Products & services

Hydrogen energy system for cruise vessels: DNV grants preliminary approval to HAV Group ASA

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 02 June 2022 02 June 2022

DNV has awarded the Norwegian technology provider HAV Group ASA preliminary approval for its hydrogen-based energy system.

The system uses liquefied hydrogen storage and fuel cells and was created as part of the FreeCO2ast project, which is currently developing a high-capacity hydrogen energy system that can be retrofitted onboard two coastal cruise vessels owned by the Norwegian operator Havila Kystruten.

The preliminary approval through DNV means that HAV Group ASA can confidently enter the final design stage and is one step closer to commercializing its hydrogen system.

Green hydrogen could play an important role in the decarbonization of shipping – both in terms of its potential as an enabler for synthetic fuels, as well as its direct use as ship fuel. However, hydrogen’s unique properties make it a complex fuel to work with, and the lack of prescriptive regulations means that companies wishing to launch hydrogen systems need to follow the IMO guidelines on alternative design (MSC.1/Circ.1455). As with all emerging fuels, the maintenance of high safety levels when using hydrogen is paramount.

“The Alternative design approval process is used for novel ship designs that cannot be approved with the current prescriptive regulations and the final approval is granted by the Flag State. We at DNV, were very pleased that HAV Group ASA selected us as their chosen partner to carry out a third-party verification review as part of the Alternative Design approval process,” explained Ivar Håberg, Director of Approval, Ship Classification, DNV Maritime.

He added: “Our assessments have shown that the preliminary design complied with the goal and functional requirements in the IGF Code (IMO International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels). This means that HAV Group ASA has successfully demonstrated that their concept fulfils the initial criteria for safe and reliable operations with hydrogen as ship fuel. It’s been a pleasure to work with HAV Group ASA, and we look forward to seeing the final design take shape.”

Gunnar Larsen, CEO of HAV Group ASA, said: “Getting a hydrogen energy system off the ground is a complex and very challenging undertaking, and we are very proud to have come this far. Getting to this stage has been the result of four years of cooperation with our internal and external partners in the FreeCo2ast project and excellent support from experts at DNV. Their guidance has been essential in successfully navigating the Alternative Design process.”

In a separate project, DNV advisory experts supported HAV Group ASA with Hazard Identification (HAZID study) and Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) for every aspect of their hydrogen fuel system, including bunkering, storage tanks, the fuel supply system and other auxiliary systems that are connected to the hydrogen system on board the vessels.

Heineken introduces Heineken Silver for a new generation beer drinkers

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 June 2022 01 June 2022

Launching now in the global cruise and ferry sector, Heineken Silver is a new, extra-refreshing lager brewed to 4% ABV, crafted using an ice-cold brewing process at -1°C to create a crisp flavour and subtle finish.

Perfectly suited to the cruise market with its accessible, extra refreshing taste and crisp, subtle finish, Heineken Silver is carefully balanced to provide a lighter drinking profile that works across a wide spectrum of drinking occasions. HEINEKEN believes that no other beer has been developed with such a precise focus on the specific needs of its target audience.

Christian Klimpke, Global Account Manager Cruises, HEINEKEN Global Duty Free, explains the rationale for Heineken Silver. “With its refreshing and easy-to-drink taste profile, Heineken Silver is the ideal on-board drink for any occasion. Our research shows rising consumer demand for mindful consumption with accessible, premium and lighter style, lower alcohol drinks – a trend growing at 40% in the last five years, across all age groups and especially notable among Millennials, Gen Y and Gen Z drinkers.

“Heineken Silver is both accessible and inclusive, wrapped in a supercool, contemporary look, making it ideal for social occasions and perfect for the cruise and ferry market. We believe that 4% ABV is a ‘sweet spot’, delivering the balance consumers desire and, as lager under-indexes with Gen Y and Gen Z drinkers, Heineken® Silver is a huge opportunity for us to engage with this crucial audience. We are taking a holistic approach to the launch of Heineken Silver, with activations for consumers, end customers and crew.”

Heineken Silver has been brewed with the same traditional ingredients used across the brand’s 149-year heritage: water, barley malt, hop extract and the classic A-Yeast. Created under the meticulous craftsmanship of the Brew Master to ensure its taste meets the needs of a new generation of discerning drinkers, the taste profile of Heineken® Silver is unmistakeably aligned to the classic original taste profile of its ‘older brother’. Willem van Waesberghe, Global Craft and Brew Master at HEINEKEN, said: “Heineken Silver was brewed to be an all-round crowd pleaser, and the perfect partner to celebrate authentic moments of joy and real beer moments. It is crafted with all the same pure, natural ingredients we know people love from our original recipe.”

Heineken Silver is launching in cruise and ferry markets throughout 2022. It is initially available in 330ml bottles. Reflecting the marketing channels and formats that provide optimal reach to Gen Y and Gen Z, the physical launch of Heineken Silver was preceded by an original and intriguing social media campaign launch in the metaverse as ‘the world’s first virtual beer’.

GE Power Conversion says progress in GHG emission reduction efforts

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 24 May 2022 24 May 2022

GE Power Conversion is marking the success of two innovation projects aimed at reducing maritime greenhouse gas emissions.

GE is helping to make progress towards net zero operations for ship and port operators through cleaner power systems and digital energy management. At sea and on land, its electric microgrid systems can host integration of new energy sources and smarter digital and control technologies as they develop.

GE’s projects, part of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, benefitted from partners’ vessel and port applications to accelerate solutions based on ‘real-world’ scenarios.

Power and energy specialists GE have been working on integration of multi-megawatt (MW) solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems into a large ship architecture with partners Ceres, Lloyd’s Register and MSC Cruise Management (UK) Ltd.

The team’s efforts resulted in a major milestone - a collaborative design for up to 10MW on-board solid oxide fuel cell power installations. At this scale, systems are able to provide electric power for large ships, and replace conventional diesel generating sets. The system has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 47%, and significantly improve air quality and noise pollution when ships are in port. SOFC have the benefit of being able to operate on different types of new, cleaner fuels, a benefit as ship operators look to accommodate the transition to future fuels.

GE has also been working on reducing emissions at ports by helping to manage power and energy more efficiently. With project partners PD Ports Ltd, Connected Places Catapult and Teesside University, GE’s cloud-based, integrated digital concept aims to improve situational awareness on energy supply and demand. Benefitting from PD Ports’ data has enabled the team to create operational scenarios to carry out testing using an emulated digital twin platform. Digital energy management is part of GE Power Conversion’s range of Port Electrification solutions.

GE Power Conversion’s Managing Director in the UK, Andy Cooper, said: “Industry is investing in ‘clean ship’ and ‘clean port’ technology readiness, but it’s really important we work with customers on their operational needs if the path to net zero is to be viable. Congratulations to the teams on making impressive progress towards potential commercialization”

Storylines residential ship teams up with Telenor Maritime

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 30 May 2022 30 May 2022

With global connectivity and remote work opportunities, residents on board the residential ship Narrative will enjoy unique, memorable and life-changing experiences while traveling the world in their global residence.Telenor Maritime - an established leader in maritime communications

Telenor Maritime has assisted Storylines in designing the on-board network and advised on best network architecture to ensure superior coverage and efficiency. Narrative’s complex network must cover innovative ship solutions and a myriad of connectivity needs; for internet, equipment, television and entertainment, electronic door locks, internal phone systems and personal device connectivity among many others.

Providing a good internet connection to residents and crew is Telenor Maritime’s number one priority. There are many remote working entrepreneurs running their businesses from the ship, including having Storylines corporate headquarters on board. With the largest business facilities at sea, the ship offers shared work spaces, private offices, a reception area, conference rooms and event venues. The expectations for the network are very high and the best available service with high speeds that can be accessed from anywhere in the world, including in the middle of the ocean, are provided on board.

“Internet connectivity is a key component of today’s society, making it essential in everyday life; both for operational and leisure usage. Therefore, it is one of the key elements of Storylines’ IT projects. Storylines is committed to providing the best possible level of internet access, no matter what route the ship takes,” said Krzysztof Kontek, Storylines IT and Telecom Manager.

Telenor Maritime delivered detailed and precise documentation that met all requirements and exceeded expectations. “The work that Storylines and Telenor Maritime have conducted together thus far has been very smooth. We are pleased to be working with Telenor Maritime as a technology partner for our ship Narrative,” Kontek continued.

Azamara partners with Versonix Software

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 20 May 2022 20 May 2022

Azamara, an upmarket cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences, will partner with Versonix Seaware, a leading software company that provides an integrated platform to cruise lines that maximises efficiency through sales, marketing and revenue yield management capabilities.

Through investing in this partnership, set to launch at the beginning of 2023, Azamara is committed to simplifying the overall booking experience with updated technology platforms for its trusted travel advisors and guests, making the business process with Azamara as seamless as possible.

“We are very pleased to officially partner with Versonix Seaware to provide a more seamless customer experience for our travel partners when booking with Azamara,” said Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. “We’re focused on creating a smooth transition for travel advisors and guests to our new Seaware reservations platform.”

The launch of Azamara’s new reservations platform will be developed in partnership with Versonix Seaware, which has revolutionized the cruise and travel industry by powering reservations for over 20 million passengers and 100 ships around the world each year. Today, Versonix Seaware’s best in class reservation platform maintains a customer centric and revenue management driven solution, leading its customers to achieve consistent and successful results by being the only true business rules-based system in the industry. Serving as a common point for all distribution channels including OTA, GDS, B2B, B2C and contact center, guaranteeing seamless integration.

“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Azamara, and to be part of its new and differentiated experiences for guests and travel agents,” said Yuri Polissky, Chief Operating Officer of Versonix. “Versonix Seaware will be arming Azamara to deliver world class service to travel agents and guests, while providing a seamless and hassle-free reservations booking experience. In addition, Versonix Seaware will enable Azamara to enhance its Destination Immersion® experiences even further.”

In advance of the system going live, travel advisors currently enrolled with Azamara will receive robust training along with their personal log-in details.