Departments

Marinfloc pioneers in wastewater treatment, ahead of upcoming regulations

Details: 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

Auramarine wins methanol fuel supply system order for Mein Schiff 7

Details: 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.”

Mika Hovilainen appointed CEO of Aker Arctic

Details: 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

VOW ASA receives its largest ever contract for cruise ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 31 May 2024 31 May 2024

Vow ASA has been awarded its largest contract to date in cruise for delivery of complete wastewater and waste treatment systems for two ships (one firm plus one option) in 2025 and 2026 respectively. The total value of the contract, including option, is EUR 28.4 million. The name of the yard and cruise operator will be disclosed at a later date.

“The new ship design marks a significant shift towards even more environmental and sustainable cruise operations at sea. The Scanship system on board will not only prevent discharge to sea, but it will also convert organic waste streams into eco-friendly bioenergy and produce stable carbon for long-term storage,” said Henrik Badin, CEO of Vow ASA.

Equipment for the first ship will be delivered in 2025, and the ship’s maiden voyage is scheduled for 2026. Deliveries to the second ship follow one year later. The firm part of the contract is valued at EUR 13.9 million and the option is valued at EUR 14.5 million.

“The contract value reflects current and expected cost level and our margin targets, and contract and payment terms have been significantly improved,” Badin added.

Several major cruise companies have announced ambitious plans to renew their fleets. With its technology and track record as trusted supplier to several of these, Vow considers itself well placed to secure a significant share of this market. So far this year, Vow has announced contracts worth close to EUR 50 million in cruise.

LR to support the retrofit of two Stena Line ferries to methanol

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 19 May 2024 19 May 2024

Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII will be transferred to LR Class and converted to methanol propulsion.

Building upon the success of the Stena Germanica in 2015, Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Stena Lines will work together on a project to retrofit two fast roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels with methanol propulsion.

The conversion will see the Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII Ro-Ro ferries, which operate on the Scotland to Northern Ireland route between Cairnryan and Belfast, converted to methanol dual-fuel propulsion with the vessels transferring class to LR.

As part of the project, the retrofit process will convert two out of the four main engines in each vessel to run on methanol alongside MGO (Marine Gas Oil). The ship’s bunkering, storage, fuel supply and supporting systems will also be adapted for methanol.

The LR-classed Stena Germanica is the only retrofitted methanol vessel in service and will provide valuable experience for the project to convert Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII.

Paul Herbert, Principal Technology Specialist, Lloyd’s Register said: “The project to retrofit the Stena Superfast VII and VIII with methanol dual-fuel propulsion underlines Stena Line Ferries and LR’s shared commitment to sustainability and the importance of embracing alternative fuels for a more sustainable future. Leveraging our expertise and experience gained from the successful conversion of the Stena Germanica in 2015, we are poised to deliver another groundbreaking solution that will pave the way for greener and more efficient ferry operations.”

Ian Hampton, COO Fleet & Government Affairs, Stena Line Ferries said: "As we continue to implement our strategy to decarbonise our operations, we still see methanol as a viable alternative fuel that will help us achieve this ambition. Lloyds Register with their knowledge and experience from supporting the conversion project of Stena Germanica nine years ago will once again be able to provide the necessary support with these retrofits of our existing tonnage. In the process, it will make them more sustainable by reducing CO2 emissions and encouraging the technology and development needed on our ongoing journey towards fossil free shipping.”

LR’s recent Fuel for thought: Methanol for Passenger Ships report shows that methanol is an increasingly technically viable for shipowners, however Infrastructure and investment need to be prioritised for widespread adoption. LR has also built upon its expertise with projects such as the partnership with Danish methanol-as-marine-fuel consultancy Green Marine focusing on seafarer training for methanol handling and approval in principle for NACKS methanol-fuelled 81,000 DWT bulk carrier.