GENERAL Archives - Page 15 of 68

U.K.-based defense contractor Babcock International has secured two further contracts relating to Poland’s Miecznik (Swordfish) frigate program.

Earlier this year, Babcock was selected as the platform design provider and technology partner for the Polish frigate program and is supporting the PGZ-Miecznik Consortium in building three Arrowhead 140 frigates in Polish shipyards by a local workforce, drawing significantly from Polish suppliers and Babcock’s global supply chain.

Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 platform, on which the U.K.’s Type 31 frigate program is based, has been developed from the proven Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt class frigate.

Babcock’s two latest contracts for the Polish frigate program, the class design contract and the transfer of knowledge and skills (TOKAT) framework agreement, respectively support the further development of the program and the enhancement of shipbuilding capability in Poland to deliver Miecznik to schedule.

The class design contract is key to supporting the maturity of the Miecznik frigate and the provision of a design documentation package to Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ S.A) for submission to the classification authority. Babcock says this will push forward the next stage of the engineering process and support the program to cut steel of Ship 1 in 2023.

Under the TOKAT framework contract, Babcock will share its technology, engineering expertise and industry know-how with PGZ S.A., PGZ SW and Remontowa Ship Building with the aim of transforming their shipyards and delivering the Miecznik program for the Polish Navy. The cooperation will include human resources development and staff training, support in infrastructure upgrades planning and the implementation of tools and technologies.

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “I am delighted with the progress on the Polish Miecznik program. Our work in Poland builds on the shared interests of the NATO countries. Babcock will deliver first-class frigates that will contribute significantly to the sovereign defense capability in Poland.”

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/news/babcock-signs-key-polish-frigate-project-contracts/

PSA Corporation Ltd. (PSA) inaugurated the first phase of Tuas port operations in Singapore on September 1st. The inauguration involved opening the first three berths, which were built under phase one of the Tuas Port’s development program. Parts of the port are still under construction and will become completely operational by 2040. The completed port will have an annual cargo handling capacity of 65 million TEU.

The new port is expected to cement the position of Singapore as the biggest Transshipment hub in Asia. The port has a draft of 23 m and a total berth length of about 26 km, which will significantly increase the cargo handling capacity of Singapore. PSA expects 5 berths to be operational by this year’s end, which will allow the port to handle the largest container ships in the world.

Singapore is hailing Tuas as the world’s largest fully automated container port. The quay cranes are automated and can be operated remotely from a control center. Data analytics and digitalization are also ingrained into the port’s modular design. This allows the port to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning for better management of the port’s operations. Sustainability is also a prevalent theme in the construction of the port as the port has a smart power grid and eco-friendly buildings and provisions for powering most of the port operations with electricity.

Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39453/new-tuas-port-opens-service-singapore/

Japanese shipping heavyweight Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has signed a long-term charter contract for three newbuilding LNG carriers with ENN LNG (Singapore) Pte., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese ENN Natural Gas.

The vessels will be constructed at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) in China, and are slated for delivery by 2028. After delivery, the vessels will be engaged mainly in the transport of LNG, procured by ENN under long-term purchase contract, to China.

ENN is a privately owned energy company, which supplies 10% of natural gas consumption in China and operates a large LNG terminal in the Zhoushan area of Zhejiang Province.

The contract comes on the back of China’s accelerating shift of energy sources from coal and oil to natural gas in response to growing awareness of the need for a low-carbon, decarbonized society. In 2021, China became the world’s largest LNG importer for the first time. Moving forward, the country is expected to increase its demand for LNG as it moves toward the decarbonization of its industry sectors.

The order is being reported weeks after MOL placed an order for four Capesize bulkers and two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) powered by LNG as their main fuel, cementing its efforts in having 90 LNG-fueled ships by 2030.

The four 210,000 DWT-class Capesize bulkers will be built by CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Co. It is MOL’s first time ordering a newbuilding vessel from this shipyard. The bulkers are slated for delivery in succession from 2025 through 2026.

Separately, MOL has signed a construction contract with compatriot Kawasaki Heavy Industries for two 309,000 DWT-class VLCCs. The VLCC vessels will be built by Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., headquartered in Dalian, China.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/mol-pens-charter-deal-with-chinas-enn-for-lng-carrier-trio/

There has been an estimated 77% drop in overall Sulphur Oxide emissions from ships since the entry into effect of the “IMO 2020” regulations in January 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said.

The reduction is equivalent to 8.5 million metric tonnes of sulphur oxides, which are linked to causing asthma, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases.

To remind, the 2020 Sulphur Cap has limited the use of sulphur in fuel oil used on board ships operating outside of designated emission control areas to 0.50 percent m/m down from 3.50 percent m/m limit.

The majority of ships trading worldwide switched from using heavy fuel oil to using very low sulphuf fuel oil (VLSFO.) Generally speaking, these are new blends of fuel oil, produced by refineries to meet the new limit, in accordance with IMO guidance and ISO standards.

Over the past two years, to meet the new regulation, ships have also burnt alternative fuels such as LNG, and methanol. Vessels that continued to use heavy fuel oil fitted their ships with exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers).

Through 2020, and into 2021 to date, IMO has not received any reports of safety issues linked to VLSFO, the organization said.

Source: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/imo-points-to-77-pct-drop-in-sox-emissions-from-ships-since-2020/

With the floating offshore wind industry poised for rapid growth, Maersk Supply Service is taking steps to capitalize on the opportunities and present a new offering to the market. Maersk Supply announced a new strategic partnership with Stiesdal Offshore to support and accelerate the development of the wind sector. The first commercial wind farms are expected to be deployed by 2028.

The two Danish companies will combine their respective strengths to create comprehensive and integrated engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) solutions for foundations and moorings. The integrated approach the companies said will streamline the value chain, facilitating fast-track installations and ultimately bringing down the costs of floating wind.

“With this partnership, we want to offer our customers a combined EPCI solution for floating wind foundation design, fabrication, assembly, and installation,” said Steen S. Karstensen, CEO of Maersk Supply Service. “We believe this will simplify the value chain in the growing floating wind sector, which is still in the early stages, but which will also by necessity see rapid expansion and growth in the coming decade. By working closely together with Stiesdal, we want to facilitate this green development – and to accelerate our journey into floating wind.”

Both companies already have experience in the emerging floating wind sector. The development of the technology and its deployment is considered critical to reaching the global goals for offshore wind power generation. Floating wind turbines will permit wind farms to be developed further offshore and in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. Several companies are working to develop concepts for floating installations.

Since 2017, Stiesdal Offshore has been developing the Tetra concept, the world’s first fully industrialized floating technology. In cooperation with Shell, RWE, and TEPCO Renewable Power, Stiesdal built and installed the first Tetra floater off the west coast of Norway in 2021, demonstrating the cost-saving and efficiency potential of the concept.

Maersk Supply Service has worked with the offshore energy sector for over 50 years. The company recently oversaw and executed the mooring system installation for the Saitec DemoSath floating wind project offshore near Bilbao, Spain.

Under the partnership, Maersk will act as the lead contractor and key contact for clients on projects while Stiesdal will act as a subcontractor.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/maersk-supply-and-stiesdal-partner-for-opportunities-in-floating-wind

Activists from Greenpeace Nordic stopped the LNG gas carrier Coral Energy from unloading its cargo of Russian gas at an LNG terminal in Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm, Sweden today. It was the latest in a series of protests the environmentalist organization has staged against tankers over the past few months highlighting imports from Russia and their broader calls to end the use of fossil fuels.

“The fact that Russian fossil gas is still allowed to flow into Sweden, more than six months after Putin began his invasion of Ukraine, is unacceptable,” said Karolina Carlsson, campaign leader at Greenpeace Nordic. “The Parliament has given the Swedish government a clear mandate to stop all imports of Russian energy to Sweden and it is Prime minister Magdalena Andersson’s obligation to act on this.”

Climbers from Greenpeace occupied the cranes that unload the gas from the ship while Greenpeace’s sailing vessel SY Witness and activists in kayaks are in the water to prevent the ship from docking.

The 12,268 dwt gas carrier was arriving from Finland. It has the capacity to carry up to 15,600 cm of LNG. The vessel, which is registered in the Netherlands, continues to hold offshore near Sweden. Its AIS is reflecting “for orders,” at this time.

Greenpeace Nordic is demanding that the Swedish government declare an immediate stop to the import of Russian fossil gas. According to the protestors, the ship’s load of Russian gas from Vysotsk is estimated to be worth over a quarter of a billion Swedish krona (approximately $250 million) when it left Russia. They contend that the money is “equivalent to almost four advanced Kalibr missiles or about 80 of the older Tochka-U missiles, weapons systems used by Russia in Ukraine.”

They chose to target the Coral Energy because the Finnish state-owned Gasum they said has regularly imported gas from Russia’s Gazprom. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February, Greenpeace says Sweden has received around 100,000 cubic meters of LNG from Vysotsk in Russia. Despite the fact that the government is fully aware of this, and has a clear mandate from the Swedish people and an announcement from the Parliament to stop importing Russian energy, Sweden continues its imports, and by this to finance the Russian military.

AFP cites reports from Sweden’s government that says only two percent of the country’s total energy supply is made up of natural gas and Russian energy accounts for less than half of that. They also noted that neither the EU or Sweden currently has sanctions on Russian gas.

The local police were at the gas terminal but at last report had not taken any actions. It was expected that the protest would end at nightfall.

Greenpeace protestors earlier this year blocked a tanker that was also scheduled to dock in the UK. They also went into North Sea anchorages protesting the oil and gas imports and painting messages on the hulls of tankers. They also used their boats to block the ship-to-ship transfer of oil arriving from Russia.
Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/greenpeace-activists-block-lng-tanker-from-docking-in-sweden

General cargo ship HELGE collided with reefer WILD COSMOS at around 0320 UTC Sep 9 in North sea 32 nm NW of Ringkobing, Denmark, while both ships were sailing in the same direction. HELGE was breached and started taking on water, later updates said the ship sank and 7 crew were rescued, but according to track, the ship was still afloat, adrift, as of 0710 UTC, so probably, situation is not as bad as reported by some sources. HELGE is en route from Antwerp to Heroya Norway, WILD COSMOS is en route from Durban ZA to Tallinn Estonia.

Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39465/dutch-cargo-ship-reportedly-sinking-after-collisio/

Orders for dry bulk newbuildings have appeared on the market yet again this past week, despite the lackluster state of the freight market. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Allied Shipbroking said that “the newbuilding market resumed on a relatively modest mode for yet another week, according to the flow of fresh projects being reported as per the below table. More specifically, in the dry bulk sector, new orders appeared in the market yet again (skewed, however, towards medium to smaller size segments), despite somehow the considerable pressure being present in freight numbers for a prolonged period now. Given though that buying interest is sustained robust, we can anticipate many strong projects being pushed forward, especially as we progress towards the final part of the year. In the tanker sector, things did not prevail so vivid. That can be seen seemingly as disconnected at this point, given the incremental recovery in terms of freight earnings that has taken place for many months now. On the other hand, this does not necessarily reflect the general appetite and positive sentiment surrounding this particular market for the time being. All-in-all, given also the market’s state of the other main sectors, we can expect a rather fervent new order market for the upcoming period.

Source: Allied Shipbroking

In a separate report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “on bulkers Polish Steamship added 4 x 37,000 dwt Lakers at Dalian who ordered the construction to sister yard Shanhaiguan. Deliveries expected at the end of 2025. Dalian Shipbuliding got an order from CITIC Leasing for the construction of 5 x 65,000 dwt Ultramax, deliveries will be during 2025. Doun Kisen Japan went to Jiangmen for the construction of 2 + 2 x 40,000 dwt Bulkers, deliveries at the end of 2025.

Source: banchero costa &c s.p.a

Hyundai Mipo received an order from undisclosed Owner to build 2 x 45,000 cbm LPG for delivery at end 2024 and beginning 2025, price around $69mln per unit”.

Meanwhile, in the S&P market, Allied Shipbroking said that “on the dry bulk side, things continued on a relatively sluggish tone for yet another week, given the limited number of units changing hands. Thinking about the recent trend from the side of earnings, this came hardly as disconnected. At the same time, asset prices levels are under pressure as well, widening the bid-ask spread in the SnP market. At this point, we can anticipate a more volatile market prevailing, skewing significantly transaction volumes periodically. On the tanker side, it is rather apparent that things have moved on a stronger trajectory for some time now, given the good activity levels being noted in the market. Notwithstanding this, as of the past week, a small step back took place, according to the considerable lower number of vessels being reported as sold. All-in-all, given the recent momentum in terms of earnings, coupled with the general positive attitude surrounding this market for some time now, we can vision for a relatively fervent SnP market for the upcoming period”.

Source: Allied Shipbroking

Banchero Costa added on the S&P Market that “during the week the dry secondhand market was quiet with most of the active players waiting for further developments in the charter market. C. of Panagea were reported to be behind the purchase of Clarke Quay 55,000 dwt built 2010 by Hyndai Vinashin at $17.1mln. A Japanese controlled Handysize, the Malto Hope 28,000 dwt built 2013 by Imabari (BWTS fittedand log fitted) was rumored sold at $13.6mln. In the tanker market some strong appetite for product carriers was clearly spotted. C. of Tufton purchased 2 x ECO MRs Alkaios and Archon around 50,000 dwt built 2016 by Samsung for $36.5mln each. Two 16 years old MRs fitted with ice class 1A Super, the Gotland Carolina 53,000 dwt built 2006 by GSI and the FSL Singapore 47,000 dwt built 2006 by HMD were sold respectively at $18.5mln and $18mln. A modern VLCC, the G Dream 300,000 dwt built 2022 by Hyundai (Scrubber fitted) was sold to Korean buyers at $108mln”.
Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

After a four-year break from live exhibitions, the maritime community is meeting in Hamburg again from 6 to 9 September 2022. The opening press conference for the flagship fair gave a foretaste of the next four SMM days. Supply chain disruption, alternative propulsion technologies, e-fuels – political and business leaders discussed current challenges facing the shipping industry. Their conclusion: Shipbuilding companies and suppliers are ready for the Maritime Transition – and SMM is about to provide valuable input on how to accomplish it.

Featuring high-profile speakers, today’s SMM press conference marked the kick-off for four intriguing days as the maritime industry meets in Hamburg to share thoughts and knowledge and to network. Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, was delighted to note that the entire exhibition campus is occupied, and face-to-face interaction is finally possible again. “It fills me with pride that we have been able to win so many top-level representatives of enterprises and institutions and so many accomplished experts for this event, both on the exhibitors’ side and for the accompanying conferences.”

The Hamburg Messe CEO had invited top-flight guests to discuss the core theme of this SMM, the Maritime Transition:

• Claudia Müller, the German Federal Maritime Coordinator
• Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO, MAN Energy Solutions
• Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General, BIMCO
• Steve Gordon, Managing Director, Clarksons Research
• Wolfram Guntermann, Director Regulatory Affairs, Hapag-Lloyd AG

Resilient – and hesitant
Closed-off ports, overstretched supply chains, crew change challenges – Covid-19 kept a tight grip on the world over the past two years. Moderator David Patrician asked Steve Gordon, Managing Director at Clarksons Research, whether Covid had caused the Green Agenda to slip out of the the shipping industry’s focus. “The topic has actually become more prominent,” was Gordon’s reply. He added he was surprised how well the shipping industry had managed the crisis: “The shipping market remained remarkably resilient during Covid.” A look at the global orderbooks reveals that shipyards are fully booked for the next two to three years, he continued. “The share of new orders for ships with alternative propulsion systems is above 40 per cent,” including many newbuilds designed to operate on LNG, he said. While methanol is a big topic, Gordon pointed out, shipowners by and large are still rather hesitant when it comes to e-fuels. “We are just at the start of a huge fuel transition, with a fleet renewal programme that will require massive investment, technology change and innovation,” Gordon said. What is missing, he added, is not money, since “the shipping industry earned well during the pandemic,” but rather the regulatory framework.

No time, no resources
Which alternative fuel should shipowners opt for? So far there is no clear answer. All the International Shipping Organization IMO has provided is the zero-emission target for the year 2100. But the industry itself has higher ambitions. Nevertheless Dr Uwe Lauber doesn’t believe even those ambitions will do. The CEO of MAN Energy Solutions said the maritime transition is technically possible today. “The good news is: Regulatory framework provided, shipping can be green and not emit any more CO2 after 2045. However this might still not be fast enough to stay in line with the Paris agreement. Industry growth alone will lead to a massive emissions overshoot on our way to 2045, if we do not act now.” That the technology is indeed available can be seen at the MAN ES stand at SMM in Hall A3 where the company showcases an engine capable of running on both, methanol and conventional fuels. For 2024 MAN has announced its first engine designed to run on ammonia.

But what good is all this technology to shipowners if there isn’t enough fuel, asked Lars Robert Pedersen. According to the Vice Secretary General of BIMCO, the lack of sufficient energy resources is a massive problem. “Availability of sustainable energy for the transition is both the question and the answer to decarbonisation of shipping – and all other sectors of society as well. The scale is monumental. While sustainable energy is being scaled up, shipping should not wait but pursue all avenues to improve the efficiency of the fleet,“ Pedersen pointed out, referring to the energy crisis aggravated by the Ukraine war.

Accepting the responsibility
Claudia Müller, the German Federal Maritime Coordinator, promised government support to the maritime sector. “It is Germany’s current top priority to give the industry a sound basis for planning the necessary investments and boost the production of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels and technologies.” She mentioned the strong increase of global efforts to ramp up the production of renewable energy. There are plans for large solar farms in northern Africa and on the Arab Pensinsula, major offshore and onshore wind power projects in Chile, and Australia is joining the trend with ambitious projects, as well. While international shipping is unlikely to be able to operate without e-fuels, the range of options is wider for short-distance traffic where fuel cells and fully electric propulsion are feasible options. “For shipping and beyond, the question we have to keep asking ourselves is this: Which energy source is best-suited and most efficient for specific applications?”, Müller asked.

But when looking to the future, she said, it is important not to forget the fleet in operation, since ships have a service life of up to 25 years. One of the key opportunities is efficiency enhancements: “There is still room for improvements in shipping,” Müller emphasised.

Hapag-Lloyd is a shipping company that takes specific action today to enhance the environmental performance of its fleet. “Retrofitting programmes are key to this,” said Wolfram Guntermann, Director Regulatory Affairs at Hapag-Lloyd AG. At the world’s fifth-largest container shipping company this means retrofitting highly efficient propellers from the German manufacturer MMG (Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH). “These propellers will lower both, energy consumption and CO2 emissions by ten to 13per cent,” Guntermann explained. Hapag-Lloyd is investing an amount in the triple-digit million euro range. The company wants to reduce the carbon intensity of its own ships by 30per cent.

This example demonstrates that the shipping industry is on the right path despite many open questions about future fuels. Bernd Aufderheide was confident that SMM will deliver the right impetus for the maritime energy transition: “I am sure that after these four tightly packed days visitors and exhibitors alike will take home plenty of important insights – and return to SMM in 2024.”

SMM was officially opened by its honorary patron, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a video message. Scholz underlined the importance of the maritime sector saying: “’That ship has sailed’ (is a phrase) we often use to mark a lost opportunity. But for you as participants at SMM, every ship that leaves port and sets sail is an opportunity. And you have come exactly to the right place to discuss these opportunities,” said Scholz. He also pointed to the important role of shipping in transporting alternative fuels such as methanol and hydrogen. All these topics are highlighted at SMM.

Source: Hamburg Messe

Cargo throughput at major coastal hub ports increased 4.8% while international trade cargo throughput dropped 0.5%.

Crude oil shipments at major coastal ports declined 0.2% year-on-year. The port of Tianjin posted the highest rise in volume with a growth rate of 53%.

Metal ore shipments at major Chinese ports increased 0.7% while the port inventory grew 22.69%.

Due to a heatwave and lower than normal rainfall, shipping channels of Yangtze river were narrowing, negatively affected cargo transportation along Yangtze river. Cargo throughput at three major Yangtze River ports, Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing,declined 1.9% while the container volume increased 8.8% in mid-August.

Source: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports/major-chinese-ports-container-volumes-increase-53-mid-august

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GENERAL Archives - Page 15 of 68 - SHIP IP LTD

Babcock signs key Polish frigate project contracts

New Tuas Port Opens up for Service in Singapore

MOL pens charter deal with China’s ENN for LNG carrier trio

IMO points to 77 pct drop in SOx emissions from ships since 2020

Maersk Supply and Stiesdal Partner for Opportunities in Floating Wind

Greenpeace Activists Block LNG Tanker From Docking in Sweden

Dutch cargo ship reportedly sinking after collision with reefer off Denmark

Newbuilding Market Activity on the Rise

SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair, is back

Major Chinese ports container volumes increase 5.3% in mid-August

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