FORCE Technology has expanded its engineering design and testing services portfolio to provide remote access to high fidelity maritime navigation simulation for the purpose of testing planned port and harbor construction projects. The new SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies unlocks time and cost savings during the planning and design phase of maritime infrastructure projects as proposed developments can be evaluated in real-time and under highly realistic conditions without the requirement to visit a physical simulator facility.

SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies is an expansion of maritime simulator developer FORCE Technology’s latest generation SimFlex Cloud simulator, a dedicated SaaS (Software as a Service) solution offering highly realistic navigation simulation for training purposes. It expands the company’s established engineering design and testing services making them fully available online, helping customers to reduce costs and accelerate the planning phase by providing easy remote and real-time access to highly accurate environment simulations based on the proposed structural and/or vessel routing changes.

All new environmental model designs are created by FORCE Technology engineers within weeks of receiving the engineering plan so they can be quickly assessed by professional captains, pilots and navigators using any of the 700 mathematical ship models in the SimFlex Cloud vessel database. While FORCE Technology already provides engineering check-out services using its in-house simulators, SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies introduces the new possibility of immediate online access for testing at any time and from anywhere with a stable broadband connection.

Navigators and bridge officers charged with harnessing their real-life experience to verify the impact of port and harbour design changes can operate their vessel models using a mouse and keyboard, a specially designed operator console for desktop simulation and can even operate their vessels in the first person using SimFlex Cloud’s new Augmented Reality (AR) functionality. Further, SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies provides the capability to automate test routes and specific maritime operations in order to produce trustworthy data over continuously repeated activities.

SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies is a highly efficient way to verifying the impact of any new maritime infrastructure, from large turnkey projects to smaller more localized work. Design test applications include navigation in relation to new or removed seamarks; the effects of the design and location of piers including width and location of landing channels; conditions for arrival/departure in existing or new ports; vessel movements in relation to both frequency and time, which contributes to the precise assessment of e.g., the risk of grounding; moored ship movement at open or closed facilities; and maneuverability in shallow waters.

“Engineering design verification is a key service provided by the expert team at our state-of-the-art simulator facility in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark,” said Jan Michelsen, Head of Department, Simulation, Ports & Training at Force Technology. “Providing online access to these services through the introduction of SimFlex Cloud for engineering studies is a natural step that will help to optimize our customers’ workflows and allow them to make the most of their infrastructure planning & design budgets. The system also enables us to support customers from further afield, as online access significantly reduces the need for firsthand time with our full-mission simulator.”

Source: https://www.maritimeprofessional.com/news/maritime-simulator-port-engineering-studies-379238

 

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

 


AD Ports Group’s SAFEEN Feeders will collaborate with shipping leader CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, in launching a new Southeast Asia service linking Singapore, Colombo and Chennai.

The company’s ‘SAFEEN Pioneer,’ which has a container capacity of 2,034 TEUs, will join CMA CGM Group’s ‘Songa Tiger’ on the India East Coast Express 2 service, connecting these key ports.  SAFEEN Feeders will market the service under the name Singapore Chennai Colombo Service (SCC).

This will be SAFEEN Feeders’ first service to call in Southeast Asia, as the company continues to expand its global reach.

Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, Acting CEO – Maritime Cluster and SAFEEN Group, AD Ports Group, said: “We are very proud to be working with our partner, CMA CGM Group, on the India East Coast Express service. This service connects key global markets with some of the busiest ports in the world and will help boost trade and improve delivery times. Our aim is to provide key services across the seas where our customers need them most, and today’s announcement demonstrates the breadth of our international ambitions.”

SAFEEN Group delivers a comprehensive range of port and marine services, transshipment, offshore and subsea logistics and feeders services. It deploys a team of professionals and a fleet of state-of-the-art vessels to ensure a full spectrum of maritime logistics, solutions and services are operated effectively and with maximum efficiency.

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


The Nigerian Navy have commenced the training of its personnel on cyber-security
to face contemporary and emerging security threats in the maritime environment.

He explained that other new study areas introduced in the 16 weeks training of the 44 graduands made up of eight Officers and 36 Ratings, included Health, Safety and Environment as well as Maritime Domain Awareness.

Commodore Yahaya who pointed out the importance of the School in administering criminal justice, discipline and law enforcement in the Nigerian Navy said “this is why every effort is being made to continuously improve and expand the scope of the course contents in line with Mission and Vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff.

“Plans are ongoing also, for the School to commence Young Officers’ Advocacy Course and Police Administration and Security Management Course as captured in the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directives 5 of 2021. The commencement of these courses will improve the outcomes of the School.

While stressing the urgent need to move the school to a more befitting site for reason of space and conducive environment, the Commandant disclosed that since its relocation from Lagos in 2010, “the school has been operating from this temporary site. The space has become too small and inadequate. However, I am delighted to say that concrete efforts are ongoing to resolve this issue by planned allocation of a land to the School in no distant future.”

The Special Guest and Commandant of the Air Force War College, Air Vice Marshall Sayo Olatunde charged the graduands to always exhibit courage, discipline and the professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

According to him, “this is also a period of transformation and for you; it cannot be business as usual. The Nigerian Navy looks up to you to apply what you have learnt to improve your performance at your respective duty posts in the Service.

The highpoint of the event which was witnessed by representatives of sister military and paramilitary organizations as well as friends and families of the graduands was the presentation of awards to deserving graduating officers and ratings.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/insecurity-nigerian-navy-train-personnel-on-cyber-security-maritime-safety/

 

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

 


Crowley and Chevron have both taken Series A investment stakes in Zero Emission Industries, a hydrogen-propulsion startup formerly known as Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine.

ZEI is best known for the development, construction and sale of the H2-powered ferry Sea Change, which was acquired by operator Switch Maritime in 2019. The vessel was launched at All American Marine in Bellingham in August 2021, and it completed its first hydrogen fueling – the first ever for an American vessel – in November 2021. It is in trials, and is expected to carry 75 passengers at speeds of up to 20 knots when ready to enter service.

“Our intelligent, connected, reliable power systems are the only ones on the market built from the ground-up specifically to meet the rigorous demands of the marine community,” said ZEI Executive VP John Motlow in a statement. “Designed to be as easy to install and operate as a marine diesel engine, we are working to build solutions that truly enable the maritime industry to decarbonize without negatively impacting their operations.”

ZEI closed its Series A funding round on September 8, with participation led by Chevron’s New Energies division and additional participation from Crowley. The undisclosed funding amount will help ZEI roll out its new integrated H2 power system and scale up to meet industry demand. The company noted that with backing from Chevron and Crowley, its partners span the full value chain from fuel production to propulsion tech to vessel operations.

“Investing in and developing innovative, clean energy solutions such as hydrogen is critical to reaching the maritime industry’s decarbonization goals. Crowley can only reach net-zero emissions with collaboration that produces new ideas by partners and stakeholders,” said Tom Crowley, the company’s chairman and CEO. “Working with Chevron and ZEI is an opportunity to help lead the shipping and logistics industry – and the communities we serve – to reach a more sustainable future.”

Crowley has a strong history in investing in zero-emissions solutions. It is building the first purpose-built electric tug in the United States, the e-Wolf, and it has announced an ambitious commitment to reducing its carbon footprint – including the tracking, reduction and offsetting of related-party (Scope 2 and 3) emissions.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/crowley-invests-in-h2-propulsion-startup-zei

 

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

 


According to Alphaliner, Chinese container supplier China International Marine Containers Group Co (CIMC) has withdrawn from its purchase of Maersk’s reefer container manufacturing unit, Maersk Container Industry (MCI), following objections from USA antitrust authorities, hence the block of the foreseen merger.

The deal was first announced in September last year, with CIMC offering $987m cash and debt-free, Alphaliner says.

The US Justice Department said the transaction would have combined 2 of the 4 global providers of insulated container cases and refrigerated shipping containers. It would also have consolidated control of more than 90% of the world’s production of insulated container boxes and refrigerated shipping containers in Chinese state-owned or state-controlled entities.

The Department collaborated with its German equivalent of the competition, the Bundeskartellamt, in the investigation.

MCI was created by Maersk in 1991 and today exclusively manufactures cold containers.
The Justice Department said the deal would have cemented CIMC’s dominant position and eliminated MCI as an innovative and independent competitor. The deal would also have “substantially increased the risk of coordination between the remaining providers in the market,” he told Alphaliner.

Source: Alphaliner

 

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 Zealand’s maritime regulatory, compliance and response agency said it is seeking feedback from the sector and other interested parties on three key pieces of work.

Dialogue has been opened on Part 53, which relates to pilot transfers, and Part 23, which considers amendments to requirements for lifeboat drills, Maritime NZ said. Consultation is also set to begin on New Zealand’s work toward acceding to the Cape Town Agreement (CTA), an IMO convention dealing with design, construction and equipment standards for large fishing vessels.

Maritime NZ is reviewing Rule 53.4(2)(a), which requires pilots boarding or leaving a ship to not use a pilot-ladder if it’s deemed non-compliant. An exemption was issued by Maritime NZ from the rule following concerns from some ports and some maritime pilots. The options are to revoke the rule and not remake the exemption, or to remake the exemption as an amendment to the rule. Maritime NZ said it prefers the option to revoke the rule, with some other amendments added to improve safety and consistency, and it is keen to get industry feedback on this.

The organization said it is looking at changing Part 23 to make it more consistent with international rules. Current rules allow for crew to be aboard when lifeboats are launched during drills. That has caused injuries and even deaths, so Maritime NZ would like to change that so crew are not required.

New Zealand is working toward acceding to the CTA later this year. When it enters into force, the CTA will be an internationally binding instrument that will include compulsory requirements for stability and associated seaworthiness, machinery and electrical installations, life-saving appliances, communication equipment and fire safety, as well as fishing vessel construction.

New Zealand’s fishing safety standards and its commercial fleet are already largely aligned with the CTA requirements, but “acceding to the CTA will contribute to maritime safety in our region through the exercise of port state control”, said Andrew Bell, manager of Maritime NZ’s International team.

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/new-zealand-seeks-industry-input-possible-499342

 

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

 


Three years after car carrier Golden Ray wrecked in Georgia’s St. Simons Sound and a year after the salvage operation was completed the legacy of the wreck continues to hang over the Georgia community. On Wednesday, one day shy of the third anniversary of the wreck heeling over in the sound and triggering the massive salvage operation a new lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Brunswick, Georgia echoing issues raised by the local government in a similar suit filed in March 2022.

Lawyers representing commercial fishermen, including shrimpers and crabbers as well as other commercial charter boat operators, contend the area’s waters remain heavily polluted undermining their clients’ livelihood. The suit claims that the oil and other residues that leached from the wreck continue to degrade the water quality. They cite the initial leaks as well as subsequent discharges during the salvage operation as well as the fires and other problems during the removal and remediation efforts.

The suit names a wide range of defendants including the owner of the vessel, Hyundai Glovis as the charter, the local agents, and the crewing company for the vessel, as well as the salvage contractors. The suit alleges negligence both in the operation of the Golden Ray and the cleanup after the wreck.

They allege a year after the last cut was completed on the hulk of the Golden Ray and the pieces were removed from the sound that the seabed remains covered with car parts both from cars that fell into the water and from parts that washed out of the hulk. The suit cites the numerous pieces removed from the beach while saying many more continue to litter the waterways.

Speaking to the Brunswick News, local shrimp fisherman Johnny Ray Bennett said the one thing he is catching these days is car parts. “Oh, yeah, we’re catching all that junk – bumpers, radiator hoses, tires. It’s everywhere you look, but we ain’t catching the shrimp like we used to,” Bennett told the newspaper.

The lawsuit asks the court to order additional remediation of St. Simons Sound and the surrounding waterways. They are also seeking civil penalties and financial compensation for their lost business over the past three years.

Many of the issues in the new suit mirror similar allegations in a suit filed six months ago in the same federal court by the county where the wreck occurred. The Georgia county also filed suit alleging negligence both against the ship’s owners and operators as well as the salvage company for environmental damage and lost tax revenues.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division separately in November 2021 proposed a $3 million fine for the Golden Ray’s operator citing pollutants, petroleum products, and other debris that were discharged into the sound. At the time, the Georgia state authority gave Hyundai one year to pay the fine or propose a supplemental environmental project in return for a reduced fine.

To date, estimates are that more than $800 million has been spent on the removal of the wreck and remediation of the sound. That makes it the costliest shipwreck in U.S. history.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/three-years-after-golden-ray-wreck-fishing-community-sues-for-cleanup

 

 

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

 


Viking River Cruises’ much-anticipated Jones Act compliant river cruise ship Viking Mississippi is currently on its inaugural cruise and attracting much local media attention along the way.

Floated out from Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, La., in March, the 450 foot long, 75 foot beam vessel hosts 386 guests in 193 all outside staterooms, and offers multiple passenger amenities. The five-deck river cruise ship is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships and features a Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that will be familiar to Viking guests but reimagined for Mississippi River voyages.

The Viking Mississippi is equipped with a variety of measures to maximize energy efficiency and emissions—including a diesel-electric propulsion system comprised of eight CAT C32 EPA Tier 4 diesel engines, each powering a 940 eKw water cooled generator; each engine/generator unit is individually mounted on a specially designed double raft isolation system that produces a remarkably quiet and smooth ride.

Propulsion power is provided by Voith 6-bladed propulsion thrusters driven by permanent magnet electric motors as are the pump jet bow thrusters.

Source: https://www.marinelog.com/inland-coastal/video-viking-mississippi-river-cruise-ship-makes-its-debut/

 

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 consortium of Japanese companies working on a project supported by the government reports it has made significant progress in the development of the world’s first ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier. The companies are working to develop a design that used the ammonia carried as cargo also as fuel. They are confident that they are overcoming the hurdles required for the first commercial ammonia vessel. They expect to demonstrate the operation of the vessel in 2026.

The group which consists of NYK Line, Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems Co., and Nihon Shipyard Co., highlights that at present there are no international regulations for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. Therefore, the consortium has been conducting research and development to ensure that the ammonia gas carrier has the same safety features as vessels using existing fuel oil or LNG fuel.

After developing the design concepts and addressing issues related to safety, they have now conducted a risk assessment of the safety of using ammonia as a marine fuel. As a result of their efforts, they received an AiP from the Japanese class society ClassNK. The companies noted that this is the first time that a risk assessment has been conducted and an AiP obtained not only for a concept but also for an alternative design.

While ammonia is widely regarded as a solution to the shipping industry’s goals for decarbonization of its operations, the consortium points to the challenges that also exist with the use of ammonia.
While ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when combusted, they highlighted the issues with the combustion of ammonia as it is hardly flammable and has low energy density. They have been researching increasing mixed combustion while also creating stable operations for the engine.

Combustion of ammonia however does generate nitrous oxide (N2O) which scientists point out has about 300 times the warming potential of CO2. The combustion design needs to suppress the generation of nitrous oxide. In addition, because of the highly toxic nature of ammonia, the design needs to prevent leaks and have adequate safety measures in the event of a leak.

They are focusing on the design of a medium-sized gas carrier with an ammonia loading capacity of approximately 38,000 cubic meters, which they note is currently the common size for marine transportation of ammonia.

The initiative to develop vessels equipped with a domestically produced ammonia-fueled engine was initiated in October 2021 as part of the Green Innovation Fund Project from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The project is developing both a two-stroke ammonia-fueled engine for vessel propulsion and a four-stroke ammonia-fueled engine for onboard power supply.

They are working on a safe and environmentally friendly hull design and together are studying the feasibility of the construction and commercial operation of the prototype vessel. They have completed the concept design of a prototype vessel that addresses safe and the practical installation of ammonia-fuel-related equipment in the limited space available in the vessel. The equipment layout has been devised, and they have developed and selected main and auxiliary engines and onboard equipment while securing an ammonia-loading capacity that is equivalent to or greater than that of conventional vessels. They continue to work on further design optimization.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/japanese-group-overcomes-challenges-of-ammonia-to-receive-design-aip

 

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

 


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