Ports and Marine
[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
IMO Adopts Revised Regulations on Ship Emissions
October 11, 2008
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) unanimously adopted amendments to the MARPOL Annex VI regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ships. The main changes to MARPOL Annex VI will see a progressive reduction in sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships, with the global sulfur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (35,000 ppm) from the current 4.50% (45,000 ppm), effective from 1 January 2012; then progressively to 0.50% (5,000 ppm), effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018. (Earlier post.)
The limits applicable in Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) will be reduced to 1.00%, beginning on 1 July 2010 (from the current 1.50 %); being further reduced to 0.10%, effective from 1 January 2015.
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US DOT to Establish New National Network of Marine Highways for Cargo, Offloading Roads
October 10, 2008
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) will establish a new national network of short sea transportation routes to help move cargo across the country in order to cut congestion on some of the nation’s busiest roads.
The Department’s “Marine Highways” initiative calls for the selection and designation of key maritime inland and coastal maritime corridors as marine highways. These routes will be eligible for up to $25 million in existing federal capital construction funds. The communities involved will continue to qualify for up to $1.7 billion in federal highway congestion mitigation and air quality (CMAQ) funds.
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Siemens Marine Introduces New Hybrid Propulsion Solution for Smaller Vessels
September 26, 2008
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| One configuration of SISHIP EcoProp. Click to enlarge. |
Siemens Marine Solutions has developed a very compact hybrid propulsion system for small vessels, using a combination of standard commercial generators, motors and mechanical gear package.
The main diesel engine runs at a constant speed, driving an electrical generator that feeds a propulsion motor through a switchboard and converters. This system exploits the optimized efficiency resulting from operating the engine as close as possible to its design point. The intelligent hybrid control and the diesel-electric system continuously drives the engines within the desirable speed and load ranges.
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DOE to Provide Up to $7.3M for Advanced Water Power Projects
September 19, 2008
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 14 projects for negotiation of awards of up to a total of $7.3 million, with a cost-shared value of more than $18 million, for Advanced Water Power Projects R&D. The projects will advance commercial viability, cost-competitiveness, and market acceptance of new technologies that can harness renewable energy from oceans and rivers.
The DOE will make awards in three topic areas. In the first topic area, awards will be for industry-led partnerships to develop and/or field test advanced water power technologies. Successful applicants are required to develop collaborative project teams involving at least one other industrial, university, or national laboratory partner.
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MHI and Wärtsilä Jointly to Develop Small-size Marine Diesel Engines
September 08, 2008
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Wärtsilä Corporation of Finland will jointly develop new small, low-speed marine diesel engines with cylinder bores of 350 and 400 millimeters (mm). Key benefits of the new engines will be compliance with IMO Tier II emissions regulations, low fuel consumption, a low cylinder oil feed rate, high reliability, and long times between overhauls.
They engines will also be able to provide optimum fits to ships in terms of power, propeller speed, dimensions, weight, and electrical power consumption, as well as being competitive in manufacturing costs.
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EPA Tightens Small SI Engine and Marine SI Engine Emissions Standards
September 05, 2008
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set new emissions standards for spark injected (SI) small engines (e.g., gasoline-powered lawn equipment) and SI marine engines. The regulations will take effect in 2010 for a full range of gasoline-powered personal watercraft and inboard and outboard engines, and in 2011 for lawn and garden equipment of 25 hp (18.6 kW) or less.
Each year, Americans spend more than 3 billion hours using lawn and garden equipment and more than 500 million hours in recreational boating. The engines and vehicles covered by this rule are significant sources of air pollution, according to the EPA, accounting for about 26% of mobile source VOC emissions and 23% of mobile source carbon monoxide emissions.
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Island Pilot to Introduce Diesel-Electric Series Hybrid Motor Yacht
August 19, 2008
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| The Island Pilot DSe hybrid. Click to enlarge. |
Island Pilot, LLC will introduce a diesel-electric series hybrid production motor yacht at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The twin-hull Island Pilot DSe Hybrid 12m combines diesel, solar and electric power (the components of the DSe label).
Measuring 12 meters (39’6”), the DSe uses a pair of Steyr Motors Serial Hybrid Propulsion Systems—one in each hull—each consisting of a Steyr Monoblock 75 hp (56 kW) diesel with an inline 7 kW motor/5kW generator leading to the ZF Saildrive. A 20 kWh battery pack, distributed in the bows, comprises 48 vDC battery banks made up of AGM-style deep cycle batteries from Enersys.
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US MMS Moves Forward With Alternative Energy Leases on the Outer Continental Shelf
July 26, 2008
The US Minerals Management Service (MMS) is proceeding with the consultation and analyses necessary to move toward the issuance of limited leases under its interim policy for authorizing alternative energy data collection and technology testing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
MMS announced its interim policy in November 2007 to jumpstart basic information gathering efforts relating to development of OCS alternative energy resources such as wind, waves, and ocean currents as authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct). The limited leases envisioned under the interim policy will be for a term of five years and will not convey any right or priority for commercial development.
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California ARB Adopts Low-Sulfur Fuel Rules for Ocean-Going Vessels; US Adopts MARPOL Act
July 24, 2008
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| Potential cancer risk resulting from exposure to diesel PM from ocean-going vessels (OGV), 2005 baseline. Note the hot spot around the Southern California ports. Click to enlarge. |
The California Air Resources Board adopted a regulation that requires ocean-going vessels (OGV) within 24 nautical miles of California’s coastline to use lower-sulfur marine distillates in their main and auxiliary engines and auxiliary boilers, rather than the dirtier heavy-fuel oil called bunker fuel. (Earlier post.) About 2,000 ocean-going vessels visiting California ports annually are subject to this restriction.
Separately and earlier in the week, US President George Bush signed into law the Maritime Pollution Protection Act of 2008, which clears the way for US ratification of the international treaty regulating emissions—MARPOL Annex VI—from diesel-powered OGVs.
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Study Finds Large Cargo Ship Soot Emissions 2x Previous Estimates; Tugboats Are Top Emitters Per Unit of Fuel
July 09, 2008
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| Tugboats at work in Alameda Harbor, California. Click to enlarge. Source: NOAA |
Large cargo ships emit more than twice as much soot as previously estimated, and tugboats emit nearly twice as much soot for the amount of fuel used than other commercial vessels, according to the first extensive study of commercial vessel soot emissions. Scientists from NOAA and the University of Colorado conducted the study and present their findings in the 11 July issue of the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Daniel Lack, of NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) and the NOAA-CU Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), and his colleagues observed emission plumes from 96 commercial vessels in open ocean waters, channels, and ports along the southeast United States and Texas during the summer of 2006.
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Wärtsilä Wins First Order for New NOx Reducers for Ships
June 19, 2008
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| The Wärtsilä NOR. The core of the installation is the reactor on the exhaust uptake. It is accompanied by separate pumping and dosing units to deliver the urea solution to the reactor, and a dedicated control cabinet. CLick to enlarge. |
Wärtsilä has received an order from Edda Accommodation, which is part of the Østensjø Group in Norway, to supply six Wärtsilä Nitrogen Oxides Reducer (NOR) units for an accommodation vessel. The NOR units are selective catalytic reduction (SCR) converters that will meet the requirements of IMO Tier III emissions control regulations.
The NOR units will be installed on six nine-cylinder Wärtsilä 26 gensets on the ship, which will be delivered in the first quarter 2010. The order marks the opening of Wärtsilä’s Nitrogen Oxides Reducers to the commercial market.
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UK Economist Proposes Global Trading Scheme for Aviation and Shipping Emissions
June 17, 2008
Dr. Terry Barker of Cambridge University and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research has proposed a Global Emissions Trading Scheme (GETS) for ships and planes in response to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) last year stating that a suitable framework for effective mitigation policies has yet to be devised.
An economist, Barker is Director of the Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research (4CMR), University of Cambridge; Leader of the Tyndall Centre’s Integrated Modelling program of research; and Chairman of Cambridge Econometrics. He was a Coordinating Lead Author in the IPCC Third Assessment Report (2001) and the Fourth Assessment Report (2007) for the chapter on mitigation from a cross-sectoral perspective, covering the macroeconomic costs of mitigation at national, regional and global levels in the short and medium term (to 2030).
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California ARB Proposes Low-Sulfur Fuel Rules for Ocean-Going Vessels
June 11, 2008
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has released a proposed regulation that would require ocean-going vessels within 24 nautical miles off California’s coastline to use lower-sulfur marine distillates rather than heavily polluting heavy fuel oil (bunker fuel) in their main and auxiliary engines, and boilers.
The measure, to be considered by the ARB at its 26-27 July meeting, would annually affect about 2,000 ocean-going vessels visiting California.
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Port of San Diego Launching Clean Truck Program
June 09, 2008
The Port of San Diego is launching its own clean truck program, in line with programs at other major California ports. At the 10 June Board of Port Commissioners meeting, the Board will vote on a resolution authorizing an agreement with the San Diego Air Pollution Control District for implementing the truck retrofit and replacement program.
Truck owners who voluntarily participate in the program will receive a range of subsidies from a combination of state grants and money provided by the Port of San Diego. The remainder of the retrofitting cost would be the responsibility of the truck owner.
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Researchers Find Upwelling of ‘Acidified’ Water on the Pacific Continental Shelf
May 23, 2008
A team of researchers from the US, Canada and Mexico found evidence of the acidification of the ocean caused by the ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide less than 20 miles off the west coast of North America during a field study from Canada to Mexico last summer. This was the first time “acidified” ocean water has been found on the continental shelf of western North America.
Ocean acidification is an issue of basic chemistry: atmospheric CO2 is absorbed by and reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This reaction of CO2 with seawater reduces the availability of carbonate ions required for calcium carbonate (CaCO3) skeleton and shell formation. The effect on organisms depends upon the state of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) saturation. In regions where the concentration is high, formation of shells and skeletons occurs. In regions where it is low, the water becomes corrosive, and the dissolution of shells begins to occur.
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StatoilHydro to Build First Full-Scale Floating Wind Turbine
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| The HyWind floating turbine. Click to enlarge. |
StatoilHydro will build the world’s first full-scale floating wind turbine, Hywind, and test it over a two-year period offshore Karmøy, Norway. (Earlier post.) The company is investing approximately 400 million NOK (US$80 million) in the project, and plans to have the floating turbine in operation in autumn 2009.
Wind is strongest and most consistent far out to sea, making deepwater placement of wind turbines attractive for power generation. StatoilHydro has developed HyWind based on floating concrete constructions familiar from North Sea oil installations—HyWind consists of a 2.3 MW wind turbine attached to the top of a Spar-buoy.
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GE and C-MAR to Develop Hybrid Tugboat Technology
May 20, 2008
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| GE leverages technology across its mega-hybrid projects. Shown is the hybrid mine truck, which uses a NaNiCl2 battery pack. Click to enlarge. Source: GE |
GE and the C-MAR Group are partnering to develop and to demonstrate new hybrid technology for tugboats. The two announced their alliance during the International Tug & Salvage Convention in Singapore.
Under the alliance, GE will provide a packaged hybrid propulsion system that will feature its V228 or V250 medium-speed diesel engines, a generator and a new generation of batteries. GE’s V228 or V250 medium-speed diesel engines range in power from 1,400 hp (1,004 kW) to 5,685 hp (4,239 kW).
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Port of Los Angeles and South Coast Air Quality Management District Introduce Heavy-Duty Electric Drayage Truck
May 17, 2008
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| The Nautilus E-30 electric drayage truck. |
The Port of Los Angeles and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) introduced an all-electric heavy-duty short-haul drayage truck—the first of its kind—that can pull a 60,000-pound cargo container at a top speed of 40 mph, and has a range of 60 miles on a single charge unloaded and 30 miles loaded during an 8 hour shift. (Earlier post.)
Built by Balqon Corp. as a demonstration project co-funded by the Port and SCAQMD, the Nautilus E-30 features a 336V 140 kWh lead-acid battery pack and is the result of nearly a year of development and testing.
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Study Finds Use of Wingsails on Seismic Exploration Vessel Reduces Fuel Consumption 5-10%
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| An earlier implementation of wingsails on the mv Ashington. |
A study evaluating the use of wingsails on a seismic exploration vessel found that they could reduce fuel consumption by 5% when the vessel was towing its hydrophonic cable assemblies. The researchers concluded that the savings could double when the assemblies are not deployed.
The study, performed by CFD norway as, was commissioned by wingsail developer Shadotec plc in partnership with Wilhelmsen Marine Consultants (WMC) and Petroleum Geo-Services AS (PGS) to estimate the potential savings in fuel consumption achievable by employing Shadotec wingsail thrust units to assist in the propulsion of ocean going vessels. The Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (Marintek), based in Trondheim, Norway, will contribute to evaluate maneuverability and seakeeping.
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IMO Environment Meeting Approves Revised Regulations on Ship Emissions, Next Steps for GHG Reduction
April 09, 2008
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved proposed amendments to the MARPOL (“Marine Pollution”)—the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships—Annex VI regulations that would result in reduced emissions from ships.
The main changes are: a progressive reduction in sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, with the global sulfur cap reduced initially to 3.50% (35,000 ppm) from the current 4.50% (45,000 ppm), effective 1 January 2012; then progressively to 0.50% (5,000 ppm), effective 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018. Should the 2018 review reach a negative conclusion, the effective date would default to 1 January 2025.
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Project to Start Trials on Ship-Board Methanol SOFC APU
March 18, 2008
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| The Wallenius MV Undine will host the methanol SOFC trial. |
After nearly one and a half years of research and development, the EU-funded METHAPU (Validation of renewable methanol based auxiliary power systems for commercial vessels) project is about to start trials on a prototype of a methanol-based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) auxiliary power unit (APU). The prototype will be tried and tested for performance and emissions under real-life conditions onboard a vessel—the MV Undine, a Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC)—involved in trading between Asia, Europe and the USA.
The one-year METHAPU trial will help to assess the maturity of methanol-based technology and its suitability for daily use in the shipping sector. At the same time, the test will make it possible to quantify the short-term and long-term environmental impact of such a system in comparison with conventional systems. These systems still tend to rely on battery power or generators to provide power independent of the ship’s propulsion source or main electric system.
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EPA Finalizes Tier 3 and Tier 4 Standards for Locomotive and Marine Diesel Engines
March 15, 2008
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| Progression in NOx and PM standards for switch locomotives (one of the regulated categories). Click to enlarge. |
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its Tier 3 and Tier 4 emissions standards for locomotives and marine diesel engines. Tier 3 emission standards will take effect in 2012, followed by Tier 4 in 2015.
The final requirements will bring earlier and greater emission reductions of NOx and PM from the locomotive and marine sectors than the proposed program envisioned. This is accomplished by finalizing the first-ever national standards for remanufactured large commercial marine diesel engines (above 600kW) and starting Tier 4 NOx requirements for line-haul locomotives and for the largest (2,000-3,700 kW) marine engines two years earlier than initially proposed.
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DP World Orders 19 Siemens Diesel-Hybrid Drive Gantry Cranes for Saigon Port
March 14, 2008
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| ECO-RTG diesel-electric hybrid gantry cranes. Click to enlarge. |
The new Saigon Premier Container Terminal in Vietnam, operated by DP World, has ordered a batch of 13 ECO-RTGs (Rubber Tire Gantry cranes) from Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC) in Shanghai that use Siemens ECO-RTG hybrid drive systems. Siemens will deliver the ECO-RTG systems to ZPMC in October 2008.
This is the second order for RTG hybrids from a DPWorld terminal, following an order for 6 that was placed at the end of 2007 by the DPWorld terminal in Djibouti.
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EU Project Designs Low Criteria Pollutants Ship
March 03, 2008
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| The project demonstrator, the M.V. Victoria. |
Partners from the EU-funded CREATING (Concepts to reduce environmental impact and attain optimal transport performance by inland navigation) project, together with oil multinational BP, have developed a new diesel-powered shipping vessel which emits very low levels of criteria pollutants (NOx, SOx and PM).
The project is based on four principle technologies: urea-based selective catalytic reduction; diesel particulate filters; ultra low sulfur fuel equal to road standard diesel fuel (EN 590); and the Advising Tempomaat (ATM), a system enabling an economically optimized operation of a vessel.
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Kenworth To Begin Production of Class 8 LNG Trucks in 2009
January 24, 2008
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| The Kenworth T800 LNG truck. |
Kenworth Truck Company will begin production of Kenworth Class 8 T800 LNG trucks at its manufacturing facility in Renton, Washington in 2009. Under an exclusive agreement with Westport Innovations Inc. in Vancouver, B.C., Kenworth will use Westport’s LNG HPDI fuel system technology adapted for the Cummins ISX 15-liter engine.
HPDI uses a small amount of diesel to ignite the natural gas in the engine and provides diesel-equivalent torque, horsepower and a range of 400-450 miles. (Earlier post.)
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Fuel Cell Hybrid Passenger Vessel to Begin Service in Germany in Summer 2008
January 04, 2008
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| The Zemships infrastructure and ship. Click to enlarge. |
The EU-funded Zemships (Zero Emission Ships) full cell-powered passenger vessel will begin operation in summer 2008 in Hamburg on the Alster River (a tributary of the Elbe) and in the harbor area.
The demonstration ship, with a capacity of 100 passengers, uses a fuel-cell hybrid drive from Proton Motor (PM), powered by two PM Basic A 50 50kW fuel cell systems. An integrated battery package stores surplus energy from the fuel cells—for example when the ship is stopped at an interim port and requires less power.
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PG&E and Finavera Renewables Enter Into US’ First Commercial Wave Energy Power Purchase Agreement
December 18, 2007
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| Operating principle of the Finavera AquaBuOY. Click to enlarge. |
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has entered into a long-term, two megawatt (MW) commercial wave energy power purchasing agreement (PPA) with Finavera Renewables Inc., the developer of the AquaBuOY wave energy converter. (Earlier post.) This marks the first commercial wave energy power purchasing agreement in the US.
Finavera Renewables has initiated development plans for the two megawatt wave energy project to be constructed approximately 2.5 miles off the coast of Humboldt County, California for electricity delivery to PG&E's customers throughout its northern and central California service territory.
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Beluga Shipping Launches MV Beluga SkySails
December 16, 2007
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| The MV Beluga Skysails at christening. Click to enlarge. |
Beluga Shipping GmbH has launched the 140m MV Beluga Skysails, the world’s first application of the SkySails towing kite auxiliary propulsion system on a cargo vessel. (Earlier post.)
The MV Beluga SkySails is equipped with a towing kite measuring 160 square meters for the first phase of operations. The company anticipates that in this first phase the ship will consume 10-15% less bunker fuel. Later, when the sail is scaled up to 320 square meters in the course of the coming year in order to increase efficiency on the high seas, potential savings of 20-30% are “definitely feasible and realistic,” according to the company.
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California ARB Enacts New Port Measures: Mandatory Cold-Ironing and Crackdown on Older Diesel Trucks
December 09, 2007
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| Under the new regulations, cold-ironing (shore-based electrical power) is mandatory for certain types of vessels. Click to enlarge. |
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) this week enacted two new measures that will significantly reduce diesel particulate matter pollution from ships and trucks throughout the state by 2014.
The first regulation requires operators of certain types of ocean-going vessels to shut down their diesel auxiliary engines while docked at the state’s busiest ports in favor of using shore-based electrical power (cold-ironing). The second regulation will require all drayage trucks in use at the ports in the state to meet 2007 emissions standards by 2014. The latter regulation in essence is designed to purge the port fleets of older, higher emitting diesel trucks.
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EPA Issues Plans for New Emissions Standards for Ocean Vessels
November 29, 2007
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued plans for new emission standards for diesel engines on board large ocean-going vessels. The agency is considering standards for achieving large reductions in oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter, as well as sulfur oxides (SOx) through the use of technologies such as in-cylinder controls, aftertreatment, and low-sulfur fuel.
The advance notice of proposed rulemaking targets emissions from the largest marine diesel engines. These Category 3 marine engines (those with per-cylinder displacement of 30 liters or greater) are used primarily for propulsion power on ocean-going vessels such as container ships, tankers, cruise ships and bulk carriers.
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ARB Approves Measures to Cut Emissions from Commercial Harbor Craft
November 16, 2007
The California Air Resources Board approved a measure designed to reduce harmful emissions from commercial ferries, excursion vessels such as dinner cruises and tour boats, tugs and towboats in California waters as much as 50% by 2015.
With this rule in place, ARB expects emissions of diesel soot and oxides of nitrogen, and their negative health impacts, to be reduced by 40-50% by 2015, and 60-70% by 2025, compared to 2004 levels. The new measure for commercial harbor craft does not include recreational or ocean-going vessels.
