Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, which has already been actively pursuing wind-assisted propulsion and fluid dynamics for improved performance, will now join a joint research effort for the application of aerospace engineering technologies to improve the performance of wind-powered vessels. One of Japan’s leading shipping companies, MOL is proactively working to use technological developments to reduce GHG emissions from its vessels and achieve group-wide net zero emissions by 2050.

MOL working with MOL Tech-Trade and Akishima Laboratories is working on joint studies related to wind-powered propulsion and is developing a new ship design, ISHIN, which reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using wind as a propulsive force. Now they will implement more advanced joint development aimed at optimizing the hull shape for wind-powered vessels, which adopts aerospace engineering technologies in the ISHIN ship design, in collaboration with Dr. Kota Fukuda, Associate Professor at the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Tokai University, Japan.

In the ISHIN ship design, the hull features a shape that reduces wind pressure from both the bow and the sides. It uses lift from diagonally opposite winds, in addition to ensuring a smooth, streamlined flow of wind to increase operating efficiency. Earlier this year, MOL ordered two 15,600 gross ton ferries that will be fueled by LNG and use the innovative hull design. MOL expects that the new ferries will reduce CO2 emissions by about 35 percent in comparison with ferries currently in service, by adopting the latest technologies.

Dr. Kota Fukuda, a noted researcher in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, and flow simulation fields, and his group have carried out fluid dynamics research on the examination of flow phenomena around rockets and aircraft. They have also worked on the development of high-performance solar cars and solar unmanned airplanes, as well as other applications of their simulation technology. In this new project, they will expand their research field to ship engineering and ocean-going vessel development.

This new joint research project is launching as MOL also continues to push forward with its efforts to demonstrate its rigid wind sail for bulkers. The company is working with the Oshima Shipyard on the Wind Challenger, a retractable rigid sail. The shipyard recently floated out the first bulker with the Wind Challenger installed and MOL expects to start demonstrations of the vessel later this year. MOL has announced partnerships to build several bulkers outfitted with wind-assisted propulsion. The company also recently said it would study combining its rigid sails along with the installation of wind rotors on a bulker.

Source:https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/mol-joins-research-jv-using-aerospace-engineering-to-reduce-emissions

On Thursday, China’s People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force launched 11 ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan, according to U.S. officials. No damage has been reported.

Taiwan’s ministry of defense said in a statement that the missiles landed to the northeast and southwest of the island, consistent with previously-designated exclusion zones, and posed no threat to the public. The ministry released a photo of a Patriot anti-ballistic missile battery and said that its “defense systems have been activated,” but it gave no indication that it had fired any interceptor missiles.

According to Japan’s defense ministry, five missiles landed inside the Japanese EEZ, including one that passed over the northern tip of Taiwan during its flight. Japan controls several islands just east and north of Taiwan, and its EEZ abuts the Taiwanese exclusive economic zone.

The exercises could have an impact on marine operations. The southwestern drill area is located just 15 nm from the port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s biggest and busiest seaport. Taiwan’s Maritime and Port Bureau has promoted the use of alternate routes in and out of Kaohsiung, Taipei and Keelung to account for the exclusion zones.

Fishermen in some affected areas have decided to stay in port to avoid the risk of an accident, according to Taiwan’s CNA news agency, and are taking an economic loss for the time spent in port. Otherwise, “all ports in Taiwan are functioning as normal and the traffic movement in and out of ports is not disrupted,” reports marine insurer Gard. Substantial vessel traffic levels were visible near major ports Thursday, based on AIS tracking provided by Pole Star, though primarily made up of smaller local vessels. Anecdotal reports suggest that some shipowners are delaying schedules or rerouting vessels around Taiwan to the east, avoiding the Taiwan Strait until after the drills are over.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen called the missile tests an “irresponsible act” and called for deescalation.

“We call on Beijing to act with reason and  exercise restraint. Taiwan will not escalate conflict, but we will resolutely defend our sovereignty, our security and our democracy,” she said in a statement.

Speaking to MSNBC on Thursday, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the launches were “concerning.”

“One of the things that’s troublesome about exercises like this or missile launches like this is the risk of [mis]calculation, the risk of a mistake that could actually lead to some sort of conflict,” he cautioned.

The disruption may not be over yet, as China’s military drill warning extends through Sunday.

Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/china-launches-11-ballistic-missiles-into-waters-around-taiwan

The efforts to restart Black Sea shipping are accelerating with Turkish and UN officials confirming that they expect additional ships to depart ports in Ukraine on Friday, August 5, while the first inbound bulker has also been identified. Based on the success at handling the bulker Razoni earlier in the week, and lessons learned during the proof of concept, they are now saying they are prepared for a second multi-ship proof of concept as they prepare for a steady flow of vessels in and out of the Black Sea to Ukraine. They are reporting that a total of 58,041 tons of corn will depart Ukraine through the maritime humanitarian corridor under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar released a statement today, August 4, reporting that he had met separately with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov to discuss grain shipments and the latest situation. Minister Akar stated that they continue to work with the authorities of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United Nations for the smooth functioning of the system.

“As a result of intensive work and coordination at the center, three ships are planned to start sailing from Ukrainian ports within the scope of grain shipment tomorrow,” announced Akar. Ukrainian officials reported yesterday that 17 vessels were loaded and preparing to depart from the three ports under the UN-brokered humanitarian corridor.

After reports that the Razoni had been cleared to proceed by the inspectors in Istanbul, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters, “We will steadfastly continue to fulfill this agreement. It is beneficial to Ukrainian farmers, it is beneficial to the Ukrainian economy, and it is beneficial to the world.”

Late today, the JCC identified the three vessels that it has approved to depart Ukraine saying, “Drawing from lessons learned during the first movement of M/V Razoni, the JCC has authorized this movement as a second ‘proof of concept’, testing multi-ship operations in the corridor including an inbound ship. In addition, the corridor has been revised to allow for more efficient passage of ships while maintaining safety.”

The ships that have been authorized to depart for Turkey are the Polarnet, a Turkish owned bulker (12,200 dwt) which President Zelenskyy visited last Friday in Chornomorsk, which will depart with 12,000 metric tonnes of corn bound for Turkey. The Rojen, a 41,500 dwt bulker registered in Malta will also depart from Chornomorsk with a cargo of 13,041 MT corn destined to the UK, while the Navistar, a 38,243 dwt bulker registered in Panama, will depart from Odesa with a cargo of 33,000 MT of corn heading to Ireland.

The next test of the system will be moving vessels into Ukraine to continue the exports once the ships trapped in the ports since February are finally able to clear the ports. On Wednesday, Minister Akar confirmed media reports that an empty ship is expected to move to Ukraine after being inspected in Istanbul.

Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian government in Odesa, initally identified the first inbound bulker as a Turkish-owned ship, the Osprey S. Registered in Liberia, the 30,500 dwt bulker is currently in the Tuzla anchorage south of Istanbul. A spokesperson for the Joint Coordination Center however reports that they would be boarding another vessel, the Fulmar S (14,415 dwt) registered in Barbados for an inspection on Friday before it proceeds to the port of Chornomorsk.

The bulker Razoni, laden with a cargo of corn from Ukraine, left the Turkish anchorage this morning. She is proceeding to Tripoli where Ukrainian officials said she is expected to start offloading early next week.
Source: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/three-ships-to-depart-ukraine-as-first-inbound-ship-awaits-inspection

Unionized workers aboard the decommissioned FPSO Petrojarl Foinaven have safety concerns about their last labor action. 50 workers are planning to go on strike while the Foinaven is under tow to Hunterston, Scotland, and union Unite accuses the operator of doing too little to ensure their safety during the voyage.

The workers aboard the Foinaven plan to go out on strike over the terms of their severance pay. Staff involved in the decommissioned platform’s operations will be laid off this month, and the union claims that shoreside employees of the operation are getting a much larger severance package.
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The trade union has slammed Altera, the vessel’s operator, for maintaining what it calls a ‘wall of silence’ over the safety of the 50 workers who intend to go on strike Friday. During the strike, Foinaven will be under tow from the Foinaven oil field west of the Shetland Islands to Hunterston, an industrial terminal on the Firth of Clyde. The FPSO is expected to reach the port by early next week.

Unite claims that Altera has refused to respond to safety concerns raised over the emergency services provisions for the vessel if it comes into distress or if a fire breaks out, as the workers will remain onboard while on strike. The workers include crane operators, electricians, deck crew and production technicians.

A fire incident onboard the Foinaven occurred in April, prompting the temporary evacuation of 30 nonessential staff.

“We remain deeply concerned for the safety of the crew during the tow, which is likely to involve around 50 people, for the Foinaven itself, the towing vessels and the wider environment should anything go wrong,” said Vic Fraser, Unite industrial officer.

Fraser said that Unite had asked Altera if it had been in touch with regulators and other parties involved in the tow – like Maersk, the towing provider – to make sure that all were aware of the implications of the strike.

Fionaven is owned by a Teekay subsidiary and operated by Altera on behalf of field operator BP. The oil major ended the contract for the vessel after suspending production from the Foinaven field in 2021.

The FPSO is set for decommissioning after decades of operations in the harsh environment west of Shetland. Following redelivery, Teekay will be responsible for its recycling, which will be carried out at an approved shipyard in compliance with UK regulations.

Source: https://maritime-executive.com/article/aging-fpso-s-crew-plans-to-go-on-strike-while-under-tow