National Maritime

Maersk Tankers to deploy suction sail technology at scale to reduce CO2 emissions Maersk Tankers , one of the world’s largest tanker operators, is set to deploy eSAIL® suction sail technology on five of its MR vessels as part of its strategy to reduce its environmental footprint and advance sustainable solutions in maritime transportation. With over 240 tankers and gas carriers in operation, Maersk Tankers is continually exploring and adopting advanced energy-efficient technologies to create a sustainable fleet. As part of this effort, Maersk Tankers will install eSAIL® the suction sail technology, developed by bound4blue, a leader in automated Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). bound4blue will supply and install the suction sails, while the green technology catalyst Njord will lead the integration, installation, and validation of the systems. The installation marks the largest deployment of eSAIL® technology to date. #shipping #propulsion #environmental #sustainability #ISeaSMEs #maritimeconnection https://lnkd.in/d_MPWYvP

Four days to have your say on plans for the world’s largest tidal power scheme More than 2,500 people and organisations have had their say on the world’s largest tidal power scheme – with four days still to go until the public consultation closes. A final engagement event was held on Saturday and an online survey created as part of the Mersey Tidal Power project’s first public consultation will close on Friday 15 November. Starting on 1 October, the consultation is allowing people to have their say on plans for the world’s largest tidal power scheme which would provide clean, predictable energy for 120 years, power hundreds of thousands of homes and create thousands of jobs. The project is currently in the formal planning process, with the submission of a scoping report to the Planning Inspectorate to agree the ecology surveys that will need to be prepared ahead of a planning submission in 2026. Submitting a scoping opinion is the first step towards preparing a Development Control Order (DCO) submission – a process which typically takes two to three years. #maritimeconnection #tidal #coastalcommunities #ISeaSMEs #energy https://lnkd.in/gaC_vuiD

Spiralis Energy Scoops $1M Investment to Advance Tidal Energy Tech U.K.-based tidal energy technology developer Spiralis Energy has secured a $1 million investment from KISTOS PLC to build and test the Axial Skelter tidal energy unit. The investment received from Kistos will fund Spiralis Energy’s upcoming survivability testing ahead of a full-scale trial deployment in the waters off Alderney. The first phase of testing will begin in the first quarter of 2025 with functional testing of a subscale Axial Skelter. The functional testing is expected to last four to eight weeks and will provide technical data on how to operate the systems offshore. The second phase comprises a survivability test in Alderney waters, planned to take place from the second quarter of 2025 for 12 months. The survivability test will demonstrate the operational effectiveness and robustness of the Axial Skelter system. #socsea #ISeaSMEs #maritimeconnection #tidal #energy https://lnkd.in/eMrUgFTZ

Crown Estate funds study into tidal energy potential of Severn Estuary The Crown Estate has committed £150,000 to support research by the Severn Estuary Commission, established by the Western Gateway Partnership, to investigate the feasibility of harnessing tidal energy in the Severn Estuary. The Crown Estate has announced a £150,000 funding grant to the Severn Estuary Commission, enabling crucial research into the potential of tidal energy in the Severn Estuary. Launched by the Western Gateway Partnership in March 2024, the Severn Estuary Commission is tasked with assessing if tidal energy solutions can sustainably tap into the estuary’s resources, which could contribute up to 7% of the UK’s energy needs. This funding aligns with the Crown Estate’s focus on promoting renewable energy while stewarding the UK’s natural environments. The research will examine tidal energy projects’ environmental and economic impacts on the Severn Estuary, which hosts Europe’s highest tidal range and unique biodiversity. #socsea #ISeaSMEs #maritimeconnection #tidal #energy https://lnkd.in/eFDF9Y57

New vision for UK seabed as The Crown Estate publishes bold approach to drive energy transition and nature recovery An ambitious vision for how the UK’s seabed can continue to support the accelerated delivery of nature recovery and the transition to clean energy has been set out by The Crown Estate, which manages the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Amid increasing demand on the seabed from sectors critical to the UK economy, The Crown Estate has been working with stakeholders to develop initial plans for a ground-breaking Marine Delivery Routemap. The development of a Routemap was one of the key recommendations published in last year’s independent report from Electricity Networks Commissioner Nick Winser. Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate, said: “Our seabed has the potential to re-power and regenerate the UK – to a flourishing marine environment, a green energy transition and create jobs and opportunities across the country. With increasing demands and pressures offshore, we need a forward plan to release the true potential of our seas. Our plans for a Marine Delivery Routemap mark an important step towards a more coordinated, long-term approach to managing the increasing demands off our coast in partnership with a range of industries and stakeholders. “In addition, our evolving approach to offshore wind development is designed to help remove some of the barriers to deployment of important new renewable energy and provide more certainty to investors. We look forward to engaging with our partners as we move these plans forward in the national interest.” #coastalcommunities #maritimeconnection #marine #renewables #tidal #offshorewind #ISeaSMEs #socsea https://lnkd.in/eVFnT-Jv

Lest we forget... #rememberancesunday

End of Month Tender Deadline for Restoration Works - Tall Ship Glenlee, Glasgow The tender deadline for the restoration of The Tall Ship Glenlee is the end of the month (29/11/2024). The package of restoration works is part of a wider regime of restoration programme. The package of works will cover repairs to the hold deck, auxiliary machinery and generator rooms, engine room, collision bulkhead and bulwark scuppers. The scope can broadly be summarised as follows: -Removal of the lower deck-planking and ballast. -Inspection of the hull, stiffeners, frames and floor steelwork after removal of the ballast. -Shot blasting of steelwork to remove existing coatings and corrosion. -Thickness testing of steelwork allowing repairs to be identified and carried out as necessary. -Application of a new paint coating system to provide corrosion protection. -Reinstatement of ballast and deck planking. -Removal of the old freshwater tanks and installation of new ballast in their location. -Installation of a new watertight hatch. These works will be carried out between January and April 2025 (inclusive), when the ship will be closed to permit these works to be undertaken. https://lnkd.in/ejEir4Z4 #maritimeconnection #ISeaSMEs #heritage #shiprepair #socsea Beckett Rankine

PUTTING ENERGY INTO MARITIME DECARBONISATION At SOCSEA24 Andy Hurley MNI, Operations Director, Marine Zero and Phillip Twiddy, Clean Energy Investment Advisory Lead, LCP Delta looked at how the current Electric Thames project is seeking to transform the River Thames into a dynamic energy asset by enabling electric vessels to store surplus renewable energy—such as wind and solar power—when it is abundant and cost-effective. Together they looked at issues around energy supply availability for marine use, planning issues and costs, including the work they have done or planning to do around options for vessels to decarbonise including battery electric and hydrogen and the use of a green corridor to facilitate the transition. Sponsored by MIT Group Watch now https://lnkd.in/enVMRwj5 Port of London Authority #thames #energy #electric #ISeaSMEs #netzero #maritimeconnection #sustainable University of Greenwich Heidi King

Electric Thames Secures Major Funding Boost to Power London’s Grid and Decarbonise the River  A ground-breaking project to decarbonise the River Thames and bolster London’s energy network has secured a significant funding award from the UK Government’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). After successfully completing Discovery in May 2024, demonstrating the potential for electric vessels to balance London’s energy demand, the Electric Thames project has now received additional funding as part of Round 3 Alpha of Ofgem’s SIF competition. Led by UK Power Networks, the Electric Thames initiative has expanded its partnership to include the Port of London Authority (PLA) and ev.energy as it transitions to the next phase of the project. Maritime energy transition specialist Marine Zero, and energy transition consultants LCP Delta will continue to deliver the maritime and energy modelling elements of the project. The Electric Thames project seeks to transform the River Thames into a dynamic energy asset by enabling electric vessels to store surplus renewable energy—such as wind and solar power—when it is abundant and cost-effective. Alpha got underway on 1 October 2024 and is focusing on mapping current and future energy requirements for different vessel types operating on the Thames. Andy Hurley MNI, operations director at Marine Zero, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Port of London Authority and ev.energy to the Electric Thames project team. Together with our partners LCP Delta and UK Power Networks, we are now positioned to deepen our understanding of the operational requirements and key adjustments needed to make zero-emission vessels a viable option for Thames operators. “Our primary focus during Alpha is to examine the financial implications and benefits of transitioning to cleaner operations. By establishing resilient and sustainable financial models, we aim to provide operators with practical and clear pathways towards adopting zero-emission solutions for vessel and quay operators.” Grace Rawnsley, director of sustainability and net zero transition at the Port of London Authority said: “Having supported the Electric Thames project in its early days, we are delighted to be joining as a formal partner. At the PLA we care for, champion, and celebrate the river, so it is a natural fit to join with a project which brings innovation and environmental ambition together, helping towards our vision of the River Thames becoming net zero.”  As the Electric Thames project moves forward it is poised to play a crucial role in the Port of London Authority’s Net Zero transition and support London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s ambition for a Net Zero Carbon London by 2030. The project will also offer a scalable blueprint for decarbonising the UK’s extensive network of rivers and inland waterway https://lnkd.in/eNPzsbYe

Generations-old Thames family business supports British shipbuilding to lead the world in sustainable, luxury tourism launching summer 2025 with The Tower of London River Tour. Woods' Silver Fleet have proudly announced their first zero emissions tourist vessel, with construction underway at Pendennis Shipyard, Cornwall, England. Designers and owners, the Woods family, have built and crewed sightseeing vessels on the River Thames for over a hundred years, yet are best known for private charter events aboard their fleet of river yachts with recent clients including Google, NET-A-PORTER and Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. . The new boat is the first of its kind in the UK, harnessing developments in ultra light weight, aluminium design and construction technology coupled with an innovative industry first all-battery drive train. Following extensive design and power profiling by Vulkan Marine, the team has settled on an EST-Floattech | Energy Storage Solutions Octopus Series battery bank which will be rapid charged between each tour from a two megawatt shore charging facility (sustainable energy sources). Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the Tower of London, has agreed to exclusively partner the first 39m flagship, Thames Explorer, as the official Tower of London River Tour. Pendennis Shipyard, the renowned superyacht build team commissioned by Woods, are building a truly sustainable vessel which will have the capacity to cruise with 250 passengers a tour (500,000 passengers a year). The circular Thames guided river tour will embark and disembark at Tower Bridge Quay, linked by an atmospheric stone riverside walkway to the Tower of London. The onboard spoken tour experience will be created by British actor, Martha Howe-Douglas, known for her writing and roles in BBC’s international hit series, Ghosts and Horrible Histories. “We are delighted to be partnering with Woods Tours on the first official Tower of London river tour. For centuries, some of the most famous Kings and Queens in our nation’s history approached the Tower by boat. Now, even more visitors will be able to experience a unique view of the Tower from the Thames, discovering more about the history of this remarkable place throughout their journey. We look forward to sharing the story with them!” Andrew Jackson, CBE, Governor of the Tower of London The attention to detail will be apparent throughout the vessel’s design from clean, contemporary lines echoing the heyday of Thames river cruising during the 1920s and 30s with wide, awning-shaded decks, single deck panoramic views, bespoke wool woven carpet from Kidderminster looms and generously upholstered in eco-leather seating. There will also be 21st century full accessibility, solar gain reducing glazing, sound system and LED lighting. All hand built by Pendennis’ experienced team, supporting maritime apprenticeship in Falmouth, with both traditional and new technology. https://lnkd.in/ed7WMcw8