It’s Good News Monday!
This Monday we talk about:
VLCC in rescue mission
Maersk And Buffett Invest In Waste-Fuel Startup
Wärtsilä mobile battery container brings box ship to zero emissions
Suez Canal Gives Free Passage To World’s Newest Hospital Ship
World's First: Siemens Gamesa Makes Recyclable Offshore Wind Turbine Blades
Australia’s New Antarctic Research Icebreaker Sailing Home After Delivery
“Euronav’s VLCC Newton assisting sinking fishing vessel in the Middle East Gulf (source: Euronav)”. Image from Riviera.
Euronav’s very large crude carrier (VLCC) Newton helped rescue a fishing vessel in the Middle East that was sinking. Newton’s crew lowered a portable pump to the vessel so it could stay afloat to get to shore. “Euronav’s CEO, Hugo de Stoop, commented ‘This is the kind of event that makes us proud to work at Euronav and in the shipping industry. Life at sea can be dangerous and it is reassuring that fellow seafarers are nearby and able to help.’”
“Maersk'sTriple-E class vessel underway. Photo credit: Maersk Line”. Image from gCaptain.
A Warren Buffett backed green fuel startup is getting an investment from A.P. Moller-Maersk as they look for new de-carbonization methods for their vessels. WasteFuel is based in California and turns “trash into green bio-methanol, sustainable aviation fuel, and renewable natural gas”. According to the article, Maersk uses an amount of marine oil each year equivalent to the amount of oil produced across the world in a day - about 12 million tons. Helping to create the green methanol market will help Maersk reach their goals of net zero by 2050. They plan to keep investing in more green fuel startups, and expect the current investment to go to WasteFuel building bio-refineries with fuel production ready in 2024.
“Alphenaar is the first inland waterway vessel to use the zero-emissions service made possible by Wärtsilä’s battery container solution (source: Zero Emission Services)”. Image from Riviera.
Wärtsilä has installed replaceable battery containers on inland waterway vessels that will allow for zero emissions for the 104-TEU vessels. “The concept, which is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, is based on a network of open-access charging points.” The ships run on fully electric power, then switch out containers that are charged onshore. The setup is unique because these containers are usually not mobile once installed. They also contain onboard fire protection and remote monitoring capabilities.
“Suez Canal pilots aboard the hospital ship Global Mercy.” Image from gCaptain.
Mercy Ships newbuild Global Mercy has just made its first transit through the Suez Canal at no charge thanks to the Senegalese and Egyptian governments. Mercy Ships says the cost savings will save thousands of lives in Africa. The ship will receive free berth and support at the Port of Antwerp, where volunteers will finish final installation of equipment and prepare the ship for it’s first mission. Mercy Ships should more than double its impact with the new ship.
“Credit: Siemens Gamesa”. Image from Offshore Engineer.
Siemens Gamesa has created the world’s first recyclable wind turbine blades in Aalborg, Denmark. The first RecycleBlades are 81 meters long and ready for offshore use. Up until now, the rest of offshore wind turbines have had a defined recycling path, but the blades are much more difficult to recycle. The new chemical structure of the resin used in RecycleBlades lets it be efficiently separated at the end of life. Their goal is to make the entire turbine completely recyclable by 2040.
“RSV Nuyina during sea trials in the North Sea. Photo courtesy Serco”. Image from gCaptain.
Nuyina, Australia’s Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) is on its maiden voyage from the Netherlands to home in Tasmania. The new icebreaker is 160 meters long and displaces 24,000 tons - it is one of the most advanced polar research vessels on the planet. Nuyina “will be capable of Antarctic stations and research campaigns, scientific research, icebreaking, transport, disaster relief, evacuation, and patrol duties.” It can accomodate 149 crew and special personnel for up to 90 days and has more than 500 square meters of science labs and offices. It will undergo testing, commissioning, and certification after arriving home in Hobart, Tasmania. Two years of testing is expected in order to set the vessel up for 30 years of future success.
We covered the RSV Nuyina and antarctic missions in a recent Fun Fact Friday. Check it out to learn more about icebreakers, the meaning of the name Nuyina, why we study Antarctica, and of course, penguins!
Smile, it’s Good News Monday! :-)
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