Stockholm, Sweden, based Green City Ferries has announced the award of contracts for key suppliers to provide the emission-free propulsion system for Beluga24 – its high-speed emission-free catamaran passenger ferry.

The Beluga24 offers two emission-free options – battery electric for short journeys and hydrogen fuel cell for long ones. It has been designed as a multi-purpose solution for public transportation with space for 147 passengers and 28 bicycles.

Built in light-weight carbon fiber and with a foil-assisted hull, the vessels are designed to reduce energy demand by 50 % compared to conventional high-speed catamarans and produce a smooth ride with very little wake.

The biggest challenge with emission-free vessels is the weight of the components that provide the electric power. This is the case in both battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric systems.

The hydrogen ferry is co-funded by the European Union through the project TECOW.

For the battery-electric Beluga24, BAE Systems will provide the powertrain and the waterjets will be provided by HamiltonJet. The energy system will be supplied by Echandia.

“The key to building an emission-free passenger ferry is to combine light-weight hull technologies, energy efficient design and a propulsion system that is both highly effective and light weight. We have carefully selected the providers for our propulsion system to ensure reliability and efficiency of the system. By collaborating with BAE Systems for the power train, HamiltonJet for the jets and vessel controls and Echandia for the battery and fuel cell systems, we have a combination of highly innovative and technical solutions that will enable the Beluga24 to travel emission-free at high-speeds.” said Fredrik Thornell, CEO of Green City Ferries.

“BAE Systems is proud to deliver our state-of-the-art lightweight powertrain to the Beluga24. Using a modular design, our next-generation power electronics allow for scalable, customized solutions that fit the specific power requirements of each vessel, reducing space and simplifying installation. With our expertise in power management and efficient electric propulsion, we’re looking forward to teaming with Green City Ferries on the world’s first high-speed emission-free passenger ferry,” said Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of Power & Propulsion Solutions at BAE Systems.

“The HamiltonJet waterjet is one of the most advanced and innovative marine propulsion systems in use today and is at the forefront of waterjet propulsion technology. We are delighted to provide our waterjets and AVX controls to the Beluga24 and contribute to this innovative solution.”, said Ben Reed, Managing Director, HamiltonJet.

”Echandia’s solutions really fits well for these demanding operational profiles with high- power needs and uninterrupted service over long periods of time. We are honored to be trusted as a part of Green City Ferries’ breakthroughs in maritime transportation. Their project, which not only reduces emissions from Stockholm’s waterborne local transportation but also pioneers emission-free high-speed catamarans that potentially can be used in cities all over the world.”, said Magnus Eriksson, CEO Echandia

Container ship MSC RACHELE suffered explosion in engine room, followed by fire, at around 0700 UTC Jun 21 in Mediterranean, some 60 nm SE of Fos, France, while en route from Napoli to Fos. 3 crew were injured and medevaced by helicopter, all 3 transported to hospital, 2 of them in serious condition. The ship was disabled and had to be taken on tow, she was towed to Fos anchorage, anchored at around 0230 UTC Jun 22.

Two decades after the devastating Erika and Prestige accidents, the European maritime safety framework has evolved to become one of the most robust in the world. That’s according to the European Maritime Safety Report (EMSAFE), the first ever comprehensive overview of maritime safety in the European Union.

One of the key pillars of the EU safety framework is port state control, which results in over 14000 vessel checks each year by inspectors in EU ports, complemented by legislative initiatives like the specific EU survey regime for RoPax and high-speed craft, and the obligation for Member States to report and monitor accidents centrally for analysis and development of preventive actions. This legislation supports the implementation and enforcement of international conventions adopted at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) by addressing specific risks and putting in place a centralised approach in support of maritime safety.

The EMSAFE report, published by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) also highlights the assistance that the Agency provides to the European Commission to check the implementation of EU legislation. In this regard, EMSA has carried out more than 300 visits to Member States on behalf of the Commission over the past two decades, as well as more than 300 inspections of EU recognised organisations, to which Member States are increasingly delegating tasks linked to their flag state responsibilities.

In addition, more than 70 inspections of maritime administrations, education, and training institutes in third countries were carried out in the same period, to assist the Commission in assessing compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

In 2020 alone more than 680 000 calls to EU ports were registered. The exchange of safety information between Member States in areas like dangerous cargo transported, vessel positioning data, and the registration of passengers, is therefore vital. Consequently, EMSA will continue to develop and improve SafeSeaNet, the EU-wide maritime data exchange, to offer facilitation services, simplify the fulfilment of reporting obligations, and support new and revised EU legislation. These developments consolidate the role of SafeSeaNet as the primary platform for maritime safety information in the EU.

EMSAFE is released at a time in which the EU Member State-flagged fleet is experiencing slower growth than that of world fleet (3.4% growth over the past five years as compared to 7% growth for the world fleet).

Although the average age of EU Member State-flagged vessels is broadly comparable to that of the world fleet, some ship categories are ageing, including passenger vessels, which have an average age of 28 years.

“Today’s report stands testimony to how the EU’s efforts to ensure maritime safety have been effective in preventing accidents and ensuring a high level of harmonised safety rules across the Union. At the same time, a single maritime accident can have catastrophic consequences for human life and the marine environment, so continuous vigilance and improvement remain essential. I welcome this worthwhile initiative, which provides an essential guide to the maritime safety situation and the issues with which we are confronted,” said EU Transport Commissioner, Adina Vălean.

“Safety is the cornerstone of all maritime activities. Without safety there can be no sustainability, no security, and no evolution of the maritime transport sector in the EU. Therefore, safety is at the heart of EMSA’s work, both now and in the future. But our report makes clear that maritime safety is, and always will be, a joint concern. Only by working together – at international, European, national, policy, industry, and stakeholder level – can we sustain the strong framework we have built over the past twenty years and continue to meet future challenges,” said the Executive Director of EMSA, Maja Markovčić Kostelac.

Future trends:

According to the report, maritime safety will continue to pose challenges in the short and medium term, not only in managing the current fleet, but also in the areas of digitalisation, emerging technologies, and sustainability.

• The sector’s efforts to reach emission targets as part of the European Green Deal are also linked to maritime safety, especially given that the use of new fuels (hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and biofuels) and power technologies (batteries and fuel cells) need to be underpinned by adequate safety standards.
• In addition, the number of alternatively fuelled vehicles, including electric cars, increased by 29% between 2019 and 2021 in the EU, meaning that both passenger and cargo ships need to prepare for the safety risks of transporting more of these vehicles.
• The report underlines that although autonomous ships offer new opportunities for industry, they also bring challenges in the regulatory and technical fields, including the need to develop a legal framework, standards, surveys, manoeuvres at sea and in port, and the qualifications of those on board, among others.

Source: EMSA

General cargo ship NAM THINH 126 issued distress signal at around noon Jun 22, being anchored at Hon Dau Anchorage, Hai Phong. The ship reported heavy portside list, danger of capsizing, 8 crew and 2 passengers going into life rafts. NAM THINH 126 was en route from Quy Nhon to Hai Phong with cargo of stones, she was caught in heavy swell while anchored, understood there was cargo shift, which caused capsizing and sinking. All 10 people were rescued. There are reportedly, some 153 tons of fuel on board, crew managed to seal off fuel tanks and fuel pipes before abandoning the ship, no leak reported so far.

Passenger ro-ro ship ANDROS QUEEN suffered fire in the morning Jun 21 at Perama Ship Repair Yard, Piraeus, in aft area, probably in engine room. Fire was extinguished by joint efforts of 2 SAR ships, 5 fire engines and crew, no injures reported, extent of damages unknown. The ship is undergoing repairs to be refitted for ferry services, since Apr 2022.