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Eni and Fincantieri sign MOU to extend technology research cooperation

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 June 2020 04 June 2020

The CEOs of the Italian energy group Eni and the shipbuilding company Fincantieri, Claudio Descalzi and Giuseppe Bono, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which extends the cooperation in Research & Development sector, set out by the two Italian companies in 2017, which now approaches new technological frontiers, Fincantieri said in a statement.

The main focus of the extension will be the joint evaluation of opportunities for the development of innovative initiatives in the field of decarbonisation and circular economy. The activities will focus mainly on waste to energy, production and transport of energy carriers as natural gas, methanol or hydrogen, fuel cells applications, the development and deployment of off-shore renewable technologies.

Over the three years of the previous agreement, Eni and Fincantieri have collaborated to the development of several concepts of floating offshore production platforms, with a modular and reversible approach, developed according to a Fincantieri patent, a Floating Gas to Methanol with Eni technology and a Floating Independent Power Plant (FIPP).

Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, stated: “Thanks to the developed synergies, Fincantieri and Eni will concretely support the country's sustainable development. This agreement perfectly fits into the long-term strategy we have designed. To build the new Eni we have combined economic and environmental sustainability, we are working on a just transition by providing energy in a profitable way and, at the same time, obtaining an important reduction in the carbon footprint. Natural gas, a fossil energy source with the lowest carbon footprint, will represent in Eni’s production mix an increasing component in the coming years: 60% in 2025, reaching 85% in 2050. In this process, Fincantieri represents a strategic partner with whom we continue to research and develop innovative technologies and systems.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, commented: “We believe that the success of this partnership is very good news for Italy, especially given that the cooperation explores a key sector such as the one of sustainable development. The ability of big two national industrial players to pool experiences, professional skills, and above all their visions for the future is a huge strategic achievement.”

Bono concluded: "I am very pleased because the research path we are charting with a group such as Eni has already led to the creation of several projects, consolidating the technological lead which allowed our companies to obtain important achievements worldwide.”

KiwiRail’s newbuilding project of two ferries for the New Zealand’s Cook Strait is on track

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 June 2020 03 June 2020

With a NZD 400 Million contribution to the 2020 Budget, state-owned KiwiRail is now able to go out to international tender to build two new 50,000 gross ton future-proof ships and modernising their fleet. In close cooperation with KiwiRail’s team, Danish naval architects OSK-ShipTech A/S have developed the concept for the two new ferries.

On Thursday 28 May, KiwiRail issued a request for proposal to find a preferred shipyard to build the two new rail-enabled RoPax ferries for the operator Interislander. This is the next step in the procurement process and a central move towards realising the two newbuildings. When entering into service in 2024 and 2025, the new ferries will replace the existing fleet of three ships, and at that time it will be more than 25 years since New Zealand last introduced purpose-build ferries completely tailored to future operations and local circumstances.

In close cooperation with KiwiRail, Danish naval architects and ship designers OSK-ShipTech have developed the concept for the two new rail-enabled ferries, which will be able to carry twice the number of passengers, nearly double the number of trucks and other vehicles as well as a 300-percent increase in rail wagons compared to the existing vessels. When completed, New Zealand commuters and tourists will experience a significant strengthening of the infrastructure and service between capitol Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island.

“We can’t stress how happy we are to have entered into this collaboration with KiwiRail, which underlines the market position of OSK-ShipTech globally, our wide expertise in passenger ferry design as well as many years’ experience in designing for both private owners and state-owned operators,” says Anders Ørgård, Chief Commercial Officer of OSK-ShipTech.

He continues: “Central for the design is maximum fuel efficiency and minimum emissions of CO2, and aside from being able to run on batteries at times, the new ferries will be future-proof and adaptable to new fuel sources continuously and as they become available. We are really excited about this forward-looking project and collaboration on the continued development for KiwiRail in the region.”

As part of the project, new terminals tailored to the vessels will also be developed in order to optimise the infrastructure and fully benefit of the new designs.

P&O Cruises extends sailings pause to 15 October

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 June 2020 02 June 2020

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, has decided to extend a pause in its sailings up to and including 15 October, President Paul Ludlow said on Twitter.

Refunds or credits of 125% will be offered to those affected. The credits can now be redeemed online so that a call to the office is not required to do this, he said. They can also used to book another cabin or transferred to another person for a certain of period of time.

Ludlow said that enhanced procedures to ensure everyone’s well being on future cruises are being developed. This is a complex project that includes pre-boarding, crew-passenger interaction on board from service to entertainment and dining, plus aspects relating to shore excursions.

Iona commences sea trials

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 June 2020 01 June 2020

Iona, the first of two LNG powered newbuildings from Meyer Werft in Germany to P&O Cruises in the UK, has commenced sea trials in the North Sea.

Several video clips posted in YouTube show the ship that has a gross tonnage of some 185,000 putting out to the sea. The vessel is based on a common platform shared by AIDA Cruises, Costa Crociere, Carnival Cruise Line and P&O Cruises . The ships are to be built at Meyer's shipyards in Germany and Finland and Iona is the third unit in the series after AIDAnova and Costa Smeralda.

A second, yet unnamed vessel is due for delivery for P&O Cruises in 2022. However, Carnival Corporation & plc that owns P&O Cruises has indicated that deliveries of newbuildings could be postponed in an effort to cut capital expenditure.

The company has not stated whether or not this would affect the second P&O Cruises’ ship.

Meyer Werft to drydock Iona in Rotterdam

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 May 2020 28 May 2020

The cruise ship Iona is sailing to Rotterdam for inspection work. There, Meyer Werft's current new build ship for P&O Cruises, which is currently undergoing final outfitting in Bremerhaven, will enter dry dock. The arrival in Rotterdam is scheduled for 2 June.

The passage from Bremerhaven to the Netherlands will also be used for technical and nautical test runs in the North Sea. For this reason, Iona will be leaving the Columbus-kaje Pier as early as 30 May.

On board, everyone is working hand in hand to complete the 50th cruise ship built by Meyer Werft. The work has been going on since the ship was transferred over the river Ems. Nevertheless, the corona crisis is causing considerable restrictions in the final outfitting of Iona.

After work on board had to be temporarily interrupted due to the corona crisis in March, the Port Medical Service (German: Hafenärztlicher Dienst, HÄD), the Bremerhaven Port Authority and Meyer Werft were able to draw up a joint concept which allows the continuation of outfitting work under corona protection conditions.

Meyer Werft and P&O Cruises are currently in close coordination for a delivery date.