Breakthrough new material brings affordable, sustainable future within grasp

UH part of international team working to make sodium batteries better

University of Houston

 

image: 

Pieremanuele Canepa, Robert Welch assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Houston and lead researcher of the Canepa Lab.

view more 

Credit: Please credit the University of Houston

HOUSTON, Dec. 20, 2024 –While lithium-ion batteries have been the go-to technology for everything from smartphones and laptops to electric cars, there are growing concerns about the future because lithium is relatively scarce, expensive and difficult to source, and may soon be at risk due to geopolitical considerations. Scientists around the world are working to create viable alternatives.

An international team of interdisciplinary researchers, including the Canepa Research Laboratory at the University of Houston, has developed a new type of material for sodium-ion batteries that could make them more efficient and boost their energy performance – paving the way for a more sustainable and affordable energy future.

The new material, sodium vanadium phosphate with the chemical formula NaxV2(PO4)3, improves sodium-ion battery performance by increasing the energy density—the amount of energy stored per kilogram—by more than 15%. With a higher energy density of 458 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) compared to the 396 Wh/kg in older sodium-ion batteries, this material brings sodium technology closer to competing with lithium-ion batteries.

“Sodium is nearly 50 times cheaper than lithium and can even be harvested from seawater, making it a much more sustainable option for large-scale energy storage,” said Pieremanuele Canepa, Robert Welch assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at UH and lead researcher of the Canepa Lab. “Sodium-ion batteries could be cheaper and easier to produce, helping reduce reliance on lithium and making battery technology more accessible worldwide.”

From Theory to Reality

The Canepa Lab, which uses theoretical expertise and computational methods to discover new materials and molecules to help advance clean energy technologies, collaborated with the research groups headed by French researchers Christian Masquelier and Laurence Croguennec from the Laboratoire de Reáctivité et de Chimie des Solides, which is a CNRS laboratory part of the Université de Picardie Jules Verne, in Amiens France, and the Institut de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Bordeaux, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France for the experimental work on the project. This allowed theoretical modelling to go through experimental validation.

The researchers created a battery prototype using the new material, NaxV2(PO4)3, demonstrating significant energy storage improvements. NaxV2(PO4)3, part of a group called “Na superionic conductors” or NaSICONs, is designed to let sodium ions move smoothly in and out of the battery during charging and discharging.

Unlike existing materials, it has a unique way of handling sodium, allowing it to work as a single-phase system. This means it remains stable as it releases or takes in sodium ions. This allows the NaSICON to remain stable during charging and discharging while delivering a continuous voltage of 3.7 volts versus sodium metal, higher than the 3.37 volts in existing materials.

While this difference may seem small, it significantly increases the battery’s energy density or how much energy it can store for its weight. The key to its efficiency is vanadium, which can exist in multiple stable states, allowing it to hold and release more energy.

“The continuous voltage change is a key feature,” said Canepa. “It means the battery can perform more efficiently without compromising the electrode stability. That’s a game-changer for sodium-ion technology.” 

Possibilities for a Sustainable Future

The implications of this work extend beyond sodium-ion batteries. The synthesis method used to create NaxV2(PO4)3 could be applied to other materials with similar chemistries, opening new possibilities for advanced energy storage technologies. That could in turn, impact everything from more affordable, sustainable batteries to power our devices to help us transition to a cleaner energy economy.

"Our goal is to find clean, sustainable solutions for energy storage," Canepa said. "This material shows that sodium-ion batteries can meet the high-energy demands of modern technology while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly."

A paper based on this work was published in the journal Nature Materials. Ziliang Wang, Canepa’s former student and now a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University, and Sunkyu Park, a former student of the French researchers and now a staff engineer at Samsung SDI in South Korea, performed much of the work on this project.

Caption for attached photo: 

Pieremanuele Canepa, Robert Welch assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Houston and lead researcher of the Canepa Lab.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution with enrollment of more than 46,000 students.

---

Journal

Nature Materials

Article Title

Obtaining V2(PO4)3 by sodium extraction from single-phase NaxV2(PO4)3 (1 < x < 3) positive electrode materials

Paving the way for the future of energy storage with solid-state batteries

\

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University

Rapid advancements in solid-state battery technology are ushering in a new era of energy storage solutions, with the potential to revolutionize everything from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems. Evolutions in electrolyte engineering have played a key role in this progress, enhancing the development and performance of high-performance all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs).

A recent review paper dived into these developments and summarized the cutting-edge research on inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) used in ASSBs. Researchers explored how oxides, sulfides, hydroborates, antiperovskites and halides play a pivotal role in powering next-generation -batteries. These materials are not only used as electrolytes but also as catholytes and interface layers, which enhance battery performance and safety.

"We highlighted the recent breakthroughs in synthesizing these materials, honing our attention on the innovative techniques that enable the precise tuning of their properties to meet the demanding requirements of ASSBs," says Eric Jianfeng Cheng, an associate professor at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR). "Precise tuning is crucial for developing batteries with higher energy densities, longer life cycles, and better safety profiles than conventional liquid-based batteries."

Cheng and his colleagues also touched on the key electrochemical characteristics of ISEs, such as ionic conductivity, stability, and compatibility with electrodes Additionally, they explored current ASSB models, proposing emerging approaches that could pave the way for the future of energy storage.

Yet, the review cautioned that several challenges remain in the development of ASSBs. One significant hurdle is the limited compatibility between ISEs and electrodes, which can lead to harmful interfacial reactions. Overcoming these issues is critical for enhancing the efficiency and longevity of ASSBs. The review outlined these challenges in detail while also sharing insights into ongoing efforts to tackle them.

"Our comprehensive review underscores the importance of continued research and development in the field of solid-state batteries. By developing new materials, improving synthesis methods, and overcoming compatibility issues, current efforts are driving innovation toward practical ASSBs that could transform how we store and use energy," adds Cheng.

The review was published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal: https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI

Main WPI program site:  www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)

Tohoku University

Establishing a World-Leading Research Center for Materials Science

AIMR aims to contribute to society through its actions as a world-leading research center for materials science and push the boundaries of research frontiers. To this end, the institute gathers excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and mathematics and provides a world-class research environment.

 

---

Journal

Journal of Materials Chemistry A

DOI

10.1039/D4TA06117A 

Article Title

Inorganic solid electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium/sodium-ion batteries: recent developments and applications

Column: Electric dreams turn into a nightmare for battery metals

Reuters | December 20, 2024

Stock image.

It’s been a brutal year to be in the battery metals business.


Prices of lithium, nickel and cobalt collapsed in 2023 and have continued grinding steadily lower over the course of 2024.

A sector that was once racing to build new supply has been closing mines and deferring projects as low prices bite into the cost curve.

The road to an electric future has turned out to be much bumpier than expected with demand from the all-important electric vehicle (EV) sector not living up to expectations.

This is also a story of massive oversupply with too much new capacity brought online at exactly the wrong time.

And it will be supply discipline, or the lack of it, that will determine whether there will be any price recovery in 2025.

Prices of lithium, nickel and cobalt

EV narrative veers off track

The global EV market is still expanding.

November was another record-breaking month with 1.8 million units sold, according to consultancy Rho Motion. Global sales growth over the first 11 months was an impressive 25% relative to 2023.

But the positive headlines mask two unwelcome truths for the battery metals sector.

China is still the main driver of the EV revolution with Western markets struggling to build momentum.

While Chinese sales set a new monthly record in November, those in the United States and Canada were up by just 10% year-on-year in November and those in Europe were actually lower.

Western consumers still need an incentive to make the switch from internal combustion engine to electric motor. German new-energy vehicle sales have slumped this year after subsidies were abruptly removed at the end of 2023.

US subsidies could go next year if Donald Trump makes good on his threat to roll back the Biden administration’s EV policy.

The second reality check is that many EV buyers, particularly those in the critical Chinese market, are opting for hybrids or plug-in-hybrids over battery electric vehicles.

These have batteries about a third of the size of those used in pure battery models, meaning a similar-sized reduction in all the metallic cathode inputs.
Chemistry experiment

Some offset for lithium demand comes from the rising market share of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, which accounted for two-thirds of all EV sales in China last year, according to the International Energy Agency.

LFP batteries are cheaper than nickel-rich chemistries and Chinese battery-makers have improved their performance to the point that CATL’s latest Shenxing Plus model boasts a single-charge driving range of over 1,000 kilometers.

They are, however, bad news for nickel, cobalt and manganese markets.

The amount of lithium deployed on the road in new EV sales was almost 48,000 metric tons in October, up 28% year-on-year, according to consultancy Adamas Intelligence.

However, the deployment of nickel, manganese and cobalt was up by just 10%, 4% and 2% respectively, reflecting both the shift to hybrids and the changing battery chemistry mix.
Supply flood

Lower-than-expected demand from the EV sector, particularly outside of China, has coincided with supply surges across the battery metals spectrum.

BHP’s Nickel West was supposed to be the miner’s showcase green metals hub. It was shut down in October due to low prices caused by massive overproduction in Indonesia.

Chinese nickel producers have made the technical leap of processing Indonesia’s relatively low-grade ore into high-purity Class I metal. Combined Sino-Indonesian production will grow by 30% this year, according to Macquarie Bank.

At least the Indonesian authorities have shown signs of supply discipline, restricting mining quotas and placing a moratorium on approvals for new processing plants.

China’s CMOC Group, the world’s largest cobalt producer, seems oblivious to the price implosion. It reported output of 84,700 tons in January-September, up from 37,000 tons in the year-ago period.

Such is the scale of oversupply in the cobalt market that Chinese stockpile managers have been able to scoop up significant tonnages without any obvious market impact.


Chinese lithium producers are also resisting production cuts. Many are vertically integrated, meaning losses in the ground can be offset against gains further down the processing chain.

Even allowing for the many price casualties among Western operators, lithium supply is still expected to exceed demand for the third year running in 2025, according to consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

The supply overhang should shrink to less than 1% of demand from close to 10% last year, which may limit further price weakness.

Supply surplus in the nickel and cobalt markets, by contrast, risks becoming structural until production is more closely aligned with demand.
Trade tensions

Given such negative supply-demand dynamics, it’s not hard to see why the analyst consensus is for more producer price pain in the coming months.

China is a dominant player in all three markets and shows no signs of giving up on its own electric dreams.

This, though, is a point of rising tension with the United States.

The final report of the Critical Minerals Policy Group, part of a Select Committee on US-Chinese relations, accused Chinese lithium producers of driving prices lower “through a mix of dumping and overproduction”.

China, the report said, “uses price controls, vertical integration, and substantial barriers to entry to preclude competition”.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump may disagree on electric vehicles but there is remarkable bipartisan agreement on the need to build domestic battery metal capacity and loosen China’s grip on the global supply chain.

Trump 2.0 is likely to crank up the Biden administration’s combination of federal spending and tariffs on Chinese metals.

US trade policy will add yet another moving part to an already complex battery metals market dynamic.

Indeed, if the US tariff walls are built high enough, there’s a risk the global market will start fracturing into Chinese and US pricing spheres.

(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, Andy Home, a columnist for Reuters.)

(Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

 

Carriers Grow Pessimistic Urging Preparations for U.S. Port Strike

Hapag was among the carriers warning that the risk of disruption is increasing (Hapag-Lloyd)

Published Dec 20, 2024 12:16 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

With the deadline looming for the expiration of the master contract for U.S. East and Gulf Coast dockworkers, carriers are beginning to sound cautions to customers. Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM Group each issued customer advisories warning the situation is “dynamic” and with no signs of an agreement and the union saying they are at an impasse, the dangers are growing.

The employers represented by the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoremen’s Association ended the October 2024 walkout by extending the contract deadline to January 15, 2025. This week marked four weeks till the end of the extension and the anticipated January 16 work stoppage.

“The possibility of a strike increases each day that passes without a settled contract,” Maersk writes in a customer advisory released today, December 20. They said they await further developments but also noted the situation is complicated by the beginning of the holiday season.

Similarly, Hapag-Lloyd also issued an update echoing the same sentiments. It tells customers “the risk of disruption is increasing.” They also however acknowledge the situation remains dynamic.

The ILA and USMX have been silent for a week after trading jabs and blame last week for the current impasse. The ILA remains dug in on its position of no automation of semi-automation and seems emboldened by the strong support of President-elect Donald Trump. His nominated labor secretary, Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer is also seen to be a supporter of labor unions.

With the deadline fast approaching, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) sent a letter on Thursday, December 19, to both sides urging them to postpone the deadline. They ask for additional time for negotiations noting the start of the Lunar New Year on January 29 which traditionally causes a rush to get shipments done before the pause in much of Asia. Further, they note the timing of the U.S. presidential inauguration on January 20 saying time is needed for the transition. 

“We are concerned that a second lapse in contracts, complicated by the challenging timing issues of the presidential administration transition and the Lunar New Year, would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. economy and the American public,” writes Eric Byer, President and CEO of ACD. He says the three-day strike in October caused weeks of supply chain disruptions and if the strike had gone a few more days members would have lost stock of chemicals used for critical processes, such as water treatment.

Port executives, especially on the U.S. West Coast, highlighted strong volumes in November and an expectation of very strong volumes through the end of 2024. They believe that shippers are diverting cargo to the West Coast and frontloading to prepare for a possible strike and future tariff increases from the new administration.

For now, the carriers are telling customers to make preparations to move containers off terminal. Maersk notes it is unclear if the terminals will increase their hours to support extra movements. Similarly, Hapag advises customers to expedite the readiness of documentation and customs clearance to facilitate prompt retrieval of containers.

“Contingency plans to ensure that all impacted vessels and that operations are completed prior to any labor disruptions,” are being made CMA CGM advises. 

Carriers have traditionally held vessels offshore in an attempt to wait out a strike, but experts warn this could become a prolonged dispute. With the support of the incoming administration and likely pressure from shippers, experts believe the union may be in a stronger position in the final weeks before the contract deadline.

 

China Launches Hydrogen-Powered Inland Container Vessel

The hull of the inland container vessel was launched this week with installation of the hydrogen power system and controls to be completed in 2025 (CCTV)

Published Dec 20, 2024 1:20 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

China marked the launch of its first large hydrogen fuel cell river containership on December 18. The vessel named Dong Fang Qing Gang will have the largest hydrogen fuel cell system so far deployed on a ship in China and will be used to demonstrate the potential of the technology.

The vessel will be outfitted with two 240 kW hydrogen fuel cells and will have a hydrogen storage system that will hold 550 kg of hydrogen. The vessel is expected to have a range of approximately 235 miles.  The fuel cells are being developed by a Chinese company, Sinosynergy, and are reported to be its first high-power application for the shipping industry and it will be capable of powering a vessel carrying a heavy load.

The barge will have a capacity of 64 TEU which will be equivalent to approximately 1,450 tons. It will measure about 213 feet (64.9 meters) in length and displace about 2,000 tons.

In addition to the fuel cells, the power system includes hydrogen storage and a supply system. It will be linked to a lithium battery. It will be the first time the system along with the propulsion and control systems has been installed on a vessel.

 

 

The launch of the hull took place in Eastern China’s Zhejiang Province on Wednesday. The barge will be outfitted and undergo testing with plans to start a commercial demonstration service in 2025. The vessel will operate between Zhapu port in Jiaxing and Xiasha port in Hangzhou.

It is the latest in a series of pioneering efforts by the Chinese to reduce emissions from inland shipping. Other projects are also testing battery-powered vessels and an electrification and charging system. Several projects in China are also exploring hydrogen-powered shipping. 
 

WASTE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL

Australia Plans Investment of Up to US$100 Billion in Naval Shipbuilding

Australia looks to maintain for the long-term naval shipbuilding (Hunter Class construction - BAE Systems Australia)

Published Dec 20, 2024 3:18 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

The Australian government reports it is reaffirming its commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding and taking steps to enhance the long-term strength of the shipbuilding industry. It is part of a plan by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to expand the shipbuilding efforts for national defense and to expand employment in the industry.

The government released the 2024 version of the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan which outlines the long-term plan for naval shipbuilding. The government is calling it a record investment which over the next 30 years could reach upward of US$100 billion. The minimum anticipated investment is at least US$82 billion.

Among the changes to the plan versus the prior government’s strategy, the Albanese government reports the new plan includes 55 newly announced vessels. Through a 30-year forecast, the plan signals a long-term demand for shipbuilding including the planned nuclear-powered submarine program. As previously announced, the government is also moving forward with enhanced surface combatants and support ships such as landing craft.

“Through the most significant investment in maritime capability in Australia’s history, we will see generations of naval construction projects happen right here, with plans to construct and upgrade over 70 vessels across South Australia and Western Australia,” said Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. “The long-term investment laid out in the 2024 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan represents the Albanese Government’s vision for continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, a future made in Australia, and our commitment to keeping Australians safe.”

According to the government, these decisions incorporated into the plan will create an inter-generational pipeline of naval construction projects that will support around 8,500 jobs in shipbuilding and sustainment by 2030. Additionally, it anticipates 20,000 jobs over the next 30 years in support of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.

The government plans to invest nearly US$1 billion in vocational education programs to help support the expansion of the shipbuilding workforce. This is in addition to the US$150 million budgeted to attract, train, and retain a new workforce for the nuclear-powered submarines.

In announcing the plan, they said the goal is to create a more lethal navy and army that is appropriate to the strategic environment. 

 

Biden Administration Approves Eleventh U.S. Offshore Wind Project

The Biden administration in its final weeks approved the 11th offshore wind farm project (file photo)

Published Dec 20, 2024 3:59 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

 

Racing to put the offshore wind industry on a sound footing before the close of the Biden administration, the Department of the Interior today approved what will become the eleventh large-scale offshore wind farm off the coastal United States. The project known as SouthCoast Wind will generate 2.4 GW of offshore wind energy for Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The notice of availability of the Joint Record of Decision comes after Massachusetts issued approvals in October and the two states selected the project for long-term power contracts.

The project which is being developed by OW Ocean Winds, a joint venture partnership between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, won its lease in 2018 and was originally known as Mayflower Wind. The project area covers just over 127,000 acres and will be about 26 nautical miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and 20 nautical miles south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

The project, as approved, includes the construction of up to 141 wind turbine generators and up to five offshore substation platforms located at a maximum of 143 positions, and up to eight offshore export cables. The Department of Interior highlights however, the approval removes up to six wind turbine positions in the northeastern portion of the Lease Area to reduce potential impacts on foraging habitat and potential displacement of wildlife from the habitat adjacent to Nantucket Shoals.

The Department says it has worked to meet the moment to grow a clean energy economy that is strengthening the nation’s power grid and creating good-paying jobs across construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and more. With this approval, it highlights it has now approved more than 19 gigawatts of offshore wind energy. 

“When we walked in the door of this administration, there were zero approved, commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “Today, I am proud to celebrate our 11th approval… we are addressing the climate crisis, creating jobs, and building an enduring economy that supports all communities.”

The incoming Trump administration has not yet declared its policy on offshore wind, but Donald Trump spoke openly against offshore wind power development during the campaign. His first administration was accused of slow-walking the approval process. The belief however is that the administration will not attempt to revoke approvals issued by its predecessors.

The approval of the new project for Massachusetts and Rhode Island came as Connecticut which had partnered with the states on the last solicitation confirmed today the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) closed its solicitation for offshore wind resources without selecting any bids. The other states selected 2,878 MW of offshore wind projects in early September. Connecticut officials did not announce a specific reason for not proceeding with offshore wind energy but Governor Ned Lamont spoke of the need for affordable energy. He pointed to the ongoing projects including offshore wind while saying it was a “pass for now” on future projects as each state takes its own course in renewable energy. 

Connecticut reportedly received four proposals in the joint solicitation. Officials held out the possibility that the state would explore offshore wind energy again in the future. 

 

Genting’s Resorts World Emerges as Buyer of P&O Australia Cruise Ship

Resorts World Cruises emerged as the new operator in 2025 of P&O Australia's retiring Pacific Explorer (P&O)

Published Dec 20, 2024 2:19 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

The Genting Group is continuing its efforts to re-establish its cruise operations reporting it will add a third cruise ship in March 2025. The company relaunched cruise operations under the Resorts World Cruises banner in 2022 after the bankruptcy of Genting Hong Kong ended its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises in Asia as well as Crystal Cruises in the international market.

The 77,441 gross ton cruise ship to be named Star Scorpio is being acquired from Carnival Corporation’s P&O Australia cruise operation. Carnival announced in 2024 its plans to sunset the famed P&O brand in Australia ending a historic link that dated to the 1800s. P&O provided liner service and transported immigrants from England to Australia and was one of the pioneers in the Australian cruise market.

The cruise ship, which was built in 1997 by Fincantieri as the Dawn Princess for U.S.-based Princess Cruises, has been operating from Australia since 2017 as the Pacific Explorer. As part of the end of the brand in Australia, Carnival reported the ship had been sold, but the buyer had not been identified. The other two larger cruise ships sailing for P&O Australia will be transferred in March 2025 to Carnival Cruise Line.

Resorts World announced today it will relaunch the ship in March 2025 as the third cruise ship in its fleet. Before starting operations it is scheduled for a $50 million renovation and upgrade in Singapore. The plan calls for a unique program that will see the ship based in Singapore, but passengers will also be able to begin their cruises from the other ports which include stops in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

The cruise line highlights it will become the first to homeport a cruise ship offering affordable international cruises from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The port has emerged in recent years as a stop for cruises, but lines have not been marketing it to travelers as a homeport for embarkation. Resorts World offers a similar option in Singapore and Malaysia with its first cruise ship Genting Dream.

“Star Scorpio’s dual homeport in Singapore with different countries in Asia will offer Indonesians, Thais, Malaysians, and Vietnamese round-trip cruises from their ports during their peak holiday periods without the need to fly to another country,” said Michael Goh, President of Resorts World Cruises. “For Vietnam, Star Scorpio will be the first cruise ship to homeport in Ho Chi Minh City, allowing Vietnamese to enjoy affordable cruises to Singapore and Melaka.”

This winter season, Resorts World has also expanded its cruise offering to Dubai for the first time. Its second ship, Resorts World One commenced her first sailing from the UAE on November 1, 2024, and is sailing from the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal 2 in Dubai three times a week to the Gulf destinations. In April 2025, the cruise ship will return to Taiwan for another season of cruising.

Genting Malaysia owns the rights to the Resorts World brand. It operates eight resort casinos around the world, including in Malaysia, the Bahamas, the U.S., and the UK as well as casinos in the UK. Resorts World has over 46 properties in eight countries and now three cruise ships.

 

Salvage Efforts Refloat Canada's Beloved Storybook Tugboat Theodore TOO

"I had a mishap," Theodore TOO wrote on social media. "I am resting on my belly." (Canadian TV on YouTube)

Published Dec 20, 2024 6:49 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

 

A team of salvage experts that included divers and even the Canadian Coast Guard rushed this week to the rescue of an iconic tugboat after the little vessel suddenly took on water and partially submerged at the Ontario Shipyard in Port Weller. Used to promote the maritime industry and water conservation, the little vessel won the hearts of Canadians as a replica of a famous TV storybook character.

The tugboat named Theodore TOO developed a loyal following so much so that Nova Scotia’s premier weighed in on social media after the news of the vessel sinking. Built in 2000 in Nova Scotia, the 65-foot (20-meter) vessel is a replica of Theodore Tugboat the title character of an animated children’s TV show that ran from 1993 to 2001. The show was aired by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the United States and appeared in more than 80 countries around the world.

The tugboat is iconic owing to its unique hull and wheelhouse which are made entirely of wood, with a fiberglass hat and smokestack. A replica of the character, it has a “face” on the wheelhouse, with large hydraulic eyes that however are no longer operational.

 

Theodore TOO back on an even keel on Friday (Theodore TOO's social media)

 

“I don’t want to alarm you, but I had a mishap yesterday and took on some water while floating alongside a dock in the Ontario Shipyard in Port Weller,” they wrote on the official social media account of the tug on Wednesday. “I am resting safely on my belly in the mud,” they wrote, but a day later updated it to say, “Wow! After an eventful couple of days, I’m so happy to let you know I’m back afloat!”

Blair McKeil, the owner of Theodore TOO and head of the Canadian investment firm Breakwater Financial said that although the cause of the partial sinking has not been established, a team of salvors worked diligently and quickly to safely right the tugboat and refloat it with utmost care.

“People across the country hold this little tugboat dear, and we will do everything possible to keep everyone informed of our progress. Rest assured, measures have been taken to mitigate any potential environmental impact,” said McKeil.

 

 

For two decades, the tugboat that was owned by Canadian sightseeing company Ambassatours Gray Line made over 50 city tours in Halifax and was a local tourist attraction. In July 2020, the company put the tugboat up for sale citing the effects of COVID-19 on local tourism, decline in bookings for harbor cruises, and high maintenance costs. The listed price of the vessel was C$495,000. There was an uproar over the possible loss of the iconic vessel.

In 2021, McKeil purchased Theodore TOO to serve as an ambassador for the Maritimes and a champion of Canada's marine industry. The tugboat’s mission includes raising awareness about the diverse, inclusive employment opportunities that drive Canada's marine sector, advocating for clean water strategies, and focusing on the restoration and protection of the country's waterways and the Great Lakes.

Since his purchase and relocated it to Ontario, Theodore TOO has visited more than 20 ports along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and in the U.S. brightening the faces of local communities. Its home is currently the Port of Hamilton on Lake Ontario, McKeil said there is more to do to save the little boat he said it would be back in top shape soon.

 

Tough Regulations for Ships as EU Moves to Contain Plastic Pellet Pollution

Plastic pellets (nurdles) are a major source of pollution in the oceans and shorelines (Greenpeace photo)

Published Dec 20, 2024 7:09 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

 

Europe is taking measures to tackle the challenges of plastic pellet pollution with the drafting of regulations that specifically set tough obligations for ocean-going vessels. The targeting of maritime transport is due to the fact that the sector accounts for around 38 percent of all pellets transported in the European Union (EU), with cases of pollution by seagoing vessels remaining high.

The European Council contends that plastic pellet losses to the environment are the third largest source of all unintentional microplastic releases, with 50,000 to 180,000 tonnes of pellets accidentally released into the environment annually. A huge amount is released during loading or unloading operations or due to leaky containers, with the impacts being detrimental to marine life, human health, and the environment said the EC members.

Research has shown that pellets comprise about 70 percent of the plastic eaten by seabirds, with small plastic particles being found in the stomachs of 63 of the world’s approximately 250 species of seabirds.

It has also been established that by weight, plastic pellets are the second largest direct source of microplastic marine pollution with billions of individual pellets entering the ocean every year.?This is due to both small and large-scale losses and spillages occurring on land and sea during all stages of the supply chain, especially while they are in transit.

The rising hazard of pellet pollution has prompted the EU to toughen regulations with the aim of preventing and reducing the unintentional release of plastic pellets into the environment during production, transport, and processing. The sponsors assert that draft regulations could reduce plastic losses to the environment by up to 74 percent.

Among the latest high-profile cases is the Maersk-chartered containership Toconao which lost containers overboard a year ago off the northern coast of Spain. Six containers fell from the Liberian-flagged boxship, with one containing at least 25,000 kilograms of white plastic pellets that washed ashore on Spanish beaches igniting an environmental and political storm. Similarly, the plastics also known as nurdles were a major source of pollution when the X-Press Pearl burnt and sank off Sri Lanka in 2021.

The new regulations specifically introduce strict obligations for sea-going vessels. To tackle plastic pellet pollution by maritime transport, the EU is laying down requirements for both EU and non-EU carriers. This includes carriers ensuring that pellets are packed in good quality packaging that is strong enough to withstand shocks and prevent any loss, providing information on containers containing pellets to the relevant authorities and agencies, and ensuring their staff are well-trained.

Operators and masters of sea-going vessels will also be required to ensure that containers containing plastic pellets are stowed under deck wherever reasonably practicable, or inboard in sheltered areas of exposed decks. In both cases, such containers must be secured to minimize hazards to the marine environment without impairing safety.

The regulations also set out measures for prevention, containment, and clean-up as well as the equipment that carriers are required to have on board when transporting pellets. When adopted into law, the maritime industry will have a one-year grace period to comply.

 

Commercial tea bags release millions of microplastics when in use

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Plastic waste pollution represents a critical environmental challenge with increasing implications for the well-being and health of future generations. Food packaging is a major source of micro and nanoplastic (MNPLs) contamination and inhalation and ingestion is the main route of human exposure.

A study by the Mutagenesis Group of the UAB Department of Genetics and Microbiology has successfully obtained and characterised micro and nanoplastics derived from several types of commercially available tea bags. The UAB researchers observed that when these tea bags are used to prepare an infusion, huge amounts of nano-sized particles and nanofilamentous structures are released, which is an important source of exposure to MNPLs.

The tea bags used for the research were made from the polymers nylon-6, polypropylene and cellulose. The study shows that, when brewing tea, polypropylene releases approximately 1.2 billion particles per milliliter, with an average size of 136.7 nanometres; cellulose releases about 135 million particles per milliliter, with an average size of 244 nanometres; while nylon-6 releases 8.18 million particles per milliliter, with an average size of 138.4 nanometres.

To characterise the different types of particles present in the infusion, a set of advanced analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were used. “We have managed to innovatively characterise these pollutants with a set of cutting-edge techniques, which is a very important tool to advance research on their possible impacts on human health,” remarks UAB researcher Alba Garcia.

Interactions with human cells observed for the first time

The particles were stained and exposed for the first time to different types of human intestinal cells to assess their interaction and possible cellular internalisation. The biological interaction experiments showed that mucus-producing intestinal cells had the highest uptake of micro and nanoplastics, with the particles even entering the cell nucleus that houses the genetic material. The result suggests a key role for intestinal mucus in the uptake of these pollutant particles and underscores the need for further research into the effects that chronic exposure can have on human health.

“It is critical to develop standardised test methods to assess MNPLs contamination released from plastic food contact materials and to formulate regulatory policies to effectively mitigate and minimise this contamination. As the use of plastic in food packaging continues to increase, it is vital to address MNPLs contamination to ensure food safety and protect public health”, researchers add.

The study was developed under the framework of the European project PlasticHeal (https://www.plasticheal.eu/en), coordinated by, Alba Hernández lecturer in the Department of Genetics and Microbiology at the UAB. Researchers from the UAB Mutagenesis Group Alba García-Rodríguez, Ricard Marcos and Gooya Banaei, first author of the research article, were also involved in the study, with the collaboration of researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany.

---

Journal

Chemosphere

DOI

10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143736 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Teabag-derived micro/nanoplastics (true-to-life MNPLs) as a surrogate for real-life exposure scenarios