Green Marine: Electrification is the Power behind ‘Future-Proofing’
There's an “electrification of the seas” happening for navies around the world.Whether it's to achieve greater military capabilities, operational economics and efficiencies or to be better stewards of the environment.There's a trend moving from direct mechanical drives towards more flexible electrical propulsion systems. Ships can still have the same propellers and engines, but they now have a much more flexible power system architecture that benefits design, operations and sustainment.“With an electric propulsion system, we can connect to the same gas turbine or diesel.
Coal's Problem is Not Climate Change: Kemp
U.S. coal companies blame climate campaigners and the Obama administration for waging a war on coal that has cost thousands of jobs and threatened struggling mining communities. But coal’s long-term problems stem not from politics but from physical properties that make it an inferior source of energy compared with oil, gas and (arguably) renewables. Coal has been losing the “war” for market share since the middle of the 20th century as other sources of energy have become cheaper and more abundant. Rising energy consumption in advanced economies and emerging markets masked coal’s relative decline in the second half of the 20th century and first decade of the 21st.
UK’s Largest Marine Robot Mission is Underway Off NW Scotland
An ambitious two-week mission involving ten marine robots has commenced off northwest Scotland. The third in a series of demonstrator missions, this latest phase sees the largest fleet of marine robotic vehicles simultaneously deployed in UK waters. The mission comprises seven submarine gliders and three surface Wave Gliders that are working together in fleets to collect a range of environmental data. The National Oceanography Center (NOC) started the ‘Exploring Ocean Fronts’ program in 2014, working with partners across science, government and industry to field-test novel marine autonomous systems for long-endurance ocean monitoring.
Philippines Mulls Massive Military Spend
Philippine generals on Wednesday asked Congress to almost triple annual defence spending over the next five years to upgrade equipment amid an escalating marine dispute with giant neighbour China. The Philippines currently is in the middle of a 998 billion pesos ($21.95 billion) 15-year plan to modernize its armed forces in the face of rising tensions in the South China Sea. "The gaps between our needed defence articles and the levels of our current inventory are too wide to ignore," Brigadier-General Guillermo Molina told a national defence panel hearing at the House of Representatives.
Oz, NZ ships Seize $700 mi in Narcotics
Maritime security operations by Australian and New Zealand frigates operating in the Middle East region during the past six weeks have seized almost a tonne of narcotics worth an estimated street value of $711 million. Royal Australian Navy Guided Missile Frigate, HMAS Newcastle netted 724kg of narcotics worth an estimated $597 million. During the same operation, New Zealand ship HMNZS Te Kaha seized 257kg of narcotics worth an estimated $214 million. Patrolling as part of the Combined Maritime Forces, Combined Task Force -150, HMAS Newcastle’s Commanding Officer…
New Storage Facility in Portland, UK
A unique storage facility adjacent to one of the busiest shipping trade routes in the world is soon to become available. Since 2001, Portland Port located on the south coast of the UK has leased its bunker storage, pipeline and berth facility to Aegean Marine Petroleum Network. Later this year the facility will return back to the open market with the opportunity for a new tenant to occupy and manage the facility. The tanks were fully refurbished by Aegean who also built a new jetty to receive tanker deliveries; the facility has since been professionally managed and maintained to a high standard.
Kemp: BP Must Remain British, says Whitehall
"Downing Street has discreetly let it be known in the City that it would oppose any takeover of BP," the Financial Times reported on Sunday. The prime minister's office has signalled it would make life difficult for any bidder, although no bid has been mooted yet, the newspaper said ("UK ministers make Gallic gesture to keep the British in BP", April 26). The company formerly known as British Petroleum was rebranded as the more neutral BP at the turn of the millennium after absorbing U.S. oil firms Amoco and Arco. But the company's identity remains complicated…
CWind Appoints Global Head of SHEQ
CWind announced it has created a new role in the business to ensure that it continues to develop and maintain high levels of safety, health, environmental and quality (SHEQ) as it expands its global footprint. Kevin ‘Pat’ Paton has been appointed to the role of Global Head of SHEQ, making him responsible for the SHEQ functions of CWind Ltd and its subsidiary companies within the U.K. and Germany. This new appointment reflects CWind’s absolute commitment to the safety of CWind’s people and partners at all times during its operations. Paton joins the company from RWE…
CSC Launches Gas Storage Integrity Management Team
UK-based Chesterfield Special Cylinders (CSC) has launched a new integrity management team to work with owners and operators of high pressure gas storage vessels as installed in rigs and ships, and with gas majors and classification bodies to maximize vessels’ lifetime performance and safety. The integrity team is now managing periodic inspections and tests at its Sheffield, England factory as well as delivering them worldwide while the vessels remain installed. It is also delivering vessel life extension support services to high pressure gas users globally.
BAE Get Funding to Build 3 New UK Offshore Patrol Vessels
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed a £20 million contract to buy equipment for the Royal Navy's 3 new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). The contract will enable BAE Systems to begin work on the engines & gearboxes, etc. that need to be ordered in advance. During a visit to the company’s shipyards on the Clyde in Scotland, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne announced that MOD has committed £20 million to the programme. The OPVs will not only provide an additional capability for the UK but also, at its peak, the OPV programme will safeguard more than 800 vital skilled roles in the shipbuilding industry.
