Products & services

ABB enables emissions-free port stay in Marseille for Corsica Linea ferries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 12 September 2019 12 September 2019

With ABB's shore connection technology, three Corsica Linea ferries will cut emissions and noise pollution when berthing in the Port of Marseille, France.

Instead of running diesel-fueled auxiliary engines, Paglia Orba, Jean Nicoli and Pascal Paoli ferries will use electricity for power at berth. Each of the three vessels is being modified to feature ABB’s power compensation solution Dynacomp, which allows electricity available from the local grid in Marseille to be stepped down to 11KV in order to take care of ship power needs while in port.

“ABB shore connection technology enables the type of emissions-free ship power that regulators, ports and local residents increasingly demand. With ABB’s proven technology, Paglia Orba, Jean Nicoli and Pascal Paoli will be emissions-free when berthed in Marseille,” said Ludovic Amouroux, Project Manager, Corsica Linea. “We estimate we will use between 7MWh and 11 MWh of zero-emission power per call, depending on the vessel.”

“Decision-makers in the ferry sector like Corsica Linea continue to lead on zero-emission shore power, proving that existing vessels can significantly reduce environmental impact with technology that is available to shipowners today. We are delighted to offer our turnkey shore connection solution to meet Corsica Linea’s shoreside power needs,” said Jyri Jusslin, Head of Service, ABB Marine & Ports.

The project covers the supply and shipboard installation of electrical, mechanical and automation systems to enable shore power connection. On the shore side, ABB will deliver a custom-designed cable management system on the quay at Marseille.

The three Corsica Linea ferries carrying vehicles and passengers connect Marseille and Corsica island, for 48 weeks of the year. The installation of ABB’s shore connection technology on one of the ferries, Paglia Orba, is already underway, while the two remaining vessels will be connected to shore power in 2020.

Worldwide, ferries transport 2.1 billion passengers and 250 million vehicles every year, according to trade association Interferry. With increasing passenger volumes, the ferry industry is under pressure to meet International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) target of reducing annual emissions by 30 percent by 2025.

After France presented an impact assessment to IMO in late 2018, momentum is building to designate the Mediterranean Sea as an Emissions Control Area where stricter controls are in place to minimize emissions from ships.

Port of Marseille’s efforts to reduce emissions include participation within the EU-funded CLIMEPORT greenhouse gas initiative, while Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPPM) has also built the infrastructure at two berths to facilitate shore side power connections.

VIKAND appointed by seven cruise lines to run their onboard medical operations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 12 September 2019 12 September 2019

VIKAND, the leader in global maritime medical operations and healthcare solutions, is experiencing a record-breaking year after launching the onboard medical operations for seven new cruise lines, including Jalesh Cruises, Mystic Cruises, the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection (pictured left), Antartica 21, Aurora Expeditions, Scenic Cruises, and Virgin Voyages. In addition to expanding its thriving cruise line client portfolio, VIKAND also today announced it continues to grow across the fleets of its existing cruise line partners, recently assuming medical operations for SAGA Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery – Britain’s newest ship – as well as Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Jupiter. With these new clients, VIKAND is further proving the company’s well-deserved stance as a leader in the maritime industry.

“Operating a remote medical facility at sea presents various challenges that require professional management, and we are proud to have partners who confidently entrust us with such a critical responsibility,” said Peter Hult, CEO of VIKAND. “The VIKAND team is comprised of dynamic and knowledgeable maritime medical professionals who work tirelessly to provide customized medical services, the latest biomedical technology, and world-class medical staff — giving our partners access to the very best resources while reducing their risk exposure.”

VIKAND is generally contracted 18 months to two years before the launch of a new cruise line or vessel to support the entire set-up of the onboard medical center. The company’s primary areas of focus include layout and design of an onboard medical facility, equipment and formulary recommendations, development of policies and procedures, purchasing and logistical support, as well as equipment installation.

As the medical management provider to the cruise industry, VIKAND offers a range of healthcare service options, including a proprietary healthcare solution, a comprehensive biomedical and X-Ray program, case and claims management, medical escorting and a customized wellness program that includes crew maintenance and loss prevention. With VIKAND serving as the medical manager for its seven new cruise line partners, cruise operators can leave the logistics of operating a medical facility to the experts, focusing on what matters most – guest experience.

V.Ships Leisure to manage REV Ocean research and expedition vessel

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 02 September 2019 02 September 2019

V.Ships Leisure in Monaco that is part of the London based V.Group, said it will partner with REV Ocean to provide a tailored suite of ship management services for the world’s largest and most advanced research and expedition vessel, scheduled for completion in 2021.

REV Ocean is a not-for-profit foundation created with one overarching purpose and ambition: To make the ocean healthy again. Any profit generated from our projects will be reinvested into our work for a healthier ocean. This global initiative is established and funded by Norwegian businessman Kjell Inge Røkke, the organsation says on its website

The vessel will be equipped for conducting research that covers the entire marine ecosystem, using advanced technology systems developed by world-leading knowledge clusters in Norway. It will be used by scientists for innovative research expeditions which explore issues such as the impact that CO2 emissions have on the oceans, plastic pollution, protection of endangered species and sustainable fishing.

The vessel will be constructed to run on diesel electric propulsion system, with an additional 3MW lithium-ion battery pack for peak shaving and ensuring optimum efficiency.

Following its launch at Vard's Tulcea shipyard, Romania on 23 August, the vessel is now on its way to the Brattvåg shipyard of Vara on the west coast of Norway for fitting out.

Per Bjornsen, V.Ships Leisure Director, said: “While the maritime industry endeavours to reduce carbon emissions across its global fleet, it’s also imperative that we continue look at the whole picture, both inside and outside of our industry, if we are to build towards a better and more sustainable future. With this in mind, we have made it our goal at V.Group to go beyond helping our customers to meet regulation, to leading the fight for cleaner shipping."

"This exciting new partnership with REV Ocean will allow us to leverage V.Group’s unique range of expertise and experience, and our powerful digital ship management platform ShipSure, to contribute to vital scientific research and maximise positive impact, on a vessel that demonstrates the cutting edge in green ship technology.”

Wärtsilä solutions to support Hurtigruten’s green push in expedition cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 06 September 2019 06 September 2019

The technology group Wärtsilä that has its headquarters in Helsinki said it will supply a broad scope of solutions that will support Hurtigruten, the world’s largest expedition cruise operator, in its push for greener and more sustainable shipping. Hurtigruten, considered one of the world’s most sustainable cruise operators, is converting an additional three vessels to become premium, hybrid powered expedition cruise ships. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in Q2 2019 and covers the ‘MS Finnmarken’, the first of the three vessels to be upgraded. Following the conversion project, the 140 metre, 530 guest MS Finnmarken will be renamed the MS Otto Sverdrup.

The scope includes upgrading the ship’s Wärtsilä engines for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to restrict emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Four Wärtsilä Nitrogen Oxide Reducer (NOR) systems will be installed for this conversion. Wärtsilä will also deliver two Energopac systems. The integrated propeller and rudder design of the Wärtsilä Energopac utilises advanced hydrodynamic technology to optimise propulsion efficiency. This enables effective savings in fuel, costs, and emissions. The ship will also have the capability to operate on battery power to further lessen its environmental footprint.

“We have enjoyed a good customer relationship with Hurtigruten for many years, and we are pleased and honoured to have been selected to supply our sustainable solutions to a company that is committed to protecting the environment. The fact that we could deliver Tier III certificates for the total installation was a significant factor in the award of this contract,” says Cato Esperø, Head of Sales, Service Unit Nordics and Baltics, Wärtsilä Marine.

“At Hurtigruten, the push for sustainable solutions and introduction of green technology is the core of everything we do. We operate in some of the most spectacular areas of the world. This comes with a responsibility,” says Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten.

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in December of this year. Hurtigruten has announced that all new additions to its fleet, as well as its existing vessels, will be made compliant with the IMO’s Tier III regulations.

Wärtsilä to supply Auto Gasification waste treatment system for Regal Princess

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 29 August 2019 29 August 2019

The technology group Wärtsilä that has its headquarters in the Finnish capital Helsinki, said it will supply and install an Auto Gasification solution for Regal Princess, a Princess Cruises vessel.

“This innovative technology will enable the safe disposal of waste from the ship through a self-fuelling thermal decomposition unit, thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also lessen the requirement to offload waste at shore facilities,” the company said in a statement.

Princess Cruises is a Carnival Corporation & plc brand operating as part of the Holland America Group. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in July 2019.

The Wärtsilä supplied gasification unit will replace one of the vessel’s onboard incinerators, and will safely dispose of hazardous, contaminated, and dry burnable waste in an environmentally sustainable way. The emissions quality from this system exceed the standards of land based thermal destruction, and treating waste onboard the vessel rather than offloading in port therefore significantly reduces the environmental impact.

Furthermore, since the system recovers energy from the waste heat being produced by the thermal destruction process, additional energy and emission savings will be gained. The auto gasification process will reduce the ship’s waste to less than 5 percent of the original volume, and will produce Bio Char, a sterilised inert material, and syngas (synthesis gas), which is recycled within the unit as fuel.

“Wärtsilä and Carnival have cooperated closely on numerous projects over the years, and we have delivered a number of advanced waste treatment systems for their vessels. Our experience with the Auto Gasification technology will help support them in their focus on efficiency and environmental sustainability,” says Jason Hardy, Head of Sales, Advanced Waste Management (Retrofit), Wärtsilä Marine.