It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Reach Subsea Gets $15M From EU for Unmanned Offshore Vessels
On Tuesday, Norwegian offshore service company Reach Subsea announced that it has received $15 million in funding from the EU Innovation Fund to pursue its unmanned surface vessel R&D work.
Reach Subsea took delivery of its purpose-built USVs, the Kongsberg-designed Reach Remote 1 and 2, in March and June 2024. The pair will soon be carrying out a range of typical offshore work for Equinor off Haugesund, Norway.
The trial-scale deployment includes survey work, ROV intervention, guard vessel duties, structure inspection and environmental monitoring - all tasks that would ordinarily be performed by much larger, more emissions-intensive and more expensive manned vessels. The partnership is designed as a "showcase" to demonstrate the capabilities of the Reach Remote operating concept, both for Equinor and for other industry players.
"This is a significant step forward for Reach Subsea’s innovation agenda, our Reach Remote scale up plans and our commitment to driving sustainable ocean technology. We are excited to contribute to a cleaner, more efficient future," said CEO Jostein Alendal.
The unique offshore vessel design won the Skipsrevven Ship of the Year 2024 at SMM Hamburg.
"We are committed to being part of the required transition, and our Reach Remote USVs represent a significant step in the subsea market, with CO? emissions estimated to be reduced by 90% compared to conventional vessels," explained Alendal.
MSC to Buy Brazil’s Wilson Sons Terminal and Tug Operator
MSC's vessel being assisted by Wilson Sons' tugs in Brazil (Wilson Sons)
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company is continuing its global acquisition efforts with the latest transaction announced in Brazil. The company has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in Wilson Sons, which is described as the largest integrated port and maritime logistics operator in Brazil.
Under the terms of the agreement, MSC will acquire 56.47 percent of the company’s shares from Ocean Wilson Holdings, a Brazilian-based investment company for approximately $760 million or just over $3 per share. Under securities law, MSC would then be required to also launch a public tender offer for the remaining shares. The shares will be acquired by MSC’s subsidiary SAS Shipping Agencies with a total value of the transaction at approximately $1.35 billion.
News of the agreement came just days after the Brazilian newspaper Valor Economico reported that Miami-based I Squared Capital, a private equity firm focusing on global infrastructure investments, was contemplating an offer for Wilson Sons. Ocean Wilson reported in June 2023 that it was launching a strategic review of its investments. I Square indicated that it might be making an offer within the next 15 days without setting a value while market rumors speculated that MSC was also interested in the company. Wilson Sons and its investors confirmed in a statement that they had received a letter from I Squared while saying they were also in active discussions with “another interested party.”
Wilson Sons highlights that it is more than 180 years old and today it has operations including towage, container terminals, offshore oil and gas support services, small vessel construction, logistics, and ship agency. Its portfolio includes a presence in most major ports in Brazil with container terminals in Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul. It also has 80 tugboats, which make up the largest and most powerful fleet in the country, 23 offshore support vessels flying the Brazilian flag, two offshore support bases, a customs logistics center, two shipyards, provides international logistics services for more than 70 countries, and operates one of the largest independent shipping agencies in Brazil.
“Our strategy has always been focused on delivering enhanced long-term value to our shareholders,” said Caroline Fougler, Chair of Ocean Wilsons while saying the agreement represents the successful realization of the long-term investment in Wilson Sons. Ocean Wilsons the statement says will focus on sustainable growth while Wilson Sons will benefit from additional resources and support.
MSC already has a growing presence in Brazil including operations of a container terminal in Santos, Brazil with Maersk. Last December they announced plans to expand the operations in Santos after a long battle with local interest that sought to block the companies’ efforts.
MSC continues to expand its shoreside operations and logistics offerings. It previously acquired terminals in France and agreed to an expansion in Belgium. MSC also recently completed the acquisition of a nearly 50 percent state in the operator of the container terminals in Hamburg forming a new partnership with the city. In addition to a rapid expansion of its container fleet, MSC has also diversified with the acquisition of Gram Car Carriers and continues to invest in the expansion of its cruise ship operations.
The acquisition of the shares of Wilson Sons requires regulatory approval. The companies are targeting completing the transaction in the second half of 2025.
Seaspan Feeds Boxship Building Boom Ordering Six More Vessels
CSSC's Hudong-Zhonghau shipyard continues to build its backlog on containership orders (CSSC)
The building boom for containerships is continuing with the orderbook adding yet six more large vessels to be built in China for Seaspan. The Canada-based owner-lessor of vessels is maintaining its order pace even as it takes delivery of new vessels that operate under long-term charters with major carriers.
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) is reporting that its Hudong-Zhonghua subsidiary signed the latest order on Friday, October 18 to build six 13,600 TERU vessels for Seaspan. Due for delivery between 2026 and 2028, they will be conventionally fueled but fitted with scrubbers and prepared for green fuel conversion. The ships will be 1,102 feet (336 meters) in length with a maximum capacity of 14,132 TEU including 2,000 reefer slots.
Possibly to combat the rising prices of vessels, Hudong-Zhonghau reports this is the first larger order and one of only a few that is being denominated in the Chinese RMB currency. No order value was reported but Seaspan will settle it in RMB making it one of the few international orders using Chinese currency for payment. For Seaspan it should help to reduce financing costs and the exchange risks for both the owner and shipyard. The Chinese are highlighting it as they seek to further expand their shipbuilding dominance and internationalize the RMB.
Princes for newbuilds are up dramatically in the past few years according to a new report from UK-based Clarksons Research. They wrote in the report that prices are up more than 50 percent over the past four years in part due to the building boom, inflation, larger vessels, and new technologies. Prices they reported are at record highs not seen in more than 15 years. They expect the newbuilding market to remain strong.
The containership segment shows continued strength. Alphaliner sets the current newbuild orders at a record pace this year with currently over 260 vessels on order. They report the sector has over 3 million TEU on order. Earlier this month, Alphaliner highlighted that the TEU capacity orders were at an all-time high.
Hudong-Zhonghua reports this is the third batch of 15 large containership orders it has taken on this year and expands the relationship with Seaspan which has ordered more than 20 containerships from CSSC since 2021. Hudong-Zhonghua has received more than 100 orders for large and ultra-larger containerships highlights CSSC.
Seaspan currently has a fleet of more than 170 vessels according to its filings as of June 2024. The company took delivery of 18 new vessels in the first half of 2024 yet its orders rose from 40 as of December 31, 2023, to 41 as of June 30, 2024. In June 2024, Seaspan ordered a total of 27 containerships with a capacity ranging between 9,000 and 17,000 TEU it reported in a Securities Exchange Commission filing. Those orders are due between 2027 and 2028.
Carlyle Ends Bid to Acquire German Naval Shipbuilder TKMS from Thyssenkrupp
TKMS operates Germany's largest shipbuilding yard (TKMS file photo)
American private investment firm Carlyle Group has ended discussions to purchase a controlling stake in German naval shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp Marine Services (TKMS) six months after starting a due diligence review. The shipbuilder’s parent company Thyssenkrupp confirmed the development after it was first reported by Reuters and widely covered in the financial media.
The proposed sale is part of a larger plan to bolster the beleaguered German industrial giant which has also been selling other units. After months of speculation regarding the fate of the naval shipbuilding unit, Thyssenkrupp and Carlyle confirmed in March 2024 that they had begun a due diligence evaluating cooperation on the planned separation of the marine business.
“Both companies agreed to enter into an in-depth examination and valuation (due diligence) of Thyssenkrupp's marine business. The subject of this review is a possible partial sale of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to Carlyle,” the companies reported.
Thyssenkrupp highlighted that it had begun a strategic review of the marine business in 2023 and was exploring several options and that it would continue to review alternatives. They noted that talks were also being held with the German government on the state's participation in TKMS.
As late as August, Reuters was reporting good progress in the discussions saying that KfW, the German state-owned investment and development bank, had joined in the talks with Carlyle with Reuters reporting a valuation of $1.3 to $1.7 billion for TKMS. Reuters said the companies were targeting completing the deal by September and the close of Thyssenkrupp’s fiscal year.
Thyssenkrupp responded to today’s inquiries from the financial media saying it would continue to pursue the independence of TKMS, possibly through a spin-off of the company. They cite the strong demand for submarines, naval vessels, and surface and underwater technology, saying that it is creating additional growth opportunities for TKMS.
“The independent positioning of the division should enable these opportunities to be better exploited,” Thyssenkrupp said in the past and reconfirmed today. “This independence would also provide a good starting point for possible national and European consolidation.”
The German newspaper Handelsblatt reported in June 2024 that Italy’s Fincantieri had expressed interest in a possible investment in TKMS but would not proceed without assurances from the German government. Fincantieri in June also announced an agreement to acquire the submarine division of Leonardo as it works to expand its role in military systems and specifically subsea operations. A reported proposal from the French Naval Group, known as a leading developed of submarines, for TKMS however was reportedly rejected in Germany because of concerns about intellectual property and jobs.
TKMS operates the largest shipyard in Germany employing around 3,100 people at its facilities in Kiel in addition to smaller facilities in Hamburg, Bremen, and Emden. They previously announced plans to expand investments in the Kiel site as well as an agreement with Germany to take over the Wismar site of the former Genting Hong Kong shipyard MV Werften.
The company dates back more than 185 years but took its current form through the merger of Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) and Blohm+Voss Naval in January 2013 and the acquisition of Atlas Elektronik in April 2017.
UMass Amherst Receives $147k to Train Cohort of Offshore Wind Professionals
The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) recently announced that a team led by UMass Clean Energy Extension director and professor Dwayne Breger at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has been selected to receive $147,555 in grant funding to support the education of 13 scholars from diverse backgrounds at the UMass Clean Energy Extension’s (CEE) Offshore Wind Professional Certificate Program. The award has been complemented with financial support from Equinor, a partner through CEE’s Industry Partnership Program.
Ramon Rosquete Peña (left) and Career Access scholar Carlos Avila
The grant award follows four previous program awards from MassCEC and will help UMass Amherst meet its goals of expanding, broadening and sustaining its three-course graduate certificate program offerings to meet increasing demand for a highly skilled workforce needed to serve the state’s growing offshore wind industry. Since its establishment in 2020, the online program has helped more than 200 working professional students rapidly upskill for the offshore wind industry, making it one of the largest graduate-level offshore wind programs in the U.S.
The funding comes through the MassCEC’s Offshore Wind Works program, which seeks to develop and implement innovative workforce training programs to increase access to clean energy careers, education and training.
“We’re grateful for the continued support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the MassCEC,” Breger says. “The demand for our professional training is accelerating and this critical support will enable us to make our training accessible to excellent students who can make a difference in the offshore wind industry and our classroom.”
Max Dilthey, curriculum lead and program manager of the Offshore Wind Professional Certificate, says of the award, “We’re very excited to see our students and alumni shaping the future of offshore wind in the U.S. This funding is essential for us to continue preparing students and professionals for the future growth of the offshore wind industry, including underrepresented students supported through our Career Access Scholarship.”
The funding will enable the UMass Clean Energy Extension and its more than 30 offshore wind industry partners provide direct pathways for students and scholarship recipients to join the Massachusetts workforce. The grant award will support the full tuition for the 12 scholars, as well as the efforts of CEE staff to recruit and select the cohort, and provide personal advising and professional development support to these diverse students.
The Offshore Wind Certificate Program partners closely with the offshore wind industry in developing and delivering its curriculum offerings. Guest instructors and lecturers from SouthCoast Wind, Vineyard Wind, Avangrid Renewables, the Wind Technology Testing Center, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and dozens of other firms and organizations give certificate students access to networking opportunities and direct industry exposure that prepares them for employment in a broad range of offshore wind roles.
“Offshore wind workers are on the frontlines of our climate change response – building the infrastructure we need to deploy affordable clean energy to communities across Massachusetts,” says Governor Healey. “Our neighbors, friends, and family members will be the workers that power this new industry, and we’re committed to making sure they have the tools and resources they need to embark on fulfilling careers.”?
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
Four Crew Lost as Overloaded Russian Cargo Ship Capsizes
Russian cargo ship capsized in the frigid waters off Sakhalin island on Friday (Marine Rescue Service photos)
Russian authorities are reporting that three crewmembers were recovered but that four others were missing after a small general cargo ship capsized near Korsakov port at the southern end of Sakhalin Island in the Far East.
The cargo ship Grigory Lovtsov was built in 2002 in Japan and has been sailing for Russia since 2010. The vessel is 200 dwt and 135 feet (41 meters) in length. The ship was operating with a crew of seven with reports saying it was transporting a cargo of building materials.
The regional governor wrote on Telegram that he believed the vessel was overloaded. It had a cargo of sand and gravel which the authorities are saying likely shifted causing the vessel to lose stability Friday afternoon, October 18.
Four crewmembers were missing after the vessel capsized (Marine Rescue Service)
Three crewmembers were thrown into the sea as the vessel capsized. A search and rescue operation was launched and able to recover the sailors from the water and they were reported to be suffering from hypothermia. One was released from the hospital over the weekend while another is said to be in very serious condition. Interfax has an unconfirmed report that two bodies were later recovered during the search.
Governor Valery Limarenko reported on Telegram that crews were able to secure the overturned vessel. It was being towed to shore and he said they would begin pumping it out to conduct a full investigation.
There are allegations that safety procedures were overlooked. Officials report the ship had a prior incident in 2022 when it became trapped in the ice off Sakhalin and the crew needed to be evacuated.
CMA CGM Group and SUEZ Partner to Produce Biomethane Fuel
CMA CGM seeks to create alternative fuel sources for its fleet of LNG-gas pwoered vessels (CMA CGM)
French shipping major CMA CGM Group is taking another step to create fuel as part of its efforts to decarbonize its operations and to protect its more than $18 billion investment in a new generation of vessels. CMA CGM reports it signed an agreement with French waste-to-energy company SUEZ that calls for the production in Europe of up to 100,000 tones of biomethane per year by 2030.
Supply of new alternative fuels continues to be a major concern for the entire shipping industry and other sectors that look to the alternatives to make it possible for the companies to meet the emerging requirements for lowered carbon emissions. CMA CGM Group CEO Rodolphe Saade said the agreement with SUEZ “marks a major step forward,” in the efforts to create a source of biomethane fuel. He said it would enable support for the biomethane sector dedicated to the shipping industry and strengthen energy independence for France and Europe.
“The aim of this collaboration between two complementary players is to establish a long-term industrial partnership on biomethane, a renewable fuel produced through waste recovery, to help decarbonize shipping in Europe,” the companies said reporting the agreement signed on October 18.
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, CMA CGM and SUEZ will create a joint investment structure with initial funding of €100 million ($108 million at current conversion rates) for a first stage to develop biomethane production facilities by 2030. They said the sites to be initially located in Europe would supply both CMA CGM Group and other companies in the sector.
Together they plan joint research and development initiatives aimed at designing innovative technologies for the production of biofuels. In particular, they will focus on a hydrothermal gasification process and look to build on SUEZ’s expertise in waste-to-energy.
Creating a supply of biomethane and other synthetic non-carbon fuels is a critical part of the group’s decarbonization strategy. CMA CGM highlights that it is investing $18 billion in orders for 131 vessels capable of using low-carbon energies (biomethane, biomethanol, and synthetic fuels), which will be operational by 2028. CMA CGM Group is also working alongside energy providers to develop production facilities and supply chains for these fuels.
The announcement highlights that SUEZ has extensive expertise in the production of local and sustainable energy and secondary raw materials from waste to support the decarbonization of local authorities and industrial customers. SUEZ reports it converts five million tonnes of waste into energy every year and produced 382 GWh of biomethane in 2023.
Ammonia-Powered Engine to be Developed for Medium-Speed Marine Applications
Having designed and tested the first two-stroke ammonia engine, MAN Energy Solutions has now announced launching the ‘AmmoniaMot 2’ research project. Initiated by MAN with partners from industry and research institutes, the project aims to develop a four-stroke, medium-speed, dual-fuel test engine that runs on ammonia.
Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the project commenced in August 2024 and is scheduled to run for 3½ years. It is the successor to the ‘AmmoniaMot’ project, which dealt with fundamental investigations concerning ammonia combustion in internal-combustion engines and that ended in May 2024. Its promising results form the basis for the even more ambitious AmmoniaMot 2, once again led by MAN Energy Solutions with the same partners from the original project and supplemented by some new, namely: WTZ Roßlau gGmbH, Woodward L’Orange GmbH, the University of Munich (SFM), Neptun Ship Design GmbH, the University of Rostock (LKV), GenSys GmbH and MNR GmbH.
Alexander Knafl, Head of Engineering R&D Four-Stroke, MAN Energy Solutions: said: “For MAN Energy Solutions, this project is the next logical step after the previous AmmoniaMot project. It perfectly supports our own strategy to develop sustainable technologies and we very much appreciate the opportunity to work with our distinguished partners. For us, the path to decarbonising the maritime industry starts with decarbonising fuels and, in this context, ammonia is an excellent candidate as it is carbon-free and thus avoids CO2-emissions when used as a fuel in our engines.”
MAN Energy Solutions sees the future application of ammonia-powered, four-stroke engines primarily in newbuild projects without passengers, such as cargo or special vessels, or as an auxiliary GenSet for large ammonia-powered two-stroke vessels. For passenger ships such as ferries and cruise liners, MAN Energy Solutions is currently focusing on methanol as that segment’s fuel of the future and is already developing corresponding engines in parallel.
Christian Kunkel, Head of Combustion Development, Four-Stroke R&D, MAN Energy Solutions, added: “In the original AmmoniaMot project, we laid a strong foundation with our excellent partners and proved that ammonia is a suitable fuel for medium-speed applications with the potential to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 90-95% while complying with existing emission regulations. I am more than excited to take the next step with our partners in AmmoniaMot 2. There is no doubt but that ammonia will become an important carbon-free fuel and thus not just contribute to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.”
Partner roles
MAN Energy Solutions is responsible for the entire engine concept for the ship application, including the exhaust-gas aftertreatment system;
WTZ Roßlau gGmbH will develop the combustion concept for the engine and test the injection components under realistic conditions;
Woodward L’Orange GmbH will develop the injector prototype for the engine;
The University of Munich (SFM) is responsible for the 3D-CFD combustion simulation;
Neptun Ship Design GmbH will develop the demonstrator of the high-pressure fuel-supply module for ammonia (CAPSAM), taking into account the safety requirements aboard ships;
The University of Rostock (LKV) will conduct experiments for the injection technology, exhaust-gas aftertreatment concept, lubrication of ammonia engines and will develop 0D/1D simulation models on the basis of these experiments;
GenSys GmbH will be responsible for the construction of the demonstrator of the high-pressure fuel-supply module for ammonia (CAPSAM);
MNR GmbH will develop the double-walled fuel system and the compensator for the high-pressure fuel piping system for ammonia.
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
ABS Comprehensive Ammonia Dispersion Safety Evaluation Sent to Hanwha Ocean
Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; Young-Chang Son, Chief Technology Officer, Hanwha Ocean; and Joseph Kelly, ABS Consulting Vice President, Engineering; met during Gastech 2024 in Houston.
ABS has completed an industry-leading safety evaluation of ammonia dispersion on board an ammonia-fueled gas turbine LNG carrier design from Hanwha Ocean.
ABS, in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations that modeled different ammonia release scenarios due to accidental leakages from the engine room, the pipeline and the bunkering stations on deck. The study is one of the most comprehensive in the industry, using multiple ammonia release scenarios.
The analyses found that the system complied with applicable ABS Rules regarding the toxicity and risks of accumulated ammonia gas. The three-dimensional, high-fidelity simulation results can also help Hanwha Ocean with improved ventilation arrangements, vent mast locations, gas release speeds and placement of air intakes for the manned spaces to further reduce risks in the detailed design stage.
ABS subsidiary, ABSG Consulting Inc., a leading global risk management company, conducted a quantitative risk assessment, helping to provide a better understanding of the likelihood of an incident and insight into potential threats, enabling Hanwha Ocean to design its mitigation plans accordingly.
“This project allowed ABS to combine its world leading modeling and simulation capability with our deep insight into the application of ammonia as a marine fuel. The toxicity of ammonia is a safety challenge and so understanding its behavior in the event of a leak is a critical step toward enabling its wider adoption by the industry. Our analysis will help Hanwha Ocean continue to optimize its design to identify areas for enhancement and mitigate risks,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
Shon Young-chang, CTO and Head of Hanwha Ocean’s Product & Technology Strategy, said: “At Gastech 2024, we received recognition from ABS, the leading Classification Society, for our eco-friendly ship technologies, significantly boosting Hanwha Ocean's decarbonization vision. We will do our utmost to ensure that shipowners can confidently choose Hanwha Ocean's products.”
ABS provides industry-leading guidance on the application of ammonia as a marine fuel. Learn more here and download a copy of the latest publication, ABS Ammonia Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory here.
The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.
Appeals Court Sets Aside $440M Havana Damages Award Against Cruise Lines
Havana Docks Corp. sought compensation from the cruise lines for using its pier in Havana (GPH)
A U.S. Appeals Court announced its decision overturning a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida that had found four of the major cruise corporations liable for committing a “trafficking act” for using piers in Havana that had been confiscated from a U.S. company after the 1959 Communist Revolution. The lower court had awarded the Havana Docks Corporation $440 million in compensation from Carnival Corporation, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and Royal Caribbean Group for the cruises the lines operated to Havana between 2016 and 2019.
At issue was a section of a U.S. law known as the Helms-Burton or the Libertad Act passed in 1996 that permitted U.S. corporations to seek compensation from companies profiting from the use of the confiscated property. The section known as Title III however had been suspended by presidential actions until 2019 when the suspension was removed as part of the moves by President Donald Trump against Cuba. He also bared travel and trade with Cuba.
The Havana Docks Corporation, a dormant company, filed its claims citing that in 1905 it received a 99-year concession for the docks that it built in Havana. The company operated the docks until they were seized by the Castro regime in 1960 and it has never been compensated for its loss.
The claim against the four cruise corporations was part of more than 40 Libertad Act Title III lawsuits filed since May 2019. Other corporations named in the individual actions included commercial shipping companies Maersk, MSC, Crowley Maritime, and Seaboard Marine, as well as large U.S. corporations Texaco and Marriott.
The District Court ruled at the end of 2022 that the four cruise lines had trafficked and benefitted from the property by docking their cruise ships at the piers and using the piers for the location of their shore excursions into Havana. The cruise lines made a series of arguments saying the Obama administration had granted waivers and that they were operating legal trips as well as citing the fact that the Havana Docks Corporation had management in the U.K. calling into question if it was a legitimate U.S.-controlled entity entitled to compensation under Title III.
In a majority 2 to 1 decision, the three-judge Appeals Court panel found that the 99-year concession would have expired in 2004 more than 12 years before the major of the cruises were operated. They believed there was no assurance that the concession would have been in effect at the time and dismissed the lower court’s award totaling $440 million. One justice however dissented saying the issue was not the existence of the claim but the value and saying the act did not provide for excluding a situation such as this where the concession expired after confiscation but without compensation.
The justices agreed that Havana Docks was harmed through the confiscation of the property, but that was not at issue in the case. They noted that had Havana Docks owned the docks instead of having a concession on the property, the decision would have been different. They however agreed with the lower court that it is a U.S. corporation and entitled to bring the claims.
The decision did not resolve another portion of the claim specifically against Carnival Corporation and Airtours and Costa which Carnival acquired in 2001. Before acquiring Costa, the Italian cruise line operated cruises from Cuba between 1996 and 2001 which were in the period covered by Havana Docks’ concession. Carnival and Havana Docks agreed that this portion should be remanded for further proceedings.
Havana Docks could also seek to appeal the three-judge panel’s decision to the full 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. It could also appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Maersk-Chartered Boxship Continues Voyage Despite Houthi Claims of Strike
Megalopolis' route across the Arabian Sea, Oct. 14-21 (Pole Star)
The container ship that Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed to have hit on Friday appears to be navigating on its normal commercial route, defying the group's assertion.
On Friday, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that the terrorist organization "successfully" hit the boxship Megalopolis with a "number of drones," and that the operation achieved unspecified objectives. Saree did not provide the date or time of the claimed strike.
The Houthis have previously claimed long-range strikes in the Arabian Sea; their known attacks have been concentrated in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, far closer to Houthi forces and the suspected Iranian spy ships that are believed to provide them with targeting assistance.
AIS tracking provided by Pole Star shows that Megalopolis was under way in the Western Indian Ocean last week after rounding the Cape of Good Hope, bound for a destination in the Mideast. On the night of the 16th, her speed dropped to zero knots and her heading briefly reversed; she then changed course towards Salalah, arriving on the 18th and departing again on the 20th. As of Monday, Megalopolis was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, bound for Jebel Ali.
The Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) division has reported no security incidents in the region since October 10. Maersk, the charterer of the Megalopolis, has not confirmed any strike on the vessel.
In July, Yahya Saree claimed that Houthi forces had attacked the U.S.-flagged Maersk Sentosa in the Arabian Sea. Maersk and UKMTO confirmed an attack, but put the location in the Gulf of Aden, much nearer to shore.
Engine Fire Aboard Product Tanker in Singapore Anchorage
Engine fire aboard product tanker anchored off Singapore (Civil Defence Force)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Civil Defense Force responded to a fire aboard a tanker shortly after it arrived in the Singapore anchorage this morning local time. According to the authorities, the 22 crewmembers of the Med Atlantic (26,234 dwt) were successfully evacuated from the product tanker, and the fire was quickly brought under control.
The product tanker registered in Malta for Sea Tankers 4 and managed from Istanbul shows on its AIS signal that it had shifted over from neighboring Malaysia into the Singapore anchorage this morning. The authorities in Singapore received reports of a fire that was said to have started in the engine room and moved into the funnel around 10:30 a.m. local time.
The MPA reports one of its patrol crafts was dispatched along with two Police Coast Guard craft, three Singapore Civil Defence Force marine firefighting and rescue vessels and two tug-boats to render assistance and ensure navigational safety.
The Defence Force said they were initially conducting boundary cooling from their three fireboats to cool the exterior of the vessel. After conducting a defensive firefight, teams boarded the vessel which was built in 2011 when the Defence Force said there were no visible signs of fire. The teams used water jets to ensure there was no fire still on board the vessel and later they were reported to be conducting a “damping down” operation to ensure the fire did not rekindle.
The tanker remains listed as “not under command” on its AIS signal but the crew was reported safe and beginning to assess the damage. The MPA warned vessels about the danger but reported there was no disruption to vessel traffic in the area.
Largest Suction Sail System to be Installed on General Cargo Vessel
The tallest suction sail to be installed on a general cargo ship will be fitted in mid-2025 (Bound4blue)
Amasus, a European shortsea, bulk, and general cargo company, and Spain’s bound4blue have agreed to a second installation of the company’s suction sail technology, eSail, on one of the company’s cargo ships. The installation, which will be the second for Amasus, will also be the largest suction sail system on a general cargo vessel.
Under the terms of the newly announced agreement, a 22-meter (72-foot) unit will be retrofitted on a 90-meter (295-foot) cargo ship. They did not name the vessel but reported it is 3,000 dwt. The installation is scheduled for mid-2025 at the Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain.
It is the latest advancement for a suction sail one of the competing technologies in the emerging wind-assisted propulsion category. Bound4blue highlights that its technology produces six to seven times more lift than a conventional sail.
The autonomous system works by dragging air across its aerodynamic surface to generate propulsive force. The suction sail uses an aerodynamic shape and is manufactured using marine-grade materials. It has a porous area of the skin through which the air is sucked while a suction fan at the top of the structure is responsible for sucking in the air to ensure the airflow remains attached to the sail. A flap is positioned using an electric motor to optimize the airflow and the entire structure rotates.
It will be the second installation for Amasus working with Bound4blue. The company reports it decided to proceed with the new installation after assessing the impact of its first suction sails on Eems Traveller (2,850 dwt) which began testing in July 2023. They placed two suction sails standing 56 feet off the deck on the stern of the vessel.
Third party validation of the performance of the eSail on the vessel was provided by Lloyd’s Register, which reviewed the data from the operation of the Eems Traveller. They report the data is now being finalized and the figures will be released shortly.
Started in 2015, Bound4blue has developed several different models and sizes of its suction sail. They report the different models are well suited both for retrofits and newbuilds and can be applied to vessel segments, including, tankers, bulkers, Ro-Ros, cruises, ferries, gas carriers, and general cargo vessels. The company reports that shipowners and operators that have signed contracts in the past year include Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Marflet Marine, and Louis Dreyfus Company.
Nuclear Transport Ship to Test UK’s First Rigid Sail
Pacific Grebe with the retrofitted wingsail (Image copyright CDFmedia.co.uk courtesy of NTS)
In a unique collaboration, a ship designed to transport spent nuclear fuel operating for the UK government will also become the first to trial a new wind-assisted propulsion technology. Pacific Grebe (4,900 dwt) arrived in Southampton, UK yesterday October 21, sporting the first-of-its-kind installation of the FastRig designed by a UK company Smart Green Shipping.
The ship, which was built in 2010, is one of the three designed specifically to transport nuclear material. It measures 341 feet (104 meters) and has four specially designed holds each shielded to carry up to a total of 20 flasks of nuclear waste. The ship operates for Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), part of the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, a public body responsible for the clean-up of the UK’s nuclear legacy. The ship sails more than 10,000 miles on its voyages without stopping and operating at a speed of up to 14 knots.
The ship has left its home port of Barrow-in-Furness and will be running sea trials this month after receiving the first 20-meter (65-foot) FastRig, a retractable, rigid wing sail. The sail is manufactured from 100 percent recyclable materials.
According to Smart Green Shipping (SGS), which is working with the University of Southampton on testing, the rigid wing will be capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 30 percent. It employs an intelligent, autonomous system making it easy to operate, and requires a limited amount of deck space. It also can be retracted to enable port operations.
“NTS is allowing SGS to undertake formal sea trials which gives us accurate, independently verified performance data against which we can corroborate the digital models and tank testing results the University of Southampton have been developing,” explained Diane Gilpin, CEO of Smart Green Shipping.
The system underwent its first tests during the voyage to Southampton. The retraction system was demonstrated during presentations in Southampton.
The rigid sail is 65 feet high (Image copyright CDFmedia.co.uk courtesy of NTS)
The FastRig wingsail the companies explained is a lightweight, retractable solution that uses specialist sensors and automated technology to adapt to changing weather conditions, allowing it to deploy and retract as necessary to ensure both fuel efficiency and safety.
“While this is still a trial at this stage, it’s the first real-world application of this wing and could change the way all ships sail, drastically reducing emissions and fuel usage across the industry,” said Pete Buchan, NTS’s Managing Director of Shipping. “We’re really proud of the role we’ve had in this project and can’t wait to see the final results of the trial.”
The trial is part of the growing number of ships and shipping companies looking to wind-assisted propulsion in their effort to enhance sustainable operations. Smart Green Shipping reports it has received a further $2.6 million in funding from Drax, a UK renewable energy company, and a matching grant from the UK’s Clean Maritime competition.
Soft Sails to be Studied by Orix and Sumitomo in Bulker Demonstration
Demonstration project will test soft sails on a bulker (Sumitomo Heavy Inudstires)
In a new project, Japan’s Orix Corporation working with Sumitomo Heavy Industries plans to study the feasibility and conduct a demonstration using soft sails to provide wind-assisted propulsion on a larger bulker. It is a new version of wind-assisted propulsion for large commercial ships which so far has mostly focused on larger solid sails and wing foils as well as rotors.
The companies are working with North Sails Japan which manufactures high-quality soft sails that have been used on award-winning racing boats in the Olympics as well as other world competitions as well as on long-distance and cruising sailboats. North Sails Japan reports it is developing a furling sail made of UltraPE (Dyneema) laminated cloth for the text aboard one of Orix’s existing vessels.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries and North Sails Japan will handle the design of the wind-assisted propulsion system, including the soft sails, as well as the analysis of the operational data when the sails are in use. Orix will be responsible for the installation of the soft sail and for measuring and collecting fuel efficiency data during operation. The energy-saving effects will be calculated as theoretical values based on the data obtained from this experiment.
The wing-shaped soft sails will be installed on the derrick post of the bulk carrier to obtain wind power as assisting power for the ship’s propulsion. The soft sail, made of advanced polyethylene fiber fabric, will measure approximately 26 feet in height by 43 feet in width and the angle of attack can be adjusted depending on the wind direction. The actual number of sails installed may differ from the illustration they noted.
The companies report through this feasibility study, that the aim is to improve the fuel efficiency of existing vessels while deepening their knowledge in utilizing wind-assisted propulsion power. They look to advance efforts toward the practical application of this system.
