PSEG to apply for second licence renewals for New Jersey plants

08 April 2024

PSEG Nuclear LLC has notified US regulators of its intent to seek subsequent licence renewal for the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear power plants, which together produce nearly half of New Jersey’s electricity and 85% of the state’s carbon-free generation.

PSEG's three New Jersey units: Hope Creek and Salem units 1 and 2 (Image: Peretz Partensky)

It formally informed the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on 28 March that it expects to submit the application in the second quarter of 2027. This would mark the start of a comprehensive NRC review and approval process taking about two years to complete. If approved, the licences for Salem unit 1 and unit 2 would be extended from 2036 and 2040 to 2056 and 2060, respectively, while the single-unit Hope Creek's licence would be extended from its current 2046 expiration to 2066.

The two pressurised water reactors at Salem began commercial operation in 1976 (unit 1) and 1980 (unit 2), and the boiling water reactor at Hope Creek in 1986. The stations obtained their first 20-year operating licence renewals from the NRC in 2011. The units had all been under threat of premature closure before New Jersey passed the Zero Emissions Certificate Law in 2018, enabling the state to recognise and compensate eligible nuclear power plants for their zero-carbon attributes and contribution to fuel diversity.

"For more than five decades, the nuclear generating stations in South Jersey have safely generated reliable, always-on carbon-free energy," said PSEG Nuclear President and Chief Nuclear Officer Charles McFeaters. "Seeking to renew our licences signifies our commitment to continuing to contribute to New Jersey’s clean energy future and serving as a vital economic engine for the local community."

"I'd like to recognise Congressman Bill Pascrell, the author of the federal nuclear production tax credit legislation in Congress, without which we would not be considering these investments in the site," he added.

The nuclear production tax credit, created in the federal Inflation Reduction Act, will provide nuclear generators with nine years of financial support until 2032. The pricing visibility it has provided "drove PSEG's decision to retain and grow our nuclear fleet via prudent capital investments and will keep our state’s carbon-free nuclear fleet viable for the long-term," the company said.

Over USD100 million in nuclear capital investment projects have already been approved and are in progress, including plant upgrades and a transition to a two-year operating cycle at Hope Creek. PSEG Nuclear is also developing detailed plans to implement power uprates for both Salem units and to upgrade and optimise the nuclear fleet’s turbine generator trains.

The units also deliver positive local economic impacts, the company added, directly employing some 1600 people with additional contract workers supporting refuelling outages and major project work each year and fostering an extensive indirect workforce throughout the community.

Salem is 57% owned by PSEG, with Constellation Energy owning the remaining 43%.

Fourth Korean APR-1400 begins commercial operation

08 April 2024

Unit 2 of the Shin Hanul nuclear power plant in South Korea has entered commercial operation, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) announced. The unit is the second of two APR-1400 reactors at the site, with a further two planned.

Shin Hanul units 1 and 2 (Image: KHNP)

Shin Hanul 2 received an operating licence from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission on 7 September last year, after which it completed a preliminary inspection by the regulator. The loading of 241 fuel assemblies into the reactor's core was carried out between 11 and 18 September. High-temperature functional tests were subsequently conducted.

The 1350 MWe pressurised water reactor reached first criticality - a sustained chain reaction - on 6 December and it was connected to the grid on 21 December.

Following seven months of commissioning tests, which included step-by-step power increase tests and performance tests of the reactor and turbine generator, Shin Hanul 2 was declared to be in commercial operation on 5 April.

Ground breaking for the first two units at the Shin Hanul (formerly Shin Ulchin) site took place in May 2012. First concrete for unit 1 was poured two months later, with that for unit 2 following in June 2013. Shin Hanul 1 achieved first criticality on 22 May 2022 and was connected to the grid on 9 June last year.

"With the commercial operation of Shin Hanul unit 2, Korea's 28th nuclear power unit, the total number of nuclear power units operating in Korea has increased to 26 (including Kori unit 2, which is being prepared for continued operation)," KHNP noted.

Shin Hanul 2 is South Korea's fourth operational APR1400 - after Saeul units 1 and 2 (formerly Shin Kori 3 and 4) and Shin Hanul unit 1. Two further APR1400s are under construction as Saeul units 3 and 4, with two more units planned as Shin Hanul units 3 and 4.

Four APR1400 units have been built at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, which are all now in operation.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News

 

Grossi condemns drone strikes at Zaporizhzhia site

08 April 2024

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi described three drone strikes at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant site as a serious incident that endangered nuclear safety and security.

The Zaporizhzhia plant (Image: Energoatom)

While there are no indications of damage to critical nuclear safety or security systems at the site, the IAEA said the military strikes were "another stark reminder of persistent threats to the ZNPP and other nuclear facilities during the armed conflict".

After receiving information from the plant about the drone attacks on 7 April, the IAEA experts stationed at the site went to three affected locations. They were able to confirm the physical impact of the drone detonations, including at one of the site's six reactor buildings where surveillance and communication equipment appeared to have been targeted. While they were at the roof of the reactor, unit 6, Russian troops engaged what appeared to be an approaching drone. This was followed by an explosion near the reactor building.

The IAEA team reported that they observed remnants of drones at this and two other impact locations at the site. At one of them, outside a laboratory, they saw blood stains next to a damaged military logistics vehicle, indicating at least one casualty.

The experts reported hearing explosions and rifle fire on the site throughout the day. Additionally, the IAEA team heard several rounds of outgoing artillery fire from near the plant.

While the team so far has not observed any structural damage to systems, structures, and components important to nuclear safety or security of the plant, they reported observing minor superficial scorching to the top of the reactor dome roof of unit 6 and scoring of a concrete slab supporting the primary make-up water storage tanks.

"This is a major escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," Grossi said. "Such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must cease immediately.

"As I have repeatedly stated - including at the Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors - no one can conceivably benefit or get any military or political advantage from attacks against nuclear facilities. Attacking a nuclear power plant is an absolute no go. I firmly appeal to military decision makers to abstain from any action violating the basic principles that protect nuclear facilities."

The IAEA noted that it is the first time since November 2022 that the Zaporizhzhia plant - which has been under Russian military control since early March 2022 - has been directly targeted in military action.

Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said the first drone hit the area adjacent to the canteen at 11.38 am, injuring three people, one of them seriously. Half an hour later, a drone attacked the cargo port area. Then the dome of unit 6 was hit by a drone.

Both Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for the drone attacks at the plant, with Rosatom saying it "categorically condemns the unprecedented attack".

Researched and written by World Nuclear News

Mediterranean marine worm has developed eyes “as big as millstones"

Scientists are amazed at the discovery of a bristle worm with eyes as sharp as those of mammals. The researchers from University of Copenhagen and Lund University suspect that they may have a secretive language, only seen by their own species

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN - FACULTY OF SCIENCE

 

IMAGE: 

MARVELOUS EYES, BUT YOU BE THE JUDGE OF THIS SEA CRITTER’S BEAUTY. VANADIS IS A BYNAME OF THE NORSE GODDESS OF LOVE, FREYA.
PHOTO: MICHAEL BOK

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CREDIT: PHOTO: MICHAEL BOK

Scientists are amazed at the discovery of a bristle worm with such sharp-seeing eyes that they can measure up to those of mammals and octopuses. The researchers from University of Copenhagen and Lund University suspect that these marine worms may have a secretive language, which uses UV light only seen by their own species. The advanced vision of such a primitive creature helps to finally settle an epic debate about the evolution of eyes.

The Vanadis bristle worm has eyes as big as millstones – relatively speaking. Indeed, if our eyes were proportionally as big as the ones of this Mediterranean marine worm, we would need a big sturdy wheelbarrow and brawny arms to lug around the extra 100kg.

As a set, the worm's eyes weigh about twenty times as much as the rest of the animal’s head and seem grotesquely out of place on this tiny and transparent marine critter. As if two giant, shiny red balloons have been strapped to its body.

Vanadis bristle worms, also known as polychaetes, can be found around the Italian island of Ponza, just west of Naples. Like some of the island's summertime partiers, the worms are nocturnal and out of sight when the sun is high in the sky. So what does this polychaete do with its walloping peepers after dark? And what are they good for?

Neuro- and marine biologist Anders Garm from the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Biology couldn’t ignore the question. Setting other plans aside, the researcher felt compelled to dive in and try to find out. He was hooked as soon as his colleague Michael Bok at Lund University showed him a recording of the bristle worm.

"Together, we set out to unravel the mystery of why a nearly invisible, transparent worm that feeds in the dead of night has evolved to acquire enormous eyes. As such, the first aim was to answer whether large eyes endow the worm with good vision," says Michael Bok who together with Anders Garm, authors a new research article that does just that.[LINK]

It turns out that the Vanadis’ eyesight is excellent and advanced. Research has demonstrated that this worm can use its eyes to see small objects and track their movements.

"It's really interesting because an ability like this is typically reserved for us vertebrates, along with arthropods (insects, spiders, etc.) and cephalopods (octopus, squid). This is the first time that such an advanced and detailed view has been demonstrated beyond these groups. In fact, our research has shown that the worm has outstanding vision. Its eyesight is on a par with that of mice or rats, despite being a relatively simple organism with a miniscule brain," says Garm.

This is what makes the worm's eyes and extraordinary vision unique in the animal kingdom. And it was this combination of factors about the Vanadis bristle worm that really caught Anders Garm's attention. The researcher’s work focuses on understanding how otherwise simple nervous systems can have very complex functions – which was definitely the case here.

UV light and a secret language

For now, the researchers are trying to find out what caused the worm to develop such good eyesight. The worms are transparent, except for their eyes, which need to register light to function. So they can't be inherently transparent. That means that they come with evolutionary trade-offs. As becoming visible must have come at a cost to the Vanadis, something about the evolutionarily benefits of its eyes must outweigh the consequences.

Precisely what the worms gain remains unclear, particularly because they are nocturnal animals that tuck away during the day, when eyes usually work best.

“No one has ever seen the worm during the day, so we don't know where it hides. So, we cannot rule out that its eyes are used during the day as well. What we do know is that its most important activities, like finding food and mating, occur at night. So, it is likely that this is when its eyes are important," says Anders Garm.

Part of the explanation may be due to the fact that these worms see different wavelengths of light than we humans do. Their vision is geared to ultraviolet light, invisible to the human eye. And according to Garm, this may indicate that the purpose of its eyes is to see bioluminescent signals in the otherwise pitch-black nighttime sea.

"We have a theory that the worms themselves are bioluminescent and communicate with each other via light. If you use normal blue or green light as bioluminescence, you also risk attracting predators. But if instead, the worm uses UV light, it will remain invisible to animals other than those of its own species. Therefore, our hypothesis is that they’ve developed sharp UV vision so as to have a secret language related to mating," says Garm, who continues:

"It may also be that they are on the lookout look for UV bioluminescent prey. But regardless, it makes things truly exciting as UV bioluminescence has yet to be witnessed in any other animal. So, we hope to be able to present this as the first example," says the researcher.

Exciting for robotics research and evolutionary history

As a result of the discovery, Anders Garm and his research colleagues have also started working with robotics researchers from the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) who find technological inspiration in biology. Together, they share a common goal of investigating whether it is possible to understand the mechanism behind these eyes well enough so as to translate it into technology.

"Together with the robotics researchers, we are working to understand how animals with brains as simple as these can process all of the information that such large eyes are likely able to collect. This suggests that there are super smart ways to process information in their nervous system. And if we can detect these mechanisms mathematically, they could be integrated into computer chips and used to control robots," explains Ander Garm.

According to Garm, Vanadis' eyes are also interesting with regards to evolutionary theory because they could help settle one of the heaviest academic debates surrounding the theory: Whether eyes have only evolved once – and evolved into every form that we know of today, or whether they have arisen several times, independently of one another, in evolutionary history.

Vanadis' eyes are built simply, but equipped with advanced functionality. At the same time, they have evolved in a relatively short evolutionarily time span of just a few million years. This means that they must have developed independently of, for example, human eyes, and that the development of vision, even with a high level of function, is possible in a relatively short time.

*

Extra Info: The eye and evolution

In general, eyes come in complex sizes, which is the case with the human eye, for example. Evolutionary skeptics have often pointed to the eye and said 'see for yourself, this must have been created by God'. The eyes of the Vanadis worm have a surprisingly simple natural "design" that has evolved in a relatively short time span compared to typical evolutionary timelines – i.e., a few million years. Despite their simplicity, they are advanced.

The emergence of eyes has been the subject of many debates since Darwin presented his theory of evolution in On the Origin of Species, both among those who are religious and skeptics outside science, as well as among eye biology and vision researchers.

One of these debates has been about whether eyes have only evolved once – and into every form that we know today, or whether they have arisen several times, independently of one another, in evolutionary history. Research in recent years has provided a number of pieces of evidence to support the latter, and the eyes of the Vanadis worm are another powerful piece of evidence in that direction.

“This means that they must have developed independently of, for example, human eyes and that the development of vision, even with a high level of function, is possible in a relatively short time. Because, this worm is so young on an evolutionary scale," says Michael Bok.

Darwin and the eye

In Charles Darwin’s major work, On the Origin of Species, he wrote about the incredible nature of the eye in relation to his theory of evolution by natural selection. He is often quoted by evolutionary skeptics as saying:

“To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I confess, absurd in the highest degree...”

But these quotations often forget to add the end of the passage:

“Yet reason tells me, that if numerous gradations from a perfect and complex eye to one very imperfect and simple, each grade being useful to its possessor, can be shown to exist; if further, the eye does vary ever so slightly, and the variations be inherited, which is certainly the case; and if any variation or modification in the organ be ever useful to an animal under changing conditions of life, then the difficulty of believing that a perfect and complex eye could be formed by natural selection, though insuperable by our imagination, can hardly be considered real.” (Origin of Species, chap. 6)

Facts: The Worm

• The Vanadis worm belongs to a family of large-eyed bristle worms, or polychaeta, found in many parts of the world.
• Its eyesight rivals that of rodents such as mice and rats. Vanadis' eyes weigh about 20 times more than the rest of its head
• The worms can see UV light and focus on relatively small objects, tracking them as they move.
• It is nocturnal. The researchers believe that these bristle worms use their eyes to communicate for mating and hunting prey.

Facts: Bioluminescence

• Bioluminescence is when organisms are luminescent, i.e., capable of producing light using their own power. This can be done chemically within the body, as with glow-worms.
• Should the researchers succeed in documenting it, the Vanadis worm could become the first animal proven to use UV bioluminescence, meaning that they create ultraviolet light naturally, for communication, among other things. 

---

JOURNAL

Current Biology

DOI

10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.055. 

ARTICLE TITLE

High-resolution vision in pelagic polychaetes

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

8-Apr-2024

Peruvian gold mine’s power infrastructure attacked for the 14th time in two years

Valentina Ruiz Leotaud | April 7, 2024 |

High-voltage towers knocked down at the Poderosa mine in Peru. (Image by Minera Poderosa).

The Poderosa gold mine in northwestern Peru experienced yet another attack by illegal miners, who this time around used dynamite to take down two high-voltage towers that supply energy to the operation, located in the province of Pataz.


In a communiqué, Minera Poderosa said that the criminals broke into the mine’s pits right after knocking down the towers.

“This attack occurred despite there being a State of Emergency and a contingent of more than 300 members of the National Police and the army in the area. This new attack occurred shortly after the police evacuated 150 troops from specialized units that had been providing services in Pataz, who had not yet been replaced,” the release states.

The mining company noted that although the deployment of law enforcement officers in Pataz has been a positive step, their presence has not been matched with any strategy to deter illegal miners from carrying out their activities and attacking legal operations.

In Poderosa’s view, illegal miners feel protected by the Comprehensive Mining Formalization Registry (REINFO) and the recent repeal by the Peruvian Congress of the regulations that sought to halt their modus operandi.

Earlier in March, the parliament repealed the first provision of legislative decree 1607 that gave the police special powers to detain miners who are not registered in REINFO and who are illegally transporting weapons and explosives.

“Unfortunately, law enforcement actions have been severely limited by the lack of support from the Prosecutor’s Office and regional representatives of the Energy, Mines and Hydrocarbons Management. Let us remember that the latter is in charge of supervising the work of artisanal and small-scale miners,” the statement reads. “This criminal act emulates the actions of the terrorist groups that sieged the country in past decades, as it threatened the integrity of our personnel and endangered our operations. In the last two years, 16 employees have lost their lives in attacks by illegal miners and 14 towers have been knocked down.”
Government and industry respond

In response to Poderosa’s declarations, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Rómulo Mucho, condemned the attack and emphasized that the operation would continue to be protected by the army and National Police.

Mucho also recognized that the mining formalization process has been more complex than expected, particularly after certain decision-making processes were transferred to the regional directorates.

But the minister’s statement wasn’t enough for industry representatives.

In Lima, the Chamber of Commerce demanded that authorities take swift action to locate and prosecute the criminal organizations behind such acts.

Similarly, Supera – a firm dedicated to the business transformation of mining companies – published a commentary saying that authorities must commit and take action to provide security to established mining companies, as they are the main engine of the Peruvian economy.

Poderosa is an underground operation situated at an altitude that ranges between 1,250 and 3,000 metres above sea level.

Gold and silver are its main products, having produced 300,662 ounces of gold and 191,898 ounces of silver in 2022.

First Quantum alerts Panamanian authorities of dangers of long-term concentrate storage at disputed copper mine

Staff Writer | April 7, 2024 

Copper concentrate stored at the Cobre Panama mine. (Image by First Quantum Minerals).

First Quantum Minerals’ (TSX: FM) subsidiary, Minera Panamá, issued a communiqué alerting of the dangers posed by the long-term storage of copper concentrate at the Cobre Panamá mine.


According to the miner, regular monitoring has detected an increase in the chemical reactions that generate dangerous gases and a rise in the material’s temperatures, which poses environmental risks and threatens the health and safety of those doing care and maintenance work at the operation.

Following the forced closure of Cobre Panamá ordered by the Laurentino Cortizo administration last December, First Quantum has not been allowed to export the copper concentrate stockpiled at the site. Typically, the product was quickly sold abroad to ensure its stability and safety.

“The immediate transfer of the material is critical to mitigate these risks. Cobre Panamá will export the copper concentrate as soon as it obtains the corresponding authorization from the government,” the release states. “In response to these concerns and highlighting our commitment to environmental preservation, Cobre Panamá will allocate the proceeds from the sale of the concentrate towards the costs of the site’s Preservation and Safe Management Plan, which amount to between $15 million and $20 million per month.”

The miner pointed out that in compliance with a request from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), on March 26, 2024, the company presented the updated Preservation and Safe Management Plan, as well as a detailed report on the situation of the copper concentrate stored at the site, which was processed before operations were halted.

“Transparency and cooperation are fundamental elements of our approach to the responsible and safe management of this situation, seeking to benefit all the parties involved,” the statement concludes. “We are committed to the dissemination of clear and transparent information.”

Andrew Forrest urges China to demand greener nickel'

Reuters | April 7, 2024 |

Andrew Forrest, Fortescue Metals’ chairman. (Image by Fortescue, Twitter/X.)

Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest has called on China to demand higher environmental standards from its global supply chain, particularly its companies conducting nickel processing in Indonesia, the Financial Times said on Sunday.


Forrest, the chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, said in an interview to the FT that electric vehicle manufacturers should be wary of Indonesian nickel, adding that it was being extracted at immense cost to the environment.

“China will need to enforce its own environmental standards on its global supply chains,” Forrest is quoted as saying by the newspaper during a visit to Boao, China. He further added that every buyer of nickel “needs to be really careful if they’re buying from that (Indonesian) source.”

Nickel is a key ingredient that is used in electric vehicle batteries.

Indonesia in February had launched a revised “taxonomy”, or green investment rulebook, categorising coal-fired power plants used in nickel facilities as part of the global transition to a green economy.

Environmentalists criticised the notion of categorising the financing of new coal power plants as sustainable, pointing out that such plants are a significant source of carbon emissions.

Indonesia has rapidly emerged as the new powerhouse of global nickel production but until now has not produced the metal in the high-purity form traded on either the LME or the Shanghai Futures Exchange.

China has become Indonesia’s top trading partner during the last decade, as its natural resources such as coal and nickel help to power the world’s second-largest economy.

(By Rishabh Jaiswal; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

 

ASA-SNEC Highlights Urgent Attention to Maritime Security in the Red Sea

PUBLISHED APR 7, 2024 4:55 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

[By: Asian Shipowners’ Association]

The Asian Shipowners’ Association Safe Navigation and Environment Committee (ASA-SNEC) urges shipping industry to continue to highlight the maritime security situation in the Red Sea. While the heightened geopolitical tensions in the region have resulted in increased military presence and maritime patrols to ensure the safety of vessels passing through the area,
there is a renewed threat of Piracy off the African coasts. The current situation is putting the lives of our seafarers and our vessels at high risk while we continue to serve the global economy. Collaborative efforts among regional stakeholders and international partners are crucial to effectively address these challenges and ensure the safety and security of navigating in the Red Sea and the surrounding areas.

The ASA-SNEC calls for an industry-wide support for ambitious net zero targets through the adoption of the Zero Emission Shipping Fund (ZESF), a pivotal tool for propelling the maritime industry towards sustainability. Proposed by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Republic of Liberia to the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), the ZESF aims to accelerate the industry's transition to net zero emissions by 2050. It mandates contributions from shipowners based on emissions, raising substantial annual funds to drive the rapid development and adoption of zero-emission marine fuels and technologies, particularly in developing nations.

The ZESF promotes global cooperation, transparency, and inclusivity, fostering collaboration among shipowners, governments, and international organizations. By allocating funds to support developing countries, it ensures equitable access to resources for decarbonisation, contributing to both emissions’ reduction and socio-economic development.

Moreover, the ZESF is a strategic investment in the industry's future competitiveness and resilience, driving innovation and sustainable growth. Ensuring commercially viable clean fuel and technology adoption for all is paramount to its success, as it not only accelerates decarbonisation but also opens up new opportunities for businesses worldwide. Pending consideration by IMO Member States, this proposal represents a tangible pathway towards achieving ambitious GHG reduction targets, emphasising a unified approach to decarbonisation and inviting all stakeholders to join the journey towards zero emission shipping.

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

 

ClassNK Transition to Zero-Emission with Energy efficiency Improvement

PUBLISHED APR 7, 2024 5:10 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

[By: ClassNK]

ClassNK has extended its services to support concrete actions by customers towards a smooth transition to shipping zero-emission.

With the revision of IMO's GHG emissions reduction targets and the introduction of the EU climate policy package for the shipping sector, regulations towards zero-emission are becoming increasingly stringent. However, the infrastructure for supplying zero-emission fuels is still under development. Shipping industry players need to select and utilize the appropriate GHG emissions reduction measures based on their corporate situation and the specifics of their individual vessels to progress towards zero-emission.

To more effectively support its customers’ ongoing efforts of GHG emissions reduction measures, ClassNK is extending "ClassNK Transition Support Services." ClassNK focuses on three types of GHG emissions reduction measures: the introduction of alternative fuels ships, energy efficiency improvement technologies, and the use of onboard CCS, considering customers’ needs together and leading to the implementation of the optimal solutions.

The service menu will be expanded in response to changes in circumstances, including the regulatory landscape, and technological trends. ClassNK will comprehensively support customers' pursuit of and transition to zero-emission. The details are available on the below page on ClassNK’s website:

Home > Information Services > ClassNK Transition Support Services
https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/info_service/ghg/

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

 

Interview: How Safe Are Our Waterways?

Dali after hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore

PUBLISHED APR 5, 2024 7:24 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

 

In the days following the allision of the containership Dali with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key, the question of port safety has come to the forefront across the country. Many ports have similar geographies with shipping channels passing under critical bridges and other infrastructure, raising the question of safety precautions and operations for major U.S. ports.

San Francisco has its challenges with a busy port. In 2007, for example, a containership hit a Bay Bridge tower in San Francisco’s port, which spurred the adaptation of improved safety systems

Public radio station KQED in San Francisco hosted a discussion with maritime experts about the area’s waterways and the safety protocols in place to prevent and react to disasters.

 

(Listened to the discussion)

 

Alexis Madrigal, the co-host of the Forum program, leads the discussion with:

•    Scott Humphrey, executive director of the Marine Exchange San Francisco Bay Area Region; chairman of the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee

•    Captain Taylor Lam, captain of the Port for Northern California, US Coast Guard

•    Tony Munoz, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Maritime Executive

The program explores port operations while asking the question whether a similar crash into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge, which killed six people and spilled thousands of gallons of oil, could happen in the San Francisco area.

 

HD Hyundai Unveils a New R&D Center for Green Ship Technology

An LCO2 carrier design for Capital Maritime (HD Hyundai)

PUBLISHED APR 7, 2024 6:16 PM BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE

 

 

The South Korean shipbuilding giant HD Korea Shipbuilding& Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) has announced the launch of a new research and development facility dedicated for maritime decarbonization. The Marine Innovative R&D facility will be based at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) yard in Ulsan.

While KSOE has existing R&D setups for green technologies, they primarily focus on testing specific functions such as supply of LNG fuel to ships. However, the new facility is designed to simulate and test wide ranging processes including the full sequence of shipboard cargo operations - loading, ship operations, unloading - and technologies that could reduce carbon emissions.

This comprehensive approach will allow KSOE to predict performance of certain technologies from a land-based setting even before getting installed on actual ships. According to KSOE, this will improve safety and reliability of the new ship types using green technologies.

“As environmental regulations continue to tighten, the development of various technologies is under way, making it important to ensure their reliability. HD KSOE aims to utilize this new facility to pre-validate eco-friendly equipment to be installed in ships,” said an official from HD KSOE.

Among the first assignments of the new facility will be to test the performance of reliquefaction equipment for liquefied carbon dioxide carriers (LCO2). Reliquefaction reduces emissions and ensures that more of the cargo arrives at its destination.

HD Hyundai is currently building two of the world’s largest LCO2 carriers as part of an order the company received last year from Greek shipowner Capital Maritime Group. The two 22,000 cubic meter carriers are scheduled for delivery next year.

In addition, the R&D facility will also test a technology for producing dry ice in ship cargo holds, a function that could significantly improve transportation of perishable goods.

Meanwhile, KSOE said it aims to expand the range of green technologies and ship types tested at this facility by 2026. These include new propulsion systems for vessels such as ammonia and methanol-fueled ships, as well as hybrid electric systems.