Tore Hoem, adventures director at Hurtigruten Svalbard, has lived on Svalbard, the remote Norwegian archipelago just a few hundred miles from the North Pole, for more than two decades, long enough to witness the sea ice retreat significantly and more rain creep into the early and late snow season.

These alarming effects of climate change are among key drivers behind the Hurtigruten Group’s sustainability efforts, including a new hybrid-electric excursion vessel recently put into service in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest inhabited area. The 14.9-meter aluminum vessel, Kvitbjørn, built by Marell Boats in Sweden, runs on a hybrid-electric propulsion system developed by Volvo Penta.

Powered by a Volvo Penta twin D4-320 DPI Aquamatic hybrid solution, the boat has a top speed of 30-32 knots and a cruising speed of 24-25 knots, with a range of 500 nautical miles. Volvo Penta’s “helm to propeller” package for the vessel includes the engines and drivelines, the electronic vessel control (EVC) system, joystick control, dynamic positioning system and the driver interface. The capacity of vessel’s lithium ion batteries is 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Given the current state of technology, electrification is not an option for every vessel. One must consider the use case to determine if a hybrid or full electric setup makes sense. For Kvitbjørn, which will be used for 3-4-hour sightseeing tours, batteries combined with diesel engines fit the bill.

This wasn’t the only option, of course. According to Hoem, Hurtigruten had considered ordering a vessel with other propulsion arrangements such as more traditional outboard engines, but ultimately opted for Volvo Penta’s hybrid-electric solution based on its environmental advantages, as well as the improved passenger experience.

Tore Hoem, Adventures Director at Hurtigruten Svalbard (Photo: Volvo Penta)

Kvitbjørn’s tours out of Longyearbyen will provide an opportunity for up to 12 passengers to experience the spectacular Arctic seascapes and landscapes, as well as Svalbard’s true residents: its natural wildlife, which includes polar bears, reindeer, puffins, seals, walrus and whales. The objective isn’t to cruise at 50-plus knots, it’s to give guests the best possible journey, Hoem explained. “The key to that, in many ways, is silence.”

Kvitbjørn can be operated in three modes: full diesel, diesel with electric assist or all-electric, the last of which provides for a quieter ride that is much more pleasant for those on board and less disturbing to the pristine surrounding environment.

“It’s sort of a paradox to take guests out to a glacier front with noisy engines running. That silence is maybe the coolest thing about this [vessel],” Hoem said. “Of course, we go from A to B with some noise and diesel, but when we are at the destination it’s quiet. And that’s the key here, together with the sustainability part.”

And while diesel-electric wasn’t the only option, it certainly wasn’t the easiest either. It took a healthy dose of engineering to pull it off, Jonas Karnerfors, sales project manager at Volvo Penta, explained. Among key challenges were finding a way to fit the large, heavy batteries withing the Marell M15 hull. The team also had to come up with a way to heat the batteries—rather than cool them, as is common in other environments—to ensure they maintain an optimal temperature withing the frigid Arctic waters, Karnerfors said.

From left: Johan Inden, President of Volvo Penta’s Marine Business Unit, and Jonas Karnerfors, Sales Project Manager at Volvo Penta (Photo: Eric Haun)

Kvitbjørn comes amid wider sustainability efforts being led by both the Hurtigruten Group and Volvo Penta in parallel with tourism and marine industry peers striving to reduce their environmental impacts. Increasingly, hybrid and electric propulsion solutions are gaining interest among marine operators working to slash emissions across various sectors.

“Our vision as a company is to be a world leader in sustainable power solutions,” said Johan Inden, president of Volvo Penta’s marine business unit.

Volvo Penta, as part of the Volvo Group, has committed to having a climate neutral impact by 2050. The company aims to offer a broader range of hybrid and full electric products to the market by 2025, and Inden said Volvo Penta sees 2030 as a “tipping point” for the uptake of green propulsion technologies in the marine industry.

(Photo: Eric Haun)

According to Inden, Volvo Penta’s “helm-to-propeller” approach better positions the company to achieve its sustainability goals by allowing it to have greater control over maximizing the vessel’s overall efficiency. “The platform that we’ve developed is a combination of software systems, integration between all the parts of the propulsion system with very effective drives and propellers. It gives us a very unique position.”

Inden said that the drive system in particular is often underestimated as a necessary piece of green propulsion solutions. “The more effective you are getting your power in the water, the less of a footprint you’ll have,” he noted.

As Kvitbjørn goes to work, Volvo Penta will analyze fuel savings and emissions reductions enabled by the hybrid-electric solution, Inden said.

In addition, over the course of the next three years, the companies will test the hybrid propulsion technology as well as Volvo Penta’s new “e-mobility-as-a-service” business model, which will see Hurtigruten Svalbard pay by the kilowatt-hour for the vessel’s operation. According to Volvo Penta, this payment model, while still at a concept stage, has been conceived as a way of risk-sharing with the end-user as marine electrification solutions are typically costlier.

Inden said this model could be especially attractive in the commercial marine sector for workboat owners and operators looking to go green. “You don’t have to make a huge investment. You go to the bank, you finance it and then you amortize. You can actually use the vessel and pay for it at the same time as you earn your revenue,” Inden said. “That’s an interesting aspect from a business model and financial perspective, but even more so, it engages us with the customer in a different way, and there is a different responsibility from our side.”

(Photo: Volvo Penta)

Throughout the three-year contract period, Volvo Penta will deliver the driveline as a service; it still owns the equipment. The boat is separated from the driveline from a contract perspective, Inden said. In this case, Volvo Penta will monitor the drivetrain and maintain responsibility to ensure it remains operational. “It’s not that we handed over a vessel and then the customer calls us when something is wrong. Now we’re a bigger part of the operation,” Inden said. “As we evolve this over time, hopefully, an operator or captain will feel that we are a closer partner to making sure they’re up and running. That is a real benefit to this.”

But there are still questions to be answered. “In this setup, we are piloting and we are testing,” Inden said. “We want to understand how it will work in real commercial operation—insurance, additional financing, responsibility, data protection, et cetera. That is really what we’re trying to nudge here to get that discussion going. And we don’t know the solution. We don’t know where it will go exactly. But we are sure it’s moving in that direction, so we need to understand it.”

In the event that Hurtigruten Svalbard opts out at the end of the three years, the setup is so that Volvo Penta can exchange the equipment for a regular driveline. “It’s very safe in that perspective,” Inden said. “You always have to think 360 degrees when you do something like this. What are the options for all the involved parties? Can we do this safely? Can we do it with productivity and uptime for the customer? I hope they will be excited to continue, but let’s see.”

The Volvo Penta DPI package features a hydraulic clutch for silent and smooth shifting at low engine speeds, as well as added maneuverability. With steer-by-wire technology, the joystick functionality is also precise, delivering greater control. Kvitbjørn also has a joystick on the aft deck so a guide can steer the vessel from outside during a tour. (Photo: Eric Haun)

Source: https://www.marinelink.com/news/svalbard-tour-boat-ushers-new-498424


Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, Wah Kwong, one of Hong Kong’s largest shipowners, and Shanghai Qiyao Environmental Technology Co. Ltd. (QIYAO ENVIRON TEC), a subsidiary of Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute, have signed a cooperation agreement to study the feasibility of installing carbon capture and storage (CCS) units on existing ships to meet 2030 CII targets.

The study will focus on two types of bulk carriers in operation in the Wah Kwong fleet. Based on the specific design parameters of the vessels, Qiyao Environmental Technology has developed a customized design of CCS units for the Wah Kwong fleet and submitted relevant drawings. BV reviewed the plans according to existing regulations and rules to ensure the safety of the vessels and equipment, and that the carbon emission reduction targets are effectively achieved during the operation of the vessels. Subsequent research work will be conducted for oil tankers.

CCUS
Bureau Veritas infographic: Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS)
The CCS concept developed by Qiyao Environmental Technology has completed laboratory testing, achieving a total carbon capture rate of over 85% so far and the system is in the process of continuous optimization. The CCS unit can be designed for different ship types and sizes. The design approval of the CCS unit is under review.

The CCS system mainly consists of an absorption unit, a separation unit, a compression unit, a refrigeration unit and a storage unit. The main principle is that the organic amine compound solution reacts with the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the absorption unit, separating it from the rest of the exhaust gas. The dissolved carbon dioxide compound solution is desorbed at high temperature in the separation tower, before the extracted carbon dioxide is compressed, purified and cooled into liquid carbon dioxide and stored in a low temperature storage tank.

Alex Gregg-Smith, Senior Vice President & Chief Executive, North Asia & China, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, commented: “The transition to a greener shipping industry is critical. Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology captured a total of 40 million tonnes of CO2 in 2021 according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), notably in industrial projects on shore.

This makes CCUS one of the options available today that could significantly contribute to achieve carbon neutrality, as well as a promising avenue for reducing emissions from shipping. We are very honoured to collaborate on this study. BV’s expertise in supporting CCUS projects, combined with Wah Kwong’ and QIYAO’s technical and strategic capabilities, will help to spur the implementation of CCUS technology in the shipping industry.”

Carbon capture technology has been used in the land-based industry for many years and the solutions are mature. However, as a marine application, the challenges that must be addressed are safety, layout, energy consumption, and the need to balance cost effectiveness.

Sustainability is embedded in BV’s vision and strategy. As a leading classification society, Bureau Veritas helps clients comply with environmental regulations, implement green solutions onboard, measure decarbonization progress, and more. From conceptual design to construction, from process services to green recycling, BV experts provide services across the entire life cycle of a ship. BV remains committed to providing technical solutions and certifications to the shipping industry, contributing to the shaping a better maritime world.

Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/wah-kwong-qiyao-and-bureau-veritas-launched-feasibility-study-on-carbon-capture-and-storage-on-ships/


A container ship named MAYA capsized and reportedly rested on the bottom portside along the berth at Shunan Port, Honshu, at about 1200 LT on July 31. The ship lost its stability while loading containers at the Tokuyama Shimomatsu Port. It eventually capsized. About 100 containers went overboard and kept drifting around Tokuyama Bay waters and around the port area.

The ship’s AIS was switched off since the capsizing. Three crew members on board were able to escape and one was taken to a hospital. However, the condition was not life-threatening. Nearly 40 liters of fuel have leaked. Operations are underway to recover floating containers that contain fuel stains.

Source: https://www.marineinsight.com/videos/maya-container-ship-capsized-at-a-pier-in-japan/


Fire erupted on one of cargo decks of passenger/ro-ro ferry CIUDAD DE ALCUDIA, berthed at Valencia Spain, on Aug 1. Fire was extinguished by Valencia firefighters, no injures reported, while the ship sustained unclarified damages and had to cancel scheduled trips. Ferry is connecting Mallorca and Menorca islands with Spanish mainland via Valencia, she arrived at Valencia from Palma de Mallorca early in the morning Aug 1, remained berthed as of 1640 UTC Aug 1.

New FleetMon Vessel Safety Risk Reports Available: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/


The newly launched Green Ray Initiative, coordinated by VTT Technical research institute in Finland, is a 5-year research project which aims to reduce methane slip from LNG-powered engines. The project has received funding worth 7 million euros from the European Commission and intends to work on multiple avenues to reduce methane slip from both newbuilds and retrofits.

The project primarily focuses on a low-pressure dual-fuel engine concept, as this engine is popular in marine applications. Within this, the project aims to develop three technologies. The first one is a four-stroke engine that will enable methane slip reduction at all engine loads, this kind of engine will find use in cruises, ferries, and gas carriers. The second will be a two-stroke engine with a patented LNG injection system, which will be used in tankers and container ships. And the third and final will be an after-treatment technology involving a sulfur-resistant catalyst system that will be able to reduce the emissions originating from methane slip by up to 95% and will reduce it to a level of 1g of emission per kWh of energy.

The project is expected to hit the ground running as many big names in the industry are its participants and backers, such as DNV, Wartsila, Shell, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, MSC Malta shipyard, CMA Ships, MSC Cruises, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

These technologies will be demonstrated on board two new ships and a retrofitted ship, up to the Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL7) standards. The project will also combine the data collected on emissions with onboard experiments and modeling to provide a more comprehensive outlook on the global impact on marine transport.

Source: https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39021/europe-funds-new-initiative-reduce-methane-slip-ln/


Port of Salalah and FECO of Salalah – Oman, signed an agreement recently to pave the way for Salalah to become one of the leading bunkering hubs in the region.

FECO has already commenced its operations in Salalah effective June 2022. Having stationed the M/T “Sea Dweller” at Salalah, FECO is already supplying bunkers by ship-to-ship transfer, ex pipeline and by road tankers. With the implementation of IMO regulations, the demand for low sulphur fuel has increased, however ship owners are challenged by its supply in the region, FECO intends to offer fuel of various types and grades while the ship is visiting the port as well as at the anchorage apart from using the Salalah capacity for storage and bunker trading.

The principals of FECO have vast experience in physical bunkering operations which span over 22 years. Furthermore, FECO and its principals have been providing bunkering vessels and running bunkering terminals for Oil Majors (including the Salalah bunkering facility) for over 20 years. FECO is a customer-oriented company providing the best quality fuels in the world at most competitive prices resulting from a low cost and highly efficient operation.

bunkering-salalah

Source: Port of Salalah

Salalah, geographically located in the most significant spot in the busiest East West shipping route is ambitious of offering bunkering as a value-added service not only for the ships visiting the Port but also for the ships plying in this route. With this objective in mind Port of Salalah invited international tenders in November 2021, for its tank farm which has a storage capacity of 100000 MT of liquid fuel, through a competitive bidding process and subsequent evaluation culminated in finalising the deal in April 2022.

“We are excited at this partnership with Port of Salalah and we hope to expand our presence in the region and are confident of being able to offer bunkering at very competitive pricing to a wide range of customers visiting the Port of Salalah and off Salalah” says Ioannis Koilakos, Partner and Director of FECO.
Source: Port of Salalah


UTM/USSP specialist, Airwayz Drones, has today announced it successfully executed a proof of concept demonstration at Ashdod Port as a part of 500 Global and PoA Innovation accelerator programme that aims to integrate innovative technologies and sustainable applications into the largest cargo port of Israel. The demonstration showcased Airwayz UTM’s ability to manage multiple fleets of drones, reacting safely and efficiently to three potential scenarios that a bustling port could face.

In the first scenario, multiple autonomous drones connected by Airwayz UTM/USSP ran regular patrols across Ashdod Port whilst intelligent software identified the images in real-time, allowing the port’s operator teams to monitor the site with faster response capabilities as well as complete situational awareness. The port’s security was tested further in the second scenario by autonomously sending two drones to a point of interest. This provided operators with a clear view of the area and allowed a more accurate assessment of the situation.

During the third test, a rogue drone was brought into the scenario. Using Airwayz UTM/USSP combined with ground sensor technology, the system quickly and easily detected the unregistered drone and autonomously dispatched a system drone to investigate further. Airwayz UTM/USSP efficiently integrates multiple systems and uses its AI-based software to react quickly and avoid all collisions, including even unregistered drones, providing a critical security solution for ports and any other hubs requiring similar security.

Following the completion of the demonstration, Eyal Zor, CEO and Co-Founder of Airwayz, said,”In collaboration with Ashdod Port and Global 500, today we showcased the advanced ability of Airwayz’ game-changing UTM system to manage safe and efficient operations in seaports and other critical infrastructures. Airwayz’s unique UTM service is at the forefront of drone technology, allowing numerous industries to increase productivity and efficiency through unmanned automation. We believe our technology will revolutionise how businesses operate in the near future. We’re honoured to have been selected as the best accelerator for the Blue Ocean for Startups accelerator programme with 500 Global.”

The Port of Ashdod underwent a 12-week acceleration programme – set up and managed by the venture capital firm 500 Global – to test and adopt new technologies that enhance productivity and efficiency across various applications with the goal of driving sustainable innovation within blue tech. Throughout the programme, Airwayz’ demonstrated its sophisticated UTM/USSP capabilities, such as tactical and strategic deconfliction, and advanced mission planning, allowing drones to be operated in any ecosystem safely and efficiently.
Source: Airwayz


Claims that maritime traffic in the Suez Canal has fallen in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been rejected by the Egyptian government, which says the key trading link is setting new records.

The government’s media center said that it had contacted the Suez Canal Authority, which described the claims on social media as rumors.
Navigation movement in the canal during February 2022 reached a new high in terms of ship transit rates and net tonnages, the authority said.

“A total of 1,713 ships crossed from both directions, with a net tonnage of 100.1 million tons, compared with the transit of 1,532 ships during February last year, with a total net tonnage of 97.6 million tons,” the authority said.

It said that flexible marketing and pricing policies have encouraged new shipping lines to use the canal.

According to the government media center, the Suez Canal achieved record profits in 2021, with revenue totalling $6.3 billion, despite the effects of the pandemic on the global economy.

Performance rates in February this year are the highest for the month in the history of the canal, with revenue rising by 15.1 percent to $545.5 million, not including navigation services. This compares with $474.1 million for the same month last year.

Transit rates of various types of ships also rose compared with the same month last year, with bulk vessel numbers increasing by 29 percent, container ships by 11.8 percent and car carriers by 22.2 percent.
Source: Arab News


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