Industry news
MOL, Meltin to install remotely controlled robots in shipping operations
24 august | Robotics
Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Meltin MMI to deploy remotely controlled robots in ocean shipping operations, such as associated businesses, offshore businesses, and vessels.
A joint study conducted by the companies will aim to introduce Meltin’s remote-control robotic technology for use in MOL’s operations.
The shipping business is currently facing several problems, including the prevention of marine accidents, securing operations, and enhancing transport quality to meet the demands of clients.
As a result, the need to utilise new technologies, such as autonomous navigation and remote control, is becoming ‘more important for the industry’, noted MOL.
The companies have previously studied the prospect of addressing various issues in the ocean shipping sector through the introduction of Meltin’s technology.
24 august | vessels
NOV to deliver jack-up vessel designs for Cadeler
Technology-driven solutions provider NOV has secured a contract from Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry and Cadeler to deliver two GustoMSC NG-20000X wind turbine installation jack-up vessel designs.
Named the Cadeler X-class, these self-propelled designs will be created with 5,600m² of deck space, along with a carrying capacity of more than 17,600t.
The new hybrid, DNV-certified, cyber-secure jack-up vessel will be able to move and deploy seven complete 15MW turbine sets or five sets of 20-plus MW turbines.
With this enhanced carrying capacity, the number of vessel trips needed for a development will be reduced while the installation speed will be accelerated.
The company stated that this will cut down the overall carbon footprint of the installation process by enhancing the project economics.
24 august | technology
APMT Apapa introduces berthing window to minimise waiting time
Nigerian container terminal operator APM Terminals (APMT) Apapa has introduced a berthing window service for minimising the waiting time of vessels bringing consignments into the country.
The berthing windows will allow consignees to take swift delivery of their consignments at the ports.
As a result, congestion at the two seaports in Nigeria, Apapa, and Tin-Can Island, will be eased.
The first berthing window for the WAF/MWX service was launched with the arrival of the 4,360 twenty-foot equivalent unit CMA-CGM LAPIS at APM Terminals Apapa, located within the Lagos Port Complex.
This service is managed by Hapag Lloyd, CMA-CGM, and Arkas.
Furthermore, the berthing window service will create the allocation of a fixed period for ships to berth, discharge, load, and sail.
23 august | terminals
APSEZ to commence terminal construction at Colombo port
India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) will reportedly commence construction on a 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent unit capacity terminal, West Container Terminal (WCT), at Sri Lanka’s Colombo port in December.
APSEZ will invest more than $675.68m (Rs50bn) in what is said to be its second international project after Myanmar. In March, the company obtained a letter of intent from the Sri Lankan Government for the construction of the terminal.
Officials told Business Line that the concession agreement for the 35-year build, operate and transfer (BOT) contract is scheduled to be signed in November.
APSEZ will hold a 51% stake in the terminal and John Keels Holding will own 34%. The remaining 15% of the stake will be owned by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
With a water depth of 20m, the new terminal will have a 1,400m quay wall and terminal area of around 64ha.
The WCT’s first 600m quay length is planned to be finished for operational use within 36 months of the signing of the BOT agreement, whereas the complete quay wall is expected to be completed in 48 months.
19 April | TECHNOLOGY
UK COMPANY COMPLETES AIR LUBRICATION FUEL TRIALS
UK-based Silverstream Technologies has completed trials of its air lubrication system, Silverstream System, on a Shell-chartered 170,000m³ liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, named Methane Patricia Camila.
The system is claimed to have shown approximately 6.6% net savings after its operational testing.
To analyse the fuel and emissions savings, the technology was tested at several vessel speeds at the time of the Methane Patricia Camila’s normal operations, and its unique design is claimed to increase fuel and emissions efficiency.
The Silverstream System produces a thin layer of micro-bubbles along the entire flat bottom of the vessel, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between water and hull.
During its October 2020 dry docking at the Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Shipyard in Singapore, the system was retrofitted on the 2010-built LNG carrier.
Silverstream Technologies founder and CEO Noah Silberschmidt said: “Shipping requires solutions to solve the decarbonisation challenge today. With fuel bills only set to rise in the future, owners need to invest in fuel-agnostic technologies that are proven to save costs and emissions, without impacting the flexibility or profitability of the vessel. We are proud of the role that our technology can play to solve this challenge.”
In brief
Port of Long Beach completes container terminal project
The Port of Long Beach in the US has completed the construction of the $1.493bn Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) project at Middle Harbor.
This new terminal is said to be one of the most technologically progressive cargo facilities globally. LBCT nearly exclusively features electric and zero-emissions equipment, which is expected to fortify competitiveness, enhance cargo flow and improve air quality at the port.
Second LNG battery hybrid PCTC for UECC launched at China shipyard
A new liquefied natural gas battery hybrid pure car and truck carrier ordered by UECC has been launched at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard.
This new vessel is UECC’s second in a series of three such newbuilds.
SHI ammonia-driven ship design wins certification from DNV
Classification society DNV has awarded approval in principle to South Korea-based shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its basic design of ammonia-propelled ships.
According to the company, this basic design will aid shipowners in converting their liquefied natural gas or diesel-driven oil tankers into ammonia-fuelled ones.
The shipbuilder is planning to commercialise an ammonia-powered oil tanker by 2024.
MOL and DSME conclude Cryo-Powered Regas system’s demonstration trial
Mitsui OSK Lines and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) have completed the demonstration trial of the Cryo-Powered Regas system for a floating storage and regasification unit.
The demonstration test was successfully conducted at DSME’s Okpo shipyard.
23 august | vessels
Deltamarin signs design contracts with Weihai for three RoPax vessels
Finland-based Deltamarin and China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) have signed contracts for the basic and detail design packages of three roll-on/roll-off passenger vessels.
These will the 10th, 11th, and 12th Stena E-Flexer vessels for two separate end clients.
Stena’s E-Flexer class integrates cargo and passenger capabilities, and the vessels will be ‘substantially larger’ than other standard ferries.
Deltamarin stated that the Stena E-Flexer class provides lower emissions, enhanced performance, reduced costs, and improved energy efficiency.
