PUBLISHED OCT 7, 2021 6:37 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

Maersk has become the latest large shipping company to plan a trial using air lubrication as a tool to help improve vessel efficiency and reduce emissions. An established technology that has been deployed in other segments of the shipping industry, including cruise ships, it is becoming of increasing interest in commercial shipping. Recently, MSC places a record 30-unit order for Silverstream Technologies’ air lubrication system.

The technology group Wärtsilä, in cooperation with Silverstream Technologies, will install Silverstream’s proprietary Air Lubrication System on a trial basis on a large container vessel owned by A.P. Moller – Maersk. The Wärtsilä / Silverstream equipment will be delivered during the second quarter of 2022.

During the trial, the companies will work together to examine possible improvements to the ship’s overall efficiency, focusing on the reduction of fuel consumption and associated emission levels. Among the applications they plan to explore is the use of the system for Maersk’s newly-ordered Methanol-fueled containerships. In July, Maersk ordered a smaller 2,100 TEU capacity feeder ship due to enter service in mid-2023 equipped to operate on methanol and followed that a month later with an order for eight 16,000 TEU boxships which will also be fitted with MAN dual-fuel engines to be powered by methanol.

“Everything that we do today inevitably sets the future for coming generations, so we need to act in a positive way to ensure that decarbonizing vessel propulsion is an effective priority for the industry. This is a view that is shared by Maersk, a company with whom we have worked closely for many years. Silverstream’s Air Lubrication System is an important stepping stone along this path,” says Bernd Bertram, Vice President, Propulsion, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

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https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/maersk-to-test-air-lubrication-technology-on-boxship

PUBLISHED OCT 7, 2021 7:21 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

Activists from the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior intercepted a tanker transporting fish oil from West Africa as the vessel entered the English Channel earlier today. The vessel was delayed but able to proceed without incident while the protestors sought to call attention to what they said is an alarming growth in the export of fishmeal and fish oil from West Africa. Greenpeace is demanding action by importers and regional governments to end this trade.

“This is big business stripping life from our oceans and depriving our fishing communities of their livelihoods. The science is clear, it will soon be too late. They must stop now,” said Dr. Aliou Ba, oceans campaign manager for Greenpeace Africa.

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https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/greenpeace-intercepts-tanker-in-english-channel-carrying-fish-oil

PUBLISHED OCT 7, 2021 7:52 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

To support the development of marine electrification and accelerate the rollout of marine battery solutions in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s Yinson Holdings Berhard announced that it invested in Canada-based energy storage solutions. The companies said the new agreements build upon their previous business relationships and believe that they can play an increasing role in working to lower or eliminate dependence on fossil fuels in marine and industrial applications.

In addition to the investment in Sterling PBES, Yinson has also entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding with the intention to form a joint venture collaboration. The companies plan to work together to accelerate the large-scale rollout of SPBES’ solutions within selected countries in Southeast Asia and beyond.

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https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/yinson-seeks-to-accelerate-marine-batteries-through-investment-in-pbes

PUBLISHED OCT 7, 2021 3:41 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

One of the most sophisticated submarines in the world, the USS Connecticut, sustained an underwater collision five days ago at an undisclosed position in the South China Sea, according to USNI News and other sources. At least 11 crewmembers sustained minor cuts, scrapes and bruises in the incident, and Navy Times reports that Connecticut has had to transit on the surface due to damage.

“USS Connecticut (SSN-22) struck an object while submerged on the afternoon of Oct. 2, while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region,” Pacific Fleet spokesman Capt. Bill Clinton told USNI News. “There are no life-threatening injuries. The submarine remains in a safe and stable condition. USS Connecticut’s nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational. The extent of damage to the remainder of the submarine is being assessed.”

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https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/seawolf-class-attack-sub-damaged-in-collision-in-the-pacific