Products & services

ABB–Arkitech collaboration delivers HVAC efficiency gains for MSC Magnifica

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 08 July 2024 08 July 2024

A collaboration between ABB and Arkitech has brought significant efficiency gains for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system on board MSC Magnifica. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data from over 1,500 sensors on the MSC Cruises ship, this technology enables up to 12 percent increase in chiller efficiency to achieve monthly energy savings of 100 MW by the 15-year old ship while maintaining optimal air-handling unit performance.

The HVAC systems onboard cruise ships and ferries are often one of the largest energy consumer after propulsion, making energy efficiency a priority. The ABB solution based on ARK-M20 is designed to minimize the cost and environmental impact of this system. It works by continuously optimizing the HVAC system’s temperature set point in response to variable conditions including weather, seawater temperature, mobility, proportion of passenger capacity filled, time of day and position in port or at sea.

“Controlling the most energy-demanding processes onboard – propulsion, hotel operations and HVAC – is increasingly important,” said Ivana Melillo, Head of Energy Efficiency, MSC Cruise Management (UK) Limited. “Reducing energy needs can decrease fuel consumption and emissions. Thanks to the project, we expect to save 10-12 percent of HVAC energy consumption, equating to nearly 1 ton of fuel saved daily. The greatest emissions savings come from the fuel we don't use.”

“As maritime organizations seek to enhance operational efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint, innovative technologies like ARK-M20 are well positioned to support this growing demand,” said Alessandro De Santis, Manager – Service Area South Europe, ABB Marine & Ports. “Our collaboration with Arkitech and MSC Cruises emphasizes our commitment to delivering measurable energy savings and operational improvements through technology. The project’s success is yet another testament to our leadership in advancing efficiency and sustainability in the maritime industry.”

Supplied in a modular plug-and-play configuration, the ARK-M20 system can be installed seamlessly during normal vessel operations to offer a platform to monitor vessel air quality. As well as providing a safe and comfortable environment for passengers and crew, optimizing HVAC performance contributes towards compliance with regulations such as the International Maritime Organization’s Carbon Intensity Indicator.

“The results achieved by our ARK-M20 system onboard MSC Magnifica exceeded our initial target, equating to energy savings of 100 MW per month and an anticipated 1,600–2,000 MW per year,” said Sander Huijer, Chief Executive Officer, Arkitech. “We are grateful to ABB for its support, in a project which demonstrates the efficiency gains, cost savings and emissions reduction, which can be achieved without compromising performance or guest and crew comfort.”

Photo credit: MSC Cruises

Auramarine wins methanol fuel supply system order for Mein Schiff 7

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 06 June 2024 06 June 2024

Auramarine Ltd, the leading fuel supply systems pioneer for the marine, process and power industries, has announced that it has won an order from Meyer Turku shipyard for a methanol fuel supply system and associated equipment for the luxury Mein Schiff 7 cruise vessel owned by TUI Cruises.

Auramarine’s equipment deliveries began in 2023 and continued over the spring of 2024. Sea trials were conducted in May 2024, and the vessel is scheduled for delivery over the summer this year. The newbuild is the first of its kind in the maritime industry and aligns with TUI Cruises’ sustainability strategy of offering the first climate-neutral cruises by 2030. In conjunction with this, TUI Cruises’ fleet is reducing CO2 emissions by 27.5 per cent in absolute terms by 2030.

Mein Schiff 7 is a state-of-the-art vessel that prioritises sustainability and efficiency. With a length of 316 meters and a width of 35.8 meters, it can accommodate nearly 2,900 passengers and 1,000 crew members. The cruise ship’s operations will be powered by low-emission marine diesel oil, with a sulphur content of 0.1 per cent, and a shore power connection for almost zero-emission operation in port (which accounts for 40 per cent of its operating time).

Tapani Pulli, Deputy CEO at Meyer Turku, said: “With the building of Mein Schiff 7, TUI Cruises is setting new standards for driving sustainability and emissions reduction within the cruise market. As the first methanol-ready cruise vessel, having the right technology and infrastructure to successfully and safely deliver the new fuel is central to efficient and sustainable operations. Auramarine is pioneering the development of systems that meet the shipping industry’s requirements within the energy transition, and we are delighted to have them onboard supporting Meyer Turku and our customers.”

Auramarine’s methanol fuel supply system ensures the safe delivery of methanol from the service tank to the master fuel valve, regulating the flow, pressure and temperature of the methanol to meet the specific requirements of the engine. The system actively maintains the supply pressure within the specified tolerances during load changes and filters the fuel to prevent any impurities from entering the engine. As part of the order, Auramarine will supply the methanol bunker and transfer systems including the vital automation and safety systems that ensure safe and reliable operations. A gas detection system and a methanol bilge system are also included.

“We have worked very closely with Meyer Turku throughout the development and design of this methanol fuel supply system for this project,” said John Bergman, CEO at Auramarine.

“We have spent a significant amount of time, using our 50 years of experience, to bring to market new supply solutions that empower our customers to deliver on their sustainability strategies while meeting shipping’s decarbonisation targets. We are honoured that Meyer Turku and TUI Cruises have selected and entrusted us to deliver our methanol supply system and to play a part in the development of this pioneering cruise vessel.”

Marinfloc pioneers in wastewater treatment, ahead of upcoming regulations

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 22 June 2024 22 June 2024

As the maritime industry prepares for the revision of MEPC 107(49) in 2025, a regulation overdue for more than 15 years, many manufacturers of bilge water separators are facing the challenge of redesigning their concepts to adapt to a new reality. This is particularly challenging for ships with dual fuels. However, Marinfloc, a leader in wastewater treatment solutions, stands in a league of its own with future-ready products that have been setting industry standards since 1996.

Since its inception, Marinfloc has ensured that every product is adaptable, capable of handling any changes in onboard conditions without the need for complete redesigns. This means Marinfloc separators can seamlessly adjust to shifts in fuel types, lubricating oils, and chemicals, providing a significant advantage as the industry moves towards new regulations."

Welcome to the new reality; we were already here yesterday," says Benny Carlson, co-founder of Marinfloc AB. This forward-thinking approach ensures that Marinfloc's customers enjoy continuous compliance without the disruption of frequent equipment upgrades or replacements. They trust Marinfloc to deliver solutions that not only meet current regulations but are also ready for future challenges.

For over a quarter of a century, Marinfloc has been at the forefront of wastewater treatment solutions for vessels and offshore platforms. Their unwavering commitment has always been to craft the world's finest systems, ensuring pristine waters across the globe.

Every innovation and solution provided by Marinfloc is driven by their vision of "a clean sea," emphasizing their commitment to a sustainable and thriving marine ecosystem for generations to come.

Photo: Advanced exhaust gas water treatment system

Mika Hovilainen appointed CEO of Aker Arctic

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 03 June 2024 03 June 2024

Mika Hovilainen has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Aker Arctic. He has been serving as the Interim CEO since 1 February 2024. Mika has been a part of Aker Arctic since the beginning of 2006. From initially working as a project engineer, Mika has continually expanded his contributions to ship design, working as a chief designer, project manager of ship design projects, and most recently as the Head of Ship Design for the past four years. He has been deeply involved in most of the major design projects at Aker Arctic and has been part of the company’s Management Team.

“I am honoured to continue working at Aker Arctic as a Managing Director and CEO. Having previously served in various positions, I’ve witnessed the company’s exceptional commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence. As we continue our journey, I look forward to collaborating with our exceptional team, clients, and partners to shape the future of navigation in icy waters,” says Mr. Mika Hovilainen.

“During his time as interim CEO, Mika showed us that he is the right candidate for the CEO position. We could notice that he is appreciated and respected by both customers and the employees. On behalf of the board, I would like to wish Mika all the best,” says Chairman Mikael Mäkinen