Generations

Offshore wind is blowing hot, with extraordinary growth forecast through to 2050. Although opportunities for ambitious operators of wind turbine installation vessels (WITVs) are abundant, so too are the challenges – with demands for not only larger, more advanced assets, but also impeccable sustainability credentials.

This article discusses an onshore solution to supply zero-emission electricity on demand to vessels at berth. Electricity is generated by fuel cells using hydrogen produced using renewable energy, and stored locally. Plant equipment can easily be built into containers or e-houses, with the added benefit of scalability to match demand requirements.

The John Nurminen Foundation is a champion of the seas, or, to be specific, the Baltic Sea. CEO Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt outlines key issues, ambitions and the desire for collaborative commitment. 

Rotterdam’s Value Maritime has hit upon what might be seen as a ‘Eureka moment’ for shipping. The start-up has launched a system that not only cleans vessel exhaust emissions and captures CO₂, but also creates a sought-after product for land-based customers.

Shipbuilder and designer Ulstein believes it has a concept capable of facilitating a truly sustainable, zero-emission maritime future. Is this the ‘silver bullet’ solution that the industry, and the world, has been waiting for?

With the increasing adoption of electric vessels, and a growing need for shore power connections, how can ports and transport hubs safeguard the electric grids that serve them? Is there a need for a new wave of electrical infrastructure projects to modernize existing grids, or are there simpler, smarter solutions available?

Underwater radiated noise (URN) is a major issue for the environment, and a growing concern for shipowners and operators worldwide. With existing IMO guidelines under review, new regulations could be set to make their own ‘noise’ in the near future. What can the industry do to minimize the impact of underwater noise in a commercial climate of ever-growing activity?

Icebreakers have been sailing for some 120 years. At first only slightly more powerful than ordinary commercial vessels, in the early years icebreaker propulsion systems consisted of steam engines connected to a propeller. Marine diesel engines later began to replace steam engines in tandem with advances in electric equipment technology.

Just over 20 years ago the very first shore power connection for the cruise industry was introduced in Juneau, Alaska. This is the story of how an environmentally conscious cruise company, a small yet ambitious city, and a bold local power company blazed a trail the rest of the world is still working to follow.

Motivated by cost pressure and environmental concerns, the concept study explored how a future fusion-powered fast and ultra-large container vessel (FPCV) would technically and economically perform in an assumed east-Asia to Europe container transport scenario.

ABB’s widely acclaimed ‘Frozen Music’ video series showcases inspirational buildings around the world and the architectural philosophy behind each one.

Environmentally driven regulations have had a significant impact on shipping in recent years. The marine industry is required to comply with increasingly strict regulations to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions in order to reach the ambitious IMO target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by 50 percent in 2050 compared to 2008.

Maritime transportation contributes nearly three percent of annual carbon-dioxide emissions, and this is predicted to increase to 17 percent by 2050 if no changes are adapted.

Zero-emission vessel ushers in a new era of sustainable ferry transport for Iceland

Grant Romundt, CEO of Ocean Builders, believes we can set sail, permanently, from our homes on land, opting instead for a lifestyle of unlimited freedom, endless adventure, and eco-positive sustainability at sea.

Ambitious Norwegian cruise company Northern Xplorer (NX) aims to make a splash with sustainable cruising for thinking travellers, using eco-friendly ships powered by batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.

Lake Maggiore in Italy is one of the most famous and picturesque in the world, and the San Cristoforo ferry has been a highly visible and much loved local fixture for decades. Tinkering with tradition is not taken lightly in this part of the world, but the transformation of San Cristoforo from diesel to hybrid-electric propulsion has been warmly welcomed among residents and tourists alike.

Ultra-deep wells tap heat from the earth’s core to meet clean energy needs above ground

Establishing an outpost in space to capture power from the sun and beam it down to earth? When science fiction author Isaac Azimov first imagined the concept in his 1941 work “Reason”, it was no more than a distant dream. Now an initiative at Caltech, the California Institute of Technology, is poised to make the vision a reality.

The wave of digitalization sweeping over the maritime industry carries with it an ever-increasing dependency on cyber solutions. Shipping’s challenge is to maximize the benefits of digitalized operations, while keeping cyber risks to a minimum.

From its creation three decades ago to its market leading position in global shipping today, Azipod® propulsion has revolutionized marine transport with its unparalleled performance, efficiency, sustainability and reliability.

Dr. Andry Maykol Pinto is on a mission to make offshore wind power truly sustainable. He is the Project Coordinator for the EU funded ATLANTIS initiative, which is testing technology with the ability to transform wind farm operation and maintenance.

ClassNK’s Corporate Officer Mr. Fujinami, and Manager Mr. Yamada share insights on recently released class guidelines for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).

Hydrogen is gaining momentum in the global energy transition, but experts agree there is still work to do before technology and legislation line up to provide the necessary support to a global green shift – in Europe and beyond.

With delivery of the first all-electric U.S. tugboat – Crowley’s eWolf – in 2023, the Port of San Diego will realize their vision of a zero-emission workboat, ensuring cleaner air from day one of operations, and taking an important step toward a sustainable future for port residents.

The first American female to captain a mega cruise ship, Kate McCue of Celebrity Cruises shares her perspectives on commanding a high-tech vessel, looking after her passengers, and protecting the oceans they sail on.

Ponant is known for providing their passengers with the highest standard of onboard comfort and luxury in the expedition cruise industry. With the delivery of Le Commandant Charcot polar explorer in 2021, they also have one of the safest and cleanest ships on the water.

Leading maritime industry voices taking part in ABB Marine & Ports roundtable confirm that insight gained from experience is allowing the industry to take increasingly smarter steps along the way to autonomy, aided by rapidly evolving digital technologies.

Fossil-free propulsion of small ferries is an important technology for the future. Over the last couple of years we have seen many different implementations utilizing electric drive trains, some of which are summarized in the “Review on electric ferries and charging technologies”

The predictive power behind ABB Ability™ OCTOPUS – Marine Advisory System to monitor and forecast vessel motions is now so evolved that it is tackling some of the most profound safety and efficiency challenges in shipping.

Recently, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) have emerged as the preferred solution in transportation applications, and there are already several marine projects with PEMFC under development.