Maritime Safety News Archives - Page 44 of 260 - SHIP IP LTD

On July 7, NYK signed a business alliance agreement with Nakashima Propeller and Fluid Techno to verify the effects of energy-saving devices that enhance vessel fuel efficiency by improving water flow generated at the aft-end of ships, select optimal combinations of those energy-saving devices, and install them on existing ships.

In accordance with this business alliance agreement, NYK aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing vessels by installing energy-saving devices on about 50 dry bulk carriers over the next three years.

Ships can generally operate with less energy as wave resistance and water-flow turbulence decrease, so various energy-saving devices have been developed in marine and shipbuilding industries.

Although the effects of individual energy-saving devices have been verified by the marine equipment manufacturer that developed each device, an optimal combination of multiple energy-saving devices and verification of their synergistic effects have not been thoroughly researched.

To address this issue, NYK will collaborate with Nakashima Propeller, a marine equipment manufacturer that develops and sells ship propellers as well as energy-saving devices, and Fluid Techno, a ship design company with fluid analysis technology.

This business alliance can be said to be a pioneering attempt in the maritime industry, in which three companies will jointly work on the best mix of multiple energy-saving devices by utilizing the knowledge and strengths of each company. Through this initiative, improvement of fuel efficiency by one to eight percent and reduction of vessel GHG emissions are expected.

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/nyk-uses-energy-saving-devices-to-reduce-ghg-emissions-from-existing-ships/

Mobile, Ala. – Austal USA was awarded a $156 million U.S. Navy contract option for the construction of two Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships (T-ATS). With the award, the company is now under contract for four T-ATS having received awards for T-ATS 11 and 12 in October 2021.

T-ATS will provide ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue capabilities to support U.S. Navy fleet operations and will be a multi mission common hull platform capable of towing heavy ships. These ships will also be able to support current missions, including oil spill response, humanitarian assistance, and wide area search and surveillance.

The contract award follows Austal USA’s start of construction on its first T-ATS ship earlier this month that was celebrated at a ceremony attended by governmental officials and local community leaders. The highlight of the ceremony had U.S. Representative Jerry Carl (AL-01) pushing the plasma cutter button making the first cut of steel for the ship.

“The T-ATS program is special to our team as it represents the start of construction of a new class of ship for our shipbuilding team.  This contract is important because it provides us the backlog to really optimize production over the course of these four ships,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said. “We’re honored to have this contract and it illustrates the Navy’s continued confidence in our team’s demonstrated ability to deliver capability on-time and on-schedule.”

Austal USA will utilize its proven ship manufacturing processes and innovative methods that incorporate lean manufacturing principles, modular construction, and moving assembly lines, all housed under the company’s state-of-the-art enclosed steel production facility. Construction on T-ATS 13 and 14 will commence fall 2023 and spring 2024 with delivery planned for fall 2025 and spring 2026, respectively.

Through continual capital investments, Austal USA has expanded its capability and capacity to enable concurrent production of aluminum and steel-hulled ships. In addition to T-ATS, Austal USA is currently constructing the U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship and Expeditionary Fast Transport, and is under contract for the construction of an Auxiliary Floating Drydock Medium and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter. This unique production capability positions Austal USA to meet the growing demands of the U.S. Navy and USCG.

Source: https://www.maritimeeconomy.com/post-details.php?post_id=aGVpZg==&post_name=Austal%20USA%20Awarded%20Contract%20Option%20for%20Two%20U.S.%20Navy%20Towing%20Salvage%20And%20Rescue%20Ships%20TATS&segment_name=26

Bellingham, Wash., based All American Marine (AAM) has delivered another whale-watching vessel to the Hanke family’s Puget Sound Express (PSE). This latest vessel, the Swiftsure, is modeled after the AAM-built, Teknicraft-designed Saratoga, delivered in the spring of 2018, but, at 77 feet long, is slightly longer than the 73-foot Saratoga.

The hull design is complemented by Teknicraft’s signature integration of a wave piercer positioned between the catamaran hulls to break up wave action and ensure reduced drag while enhancing passenger comfort. The vessel’s design offers all passengers a smooth ride and comfort as the hull provides a cushioned effect when encountering waves.

The USCG Subchapter T certified, high-speed catamaran whale-watching vessel has two asymmetrical semi-planing hulls and an adjustable aluminum midship hydrofoil plus two aluminum aft foils, which allow the boat to achieve top speeds of 40+ knots. This design, coupled with finely-tuned, wave-piercing eco bows, enables the boat to travel through calm and rough water at full cruising speed while keeping underwater noise to a minimum.

“This is another very special occasion for Puget Sound Express,” said co-owner Peter Hanke. “The Swiftsure is the third boat that we have had the opportunity to build with All American Marine. Once again, this vessel has exceeded all performance expectations while incorporating EPA Tier III engines. Despite numerous supply chain challenges during the construction process, All American still delivered this exceptional vessel on time and on budget. They listened to us and, as they did on the first two vessels, met or exceeded our needs. We’re excited for our customers to enjoy the Puget Sound onboard Swiftsure.”

DESIGNED FOR LOW FUEL CONSUMPTION AT HIGH SPEED

The Swiftsure was designed from top to bottom for low fuel consumption at high speeds, a factor critical to the success of the daily whale watch tours, which operate out of Edmonds. Wash., a short drive north of downtown Seattle.

Its four Scania Di 16 083M engines, with a rating of 800 mhp @ 2,300 rpm, power four HamiltonJet HJ364 water jets, complete with a state-of-the-art HamiltonJet AVX control system. .

AAM says this system is second to none in terms of maneuverability and fuel efficiency at higher speeds.

“During sea trials, we went out with a specifically fully laden vessel, and the difference in terms of fuel consumption between light laden and fully laden was almost negligible,” said designer Nic De Waal. “We’ve done many years of research to develop a vessel design that’s particularly low-wake, due in large part to our unique hydrofoil system that doesn’t displace as much water and create waves as is the case with traditional hull design.”

The soundproofing details in the engine room ensure that the passenger cabin of the whale-watching vessel is quiet and comfortable throughout the ride. The interior of the vessel is finished with cutting-edge materials, including recyclable Ayres aluminum honeycomb wall panels and recyclable Dampa aluminum ceiling tiles with acoustic insulation that span the main cabin as well as the interior cabin on the second deck. Other amenities include ADA-friendly accommodation spaces, comfortable Beurteaux seating, three restrooms, and an extended galley complete with a full-service bar for passengers.

The Swiftsure is also equipped with seven HDTVs and a premium sound system with speakers inside and out for a fully immersive experience throughout the vessel’s journey.

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/passenger/all-american-marine-delivers-whale-watching-boat-to-puget-sound-express/

China has built permanent stations for its rescue and maritime forces on its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.

Citing reports from state broadcaster China Central Television, South China Morning Post said that a new flying squadron and maritime rescue and administration staff will be stationed on the Fiery Cross, Subi, and Mischief reefs, Beijing’s three biggest man-made islands in the Spratlys.

The SCMP said the Chinese move boosts a regular on-call rescue ship deployment into a permanent institutional presence that could greatly improve the coverage of the southern area of the South China Sea.

The Chinese newspaper added that the forward-stationed Chinese departments will “undertake maritime emergency rescue tasks, perform maritime traffic safety supervision and prevention of ship pollution and other duties in the Nansha (Spratly) waters, provide strong protection for the safety of ship navigation and daily production activities at sea for the people of coastal countries”, quoting a report from the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, using the Chinese name for the archipelago.

“This is a concrete step for China to better provide public goods to the international community and actively fulfil its internationalresponsibilities and obligations,” Xinhua added.

The SCMP recalled that there have long been calls to upgrade China’s search and rescue capabilities in the South China Sea, including a 2018 article by Shi Chunlin, a professor at the Dalian Maritime University, who argued it could help strengthen its “substantial presence in the disputed waters and enhance China’s dominance over South China Sea affairs”.

China claims sweeping sovereignty over the South China Sea under what it calls its historical nine-dash line, including all of the Spratly archipelago.

But the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have competing claims over some or all of the islands. Beijing has repeatedly rejected a 2016 ruling on the Spratlys by an international tribunal at The Hague that was overwhelmingly in favor of claims by the Philippines.

The SCMP said the Chinese Ministry of Transport’s newly established 2nd Flying Service Squadron of the South China Sea will be stationed in the Spratlys, taking on rescue duties that were previously performed by planes flying from bases on the mainland or Hainan Island.

Profession Shi stressed that arriving at a rescue site later than other claimants “does not match China’s status.”

The three reefs chosen for the enhanced facilities are located in a key area of the region and also host military garrisons. Each of them has large hharborsand a runway long enough for passenger planes.

The vast South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest waterways where up to 30 percent of the world’s trade passes through. More than 100,000 ships sail through each year. South China Sea emergency forces have successfully rescued 1,721 people over the past 10 years, according to official data from Beijing.

Ships in need of help can send distress signals either through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) or directly to the nearby local maritime administration. Beijing’s new offices in the Spratlys could also improve communication and emergency response, according to Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow with the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

However, search and rescue in this area is not only a humanitarian mission, but also involves political complexities, because of the overlapping territorial demarcations by six rival claimants, including China.

Search and rescue operations are independent of any territorial disputes, and the IMO has divided the sea into several regions to assign to surrounding authorities, even non-claimant Singapore. In fact, part of the Spratly area falls into Singapore’s search and rescue region.

Chen said Beijing is in talks with the Asean to create a regional search and rescue cooperation platform for the whole South China Sea, because such operations are always big efforts and cannot be carried out by one or two countries.
“Although there are political sensitivities in it, largely (search and rescue) is still a matter of public service,” Chen noted.

Source: https://manilastandard.net/news/314246439/china-builds-scs-rescue-maritime-station.html