port State requirements. Having a checklist goes a long way.

This Report on Port State Control (PSC) provides information to Owners/Managers on deficiencies identified during inspections carried out by the various PSC regimes globally during the 2nd Quarter of 2022.

Source: ABS

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


By Subhadip Sircar (Bloomberg) –India and China traded insults over their diverging interests in Sri Lanka, after a controversial Chinese scientific research ship called at the island nation despite New Delhi’s security concerns.

Sri Lanka “needs support, not unwanted pressure or unnecessary controversies to serve another country’s agenda,” the Indian embassy in Colombo said on Twitter late Saturday, referencing the ongoing political and economic turmoil the nation is already battling after defaulting on its debt for the first time.

On Friday, the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted that the South Asian country had every right to approve a foreign vessel docking at its port.

“External obstruction based on so-called ‘security concerns’ but without any evidence from certain forces is de facto a thorough interference into Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and independence,” the Chinese mission wrote.

“Some countries, far or near, always make groundless excuses to bully Sri Lanka, and trample on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and independence repeatedly,” it said, without directly naming India.

Sri Lanka cleared the Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota port from Aug. 16 to 22 after initially deferring a request from the Chinese embassy to allow the ship a call in mid-August for replenishment purposes.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said last month that the ship’s movements could have a bearing on its security and economic interests.

The Hambantota port that the vessel stopped at has been plagued by controversy, with the Sri Lankan government having to borrow heavily to construct it. When Sri Lanka couldn’t repay the loans, it granted China a 99-year lease on the facility for debt relief.

Sri Lanka is currently negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for assistance amid its worst ever economic crisis.

Source: https://gcaptain.com/china-india-spar-over-controversial-ships-call-in-sri-lanka/

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022


In 2019, since China started second-hand car export, the quantity of second-hand car export has increased year by year. According to the China Automobile Dealers Association, China exported 15,000 used cars in 2021. In the first half of this year, China has exported more than 16,000 used cars.

An important factor in promoting the second-hand car export is the increase of the second-hand new energy vehicle export. In Taizhou, Zhejiang province, for example, new energy vehicles account for 90 percent of all exported used cars. However, the battery of the new energy vehicle belongs to the dangerous goods, which makes the export of the new energy vehicle has encountered problem.

Because new energy vehicles have higher environmental requirements for transportation, they can not be transported through containers, some PCTC companies refuse to carry new energy used cars, which brings great difficulties to their export transportation.

At present, our second-hand car mainly exported to Eastern Europe, Middle East, Latin America and other areas of some developing countries. Exporters told that they would pay more to transport to Eastern Europe by road.

Source: https://www.xindemarinenews.com/m/view.php?aid=41304

 

CREWEXPRESS STCW REST HOURS SOFTWARE - Paris and Tokyo MoU have announced that they will jointly launch a new Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) from 1st September 2022 to 30th November 2022