Results of an extensive atmospheric research project carried out in 2010 have now proved California’s clean-fuel regulations (applied within 24 miles of the coast since July 2009) have been effective in reducing Sulphur Dioxide air pollution from ships. In a recent press release,  Chairman of California Air Resources Board, Mary D. Nichols declared this as good news for California, and for the nation.  But there is a downside to that good news; the procedure of fuel-switching from heavy fuel (HFO) to low-sulfur distillate fuel oil (LSDFO) carries a risk of engine shutdown or malfunction, and the frequency of these incidents is on the increase.Spearheaded by scientists aboard NOAA research ship Atlantis the composition of emissions from more than 70 ships over 24 days was analysed during the ARB federal-state research project, and within that timeframe researchers also found that all ships were burning low-sulfur fuel. Assuredly, for economy, the majority had switched fu... [More]

Propulsion of yachts and boats up to 24 meters (78.7 ft) may be revolutionised if the outcome of the three-year €2 million European Union financed R&D project ‘High Efficiency Hybrid Drive Trains for Small and Medium-sized Marine Craft’ (project acronym – ‘HYMAR’) bears fruit. Reduction of GHG emissions from tens of thousands of small craft attracted the European Union’s support for the project.The R&D target is to come up with a fully integrated, computer controlled diesel-electric hybrid drive configuration that will take over the traditional role of the diesel engine as the direct drive of sailboats and small commercial vessels.At the centre of the system under development is a comprehensive Energy Management Module (EMM) to synchronise and control all the energy flows (generator, wind, trailing propellor, solar panels) in and out of a specially designed battery bank.   Malo 46 Test Boat Based at Kungsviken, Sweden: Photo HYM... [More]

Polar King, constructed in Vigo on Spain’s Atlantic coast by century-old shipyard Constr. Nav. Paulino Freire S.A. recently entered service for Norwegian owners GC Rieber Shipping of Bergen. This week this hi-tech ship was already setting about the work she was built for; offshore rig and multi-purpose platform support services, as well as research (with ROV operating capability) in the North Sea hydrocarbon fields. PropulsionThe DP equipped Polar King is fitted with a diesel-electric propulsion system powered by 6 x MAN 9L21/331 main generator diesel engines that each produce 1,980 kW at 900 rpm, while for manoeuvring purposes there are a pair of TT 2400 DP CP tunnel thrusters by  Rolls-Royce Marine AS – Propulsion Ulsteinvik. Engine Room Polar King: Photo courtesy of MAN Diesel & Turbo DNV ‘Clean Design’ Classed by DNV with the notation ‘Clean Design’ the Polar King features measures that not only limit harmful air emissions and sea ... [More]

New Year may excuse a look back a century in time to recall what was happening in our area of interest during the year 1911. It was a year worth remembering, one in which Sealandia, the first ocean-going cargo ship with diesel engine propulsion was launched, and in the same year Olympic set out on her maiden voyage with propulsion shared between the new-wave steam turbine and the steam reciprocating engine.Joseph Conrad described the modern passenger ship as, "A marvel of applied science on its technical side, and an unpleasantly unsteady imitation of a Ritz Hotel in its social atmosphere." Conrad, compelling nautical author and sailing-ship era master mariner recorded this impression in his 'Ocean Travel' essay after a transatlantic passage he made in the nineteen twenties. In their separate ways both Olympic and Sealandia exemplified two such marvels of applied science as Conrad had in mind.SealandiaThe 6,800 dwt Selandia, the world's first ocean-going ship propelled by a diesel engi... [More]

HamiltonJet HT1000 waterjet [More]

At last month’s International Tug & Salvage Conference, Corvus Energy Ltd presented a paper on a new battery type – Nickel Manganese Cobalt , NMC for short, that is particularly good for propulsion applications. It uses safe chemistry that is stable and reliable. is sealed and is compact. It can deliver a high power until fully discharge, doesn't’t deteriorate if left uncharged and hardly looses its charge over time. What does this mean for the marine industry? One example was the announcement at the Conference of an all electric tug boat, so far it is only for training purposes but heralds the beginning of a new era of electric driven vessels whether pure electric drive or hybrid diesel electric.
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