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

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.

Top 25 Container Shipping Companies in the World in 2012

Reference
http://www.alphaliner.com

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.

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.