Effort to Develop First U.S. Liquid Hydrogen-Fueled RoPax Ferry 

An effort is underway to leverage the cutting-edge technology for hydrogen-fueled vessels to develop the first RoPax vehicle ferry in the U.S. to be fueled by liquid hydrogen. SWITCH Maritime, the U.S. shipowner that launched the first hydrogen-powered ferry in the U.S. is in collaboration with LH2 Shipping and LMG Marin in Norway to commence construction in the U.S. of a hydrogen-fueled RoPax ferry.

SWITCH’s first hydrogen-powered vessel, the Sea Change, is a 75-passenger catamaran ferry featuring 600 kW of electric motor propulsion, powered by 360 kW of fuel cells with 246 kilograms of gaseous H2 (GH2) storage at 250 bar pressure. The Sea Change started public passenger service as part of the San Francisco Bay Ferry system in July 2024, after receiving its final Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the U.S. Coast Guard in May 2024.

“With rigorous planning, state-of-the-art engineering, and support from leading industry partners and the U.S. Coast Guard, we are ready to pioneer zero-carbon LH2 fueling for heavier, higher-horsepower workboats,” explains Pace Ralli, Founder & CEO of SWITCH.

They plan to develop a vessel using the designs from LMG Marin for an 80-car, 300-passenger RoPax vehicle ferry. The design is already DNV classed and is being successfully operated by Norled. Named MF Hydra, the ferry performs a triangular six nautical mile round-trip fueled with liquid hydrogen (LH2). The companies highlight it has a four-tonne LH2 tank (about the size of a 40-foot container) that fits easily on the top deck and receives fuel from an LH2 truck via a bunkering system using over-pressure in the truck to push the liquid to the ship. To date, MF Hydra has successfully received LH2 fuel approximately 50 times since starting hydrogen-powered operations in March 2023.

The RoPax vehicle ferry will have a service speed of 14 knots and is expected to require fueling only once per week (volume of 3000 kilograms from one LH2 truck) in a typical operation, with no requirement for shoreside electric charging infrastructure. While the design will require some further adapting to meet USCG requirements, SWITCH notes the larger steel hull of the vehicle ferry offers more flexibility in terms of space and weight compared to aluminum catamaran fast ferry designs, making it an ideal platform for introducing LH2 fueling in the U.S. The LH2 from the cryogenic storage tanks is vaporized onboard and used in the PEM fuel cells to create electricity for the electric motors. Like the GH2 fast ferries, the vessel’s only emissions will be pure H20 vapor, with zero carbon or other diesel-related emissions.

In addition to the Sea Change, SWITCH is also working on a 150-passenger, 25-knot catamaran to build for the SF Bay Ferry service, using the same gaseous H2 (GH2) storage and fuel cell equipment as the first vessel (to be revealed in Q1 2025). When designing larger zero-emissions harbor craft such as 300+ passenger ferries, vehicle ferries, and harbor tugs, SWITCH plans to transition from gaseous storage to cryogenic liquid H2.

SWITCH has focused on hydrogen for its potential to serve as a viable option highlighting its belief that other battery-only solutions fall short due to space and weight constraints. The company notes that generally, hydrogen as a fuel source can support greater range and power requirements due to its high energy density. Additionally, it simplifies zero-emissions vessel operations by eliminating the need for fixed shoreside charging infrastructure, allowing for fueling through established truck-to-ship or ship-to-ship practices. Compressed GH2 SWITCH says is well suited for small- to medium-sized vessels; however, as vessel size and energy demand increase, cryogenic LH2 becomes the preferred storage solution. Similar to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), cryogenic LH2 supports faster refueling speeds for large volumes (e.g. tons per hour).

Did You Know? Maritime Infostealer Incidents See Significant Rise in 2024

 

In the first half of 2024, the volume of cybersecurity incidents involving infostealers has increased significantly, and maritime victims have been no exception.

Infostealers are a type of malware designed to steal sensitive information from an infected system, such as login credentials, financial data, browser history, and other personal or corporate information.

The maritime industry relies heavily on interconnected systems and digital platforms to manage logistics, shipping routes, and vessel operations. If compromised by infostealers, these systems can expose the sector to significant risks, such as unauthorised access to operational controls, data breaches, financial fraud, and even larger-scale cyberattacks.

Among the most common infostealers spotted during the first half of 2024 are RedLine, Raccoon, Vidar, Mars Stealer, and LokiBot, according to the report from Marlink’s Security Operations Center on cyber security threats.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) plans to introduce new cyber security rules soon, with implications for maritime and offshore energy cyber space as well.

If you are in New Orleans on November 13, 2024, sign up now for a free lunch and moderated conference discussion to learn more about the new USGC cyber security rules and their impact on the vessel owner/operators, OEMs and shipyards. Featured speakers include:

• Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin Jr., Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P), U.S. Coast Guard
• Dain Detillier, Executive VP – LNG Operations, Harvey Gulf, LLC
• Stewart Alpert, Chief Information Security Officer & Head of Technology, Hornblower Group
• Angeliki Zisimatou, Director, Cybersecurity, American Bureau of Shipping
• Phillip Bannerman, VP Sales Americas, Marlink

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Construction Well Underway

 

Van Oord has installed over a quarter of the foundations which will support Sofia offshore wind farm’s 100 wind turbines in the North Sea since the start of operations in May.

The Dutch contractor Van Oord is using the Port of Tyne’s Clean Energy Park as a storage and marshalling base, benefitting from direct access to its deep-water quay and connection to the North Sea.

The port has been welcoming the tallest offshore installation vessel in its history, the Aeolus. Purpose-built to construct offshore wind farms, the Aeolus has a crane boom height of 155 metres and is 175 metres in length, which is the equivalent of more than 14 double decker buses.

Since May, over a quarter of the foundations have been installed in the North Sea, each measuring to 90 meters in length and weighing between 1,200 to 1,550 tonnes.

The wind farm will use 100 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW offshore wind turbines of SG 14-222 DD type.

First Turbine Blade for Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Sees the Light of Day

All of the components which will be used to build the wind turbines have been delivered to the UK. The range of large-scale items include external platforms, boat landings, and ladders, which have made the journey from Poland to the Port of Tyne. Monopiles are still be fabricated with delivery planned into 2025.

Once complete, RWE’s Sofia offshore wind farm will be roughly the same size as the Isle of Man spanning 593 km2, with the capability to provide 1.2 million typical UK homes with their electricity needs from its 1.4 GW capacity.

The Sofia offshore wind farm is expected to become operational in 2026.

“Since partnering with Van Oord earlier this year, real strides have been made in their construction of Sofia, accelerating the region’s path towards a clean energy future.

“It’s why we’ve developed our Tyne Clean Energy Park, which has been earmarked for renewable energy production tenants, while supporting our intentionally ambitious vision for a cleaner, greener future, both for the Port and wider region,” said Matt Beeton, CEO at the Port of Tyne.

“Seeing the first foundations being installed at sea is a hugely symbolic moment in the construction of every wind farm. The Sofia project is around fourteen years in the making and the construction phase has around two further years yet to go,” said Matthew Swanwick, Project Director for the Sofia offshore wind farm.

 

Solstad Offshore Scoops $54M in New Vessel Contracts in Brazil.

 

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has secured multiple contract awards with clients in Brazil for two of its anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels and one construction support vessel (CSV).

Solstad’s Normand Topazio and Normand Turmalina AHTS vessels have been awarded one-year contracts each, starting in October and November 2024, respectively. Both awards are in direct continuation of current contracts.

Also, Normand Cutter CSV has been awarded a 9-month contract for subsea construction activities with the start in October 2024 in direct continuation of current contract.

The combined gross contract value is approximately $53 million, and all three vessels will be put to work offshore Brazil.

To note, Normand Topazio and Normand Turmalina AHTS vessels are fully owned by Solstad Offshore, while Normand Cutter PSV is owned by Solstad Maritime, in which Solstad Offshore holds 27,3% stake.

 

 

Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex and Nifty gain amid Fed rate cut anticipation, Hero MotoCorp leads

Updated - September 17, 2024 at 03:43 PM.

Sensex, Nifty, Share Prices LIVE: Indian stock markets saw modest gains on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex up 132.77 points at 83,121.55, and the NSE Nifty50 rising 44.05 points to 25,427.80 by early afternoon trading. Gains were tempered by caution ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate decision on Wednesday. Former New York Fed President William Dudley’s call for a half-point cut fueled expectations of an aggressive move. Hero MotoCorp led the gainers, rising 2.95%, followed by Bajaj Auto, Britannia, and Bharti Airtel. However, Tata Motors led the losers, declining by 2.45%. Mixed sentiment prevailed in broader markets, with more declining than advancing stocks. Technology stocks saw positive interest, particularly following Infosys’ encouraging results. Investors remain focused on global cues, particularly the Fed’s decision, which could set the tone for market performance in the coming days.

 

Onions worth lakhs of rupees pile up at ports and borders awaiting a system update

After a slash in the export duty on onions, the delay in updating the Customs Department’s software is costing traders and farmers dearly 

The Vice President of Horticulture Produce Exporters’ Association said that if the issue was not resolved within a few hours, 35 containers that were slated to reach Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu early on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) morning, would also be delayed | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Three days after the Union government slashed the export duty on onions from 40% to 20%, onions worth lakhs of rupees are stuck at India’s borders and ports, awaiting an update for the system, as a result of which farmers and traders have not yet been able to benefit from the export duty slash.

Around 380 containers are stuck at various ports of the country, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Navi Mumbai, while 90 lorries wait at two checkpoints on the border with Bangladesh, an official of the Horticulture Produce Exporters’ Association (HPEA) said. Each container carries about 30 tonnes of cargo, and each lorry carries about 25 to 30 tonnes.

“There is a technical issue in the Customs’ portal. There are two serial numbers on the portal for onions. But the portal does not process the order. We are unable to avail the 20% export duty. We can’t even send the onions with 40% customs duty. Our onions have been stuck for the last three days. Now we fear they will start rotting,” Vikas Singh, vice president, HPEA told The Hindu.

“Our containers are stuck everywhere. Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, almost 60 containers are planned to be sent to Malaysia and Singapore. The vessel has been booked. But if the containers are not cleared in the system, the vessel will leave [without] these containers,” he said.

“Almost 300 containers are stuck at the JNPA since Friday evening. Nothing could be loaded due to lack of clearance. Fifty containers await clearance at the dry port of Janori in Nasik; 60 lorries have been waiting at Goja Danga check point on the Bangladesh border; and 30 lorries are at Mehndipur check point, also on the Bangladesh border,” Mr. Singh said.

He added that if the issue was not resolved within a few hours, 35 containers that were slated to reach Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu early on Tuesday (September 17, 2024) morning, would also be delayed. “Tuticorin is the sub-port for Sri Lanka. The vessel, which has already been booked, will arrive on Wednesday. So those 35 containers will need to be cleared on Tuesday,” Mr. Singh said.

The HPEA is the only recognised association for exporters of onion, garlic, and horticulture, Mr. Singh said. “We have updated this [issue] to the Consumer Affairs Ministry, and to the Agriculture Ministry,” he added.

An onion trader who did not wish to be named rued the restrictions. “When the government imposes restrictions, the implementation is immediate. But while opening the system, why is there so much of delay? Each container is worth approximately ₹21 lakh. Today (Monday) is the third day and we are still suffering. On one hand, China is becoming very aggressive with respect to onions. And here, we face so many restrictions,” he said.

Sources in the Customs Department said there was a “system issue” that was being resolved. “Everything is being monitored. The communication has been sent to the concerned persons. It will be resolved soon,” a source said.

Published - September 16

 

Woman fined over take-for-free cabinet left outside her home

A woman has been handed a £500 fine for fly-tipping after leaving a cabinet for free collection outside her home.

Isabelle Pepin, from Southbourne in Bournemouth, said she left the piece of furniture out as it "still had some life left in it".

An enforcement officer issued the fine to Ms Pepin on her doorstep after warning her to move the cabinet off the street three weeks earlier.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said: "Action on fly-tipping is taken to ensure communities can fully enjoy where they live and have pride in their neighbourhood."

Ms Pepin, who works as an artist, said residents in the area often left useable furniture out for a few days to see if it would be of use to someone else in the community.

She said: "I have been living here for 12 years and I been doing this for 12 years and I've never had any complaints or indication that this was something that was illegal."

After the warning, she moved the cabinet onto her driveway to be collected.

"People are very polite and probably wouldn't go on your property to take something because they'd be worried about that," she said.

'Help other residents'

Councillor Kieron Wilson, BCP Council's portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, said: "The council is committed to tackling fly-tipping and has contracted Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement (WISE) to investigate offences and administer penalty notices on behalf of the council as appropriate.

"Officers closely monitor and manage this waste enforcement contract, which includes regular reviews, and a commitment to responding promptly to any issues or concerns that may arise."

Ms Pepin said she planned to appeal the fine.

She said: "I think we need to keep things out of landfill and help other residents."

A BCP Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for fly-tipping is £500 if paid within 14 days or £1,000 within 28 days.

The maximum penalty that can be imposed by the courts for fly-tipping is £50,000 or imprisonment.