Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Connecticut News

Robert Starr (Photo: Fairbanks Morse Defense)

Fairbanks Morse Defense Names Starr CFO

Power and propulsion solutions company Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) announced that Robert Starr is joining the executive team as chief financial officer. In this role, he will lead the corporate finance team and oversee all financial reporting for the company.“Rob’s background working with commercial and military customers makes him a great fit for the Fairbanks Morse Defense team,” said George Whittier, CEO of FMD, an Arcline Investment Management portfolio company. “His ability…

First Harvest.

Will Customers Redefine Design and the Science of Marine Propulsion?

It is “pre-COVID ” April of 2018, and 174 member states of IMO adopt a new strategy to reduce greenhouse gases from shipping. The meetings are considered “urgent” and the target is to reduce carbon emissions in half by 2050. Prior to those “targets” shipping dealt with regulations to address SOx and NOx reductions. Most of which have resulted in limited success due to infrastructure problems and a consideration as a temporary fix.The technical world has responded with low sulfur fuels, LNG, and methanol to work towards the target.

Waterman (Photo: All American Marine)

A Quiet Revolution

BAE Systems’ HybriGen technology is creating a path to zero emissions.The rise in planet-warming greenhouse gases is driving a need for cleaner transportation on the ground, in the air and on the water. Leaders in the marine industry are taking note, and vessel operators are making the move to green power and propulsion systems.BAE Systems is creating a path to cleaner harbors and waterways with its HybriGen Power and Propulsion system. The system has three configurations to provide operators with options on their way to zero emissions.

Enhydra (Photo: All American Marine)

Powering the Emissions Revolution

Beneath the decks of vessels across the U.S. a quiet revolution is underway. Inside their underbelly is a high-tech set of components that work in unison – quietly humming together to push vessels through the water without a splash.The technology isn’t new. In fact, it has been powering cars and buses for years. However, with the rise in planet-warming greenhouse gases, it’s now making its way to the open water and creating a new wave of clean transportation. As vessel operators see the environmental benefits…

Laborde Products Named East Coast Distributor for Mitsubishi Marine

Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine America has named Laborde Products the new distributor for the East Coast of the United States for Mitsubishi Marine Engines. Laborde Products is currently the distributor for Gulf Coast, Inland Rivers and Great Lakes regions for Mitsubishi Marine Engines.Already a Mitsubishi Marine Engines distributor for Gulf Coast, Inland Rivers and Great Lakes regions, Laborde Products has more than 20 years of experience developing the brand in the U.S.

First-of-its-kind cargo vessel Captain Ben Moore delivers local produce and food across Long Island Sound. Built by Derecktor Shipyards, the aluminum catamaran is powered by two Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels, and lithium batteries connected to a pair of BAE Systems HybriDrive electric motors.  (Credit: Harbor Harvest)

Rewrite the Rules: The Path to Zero Emissions

With social media updates and conference agendas addressing the subjects of climate change, emissions reductions and alternative fuels, it’s a wonder we are not climbing the Himalayans in search of the Jedi Master that will provide us with the magic potion. Yoda’s blessing with a calming breath, “You have chosen wisely.”Government emissions intervention started with a move to reduce energy and fuel consumption measured in greenhouse gas (GHG), at a time when the world and our politicians spoke about global warming.

(Photo: Robert Kunkel)

Emissions Regulations: 'It's Not Easy Being Green'

Nor is it getting any easier to understand when, how and why to comply. Whether your marine operation is a major corporation or a family “mom and pop” company, the type of fuel you now burn or for that matter what emanates from your stack each day after the burn has now become a major source of confusion. As Kermit the Frog once said, we will now know what its like to be green. Some believe the discussion is a new subject. It is not. Those of us that work the oceans, rivers and sounds for a living always had a concern of how much fuel we burn and what the quality of that fuel was.

Photo: Canal Barge Company

Canal Barge Orders Another Becker Flap Rudder

The US office of Becker Marine Systems has announced the order for a retrofit of yet another set of Becker Flap Rudders placed by the Canal Barge Company, Inc. Founded in 1933, Canal Barge Company is a family-owned, independent marine transportation company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chosen for retrofit is the 140-foot vessel Eugenie P. Jones, built in 1975 by the Dravo Corporation. She is a sister vessel of the Susan L. Stall that has been successfully running the Becker Flap Rudders since June of 2014.

GE EPA Tier IV

Insights: Emissions Control and Compliance

Bob Kunkel needs no introduction to Marine News readers. Kunkel, President of Alternative Marine Technologies, previously served as the Federal Chairman of the Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program under the Maritime Administration and Department of Transportation from 2003 until 2008. A past Vice President of the Connecticut Maritime Association, he is a contributing writer for Maritime Logistics Professional magazine and of course, Marine News. A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy…

Derecktor Shipyard General Manager Micah Tucker and Project Manager Joe Goodspeed shaping the Keel for the first Harbor Harvest Hybrid.

The Strong and Silent Type

Mapping and shaping the growth of marine hybrid means many things to different stakeholders. The journey leads us all to the same place. If you follow the advancements in automotive design, the term or tag “hybrid” has come to define the alternative energy movement on our roads and highways. HEV autos have moved past Ford and GM in Detroit and into the hands of contemporary entrepreneurs and inventors the likes of Tesla’s Evan Musk or Dr. Victor Wouk. BMW, Ferrari, Bentley and…

U.S. Navy forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force routinely train together to improve interoperability and readiness to provide stability and security for the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Z.A. Landers)

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

YANMAR Expands Americas Distributor Network

YANMAR America’s Commercial Marine Division has made three new additions to its distribution network, Mack Boring & Parts Co., W.W. Williams and Antilles Power. Established in the 1920s, Mack Boring & Parts Co. is one of America’s leading distributors of marine diesel engines, including YANMAR’s pleasure marine product lines. For YANMAR’s commercial marine division they will support the northeastern United States, including Maine, New Hampshire, Rhoda Island, Connecticut, eastern New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina. W.W.

Photo: Cox Powertrain

US Coast Guard in CRADA with Cox Powertrain

The US Coast Guard has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with British diesel engine innovator, Cox Powertrain. The CRADA will evaluate and test the advantages, disadvantages, required technology enhancements, performance, costs and other issues associated with diesel outboard engine technology. There a been a big swell of interest in diesel outboards since NATO introduced its single fuel policy, with the military and naval forces of member countries keen to phase out petrol-fuelled outboards in favour of cleaner diesel alternatives.

EPA Awards Nearly $2 Mln for Clean Repowers

Three New England projects have been awarded nearly two million dollars under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) competitive national grant competition to reduce diesel emissions. The grants, totaling $1,975,000, were made under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The funding will assist the Connecticut Maritime Foundation, the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in marine vessel repowering and vehicle replacement projects. Diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas.

Insights: Kunkel Weighs in on Propulsion Technology

LNG? Methanol as fuel? Hybrid systems? Tier 4? Reducing noise? Cutting emissions without crushing fuel economy? Marine News readers have questions and Bob Kunkel has answers. Kunkel, President of Alternative Marine Technologies, previously served as the Federal Chairman of the Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program under the Maritime Administration and Department of Transportation from 2003 until 2008. A past Vice President of the Connecticut Maritime Association, he is a contributing writer for Maritime Professional and Marine News.

Wärtsilä Debuts LNG Carrier Designs

The unmatched track record and expertise that Wärtsilä has in LNG fuel solutions for the marine industry is again emphasised with the company's launching of a new series of LNG Carrier ship designs. This series of designs is the latest addition to Wärtsilä's ship design portfolio and is an important part of the company's strategic programme under the theme "Taking Merchant Shipping into the Gas Age". The series comprises four  vessel designs, the WSD59 3K, WSD59 6.5K, WSD55 12K…

Photo courtesy of Corvus Energy

New Research Vessel Taps Hybrid Power

Battery hybrid provides clean, quiet, fuel‐efficient research platform on Long Island Sound. Corvus Energy, Northern Lights and BAE systems now power Spirit of the Sound, a floating marine education classroom and research vessel. The vessel, a 65‐foot catamaran, will operate in Long Island Sound for The Norwalk Aquarium in Connecticut. The Corvus Energy lithium battery will provide the high-density energy storage for propulsion and house loads. Two 100kw diesel Lugger L1064A generators…

The $2.7 million environmentally friendly research vessel, Spirit of the Sound (Photo courtesy of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk)

‘Green’ Hybrid-powered Research Vessel Christened

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk christened a larger, “greener” new research vessel on Friday, September 26 in preparation for launching a new era in examining, monitoring and teaching about Long Island Sound. The $2.7 million environmentally friendly research vessel, Spirit of the Sound, was christened and officially named during a ceremony at the Aquarium dock. Breaking a bottle on her hull was godmother of the boat, Astrid Heidenreich of Greenwich. The boat will reportedly be the first research vessel in the U.S. running on hybrid-electric propulsion.