4.5 C
New York
Home Blog Page 79

Norwegian fuel supplier refuses U.S. warships over Ukraine

By
Chief Editor
-
0

Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.

In a strongly worded statement, the company criticised a televised event involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, referring to it as the “biggest shitshow ever presented live on TV.”

Haltbakk Bunkers praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his restraint, accusing the U.S. of “putting on a backstabbing TV show” and declaring that the spectacle “made us sick.”

As a result, the company stated: “We have decided to immediately STOP as fuel provider to American forces in Norway and their ships calling Norwegian ports. No Fuel to Americans!” Haltbakk Bunkers also urged Norwegians and Europeans to follow their lead, concluding their statement with the slogan “Slava Ukraina” in support of Ukraine.

Who is Haltbakk Bunkers?

Haltbakk Bunkers is a Norwegian fuel supplier that provides marine fuel for shipping and military operations. Based in Kristiansund, Norway, the company specialises in bunkering services for vessels operating in Norwegian waters, offering fuel logistics and distribution for both civilian and military customers.

Haltbakk Bunkers plays a significant role in Norway’s maritime industry, supplying fuel to vessels calling at Norwegian ports, including NATO and allied forces.

The decision to cut off the U.S. military could have logistical implications for American naval operations in the region. Norway is a key NATO member and frequently hosts U.S. and allied forces for joint exercises and Arctic defence operations.

This announcement raises questions about the broader European stance on U.S. policy towards Ukraine and whether other businesses or governments might take similar actions. It also highlights how private companies in Europe are responding independently to geopolitical developments.

The U.S. has not yet responded to the decision, and it remains to be seen whether this will affect fuel supply chains for American forces operating in Norway and the North Atlantic region.

Source: ukdefencejournal

Furetank has completed its first bunkering of 200 tonnes of ISCC certified Bio-LNG

By
Chief Editor
-
0

Bio-LNG is a mass balanced product where biomethane of certified origins is purchased and injected into the gas grid, while the corresponding amount of gas is withdrawn from the grid and liquefied into Maritime fuel. 

The new regulation makes no distinction between mass balanced and off-grid produced biomethane. This opens up a new path for shipping in the transition to renewable energy, surpassing some of the hurdles of lack in biomethane supply and delivery infrastructure.

Furetank CEO Björn Stignor said:

“We used biomethane of the highest environmental standard available in the market. This transaction marks a milestone in our transition to clean fuels, while also supporting European agriculture and biogas production. Furetank has worked for several years with fuel suppliers and ports to realize larger-scale liquefied biogas deliveries on several European destinations. This is a very positive development.” 

STX Group and Molgas have collaborated to source, liquify and deliver the ISCC certified Bio-LNG, fully recognized under the EU Renewable Energy Directive (REDII). It is the first time that Molgas has delivered mass balanced Bio-LNG bunker to a Maritime customer in Norway.

Gunnar Helmen, Director Marine at Molgas Nordics, said:

“We see a growing demand and interest in Bio-LNG, as it is one of the few renewable fuel solutions currently available in shipping. For this operation, we collaborated to prove a mass-balanced biomethane delivery and certify the entire supply chain. This new option strengthens the competitiveness of biomethane as part of the green transition. We hope that public policy will further support renewable fuels, as we at Molgas are ready to provide it to our maritime customers.”

Gas propulsion benefits the replacement of fossil fuels, since the methane molecule is the same regardless of its origin, whereas liquid fuels have different physical properties. They can be blended to a limited extent and impose varying requirements on engines.

Environmental commodity trader STX Group sees the transaction as one of the first signs of a new fuel market being born.

Sead Keric, Managing Partner of Renewable Gas at STX Group, said:

“Bio-LNG is an efficient answer to FuelEU Maritime: a market-based regulation which rewards those who blend in biofuels and penalizes those who don’t. Together with the EU ETS it builds a business case for renewable fuels. This transaction is proof of how Bio-LNG can be a powerful tool when lowering emissions from the transport sector.”

Furetank recognizes Fuel EU Maritime as a positive incentive to reduce emissions from shipping, and now hopes that the IMO will implement a similar regulation for all member states for a globally equal maritime market.

Viktoria Höglund, Sustainability Strategist at Furetank, said:

“This bunkering is a major step on Furetank’s journey towards carbon neutrality. We are happy to take part in paving the way for larger volumes and easier access to biomethane as a maritime fuel. This is what we have long advocated for to policymakers: to raise environmental requirements and connect them to economic incentives. It brings competitive advantages for our energy efficient duel fuel Vinga vessels, already running on a cleaner fuel than conventional gasoil.”

Colombia obtains 69 areas for the first round of offshore wind energy

By
Chief Editor
-
0

Colombia announced that it managed to obtain 69 areas for the first round of wind energy in the Colombian sea, an initiative led by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR) and the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH).

According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the deadline established for the nomination of areas ended on January 31, a procedure in which companies had the possibility of proposing various polygons to be evaluated and verified by the corresponding entities, and in this way define which areas are suitable for the presentation of offers.

It is worth mentioning that at the end of October of this year it was learned that among those interested in these offshore projects were: BlueFloat Energy from Spain, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners from Denmark, Jan de Nul from Belgium, DEME from Belgium, Powerchina from China, China Three Gorges Corporation from China, Dyna Energy from the United Kingdom, Ecopetrol from Colombia and Celsia from Colombia.

However, not all of them were able to be approved, so the following remained: offshore wind farm Vientos Alisos, CI GMF II Cooperatief, Jan de Nul, Ecopetrol, PowerChina International Group Limited, CTG Colombia Holdings, Promesa de sociedad futuro OSW Colombia and Deme Celsia Offshore wind.

According to the information provided by the National Government, once the suitability of the proposals made by the interested companies is verified, the approved companies will be able to make offers on areas of their interest, with the option of awarding a maximum of two to each of them.

“From the Government of Change we work in an articulated manner to carry out the necessary analyses in order to verify that the nominated areas are suitable for bidding. This will allow those interested to define their strategies for the presentation of offers and guarantee that offshore wind energy materializes in the country and that the communities benefit from the entry of new energy sources, and thus continue to advance with the fair energy transition,” said Omar Andrés Camacho, Minister of Mines and Energy.

Under this premise, it is projected that, by the end of May of this year, the “Deposit of Offers” stage will be completed and the number of proposals competing for the areas of the process will be known.

It is worth noting that interested companies can submit offers on areas of up to 270 square kilometers, for projects with a minimum installed capacity of 200 megawatts (MW).

“The results of this first phase of the nomination stage of the process confirm the high level of interest generated by the renewable energy segment in Colombia, demonstrate the commitment of the private sector to the country’s energy transition and the development of clean and sustainable energy sources. Offshore wind energy represents a unique opportunity to diversify the country’s energy matrix, generate employment and mitigate the impact generated by climate change,” said Orlando Velandia Sepúlveda, president of the ANH.

Source: evwind

Port of Long Beach boosts green transformation

By
Chief Editor
-
0

The Port of Long Beach is launching two new incentive programs totaling $57.4 million to accelerate emissions reductions by supporting the purchase of zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment and cleaner harbor craft.

The funding is part of the System-Wide Investment in Freight Transport (SWIFT), a pioneering initiative funded by the California State Transportation Agency’s Port and Freight Infrastructure Program. 

SWIFT is a transformative effort designed to support Port modernization, enhance goods movement efficiency and reduce environmental impacts on neighboring communities.

“This program is all about making strides in operational efficiency and sustainability, rapidly and responsibly,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “It is a reflection of not only our dedication to innovation but also our responsibility towards the community and the environment.”

“SWIFT is more than a program, it’s a promise to our community and to future generations,” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal said. “By accelerating the adoption of zero-emissions technologies, we are ensuring we provide immediate and lasting benefits to our Port and our neighboring communities.”

This round of funding is evenly split between the Zero-Emission Terminal Transformation and Harbor Craft Business Continuity and Emission Reduction programs. Details on the funding:
 
Zero-Emission Terminal Transformation Program: Allocates $28.7 million in incentives for purchasing zero-emission cargo handling equipment and battery-electric CHE charging equipment. All cargo handling equipment being tested must be manually operated.

SouthCoast Wind anticipates four-year delay for offshore wind farm

By
Chief Editor
-
0

Officials behind the SouthCoast Wind project are no longer committing to start construction by the end of 2025, and it could be delayed until 2029 based on the uncertainty President Donald Trump has injected into the industry, the head of one of the 50-50 owners of the project said Wednesday.

“We had basically the project ready to go. Now, obviously given everything that’s come out over the last couple of weeks in terms of executive orders, and sort of them asking to also review the federal permits, we’ve decided to just be more prudent around the timing,” Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, CEO of the Portuguese developer EDP Renewables, said in response to a question on an investor call. “Recognize that already in terms of [profit and loss] if we get a better scenario, then that would be great, but we’ve, let’s say, taken the more prudent four-year delay approach. [We] could have taken a two-year delay, but we took a four-year one. So we still have the project ready to go, and we’ll try to, say, manage that optionality.”

EDP Renewables and Engie, the other half of the OceanWinds joint venture, wrote down the value of their U.S. offshore wind projects by €267 million (or about $139 million each) based on the potential that SouthCoast Wind may not get underway until 2029. Stilwell d’Andrade called a four-year delay for SouthCoast Wind “a slightly worst case scenario,” and other project officials stressed that the financial reporting does not mean the project will definitely be delayed.

“The impairment decision is a precautionary measure based on a scenario of potential delays in its projects,” Michael Brown, CEO of OW North America, said in a statement. “Ocean Winds strongly believes in the potential of offshore wind to generate significant economic activity and provide abundant, domestic energy to meet rapidly growing demand in the U.S. and remains confident in finding a path forward in coordination with all relevant authorities in the upcoming months.”

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

SouthCoast Wind’s bid document referred to the 1,287 megawatts pledged to Massachusetts and Rhode Island as a “fully bankable project ready to start construction in 2025” and project officials said they anticipated being able to deliver power in 2030. On its final business day, the Biden administration announced that it approved the project’s crucial construction and operations plan.

An executive order Trump signed last month essentially halted all federal offshore wind actions “pending the completion of a comprehensive federal review of federal wind leasing and permitting practices.”

Brown said the decision to write down U.S. wind assets shows Ocean Winds’ “commitment to maintaining transparency and financial discipline in a context where the impact of any changes in U.S. regulations, and specifically the Executive Order of 20 January 2025, is not yet known.”

Massachusetts in September selected 1,087 MW of the 1,287 MW SouthCoast Wind project, with the remaining 200 MW going to Rhode Island. The Bay State also chose to take the entire 791 MW New England Wind 1 project and up to 800 MW of the 1,200 MW Vineyard Wind 2 project at the same time, though the Vineyard Wind 2 project has been taken off the table.

Contracts are to be executed by March 31 and filed by May 9, though deadlines have repeatedly been extended. Project pricing information is expected to be made public when the contracts are filed.

Source: Nantucket Current

Norsepower and Syroco collaborate to optimise wind-propulsion efficiency on commercial vessels

By
Chief Editor
-
0

The joint deployment of Norsepower and Syroco onboard Socatra’s tanker Alcyone demonstrates how combining wind propulsion with cutting-edge digital technologies can help shipowners overcome operational complexities and maximise the benefits of wind propulsion. 

Vessels with rotor sails require advanced calculations to optimise routes, balancing wind propulsion with other factors such as waves and currents. Their integration with AI-driven platforms provides ship operators with reliable, real-time insights into how to maximise efficiency, savings, and sustainability.

This partnership has already demonstrated success onboard several vessels, including Socatra’s tanker Alcyone. Syroco’s performance evaluation technology has validated the effectiveness of Norsepower Rotor Sails™, confirming fuel savings of up to 21% per voyage.  By combining Norsepower’s wind propulsion systems with Syroco’s weather routing technology, these savings are amplified, with initial results revealing voyages where combining the technologies can as much as double the performance.

Jarkko Väinämö, CCO at Norsepower, commented: “Our collaboration with Syroco is an important step forward in optimising the potential of wind propulsion. By accurately validating the performance of Norsepower Rotor Sails™ and demonstrating how advanced AI can amplify their benefits, we are driving significant progress in sustainable shipping. Together, we are proving that cleaner, more efficient shipping is not only achievable but measurable.”

Syroco combines weather and sea data with advanced naval architecture principles and IoT data collected from onboard systems to create a digital twin of each vessel. This virtual representation of the ship accounts for key characteristics such as hull design, windage, appendages, propulsion systems, and the most accurate models of the Norsepower Rotor Sails™. This digital twin enables vessel operators to optimise routes in real-time, considering wind propulsion, waves, swell, currents, arrival times, safety constraints, and cargo-specific parameters.

Alex Caizergues, Cofounder and CEO of Syroco, said: “By integrating Norsepower Rotor Sails™ with digital twin models, the Syroco platform helps the crew obtain the most optimised routing at any time, and essentially amplifies the effect of wind assistance. This collaboration showcases the great potential of combining innovative technologies to meet the maritime industry’s decarbonisation goals.”

“Syroco also provides a precise evaluation of the contribution of wind propulsion to fuel savings and emissions reductions. The user-friendly interface not only enables vessel operators to make data-driven decisions but also to quantify the impact of these decisions,”, he added.

“K” Line secures ‘Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance’

By
Chief Editor
-
0

Under Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (the Program), which is jointly operated by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK, ClassNK evaluated the LNG-fueled car carrier ‘OCEANUS HIGHWAY’ (IMO No. 1046049), owned by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE). DBJ provided financing to “K” LINE.

In the shipping industry, where environmental regulations are becoming stricter as the industry moves towards decarbonization, ClassNK evaluates ships based on a comprehensive scoring model jointly developed with DBJ from the perspective of ‘decarbonization, environmentally friendly performance, and innovativeness,’ and DBJ provides investment and financing. The project supports initiatives that contribute to the transition to decarbonization from both IR and financial perspectives.

“K” LINE is actively promoting various initiatives to support the social transition to low- and zero-carbon under its “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 policy. Recently, the company has been focusing on the development of the next-generation fuel ships to realize sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation. OCEANUS HIGHWAY, built by Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., was delivered in February 2025. It is designed to reduce environmental impact utilizing LNG fuel.

The following points were highly evaluated in this assessment of the ship:

(1)  The use of LNG fuel makes a 25% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions possible compared to conventional fuel oil.
(2)  Reduction in the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM) through the use of LNG fuel complies with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s NOx Tier III regulations and SOx regulations.
 

ClassNK issues AiP for ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering vessel

By
Chief Editor
-
0

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering vessel. 

As ammonia fuel utilization is expected in shipping for decarbonization, bunkering vessels that supply fuel to ships and related equipment will play an essential role in the supply chain. 

This vessel is being developed jointly by NYK Line, advancing the development of ammonia-fueled vessels, and Seatrium, the largest shipyard in Singapore, with the goal of introducing it to Singapore, one of the world’s leading bunkering ports.

This vessel is mainly designed by LMG Marin AS. It features ammonia fuel dual-fuel engines from IHI Power Systems and a bunkering boom from TB Global Technology, allowing for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering operations. Additionally, a safety verification was conducted through HAZID involving relevant stakeholders.

ClassNK carried out a review of the conceptual design of the ship based on its ‘Part N; Ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk ‘ of the Class Rules and ‘Part C-2; Guidelines for the Safety of Liquefied Gas Carriers Using Ammonia as Fuel (Edition 3.0.2) which is part of ‘Guidelines for Ship Using Alternative Fuels (Edition 3.0) and examined the result of required assessment. Upon confirming they comply with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP. Moreover, the latest ‘INTERIUM GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFETY OF SHIPS USING AMMONIA AS FUEL’ approved at MSC 109 last December are referred to in this AiP.

MODEC enters into offshore carbon capture FEED contract with SAMSUNG E&A

By
Chief Editor
-
0

The study envisages the installation of a carbon capture module on a MODEC Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel as a pilot, and it will be a first-of-a-kind deployment of CycloneCC in an onboard carbon capture setting.

Carbon Clean will provide FEED support to SAMSUNG E&A, including equipment supply of the rotating packed bed (RPB) technology at the heart of CycloneCC and process design package (PDP) licensing for the unit. SAMSUNG E&A will perform detailed engineering to optimize CycloneCC for the offshore environment and FPSO’s boundary conditions.

CycloneCC is well suited to an offshore maritime environment, as the unit footprint is up to 50% smaller than conventional solutions, with its largest equipment sizes reduced by a factor of 10. The recently launched CycloneCC C1 series delivers a height reduction of 70% compared to column-based technologies. The RPBs will achieve enhanced capture performance under vessel motions compared to columns, making CycloneCC ideal for offshore operations.

Koichi Matsumiya, Chief Technical Officer, MODEC, said:

“MODEC is proactively pursuing two targets through our R&D activities. One is to provide a stable energy supply to society with minimum GHG emission, and another is to prepare for new floater solutions to bridge the society with alternative energies from oil and gas. We believe that the carbon capture technology proposed by Carbon Clean will be the key to achieve both of our targets.”

Cheon Hong Park, Executive Vice President and Head of Sustainable Solutions Division, SAMSUNG E&A, said:

“This initiative aligns with our company’s mission to address societal challenges through our technological solutions. It marks a significant milestone with the first application of Carbon Clean’s innovative carbon capture technology in the marine industry. We are confident that the successful execution of this project will play a key role in advancing MODEC’s mid-term decarbonization plan while accelerating the commercialization of Carbon Clean’s CycloneCC technology.”

Aniruddha Sharma, Chair and CEO, Carbon Clean, said:

“Onboard carbon capture is essential for decarbonizing offshore oil and gas operations. Our highly modular CycloneCC technology is 10x smaller than conventional solutions, making it ideal for confined spaces, including floating vessels and maritime settings. Its replicable, scalable design makes it logistically and commercially viable to be deployed across a fleet at a fraction of the cost of traditional amine systems.”

Marine Masters set to install two offshore wellhead platforms for SunPetro

By
Chief Editor
-
0

Marine Masters announces its involvement in a pivotal offshore installation project for the greenfield Bhasker A & B platforms, designed and constructed by Indian energy company SunPetro. 

The project, managed by main installation contractor ACE Pipeline and directly overseen by Consolidated Support Services PTE LTD (CSS), involves the development of two wellhead platforms featuring robust jackets with integrated boat landings and topsides. 

The Marine Masters work encompasses detailed preparation for lifting and mooring activities, the lifting of two jackets and their respective topsides, the upending and installation of piles, and the creation of a dedicated platform for subsea and piling operations. Notably, each jacket weighs approximately 800 tonnes, underscoring the project’s technical demands and the need for precise engineering execution.

To support these complex operations, Marine Masters has chartered the Conquest MB1, a heavy-lift barge boasting a lifting capacity of approximately 1,400 tonnes. The vessel is further equipped with two mobile cranes, with lifting capacities of 180 tonnes and 500 tonnes respectively, ensuring that all phases of the project are executed safely and efficiently. 

Currently in transit to Mumbai, the Conquest MB1 is scheduled to arrive on March 7, 2025. After obtaining the necessary inward clearance and completing all mobilization activities, the vessel will proceed to the offshore location in the Gulf of Kutch, 110 nautical miles south of Kandla, India, with an expected arrival on March 20, 2025. The installation work is anticipated to be completed by May 15, 2025.

“We are honored to support Sun Petro, ACE Pipeline, and CSS in this challenging, high-profile project,” said Henk Smith of Marine Masters. “The deployment of the Conquest MB1 exemplifies our commitment to leveraging advanced marine technology and operational expertise to execute complex offshore installations safely and efficiently. The crane barge will remain in the region and is available for other challenging salvage, decommissioning, or transport & installation projects.”

1...787980...1,329Page 79 of 1,329
Premium Content

© 2025 SeaWanderer. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Maritime.Studio