Lube Oil Maintenance Failure Caused Catastrophic Engine Failure and Fire
Debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard a passenger vessel docked in Portland, Maine, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed.The passenger vessel Ocean Navigator was moored at the Ocean Gateway Terminal on Oct. 18, 2023, when the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that seriously injured one crewmember and resulted in an engine-room fire. Crewmembers secured ventilation to the engine room, and the fire self-extinguished.
Twin Disc Inks Deal to Acquire Katsa for $23 Million
U.S. based power transmission equipment manufacturer Twin Disc announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Katsa, a Finnish-headquartered manufacturer of power transmission components and gearboxes for industrial and marine markets, in an all-cash transaction valued at €21 million (approximately $23 million).The transaction is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, Twin…
Future Fuels: Methanol
Any commentator on the maritime business decarbonization voyage will offer something along the lines of "There will be multiple fuels…" With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings of its Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) set for early July, it is likely that targets for emissions will be tightened. Whatever mileposts that the IMO actually establishes, there will be no prescriptions handed down on how to get there. By mid-2023, nearly two years after the late 2021 alternative fuels crescendo in the aftermath of the COP26 meetings in Glasgow…
KR Approves Methanol-fueled MR Tanker
Korean Register (KR) has granted an approval in principle (AIP) for a methanol-fueled MR tanker, jointly developed by KR, South Korean shipbuilders K Shipbuilding and equipment manufacturer S&SYS.As part of the joint development project (JDP) between the three companies, the MR tanker is designed as a dual-fuel vessel, harnessing the power of marine gas oil (MGO) and methanol. The vessel incorporates two methanol fuel tanks positioned on the port and starboard sides of the open deck.K Shipbuilding spearheaded the vessel's basic design and the methanol fuel tank design…
Wrong Size Bearing Led to Engine Failure and Fire on Supply Vessel
An incorrectly sized bearing led to an engine failure and fire last year onboard the offshore supply vessel Ocean Guardian, reports the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).On May 27, 2022, the vessel was conducting a sea trial in Shilshole Bay when its no. 3 diesel generator engine suffered a mechanical failure, resulting in an engine room fire that caused $1.1 million in damages.After maintenance was completed on all four main diesel generator engines in January and February 2022, full-function tests of vessel systems were conducted in open waters.
Governor Control Systems, Motor Services Hugo Stamp Unify Under MSHS Brand
Motor Services Hugo Stamp and Governor Control Systems are rebranding as one entity named MSHS. The unification marks the next milestone in the company’s history spanning nearly 40 years of engine sales and services, control systems, and engineered solutions for marine, industrial, energy, defense and government clients.“After years of cooperation and synergy between the two companies, the time has come to unite them under one brand,” said David A. Santamaria, CEO of the newly unified MSHS.
NYK, ABS, WinGD Working on Battery-Hybrid System to Cut GHG Emissions from Ships
NYK and NYK Group company MTI Co., Ltd. (“MTI”), together with the American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”) and Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd. ("WinGD"), have started joint research for optimization of ship design by utilizing a battery-hybrid system to aid ship propulsion and thus reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vessels.A vessel’s main-engine revolutions may increase significantly when a vessel tries to maintain its sailing speed during strong waves and winds.This phenomenon is called “load fluctuation.” The shaft generator may also increase the burden on the main engine.
GE Power Conversion Wins Contract for Military Sealift Command Vessel Maintenance
The U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC) has awarded GE Power Conversion an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to maintain the electric and hybrid electric power and propulsion systems aboard its vessels. The five-year contract potentially could be worth $125 million.The contract covers maintenance, modernization and upgrades, training, repairs, parts, remote technical support, and program management on 35 vessels, with more ships to be added as they are built and turned over to MSC after commissioning.
Alfa Laval Preps for Large-scale Methanol Testing
Swedish equipment manufacturer Alfal Laval said it is ramping up for soon-to-begin major tests of methanol as a marine fuel at its test and training center in Aalborg, Denmark. Working alongside engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and other partners, Alfa Laval will explore the possibility of running the center’s four-stroke, 2 MW diesel engine on methanol without modifications or another pilot fuel.The testing is the third stage in an ongoing research project funded by Danish EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program).
Wärtsilä to Make CBO Flamengo Brazil's First PSV Fitted with a Battery Pack
Brazilian offshore support vessel operator CBO has tasked maritime equipment manufacturer Wärtsilä, based in Finland, to convert one of its offshore vessels to operate with hybrid propulsion. The vessel selected for the upgrade is the 2012-built platform supply vessel CBO Flamengo. According to Wärtsilä, the CBO Flamengo will be the first vessel in Brazil and Latin America to be fitted with a battery pack for hybrid propulsion. This is expected to improve the vessel’s energy consumption…
Fairbanks Morse Inks Deal with Globe Turbocharger Specialties
Power solutions provider Fairbanks Morse said it has finalized an asset purchase agreement with Globe Turbocharger Specialties, Inc., a manufacturer of turbochargers and parts, expanding Fairbanks Morse’s service offering to include turbocharger services and increasing the company’s critical parts inventory.“As a company we are putting significant emphasis on providing exceptional service and aftermarket support to our customers,” said George Whittier, CEO of Fairbanks Morse.
Rolls-Royce, MAN Partner on Fleet Management Platform
Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems, and Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on mýa, the open asset-and-fleet-management-system enabling the integration of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), asset owner and operator data across the marine, power and energy industries, among others.Lauber said, “I’m very happy that a major player such as Rolls-Royce has chosen to join the mýa organization and to support the platform’s development.
MAN PrimeServ Expands Omnicare Concept
MAN PrimeServ, MAN Energy Solutions’ service brand, has extended its ‘PrimeServ Omnicare’ concept from turbomachinery into the marine and power segments. This one-stop service solution now also focuses on maintenance that covers non-MAN as well as MAN machinery, including engines, turbochargers and related auxiliaries.In the marine and power segments, PrimeServ Omnicare provides a maintenance service with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) spare-parts, based on global agreements.
Clean Marine, FMSI to Merge
Scrubber manufacturers and suppliers Clean Marine and FMSI have unveiled their intention to merge in order to create a bigger market share in the exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) segment.The combined entity, which will operate under the name Clean Marine, will provide a fully integrated offering, including Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) expertise, significant capacity, fast production times, project management and global after-sales services.Further announcements will…
Chevron Launches New Gear Oils
Chevron Marine Lubricants introduced a new range of gear oils designed for use in industrial and marine clutched gear systems.In developing Meropa MG gear oils, Chevron Marine Lubricants responded to customer and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) demand for gear box oils designed to ensure optimal performance in Renk and Flender/Siemens, Reintjes and Brunvoll clutched gear boxes, each extensively used in marine vessels. Meropa MG gear oils carry approvals from those gearbox manufacturers…
Bowman Power's Engine Efficiency Solution for the Marine Sector
A consortium, led by Bowman Power Group Ltd has created a new, marine-capable system designed to increase engine efficiency and reduce emissions.According to Bowman, the timing of this technology couldn't be better, coming just months after the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reached an agreement to cut carbon emissions from the global shipping industry by at least half by 2050.The project was part-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, and a leading research and innovation hub.
MAN Okays Chevron's Taro Cylinder Lubricants
Following field testing, Chevron Marine Lubricants have been issued with two NOLs (No Objection Letters) from equipment manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions, for the use of three of its Taro cylinder oils with itscylinder oil mixing system, ACOM.“Receiving the NOLS from Man Energy Solutions (formerly MAN Diesel & Turbo), demonstrates the impressive performance of our products in the field. The Taro range of cylinder lubricants provides solutions for the varied range of engines, different fuels and the increasingly complex operating requirements that we are faced with.
MAN Okays Total Lubmarine's New Products
Global marine lubricant provider Total Lubmarine has received two No Objection Letters (NOL) from equipment manufacturer MAN Diesel & Turbo – in recognition of the effectiveness of two of its products.The first NOL recognises the performance of cylinder oils TALUSIA HR 140, and approves it for use in MAN engines. TALUSIA HR 140 – which has a higher BN (base number) than most of its market counterparts – offers the best solution for engines subject to severe corrosive. Designed for slow speed engines running on High Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO)…