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Wärtsilä to supply Decarbonisation Modelling Service to Carnival group

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 22 April 2022 22 April 2022

The Finnish technology group Wärtsilä is to deliver its new Decarbonisation Modelling Service to Carnival Corporation & plc as the cruise group aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its fleet. Initially tasked with establishing an optimal decarbonisation path for the cruise ship Regal Princess, the project will expand to model solutions which could be applied to the entire Carnival fleet. The contract was signed in December 2021 and the project commenced in February 2022.

Under the fleet decarbonisation programme, a digital model of Regal Princess will be created by combining operational data from several different sources. Modelling capabilities and machine-learning algorithms developed by Wärtsilä will deliver a detailed analysis of vessel operational data.

The model will be used to simulate the impact of several technologies. A specific focus will be given to E-start, Wärtsilä’s patented electric smokeless start solution, as well as the Wärtsilä HY hybrid power concept with energy storage. The simulations will identify the most beneficial retrofittable solution while minimising the required installation.

“At Carnival Corporation we are totally committed to decarbonising our operations,” says Chris Millman, Vice President, Corporate Marine Technology, Carnival Corporation & plc. “A systematic, data-driven approach is essential. By working closely with Wärtsilä, a company with a depth of experience and expertise, we can establish a model that will allow us to get it right first time.”

“We are delighted to work with Carnival Corporation on this important project. The complexity of current and forthcoming environmental regulations requires a methodical, systematic approach. The Decarbonisation Modelling Service is the most effective means for assessing and assuring the performance of investments aimed at meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets,” says Giulio Tirelli, Director, Business Development, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

There are multiple ways for ship owners and operators to comply with the International Maritime Organization’s upcoming Energy Efficiency for Existing Ships Index (EEXI) and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII). This freedom increases the complexity of making the right choices. Wärtsilä’s Decarbonisation Modelling Service tackles this challenge by combining data-driven assessments with expert insight – enabling operators to maximise environmental impact with cost-effective investments.

Decarbonisation modelling is part of a suite of services to help ship owners plan their pathway to reducing emissions and complying with incoming regulations. It utilises several advanced machine-learning algorithms, including those powering Wärtsilä’s CII Insight – a new set of capabilities which enable owners to forecast vessel compliance with CII and understand the impact of alternative solutions.

Valmet to launch its web-based Valmet DNA User Interface with tangible benefits for the marine automation market

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 21 April 2022 21 April 2022

Leveraging modern web technologies, the innovative user interface provides a new experience in controlling and monitoring a vessel’s machinery systems. Built on the latest web standards, it also enables monitoring from mobile or handheld devices. Combined with role-based user access features, it allows both the crew on board and the owner’s supervisors on shore to get exactly the information they need from the controlled and monitored systems.

“The new user interface enables all users to collaborate regardless of their physical location on board or on shore. Using mobile and handheld devices, the interface moves with the users anywhere they go and provides access to system monitoring tasks. Web-based technology represents a modern and state-of-the-art way of designing a user interface. It simplifies the integration between the automation system and the external systems – and provides better accessibility to monitoring and reporting functions on board and on shore,” says John Weierud, Director, Marine Automation, Valmet.

Valmet DNA User Interface delivers relevant information in visual, well-structured, easy-to-understand dashboards, key parameter overviews, process and subprocess views.

Inbuilt technical security controls and cybersecurity functions protect the automation network and the host computers against threats. The system can be accessed via a controlled web browser over secure HTTPS communication.

Relevant information based on different user group needs

“We have studied the user experience in process control, starting from ergonomic requirements to usability and collaborative tools. Today, more data is available than ever before. But at the same time, there are fewer operators. To enhance operation, the automation system needs to be readily available to perform the actions required by various operators. Also, process information is required outside the traditional control rooms. One focus on developing the new user interface has been to provide a good view of relevant information. That’s why we created different information levels,” explains Lars Edin Svaasand, Product and Development Manager, Marine, Valmet.

Role-based user access ensures that the automation system offers each user information that is meaningful to his or her role and tasks. Instead of pre-engineered content, the automation system allows the user to compose relevant information content and share it with other users. Each user can have customized page hierarchies and displays based on his or her own role – such as an operator in the control room, officers at wheelhouse, a supervisor or any other role. The different information levels allow operators to have easy access to important equipment or supervisors to access top-level trend information.

The most relevant process information is always readily available. Arranging different page styles and types of information on different hierarchy levels provides the user with a top-down view to all process information. This improves the system status perception and leads to better situational awareness and user experience.

“We can build the control room workstations with different levels of information, overviews, monitoring and controlling analyses, detailed process data, along with operational, supportive and diagnostic information,” John Weierud adds.

Valmet DNA UI presents the process in a very user-oriented way by color selection and graphic design according to modern design principles. Relevant information is delivered in visual, well-structured, easy-to-understand dashboards, key parameter overviews, process and subprocess views.

The new user interface can be delivered as an upgrade to existing Valmet DNA automation systems. Vessel owners can unlock the benefits of the new user interface with an upgrade rather than a full system retrofit.

YSA brings greater accountability and efficiency to cruise ship design

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 21 April 2022 21 April 2022

Powerful modelling software from the forefront of land-based architecture can help cruise ship owners to provide better accountability of the steps they are taking to enhance sustainability, material selection and inclusiveness in guest services, according to YSA Design.

The Oslo-based interiors and exteriors design specialist is breaking new ground in using the Revit data-based tools and Building Information Modelling (BIM) driving digital transformation in architecture ashore for the initial stages of ship design. The techniques will help owners meet new and broadening social responsibilities on the environment and accessibility, while also benefiting ROI, says YSA.

“The combination of Revit’s data-based capability and 3D BIM software allows designers to model spaces more effectively for compliance on accessibility and to increase control over the materials used,” says Trond Sigurdsen, Chairman, YSA Design. “Creativity in design is our calling card but these analytics enhance efficiency at the earliest stage of design, benefiting inclusiveness, hotel management and accountability on the carbon footprint of materials selected.”

In a market first for cruise shipping, Sigurdsen said that YSA Design had used the BIM-Revit design tool in a project as lead architect to improve communication with the Owner and Shipyard, and enhance sustainability in surface materials selection by taking account of supplier, origin and recyclability. He envisages levels of accountability being achievable for ship sustainability to match shore-based scales such as BREEAM. He described class societies as “slow in proposing sustainable classification” and IMO as “dragging its feet" on implementing environmentally friendly rules. “The EU`s Green Deal seems to be quicker in pushing shipyards and suppliers to use lower carbon materials,” he commented.

YSA Design is also developing population flow simulations, guest-centric energy optimisation and off-peak power harvesting analyses to increase efficient use of service engineering resources.

“Basing flow studies on simulations is less costly and risk-free. Ship designers have become familiar with these tools as a way of making spaces accessible on board ship and eradicating bottlenecks, but exporting files from 3D Revit takes design to another level,” said Sigurdsen. “It unlocks more effective design at the GA stage and the gains for inclusiveness, logistics and operations can be significant. Design efficiency can increase revenue space, cabin size or guest numbers. Alternatively, an owner with a set number of guests in mind might build a smaller ship which is compliant on accessibility but less power-hungry. Today, saving cruise ship energy is business-critical as well as a sustainability imperative.”

YSA Design’s commitment to energy efficiency in design has previously been showcased in its collaborative work with Ship Planner. Ship Planner has created a unique, open data platform to facilitate enhanced performance and sustainability in hotel management. Developed with energy services and engineering firm Scenso, Ship Planner uses onboard sensors to monitor hotel loads and provide actionable data to enhance efficiency in the three ship ‘life-support systems’: air, water and power.

P&O and Cunard double cruise ship drydock win for Harland & Wolff

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 11 April 2022 11 April 2022

Harland & Wolff has been awarded a drydock contract for two cruise ships from P&O Cruises and Cunard respectively that will occupy the Belfast drydock for 33 days in total. The companies have selected Harland & Wolff’s iconic 81-acre Belfast shipyard to undertake drydocking works on two of its ships – Aurora and Queen Victoria.

The works due to be undertaken to both ships are standard drydocking operations that will give Harland & Wolff the opportunity to demonstrate to the wider cruise industry, its skills, capabilities and expertise in these types of projects.

The first ship to dock under this agreement will be Cunard’s Queen Victoria that entered service in December 2007. With a length of 294m and a beam of 32.3m, it will be in the yard from 2nd – 19th May 2022. Queen Victoria will be the largest cruise ship ever to have drydocked in a UK shipyard and the only Cunard ship to have ever drydocked in Belfast.

The second ship is P&O Cruises’ Aurora that entered service in May 2000. With a length of 270m and a beam of 32m, it will be in the yard from the 9th – 23rd June 2022.

The arrival of these ships in Belfast will mark another milestone completed in relation to the Harland & Wolff’s re-activation strategy across its key markets. Harland & Wolff’s strategy has been very clear, i.e., to operate in five markets and six service sectors to ensure continuity of projects and to provide longevity of employment for the core workforce. This will result in improved productivity and reduced project costs for vessel owners.

With the recent release of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSbS), repairs & maintenance projects as well as through life support services are key activities that will facilitate the continuity of skills and enhance productivity levels that will be required to win new build projects. As indicated in the NSbS, there are over 150 domestic vessels to be built in the coming years in addition to the fabrication works for the renewables sector following the latest ScotWind licensing round and future licensing rounds yet to be announced.

Harland & Wolff, group CEO John Wood, commented: “When acquiring the assets of Harland and Wolff (Belfast) in December 2019 and in a pre-pandemic period, the cruise industry was one of our key target markets.

“Our facilities are ideally placed to capitalise on these types of large projects whilst we continue servicing our smaller but regular clients. We have now secured contracts in four out of our five markets; commercial, cruise & ferry, renewables and energy – we now look forward to completing the final milestone of securing a defence contract in the near future.”

Carnival UK, vice-president maritime David Varty said: “We are delighted to be able to have these two ships at a UK shipyard with such a long heritage and reputation and we very much look forward to supporting the UK maritime industry and working closely with the Harland & Wolff team on this project.”

Tillberg Design of Sweden and Nobiskrug unveil 77 m megayacht design

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 April 2022 01 April 2022

Swedish firm Tillberg Design of Sweden has unveiled an innovative yacht design in collaboration with German superyacht builder Nobiskrug.The 77m (252ft) Yacht Lycka has been thoughtfully designed and engineered to embrace the latest technologies with a customisable, Scandinavian-inspired interior and plentiful deck spaces in a contemporary and sporty package.

Named for the Swedish word for ‘happiness,’ Lycka has been conceived to offer owners and guests the ultimate home away from home in a Scandinavian yet luxurious space designed to evoke a sense of rejuvenation, wellbeing and connection to the sea.

Clean, flowing lines lend a contemporary and modern look to the profile, with a Scandinavian lightness inside and out. Conveying a presence of balance and power, Lycka is both well-proportioned and thoughtfully equipped for active owners.

Functionality and beauty converge within Lycka’s expansive interior, which boasts Scandinavian-inspired simplicity with elements of luxury. An open plan design highlighted by large room high windows and folding balconies allows for interior and exterior to blend seamlessly on the main deck, which comprises a spacious salon and formal dining.

Amidships, a grand foyer features a spiral staircase encircling a lift that rises from the lower deck guest staterooms to the bridge deck above. A well-equipped galley and pantry area is positioned to port, while a charming breakfast nook with another fold-down balcony is nestled to starboard just outside of the owner’s suite. The full-beam owner’s suite offers a lounge seating area and spacious ensuite including a dressing room.

Lycka has been designed to accommodate up to 14 guests in the aforementioned owner’s suite plus six additional guest ensuites of equal size on the lower deck. Gracious crew quarters housing ten double cabins are situated forward.