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How Hapag-Lloyd will comply with the IMO2020 regulation

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The global fuel regulation IMO2020 will enter into force on January 1, 2020 – from that point on, all vessels worldwide will only be able to use fuel oil with a maximum sulfur content of 0.5 percent. In this post , CEO Rolf Habben Jansen explains which options exist for complying with the regulation and discusses the structure of the Marine Fuel Recovery (MFR) mechanism that Hapag-Lloyd introduced in October.

The so-called IMO2020 regulation will entail a radical change for the entire shipping industry. However, the good news is that this regulation will make the industry greener and that it is an important step on the path toward setting uniform standards that will benefit both the environment and people.

The regulation is the largest in a series of International Maritime Organization (IMO) measures aimed at reducing marine pollution. However, it is only the beginning: In addition to reducing sulfur, the IMO also aims to bring about additional reductions in emissions from the entire shipping industry. By 2050, absolute greenhouse gas emissions across the industry are supposed to be halved compared with 2008, and shipping is supposed to be emission-free by 2100.

Source:hellenicshippingnews

Getting ready to fight the invisible cyber intruder

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The threat of a cyber attack is one of the most prominent business risks to any company’s information and operation systems. With rapid digitalisation of the marine industry and increased use of integrated systems and software on ships and offshore platforms, cyber security is becoming critical, not only for data protection but also for reliable and safe marine operations.

The shipping giant Maersk went public with the information that they had been infected with the NotPetya malware, which destroyed their entire infrastructure. In the aftermath, Maersk had to replace 45,000 computers, 4,000 servers, and re-install 2,500 applications at an estimated cost of USD 300 million.

Trusting an outsider
Companies have to often choose whether to build their own dedicated cyber organisation or team up with a partner.

“It can feel a bit awkward, since data is the most important asset a company has and why would one trust that asset with an outsider,” says the globally recognised security expert Mikko Hyppönen, Chief Research Officer at F-Secure Corporation.

But he compares this with outsourcing the guarding of the company premises to an external security company. “You are outsourcing a critical business function to someone who can do it better than yourself.”

Wärtsilä’s Cyber Security as a Service (CaaS) is a packaged solution that is offered to companies with an approach to embed cyber security into the products and services. “We offer a 360-degree security approach to our customers, with four distinct steps. Together with the customer, we assess their level of cyber security to help them understand the status and most important threats. This approach can include anything from simple surveys to in-depth technical vulnerability assessments,” says Kim Eklund, Director, Cyber as a Service at Wärtsilä.

The next step is to build the foundation for cyber security, i.e. the management structure by setting policies, guidelines, responsibilities, and procedures in place. With the foundation in place, Wärtsilä, as an OEM, can help its customers protect their installations from vulnerabilities, e.g. through technical controls.

“The last stage focuses on maintaining resiliency through lifecycle services including threat or vulnerability advisory services or a patching type of service where we continuously update the systems,” explains Eklund.

Today, every company is a software company
The marine industry has a complex value chain, including shipyards, ship owners, charterers, OEM providers and so on. And the looming question is who is responsible for what? In this scenario, the industry is looking for a leader that can provide them with secure technologies, services and solutions. “As an OEM manufacturer and service provider, we want to raise the awareness and become the thought leader of cyber security in the market. When you know what can happen, you are ready to do something to prevent it from happening,” says Eklund.

One step towards becoming a thought leader is the recent Memorandum of Understanding Wärtsilä signed with Templar Executives to establish a cyber academy which was launched in October.

With significant breaches, intrusions or outbreaks in the world, the need within companies to protect itself is now more pronounced than ever. Isolated systems have gradually evolved into systems that are connected in a smart way (Internet of Things). This has made it harder to keep everybody out, especially in more extensive networks. “Today, we have to assume that there is a breach somewhere in our network at any given time and put the focus on quickly detecting the breach and stopping the intruder. Without detection you are facing a potential disaster,” says Hyppönen.

Source:hellenicshippingnews

Big oil traders set to cash in on shipping fuel overhaul

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The world’s biggest oil traders are gearing up to cash in on big disruptions that could hit the shipping fuel market in just over a year due to new U.N.-mandated environmental rules.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations will cut the limit for sulfur in marine fuels globally from 3.5 percent to 0.5 percent from the start of 2020.

“We’re going to hopefully facilitate the new rules in 2020 by helping out the industry and the participants in general to have a reasonably smooth transition,” Marco Dunand, the chief executive of trading house Mercuria, told the Reuters Global Commodities Summit.

He said Mercuria was in talks to finance shipowners who want to install expensive sulfur cleaning kits called scrubbers, allowing them to burn cheaper high sulfur fuel. He declined to name those clients.

The company is offering a package that would include providing compliant fuels via its subsidiary Minerva as well as fuel-price hedging.

Traders are widely expected to benefit as they thrive off efficiently moving products between regions with price dislocations.

But the market currently lacks a benchmark for the new compliant fuel grade.

“There are legitimate concerns about this product being available in multiple locations,” Vitol Group Chief Executive Russell Hardy told the summit.

He added that planning for the changes in the absence of a futures market was complicating matters. “It’s doable but we would like a bit of transparency,” he said.

While S&P Global Platts, the agency that publishes benchmark physical fuel oil price assessments, plans to launch a set of new 0.5 percent sulfur prices starting in January, a paper market does not yet exist.

“I think it will be a bit chaotic in the beginning of 2020 … (but) we don’t think it’s going to be extremely disruptive,” Gunvor CEO Torbjorn Tornqvist told the summit.

Other winners from the changes will be complex refineries that have invested in the right kit to turn high-sulfur products into low-sulfur, or sweet, ones.

This leaves simple refiners that can’t easily clean sulfur from petroleum products at a risk of losing out.

Shipowners, on the other hand, could be facing an extra $30 billion in fuel costs in 2020, according to a base case scenario from consultancy Wood Mackenzie. This compares with a total global shipping fuel bill of roughly $100 billion today.

SCRUBBERS
Vitol sees 3,000-4,000 scrubbers installed around the 2020 implementation date, a number that means high sulfur, or heavy, fuel oil is expected to remain in demand. Vitol has opted to install scrubbers on its bigger ships.

“It’s not the amount of scrubbers you do, but on which ships because the majority of bunker fuel that is consumed today goes on 20-30 percent of the global fleet,” Tornqvist said.

As such, Gunvor, which has also invested in some scrubbers, believes there will still be demand for heavy fuel oil, as scrubber uptake increases through 2020 and 2022.

Vitol expects around 750,000 barrels per day (bpd) of middle distillates to go into the 3 million bpd bunker pool to make the new product. That equates to about 2.5 percent of the entire 30 million bpd distillates market, Hardy said. He added this transition could be achieved with the right price incentives.

Tornqvist said the future price difference of around $40 a barrel between gasoil and heavy fuel oil gave “an extreme incentive to install a scrubber”.

Source:hellenicshippingnews

Eastern Shipbuilding Group Resumes Operations, all OPC Workers Back to Work

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Eastern Shipbuilding Group, a family-owned and operated shipbuilder that is involved in both government and commercial vessel construction and repair, resumed operations at both of its two main shipbuilding facilities just two weeks after Hurricane Michael devastated Panama City Florida and the surrounding communities.

The most powerful storm to ever make landfall in the Florida Panhandle, Hurricane Michael currently stands as the third most powerful hurricane to make landfall in the United States, topped only by Hurricane Camille in 1969 and the Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

However, the majority of ESG’s workforce has returned to work very quickly despite the damage caused by the storm. “Our employees are a resourceful and resilient group of individuals with the drive to succeed in the face of adversity. This has certainly been proven by their ability to bounce back over the two weeks following the storm. Our employees have returned to work much faster than anticipated and brought with them an unbreakable spirit, that I believe sets this shipyard and our community apart” said President Joey D’Isernia. “Today, our staffing levels exceed 80% of our pre-Hurricane Michael levels and is rising daily.”

Immediately following the storm, ESG set out on an aggressive initiative to locate all of its employees and help get them back on the job as soon as practical after they took necessary time to secure the safety and security of their family and home. Together with its network of friends, partners, and customers in the maritime community, ESG organized daily distribution of meals and goods to employees in need. Additionally, ESG created an interest free deferred payback loan program for those employees in need and has organized Go Fund Me account to help those employees hardest hit by the storm. ESG also knew temporary housing was going to be a necessity in the short term and immediately built a small community located on greenfield space near its facilities for those employees with temporary housing needs.

ESG has worked closely with its federal, state and commercial partners over the past two weeks to provide updates on the shipyard as well as on projects currently under construction. Power was restored to ESG’s Nelson Facility on 10-21-18 and at ESG’s Allanton Facility on 10-24-18 and production of vessels under contract is ramping back up. Additionally, all of the ESG personnel currently working on the US Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter contract have returned to work. The Offshore Patrol Cutter contract is the largest project in the Coast Guard’s 228 year history.

“We are grateful to our partners and the maritime business community as a whole for their support and confidence during the aftermath of this historic storm. Seeing our incredible employees get back to building ships last week was an inspiration,” said D’Isernia. “While there is no doubt that the effects of Hurricane Michael will linger with our community for years to come, I can say without reservation that we are open for business and excited about delivering quality vessels to our loyal customers.”

Source:marinelink

Sempra Initiates Cameron LNG Train 1 Commissioning

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Sempra Energy announced that Cameron LNG has initiated the commissioning process for the support facilities and first liquefaction train of Phase 1 of its Hackberry, La., liquefaction-export project.

"All major construction activities have been completed to begin the commissioning and start-up process to produce LNG from the first liquefaction train," said Joseph A. Householder, president and chief operating officer of Sempra Energy.

"This is a significant milestone for this landmark U.S. energy infrastructure facility – an important step forward in advancing our strategic vision to become North America's premier energy infrastructure company," Joseph added.

Phase 1 of the Cameron LNG liquefaction-export project, which includes the first three liquefaction trains, is a $10 billion facility with a projected export capability of 12 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG, or approximately 1.7 billion cubic feet per day. All three trains are expected to be producing LNG in 2019.

The commissioning process includes testing of all support systems, combustion turbines and compressors, as well as the delivery of feed gas from the transmission pipeline and production of the first LNG.

Once all of the steps of the commissioning process are approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and successfully completed for the first liquefaction train, LNG production will start up, and then ramp up to full production for delivery to global markets.

Cameron LNG is jointly owned by affiliates of Sempra LNG & Midstream, Total, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and Japan LNG Investment, LLC, a company jointly owned by Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK).  Sempra Energy indirectly owns 50.2 percent of Cameron LNG.

Sempra Energy's share of full run-rate earnings from the first three trains at Cameron LNG are projected to be between $365 million and $425 million annually.

Cameron LNG Phase 1 is one of five LNG export projects Sempra Energy is developing in North America. Cameron LNG Phase 2, previously authorized by FERC, encompasses up to two additional liquefaction trains and up to two additional LNG storage tanks. Sempra Energy's other LNG development projects include Port Arthur LNG, Energía Costa Azul (ECA) LNG Phase 1 and ECA LNG Phase 2.

Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based energy services holding company with 2017 revenues of more than $11 billion, is the utility holding company with the largest U.S. customer base. The Sempra Energy companies' approximately 20,000 employees serve more than 40 million consumers worldwide.

Source:marinelink

ABB, Sintef to Test Hydrogen Fuel Cells

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Norwegian Sintef Ocean and ABB Marine will use two 30kW hydrogen fuel cells, set up in laboratory to model the operation and control of a complete marine power system in a megawatt-scale propulsion plant.

"ABB and Sintef Ocean are undertaking groundbreaking research to test the viability of fuel cells as an energy source for main ship propulsion. The new research project seeks to provide the answers required for fuel cell technology to be delivered at the scale needed to power commercial and passenger ships," said a press release.

The testing methodology, to be developed at Sintef Ocean’s Trondheim-based laboratory, will use two 30kW fuel cells, set up to model the operation and control of a complete marine power system in a megawatt-scale propulsion plant.

ABB’s own software together with Sintef Oceans vessel simulator capabilities will imitate and play back different load profiles and diesel/battery/fuel cell combinations, and tested in a scaled down laboratory environment.

The trials will explore more than the technicalities of scaling-up and optimized fuel cell/battery combinations alone.

“Sintef is contributing the hydrogen supply and infrastructure, while having a test lab gives ABB and Sintef Ocean the opportunity to increase in-house competence for integration, control and safety of fuel cell technology in marine applications,” says Anders Valland, research manager for maritime energy systems at Sintef Ocean. "Sintef has extensive capabilities with regard to fuel cell technology, maritime energy systems, electric power systems and power electronics, which gives us an edge in developing innovative solutions."

“Fuel cell technology is maturing quickly. These trials are expected to provide the platform for fuel cells to build on, so that they can take a position in the maritime sector that is competitive with fossil fuels,” says Jostein Bogen, product manager for energy storage and fuel cells at ABB Marine & Ports. “Finding unknowns and coping with them in a controlled environment, rather than risking surprises on board ship will be central to these trials.”

Another key objective will be establishing how to enhance the control of fuel cell plant in combination with energy storage, and how to optimize efficiency, reliability and the lifetime of fuel cell stacks.

“We will be seeking the decisive and practical solutions to develop fuel cell technology for main propulsion,” says Kristoffer Dønnestad, R&D engineer, ABB Marine & Ports, Trondheim. “Research will focus not only on fuel flow and fuel handling, but on what a hydrogen ship bunkering infrastructure might look like.”

The laboratory in Trondheim has been a key research resource for ABB, providing a focus for research into the fine details of its design innovations and helping to bring its most advanced maritime technologies to market, including ABB Onboard DC GridTM.

Using hydrogen as fuel, the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM) separates electrons and protons, with protons passing through and electrons used as electrical output. Hydrogen is converted directly to electricity and heat without combustion. PEM fuel cells operate at a lower temperature, are lighter and more compact than their solid oxide counterparts.

ABB is a front-runner in sustainable marine e-mobility covering electric vehicle power, protection, control and installation. It has also had close involvement in ferry projects deploying battery power over short distances or for hybrid power plants to optimize ship efficiency. Battery power will certainly be key to meeting Norway’s target for zero ship emissions in the Fjords from 2026, according to Bogen.

Certainly, Bogen believes that deep-sea shipping will not have to wait until 2050 for the combustion-free generation of electricity, heat and clean water. “With the use of renewables to produce hydrogen for fuel cells and stored energy for batteries, the entire chain can be clean,” he says.

Source:marinelink

PitPoint.LNG Preps Europe’s First STS LNG Bunkering Station

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PitPoint.LNG, a joint venture between PitPoint clean fuels and Primagaz Nederland BV, received the official permit for the construction of Europe’s first shore-to-ship (STS) bunkering station for LNG in the Port of Cologne.

With this important milestone now in place, the civil engineering work can start for the LNG bunkering station, which is scheduled to be operational by the second quarter of 2019.

Since the plan for the new bunkering station was announced in June last year, PitPoint.LNG has been working hard to complete the thorough and substantial permit application process.

The permit, required under the Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz (German Emission Control Act) to guarantee the safety of LNG as a fuel for shipping, was formally granted by the District Government of Cologne earlier this week.

PitPoint.LNG collaborated intensively with various organisations to bring the permit application process to a successful conclusion. The permit means that construction can now definitively go ahead.

The new LNG bunkering station will be built in the Port of Cologne, located at Am Molenkopf 1, and will facilitate the bunkering of inland waterways vessels that sail on the Rhine, Europe’s busiest waterway.

LNG is considered to be one of the most promising alternative fuels in the transition to clean transport in shipping. Sailing on LNG is cleaner because LNG combusts more cleanly than diesel. Meaning, lower CO2 emissions and, as such, a reduced impact on the global environment and climate.

The biggest benefit of using LNG, however, lies in the reduced emission of fine particulates and NOx which have a negative impact on the local air quality. A transition to LNG will therefore have a direct positive impact on the health of the people living in the vicinity of waterways used for shipping.

LNG-powered ships also ensure that vessel owners comply with the Stage V emission standards for shipping without the need for additional post-treatment systems.

Construction of the LNG bunkering station in Cologne is part of PitPoint.LNG’s strategic aim to develop a European LNG infrastructure for transport by road and water. It will be the first shore-to-ship LNG refuelling location in Europe, as well as the first to serve Europe’s busiest river, the Rhine.

Source:marinelink

Search for missing North Sea wind worker called off

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German search and rescue outfit MRCC has wound down the search for a missing offshore wind contractor in the North Sea, according to a spokesman.

The operation at Trianel's Borkum West 2.2 project was called off on Friday night with search efforts proving unsuccessful and did not resume on Saturday, he added.

MRCC began the effort after supply ship Standard Supporter reported a man overboard at 13.10 on 2 November, according to Trianel, with rescue ships and helicopters scrambled from Germany and the Netherlands.

Standard Supporter has been providing a bubble curtain at Borkum West 2.2 while lead contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting installs monopile foundations at the 200MW project.

The vessel was not active at the time of the incident but on standby due to adverse weather.

Source:renews

NKT confirms Moray East cable deal

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NKT has confirmed a turnkey export cable contract with EDPR for the latter’s 950MW Moray East wind farm off Scotland.

Both parties signed a final €150m binding agreement on the deal, which was previously at preferred bidder status.

The Danish manufacturer will deliver and install the export system for the 100-turbine project in the Moray Firth.

A total of 175km of AC export wires will feature, to be installed by NKT cable-lay vessel Victoria (pictured).

Installation will start in 2020, NKT said. The wind farm is due online in 2021.

Source:renews

Disney’s First New Orleans Cruise Sells Out in One Hour

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Disney Cruise Lines' first sailing from Louisiana, a four-day itinerary departing New Orleans in early 2020, was so popular that it sold out in about an hour. 

According the local Sun Herald, the 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder sold out immediately for her first four-day voyage from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean. 

"It sold out in one hour. The whole cruise," said local travel agent Brenda Walker, speaking to the Sun Herald. 

Disney Wonder will be home-ported in New Orleans for six voyages in February and March 2020. She joins Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Breakaway and Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas, which will both be homeported in New Orleans for the winter season. Carnival Cruise Lines also offers services departing New Orleans aboard the Carnival Triumph and Carnival Valor. 

After New Orleans, the Disney Wonder will sail for San Diego, where she will offer trips to the Mexican Riviera. She will also be the first Disney vessel to visit Hawaii in five years when she calls Honolulu in April 2020. She is not a Jones Act vessel, so she will not be able to offer home-ported voyages within and between the Hawaiian islands; instead, she will make one port call in Honolulu on a round trip voyage from Vancouver, Canada. 

Source:maritime-executive

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