Maersk Triple E |
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Monday, 25 February 2013
US looking for business opportunities in Vizag
HYDERABAD: The US is looking for business opportunities in Visakhapatnam, the second biggest city in Andhra Pradesh, especially in the port sector.
Judy R. Reinke, minister counsellor for commercial affairs at the US embassy, would be visiting the port city also known as Vizag Friday.
"I will have a chance to talk to the port community and to see opportunities for American business to do more engagement in the port sector," she said at annual day function of the American Chamber of Commerce Hyderabad Chapter (AMCHAM) here Thursday night.
She said the US was keen to have further engagement with Andhra Pradesh.
"The US commercial service at US embassy has an office here. I am also happy to say that last year we opened American Business Corner in Vizag with a local partner because we see it is important to have even further engagement here in Andhra Pradesh," she said.
Reinke noted that many American companies including Microsoft, AMD, International Paper, DE Shaw & Co, Qualcomm, S&P Capital and CA Technologies have made Andhra Pradesh their home.
Describing Hyderabad as the global destination city, she said that the event is an evidence of the fact that Hyderabad is a place to be for American industry.
"Hyderabad is beautiful city known for its cuisine, culture, history and people. It is also global destination city. One finds people from all over world in hotels and in companies here and it is a city known for its engagement with global market," she said.
James Golsen, commercial officer, US Consulate, Chennai said the business relationship between the US and Hyderabad was ever expanding.
Katherine Dhanani, consul general in Hyderabad, pointed out that during last one year trade delegations from San Antonio, Texas and Washington states visited Hyderabad and the focus was medical devices and renewable energy sectors.
The US officials honored industry bodies, institutions and individuals to recognize their contributions to US-India business relations.
J. A. Chowdary of Talent Sprint and B. V. R. Mohan Reddy of Infotech Enterprises were felicitated for their leadership role in promoting business ties between the US and Andhra Pradesh.
Eleven institutions were also honoured. They included the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Andhra Pradesh unit of FICCI, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and Aurobindo Pharma.
Source: IANS
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
World’s First Ultra-Long-Stroke Ship Engine Passes First Test
HHI-EMD, the engine and machinery division of Hyundai Heavy Industries, has reported that the world’s first MAN B&W 7G80ME-C9.2 passed its official shop test on 16 January 2013 in Korea.
The MAN Diesel & Turbo licensee reported that the shop test proceeded as expected and was a success. Engineers from MAN Diesel & Turbo took part in the entire prototype process, culminating with the very first engine start on 10 January, the official shop test on 16 January and an overhaul inspection the following day.
The engine is bound for a Greek customer – Almi Tankers – and will power a VLCC due for delivery by the Daewoo yard in May of this year with sea trials taking place in April. The new engine is the first of two in an identical package ordered by Almi with a second VLCC scheduled for delivery in December of this year.
Speaking at the time of the initial announcement of the Almi order, Ole Grøne – Senior Vice President Low-Speed Promotion & Sales – MAN Diesel & Turbo said: Traditionally, super-long-stroke S-type engines, with relatively low engine speeds, have been applied as prime movers in tankers. Following the efficiency optimisation trends in the market, the possibility of using even larger propellers has been thoroughly evaluated with a view to using engines with even lower speeds for propulsion of particularly VLCCs. We also see a clear trend with focus on fuel optimisation. We now have around 100 G-type engines on order, including the container and bulker segments, which is a successful introduction”.
He continued: “VLCCs may be compatible with propellers with larger propeller diameters than current designs accommodate, and thus higher efficiencies can be achieved following an adaptation of the aft hull design to accommodate the larger propeller. The new, ultra-long-stroke G80ME-C9 engine type meets this trend in the VLCC market.
It is estimated that such new designs offer potential fuel-consumption savings of some 4-7%, and a similar reduction in CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, the engine itself can achieve a high thermal efficiency using the latest engine process parameters and design features.
The G-type programme
The G-type programme was introduced to the market in October 2010 with the G80ME-C9 model. MAN Diesel & Turbo subsequently expanded the ultra-long-stroke programme in May 2011 with the addition of G70ME-C9, G60ME-C9 and G50ME-B9 models. The G-types have designs that follow the principles of the large-bore Mk-9 engine series that MAN Diesel & Turbo introduced in 2006. Their longer stroke reduces engine speed, thereby paving the way for ship designs with unprecedented high efficiency.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Nichioh Maru – The First Car Carrier with Solar Power System
Nichioh Maru car carrier represents a major stride forward in the concept of eco-friendly ships. The green ship boasts of the unique distinction of being the first car carrier to be equipped with the solar-energy power generation systems. Operating internally within Japan, the green ship has been in commercial service since 2012.
The Shin Kurushima Shipbuilding Company undertook the solar car carrier ship’s construction as per the specifications stated by its owners, Nissan. Presently, the Nichioh Maru is operated by the Nitto Kaiun Company.Mainly used to transport Nissan cars internally between the regions of Honshu (Yokohama and Kobe) to Kyushu, the car carrier is the first vessel to be operated on electronic-diesel power. The vessel’s construction follows Nissan’s initiative to come up with sustainable eco-friendly alternatives in its maritime ventures.
The Shin Kurushima Shipbuilding Company undertook the solar car carrier ship’s construction as per the specifications stated by its owners, Nissan. Presently, the Nichioh Maru is operated by the Nitto Kaiun Company.Mainly used to transport Nissan cars internally between the regions of Honshu (Yokohama and Kobe) to Kyushu, the car carrier is the first vessel to be operated on electronic-diesel power. The vessel’s construction follows Nissan’s initiative to come up with sustainable eco-friendly alternatives in its maritime ventures.
Almost 1,400 cars can be accommodated onto the solar ship which measures almost 170 meters lengthwise and a width of about 26 meters. The green ship’s constructional features also include a specially crafted hull that substantially reduces the vessel’s resistance against the incoming air currents while on water.
This unique engineering system helps the vessel to reduce nearly 1,400 tonnes of exhaust discharges. This accounts for an estimated reduction in carbon dioxide discharges by over 4,000 tonnes, yearly. The car carrier is equipped with over 28 solar panels. These solar panels help to generate power to light the ship’s LED-based lighting systems.
Future Expectations
The tremendous success of the Nichioh Maru car carrier has led to additional expectations of marine ecology preservation being placed on leading maritime companies of the world. Nissan has come up with a 2016 deadline as a part of its obligations towards preserving and sustaining the marine ecology. The launching of the Nichioh Maru solar ship is thus yet another step towards achieving this objective.
Friday, 21 December 2012
Merger to Create World’s Biggest Ship Classification Society
Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd today announced they are merging to create the world’s biggest ship classification society, accounting for nearly 18 percent of the global fleet.
Norway’s DNV will own 63.5 percent of the new company DNV GL Group, with GL’s German owner, Mayfair, holding a 36.5 percent stake.
The company, with annual revenue of $3.3 billion and a 17,000 strong work force, will be headquartered in Oslo. Its marine operations will be based in Hamburg, the home port of the world’s largest container ship fleet, much of which is classified by GL.
DNV GL will overtake Japan’s Class NK as the world’s largest classification society, issuing sea worthiness certificates to about 69,500 ships totaling 353 million deadweight tons.
The company will also be among the world’s biggest risk experts in oil and gas and the top three in management system certification.
“The merger rests on a strong strategic rationale, and responds to the challenges of increased globalization, rapid technological change and the needs for sustainable development,” said DNV Group CEO Henrik Madsen, who will also be CEO of the merged company.
DNV, which was founded in 1864, is owned by the not-for-profit DNV Foundation. GL’s owner, Mayfair, is the family holding of Guenter and Daniela Herz, former shareholders of the Tchibo coffee shop and restaurant chain..
New LNG-Fueled Bulk Carrier Design Receives Lloyd’s Register Approval in Principle
The ‘Clean Sky’ LNG-fueled bulk carrier design. Image: Lloyd’s Register |
Class society Lloyd’s Register said Thursday that it has provided approval in principle (AIP) for COSCO Shipyard’s new ‘Clean Sky’ LNG-powered bulk carrier design.
COSCO, Golden Union and Lloyd’s Register began the project in June 2011 to investigate the potential to develop a commercially viable bulk carrier design based on an existing COSCO conventional Kamsarmax bulk carrier, only incorporating a gas powered propulsion systems. Kamsarmax refers to a relatively new type of ship, larger than panamax, that are suitable for berthing at the Port of Kamsar (Guinea) and have a maximum length of 299 meters.
The ‘Clean Sky’ design is notable because it allows owners to choose between dual, or tri-fuel engines able to burn, heavy fuel oil (HFO) or diesel, as well as LNG. The ‘Clean Sky’ is also said to be beyond the concept stage, with the possibility for the first such vessel to be built next year.
Nick Brown, Lloyd’s Register’s Area General Manager and Marine Manager in China commented: “This news moves the industry far beyond the concept stage. A ‘Clean Sky’ ship could be built next year. We have addressed the technology issues; the approval in principle that we issued today only comes after exhaustive risk investigations into the gas containment, bunkering systems and performance assessment.”
Various containment systems and configurations were considered by the project team, but the final choice was for a single, 1,160 m3 type ‘C’ tank that sits aft on the port side.
“COSCO Shipyard Group has a strong sense of social responsibility,” says COSCO Shipyard Group’s Head of Engineering, Zhan Shu Ming. “We are innovating to help shipowners meet new IMO emissions and performance requirements. Society is looking for alternatives to current fuels, which are also rising in price. The increased availability of gas reserves and the emissions benefits are driving interest in LNG as an alternative fuel. With COSCO Shipyard Group’s depth of experience in building Kamsarmax bulk carriers, we are now very well placed to build bulk carriers with the new gas technology. Our development in LNG as an alternative fuel technology will not be only limited to the application to bulk carrier designs, but also for other ship types. The current achievement is only the beginning of our research and development for LNG as an alternative fuel and the COSCO Shipyard Group, as a pioneer in this new technology, is committed to even more in-depth research in the future.”
A representative from Golden Union commented:
“The particularly tough environmental requirements mean vessels will have to comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III regulations by 2016 and this opens up demand for new ship propulsion solutions incorporating cost effective technologies. This could trigger a substantial shift towards natural gas-powered vessels; and in gas mode dual fuel engines already comply with the IMO’s Tier III requirements. Using LNG may be the ideal solution for meeting increased environmental performance without losing competitiveness. This design offers significant reductions in SOx, NOx and particulate – as well as CO2 – emissions by simply using cleaner LNG instead of employing costly and complex cleaning systems which do not always work.”“Looking at the commercial perspective of LNG as a ship’s fuel, the capital expense of installing an LNG fuel system should be paid off after few years by operating expense savings, especially if a vessel is trading within ECAs. Global reserves in LNG greatly surpass oil reserves. LNG is becoming more readily available in the market. This, in combination with steady demand, should reduce price volatility in comparison with HFO. Keeping this in mind, HFO and marine diesel and marine gasoil prices will be likely to increase faster than LNG rates, speeding up the pay-off of the system.”
To date, LNG-as-fuel research, technology development and newbuilding activities have focused on specific niche sectors such as ferries, offshore vessels and short sea, or inland, trades. This project paves the way for take-up in deep sea bulk carrier trades, and perhaps even tankers.
“The challenges are similar for tankers,” Brown said. “Clearly there are benefits with using clean gas technology. The key issues now are commercial.”
Other LNG-fueled bulk carrier concepts we have seen include the ECO-Ship 2020, developed by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and DNV, and the Green Dolphin, developed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) and development partners DNV and Wärtsilä but only leaves the possibility for a future LNG-fueled retrofit.
‘Clean Sky’ class design Kamsarmax bulk carrier particulars
- Length overall: 229.0m
- Breadth: 32.26m
- Depth: 20.25m
- Draft, design: 12.20m
- Draft, scantling: 14.50m
- Deadweight: 81,000 dwt
- Engine: MAN B&W 6S60ME C-8.2 – GI Tier II
- Gas containment: 1 x 1,160 cu. m ‘C’ type tank
- Speed: 14.10 knots (excluding any Energy Saving Devices)
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