Marine & Maritime Gazette February 2020 by BL Journals

MARINE & MARITIME

GAZETTE Commercial Marine & Renewables Worldwide

ISSUE 60

FEBRUARY 2020

INSIDE: 8

I N T R O D U C T I O N

W E L C O M E

An underwater focus... Who’s off to Subsea Expo, Aberdeen this month? Welcome to the February 2020 issue of Marine & Maritime Gazette the monthly magazine aimed at Worldwide coverage of the commercial marine, shipping and waterbased renewables markets. With the Maritime sector really starting to step up the pace as we progress into the year, this month many of us will be enroute to Aberdeen, UK, for Subsea Expo 2020 - reputedly the world’s largest subsea event. The exhibition and Conference takes place from 11th to 13th of this month, has over 170 exhibitors, is completely free to attend and definitely well worth the visit - put it in your diary already for next year! Inside this issue, as usual, we will be covering a vast amount of topics including ‘Subsea, Underwater & Diving’ on page 26, to the ‘ins and outs’ of ‘Tugs, Workboats & OSVs’ from page 20. We also have a quick look at ‘Construction & Marine Civils’ on page 34 and from page 40 we have a ‘peek’ into ‘Pollution Clean-up & Control’. Commercial Ma rine & Renewabl Anyway, we hope you enjoy reading es Worldwide this edition and look forward to seeing some of you at one of the many upcoming maritime events around the globe. If you have any news, reviews, product launches or absolutely anything else of interest across the whole marine market, please email it through to me at info@bljournals.plus.com for future consideration in our forthcoming issues.

MARINE & MARITIME

GAZETTE

ISSUE 60

Arthur Peaches - Editor

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FEBRUARY 202 0

INSIDE:

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Editor

C O N T E N T S

Cover story Orkney Harbour Authority operates one of the most diverse commercial harbours in the UK, with the largest natural harbour in Europe at Scapa Flow.

p19 Mussel farming Damen Maaskant Shipyards is heading a research project investigating hybrid and electric propulsion in the Dutch mussel farming sector.

p8 Automated sample Researchers use one of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s underwater robots to explore Kolumbo volcano.

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Minister hails green initiatives at UK Port of Blyth

UK Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani recently hailed the Port of Blyth as one of the leading lights in the British maritime industry’s push for a greener, cleaner future.

On his visit to the port, the minister saw firsthand the green revolution taking place on the site, which is developing into one of the UK’s leading offshore energy hubs. It is an example of the growing clean, green offshore wind revolution that is powering homes and businesses across the country, bringing investment into coastal communities and ensuring the UK maintains its position as global leaders in this growing sector. The port also showcased its world-leading offshore renewable energy research and testing facilities, which could play a key part in helping the UK government achieve the goals set out in its Maritime 2050 strategy.

p26 Jan De Nul Harelbeke Jan De Nul completes water infrastructure works in Harelbeke, Belgium.

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EDITORIAL Arthur Peaches - Editor Tel 01322 352648 Email info@bljournals.plus.com

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Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani commented: “I am delighted to have made my first visit to the Port of Blyth today. “The maritime industry is at the heart of the UK’s economy. The Port of Blyth is not only one of our key ports as a global trading nation, but also a fantastic example of the thriving offshore wind sector that is boosting renewable energy across the UK. “Our Clean maritime plan outlines an ambitious vision for the maritime industry and I was delighted to meet some of the port’s brilliant staff to see the wider work being done to reduce emissions, improve air quality and tackle climate change” he continued. The government’s Maritime 2050 strategy sets out a high-level vision for the sector’s future, outlining the UK’s goal to remain a global leader in maritime. At the heart of the strategy is a focus on precisely the sort of clean growth and transition to zero emission industry, business and operations that the Port of Blyth is focusing on. Maritime 2050 also makes clear the need to transform and grow the UK’s maritime workforce, and the Maritime Minister learned what the port has been doing to attract people into key STEM roles.” he added.

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British Ports Association call for collaboration

The UK British Ports Association (BPA) recently re-issued its invitation for industry bodies to collaborate with it on thought leadership projects.

PUERTO AGUADULCE WELCOMES ITS LARGEST VESSEL

Projects may be in the form of articles, short reports, infographics or videos to examine emerging trends and innovative new ideas in the ports and shipping industries that will lead to short and longer-term changes in the ports industry. Phoebe Warneford-Thomson, policy and economic analyst at the British Ports Association, commented: “Throughout its twoyear history, the British Ports Association’s Port Futures programme has successfully focussed minds across industry and government on key long-term challenges that ports will face. “The analysis and forward-thinking contained with each project, has aided the industry in adapting to the changes again and helped to turn them into lucrative opportunities. Today’s world is marked by rapid and at times unpredictable change, and as an industry, we are keen to play our part in shaping that change as much as possible and being ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.” The BPA Port Futures programme has been

Buenaventura’s Puerto Aguadulce has begun the year with the arrival of the 13,892 TEU APL Esplanade, the largest vessel ever to call in Columbia. Arriving from Asia, the ultra large container vessel docked at Puerto Aguadulce in early January before continuing its journey to other ports in South America. With a length of 369 metres, equivalent to approximately four professional football pitches, and a width of 51 metres, this vessel has the largest physical dimensions to call at any Colombian terminal, according to port operator International Container Terminal Services. “The shipping companies continue to build larger and larger capacity vessels. For Puerto Aguadulce, receiving this type of vessel is an honor and a great responsibility,” commented Miguel Abisambra, Puerto Aguadulce general manager. “We work continuously under our vision of being a strategic ally of the Colombian economy. At the end of last year, we received what is now, after APL Esplanade, the second largest capacity container vessel that has docked in the country,” he continued. The 150,200 dwt APL Esplanade sails on the CMA CGM group’s Asia Central South America (ACSA1) service, which links East Asia with Central and South America. The APL Esplanade, previously called MOL Quintet, was built at South Korean shipyard Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries back in 2014.

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running since 2018 and continues to address key issues for ports as well as potential opportunities for and challenges to British ports that the future will hold. Previous port projects have included ‘Port Masterplanning: Planning for the Future’ with ABPmer; ‘Move Forward: Step by step towards a digital port’ with the Port of Rotterdam; and ‘The Impact of Autonomous Vehicles and Ports on the British Roro & Short Sea Unitised Markets’ with MDS Transmodal. www.britishports.org.uk

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Active- RTE and Passive Radar Reflectors ECHOMAX ACTIVE-XS dual band RTE with multiple visual and audible alarm functions and now with optional waterproof control box for RIBS or exposed mounting - Meets ISO 8729-2 - NATO stock No 5741-99269-3512 - Our Actice RTE have been fitted to the Clipper Around the World Yachts for the last 5 years. Active XS, EM230 and EM230i were all mandatory fits on the 2018 Golden Globe Race Yachts.

Law Enforcement

Vessel delivery

Metal Shark has delivered a new 36-foot weldedaluminium patrol boat to the Policia Municipal de San Juan (San Juan Police Department), its newest customer on the island of Puerto Rico.

The new patrol boat is a 36 Fearless stepped-bottom center console vessel built at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette, Louisiana USA production facility and custom-configured to meet the specialized requirements of the San Juan Police Department. The high performance craft has been equipped with triple 300 HP Suzuki outboard engines and reaches a top speed in excess of 50 knots. Other mission-enhancing features include a custom 36” dive door and dive ladder, underwater lighting, twelve dive tank holders, Garmin Radar, and FLIR camera. Metal Shark has now delivered five new patrol boats in the past three years to Puerto Rico, where another law enforcement agency, the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD), also operates a fleet of Metal Shark vessels. “The design, construction, and performance characteristics of this highly capable craft have been extensively proven in Puerto Rico’s demanding open-ocean conditions, with the Puerto Rico Police Department logging over 3,000 hours per year in its Metal Shark 36 Fearless vessels,” said Metal Shark’s vice president of international business development, Henry Irizarry. “Metal Shark’s performance, durability, and safety, as demonstrated and proven by the PRPD over years of around-the-clock operation, made the selection of this vessel a logical choice for the San Juan Police.” The San Juan Police will use the new Metal Shark to support a wide range of missions. The department provides port security and law enforcement to the Port of San Juan and the metropolitan San Juan coast, and also supports dive operations throughout the island. “Puerto Rico presents unique challenges from a maritime law enforcement perspective due to the vast range of missions routinely conducted by its agencies, including disaster relief, search and rescue, counter narcotics, border patrol, and interdiction missions, all of which may be conducted in heavy offshore conditions,” said Mr. Irizarry. “Metal Shark is proud to be repeatedly chosen by Puerto Rico’s law enforcement agencies for these demanding but vital missions.” In addition to this newest delivery, Metal Shark has multiple other projects for Puerto Rico in various stages of development, including a custom 27-foot vessel currently being built for another Puerto Rico government agency. www.metalsharkboats.com

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ECHOMAX EM230/230BR Ships Wheel Mark passive radar reflector for Life Boats and Rescue Craft - Meets ISO 8729-1997 - Module B and D certificates available upon request. Available in white, orange, yellow, red, green etc. NATO stock number 5840-99-742-6193. ECHOMAX EMAO3I Inflatable radar reflector for liferafts - Certified to Schedule 4, Part 4, Paragraph 1.1.14 of Merchant Shipping (life saving appliances Regulations 1986 - chapter III, Regulation 38.5.1.14 of the 1983 (SOLAS) 1974). Suitable for stowage in liferaft emergency packs up to 36m above sea level as required by IMO Notice M.1485, 1991 - Certificate no. QQ-TAN-04/3-01.

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The future of mussel

farming: Damen zero emissions research

Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam is heading a research project to investigate the application of hybrid and fully electric propulsion in the Dutch mussel farming sector. The project, which is called AQUACULTURe, is a collaborative effort between Damen and numerous parties such as equipment suppliers, service providers and local mussel farming companies.

AQUACULTURe is part of the Damen Shipyards Group’s long-standing hybrid and electric propulsion development programme, which has already culminated in hybrid ferries, hybrid urban public transport vessels, and fully electric inland waterway cargo ships. The Dutch mussel farming sector is an internationally recognised and economically important industry. The shallow and protected waters of the Wadden Sea and the Eastern Scheldt estuary provide the ideal conditions for quality mussel harvests. Mussel farmers grow the mussels either on the seabed or on ropes using the hanging method. They use specially designed flat-bottomed vessels, which are typically diesel-driven, for mussel handling activities.

Drawing on experience

Damen Maaskant initiated the AQUACULTURe project in response to the everincreasing significance of reduced exhaust emissions of CO2, particulate matter (PM), sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). This, of course, relates to the stricter IMO regulations regarding SOx and NOx emissions and the European Union’s stage V regulations concerning vessels operating on inland waterways. The subject of hybrid and electric propulsion is not new to the Damen Shipyards Group: numerous hybrid ferry and public transport projects, and fully electric inland waterway cargo vessel projects are well underway. Indeed, it is expected that the AQUACULTURe project will only profit from this previous experience.

Improving system efficiency

The overall aim of AQUACULTURe is to demonstrate the potential of hybrid and electric propulsion to reduce exhaust emissions and increase profitability of operations within the shellfish farming sector. This is with a clear focus on current, in addition to future, regulations. This led to Damen Maaskant establishing the following three specific goals for the AQUACULTURe project. • Developing a power supply system that enables fully electric sailing for at least 50% of the time; • Improving energy efficiency of installations by a minimum of 15%; • Reducing CO2, NOx, SOx and PM emissions by a minimum of 50% compared to current levels. A key starting point for the project was to obtain up-to-date data about the energy needs and efficiency levels of vessels that are currently operating. To this end, Damen Maaskant is working with a number of local mussel farming companies, including Prins en Dingemanse and Neeltje Jans Mosselen that are sharing such crucial data. This includes information about the applicability of exchangeable batteries, the choice of battery and shore power.

Collaborative effort

Various industry stakeholders are also involved in the project. This includes Vripack (design and styling), SIPmarine (hull and propeller optimisation), Maritiem Elektro Zeeland (electrical installation and battery selection), JVS/Technofisica (base measurements of current vessels) and Partners for Innovation (determining environmental impacts). www.damen.com

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Diverse Marine contract ‘Iceni Courage’ modification and upcycling works

Industry leading refit and repair provider Diverse Marine Ltd was recently pleased to confirm that it has signed a contract with offshore wind crew transfer vessel service provider Turner Iceni Ltd for the modification and upcycling of ‘Iceni Courage’ following a competitive tender process. ‘Iceni Courage’ is a 15m crew transfer vessel built in the yard back in 2009. The dynamic offshore wind sector has developed over the last decade with a requirement for larger, faster and more efficient craft so the time had come for the vessel’s owners to consider a sale or repurposing of the vessel out of the offshore wind industry. However, following the success of the ‘MCS Maestro’ to ‘Iceni Warrior’ and ‘MPI Don Quixote’ to ‘Iceni Revenge’ upcycling and life extension refits carried out early in 2019, a similar refit had to be considered. The ‘Iceni Courage’ life extension project includes stretching the hull, deck and superstructure by 3.6m, repowering the vessel to Volvo Penta IPS900, relocation and replacement of the ships generator, relocation of the fresh water and grey water tanks with all new plumbing, cutting in a forward side door to the saloon, cutting in an additional third crew position on the bridge and full refit of the interior. The refit will include the ‘Iceni Gen 3’ upgrades with new, lighter and more accommodating linings, all new heads compartment, all new galley with modern appliances and all new windows and doors. In addition, the vessel is to be repainted from top to bottom. Ben Colman, Director of Diverse Marine states: “Following the success of the two Iceni life extension projects last year we are very pleased to have won this competitive tender and to further our experience in this important sector. This is a great opportunity to process the lessons learned on the previous projects for a more efficient production solution. It means a lot to us that our clients have the trust and faith in us to design and deliver these significant refits and continue co-operative working relationships with Iceni and our supply chain. Most of our team remember building the vessel originally so are particularly proud of the vessel’s condition after 10 years and to be associated with the refit.” Colman adds “There is something poignant about recycling and upcycling these aluminum craft for an industry that values renewable energy and neutrality on the environment. This is a benefit of working with fully recyclable aluminium construction and materials, as opposed to composites.” www.diversemarine.co.uk

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SMS Group major aggregates refit SMS Southampton has completed a significant dredger refit in the port of Southampton for Tarmac Marine. SMS Southampton, part of The SMS Group, has completed the major refit alongside on berth number 20/21 in the Western Docks for the Chichester-based aggregates company Tarmac Marine. SMS has an enviable reputation as specialists in ship repair, marine engineering and major fabrication projects in the commercial marine, defence and superyachts sectors. The company also operates a diving and sub-surface marine engineering business. The ‘City of Chichester’ was built in 1997 and has been maintained to the high standard by Tarmac ever since. The refit was completed in a dedicated, controlled berth alongside at Williams Shipping’s berths in Southampton. SMS took ownership of the site, to include permits-to-work and site security, as well as the programme of repair works - at all times adhering to Tarmacs stringent, professional and proven health and safety policy. The programme of works undertaken was extensive; to include, but not limited to, the Feeder Hopper refurbishment (completed in SMS’s nearby workshops), the Discharge Grab replacement, a routine number of general repairs to the dredge and discharge equipment and a significant quantum of pipework repairs, renewals and bespoke fabrication/manufacturing. SMS also completed numerous packages of electrical inspection and systems testing. Dave Chaffers, General Manager of SMS in Southampton, commented: “The package of works was extensive with some significant emerging challenges; that said the team at Tarmac, both on and off the ship, supported the refit tremendously. “Our ‘can do’ attitude, health and safety awareness, and in-house multitrade expertise genuinely helped to deliver the works on schedule and on budget.” He concluded by saying: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Tarmac and a great result for SMS to complete the works here at home in Southampton.” Duncan Payne, Ship Manager, Tarmac Marine Ltd, added: “Working with Dave and the SMS team in Southampton has been a real pleasure. “Given the challenges of the project we’re very pleased with the outcome and look forward to future works with The SMS Group. “I’d also like to go on record in support of the facility here at berth 20/21 and compliment Williams Shipping on their approach to this tri-party partnership; collectively we made the refit a success.” SPECIFICATIONS: Vessel Particulars ‘City of Chichester’ Length Overall, 72 m Breadth, 15 m Draft, 4 m Flag, United Kingdom IMO Number, 9141754 Gross Tonnage, 2074 GRT www.sms-marine.co.uk

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De Hoop orders electrical systems package from Alewijnse and Droste Shipyard De Hoop, based in The Netherlands, is building a new event ship, MS RheinGalaxie, for German shipowner Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH (KD). This is not the first ship the yard builds for KD, as their relationship goes back to the seventies. Alewijnse Marine and Droste Elektro have joined forces in outfitting the vessel with all necessary NavCom and electrical systems.

Scope While handling project management together, both companies have complementary scopes of work. Alewijnse will deliver and install all power and lighting distribution panels, internal and external communications systems and will handle all cabling. Systems include nautical equipment, bridge systems, alarm systems etc. and range from CCTV and searchlights to fire detection. Droste is set to handle primary electrical engineering and delivery of main power distribution, emergency and shore-line connection switchboards and the overall integration of the complete alarm and databus control system. Patrick Janssens, CEO of Shipyard De Hoop, says: “The combination of Droste and Alewijnse is perfect for this project in both time and technology. Both companies have a longstanding relationship with our yard and together we can deliver the vessel on time and guarantee a high level of quality for our customer. To me, this project is also a good example of what the Dutch maritime cluster has to offer to clients worldwide - great engineering, efficient cooperation, high quality and a good price.“

Luxusliner The vessel, which can be followed at www.k-d.com/de/eventschiff2020/ueberblick/, is designed by independent naval architect René van der Velden and includes floor-to-ceiling windows. The new KD Luxusliner is designed to host parties, events, concerts, cruises and meetings up to 1,000 passengers and is due for delivery in May 2020. www.alewijnse.com

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QTerminals lands 35-Year concession

for Ukraine Port of Olvia

Qatar-based terminal operating company QTerminals has won a $138 million (USD) concession to operate Port of Olvia in Ukraine. The State Enterprise Stevedoring Company ‘Olvia’ (SC Olvia) is a stevedoring company, one of the operators in the Mykolaiv region. The Black Sea Port mostly focuses on grain and construction materials, which account for 80% of the total volume of handled cargos in 2018. The port was put under concession in October 2019 as Ukraine sought to boost the port’s competitiveness and attract investment in its infrastructure. “The concession implies not only investment flows in the port infrastructure, but also an increase of revenues to budgets of different levels for the entire period of effect of the concession agreement. It is important to note that the port remains in public ownership,” said Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk. The concession tender is granted for the term of thirty-five years. https://sc-olvia.com

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Pioneering Norwegian autonomous-ship project receives NOK 200 million in EU funding Kongsberg Group is going to install and test autonomous technology on two vessels in different operational environments. This project is receiving funding of almost NOK 200 million (Euro 20.1 million) - one of the largest grants ever given to Norwegian players - from Horizon 2020, an EU research programme. “The Norwegian maritime cluster, of which Kongsberg is a part, is the world leader in autonomous shipping. Now we are further strengthening our position through the Autoship project, which will accelerate the realisation of next-generation autonomous ships and create a roadmap for commercialising autonomous shipping in the EU in the next five years,” says Egil Haugsdal, CEO of Kongsberg Maritime. Autoship, a four-year Horizon 2020 project, is a collaboration between Kongsberg and Norway’s leading research organisation, SINTEF, as well as several European partners. The Research Council of Norway is also providing support. Two autonomous vessels will be demonstrated for use, especially in short sea coastal shipping and Europe’s inland waterways. “The Autoship project gives Northern Europe, with Norway, a leading edge in developing the next generation of autonomous vessels. The race is underway internationally. The technology contributes to safer, more efficient and sustainable operations at sea, both in transport and aquaculture. The project will now receive one of the largest allocations ever made from the EU’s Horizon 2020 program to a Norwegian player. This is a NOK 200 million mark of quality,” said Iselin Nybø, Norway’s Minister of Research and Higher Education.

Maritime growth market A recent event took place in Kristiansund on board the Eidsvaag Pioneer, which is one of the two vessels that will now be equipped for remote-operated and autonomous maritime

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transport. This ship is owned by the Eidsvaag shipping company and operates along the Norwegian coast and in vulnerable fjord areas where it carries fish feed to fish-farms. The markets for both short sea coastal shipping and transport on inland waterways are expected to dramatically expand in the next few years, both in Norway, Europe, and worldwide. “We will demonstrate that it is possible to remotely operate several ships from land and over large geographical areas. The technology is used in different ways on the vessel to show that the solutions can be applied widely. This is a market with a significant potential,” says Haugsdal. The aim of the project is to test and further develop key technology linked to fully autonomous navigation systems, intelligent machinery systems, self-diagnostics, prognostics and operation scheduling, as well as communication technology enabling a prominent level of cyber security and integrating the vessels into upgraded e-infrastructure. “We will contribute by developing cloud-based communications systems and advanced simulations to test and ensure that the autonomous vessels operate safely and optimally,” says Hege Skryseth, the CEO of Kongsberg Digital.

Takes 7,500 trucks off the roads The other vessel to be equipped with autonomous technology is a Belgian pallet shuttle barge owned by Blue Line Logistics NV. This operates on canals in Europe, transporting goods to and from large container ports. Europe’s inland waterways can achieve major environmental gains by using new technology. An autonomous barge in operation is expected to take around 7,500 trucks off the roads each year and will result in reductions in both traffic congestion and emissions. “There is increasing market demand for waterborne transport in the EU. The results of the AUTOSHIP project will lead to safer and greener transport in Europe with one of the major outcomes being a shift of goods transport from roads to waterways,” says Haugsdal. www.kongsberg.com

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Damen announces more Technical Seminars in Nigeria for 2020

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Following the success of the Technical Seminars that it introduced in Nigeria in 2019, Damen Shipyards Group will this year hold another series of events. With the three-day long, intensive training events, Damen aims to provide its clients in the region with a better understanding of their vessels, with the goal, ultimately of optimising their efficiency of operations. However, the value of the seminars is clear and Damen now sees them as a potential vehicle for the transfer of skills and knowledge that could help develop the country’s own maritime and energy services industries. During 2019, alongside on-board familiarisation and basic maintenance training provided for almost all vessels delivered to Nigeria, Damen held three Technical Seminars in Nigeria. At each of the events, a Damen supplier was invited to present technical information and practical assignments to delegates regarding their contribution to Damen’s vessels. Last year, Damen was supported in the delivery of the Training Seminars by Caterpillar, Alphatron and GEA Westfalia. Participants gained insights into their vessels that facilitated a greater level of trouble shooting and problem-solving and maintenance skills – optimising operation and minimising downtime and, therefore, the costs of operation. This year, the Technical Seminars will feature Heinen and Hopman (17th-19th March), presenting on their ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. This seminar will be followed by further events with Caterpillar (23rd-25th June) and Alphatron (13th-15th October). The seminars will be held, as previously, at the Nestoil Training Centre in Port Harcourt, itself built by Damen. A Damen representative said: “We have seen how successful these events have been in transmitting knowledge and skills and enabling participants to share their own insights. Participants can also raise their very specific questions and discuss detailed technical subjects directly with the suppliers. As a result of this, we are broadening our aims with the seminars we will deliver in the future. Going forward, we will use the seminars as a platform to facilitate knowledge and skills transfer to the vessel owners and operators in order to play our part in the development of sustainable Nigerian maritime services and oil & gas industries that will be of benefit to the country and region. As we have done in other areas in which we operate, Damen is seeking, in alignment with Nigeria’s own local content goals, to maximise Nigerian participation in its own marine services and energy industries.” www.damen.com

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Valeport to help Tor Bay’s underwater rainforest

Valeport, has pledged its support to a campaign to protect the vital ‘underwater rainforest’ which is under threat off Tor Bay, on the SW coast of the UK. To mark the hydrographic and oceanographic instrument manufacturer’s 50th anniversary, it will partner with a UK coastal zoo and aquarium to help protect seagrass, a remarkable plant that flowers underwater and forms dense meadows in shallow coastal areas. These meadows capture carbon at a greater rate than tropical forests, making them important in combating climate change. Like coral reefs and rainforests, these underwater gardens are full of life. And like those better-known habitats they are under threat, with global estimates suggesting the planet loses an area of seagrass the same size as two football pitches every hour. Valeport will be supporting the Living Coasts research project #SaveOurSeagrass helping to secure the project’s future for the next two years as well as providing instruments and expertise to the programme. The research project aims to protect the seagrass meadows in Tor Bay which is a vital nursery bed for young fish and also home to key species such as the short snouted seahorse. These meadows are threatened by pollution and by indiscriminate anchoring, which can unknowingly rip plants from the seabed. Living Coasts is using the research to begin trialling seagrass cultivation with the aim of helping to replenish the threatened species and contributing to increased marine biodiversity. Living Coasts Curator Clare Rugg said: “This is going to be a tremendous collaboration. Valeport’s support will allow us to continue our scientific research, aided by local volunteer divers who collect data on the seagrass. Living Coasts is testing ways to propagate seagrass, and we look forward to Valeport supporting our research with their instruments and expertise.” Guy Frankland from Valeport added: “This new partnership is marking Valeport’s 50th anniversary, but it’s a natural fit for us as a designer and manufacturer of high-quality hydrographic and oceanographic instrumentation to join forces with a coastal conservation charity. We are delighted to support the important SaveOurSeagrass project and help save and protect a local habitat with international significance.” Valeport’s collaboration with Living Coasts also includes opportunities for Valeport’s staff to get involved with activities from volunteer dives to beach cleans and it will be an important CSR focus for Valeport who has supplied the subsea sector for the last five decades. www.livingcoasts.org.uk www.valeport.co.uk

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The finest location and facilities to support the energy industry Orkney Harbour Authority operates one of the most diverse commercial harbours in the UK - responsible for the largest natural harbour in Europe at Scapa Flow and 29 piers and harbours around the islands. The major harbours of Hatston, Kirkwall and Stromness accommodate a range of operational activity across many sectors - aquaculture, cargo, over 160 cruise calls per year, ferries, fishing, marine leisure and renewables. The strategically located Oil Port of Scapa Flow with its unique deep water sheltered anchorage hosts multiple ship to ship (STS) transfer operations of crude oil, LNG and LPG as well as serving the Flotta Oil Terminal and its connections to UK oil fields which sees 10% of the UK oil output coming through the terminal. Their Ballast Water Management policy, run by the in house environmental unit, ensures that vessels are complying with regulations, protecting the sensitive shores and waters. It currently accommodates rigs and offshore platforms at anchor for maintenance and standdown. There are many smaller piers and harbours throughout the North and South Isles as well as across the Orkney Mainland: many of these accommodate life line island ferry services, aquaculture, fishing and marine leisure activities. Many of these piers are critical in ensuring the future viability of island or remote communities and are maintained by the Harbour Authority. Any island destination is reliant on its lifeline freight and passenger links and Orkney is well connected. There are daily freight and passenger services to Stromness from the Scottish mainland, almost daily freight and passenger freight and passenger services from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and a 3 times a day service from Gillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay; Orkney is therefore well connected as in addition there are 12 daily flights into Orkney from the Scottish mainland and Shetland and in the summer, there are regular flights to Manchester and Bergen. Between the islands there are regular flights and the fleet of 9 ferries service all the inhabited islands throughout the year. As well as the ferries the Harbour Authority operates 3 tugs with 2 new builds due through 2020. The new tugs will have a bollard pull of 80 tonnes and length of 32 metres to enable them to handle the very large crude carriers that come into Scapa Flow. The harbour authority, in conjunction with the local authority, Orkney Islands Council, will publish its Port Masterplan this year. The plan will take a strategic view of how the commercial ports within Orkney harbours will prepare its infrastructure requirements for the future in order to continue to service its diverse portfolio of stakeholders and harbour users. Future proofing the port for ever evolving markets and providing sustainable growth opportunities for existing markets through the remainder of the first half of the 21st century, but with the input of all of the stakeholders and users and those they aspire to attract, it is believed that the final outcome will be both realistic and achievable. The people of Orkney are proud of their shipping heritage and want to see a strong marine sector providing jobs and income for the Islands in a sustainable manner. Orkney Islands is gaining a reputation as a leader in developing carbon free transportation particularly in hydrogen production and fuelling. Thus, the Harbour Authority must look to the future and invest in the facilities and infrastructure that will both safeguard and enable growth in existing markets and enable diversification into new markets and revenue streams. www.orkneyharbours.com

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High Speed Transfers takes delivery of fourth Damen Fast Crew Supplier 2710 in 18 months

UK-based High Speed Transfers (HST) Ltd has taken delivery of its fourth Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2710. This has occurred just over 18 months since it received its first, the HST Hudson, in June 2018, which was followed by HST Sofia in March 2019 and HST Harri in October of the same year. The latest addition is named HST Euan and in mid-January 2020 she was loaded on to a heavy lift vessel at Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey bound for Rotterdam. The HST Euan replicates the features and layout of her sister ships. These include capacity for 26 passengers in safety and comfort and the ability to operate in wave heights of more than two metres. Other advances on the predecessor to the FCS 2710, the FCS 2610, include more flexibility, more tank capacity and greater deck space. The new addition to the HST fleet has already been signed up for a five-year contract with leading wind farm operator MHI Vestas. Early next month she will join HST Harri in transporting personnel and equipment between Ostend and the company’s various sites in the North Sea. HST’s fleet of FCS 2710 vessels has and continues to be kept busy, with all of them fully occupied over what is for many crew transfer vessel operators the quiet winter season. As stated HST Harri has been with working for MHI Vestas along with HST Sofia filling in for HST Euan pending its arrival, and HST Hudson has recently completed a contract with Boskalis on the East Anglia One windfarm in the southern North Sea and is now beginning a new assignment on a Dutch project. Despite its rapid growth, HST is not slowing the pace. “2019 was very much a year of growth,” says Tom Nevin, CEO of HST, “and we are carrying that momentum forward into 2020. We are in discussions with Damen regarding not only additional crew transfer vessels but also multi-purpose vessels such as Multi Cats. This would be a degree of diversification for us, opening up activities such as cable laying and maintenance, trench support and marine civil engineering using the larger, DP2 Multi Cats for maximum versatility. This would allow us to offer a broader range of services to our clients.” The company is also supporting the Damen FCS 2610 and 2710 newbuilds in Taiwan for Hung Hua Construction with crew training in Europe and sea trials out on location. “Generally, we are looking to refine our service offerings and look more towards sustainable shipping,” concludes Tom Nevin.” “We are very proud to be working with HST, which has deservedly made a name for itself through the quality and flexibility of its services,” says Damen UK sales manager Frederik van der Linde. “The HST team is also setting new standards in the offshore renewables industry amongst others with their vision for a sustainable future. We value our partnership with them and look forward to continuing this for many years to come.” www.damen.com

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200 tugs and counting…

In January this year Sanmar and Robert Allan Ltd. celebrated the commissioning of the 200th tug built by Sanmar to a Robert Allan Ltd. design. Achieving this milestone in just over 25 years is remarkable, and a true testament to the close working relationship developed by these two prominent businesses in the international tug market. The success of Sanmar in rising to such prominence in the world tug market reflects their unwavering commitment to the highest standards of modern shipbuilding, resulting in tugs of the highest quality available anywhere in the world. This achievement also reflects the fact that they are building well-researched designs of the highest quality from Robert Allan Ltd., a world-leading designer in this demanding sector. The 200th tug is itself a reflection of the desire of both companies to continue to move the goalposts for advanced tug designs. The Boğaçay XXXVIII is the latest evolution of the highly successful RAmparts 2400-SX design, incorporating the newly developed CAT Advanced Variable DriveTM (AVDTM) hydro-mechanical hybrid propulsion system. At the time of writing the tug is joining Sanmar’s towage fleet in Izmit Bay, Turkey. Boğaçay XXXVIII has been painted with a bright green hull and colourful flowers on the deckhouse inspired by the famous pop artist Andy Warhol’s “Flowers” print. This regalia, reflective of the changing trend towards reduced environmental impact from tugs is bound to attract much attention in the usually moribund world of tugboat aesthetics! The CAT AVD TM system consists of a pair of dual input, continuously variable transmissions, located in the shaftlines between the main engines and the Z-drives. The AVDs can accept power from the CAT 3512 main engines, rated 1765 kW at 1800 rpm and/or from two 435 kW hydraulic motors powered by a single CAT C32 auxiliary engine rated 1081 kW at 2100 rpm. The power is delivered to two CAT MTA 627 FP Z-drive units with 2.7 metre diameter fixed pitch propellers. A primary advantage of the CAT AVD TM system is the continuously variable transmission which can modulate propeller speed down to 0 rpm like a slipping clutch. It can also spin the propeller up faster than would be possible if the engine was directly coupled to the drive, allowing the engines to operate in their peak efficiency zone instead of operating along the propeller demand curve at higher specific fuel oil consumption, thus resulting in significant fuel savings. With a FP propeller pitched for bollard condition at 0 knots, this feature enables full power to be taken from the engine when free running, much like a CP or DEP system. “This (AVD system) allows propeller speed independent of engine speed so optimal engine efficiency can be achieved leading to fuel savings of fifteen to twenty percent. Basically, all the benefits of a variable speed Diesel Electric Propulsion (DEP) system at a fraction of the cost and size,” commented Nathan Kelly, Caterpillar Marine Product Definition Engineer. www.sanmar.com.tr

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Rederij Long Ships turns to Damen Maaskant for new beam trawler

Belgian family fishing company Rederij Long Ships has contracted Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam to build a new 38-metre long Beam Trawler. The vessel will be a new Maaskant design the BT3808 - that the shipyard has modified to realise a twelve per cent increase in bollard pull during trawling. Damen Maaskant has designed the new vessel, Z91 Franson, within the maximum length and gross tonnage permitted by the Belgian Maritime Inspectorate. Furthermore, the shipyard has carried out research with propeller developers and manufacturers SIP Marine with the aim to realise fuel consumption reductions in relation to current hull forms working in the Belgian fishing fleet. This study has resulted in a 12% increase in bollard pull used during trawling. For Rederij Long Ships owner Eddie Cattoor, the decision to invest in a new fishing vessel was based on numerous factors. “We had been looking forward to a new vessel for some time. And now the time is ripe. Fish prices and quotas are satisfactory, the oil price is reasonable and our current vessel is ready for replacement. In short, a good time to invest. “We have complete confidence in Maaskant and expect them to build a perfect vessel for us,” he continued. Founded in 1934 by the current owner’s grandfather, Rederij Long Ships has been family-owned ever since. The company has been fishing with beam trawlers for decades. The new vessel is set to replace Rederij Long Ships’ current beam trawler, the Z90 Francine. Rederij Long Ships intends to continue their current operations, fishing year-round in North Sea and Skagerak waters, in addition to the summer season in the Bay of Biscay, with their new vessel. The contract signing was very much a family affair, with Long Ships owner Eddie Cattoor, his wife, daughter and son-in-law all present, thus reflecting their commitment to a long-lasting family company. Referring to what is actually the first new build contract between the two parties, Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam commercial manager Jeroen van den Berg said: “We are honoured with the trust placed in us by the Cattoor family. With this new vessel, their company and its successors are ready for the future.” www.damen.com

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Meercat Boats celebrates a decade as a leader in the innovative multirole vessel build concept Meercat Boats is celebrating a decade as the UK leader in the innovative multirole vessel build concept. Since its first build back in 1997, Meercats have become renowned as a builder of steel workboats suited to a multitude of tasks. For the past decade, Meercats have been pushing the envelope with innovative multipurpose vessels, which have been specifically designed as a single vessel replacement of several workboats in a fleet, being the Meercat. In 2019 Meercat coined the phrase, MultiRole Vessel (MRV). The Southampton (UK) headquartered Meercat Boats’ philosophy is simple. Top quality, cleverly designed and British-built, robust steel workboats that can successfully turn their propellers to more tasks than any other vessel in its field. Meercat Boats are also found operating across all corners of the globe. From ship servicing in the port of Southampton, to marine civils in Norway, through to aquaculture support in Tasmania and oil spill response in the Middle East, these vessels are unique in their versatility. To date, all Meercats ever built are still in operation, with many taking on further tasks than planned when they were originally purchased. The Meercat concept began as a road transportable multi-purpose workboat, which in time also expanded to include conventional hull versions. Despite no two Meercats being identical as each vessel is specifically designed for the role it will perform, all Meercats represent the same values of versatility, longevity and robustness. In addition, they all boast superb stability and manoeuvrability. Many of Meercat’s original in-house build team remain, ensuring consistency and efficient working. Thanks to the excellent levels of build quality and support, Meercat Boats is also highly successful in achieving repeat business, with the likes of Williams Shipping, BK Marine and Topbond operating fleets of Meercats. Other notable Meercat owners and operators include; BAE Systems, Associated British Ports and Dawnfresh. Recent new builds include Guernsey Harbours’ new 15 metre steel Meercat MRV15, Scottish Salmon’s new MRV15 aquaculture vessel, and the Meercat MRV22 metre landing craft, Toplander, which is currently contracted to BK Marine in the Shetland Isles. Meercat Boats builds 14-24 metre single and multiple hulled steel multirole workboats from its Southampton waterside purpose-built shipyard, where it employs highly experienced and dedicated teams of steel fabricators and finishers. Contact John Buck, Business Manager to find out more at john@meercatboats.com. www.meercatboats.com

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Damen OSV 9020 answers calls for versatility in offshore support Following calls for great vessel versatility offshore Damen has developed a new concept vessel – the Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) 9020. The vessel features a stable platform with lots of accommodation, good station-keeping capability, low carbon emissions and lots of flexibility to add mission-specific tools. “We were approached by several different operators at the same time, all looking for slightly different offshore capabilities, but similar enough that their requirements could be met with a conceptual standard platform,” says design & proposal engineer Mark Couwenberg. “The thinking behind the OSV 9020 is very much in line with the Damen philosophy of shipbuilding in series; it’s a standard product, as a result drawing upon proven technology, that can be tailored to individual requirements via modularisation.” The vessel has been designed to perform a variety of offshore tasks both at surface level and subsea. “The vessel can be fitted with a moonpool-deployed saturation dive system to allow diving operations at offshore crane, a stern A-frame and an offshore access system. The vessel can also act as a submarine rescue vessel. For this, submarine rescue gear is placed on deck. To ensure suitability for this scope of work, the available vessel accommodation, manoeuvring systems and dive support systems are crucial features.” Accommodation is a key feature for the success of any offshore operation. The OSV 9020 provides living space for up to 120 persons on board. Interior design is designed to ensure those on board will quickly feel at home, with lots of possibilities to personalise their stay on board “There has been a lot of consideration to make sure the accommodation is both functional and comfortable. For example, care has been taken to ensure proper on board logistics, so that daily routines are as efficient as possible and that working areas are separated from living space.” A helicopter deck is integrated in the design, further increasing the vessel flexibility. The vessel is primarily designed to operate on DP. The complete hull, superstructure and thruster layout is designed for this. The hull features equally good ahead and astern performance. The vessel profile ensures low wind catch. The four identical azimuthing thrusters are arranged symmetrically: two on the stern and two on the bow. This ensures maximum station-keeping performance while avoiding high noise levels in the accommodation. In addition, this clever layout results in lower maintenance costs, lower fuel consumption and less total installed power. Although the main benefits of the design are seen during station-keeping, the transit performance of the vessel is also very efficient. Speed and fuel consumption are hardly sacrificed by the layout. The diesel generators are supported by a battery pack. The electric system is designed to operate safely with closed bus-ties. This makes it safely possible to have less engines running, resulting in reduction of fuel oil consumption and harmful emissions with up to 20% and less maintenance. Also with clean, sustainable operations in mind, the vessel is fitted with a hybrid power generation system, resulting in low emissions. However, the vessel can optionally be delivered to operate on green methanol, produced from biological waste streams. This allows reduction of well-to-propeller CO2 emissions by approximately 70%. In addition to the ease of bunkering offered by green methanol at most ports in the world, it is easy to handle safely on board and is cost-efficient. Additionally methanol sacrifices very little design capacity so that the vessel does not need to be larger to achieve similar endurance. www.damen.com

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First automated ocean sample Recently an international team of researchers used one of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) underwater robots, Nereid Under Ice (NUI), to explore Kolumbo volcano, an active submarine volcano off of Santorini island, Greece, and take the first known automated sample performed by a robotic arm in the ocean. Kolumbo undersea volcano

“For a vehicle to take a sample without a pilot driving it was a huge step forward,” commented Rich Camilli, an associate scientist at WHOI leading the development of automation technology as part of NASA’s Planetary Science and Technology from Analog Research (PSTAR) interdisciplinary research program. “One of our goals was to toss out the joystick, and we were able to do just that.” As with many automated vehicles, handing control over to a computer algorithm can be a strange concept - the same goes for ocean robots, especially when they need to work in tricky and hazardous environments. Camilli was part of an international team of researchers on an expedition aimed at learning about life in the harsh, chemical-laden environment of Kolumbo, and also exploring the extent to which scientists can hand over the controls to ocean robots and allow them to explore without human intervention. Slightly smaller than a conventional Smart Car, NUI was equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based automated planning software - including a planner named ‘Spock’- that enabled the ROV to decide which sites to visit in the volcano and take samples autonomously. Gideon Billings, a guest student from the University of Michigan whose thesis research focuses on automated technologies, got the honours of using his code to collect the very first automated sample, which was of a patch of sediment from Kolumbo’s mineral-rich seafloor. He issued a command to the autonomous manipulator and, moments later, a slurp-sample hose attached to the robotic arm extended down to the precise sample location and sucked up the dirt. Billings said this level of automation will be important for NASA as they look toward developing technologies to explore ocean worlds beyond our solar system. “If we have this grand vision of sending robots to places like Europa and Enceladus (the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, respectively), they will ultimately need to work independently like this and without the assistance of a pilot,” he added. In the foreseeable future Camilli will continue working with Billings and colleagues at the University of Michigan, as well as researchers from the Australian Centre for Field Robotics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago to push the automation technology forward. The work will include training ocean robots to see like ROV pilots using ‘gaze tracking’ technology, and building a robust human-language interface so scientists can talk directly to robots without a pilot go-between. “We can eventually see having a network of cognitive ocean robots where there’s a shared intelligence spanning an entire fleet, with each vehicle working cooperatively like bees in a hive,” Camilli continued. “It will go well beyond losing the joystick.” www.whoi.edu

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InterMoor Brazilian inspection project US based, InterMoor has begun work on a chain inspection job offshore in Brazil. The project is in partnership with three other Acteon Group companies. The InterMoor team will employ their expertise in inspecting the mooring lines of six FPSOs. The project consists in performing full inspection on all mooring lines, an equivalent of 28km of chain/polyester. InterMoor provides subsea chain inspectors, cleaning equipment for marine growth removal and subsea caliper to provide a dimensional benchmark on chain links. The InterMoor team will be operating from onboard the RSV vessel Parcel das Paredes from OceanPac. With the assistance of Acteon Group sister companies Pulse and Seatronics, the team is also performing top chain angle assessment. The project also uses Clarusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Integrity Management System Icue to provide a live report and collect data from the inspections. Completion of the works is expected to be in the second quarter of this year. www.intermoor.com

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New Chasing ROV Chasing recently announced the launch of the M2, an ROV designed for light-duty professional and enterprise observation and inspection applications. The compact unit is constructed from aluminium alloy and weighs in at under 5 kg. The M2 features eight vectored thrusters, allowing it to steer in all six directions, as well as rotate and pitch. It is equipped with a digitally-stabilized camera capable of 4K video and 12megapixel stills, and LED lights rated at 4000 lumen. The unit can operate at depths of up to 100m and is ideal for a wide variety of applications requiring capture of underwater details, such as research, fish farming, and marine equipment inspection. Additional GoPro cameras and extra lights can be mounted on the M2’s front and rear. The platform can also be fitted with sensors, such as laser-based measuring equipment to determine the size of underwater objects, measure cracks, or monitor the growth of fish. A swappable battery and removable MicroSD memory card means more efficient operation, doing away with the need to charge the ROV or download data. Chasing has also developed a new professional-grade remote controller and an E-Reel electronic winder for more convenient operation and rapid deployment of the new ROV. The battery-powered E-Reel can automatically roll up or unroll its 200 metre cable in just 2 minutes, up to 12 times per charge. It comes equipped with an anti-explosion cable, battery protection technologies, and a power display, and can also be used with other Chasing underwater drones, including the consumer-grade Gladius Mini. Jacky Yang, Chasing co-founder and CMO, spoke of the new launch: “Current radio-operated submersibles for the professional market are often too big, heavy, and expensive for many governments, companies, and organizations. As a result, fish farming, hull inspection, reservoir dam inspection, rescue operations, and other applications are currently ignored by the market. Just 10% of the global market is being served, with a segment worth some 60 to 80 billion yuan currently sitting undeveloped.” www.chasing.com

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TerraSond land 7th consecutive NOAA contract

TerraSond, an Acteon company, has been awarded a five-year IDIQ contract by the Hydrographic Surveys Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s National Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey, to provide hydrographic surveying services throughout the USA. The new contract was effective from the beginning of the year with a maximum value of $250 million (USD) over 5 years, subject to appropriation by US Congress. Under previous contracts with NOAA, TerraSond has surveyed more than 7,120 square nautical miles of US waters in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico since 1998, providing data for use in creating and maintaining NOAA nautical charts. During this period, it carried out task orders for NOAA in every year with a total value of about $90 million (USD); almost 200 individual survey areas have been completed to date during 28 separate projects in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. Thomas Newman, President, TerraSond, commented, “We are delighted that NOAA continues to value our services, which we provide from facilities in three states including Washington and Texas. In Alaska, we have particularly strong capabilities and extensive experience.” TerraSond has deployed new or emerging technologies for NOAA that have led to significant improvements in data quality, efficiency and safety to overcome unique challenges of scale and remote operations. In 2015, it became the first company to acquire data from an unmanned survey vessel that was used to update US nautical charts; 5% of TerraSond’s survey line mileage for NOAA was produced by unmanned survey vessels in 2015, increasing to almost 60% in 2019. In 2017, TerraSond was the first to complete NOAA shoreline verification with unmanned aerial systems. Newman added, “Through our NOAA contracts, we have been performing comprehensive site characterization for safety of navigation purposes for over 20 years. As part of the Acteon Group, we are now offering this experience alongside Benthic’s geotechnical and UTEC’s survey and positioning services. Acteon provides customers with a comprehensive site characterization solution for large work scopes. Using a single provider enables the early integration of geophysical and geotechnical surveys, which can help to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, develop a more accurate ground model, and unlock maximum value from acquired data.” www.terrasond.com

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Kraken get funding for ThunderFish Kraken Robotics recently secured a grant of up to $749,746 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to support research and development of Kraken’s ThunderFish XL Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). Kraken’s ThunderFish XL represents further development of the ThunderFish Alpha platform that was recently delivered to Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). The AUV is designed for ultra-high resolution seabed imaging and mapping applications. It can be used for a wide range of oceanographic and military tasks including underwater surveys, environmental monitoring, habitat mapping, marine archaeology, inspection of submerged structures, searching for downed aircraft and naval mine countermeasures. ThunderFish carries an array of sensors and custom payload modules, including Kraken’s AquaPix Synthetic Aperture Sonar. ThunderFish XL will include additional sensors and features as compared to ThunderFish Alpha including Kraken’s Multispectral AquaPix Synthetic Aperture Sonar, SeaVision RGB laser scanner and SeaThrust rim-driven thrusters allowing for hovering capabilities. https://krakenrobotics.com

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Cygnus thickness gauges - standing the test of time Cygnus Instruments has been manufacturing high quality ultrasonic testing equipment for over 35 years. During that time, they have built an enviable relationship with customers not only for the physical quality of the instruments made, but also for making the most reliable and accurate products too. At the heart of Cygnus Instruments’ reputation for reliability and accuracy lies the Cygnus-pioneered ‘multiple echo technique’. By using three distinct return pulses of ultrasound, Cygnus thickness gauges will remove almost all possibility of error - and simultaneously read through coatings up to 20mm (0.75”) thick. Cygnus multiple echo gauges are also extremely simple to calibrate and use.

As one satisfied customer notes: There are many in the industry who have been using Cygnus meters for more than 20 years. I myself have used their underwater thickness gauge along with regular and Intrinsically Safe UT meters from the early stages of my career - and that goes back to more than 25 years for sure. TechCorr, a global leader of inspection services, uses Cygnus Gauges for pipelines, tanks and vessel inspections. Our operators particularly love Cygnus - as readings come quick and accurate. The Cygnus 2+ and 4+ are just two of the range of Cygnus thickness gauges that are ideally suited for use in the marine inspection and repair industry. Both of these units will work primarily with the Cygnus multiple echo technique as well as with single echo or echo echo measuring modes using twin crystal probes - which are occasionally needed for the heavy corrosion found in the marine environment. In addition to this, the Cygnus 4+ comes with a large colour display that allows the user to see and then record the thickness reading taken as well as that reading’s Ascan. The Ascan (a visual representation of the ultrasound in the material being measured) can be used to verify readings. The 4+ will take and store 5000 readings (on a removable SD card) that can then be very easily exported into a report (either PDF or EXCEL). As with all Cygnus units, the 2+ and 4+ gauges are extremely durable; they are water and dust proof (to IP67) and fully drop and shock proof as well. All Cygnus gauges are made in the South West of the UK and come with a 3 year warranty. www.cygnus-instruments.com

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Fugro wins Copenhagen mega island project contract

Fugro’s Skate 3 modular jackup acquiring high-quality geotechnical data in Copenhagen’s harbour for the Lynetteholmen island mega project.

Danish consulting firm COWI has awarded Fugro a nearshore geotechnical site investigation for CPH City & Port Development’s Lynetteholmen project in Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: +44(0) 2392 472710 Mob: +44(0) 7850 473713 E-Mail: info@fdsukltd.com Web: www.fdsukltd.com

F.D.S. Offer for Rental & Sale Diver R.O.V. & Crane Operated Dredging Systems. Multipurpose & Mini dredging systems for the removal of fines, silt, mud’s, drill cuttings, sand, grit, gravel, shingle, shale & general debris. Suitable for confined space operations or locations where access is a problem. All on-shore civil applications. Shallow & deepwater offshore support operations. Renewables. Complete ready to use self operational systems available for use worldwide. Stillage packed or deepwater offshore containerised units. Long & short term rentals. Sales. Wide scope of operations. Lightweight, road & air transportable environmentally friendly units.

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Fugro’s site investigation will be used to inform the detailed design of a new artificial island, which will cover about 2.75 km2 and increase the Danish capital’s land mass by in the region of 2%. The Fugro solution will acquire high-quality geotechnical data in shallow water depths from a single jackup and ensure fast and efficient data delivery via Fugro’s newly developed Gaia solution. Malte Larsen, geotechnical engineer at COWI, said, “The future island of Lynetteholmen is the largest construction project in Denmark since the 17th century, and it will leave a significant mark on the city of Copenhagen, not to mention Denmark and the Øresund Region.” The new island will provide housing for 35,000 people and protect against storm-water impact and sea-level rise, contributing to a safe and liveable environment for the residents of Copenhagen and beyond. Work began back in September last year and the fieldwork is expected to be completed by March. www.fugro.com

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Seatools wins piling equipment contract Seatools recently secured a contract from an undisclosed company for the design and delivery of a piling template hydraulic and instrumentation system. The system will be used for pile installation during the construction of an offshore wind farm in Taiwan. Pile installation will take place in the second quarter of 2020. During this phase, the pre-piling template will position and guide the pin piles. Meanwhile, the integrated instrumentation package includes survey equipment to monitor every step of the installation process in real time. The package also enables post-pile installation surveys and ensures that narrowly set installation tolerances are met, the company explains. The contract comprises the complete mechanical, electric, hydraulic, and software design of the pile templateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hydraulic and instrumentation system. Equipment design will substantially draw on recently completed piling equipment projects. www.seatools.com

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Jan De Nul completes water infrastructure works in Harelbeke

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Recent weeks have seen the completion of the water infrastructure works on and around the weir lock complex along the Lys in Harelbeke, Belgium. The Joint Venture ‘Leieland’, a partnership between contractors Jan De Nul nv, Herbosch Kiere nv, Engie Fabricom nv and Aelterman bvba, was responsible for the design and execution of the works. In the past five years, the Joint Venture ‘Leieland’ worked by order of ‘De Vlaamse Waterweg’ (the Flemish Waterway Authority) on the renovation and modernisation of the weir lock, waterway and environment alongside the river Lys in Harelbeke. Jan De Nul nv and Herbosch-Kiere nv were jointly responsible for the civil engineering works, as well as for the general coordination of the project and all parties involved. Engie Fabricom was responsible for the electromechanical works, Aelterman bvba for the steel construction works. This close cooperation led to an optimal design and high-quality execution, both on a nautical, hydraulic, technical and aesthetic level.

Working in an urban area

The infrastructure works took place in the town centre of Harelbeke. Another impediment was that during the works the Lys could not be blocked for shipping. All this had a direct impact on the execution methods and project planning. The Joint Venture ‘Leieland’ decided to install a temporary lock so that shipping would not be affected by the works. A temporary weir made sure there was no flooding during the works. The new lock and weir were to be built at the same location as the old one to ensure the best possible nautical and hydraulic design. In other words, the construction could but start after the installation of the temporary infrastructure and the demolition of the old infrastructure.

Energy-neutral weir lock complex

Next to the new weir lock complex, the Joint Venture ‘Leieland’ built a pumping station with two turbines. Upon a water surplus, the turbines will generate energy. In dry periods and when there is a shortage of water, on the other, the pumping station can pump water to the upstream water level. The expected energy production is higher than the energy consumed by the weir lock complex so that the latter can be considered as being energy-neutral.

Seine-Scheldt project

These maritime infrastructure works in Harelbeke are part of the overall Seine-Scheldt project, which improves the waterway link between the Seine basin and the Scheldt basin. Thanks to some large-scale infrastructure works in France, Wallonia and Flanders, inland navigation vessels up to 4,500 tonnes will be able to sail between Paris and Antwerp. These infrastructure works include a/o the renovation of locks, weirs and quay walls, the deepening of canals or the excavation of new ones and the raising of bridges.

Infrastructure works executed by the Joint Venture ‘Leieland’ • • • • • • • • •

Demolition of old infrastructure New lock (230m long, 12.5m wide x 4.70m water depth) New weir (2 weir segments, each 12.5m wide) Pumping station with turbines Fish ladder Quay walls (2km) Dredging works Construction of the new steel bridge Hogebrug (80m and 1,000 tonnes) Bloemmolenbrug (movable bicycle bridge), Banmolenbrug Sewage system, district heating and road construction works

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Lubrizol whitepaper identifies VLSFO engine condition challenges

PICTURE SHOWS: Variable fuel characteristics among very low sulfur fuel oils will demand greater deposit handling performance from lubricants

Legacy cylinder oils may not protect ship engines from the variable fuel characteristics of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), global additive supplier The Lubrizol Corp has advised. In a new whitepaper, Lubrizol outlines the research that underpins its advice that ship owners should use lubricants specifically formulated for these challenges. Marine bench and engine tests revealed a high degree of variability in deposit formation and combustion characteristics among VLSFO blends, even using samples acquired from a relatively small geographical area. The widespread uptake of VLSFO as IMO’s sulfur cap enters force could lead to increased incidence of engine deposits and costly damage if the lubricants selected by ship operators are not robust enough to maintain engine cleanliness Lubrizol’s findings appear to be supported by early reports of high sediment levels - exceeding the specifications in the ISO 8217:2017 marine fuel standard - in many test samples of 0.5% sulfur fuel taken in Houston and Singapore. Fuels with high sediment levels can lead to an accumulation of www.marineandmaritimegazette.com

sludge in fuel storage, handling and treatment systems, which could damage ship engines. “It is clear that some features of VLSFOs introduce variability that will require lubricants with improved deposit handling performance,” says Harriet Brice, technology manager, marine diesel engine oils, Lubrizol. “Using a more robust lubricant will help to reduce the impact to the engine of this variability.” Marine cylinder oils for low-sulfur fuels have not had to cope with this degree of deposit formation in the past and their additive packages may not be robust enough to handle the variable fuel characteristics of VLSFO. Lubrizol has developed an additive package, balancing traditional detergents with novel dispersants, that secures engine cleanliness even when faced with these challenges The use of novel additive chemistries will not stop in 2020 as shipping’s fuel market continues to diversify. In particular, emerging low-carbon and carbon-neutral fuels will come with their own challenges for engine condition. Lubrizol’s deep investment in research, close ties to the marine industry and additive experience across several industrial sectors will position it to deliver the solutions that shipping needs. www.lubrizol.com @MandMGazette

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Safe Bulkers extends

partnership with Alfa Laval through a PureSOx Service Agreement

In June 2018, Greek dry bulk operator Safe Bulkers selected Alfa Laval to retrofit 20 of its vessels with Alfa Laval PureSOx scrubber systems for exhaust gas cleaning. The company has now gone on to sign a long-term Alfa Laval Service Agreement, which will safeguard compliance through connectivity and more. Safe Bulkers ordered PureSOx retrofits for 12 Post-Panamax vessels, 6 Kamsarmax vessels and 2 Capesize vessels, with deliveries running until March 2020. Almost 15 of those systems, which comprise open-loop scrubbers configured for multiple inlet sources, have now been installed at COSCO retrofit yards with engineering design of Alpha Marine Consulting P.C. Throughout the process, Alfa Laval has partnered closely with the yards, providing support through locally based project managers with strong backing from PureSOx product centre in Nijmegen, Netherlands. “Alfa Laval’s project management has really been first-rate,” says Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President of Safe Bulkers. “Not only was there no time difference or language barrier in working with our yards, there was never any question about scope or responsibilities. Alfa Laval’s team worked with us proactively to solve issues as quickly as possible, and they brought additional resources to the yard whenever time or flexibility became a concern.”

Taking the cooperation further

With the majority of the PureSOx retrofits completed, Safe Bulkers is now looking ahead to secure trouble-free operation. Recently, the company signed a tailored Alfa Laval Service Agreement that will deepen the partnership between the two companies. The agreement includes connectivity and lifecycle-oriented services selected from the Alfa Laval PureSOx 360 Service Portfolio, provided for a flat yearly fee. “We feel very satisfied with the scrubber project execution, and we want to be equally successful in the operation of our PureSOx systems,” continues Dr. Barmparis. “The Alfa Laval Service Agreement will help us safeguard long-term performance, for example by using data analysis to keep systems performing at their peak.”

Services to safeguard performance over time

PICTURES SHOW: (Top) Alfa Laval PureSOx Connect (Middle) Alfa Laval PureSOx Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (Bottom left) Mr. Rene Diks, Director Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (Bottom Right) Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President of Safe Bulkers

Safe Bulkers’ forward-thinking ambitions are reflected in the scope of the Service Agreement. In addition to genuine Alfa Laval spare parts, service kits and sensor calibration by exchange, the agreement includes services that will make corrective maintenance more plannable and maintenance costs more predictable. “Hands-on training will lay a foundation for safe, compliant and cost-effective PureSOx operation,” says Dr. Barmparis. Safe Bulkers crew members and superintendents will be trained at the recently opened Alfa Laval PureSOx Training Centre in Shanghai, China, where a full-size PureSOx system is installed. “On top of that foundation, we will use data-driven PureSOx Connect services for compliance and performance monitoring.” PureSOx Connect services will let Safe Bulkers prove compliance easily, generating automatic reports for handover to local authorities. In addition, the scrubber data will be analysed with advanced algorithms, enabling health monitoring, root-cause identification and remote service support when needed. “Scrubber connectivity will give us deeper insights and keep our systems optimized,” adds Dr. Barmparis. “Alfa Laval will perform yearly Condition Audits of our PureSOx installations, but PureSOx Connect will help us take preventive actions and minimize the corrective needs they find.”

Partnership for long-term compliance

“We want to protect our uptime and eliminate any risk of non-compliance,” says Dr. Barmparis in summary. “Alfa Laval was the natural choice to help us do that, and their clear service offering made it easy to find the right services for our needs.” Rene Diks, Director for Exhaust Gas Cleaning at Alfa Laval, is pleased to see the cooperation between Alfa Laval and Safe Bulkers being taken to the next level and further strengthened. “As in all projects, we’ve worked hard to meet Safe Bulkers’ expectations during the sales and order execution phases,” Diks says. “Now that the orders are nearing completion, we will continue working hard to provide Safe Bulkers with support and services that will keep their PureSOx systems compliant and in top shape. More than scrubber deliveries, we see this as a long-term partnership.” www.alfalaval.com

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Jongen deploys Damen InvaSave for the Port of Hamburg

Mobile ballast water treatment system will protect the Elbe from invasive Species

German maritime waste specialist Jongen GmbH recently took delivery of a Damen InvaSave 300 mobile ballast water treatment system. The company can now offer IMO-certified ballast water treatment services to ship operators needing to comply with the latest ballast water regulations that came into effect on 8 September 2019. Jongen GmbH delivers waste oil, waste water, and the waste removal services for maritime traffic in the Port of Hamburg. The company’s services include the cleaning of the ships’ storage tanks and machinery along with the management and cleaning of oil spills. The addition of the Damen InvaSave to Jongen’s equipment portfolio reflects its expansion into ballast water treatment services. Speaking after the delivery of the InvaSave system from Damen, Julia Dettmer, director of Jongen said: “We believe that Hamburg stands out from the other European ports by offering a mobile state-of-the-art ballast water treatment system operated by Jongen. The Invasave 300 is Hamburg’s answer to the new regulation of the IMO BMW Convention in order to prevent the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms.” Damen’s InvaSave 300 is an IMO-certified ballast water treatment system. The InvaSave is tested and IMO certified to treat ballast water without any holding time. Just as suitable for outbound as inbound vessels, it treats ballast water to IMO-D2 standards. InvaSave utilises no chemicals to eliminate invasive organisms from ballast water in a single pass. 8 September 2019 was an important date in the application of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention. Although the Convention actually came into force two years earlier, it stipulates that vessels built before 8 September 2017 must be able to comply with regulations by the time of their first International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) renewal survey. Operating as an external unit, the InvaSave 300 is housed in a standard container. This affords owners of the system a huge amount of mobility, commented Matthijs Schuiten from Damen Green Solutions. “Because InvaSave fits on a trailer, workboat or barge, and no storage for holding time is required, operators can easily move it to where it is needed. The sheer mobility of InvaSave means that ship owners calling on Jongen’s new ballast water treatment services in the Port of Hamburg can keep their downtime to a minimum. This includes downtime during port calls, as well as the downtime needed for retrofitting an onboard ballast water treatment system.” www.damengreen.com

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Armed to the teeth.

Our CSD range comprises a robust, no-nonsense fusion of efficiency, output and maximal uptime, suited to operations anywhere in the world. Our dredgers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mess about, they just sink their teeth in and get the job done.

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E2S launches the brightest ever hazardous location UL1971 LED fire alarm beacon The new Haz. Loc. D2xB1LD3 LED beacon from E2S Warning Signals generates an effective candela rating of 82.1 cd under UL1971 test conditions, making it the brightest UL1971 compliant visual emergency signalling device from any manufacturer suitable for use as part of a public mode fire alarm installation for hazardous areas. The NFPA 72 compliant 20ms high intensity pulse generates light output equivalent in perception to a traditional strobe, but with ultra-low current consumption (150mA) and low in-rush. The array of high output LEDs are installed to optimise visibility in any direction. The D2xB1LD3 contains a supervisory diode and duplicated pluggable terminals that not only simplify installation, but also enable a four-wire connection. Multiple units will autosynchronise when powered from the same source, removing the need for additional synchronisation modules and reducing power supply requirements. Globally approved to UL, cUL and ULC for Class I Div 2, Class II Div 2, Class I Zone 2/22 as well as IECEx and ATEX certified for Zone 2 and 22 hazardous area applications. For complete audio-visual warning signalling the D2xB1LD3 can be combined with a D2xS1 alarm horn sounder with an audible output up to 116 dB(A), 64 embedded alarm tones and 4 remotely selectable stages/channels to create the D2xC2LD3 combination signal. The alarm tone will also auto-synchronize on multi-unit systems where powered from the same source. The beacon can be linked internally to the alarm horn to minimise cabling requirements and reduce installation time. All members of the D2x family are housed in marine grade aluminium enclosures with an ingress protection rating of IP66, NEMA Type 4 and 4X, providing protection in the harshest of environments. www.e2s.com

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A.P. Møller Capital go ahead for West African port terminals

The European Commission recently approved the acquisition of joint control over four project companies with concessions to build or operate port terminals in West Africa by Denmark’s A.P. Møller Capital (APMC).

These include GSEZ Cargo Ports, a company operating a cargo terminal and logistics business in Gabon; GSEZ Mineral Port, which operates a mineral terminal in Owendo, Gabon; Arise, a company holding the concession for a cargo port in Mauritania; and Terminal Industriel Polyvalent de San Pedro S.A., which holds a concession to build and operate a bulk terminal in the Ivory Coast. “The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because of its limited impact on the market. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure,” commented a European Commission spokesperson. APMC is an affiliate of A.P. Møller Holding and was established to manage stand-alone funds to invest in infrastructure in emerging markets. The first fund is focusing on Africa and the Africa Infrastructure Fund I K/S (AIF 1), acting by its manager APMC, will acquire the shares in the project companies through Arise P&L Limited, a special purpose vehicle incorporated in the United Kingdom. The four companies will also be full-function joint ventures within the EU merger rules. www.apmollercapital.com

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