Andrew Robson CEng MRINA

Looking at the damage sustained to the Wind of Hope I find it hard to believe that the MCA and classification society would let the vessel depart from Grimsby for repairs when there are local shipyards able to carry out such. The MCA state “As part of its commitment to enhancing maritime safety, the MCA conduct rigourous inspections to ensure that vessels comply with international safety standards. These measures are crucial for preventing potential accidents and environmental hazards, thus maintaining the integrity of marine operations within UK waters “. How can this vessel be currently halfway across the north sea without even having temporary repairs carried out? Another prime example of how British companies are losing out on work within the UK offshore wind industry, totally unfair and unjustified.

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Economic Survey 2023-24: Increasing gross tonnage in coastal shipping by about 40% as reported in the article may sound encouraging but still not good enough for a Mega economy like India. Shipbuilding Financial assistance scheme maybe is being well uitlised, but needs a thorough backup Audit. Factors in question are capacity, capital and Order book. Indian Shipyards in general need to expand and enhance shipbuilding capabilities and this does not mean core infrastructure but also skilled labour and automation. #makeinindia #shipbuilding

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North Sea-bound 2,900-ton module for offshore platform all set to sail away toward gasproject

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Green Marine (UK) Ltd’s pioneering maritime initiative aiming to retrofit CTVs (Crew Transfer Vessels) with hydrogen, fuel cells and battery - to cut emissions while servicing offshore wind farms - has been granted Approval in Principle (AiP) by global classification society RINA. Phase 1 of Project Verdant, involving a preliminary design and feasibility study, has now been completed and deemed viable, opening the door to subsequent project phases seeking to execute design, engineering and sea trials. Led by Green Marine UK, the Innovate UK funded project includes maritime consultancy Waves Group Ltd and EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre. Global leader in hydrogen systems and marine fuel cell generators Energys Australia helped design and provide engineering and modelling. Meanwhile, EMS | Engineered Marine Systems supplied a design for the battery room, drawn from its extensive experience involving multiple hybrid CTVs. Project Verdant’s conceptual design incorporates hydrogen fuel cells connected to electric motors, working in conjunction with existing diesel-fuelled engines, which can be shut down to enable zero emission operation at slow speed while servicing offshore wind farms. Findings show the hybrid system could reduce the vessel’s CO2 emissions by up to 30% and NOx emissions by up to 40% – with CTVs commonly operating in loiter mode for long periods at a time. Green Marine UK’s Managing Director Jason Schofield said: “Following the review of a comprehensive package of design documentation and drawings, Project Verdant’s technical solution has been officially approved in principle by RINA,” he said. “With technical feedback supplied by RINA we now have all the necessary input to progress to the detailed design and implementation phase. Retrofitting CTVs in the manner prescribed by Project Verdant provides a means of significantly de-risking the implementation and testing of hydrogen fuel-cell vessels in the coastal environment. Once the concept has been proven up, there is potential to rapidly replicate. This would enable economies of scale to be leveraged and remove barriers to adoption." Read more: https://lnkd.in/dgy8PUc9 #GreenMarine #NetzeroFuture #OffshoreRenewables #OffshoreWind #Renewables

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Interesting and updated reading about one of the demanding projects we are involved in as subsupplier to BAE. https://lnkd.in/gVDvsXr8

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First funding round now open for applications The Crown Estate application window is now open for an initial £10 million first round of funding that will be specifically aimed at UK projects that could support floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. The application process will close on 30 July 2024. Successful projects will be announced from October 2024 following assessment of applications, negotiation of funding and commitment agreements and necessary approvals. The accelerator will provide matched funding of up to £1m per project to UK supply chain projects to help them undertake the early-stage development works necessary to get them “investment-ready”. We will also be asking for an option to participate in the capital investment phase of projects that are taken forward. A further £40 million has been earmarked that could potentially be deployed to support UK projects that meet opportunities identified by the Industrial Growth Plan, which sets out how to triple offshore wind manufacturing capacity over the next 10 years. Make an application 👇 https://lnkd.in/eK9CxfRu #socsea24 #maritimeconnection #floatingoffshorewind #offshore #smes #ISeaSMEs

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An Overview of Offshore PPLI with Michael Malloy, CLU, TEP, RFC, hosted by David H. Kinder, RFC®, ChFC®, CLU® . - Offshore PPLI (Private Placement Life Insurance) is a type of customized life insurance policy that allows high-net-worth individuals to invest their assets in a tax-efficient manner. Michael Malloy discusses the benefits of offshore private placement life insurance (PPLI), including tax advantages, asset protection, and flexibility compared to domestic options, highlighting its use in estate planning and wealth preservation. https://lnkd.in/d9DqRaev

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Wow , the ISO development reminds me of how C14 radio isotope decay is used in carbon dating . Nice approach to tracking and wise approach to incentivise the deserving ones of bio origin .

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Rethinking Supply Chain Strategies for UK North Sea Floating Wind Farms – It’s time to Face the Reality of our Situation As the UK moves forward in its commitment to renewable energy, floating offshore wind presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities, especially in the North Sea. A critical hurdle here is the supply chain and infrastructure limitations. There has been so much focus on doing everything here in the UK. However currently, our infrastructure is not fully equipped to handle the large-scale demands of floating offshore wind projects. The simple practical reality of the situation is that the infrastructure just does not exist for us to do it all ourselves and the development of our existing offshore wind industry (Fixed bottom) should surely have highlighted this fact by now. An Alternative Strategy The clock is already ticking yet there are still many decisions seemingly not yet taken. Is now the time (if we haven’t already) to consider alternative strategies? What if we manufacture overseas, where facilities might already support such demands? We could then focus on developing our ports and installation capabilities here in the UK. This approach not only speeds up the initial manufacturing process but also bolsters our local economy by focusing on assembly and operational maintenance, creating sustainable job opportunities. Benefits: Speed and Efficiency: Leveraging existing global manufacturing capacities could circumvent the bottlenecks of building new facilities from scratch. Economic Growth: By focusing on assembly and installation, we invest in our local infrastructure, enhancing our ports and increasing employment in high-skill areas. Innovation and Leadership: Establishing the UK as a hub for the assembly and maintenance of floating wind farms positions us as a leader in offshore renewable energy. What are your thoughts on this approach? Could this be a way to accelerate the deployment of floating wind technologies and boost our economy simultaneously? #RenewableEnergy #OffshoreWind #SupplyChainInnovation #SustainableDevelopment #EngineeringExcellence Feel free to share your insights and join the discussion below!

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Funding Secured for Clean Maritime Ammonia Cracker and Combustion Engine Integration Trials We’re delighted to share that an AFC Energy-led consortium has been awarded £676,500 of government funding to demonstrate the feasibility of ammonia fuelled internal combustion engines for the maritime sector, enabled by the integration of AFC Energy’s proprietary Ammonia Cracking Technology. AFC Energy will share the grant along with partners MAHLE Powertrain, Clean Air Power and the University of Nottingham. Funding has been secured under the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom and delivered by Innovate UK. Funding commences in Q1 of this year with results from the proof-of-concept demonstration expected to be published twelve months later. Ammonia is widely considered an excellent hydrogen carrier and sustainable fuel capable of supporting the #decarbonisation of the global maritime industry. The demonstration will have worldwide application across maritime vessels seeking to adopt ammonia combustion as its preferred zero carbon propulsion fuel. This is a great project with world leading partners to accelerate the adoption of ammonia as a fuel for the future.

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Green Marine UK’s hydrogen CTV (Crew Transfer Vessel) retrofit initiative – Project Verdant – awarded ‘Approval in Principle’ by RINA National Maritime SME Award winners, Green Marine (UK) Ltd pioneering maritime initiative aiming to retrofit CTVs (Crew Transfer Vessels) with hydrogen, fuel cells and battery – to cut emissions while servicing offshore wind farms – has been granted Approval in Principle (AiP) by global classification society Royal Institution of Naval Architects Phase 1 of Project Verdant, involving a preliminary design and feasibility study, has now been completed and deemed viable, opening the door to subsequent project phases seeking to execute design, engineering and sea trials. Led by Green Marine UK, the Innovate UK funded project includes maritime consultancy Waves Group Ltd and EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre (European Marine Energy Centre). Project Verdant’s conceptual design incorporates hydrogen fuel cells connected to electric motors, working in conjunction with existing diesel-fuelled engines, which can be shut down to enable zero emission operation at slow speed while servicing offshore wind farms. Global leader in hydrogen systems and marine fuel cell generators Energys helped design and provide engineering and modelling. Meanwhile, Engineered Marine Systems (EMS) supplied a design for the battery room, drawn from its extensive experience involving multiple hybrid CTVs. Findings show the hybrid system could reduce the vessel’s CO2 emissions by up to 30% and NOx emissions by up to 40% – with CTVs commonly operating in loiter mode for long periods at a time. #hydrogen #decarbonisation #ISeaSMEs #socsea24 https://lnkd.in/d8383N5X

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Marine Engines Allergic to cashew nutshell BioFuel Fuel suppliers and shipping companies continue to look at a wide range of non-FAME biofuels, but a leading testing firm is warning against Cashew Nutshell Liquid biofuel. Singapore-based CTI-Maritec which provides marine environmental services and fuel testing solutions issued the warning after finding high concentrations of detrimental compounds in fuels from undeclared source materials or production processes it sampled. The alert says that ships fueling in Singapore and Rotterdam have reported a range of operational issues that led it to launch the tests on VLSFO (Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil) samples from the vessels that had bunkered in those ports. They received reports of operational issues including fuel sludging, injector failure, filter clogging, system deposits, and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings. CTI-Maritec reports it carried out extensive Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) testing on fuel samples from these vessels. It found “the presence of high concentrations” of compounds indicating the fuel was blended with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL) from undeclared source materials or production processes. “CTI-Maritec recommends that shipowners should not use 100 percent CNSL as a marine fuel or use CNSL as a blending component in marine fuel,” it writes in a Bunker Flash report issued on November 21. They note this “is contrary to the guidance by IMO on best practices for suppliers on the quality of fuel oil delivered to ships.” The IMO specifies the accepted BioFuels such as FAME-based biofuels, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), and those fuels are now established and acknowledged by equipment manufacturers, class societies, and flag administrations as “drop-in” fuels. CTI-Maritec says however that there is no specification available for CNSL from any authorized body similar to those for the other fuels. CNSL they explain is a non-FAME BioFuel, which is a naturally occurring byproduct of the cashew nut industry, and acts as a low-cost alternative renewable fuel. It is a substituted phenol, which is highly reactive and less stable says CTI-Maritec owing to its high iodine value. “The application of CNSL is known in the production of plastic, resin, adhesives, laminates, and surface coatings. CNSL has high acid values and is therefore highly corrosive as well. High Potassium found in CNSL blend fuels cause serious post-combustion deposits and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings,” according to the alert. They are recommending that ships not use unestablished bioproducts in marine diesel engines. They also recommend that blend compounds should be tried and tested to create an understanding of their typical properties and suitability for bunker products. How they combine with other components also needs to be well understood.

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TECHNICAL ACCESS (TA) - Love it or hate it... it's a necessary evil in dry dock. I hear the arguements from both the yard and Owners side. Often missed in docking specifications but often essential for simplifying a repair, installation or coating scope. Punching a hole in the hull to make the job more convenient - give it a go, may save those manhours overall ;) 👉🏻 The ONLY contact you need for marine & offshore life cycle support [email protected] +44 7535513545 www.dockspec.com TRUST US TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PROJECT #dockspecmarine #shiprepair #drydocks #marineengineering #shipyards #shipyard #technicalsuperintendent #drydock #drydockmanagement #marineindustry #technicalsuperintendent #maritime #technicalmanagement #shipmanagement  #marineconsulting  #prepurchaseinspections #tankers #surveying  #purchaseinspector   #marineconsulting  #marinesurvey #marineinsurance #marineclaims #marinemoney

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Only 2 more days until 30 of us from the UK branch of MacArtney Underwater Technology Group take on The Kiltwalk Aberdeen. There are 20 of us doing the Mighty Stride (18 Miles) and 10 doing the Wee Wander (4 Miles). We are doing this walk to help support Guide dogs and any donation you can make would be greatly received. Donations can be made at the following link. https://lnkd.in/eZ6YND-T Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant impact on their daily lives. Of those, around 180,000 rarely leave their homes alone and lead lonely, isolated lives. Guide Dogs works for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you. A world with enough support to make the challenges of sight loss no barrier to fulfilling hopes and dreams. #kiltwalk #guidedogs #charity #subsea #underwater

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Following up my previous post - I can advise we indeed managed to finalise the text of A.1050(27) revision this session (as were the guidelines for the use of ammonia as fuel) - which is fitting for me as I'm planning to hang up my hard hat, boiler suit and safety shoes and officially "retire" in March next year. From the Isle of Man Ship Registry, I've been attached to the UK delegation at the International Maritime Organization for a quarter of a century (it sounds longer when you say it like that), so I'd like to thank the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the opportunity to allow an individual from a small island nation of around 84,000 people to have a voice with an audience of many millions, internationally. I even got a mention from the General Secretary of the Organisation in his closing speech which meant a lot to me. In my time there - I've participated in (with others) and I've chaired working groups, developing the TDC revision into the 2011 Code to make carriage of timber cargoes safer. I've brought about (with the help of others!) changes to the way Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertiliser is actually categorised for safe transport by sea (by following up recommendations from the Cheshire Casualty that I investigated back in Aug 2017). My tanker background taught me the importance of gas atmosphere monitoring, the Cheshire investigation clearly identified a trend that could be useful (oxygen levels falling over time) to understand what was happening in the hold space (ongoing thermal decomposition/developing dangerous condition) which lead naturally to the enclosed space entry revision (human access to a potentially gas dangerous space). Statistics tell us we are still failing to achieve the degree of safety/controls we need to protect our seafarers; and shore workers from losing their lives to this invisible killer on ships. Covering off some "interpretive" requirements in various mandatory instruments throughout my attendances and various submissions at the IMO, I hope will cover some of the bases. Making those responsible for seafarer safety (and I include myself in that description) actually be more responsible for some of the controls to make this unique career safer for the guys at the coalface (the ship) has always been and always will be a personal goal of mine. Now where did I put that "consultants" hat?? #iomsr #mca #imo #esg #pioneers #seafareslives #crewsafety #safetyatsea

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Top stories today (£) 💷 Next CfD auction will need £2.5bn offshore wind budget to keep 2030 hopes alive https://buff.ly/3TlsuWr The government will need to more than double the offshore wind budget in the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction to at least £2.5 billion to maintain any hope of meeting its 2030 deployment target, an industry analyst has warned. Despite being the “heavy lifter” in the UK’s plans for the decarbonisation of the energy system, less than 3.4GW of new offshore wind was procured in the latest auction. Sam Hollister, head of economics, policy and investment at LCP Delta, said this is still “well below” the levels that will be needed to reach the government's goal of deploying 55GW of fixed foundation offshore wind by the end of this decade. ⚠️ Cadent warned of Grenfell Tower fire risk months before blaze https://buff.ly/4cVupIr Contractors working at Grenfell Tower failed to act on warnings issued by Cadent just months before the tragic fire which claimed the lives of 72 people. In March 2017 – just three months before the blaze – Cadent Gas Limited expressed fire safety concerns about work being carried out to replace corroded gas risers in the building. While the Inquiry ruled that "neither the defects [...] nor the failure to have completed the work contributed to the fire", it has made several recommendations to improve working practices in the future. 💧 Regulators to issue speeding ticket-style fines to water companies https://buff.ly/4e9pBA7 Regulators will be given new powers to hand out automatic penalties to water companies under the Water (special measures) Bill. The Environment Agency will be able to impose on-the-spot penalties for polluting, not complying with information requests or reporting requirements, and water resource offences - similar to the way speeding tickets are imposed. The bill will also permit regulators to prosecute water company bosses if they break the law, which could result in imprisonment.

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Scotland Launches Consultation on Offshore Marine Conservation Measures The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on proposed fisheries management measures for 20 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scotland’s offshore waters. These measures are part of a broader effort to protect and restore marine ecosystems, addressing longstanding commitments to safeguard these critical areas. The consultation outlines potential restrictions on the use of specific fishing equipment, including demersal mobile and static gear, across 15 of the designated sites. In some cases, zoned restrictions are suggested, while full site-wide exclusions are proposed for five other sites where such measures are deemed necessary to meet conservation goals. The Scottish MPA network now encompasses more than 230 sites, covering 37% of Scotland’s seas. Each MPA is designated to protect specific features, from deep-sea sponge aggregations to cold-water coral reefs and ocean quahog, a clam species that can live for over 400 years. The consultation will be open until 14 October 2024, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute their views. A subsequent consultation will address fisheries management measures for MPAs in inshore waters. https://lnkd.in/dU3-9A2C #socsea24 #conservation #marine #seas #maritime

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