Can Korean Shipyards turn round Shipbuilding in North America?
It seems that patience with subsidized shipbuilding programs in several western countries is wearing thin. Examples of overpriced, defective and under performing ships are in abundance but the government funding that sustains them continues to flow – at least for now.
World Maritime Centres – Singapore at the leading edge
We live in uncertain times for the international shipping industry, however the leading World Maritime Centres are forging ahead in pursuit of excellence. There are many indicators by which they are judged including:
Terror Threat to Primary Supply Chain
The events of the last month have again drawn the world’s attention to the vulnerability of a major supply chain and maritime trade choke point to terrorism. Not since the Suez Canal was closed following the 6 day war between Israel and her neighbours in 1967 have so many ships trading between Asia and Europe been re-routed via the Cape of Good Hope. Between 1986 and 1985 the Canal was of course closed to all shipping but now it is Iranian financed and armed Houthi terrorists based in Yemen that are creating havoc by launching attacks, primarily aimed at container shipping when transiting the 20 mile wide Bab al Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, an area which hosts close to 12% of world trade including 30% of container traffic on a daily basis. The stated objective is to punish vessels having trading links with Israel, however the range of vessels being targeted goes well beyond this.
Ecuador on the brink
A recent BBC headline ran “Ecuadoreans are voting in the run-off of a presidential election that has been overshadowed by a crime wave which has turned the country into one of the most violent in the region.
The first round of the election was held just days after presidential candidate Fernando Villavicenio, an outspoken opponent of organized crime and corruption, was shot dead in the capital city of Quito. Seven suspects were arrested in connection with his assassination but have themselves been murdered in jail”.
The first round of the election was held just days after presidential candidate Fernando Villavicenio, an outspoken opponent of organized crime and corruption, was shot dead in the capital city of Quito. Seven suspects were arrested in connection with his assassination but have themselves been murdered in jail”.
The Challenge for the Fuels of the Future
Despite the many regulatory, operational and practical hurdles to be overcome, green methanol, ammonia and hydrogen are all seen as promising (non fossil) fuels for the future of shipping.
Earlier this year, the Greek Shipowner Avin International took delivery of the 156,700 tonnes DWT Suezmax tanker Kriti Future, having the world’s first ammonia powered main engine. While currently running on conventional fuel she is classed by ABS as Ammonia Ready Level 1. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto and AngloEastern have joined a consortium of 34 companies formed by Itochu to build a Newcastlemax bulk carrier having similar dual fuel engines. It is also known that China is working on the design of ammonia powered container ships.
Earlier this year, the Greek Shipowner Avin International took delivery of the 156,700 tonnes DWT Suezmax tanker Kriti Future, having the world’s first ammonia powered main engine. While currently running on conventional fuel she is classed by ABS as Ammonia Ready Level 1. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto and AngloEastern have joined a consortium of 34 companies formed by Itochu to build a Newcastlemax bulk carrier having similar dual fuel engines. It is also known that China is working on the design of ammonia powered container ships.
Offshore wind generation faces headwinds.
The expansion of demand for wind energy is no more evident than in the European Union which is in the process of finalizing a legally binding requirement to produce 42.5% of energy from renewable sources by 2030. The current requirement is 32% but to meet the new target will require 420 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy including 103 GW offshore. This is more than double current capacity of 205 GW including an estimated 17 GW offshore.