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British startup unveils its hydrogen powered autonomous ship, an industry first.

At the beginning of this year, a UK-based maritime clean-tech startup was announcing an innovative vessel claiming to be the world’s first drone surface vessel that would be entirely powered by hydrogen (H-USV). Now, Acua Ocean is ready to unveil the H-USV that is a couple of years away from deployment.

It doesn’t have a name yet, but Acua Ocean’s H-USV has the potential to become memorable. Developed by an acclaimed designer in the industry, John Kecsmar of Ad Hoc Marine Designs, this versatile ship could carry out various missions, from environmental data collection to monitoring and security tasks, without any harmful emissions.

According to Acua Ocean, 6,000 liters (1,585 gallons) of liquid hydrogen would ensure its endurance and reliability. This new vessel is designed to travel for up to 40-60 days at 4 knots (4.6 mph/7.4 kph) with a payload capacity of 4,500 kg (9,920 lbs).

Using hydrogen instead of conventional fuel will enable the H-USV to reduce CO2 emissions during operations by 99%. In addition to that, it also features the latest technology for features such as data analysis, real-time decision-making, plus threat detection.

The autonomous ship builder also received approval from Lloyd’s Register to implement its hydrogen system, electrical power distribution systems, and control system, on a Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS).

The prototype systems underwent Factory Acceptance Testing earlier this year, as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.

This event was funded by the Department for Transport. The startup continued to develop the automation of its onboard hydrogen systems, through a grant called TRIG (Connected Places Catapult Transport Research Innovation Grant).

Acua Ocean plans to kick of Site Acceptance Testing for the prototype in 2023. Swarm demonstrations will follow in 2024, and the first swarms of these hydrogen-powered drone vessels are set to be deployed by 2025.

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

British Startup Unveils Its Hydrogen-Powered Autonomous Ship, An Industry First, June 28, 2022

Source: https://hydrogen-central.com/british-startup-unveils-hydrogen-powered-autonomous-ship-industry-first/

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) has been contracted to supply waterjet propulsion and control systems for what has been dubbed ‘the world’s most technically advanced and environmentally friendly Search and Rescue (SAR) vessel’.

The SAR vessel with the project title “Smart Saver”, being built for Redningsselskapet, Norway’s Sea Rescue Society, has prime focus on innovation of future-oriented solutions within digitalization and sustainability. A donation from the Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation has funded the project and it is hoped that the build of this first in class vessel will start a new generation of SAR vessels for the future that will help reduce climate pressures with advanced powertrain and onboard technologies.

Bård Eker, Managing Director of the Eker Group, will be responsible for the design and construction of the SAR vessel with project title “Smart Saver” through subsidiaries Eker Design and Hydrolift. The Smart Saver will be manufactured at Hydrolift in Fredrikstad.

The vessel will use a new hull design which will make the maximum benefit of the highly efficient twin Kamewa Steel-series waterjets managed through the latest JCS-E control system. It will also employ semi-autonomous technologies to conserve energy and relieve pressure on the crew.

KONGSBERG’s Kamewa Steel series mixed flow waterjets provide the best pump efficiency on the market offering superior efficiency over the whole speed range matching the increased demand of vessels even below 30 knots. This translates into reduced fuel consumption for a given workload and consequently reduced CO2emissions.

KM’s JCS-E (Jet Control System Extended) is an advanced and compact control system for operating fast craft main powertrain equipment providing performance optimisation in all circumstances in mission critical operations. The system provides accurate operation combined with advanced options, such as remote access servicing.

JCS-E’s intuitive helm station joystick control and built-in optional functions, such as Auto positioning, Anchor point, Auto heading, Interceptor steering, Trim assist and Park mode, will provide easy and reliable operation and reduce the manual burden on busy search and rescue crews for whom multitasking is a critical part of the job.

Tommi Viiperi, KM’s Sales Director of Kongsberg Maritime, Kamewa Waterjet Propulsion said: “The Smart Saver project is all about selecting the most durable, energy efficient equipment and integrating it all into one vessel to make the most efficient and advanced SAR vessel ever built. We are delighted to be involved, and to have the opportunity of proving, once again, the efficiency of our waterjets and associated systems and that Kongsberg Maritimes’s technologies can help vessels with even the toughest of duties meet the requirements of the energy and technology transition.”

Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/konsberg-maritime-supply-waterjets-for-smart-saver-a-search-and-rescue-vessel-of-the-future/

During the international ‘RoboBoat’ competition that occurred during last week, the crowd was able to witness Israeli innovation in a team of students that designed and built an autonomous boat, able to navigate and sail in an accurate trajectory via computing, sensors such as cameras and the LIDAR radar, and plenty of algorithmics. These students designed and developed an innovative boat with electrical ignition and new controls, with navigation capabilities and identification of targets via radar and smart cameras, which allows for advanced image processing and deep learning.

The international ‘RoboBoat’ competition, brought by the RoboNation Organization, allows the leading universities in the world to compete in the development of autonomous boats, and just last week the SAIL-IL team that constructed the first Israeli autonomous boat, flew to the yearly global competition held in Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A, and won third place in the competition. The team, that proudly represented the Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the nation of Israel, was up against the leading universities from all around the world, including Cornell, MIT, etc. – Reports TAU.com.

“During the project we were faced with many technological challenges connected to the autonomy world, such as computer vision and processing of a photograph in real-time, the melding of data from a large number of sensors, planning a smart and efficient route, and of course making the system completely autonomous, including decision making in real-time and control” details Noam Blutner, a member of the SAIL-IL Team. “The whole operation has to be carried out in a maritime environment that has unique attributes, such as water reflection that impacts a photo. The world of autonomy has been advancing in the last few years, but with a bigger emphasis on cars. The application of the vast information about maritime environments was a considerable and fascinating challenge. Additionally, we had to deal with the mechanical challenges of designing and constructing a boat that fits the criteria of maneuvering and stability, sealing all the components in the boat and protecting the sensors, as well as creating a whole electricity supply system. There were many different challenges that required deep self-learning from us in numerous subjects that we were not knowledgeable of beforehand. In the end, we had to combine all these parts into one whole and functioning system”.

Source: https://i-hls.com/archives/114714

The EU Parliament has voted in favor of extending its carbon market to shipping and road transport, two weeks after it also voted on expanding coverage to all departing flights from the EU.

Transport & Environment (T&E), Europe’s clean transport campaign group, has welcomed this historic expansion and calls on national governments to adopt an equally ambitious position in the European Council later this month.

Sofie Defour, climate manager at T&E: “This marks a historic day for European climate policy. Expanding the EU’s flagship cap and trade scheme ensures that more of Europe’s polluters are made to pay.”

After a 10-year fight, big shipping polluters will finally be made to pay. The Parliament has voted in favor of including all ships above 400 gross tonnage and offshore vessels – like those servicing offshore gas and oil facilities – in the EU’s carbon market.

Polluters will have to pay for all greenhouse gases they pollute – CO2, methane and nitrous oxide – when sailing within the EU and 50% of voyages outside of the bloc until 2027. After 2027, the scope of the carbon market will be automatically extended to 100% of ships entering and leaving European ports.

Lawmakers did however bow to pressure by including exemptions for ice-going ships and ships traveling to outermost regions, delaying the decarbonization of these vessels.

For the road ETS, MEPs (members of European Parliament) voted for the new carbon price to be equally split between oil companies and consumers. Fuel suppliers will be prohibited from passing on more than half of the costs to end-consumers.

Sofie Defour added: “At a time when oil and gas majors are making bumper profits off the war in Ukraine, this is a strong step towards a just transition. If this provision from the Parliament becomes law, it will finally make oil majors pay back to society and allow the EU to start shaving off part of their huge profit margins.”

But MEPs also watered down the Commission’s carbon pricing proposal for road transport and buildings by exempting 75% of these sectors’ emissions until 2029.

While it is fair to make commercial users transition faster, 2029 is too late to include households. Instead, wealthy households and oil majors should pay from the start, while the Social Climate Fund compensates poorer households through income support and investments, advises T&E.

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/in-historic-move-eu-includes-shipping-in-emissions-trading-system-%ef%bf%bc/

A broad coalition of energy providers, shipping companies and NGOs – including Siemens Energy, Viking Cruises, Green Power Denmark and Brussels-based organizations Hydrogen Europe and Transport & Environment (T&E) – has called on the EU to introduce a minimum quota of 6% sustainable and scalable hydrogen fuels by 2030.

Last year the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, proposed a shipping fuel law (FuelEU Maritime Regulation) aimed at increasing the uptake of alternative marine fuels.

Unfortunately, the law fails to guarantee the competitiveness of sustainable and scalable e-fuels, and risks promoting cheaper, unsustainable fuels. The coalition therefore calls on the European Parliament and EU Council to improve the proposal by including a dedicated e-fuels sub quota in the proposed regulation.

Delphine Gozillon, sustainable shipping officer at T&E, said: “An ambitious shipping fuels law will be key to set the shipping sector on course for full decarbonization. Sustainable e-fuels are currently too expensive compared to other alternatives such as fossil LNG and biofuels, holding back investments in production facilities, refueling infrastructure in ports and zero-emission ships.

“However, with a bit of a push, e-fuels produced from renewable hydrogen can be scalable. That’s why we need a quota to get the ball rolling and encourage companies to start investing in clean shipping fuels. Shipping does not need to be a dirty industry forever.”

Source: https://maritimefairtrade.org/industry-ngos-call-for-eu-hydrogen-quota-for-shipping/

Looking to expand the emphasis on export shipping from U.S. ports, three members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California proposed new legislation that would require U.S. ports to emphasize exports by giving priority to carriers that demonstrate their predominance of export bookings versus carrying empty containers or departing with unused capacity. While clearing the way for the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 to become law last month by accepting the Senate version of the legislation, members of the U.S. House said they would seek additional legislation addressing points removed from the bill emphasizing exports.

“Foreign exporters’ access to the American market and our consumers is a privilege, not a right. Cargo ships looking to offload foreign-made products and profit off West Coast ports must provide opportunities for American exports in return,” said Congressmen John Garamendi, one of the co-sponsors of the bill. Representatives Jim Costa and Mike Thompson joined in introducing the American Port Access Privileges Act.

According to the co-sponsors of the legislation, the American Port Access Privileges Act would ensure fair trade for U.S. businesses and keep hard-won foreign markets accessible to California’s agricultural growers as well as other exporters.

The bill calls for establishing a secondary berthing preference for ocean-going commercial vessels servicing multiple ports in the United States or with significant cargo bookings of American exports. Priority they write should continue to be with the U.S. military as well as Jones Act, and other US-flagged vessels and the bill also seeks to codify the current preferences in place at many major American ports for these segments. However, after those vessels, ships carrying exports should be prioritized.

“Our legislation would put American exports at the front of the line at our ports to support American businesses and workers. Congress must restore fairness at our ports for American exporters to help reduce the United States’ longstanding trade imbalance with countries like China,” said Garamendi.

To receive the port priorities, vessels would have to document that they have cargo booking for exports totaling either 51 percent of the vessel’s carrying capacity by weight or 51 percent of the vessel’s TEU capacity that would be loaded before calling at a foreign port. The cargo could be loaded in single or multiple U.S. ports, but foreign vessels calling at more than one U.S. port before departing for international ports would also be eligible for the priority berthing in U.S. ports.

“Supply chain disruptions are hurting California farmers and exporters like never before,” said Costa. “We need to remove bottlenecks and mitigate congestion at our ports to carry out American exports.”

Not later than 90 days after the passage of the legislation, the Secretary of Transportation would be required to issue the definitions of preferential berthing. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics would also be required to collect data on berthing and cargo practices at U.S. ports to evaluate ocean carriers’ practices for port calls and cargo bookings, as well as the impact of preferential berthing afforded under the bill.

The “American Port Access Privileges Act” is endorsed by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), National Milk Producers Federation, and US Dairy Export Council.
Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/legislation-proposes-port-priority-for-ships-carrying-u-s-exports

But the EU Council and Parliament still need to decide who pays and where the money goes

The European Parliament and the European Council have both finalized their negotiating positions on landmark reforms to the EU’s climate regulations, including – for the first time – the inclusion of the maritime sector in Europe’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).

The two bodies are in close agreement, except for two significant points: first, the use of the revenue from auctioning maritime emissions allowances; and second, who will have to pay the bill. The Council wants to ensure that “national budgets of member states will benefit” from the revenue (not shipping research), and it puts the shipmanager or shipowner on the hook for paying (not the charterer).

Both plans would extend the existing EU ETS to cover 100 percent of emissions on intra-European routes and 50 percent of emissions on overseas routes. Both agree that non-CO2 GHG emissions should be tracked, though the Council’s version would defer a final decision on whether to count methane in the ETS until a later date.

The Council would like to see:

Placement of compliance burden on the vessel owner/operator, who could optionally negotiate with the charterer on a contractual mechanism for sharing cost. By contrast, the European Parliament’s proposal makes a contractual cost pass-along mechanism mandatory.
Allocation of all revenues from allowance auctions to the administering member state (the flag state for an EU ship, or the state where the shipowner calls most often for a foreign-flag ship).
Requiring shipping researchers to apply to the EU’s general-purpose Innovation Fund for green-transition financing, with “due consideration” assured for maritime-related projects
Redistribution of 3.5 percent of emissions allowances to member states that are heavily dependent on maritime transport
Transitional measures for small islands, winter navigation and voyages related to public service obligations
Measures to protect EU shipping from carbon leakage (businesses exporting operations to countries with less stringent regulations)

The Parliament would like to see:

Emissions from non-EU voyages covered 100 percent after 2027, with some exceptions under certain conditions
Non-CO2 greenhouse gases (methane) included in ETS calculations
75 percent of all revenues from maritime allowances assigned to a dedicated “Ocean Fund” to support the industry’s green transition
“Polluter-pays” compliance cost allocation using mandatory contractual pass-through of the costs to the commercial operator (charterer)

Both versions omit lifecycle emissions from the calculation mechanism, leaving out emissions from fuel production and transport (notably methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure).

The two bodies will now meet and negotiate the text of a large-scale legislative package, including emissions measures for other sectors like road transport and aviation.

Source; https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/eu-council-and-parliament-set-to-negotiate-maritime-ghg-regulations

Sembcorp Marine has delivered what it describes as the world’s first eighth-generation drillship, the Deepwater Atlas.

The Deepwater Atlas is the first in a series of two high-spec vessels for Transocean. It has a hook-load capacity of three million pounds and can accommodate well control systems for 20,000 PSI-rated drilling, making it the first of its kind.

The rig is contracted for Chevron’s Anchor project in the Gulf of Mexico – the first deepwater high-pressure development to achieve FID. It will have dual 20,000 PSI blowout preventers for drilling in the extreme high pressure / high temperature conditions found tens of thousands of feet below the seabed, where no one has ever drilled for oil before. The design is capable of reaching a maximum depth of 40,000 feet, including up to 12,000 feet of water depth.

“We are very pleased to achieve the delivery of Deepwater Atlas and to set many record firsts in the process. It gives us great pride to have designed and built for Transocean, the world’s first eighth-generation drillship of the highest industry specification,” said Sembcorp Marine head of rigs William Gu.

It is not the first attempt at a “20K” rig, but it is the first to succeed. Maersk Drilling placed an order for BOP systems rated at 20,000 PSI in 2014 for BP’s Project 20K; little news has emerged from the project since the start of the offshore downturn in 2015.

The delivery is a milestone for Sembcorp Marine, which is in the home stretch of a merger deal with compatriot offshore yard Keppel O&M. Shareholders are set to vote on the proposal later this year.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/sembcorp-marine-delivers-world-s-first-eighth-gen-drillship

The use of wind-assisted propulsion technology is growing with the partnership between BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies reporting their second project with large bulk carriers in a week. Singapore-based Berge Bulk will install the WindWings technology on one of its dry bulk carriers. As an early adopter of wind-assisted propulsion technology, Berge will be evaluating what it is calling a pivotal technology to reduce the emissions of its bulker fleet.

“At Berge Bulk, we believe in the results that can be achieved by harnessing wind power. Evaluating this groundbreaking technology, the estimated impact on reducing emissions can be at least as significant as transitional fuels,” said James Marshall, CEO of Berge Bulk.

Berge Bulk has agreed to equip its Newcastlemax bulker Berge Olympus with BAR Tech WindWings supplied by Yara Marine Technologies. The four-year-old bulker that will be used to evaluate the technology is 984 feet long and 211,150 dwt. The vessel is registered in the UK. According to the companies, the WindWings will be installed on board Berge Bulk’s vessel in the second quarter of 2023.

“A successful transition to a lower-carbon future can only be achieved through an inclusive approach,” said Thomas Koniordos, CEO of Yara Marine Technologies. “Wind has been the most evident ship propulsion for centuries. We are excited that industry-leading companies like Berge Bulk have the vision and commitment to equip their vessels with wind-assisted propulsion technologies.”

To date, most of the shipping industry’s installations of wind-assisted propulsion have focused on wind rotor technology. Several companies have reported achieving meaningful fuel savings and reductions in emissions deploying the rotors while the solid wind sail technology has also been progressing in development. BAR Technologies is leveraging its experience in developed world-class racing sailboats to develop its technologies for the WindWings. Japan’s Mitsui O.S. K. Lines is partnered with Oshima Shipbuilding to commercialize a similar telescoping rigid wind sail that they plan to deploy on a bulker for the first time by the end of 2022.

Barr Technologies’ WindWings are large, solid wing sails that will measure up to 160 feet in height. The design calls for four of the sails to be installed on the Berge Olympus. According to the companies, the sail technology will be capable of reducing CO2 emissions by as much as 30 percent through a combination of wind propulsion and route optimization. The system is fully automated.

“By retrofitting WindWings technology to existing vessels, firms like Berge Bulk can begin to make an immediate impact on decarbonizing their fleets while at the same time seeing significant efficiencies in current fuel use,” said John Cooper, CEO of BAR Technologies. “With Berge Bulk joining a pipeline of WindWings installations through 2023, we look forward to working with our partners to make significant inroads into reducing vessel carbon emissions.”

BAR Technologies announced in November 2021 an Approval-in-Principle (AiP) by DNV for BAR Tech WindWings by Yara Marine Technologies. This AiP assessed the system’s design specifications, safety and usability considerations, and general applicability to sea-going vessels. The AiP also examined the deployment and functionality of WindWings in operation, use in extreme weather conditions, and system redundancy.

Last week, BAR and Yara announced their first agreement for the installation of the technology. Early in 2023, they will install two WindWings aboard the Singapore-flagged Pyxis Ocean, an 80,962 dwt bulk carrier. The five-year-old vessel, which is 751 feet in length, is owned by Mitsubishi and operates under a long-term charter to Cargill.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/second-installation-of-windwings-set-for-berge-bulk-dry-bulk-vessel

Burntisland, Scotland, based Briggs Marine has placed an order for an ORC 121 pilot launch with Great Yarmouth, England, based Goodchild Marine Services. This will be the sixth Goodchild ORC in the Briggs Marine fleet and the company says that the order targets a market where demand is currently outstripping supply.

The investment will enable Briggs Marine to offer charter opportunities for pilot launches, a service which, the company believes, will continue to grow as many ports struggle with aging fleets.

The new pilot launch has been designed to be road transportable allowing Briggs Marine to be both highly reactive to customers’ timescales and more fuel efficient when transporting the vessel longer distances.

“We are delighted to be providing Briggs with an ORC 121 which is a 12 meter long vessel. We have previously supplied ORC 171s and ORC 136s but this vessel is shorter enabling it to be road transportable,” said Steven Pierce, of Goodchild Marine, which will be manufacturing and delivering the vessel to Briggs Marine in 2023.

“The other benefit to this vessel of course, is that the semi displacement hull design of the ORC is about 40% more fuel efficient than counterparts of similar size, helping to reduce emissions,” Pierce added.

In the lead up to celebrating its 50th anniversary, Briggs Marine is continuing to upgrade its assets and work towards reducing the environmental impact of the fleet.

“We are extremely pleased to confirm that Briggs Marine is continuing to invest in its fleet.” said general manager Rob Baker. “This latest project will enable current and future customers more modern and efficient pilot launch options.
This is the sixth pilot launch we’ve commissioned with Goodchild Marine in the last eight years. The first five vessels have enabled us to provide first-class pilot services in the port of Liverpool and this service is now extended to other customers through this charter opportunity.”

Other recent investments for Briggs Marine include a Crew Transfer Vessel in 2021, a new multipurpose workboat and three new line handling vessels to support a range of customers.

Family-owned Briggs Marine is a leading provider of marine and environmental services, specializing in port and marine operations, subsea and environmental support and vessel charter.

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/coastal/briggs-marine-orders-new-pilot-launch/

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