Industry news
Estonian State Fleet launches a call for tender for the construction of a battery-powered electric ferry
Estonian State Fleet has launched a call for tender for the design and construction of a new, battery-powered electric ferry to serve the main islands in Estonia. The updated design concept for the new ferry focuses on maximizing energy and cost-efficiency while ensuring passenger comfort.
Sustainable maritime technologies
Estonian minister of infrastructure, Vladimir Svet, commented, “I’m proud to see Estonia leading the way in adopting environmentally sustainable technologies in the maritime sector to achieve this. The new ferry will be similar in size and capacity to the existing vessels but will be significantly more economical and environmentally sustainable.”
The new ferry will primarily be powered by green electricity, sourced from the shore and stored in the ship’s onboard batteries.
Offshore Service Gesellschaft offshore supply vessel begins operating on hydrogen
Shipping company Offshore Service Gesellschaft’s offshore supply vessel (OSV) Coastal Liberty has set sail on the waters of the Wadden Sea for the first time since it completed its switch to green hydrogen as its main source of energy.
At the end of February 2024, the refitted OSV received class certification by DNV for its newly installed onboard hydrogen system. eCap Marine, contracted by Offshore Service Gesellschaft, engineered the system that enables the vessel to operate without producing any emissions using hydrogen and batteries.
A safe hydrogen-electric power system
Over two years, eCap Marine developed a containerized system featuring two Ballard FCwave (2x200kW) fuel cells, a maritime battery system from Lehmann Marine, a fire extinguishing system, tank units, a custom power management system and all necessary cooling and safety equipment.
OPINION: Jamie Marley explores how battery leasing could enable the uptake of electric vessels
Peering over the fence into the automotive industry, you might notice it is falling out of love with the idea of EV battery leasing. Perhaps that shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The motivation for EV dealers to offer battery leasing was to mitigate the hysteria around battery life at the dawn of the EV revolution. Dealers used the battery lease model to soften the blow of the overall purchase price and give prospective owners reassurance in case the batteries did indeed die within the first year. Today, thankfully, there is clear evidence to debunk many of those battery myths and put an end to the hysteria.
TotalEnergies signs charter contract for LNG bunker vessel
TotalEnergies has signed a charter contract with Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessel of 18,600m3 capacity.
Liquefied natural gas bunker vessel
This new vessel will expand the company’s presence in bunkering hubs. In particular, it might be deployed in Oman, where the company is developing the Marsa LNG project with the objective of providing LNG to the shipping sector in the Gulf.
The vessel, owned by Ibaizabal, will supply LNG to a wide range of vessels (containerships, tankers, large cruise ships, ferries) at TotalEnergies’ LNG bunkering hubs and meet the highest technical and environmental standards.
Rijeka Gateway to be powered by renewable electricity
The Rijeka Gateway terminal in Croatia has secured electricity from renewable energy sources for the operation of its container terminal to reduce CO2 and other harmful gas emissions.
Renewable energy supply
The terminal in Rijeka – a joint venture between APM Terminals and ENNA Group – will have most of its equipment electrified and largely remotely operated and, when fully operational, will create 300 jobs.
The contract for the use of renewable electricity has been active since the beginning of construction and will continue during the terminal’s operational phase. Renewable energy is sourced from solar and wind power, and ENNA Next – a supplier of electricity – issues green certificates to ensure that the entire supply comes from renewable sources.
Vard to build commissioning service operation vessel for Navigare Capital Partners
Vard, a Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, has signed a new contract with Navigare Capital Partners, in collaboration with Norwind Offshore, for the design and construction of one tailor-made commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV).
Advanced technological systems
The vessel will be 85m long, with a beam of 19.5m, and will feature advanced battery solutions. It will also be equipped with advanced technological systems, including a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway with an elevator system, a 3D crane and a height-adjustable boat landing system, ensuring superior operability and logistical efficiency. Capable of accommodating 87 personnel, the vessel will be designed for both safety and comfort, providing a highly efficient working environment for global offshore wind farm activities.
Classification societies partner to form Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium
Classification societies Lloyd’s Register (LR), RINA, DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV) and ABS have established the Yacht Safety and Environmental Consortium (YSEC).
Safe and sustainable operations
The consortium has committed to driving forward the safety and environmental performance of yachts, and promoting and advising on achieving the best practices in the industry.
The consortium aims to focus on the safety and environmentally conscious behavior of commercial and pleasure yachts of over 24m in length. The consortium will use the collective expertise of its members to support the yachting industry in tackling challenges during yacht design and operation by promoting best practices in safety and sustainability, advising on industry standards and fostering collaboration.
Japan’s first methanol bunkering simulation begins at the Port of Yokohama
Maersk has co-hosted Japan’s first methanol bunkering simulation at the Port of Yokohama.
Methanol bunkering simulation
The Alette Maersk, Maersk’s fifth dual-fuel methanol vessel, has participated in a methanol bunkering simulation conducted by Kokuka Sangyo’s methanol tanker, Eikamaru. To lay the foundation for future methanol bunkering, the involved parties collaborated to test key operations, including berthing, unberthing and hose connections.
Japan is currently in the process of developing methanol fuel bunkering guidelines. According to Maersk, insights gained from this initiative will serve as valuable references in establishing these guidelines and in developing methanol fuel supply infrastructure and processes in Japan.