Thursday, February 20, 2025

Marine News

Image courtesy Caterpillar Marine

With CAT’s Methanol Engines, Sustainable Shipping is Possible

Recently, MarineNews sat down with Will Watson, Caterpillar Marine’s Product Manager, to discuss its rapidly emerging methanol engine development. Caterpillar Marine has already taken a considerable step forward in sustainability by planning to offer an upgrade kit for its methanol-fueled, dual-fuel Cat 3500E series engines. The immediate and long-term goal is to quicken the maritime industry transition to renewable energy.The initiative, announced at an international tug & salvage trade event…

(Credit: N-O-S)

CTVs: Future-proofing Today’s Offshore Wind Solutions

The first commercial application of Volvo Penta’s IPS Professional Platform will power Northern Offshore Services’ next-gen crew transfer vessel. Longtime collaborators Volvo Penta and N-O-S aim to more than satisfy the unique requirements of a possible 25x increase in offshore wind production.Upon arrival in Gothenburg, an observant visitor quickly realizes that Sweden is one of the cleanest places on earth. Epitomizing that lofty standard are two marine industry heavyweights…

© Forance / Adobe Stock

Amogy Brings Ammonia Into the Mix

Ammonia is one of several renewable fuels seen as an option to help the maritime industry decarbonize.One of the companies working to unlock the fuel’s potential is Brooklyn, N.Y. based Amogy, developer of an onboard system that feeds liquid ammonia through a cracking process to create hydrogen on demand for power generation via fuel cell—without carbon emissions.Having already demonstrated its technology on an aerial drone, tractor and semi-truck, Amogy is currently working to…

Crowley’s new electric tug eWolf is being built by Master Boat Builders for scheduled delivery in 2024. (Image: Crowley)

Workboat Power: Alternatives Join Diesel to Power Current—and Future—Vessels

Analysts and commentators are quick to point out that fossil fuels will power maritime equipment, and indeed dominate the fueling marketplace, well into the future. However, they will do so alongside new fuels, and new technologies, that will be introduced to the maritime sector in the coming years. In its September, 2023 report “Beyond the Horizon: View of the Emerging Energy Value Chains”, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) explains that, “During the recent 80th meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80)…

(Image: Glosten)

Future Fuels: Methanol

Any commentator on the maritime business decarbonization voyage will offer something along the lines of "There will be multiple fuels…" With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings of its Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) set for early July, it is likely that targets for emissions will be tightened. Whatever mileposts that the IMO actually establishes, there will be no prescriptions handed down on how to get there. By mid-2023, nearly two years after the late 2021 alternative fuels crescendo in the aftermath of the COP26 meetings in Glasgow…

(Photo: Young Brothers)

Fuel Savings Are Just a ‘Nudge’ Away

The commercial maritime industry is hard at work developing, testing and implementing new and innovative technologies to limit its environmental impacts. While much of the effort has focused on physical solutions such as improved hull design, cleaner burning engines and alternative fuels—all of which are important components of the industry’s decarbonization journey—software firm Signol has its sights set on helping vessel owners and operators reap the rewards of behavioral efficiencies.The…

A number of CTVs being constructed in the U.S., including those being built by Blount Boats for American Offshore Services, have been described as “hybrid-ready”. (Image: American Offshore Services)

What is 'Hybrid-ready'?

There are vessels on order today—including crew transfer vessels (CTV) being built in the U.S. (American Offshore Services at Blount Boats and for WINDEA CTV at St. Johns Ship Building and Gulf Craft, for example)—that are described as “hybrid-ready”. Of course, a vessel is either hybrid or it isn’t. So what does hybrid-ready mean?When asked about the hybrid-ready CTVs that Blount Boats is building, the shipyard’s president Marcia Blount told Marine News that the vessels’ Volvo Penta IPS propulsion system “is readily upgradeable to hybrid at any time in the future.

Sea Change (Photo: All American Marine)

Hydrogen as Fuel: Possibilities, But…

Hydrogen is everywhere. You know that from high school chemistry. And you also know it from Marine News’ almost daily updates about H powered vessel projects around the world.As a fuel that could potentially replace fossil fuels, H is in the spotlight. Perhaps the brightest spotlight, at least in the U.S., is within the Department of Energy’s “Energy Earthshots” initiative.R&D on H was the first such Earthshot announced last year. DOE wants the “Hydrogen Shot” program to “accelerate…

© Wimbledon / Adobe Stock

Apply Now for Marine News' MN100 Awards Edition

Each year, Marine News magazine profiles 100 of the top firms in the North American workboat sector.From passenger vessels to towboats, tugs and barges. From dredging and offshore energy to pilot, patrol, fire and police boats. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, owners/operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible. But, only those who apply before August 10, 2022 will be considered for inclusion.Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies…

Johan Inden (Photo: Volvo Penta)

Interview: Johan Inden, Volvo Penta

Johan Inden heads Volvo Penta’s global marine business unit as part of the company’s executive management team. “I have global strategy responsibility, global product responsibility, direct commercial responsibility for everything except North America; we have our own commercial setup with our local president there, Fredrik Högberg. Of course, we collaborate very closely, but we have in our DNA to be very close to customers, so we think we need a dedicated commercial organization in North America as well…

(Photo: Silverships)

Propulsion Profile: Konrad-driven

Konrad Marine has launched several iterations of its signature sterndrive since unveiling its first units in the 1990s. Konrad’s latest lineup, the 600B series, was rolled out in 2014, with the first drives delivered to customers at the start of 2015 and strong market uptake ever since. Featuring the larger gears first introduced in its 600 series, Konrad’s 600B drives also include a new larger transom with integrated steering.“The biggest change when we developed the 600B series drive was our heavy-duty transom assembly,” says Fred Sparling, senior application engineer.

© Val Traveller / Adobe Stock

MN100 Deadline Extended to July 10

The deadline to apply for inclusion in Marine News magazine's annual MN100 awards edition has been extended to July 10.Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible. But, only those who apply will be considered.Click here to apply.Let us know if you have questions.

© MarekPhotoDesign / Adobe Stock

The MN100 Application Deadline is Fast Approaching

The July 1 deadline to apply for inclusion in Marine News magazine's annual MN100 awards edition is fast approaching. Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible.

© Cornelis / Adobe Stock

MN100: Time Is Running Out. Apply Now

Marine News magazine is accepting entries for its annual MN100 awards edition. Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible. But, only those who apply before July 1, 2020 will be considered for inclusion.Click here to apply.Let us know if you have questions.

© Drew / Adobe Stock

Apply Now for the MN100

Marine News magazine is accepting entries for its annual MN100 awards edition. Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible. But, only those who apply before July 1, 2020 will be considered for inclusion.Click here to apply.Let us know if you have questions.

(Photo: Cox Powertrain)

Cox Diesel Outboard Passes EPA Tier 3 Testing

Cox Powertrain announced its 300-horsepower diesel outboard has achieved U.S. EPA Tier 3 approval for commercial and recreational applications.Cox's CXO300 is a new design built for purpose, meaning the manufacturer had to work with the EPA to perform rigorous testing to prove the engine's ability to meet emission standards.Joel Reid (Global Sales Director), said, “We developed a diesel engine with a much lower carbon footprint than an equivalent gasoline outboard. So far, those who have joined us on sea trials have commented favorably how quiet…

© Brandon Klein / Adobe Stock

MN100: Apply Now

Marine News magazine is now accepting entries for its annual MN100 awards edition. Each year, the publication's August issue profiles 100 of the top firms in the shallow-draft, brown water, workboat space. Is your company one of the best? Apply now.The 100 companies selected will be featured in the largest BPA-audited b-to-b publication in this genre. OEMs, service providers, shipyards, operators and the full gamut of marine-related businesses are eligible. But, only those who apply before July 1, 2020 will be considered for inclusion.Click here to apply.Let us know if you have questions.

Image Credit: Danfoss Drives

PROPULSION TECH: How to Get to Hybridization

Hybridization in the marine world is transitioning from the latest fad to a key part of vessel design and retrofits. Driven in part by a demand for increased efficiency and new waves of global legislation, hybridizing or electrifying a vessel is quickly becoming necessary for organizations. In fact, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules and guidelines for the marine industry call for reduced emissions globally, and some ports around the world have established ambitious…