Under pressure - space exploration in our time

Advancing space exploration through diverse collaborations and ethical policies

Reports and Proceedings

ETH ZURICH

 

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THOMAS ZURBUCHEN, MICHELLE HANLON, AND DAVID MALASPINA SPEAK WITH SCIENCE JOURNALIST, NADIA DRAKE ABOUT SPACE EXPLORATION, DIVERSE COLLABORATIONS, AND ETHICAL POLICIES.

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CREDIT: CHRIS CASSIDY (BACKGROUND IMAGE) / JOSEF KUSTER, ETH ZURICH (MONTAGE)

In the past decade, humanity has seen the birth and expansion of a commercial space sector with new, private players, addressing technological challenges - from space launch to communication and satellite imagery of Earth. Last year, the global space industry skyrocketed launching more than 2,660* satellites into orbit, and, into the universe, interplanetary probes, landers, and much more. In the United States, SpaceX was responsible for almost 90% of these launches. In parallel to this progression is the expansion of more than 70 countries** demonstrating space capabilities. It affirms the general consensus and understanding that humanity will continue to rely on space activities to better the human experience. These developments create a novel landscape of both competition and collaboration for scientists, offering both challenges and opportunities.

In an increasingly fragmented world, the scientific community stands as an example of successful international collaboration and diplomacy. Science is based in a long-standing tradition of knowledge exchange that often transcends political boundaries for the benefit of all humanity. Cost-effective, commercial space technologies can enable novel research or reduce the cost of investigations opening new possibilities for the scientific community. At the same time, international partnerships can further broaden engagement, diversity, and collaboration in science and space exploration. While this might seem like a “win-win” scenario, the interest of the scientific community is to openly share data and analysis. Differing principles and ideals present potential areas of conflict. As governments and private entities fund bold, new projects, leaders, academics, and legal experts are contemplating both the larger consequences, as well as potential prospects.

High stakes leadership and landing on Mars

“When every mission is a first for humanity, the stakes are very high,” says Thomas Zurbuchen who led 54 missions as NASA’s longest serving Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate. “When the clock is ticking, and the world is watching, a leader’s most powerful asset is a highly diverse team,” he says. Within this context, diversity can emerge from international and commercial partnerships, and can give rise to new missions. In fact, an estimated two-thirds of science missions have international partnerships.

Now, as the Director for ETH Zurich Space, in Switzerland, Zurbuchen reflects on the value of partnerships as a leadership tool. He uses examples from recent international missions, such as Mars InSight, to discuss how diversity creates opportunities for new and different ideas to come forward – even if some ideas pose an element of risk. He also addresses some of the challenges arising from partnerships. For example, some companies and countries prefer not to share their science data gathered in space, making reproducibility challenging for scientific analysis. 

Cross-border diffusion – learning from lightning on Venus

“Scientific ideas move like space plasmas,” says David Malaspina, a space plasma physicist at University of Colorado, Boulder. “When they encounter a border, they find a way across.” Malaspina describes international academic collaborations as vital engines of discovery and attributes the language of science for fostering a sense of awe and wonder for the universe that transcends cultures. In science, and in plasmas, the most interesting physics happens at the boundaries.

Malaspina engages in international and generationally diverse research teams, including a team building a sounding rocket to explore the interface between Earth and space. He is also a member of a team that uses data from the Parker Solar Probe mission to explore Venus, seeking to understand the importance of a planetary magnetic field for habitability of Earth-like planets. He discusses how teams that foster inclusion of diverse perspectives create new opportunities for scientific progress.

Why protect bootprints on the Moon?

Unlike ancient footprints, cave drawings, and stone-age tools found here on Earth, the first traces of human activity on the Moon, including Neil Armstrong’s bootprint, are not protected under any existing laws or regulations. Michelle Hanlon, space lawyer and Executive Director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, thinks this is a travesty.

Hanlon explains why protecting historic sites on the Moon and elsewhere in space not only preserves the past, but also provides a vital foundation for the future. Hanlon explores the gaps in space law and, in particular, she asks, “What are the differing obligations space law imposes on scientific and commercial activities, as well as governmental and private actors.” Hanlon anticipates that space law, ethics, policy, and treaties will take on an increasingly higher strategic priority as nations seek to avoid potential conflicts.

 

References

*Edouard Mathieu and Max Roser (2022) - “Space Exploration and Satellites” Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/space-exploration-satellites' [Online Resource]
**Data from: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-with-space-programs [Online Resource]

Special thanks to science journalist, Nadia Drake for moderating ETH Zurich's scientific session, "Advancing Space Exploration Through Diverse Collaborations and Ethical Policies" at AAAS 2024.

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Anoxic marine basins are among the best candidates for deep-sea carbon sequestration

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - SANTA BARBARA

(Santa Barbara, Calif.) — Anoxic marine basins may be among the most viable places to conduct large-scale carbon sequestration in the deep ocean, while minimizing negative impacts to marine life. So say UC Santa Barbara researchers in a paper published in the journal AGU Advances. As we explore ways to actively draw down the levels of carbon in the atmosphere, sending plant biomass to these barren, oxygen-free zones on the seafloor becomes an option worth considering.

“The big picture here is that all the best models that we have say that we have to do some form of net negative CO2 removal in order to hit climate goals,” said geochemist, geobiologist and lead author Morgan Raven, referring to the aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C higher than preindustrial levels as established by the International Panel on Climate Change. 

There’s a variety of ways to store carbon; one method that shows promise is the sinking of carbon in the form of plant biomass to the seafloor, so the vegetation can’t release CO2 and methane into the air as it degrades. Ideally, the carbon would be locked away for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Though not a new idea, it is one that is still surrounded by much uncertainty. How does the introduction of loads of plant material affect the chemistry and ecology of the areas it would be dumped? How can we ensure that products of decomposition don’t escape into sensitive habitats, or that carbon doesn’t just make its way back up the water column to be released at the surface anyway? These are a few of the unintended consequences that could further damage already fragile ocean ecosystems, or stop short of carbon sequestration goals.

“And so a lot of this project came out of the original question of, what’s the least bad version of this idea that we can envision?” said Raven, an assistant professor of earth science.

Anoxic marine basins emerged as the most likely candidate. Not only are they deep, they are largely isolated from the main, oxygen-supplying currents by their geology. They can’t support animal life, and are populated primarily by microbes and some very specialized fungi with different metabolisms than creatures in oxygen-rich environments. Importantly, those conditions are ideal for the preservation — essentially the pickling — of plant matter.

Not all anoxic marine basins are alike. The researchers chose three to examine — basins with different properties — to determine where biomass storage could best be accomplished: the Black Sea in Eastern Europe, the Cariaco Basin near Venezuela and Orca Basin in the Gulf of Mexico (U.S.).

“What’s cool about the Black Sea is it’s so restricted that it’s largely isolated from the rest of the ocean,” Raven said. “And so it has been gradually getting more and more anoxic, especially recently, since humans dumped a bunch of fertilizer in it over the last century.” They also examined the Cariaco Basin, which has the same chemical properties as the Black, but is subject to a faster turnover of its water. The third site was the “wildly weird” Orca Basin, a hypersaline mini-basin nestled into the continental slope. So high is the concentration of salt in the basin that it creates a drastic difference in density from the upper waters. “That interface where it goes from normal sea water to brine, if you try to take a submersible in there, you will bounce off that layer,” Raven said. Material could hypothetically be locked into the hypersaline layer once it gets past the interface of the two densities.

Ultimately, for its size and isolation, the Black Sea basin emerged as the best option of the three. With a depth of 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) and an area of 322,367 square kilometers (124,467 square miles), this anoxic basin has the capacity to contain biomass at scales relevant for global climate.

“Really the Black Sea is where it’s at for making a dent in the climate,” Raven said. “And its deep water is so isolated from the rest of the ocean.”

The notion of sinking plant biomass has attracted the attention of private investment, which over recent years increased the level of funding for projects exploring the possibility of deep-sea carbon sequestration. Several organizations have stepped up to the challenge of submerging plant matter in the deep ocean, amassing the biomass from various sources including farmed or gathered fast-growing seaweed such as giant kelp or sargassum, or terrestrial vegetation such as agricultural or forestry waste. Every strategy has benefits and potential drawbacks that need further investigation, said Raven, who serves as a science advisor for the companies Seafields (ocean plant biomass) and Carboniferous (terrestrial plant biomass). This study is one step in that direction.

“Given the situation we’re in and the commitments we’ve made on the Paris Agreement and California’s climate goals,” she said, “every year carbon sequestration strategies become more necessary.”

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JOURNAL

AGU Advances

DOI

10.1029/2023AV000950 

ARTICLE TITLE

Biomass Storage in Anoxic Marine Basins: Initial Estimates of Geochemical Impacts and CO2 Sequestration Capacity

 

Rare case of opossum infected by rabies sounds alarm regarding circulation of this virus in urban environments

The opossum was found dead in a park in the center of Campinas, a large city in São Paulo state (Brazil), with the same viral variant as fruit-eating bats. These mammals are regularly detected in cities, where they are often attacked by dogs.

Peer-Reviewed Publication

FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO

 

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MICROSCOPE IMAGE OF BRAIN TISSUE FROM DIDELPHIS ALBIVENTRIS SHOWING RABIES VIRUS ANTIGENS IN NEURONS (INDICATED BY ARROWS) 

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CREDIT: EDUARDO FERREIRA MACHADO

A female White-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) found dead in 2021 in Bosque dos Jequitibás Park in the center of Campinas, one of the largest cities in São Paulo state, Brazil, died from rabies meningoencephalitis, according to a group of researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and Adolfo Lutz Institute (IAL), the regional reference laboratory, working with health professionals affiliated with public institutions in São Paulo city and Campinas. 

Reported in an article published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, the finding serves as an alert to the presence of the virus, which is deadly to humans, in the urban environment.  

“Dog rabies is no longer present in São Paulo state, thanks to the success of vaccination campaigns for domestic animals. For this reason, it’s important to monitor other mammals that can act as vectors for the virus, especially animals neglected by this kind of surveillance, such as opossums,” said Eduardo Ferreira Machado, first author of the article. He conducted the study for his PhD research at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ-USP) with a scholarship from FAPESP.  

Neurological signs of the disease detected in the animal pointed to the form of rabies that causes paralysis and is transmitted by bats. Viral particles identified in other organs also showed that the infection was in the systemic propagation phase.  

The opossum was one of 22 tested for rabies and other diseases by the group in 2021 as part of an epidemiological surveillance project conducted in partnership with the São Paulo City Department of Health and the Campinas Center for Zoonosis Control. 

In the same year, the team analyzed 930 bats, 30 of which tested positive for rabies. More than half of these (17 or 56.7%) belonged to frugivorous species of the genus Artibeus. The rest (13 or 43.4%) were insectivorous and belonged to three different genera. 

Bridge to humans 

Transmission among bats and opossums may occur via their interaction, as these animals compete for habitats in nature, such as tree crowns, and in man-made environments, such as roof gables or backyards, for example.  

In 2014, a case of cat rabies was notified in Campinas. The infection was traced to a viral variant found in bats. Both cats and opossums may prey on bats, and this was the most likely transmission path.  

The researchers also drew attention to the fact that 15 of the 22 opossums analyzed had been killed by dogs. “Dogs can be a bridge between opossums and us, bringing rabies and other diseases to humans. It’s therefore important to monitor wild animals that live in cities,” Machado said. 

According to José Luiz Catão-Dias, a co-author of the article and Machado’s thesis advisor at FMVZ-USP, opossums are key to this type of surveillance because they adapt well to urban environments without necessarily ceasing to interact with areas of forest. 

“Even so, they’re neglected. Hardly anything is known about the diseases they may have and might transmit to us,” said Catão-Dias, who is principal investigator and grantee for the project “Comparative pathology and investigation of diseases in Neotropical marsupials, order Didelphimorphia: a surveillance proposal for a group of mammals neglected in wild fauna health studies”, supported by FAPESP. 

The authors note in the article that a study conducted in the 1960s led to initial suggestions of resistance to the rabies virus among opossums, an assumption reinforced by the scarcity of reports of rabies in these animals. 

The low prevalence of rabies among opossums in North America, where wild carnivorous mammals are natural reservoirs for viruses, has been explained as due to their low body temperature (34.4 °C-36.1 °C) and the minimal possibility of surviving an attack by a rabid animal. However, the Brazilian study shows that transmission occurs and should be monitored. 

The researchers continue to analyze dead animals brought to IAL’s Pathology Center, for the purposes of monitoring the presence of both rabies and other diseases. They plan to partner with institutions in other countries, such as Australia, so as to be able to conduct surveillance of opossums and other marsupials. 

“The Australians have a great deal of experience in this area. We can make comparisons that will be useful to both countries,” Catão-Dias said. 

About São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe.

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JOURNAL

Emerging Infectious Diseases

DOI

10.3201/eid2912.230373 

ARTICLE TITLE

Naturally Acquired Rabies in White-Eared Opossum, Brazil

 

Mystery solved: the oldest fossil reptile from the alps is an historical forgery

Palaeontological analysis shows renowned fossil thought to show soft tissue preservation is in fact just paint

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK

 

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TRIDENTINOSAURUS ANTIQUUS WAS DISCOVERED IN THE ITALIAN ALPS IN 1931 AND WAS THOUGHT TO BE AN IMPORTANT SPECIMEN FOR UNDERSTANDING EARLY REPTILE EVOLUTION - BUT HAS NOW BEEN FOUND TO BE, IN PART A FORGERY. ITS BODY OUTLINE, APPEARING DARK AGAINST THE SURROUNDING ROCK, WAS INITIALLY INTERPRETED AS PRESERVED SOFT TISSUES BUT IS NOW KNOWN TO BE PAINT.

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CREDIT: DR VALENTINA ROSSI

A 280-million-year-old fossil that has baffled researchers for decades has been shown to be, in part, a forgery following new examination of the remnants.

The discovery has led the team led by Dr Valentina Rossi of University College Cork, Ireland (UCC) to urge caution in how the fossil is used in future research.

Tridentinosaurus antiquus was discovered in the Italian alps in 1931 and was thought to be an important specimen for understanding early reptile evolution.

Its body outline, appearing dark against the surrounding rock, was initially interpreted as preserved soft tissues. This led to its classification as a member of the reptile group Protorosauria.

However, this new research, published in the scientific journal Palaeontology, reveals that the fossil renowned for its remarkable preservation is mostly just black paint on a carved lizard-shaped rock surface.

The purported fossilised skin had been celebrated in articles and books but never studied in detail. The somewhat strange preservation of the fossil had left many experts uncertain about what group of reptiles this strange lizard-like animal belonged to and more generally its geological history.

Dr Rossi, of UCC’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, said:

“Fossil soft tissues are rare, but when found in a fossil they can reveal important biological information, for instance, the external colouration, internal anatomy and physiology.

“The answer to all our questions was right in front of us, we had to study this fossil specimen in details to reveal its secrets – even those that perhaps we did not want to know”.

The microscopic analysis showed that the texture and composition of the material did not match that of genuine fossilised soft tissues.

Preliminary investigation using UV photography revealed that the entirety of the specimen was treated with some sort of coating material. Coating fossils with varnishes and/or lacquers was the norm in the past and sometimes is still necessary to preserve a fossil specimen in museum cabinets and exhibits. The team was hoping that beneath the coating layer, the original soft tissues were still in good condition to extract meaningful palaeobiological information.

The findings indicate that the body outline of Tridentinosaurus antiquus was artificially created, likely to enhance the appearance of the fossil. This deception misled previous researchers, and now caution is being urged when using this specimen in future studies.

The team behind this research includes contributors based in Italy at the University of Padua, Museum of Nature South Tyrol, and the Museo delle Scienze in Trento.

Co-author Prof Evelyn Kustatscher, coordinator of the project “Living with the supervolcano”, funded by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano said:

“The peculiar preservation of Tridentinosaurus had puzzled experts for decades. Now, it all makes sense. What it was described as carbonized skin, is just paint”.

However all not all is lost, and the fossil is not a complete fake. The bones of the hindlimbs, in particular, the femurs seem genuine, although poorly preserved. Moreover, the new analyses have shown the presence of tiny bony scales called osteoderms - like the scales of crocodiles - on what perhaps was the back of the animal.

This study is an example of how modern analytical palaeontology and rigorous scientific methods can resolve an almost century-old palaeontological enigma.

Dr Valentina Rossi with an image of Tridentinosaurus antiquus. The fossil, discovered in the Italian alps in 1931, was thought to be an important specimen for understanding early reptile evolution - but has now been found to be, in part a forgery. Its body outline, appearing dark against the surrounding rock, was initially interpreted as preserved soft tissues but is now known to be paint.

CREDIT

Zixiao Yang

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JOURNAL

Palaeontology

DOI

10.1111/pala.12690 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Imaging analysis

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Animals

ARTICLE TITLE

Forged soft tissues revealed in the oldest fossil reptile from the early Permian of the Alps

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

16-Feb-2024

 

Drug Smuggler Shot a Crewmate and Took Eight Others Hostage

File image courtesy CBP

PUBLISHED FEB 14, 2024 10:28 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

Spanish law enforcement agencies have revealed the details of a drug bust operation in the high seas last November that took a dramatic turn. A simple interdiction became a rescue mission after one of the suspects hijacked the boat and took his fellow smugglers hostage.

The boat was an aging tug, the Sea Paradise, and was carrying 2,300 kilograms of cocaine worth about $70 million. Spanish authorities got a tipoff regarding the shipment, which was supposed to be transferred to a smaller vessel close to the Canary Islands, a popular area for cocaine transshipment at sea.

However, a few hours before the authorities planned to board Sea Paradise, the agents learned that a Serbian crewmember had shot one of the men, dumped the body into the sea and taken the rest of the smugglers hostage. Faced with the need to save the lives of the eight remaining crew members, the authorities mobilized a specialized rescue team whose priority was safeguarding the lives of the hostages. 

The team was dispatched to the scene aboard Spanish Tax Agency offshore patrol vessel Condor. In less than 12 hours, the intervention team arrived on scene and boarded the Sea Paradise. The officers established an initial contact with the crewmembers and with the kidnapper.

After several hours of negotiations, the hijacker put down his weapon and surrendered. The boarding team rescued the rest of the smuggling suspects and brought the tug to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Alongside the pier, they searched the boat and seized the narcotics, which were hidden in a cabin that was very difficult to access. The drugs were divided into bales attached to strobe lights and water jugs, so that they could float in the water until they could be located by another smuggling boat. Electronics and communications equipment was also seized. 

The details of the case were kept secret for four months and have only now been released to the public. 

 

Construction Order Placed for Ammonia-Powered Containership

Yara Eyde is expected to be delivered in mid-2026 and operate on ammonia fuel in the Baltic region (CMB.TECH)

PUBLISHED FEB 16, 2024 12:41 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

 

Plans to launch possibly the world’s first ammonia-powered containership are moving forward with CMB.TECH reporting that the construction order for the vessel has been executed and that it is expected to be delivered by mid-2026. Yara Clean Ammonia, North Sea Container Line, and Yara International announced the project last year as one of several supported by the Norwegian Government through its Enova investment fund to decarbonize shipping.

The construction order was completed with the Qingdao Yangfan Shipbuilding company in China, CMB.TECH reports. The company established by Belgium’s Saverys family is at the forefront of the development and launch of decarbonization technology actively pursuing ammonia and hydrogen. They have already introduced hydrogen-powered vessels and ordered several ammonia-ready vessels.

The containership which will be named Yara Eyde will be owned by Delphis, the container division of CMB.TECH, which is in the process of merging with Euronav to execute the Savery’s vision for decarbonization. According to the Saverys, the Yara-NCL project chose to partner with CMB.TECH because of its expertise and work with ammonia and hydrogen engines.

Yara Clean Ammonia and North Sea Container Line have agreed to form a joint venture, NCL Oslofjord, which will operate the 1,400 TEU ice-class containership under a 15-year deal with CMB.TECH. The aim is to become the world’s first line to focus exclusively on ammonia-powered ships.

“This innovative project is an important milestone for the decarbonization of shipping and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, demonstrating that clean ammonia can provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly maritime transport.” Said CMB.TECH announcing the construction contract.

The Yara Eyde is reported to be optimized for the trade corridor between Norway and Germany and will operate between Oslo, Porsgrunn, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven. Yara International has joined the project as a cargo owner committing to ship fertilizer produced in Porsgrunn to Germany aboard the ship when it is launched. NCL Oslofjord will also be marketing the service to other Norwegian shippers as an emission-free option to move goods.

“To succeed in decarbonizing shipping, low-emission technologies must be brought to commercial scale within the next decade. It is imperative that carriers are incentivized to choose low-carbon fuel,” said Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, President of Yara Clean Ammonia.

The companies have not released the dimensions or other details of the vessel. In their application to Enova, the project said the containership would be “powered by ammonia with a battery pack of 250 kWh and the option of shore power.”

The project was awarded approximately $3.6 million by Enova in September 2023 to proceed with the development and launch of the vessel. The Norwegian fund awarded the money as part of its total $63 million program of grants announced for projects to decarbonize shipping.

AVOIDING GREEN LEVIES

Ocean Carriers Propose "Feebate" Carbon Levy With Annual Increases

SELF REGULATION NEVER WORKS

PUBLISHED FEB 15, 2024 11:52 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

The World Shipping Council, the industry body for ocean carriers, has joined the call for a "feebate" bunker tax-and-subsidy program - but with a new twist. 

The idea of the "feebate" is straightforward: fossil bunker consumers pay a levy, and the proceeds are used to subsidize the price of expensive green fuels. This makes green fuels more competitive on the market and paves the way for broader commercial adoption. 

The International Chamber of Shipping has proposed what may be the best-known feebate structure. ICS' levy would start at an initial $20-40, and would remain at that level until IMO member states vote to raise it, without an automatic mechanism to increase fees over time.  

WCS' bunker levy would start at a comparable level, but would increase automatically to match the expansion of the green-fueled fleet. 

For example, if the subsidy were paid out at a constant $267 for every tonne of CO2 saved, and 10 percent of the fleet ran on green fuel, fossil bunker buyers would pay a levy of $34 per tonne of CO2 emitted to cover the subsidy's costs worldwide.

As green shipping grows to 20 percent of the fleet, the bunker levy would rise to $67. This would cover the extra cost of paying the same subsidy to more ships. The levy would be recalibrated in this manner every year, providing "pay-go" funding for the program. 

In the near term, a feebate structure would assist the green fuel initiatives of container ship owners, who have led the way in developing the first wave of decarbonized vessels. Alternative-fueled propulsion is less common in the bulker and tanker sectors, and the orderbook for these vessel classes shows less momentum towards greener options. 

“Collective action is vital for the liner shipping industry in striving toward decarbonization," said K.H. Wu, CEO of Taiwanese carrier Evergreen, which has 24 methanol dual-fuel container ships on order. "It is essential to have a new approach to greenhouse gas pricing that would drive demand for cleaner fuels from the start of the transition."

IMO will be debating a range of "economic measures" for controlling greenhouse gas emissions at MEPC 81 in March, including the ICS and WCS proposals. 

 

Solvang Orders World's First Full-Scale Onboard Carbon Capture Retrofit

Courtesy Solvang ASA

PUBLISHED FEB 15, 2024 8:15 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

Seatrium, the newly-merged shipyard conglomerate of Keppel O&M and Sembmarine, has secured a contract for what it believes to be "the world’s first full-scale, turnkey carbon capture and storage (CCS) retrofit." CCS technology is an area of active R&D, as it has substantial advantages in fuel availability and fuel cost when compared with other low-emissions options. 

Seatrium will install a seven-megawatt capacity carbon capture system from Wärtsilä aboard the ethylene carrier Clipper Eris, owned by gas carrier and petchem specialist Solvang ASA. The capture system will use amine scrubber technology to pull about 70 percent of the CO2 out of the exhaust gas from the main engine. This CO2 stream will be chilled, liquefied and stored on board the vessel for later offloading. 

Seatrium will carry out engineering, procurement, upgrading of electrical and automation systems, and integration of the carbon capture and compression/storage system.

Solvang says that it will pilot this CCS technology aboard Clipper Eris for one year while the vessel operates in commercial service. If it proves successful, Solvang will install it on more vessels, said fleet manager Tor Ask in a statement.  

The Norwegian company began co-developing CCS scrubber technology with Wärtsilä and Sintef in 2021, and began full-scale testing in 2022. “There are no easy solutions, so we are looking for the big game-changer,” said Edvin Endresen, CEO at Solvang, at the launch of the test phase. 

The project has support from Enova, the Norwegian government's innovation and R&D agency. 

 

Maersk Boxship Captain Delivers Weather Seminar While Under Way

Courtesy NOAA / MITAGS

PUBLISHED FEB 12, 2024 3:01 PM BY DR. CHRIS LANDSEA

 

On February 1, MITAGS instructor and professional mariner Captain Rich Madden delivered a live seminar for U.S. National Weather Service forecasters from the container ship Maersk Columbus, which was transiting off the coast of West Africa. It may be among the first educational seminars delivered remotely from a merchant ship under way. 

His talk was titled “Navigating the Elements: Lessons Learned from El Faro and Weather Information Techniques in Maritime Operations.” Captain Madden provided a unique perspective on lessons learned from the tragic loss of El Faro in 2015 and shared insights into obtaining and interpreting weather information for maritime operations. He discussed different methods of receiving weather information, from traditional approaches like weatherfax to cutting-edge technologies such as high-speed downloads of GRIB (General Regularly distributed Information in Binary form) files. 

The talk emphasized the importance of trust and verification of forecasted conditions, showcasing real-life experiences and challenges faced at sea. Special attention was given to the critical role of weather routers and forecasters and the need for effective communication in decision-making.

Captain Madden concluded with a focus on tropical cyclone avoidance, highlighting key resources and the latest guidance available for mariners.

Over 50 NWS forecasters viewed Captain Madden’s presentation and asked questions afterward. Captain Madden’s seminar may be one of the very first educational talks given live from a cargo ship back to an audience half a world away, via high speed internet. The recorded presentation can be obtained here. 

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

 

Assembly Underway for Unique Wind-Powered Neoline RoRo Cargo Ship

First section of the Neoliner being put in place as assemby begins for the wind-powered RoRo (Neoline)

PUBLISHED FEB 15, 2024 8:44 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

 

The assembly phase of construction kicked off in Turkey on February 14 for the unique primarily wind-powered Neoliner Origin which plans to start commercial Atlantic service in July 2025. Whereas most of the wind-powered cargo ships built to date are niche projects, the Neoliner is a large vessel that seeks to become a demonstration of the future potential of environmentally responsible shipping. Among the companies involved is Chantiers de l’Atlantique which developed the sails and among the investors is CMA CGM Group.

The construction for the unique vessel went effective a year ago with RMK Marine Shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, but the companies spent much of 2023 completing details studies. They worked with RMK, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Muric, and Bureau Veritas, completing designs and plans for the commercial operation.

The first steel was cut in November 2023, Neoline reports that more than 1,000 tons of steel have now been cut and assembled. The first section was placed in the dock on February 14 marking the official start of the assembly of the vessel.

“Since November, the technical team of Neoline Armateur, assisted by Schulte Marine Concept, closely followed the cutting and the first assemblies of the sheets,” said Jean Zanuttini, President of Neoline. “The laying of this first block represents a very important step for us, as the first Neoliner Origin begins to exist, and we see it taking shape day after day.” 

The company notes they have reached this step after more than 12 years of work and investment. Neoline Developpement was founded in 2015 followed by the launch of Neoline Armateur in 2021 which is responsible for the commercial operation.

 

Unlike the current niche sail cargo operations, Neoliner Origin will be larger and maintain monthly crossing starting in 2025

 

The Neoliner Origin will be 446 feet (136 meters) in length with nearly 3,000 square meters of sail. The vessel will use two Solidsail carbon masts developed and built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique with each mast standing nearly 250 feet (76 meters) and the ability to tilt for clearance and navigation in port. Other unique elements include retractable anti-drift plans and an ultra-efficient weather routing system. Wind will be the primary propulsion for the vessel but it will have an auxiliary engine used while maneuvering or in emergencies.

“Thanks to these innovative technologies and adopting a commercial speed of 11 knots, the Neoliner Origin will achieve fuel savings up to 80 to 90 percent, resulting in a reduction of associated greenhouse gas emissions,” says Zanuttini.

The vessel will have a loading capacity of 1,200 linear meters with a 2.8-meter width or a capacity of 265 TEU. The maximum weight will be 5,300 tons of cargo. The company highlights the design permits the ship to accommodate different types of cargo. There will also be accommodations for 12 passengers.

The construction timeline calls for the assembly to be completed and the sail cargo ship to be floated in December 2024 with completion and delivery in June 2025. From Tuzla, the vessel will proceed to Saint-Nazaire, France, which will be its homeport for monthly Atlantic crossings. They plan to launch the first trip in July 2025 and it will follow a route to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a French territory south of Newfoundland which will be a stop on both the east and west crossing as well as calls in Halifax, Canada, and Baltimore, Maryland. 

Flagship French industrial companies such as Renault Group, Groupe Beneteau, Manitou Group, Michelin, Jas Hennessy & Co, Clarins, Longchamp, Rémy Cointreau, and La Fournée Dorée, have all been reported by Neoline to be among the first customers for the new service.

“With the completion of this project and the demonstration of what modern sailing can bring, we hope to contribute to building a maritime transport more compatible with planetary limits,” concluded Zanuttini.