DNV GL in study to promote LNG as marine fuel

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 31 August 2016 31 August 2016

Whilst LNG has proven to be a viable option as a bunkering fuel for ships, there are still challenges to the pace of its development and demand for LNG as a fuel, said DNV GL, the German-Norwegian classification society.

“One of the obstacles to the accelerated uptake is the uncertainty regarding its availability. DNV GL is undertaking a new study on the LNG market in the EU as part of its efforts to drive the development of an EU-wide network of LNG refuelling points. The company has also developed a new tool and guidelines to facilitate wider adoption,” DNV GL said.

The market study is being carried out on behalf of the CORE LNGas hive project which is co-funded by the European Commission. The research aims to develop a safe and efficient, integrated logistics and supply chain for LNG in the transport industry (small-scale and bunkering), particularly for maritime transport off the Iberian Peninsula. With a total estimated budget of more than EUR33 million, the six-year project is scheduled for completion in December 2020.

The results of the project, coordinated by Enagas, will provide recommendations for the Spanish and Portuguese National Policy Frameworks for alternative fuels supply infrastructure, and will prepare the roll-out plan for future commercial deployment along the Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors in the Iberian Peninsula.

Fernando Impuesto, CORE LNGas hive project coordinator from Enagas, says: “The consortium partners selected DNV GL to execute the demand studies of the project based on the fact that DNV GL has been at the forefront of the development of LNG as a marine cargo for more than 50 years, and for LNG as a marine fuel over 20 years. With that experience and support, they are an important contributor to our success in this project.”

The CORE LNGas hive project follows another project recently delivered by DNV GL for the EU providing recommendations on how to address barriers to wider adoption of LNG as fuel.

Liv Hovem, DNV GL Regional Manager for Continental Europa and North and East Africa, adds: ”DNV GL has significant experience with adoption of LNG as a marine fuel. This is both through development of gas fuel class rules and assisting and advising private and public clients, port authorities, and global government bodies, with consultancy on safety, technical, and commercial market assessments.

“DNV GL has already developed new analytical techniques for assessment, services, standards and recommended practices for the LNG sector and has supported the safe development and operation of 35% of the world’s LNG plants. Our experience shows that more shipowners would consider LNG as fuel if reliable information on LNG availability was easily accessible.”

This demand for more knowledge and insight is being addressed with DNV GL’s new online tool, LNGi. This provides comprehensive and up-to-date information on worldwide LNG bunkering availability and market data on LNG as fuel for ships. It aims to bring stakeholders from across the LNG industry together to share market intelligence and contribute to the uptake of LNG as a ship fuel. LNGi is supported by The Society of Gas as Marine Fuel (SGMF).

The portal’s interactive map provides information about LNG bunkering opportunities around the world and also includes data on existing and planned infrastructure such as truck loading facilities, tank-to-ship bunkering options and LNG bunker vessels, as well as detailed information on various port and infrastructure projects. Statistics and further information on alternative fuels and emissions solutions, such as the uptake of scrubbers, give a broader overview of the most popular options to achieve compliance with stringent environmental regulations.

In order to continue meeting and supporting the market in its growing demand for cleaner fuels and versatile LNG applications, DNV GL has updated the Recommended Practice (RP) for development and operation of LNG bunkering facilities (DNVGL-RP-G105). The RP provides the first industry guidance on how to perform quality measurements and quantity metering of LNG fuel supply. This enables the industry to understand the business impact of proper fiscal measurement.

The update is a key driver for the monetization of small-scale LNG distribution and infrastructure to support the development of a more transparent and compatible market and to safeguard sustainable growth.

P&O Cruises introduce new WiFi packages

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 30 August 2016 30 August 2016

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corporation & plc group, says it has introduced improved WiFi packages across all its seven ships, offering guests the chance to stay better connected, at a lower cost, during their holidays.

Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises’ senior vice president, said in a statement: “People are used to accessing anything at a touch of a button or swipe of a screen 24/7 and this doesn’t change just because they are on holiday.

“We’ve listened to feedback and have invested significantly in the service to offer packages which are not only great value but also flexible. Guests can now choose a package which works best for them based on their needs and how they normally use the internet. Guests can purchase satellite internet credit before they sail or purchase their package at any time during the cruise.”

Forming part of P&O Cruises Stay Connected service, the all-new satellite internet packages are always on, so passengers have internet 24/7*. Three great value packages now available are:

The Connect Package – £7.75 for 24 hrs

A simple way to stay in touch with family and friends through social networks. Includes internet messaging and social media.

The Browse Package – £12.50 for 24 hours

Browse as usual (with the exception of video streaming), plus email and social networks. Includes web browsing, email, internet messaging and social media.

The Works – £24.95 for 24 hours

Stream YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, video call, browse, email, and share via social networks. Includes YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music streaming services, web browsing, internet messaging, email and social media.

 Whether it’s a laptop, tablet, smartphone, eReader or one of the on-board computers, the internet packages are simple and easy to use. Guests connect to the Wi-Fi and type ‘login.com’ into the browser, follow the on screen instructions, complete their details and choose an internet package.

 Packages can be purchased on a day by day or whole cruise basis, with the opportunity to upgrade between packages at anytime.,The new Wi-Fi packages complement other ways for staying in touch including mobile and cabin phones. Cabin phones can be used to call other cabins on-board as well as friends and family back home and charges are added to on-board accounts, the company said.

Meyer Turku to add steel warehouse and preparation unit to investment programme

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 30 August 2016 30 August 2016

Meyer Turku, the Finnish shipbuilder, says it has decided to build a warehouse for steel and a facility to prepare the steel for ship construction.

This is the third investment that the German owned company has unveiled this year, the previous ones being the acquisition of a second gantry crane at the shipyard in Turku and upgrades to its cabin module factory at Pikkio, some 10 miles from the city.

The company has now decided to invest a total of €75 million to upgrade and expand its facilities and the now unveiled investment will be completed in 2017.

Genting Dream to operate two and five night cruises from Guangzhou in Summer 2017

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 30 August 2016 30 August 2016

Dream Cruises, the Asia focused premium market unit in the Genting Hong Kong group, has announced its Summer 2017 itinerary for Genting Dream, with the cruise line’s inaugural ship setting sail from Guangzhou to two destinations in Japan on a five night cruise.

From 2 April to 29 September 2017, Genting Dream will depart weekly on Sundays from her homeport of Guangzhou (Nansha) with guests enjoying two nights at sea before arriving in Naha, the capital city of Okinawa.

From there, Genting Dream continues to sail to the island of Miyakojima, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. “The main island in the Miyako group, Miyakojima is a picturesque destination, edged with beautiful white sand beaches and clear pristine waters. Guests then enjoy two nights at sea, making the most of the ship’s countless attractions, before returning to Guangzhou (Nansha) on Friday,” the company said in a statement. Guests looking for a shorter break also have the choice of a 2-night weekend cruise to Hong Kong.

Genting Dream can accommodate 3,400 guests in 1,674 staterooms. Guests are attended to by 2,000 crew members, the leading crew to guest ratio in cruising in Asia. Accommodation on board Genting Dream offers both scale and choice for guests with over 70% of staterooms offering private balconies and over 100 connecting rooms catering to extended families and groups. The ship will have more than 30 restaurant and bar concepts, it said.