Sustainability News

HAV Group hydrogen-based energy system receives preliminary approval

A hydrogen-based energy system for ship applications developed in the FreeCO2ast project by the HAV Group has been granted preliminary approval by the Norwegian Maritime Authority. HAV views the approval as a major step toward the commercial use of hydrogen fuel by commercial vessels. The Norwegian Maritime Authority issued a statement of preliminary assessment which confirmed the alternative design is considered feasible and sound in accordance with alternative design guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1455) set out by the International Maritime Organization. The project can now move into the final design phase and will subsequently be offered at a commercial level to the global maritime market.

Coming to Canada: The Whiskey Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft

OTTAWA — Inter-Op Canada Inc. is a NextGeneration Tactical Communications Integrator and Solutions Provider. In partnership with Australia-based “The Whiskey Project”, they present another evolution in specialized delivery with a fully integrated, sensor to operator, Multi-Mission, Reconnaissance Craft (MMRC) designed to meet Canadian Defence and Security market needs and implement a “Sense First, See First, and Strike First” capability.

FPT Industrial and Landi Renzo. MoU about natural gas and hydrogen

Fpt Industrial and Landi Renzo have decided to share part of the path of energy transition. According to the CNH Industrial brand, “FPT Industrial and Landi Renzo Group, a leading company in the design, production and distribution of Compressed Natural Gas, Liquefied Natural Gas and Hydrogen components and systems, have signed two Memoranda of Understanding aimed at exploring the possibility of collaborating on Clean Fuel projects. The Memoranda are focused on the possible development of Natural Gas and hydrogen technology respectively.

Diesel manufacturers continue to seek new and innovative ways to improve their products

For over two years, the U.S. and most of the rest of the world has been affected by Covid, which at times has pulled many people into a morass of pessimism, frustration, anger, and a general feeling of hopelessness. During such times, you don’t expect to find much innovation and creativity. 

Not so for MAN, MTU, and Cummins, the three engine manufacturers featured in this issue’s diesel story. Each is working with new ideas to improve the life of the vessel operator, as well as the environment we all live in.

First sea test for Volvo Penta’s Arctic-bound advanced hybrid solution

A new Volvo Penta hybrid solution on a Marell Boats M15 vessel has completed its first sea trials. Ahead of going into operation with Hurtigruten Svalbard for sightseeing, the vessel, named the Kvitbjørn (Polar Bear), underwent testing by Volvo Penta engineers and project team leads at the company’s marine test facility in Krossholmen, Gothenburg. The site was used to replicate the icy conditions in which the vessel will operate in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

Danish investment moves Blue World fuel cells towards series production

Fuel cells could be harnessed to provide electric propulsion for large yachts, or generators to serve power-hungry hotel loads. Blue World Technologies has received a €7.5 million ‘green’ loan from the Danish government to make the final move to full series production of a new generation of methanol fuel cells. The company has spent the last few years developing large scale manufacturing processes to provide OEMs with an alternative to the internal combustion engine. The fuel cells could be harnessed to provide electric propulsion for large yachts, or generators to serve power-hungry hotel loads such as air conditioning.

The Clean Energy Delimma & Who’s Winning

High-Speed Hydrogen

Several years ago, I had an opportunity to spend a fair amount of time in Starnberg, Germany, in the company of Christoph Ballin, one of the two innovative guys who in 2004 founded Torqeedo, arguably the most recognizable brand name in electric marine propulsion today. Ballin was conducting a tour of the Torqeedo production facility, a rather techy place he was justifiably proud of.

Cummins opens new hydrogen fuel cell facility in Germany

Fuel cell production centre to help drive adoption of hydrogen technologies in Europe. Cummins’ new 14,100ft² hydrogen fuel cell production facility in Herten, Germany is expected to help the drive adoption of hydrogen systems in Europe. Engine builder Cummins Inc has opened a new hydrogen fuel cell production centre in Herten, Germany, that the company says will help accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technologies across Europe. The new 14,100ft² facility, said to complement the company’s existing alternative fuel power sites in Germany, Belgium and the UK, is located in a dedicated hydrogen park. The facility includes on-site hydrogen storage and a state-of-the-art hydrogen detection system. Future plans for the site include expansion into fuel cell stack refurbishment, with additional testing stations to supplement current capabilities.

TTB 2022: First-of-its-kind towboat design—the Hydrogen One

On March 29—Day 1 of Marine Log’s TTB 2022 conference for the tug, towboat and barge industry—Mike Complita, principal and vice president of strategic expansion for Elliott Bay Design Group; and Gregg Baldassarre, director of business development at RIX Industries, will jointly present on the exciting new Hydrogen One project—the world’s first methanol-fueled towboat.