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Capital Link Shipping & Marine Services Forum
The annual Capital Link Shipping & Marine Services Forum will take place September 10 at the BMA House in London.
ABS is the lead sponsor of the forum, which aims to provide investors with a comprehensive review of and outlook for the various shipping markets.
The forum is an opportunity to meet and network with a large, high-caliber audience of ship-owning and offshore executives, institutional investors, research analysts, industry experts, commercial and investment bankers, risk advisers, private equity and venture capital firms, high-net worth investors, and financial media. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the current state of the shipping and marine services industry, how that affects their investments, and the opportunities and challenges ahead.
New Technical Director of ONR Global
The U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global has promoted Dr. Marcus Tepaske to the role of technical director, where he will lead experts in finding cutting-edge technologies and solutions and getting them into the hands of sailors and Marines.
Tepaske, who officially started his new position July 1, previously served as an ONR Global science director in Singapore from 2022 to 2024.
ONR Global provides worldwide science and technology (S&T)-based solutions for current and future naval challenges. The command reaches out to the broad global technical community and the operational fleet to cultivate cooperation in areas of mutual interest and to bring the full range of possibilities to the Navy and Marine Corps.
Tepaske will lead more than 50 scientists, technologists and engineers with a physical presence on five continents, and bridge the gap between emerging science and technology and warfighters at home and abroad.
Tepaske’s prior tenure at ONR Global includes rotations as the director of Experimentation and Analysis, as well as science advisor to U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Marine Corps Forces Command and II Marine Expeditionary Force. During those assignments, he made significant contributions to the ONR Global mission, including deployments to Afghanistan and aboard the USS BUSH CVN in support of naval science and technology.
Tepaske has extensive experience in both Navy and Marine Corps weapons system integration through his work as the ONR Fires Thruster deputy program manager and as the deputy program manager for the Navy’s Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System.
Previously, Tepaske spent 10 years at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, working on a broad spectrum of technology development programs, some of which deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Tepaske earned a bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic and State University, and a master’s of engineering management and doctorate of engineering from Old Dominion University.
USCG Titan Sub Hearing Sept. 16-27
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is scheduled to conduct a formal hearing from September 16 to 27 in North Charleston, South Carolina, for the Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) to consider evidence related to the loss of the Titan submersible.
Titan was on an expedition to explore the wreck of the Titanic when contact was lost 1 hr. and 47 min. into its dive on June 18, 2023. The Coast Guard, along with other agencies, international partners and private entities, conducted an extensive search operation. The wreckage of the Titan submersible was subsequently found on the ocean floor, approximately 300 m off the bow of the Titanic, and all five passengers were declared deceased.
The hearing will examine all aspects of the loss of the Titan, including pre-accident historical events, regulatory compliance, crew member duties and qualifications, mechanical and structural systems, emergency response and the submersible industry.
The hearing will take place at the Charleston County Council Chambers. Due to capacity limitations, members of the public are encouraged to view the hearing via the livestream.
The formal hearing is scheduled to convene daily (weekdays) at 8:30 a.m. EST.
The formal hearing was convened by Vice Adm. Peter W. Gautier, deputy commandant for operations. An MBI is the highest level of investigation in the Coast Guard. Upon completion of the investigation, the board will issue a report to the commandant with the evidence collected, the facts established, its conclusions and recommendations.
Learn more about the hearing at: www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/Headquarters/Titan-Submersible.
Hearing updates will also be posted via Twitter/X @MaritimeCommons with the hashtag #TitanMBI.
Funding Campaign for Fishing Net Recycler
Fishy Filaments, a company that recycles end-of-life fishing nets into high-value materials for 3D printing and injection molding, is launching its latest Crowdcube campaign to fund the next phase of its growth. Targeting £150,000, Fishy Filaments was set up in 2016 to recycle old Cornish gillnets into virtually carbon-free marine nylon for use in advanced engineering and manufacturing.
Turning a problem waste into an economic asset, Fishy Filaments is looking help fishing fleets that have to pay for the safe disposal of their nets by providing a zero-cost recycling solution. This is something that it is already doing for the Cornish hake fleet in its home port of Newlyn.
Long-term, Fishy Filaments is working toward a future where fishermen in unregulated parts of the world will be able to recycle their nets locally using a network of Fishy Filaments’ plants. Fitting into a 40-ft. container, these chemical-free plants can be transported to remote parts of the world, requiring only water and power to operate.
Providing a new income stream for fishermen in these regions and an environmentally sound alternative solution for fishing net disposal, the materials arising from Fishy Filaments’ process have the potential to displace 2 million tonnes of CO₂-eq emitted by new Nylon 6 production each year.
Globally, 200,000 tonnes of end-of-life nets are either burnt, buried or discarded at sea each year. Nets that are burnt release vast amounts of CO2, while nets that end up in the sea represent a significant and long-lasting danger to both wildlife and shipping as ghost nets, taking up to 600 years to biodegrade.
SIRE 2.0 Virtual Training
OneLearn Global (OLG), member of OneCare Group, has launched a new training project to provide crews with the expertise and assurance required to comply with the new SIRE 2.0 ship inspection procedures.
The project, Mastering Sire 2.0: A Comprehensive Guide to Inspections, will ensure crews are equipped with the guidance to follow best practices during inspection, enhancing the safety and efficiency of tanker vessel operations.
Sire 2.0, which is due to go live this September, will future-proof the tanker inspection process in line with evolving risks, technology and expertise. The digitalized inspection program will transform how inspections are conducted and will support industry efforts to continuously enhance safety.
OLG’s immersive learning experience will provide crew members with the opportunity to experience training in a virtual manner through 360° images that include various life-like scenarios and levels. This practical method strengthens knowledge retention and deepens understanding of inspection complexities, effectively equipping individuals for their onboard activities.
Arctic Rays Acquisition
Arctic Rays has been acquired by Inkfish, a newly established organization dedicated to providing services to support marine researchers globally. This strategic acquisition is set to combine Arctic Rays’s innovative product offerings with Inkfish’s ability to connect with scientific partners and causes around the world.
Founded in 2015 on a commitment to manufacture turnkey custom imaging solutions with superior responsiveness, Arctic Rays has consistently delivered patented lighting packages, still and video capture payloads and other integrated systems for subsea vehicles operating as deep as 6,000 m.
Inkfish was founded in 2021 to support marine researchers by planning and executing research expeditions, providing resources and developing new technologies to further research initiatives.
US Navy Deploys World’s First Electricity Grid-Scale Device
Marine hydrokinetics pioneer, Ocean Energy USA LLC (part of Ocean Energy Group Ireland), has announced that it has successfully deployed its 826-ton wave energy convertor buoy, the OE-35, at the U.S. Navy’s Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) on the windward coast of the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.
After commissioning and testing onsite, the device will be connected to the Hawaiian electricity grid by subsea cable in the coming weeks.
The utility-scale wave energy device measures 125 x 59 feet, has a draft of over 30 feet, and a potential rated capacity of up to 1.25 megawatts in electrical power production. It is located north of Mōkapu Peninsula, at the WETS site in Kaneohe Bay, having been towed there from Honolulu on Friday, July 19.
The US$12 million project is part‐funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), under an agreement committing the U.S. and Irish governments to collaborating on marine hydrokinetic technologies.
“Following over a decade and a half of design, trials, testing, and building, we are excited finally to be able to take this major step towards commercialization with our world-class OE-35 device,” said Professor Tony Lewis, Ocean Energy’s chief technology officer. “This internationally significant project couldn’t come online at a more critical time for the U.S. and Ireland as the world needs to accelerate the pace of decarbonization with new and innovative technologies.”
Event: International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE)
With energy prices surging and global energy security hanging in the balance, employing multidisciplinary teamwork to solve cross-sectorial challenges is more important than ever. That’s why this year’s International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE), from August 26 to 29 in Houston—themed “Your Passport to Global Energy”—focuses on global integration of exploration, technology and innovation.
The 2024 program includes an exciting new feature: E&P sessions categorized into six regional themes:
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US and Canada
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Permian; Geological Studies Focused on the Midcontinent; The Rockies; US Gulf of Mexico; North American Continental Margins Beyond the Lower 48; Alaska North Slope; Canada Onshore; Canada, Alaska, West Coast Insights
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Latin America and Caribbean
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Latin America Exploration Outlook; Frontier Offshore Basins; Suriname Exploration; MX Gulf of Mexico; Brazil’s Presalt Basins; Trinidad and Tobago Exploration; Exploration and Development; Brazil’s Equatorial Margin; Exploration
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Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East
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New Field Development Concepts for Carbonate Reservoirs in the Middle East; Frontier Exploration Plays in the Eastern Mediterranean/Middle East Region; Large-Scale Exploration Concepts for Discovering New Plays; Challenges in Tight and Fractured Reservoirs and Source Rocks; New Methods for Developing Hydrocarbons in the Middle East
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Asia-Pacific
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State of Play; New Frontiers; Chinese Basins
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Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Officer Basin, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
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Africa
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Exploration Outlook and Frontier Opportunities; Play-Scale Studies; Field-Scale Studies; East and South Africa Geologic Studies; Approaches to Data Integration: Geophysical Workflows
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Europe-Caspian
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New Insights into Europe (North Sea, Norway, Romania ,UK)
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This geographical grouping allows geoscientists interested in a particular region to gather in one room to discuss technical and commercial issues and opportunities spanning multiple disciplines.
E&P sessions are the foundation of a robust program including more than 1,200 presentations across 159 oral and 155 poster sessions.
Attend IMAGE to glean insights you won’t find anywhere else and form part of our global geoscience community that’s leading the way to a more efficient and successful future.
Scientists Discover ‘Dark Oxygen’ on Seafloor
Scientists have discovered “dark oxygen” being created on the ocean seafloor by “polymetallic nodules” that potentially support life, as shown by new research in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Andrew Sweetman, the study’s lead author and member of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), believes the nodules create oxygen because they behave like natural batteries. “If you put a battery into seawater, it starts fizzing,” Sweetman told the BBC. “That’s because the electric current is actually splitting seawater into oxygen and hydrogen [which are the bubbles]. We think that’s happening with these nodules in their natural state.”
Scientists dubbed it “dark oxygen” because, as opposed to photosynthesis, which was previously thought to be responsible for the bulk of oxygen creation in the ocean, the production of dark oxygen doesn’t require sunlight. In fact, the nodules that seem to create it are far deeper than light can penetrate.
The discovery calls into question how big a part dark oxygen truly plays in our oceans, and has the potential to completely reshape our understanding of the origin of life.
Sweetman first felt something was off in 2013 during fieldwork in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone, a mineral-rich area between Hawaii and Mexico, according to Nature. The team sent down a module to create “an enclosed microcosm of the seafloor,” the authors wrote, where they discovered oxygen.
This by itself wasn’t outside the ordinary: oxygen had been detected this deep in the ocean before, carried down by currents. However, while oxygen levels usually taper off when enclosed, the oxygen levels here had increased.
Sweetman thought it was a sensor malfunction until he had similar results years later. “I suddenly realized that for eight years I’d been ignoring this potentially amazing new process, 4,000 meters down on the ocean floor,” Sweetman told Nature.
Scientists aren’t the only ones interested in these nodules, however. Because they are covered in lithium, copper, nickel, and other valuable metals used for goods like batteries and electric vehicles, multiple companies have been researching deepsea mining to exploit the nodules, including Global Sea Mineral Resources, The Metals Company, Lockheed Martin, and others.
Deepsea mining is a controversial practice, however, because it has been linked with biodiversity loss and destruction of habitats.
Sweetman believes that dark oxygen could be supporting life on the seafloor and opposes deepsea mining near these modules. “If there’s oxygen being produced in large amounts, it’s possibly going to be important for the animals that are living there,” he told Nature.
Sweetman and the other researchers also wonder whether this same process could be happening on other planets or moons, potentially supporting life.
“If the process is happening on our planet, could it be helping to generate oxygenated habitats on other ocean worlds such as Enceladus and Europa and providing the opportunity for life to exist?” Sweetman said.
Sensor to Monitor Acidification in FL Keys
Mote Marine Laboratory, in a project funded by the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), has successfully deployed a Sea-Bird Scientific SeapHOx sensor to monitor pH and dissolved oxygen–parameters measured for evaluation of ocean and coastal acidification, at Looe Key in the Florida Keys.
In leading this groundbreaking initiative, Mote aims to fill critical gaps in ocean acidification data, enhancing scientific understanding and protection of Florida’s coral reefs.
ABS Issues Ammonia Fuel-Handling Guidelines
Classification society ABS has released guidance on the sage bunkering of ammonia.
The firm’s Ammonia Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory seeks to provide the maritime industry with a better understanding of the challenges involved with using the alternative fuel, it said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.
The guidance covers ammonia bunkering design, operations, risk assessment and dispersion analysis, safety procedures, and training.
“ABS has been leading the development of ammonia as a marine fuel, and this advisory is the next step in this process,” John McDonald, president of ABS, said in the statement. “We have built up extensive insight into the application of ammonia at sea, which we are now sharing with the industry.”
“The advisory supports owners, operators, designers, shipyards, and ammonia suppliers, including terminals and port authorities, with comprehensive guidance on the latest thinking around ammonia bunkering, which presents a specific set of new challenges for the industry,” he added.
Precise Maintenance Dredging
The Sanctuary Cove marina, on the Coomera River in the Gold Coast region of Australia, has grown significantly in recent years to now include four man-made marinas with over 300 moorings, as well as a dedicated superyacht berth for vessels over 24 m long. The marina enables direct access to the Pacific Ocean via the protected waterways of the Gold Coast Broadwater (without height restrictions) and the Coomera River.
As part of its marina maintenance activities, McQuade Marine was contracted to dredge in and around the tight confines of berthing pockets and pontoons within Sanctuary Cove–and all within a two-week time frame to minimize disturbance to boat owners and nearby residents. The total material quantity that needed to be removed was approximately 5,550 cubic meters of mud-like material that included silt, sand and clay.
McQuade combined advanced GNSS-enabled machine control software with purpose-built marine software to support underwater surveys and dredge-head actions to facilitate the Sanctuary Cove maintenance dredging project.
The McQuade team utilized one of its 45-ton Komatsu PC450 long-reach excavators on a purpose-built barge for dredging. Material was moved to the contractor’s split-hull trailing suction hopper dredger, Faucon, for transport to other parts of the marina.
The team used the Trimble Earthworks machine control system on an excavator with a Trimble Marine Construction (TMC) software overlay to provide a real-time view of the Faucon, the barge GHT1 and the excavator, along with the surveyed surface, design and dredged depth. TMC enables 3D visibility of the seabed profile to precisely target and remove only the needed material. Hydrographic surveys were regularly uploaded straight into TMC, enabling the excavator operator to maximize targetable material and focus on areas not within tolerance.
Operators on the dredger and the excavator were also connected via Wi-Fi, with TMC software allowing both the operator and skipper (master) to share the vessel’s positioning and 3D model information in real time. Wi-Fi was utilized for verbal communication and coordination between master and operator to optimize positioning and maneuvering. The operator was also able to generate volume progress reports at the click of a few buttons for the project management team and the customer.
Uncrewed Maritime Systems Certificate Programs
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will offer the Uncrewed Maritime Systems (UMS) Tier 1 Certificate Program during the fall semester of 2024, from October 14 through November 15, at the Marine Research Center, located at the entrance to the Port of Gulfport, Mississippi.
The five-week program, offered annually since 2017 and created at the request of the Naval Meteorology
and Oceanography Command, consists of four courses for a total of 10 credit hr.
Successful completion of the UMS Tier 1 Program is required to apply for the Tier 2 Program.
eWolf: First Fully Electric Tug in US
Corvus Energy has supplied the battery system for the Crowley eWolf, the first fully electric ship assist harbor tugboat in the U.S.
The groundbreaking eWolf tug, designed by Crowley and built by Master Boat Builders for operation in the Port of San Diego in California, is powered by an integrated electrical propulsion system from ABB that incorporates a Corvus battery system.
The eWolf is equipped with a Corvus Orca ESS, a marine energy storage system used on board more than 700 maritime vessels around the world. The eWolf is outfitted with a 6.2-MWh Corvus Orca system and is capable of operating daily at full capacity using battery power alone. Battery-powered operations require zero fuel and produce zero emissions, resulting in significant environmental and fuel-saving benefits.
Crowley anticipates the tug will generate 178 tons less of nitrogen oxide (NOx), 2.5 tons less of diesel particulate matter and 3,100 metric tons less of carbon dioxide over the first 10 years of its operations: the equivalent of removing 350,000 gallons of gas from use, according to EPA calculations.
To optimize battery performance over the lifetime of the system, cloud-based technology is used to continuously monitor ESS function and provide critical performance insights through the Corvus Energy Vessel Information Portal. The online monitoring tool uses big data, machine learning and algorithms to support predictive maintenance, optimized system use and proactive troubleshooting.
Worldwide, tugboats were among the first maritime vessels to adopt battery technology due to their nearshore operations and ability to recharge regularly.
In the U.S., the Crowley eWolf and Port of San Diego are leading the way. Several other ports are currently pursuing federal funding to invest in fully electric tugs under the U.S. Green Ports Program.
DOE AlgaePrize Finalists
Fifteen teams are advancing as finalists in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) AlgaePrize 2023 to 2025 competition.
Finalist teams were selected by a panel of judges who reviewed and scored the required 10-page research synopsis that described each team’s research plan for their proposed project within the AlgaePrize’s areas of interest. Each team’s research synopsis:
- Described how the team’s proposed research compares to and will advance the current state of technology.
- Displayed a sound understanding of algae systems whether in production; downstream processing; or new product, analytical tool or ecosystem services development, and the impact of their research.
- Included how diversity, equity, and inclusion will be included and addressed within their proposed effort.
These finalist teams will receive $10,000 in funding to support their research projects. Over the next few months, teams will conduct their proposed research and will provide research updates at regular intervals, including presenting their research synopsis to AlgaePrize organizers and completing an Introduction to Algae Massive Open Online Course.
Teams will then present their projects to a panel of judges during the AlgaePrize Competition Weekend, April 11–13, 2025 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The judges will select five teams as the AlgaePrize winners, and each winning team will receive a $10,000 prize. From those five, one Grand Champion will be selected to receive an additional $15,000 prize.
Books: Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving
“Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving: A Pioneer’s Journey” by Howard Rosenstein has been released by Dived Up Publications, with a foreword by Sylvia Earle and David Doubilet. The harcover book features more than 200 images taken above and below the water by Rosenstein, Doubilet and others.
Rosenstein tells the tale of opening the first dive school in Sharm El-Sheikh, where celebrated guests, uncharted dives and historical discoveries became the extraordinary routine.
It’s a tale of grit, where resourcefulness and connections fueled Rosenstein’s pioneering spirit. From Roman coins glinting on the seabed to the dark, unmapped depths, his dives unveiled sunken treasures and secrets of the past. But these weren’t just underwater adventures—they were tightrope walks between nations at war.
Rosenstein rubbed shoulders with underwater legends, bestselling authors, photography greats and world leaders. He even found himself a player in the delicate dance of peace negotiations.
Dive deep into the extraordinary story of how a dive school in a train carriage at the edge of the desert became a global destination.
Whitepaper: New Unified Requirements for Cybersecurity
Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, has launched a whitepaper urging maritime organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses as the industry continues to adopt connected technologies for digitalization, decarbonization and crew welfare.
The whitepaper explores the International Association of Classification Societies’ (IACS) new unified requirements (URs) for cybersecurity. Compiled in collaboration with ClassNK, “IACS Unified Requirements E26 and E27 – Beyond Compliance” outlines the process of demonstrating compliance with the new URs.
Entering into force on July 1, 2024, E26 and E27 will establish minimum requirements for the cyber-resilience capabilities of newbuild vessels and their connected systems, respectively. While the paper reports that their implementation will provide “full visibility of a vessel’s computer assets and network infrastructure,” it also acknowledges the URs’ limitations, which include opportunity for a more in-depth risk-assessment process and for organizations to apply additional attention to cybersecurity policy and associated procedures.
Webinar July 23: Australia’s CoastRI Initiative
MTS and Sofar Ocean will host a member webinar July 23 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. EST on how Australia’s CoastRI initiative is creating a national-scale coastal observing and modeling system comprised of Sofar Spotter buoys to take on challenges caused by coastal change.
In this webinar, Michael Cuttler (University of Western Australia), Daniel Lerodiaconou (Deakin University), and Nevin DiParlo (Sofar) will discuss how CoastRI enables the deployment of a nationwide network of Spotters across Australia’s 16,000 mi. of coastline, dramatically increasing the spatial density of available real-time wave data in the country. This new data set will allow users throughout Australia to better understand coastal processes and potential coastal changes affecting species, habitats, industries, and communities.
eDNA Autosampler
NatureMetrics and Dartmouth Ocean Technologies (DOT) have launched the DOT-NM Autosampler, a system that enables autonomous collection of eDNA samples from marine and freshwater environments to provide comprehensive biodiversity insights at unprecedented scale.
The DOT-NM Autosampler addresses a critical bottleneck in aquatic environmental monitoring by autonomously sampling eDNA, genetic material naturally shed into waters by organisms, over extended deployments without the need for labor-intensive, vessel-based campaigns. This groundbreaking capability unlocks safe, cost-effective and continuous biodiversity data collection even in the most remote aquatic locations.
Key capabilities include:
-Autonomous collection of up to nine consecutive 5-liter eDNA samples per deployment.
-User-configurable sample timing and volume settings based on study requirements.
-Automatic sample preservation and self-cleaning routines between samples.
-Three depth-rating options for 20-, 200 and 2,000-m deployments.
-Versatile deployment modes: vessel-based, static mooring, or integrated with drones/AUVs.
-Applications spanning marine conservation, offshore energy, aquaculture, wastewater and more.
Shipping Company Opts for Autopilot for Tanker
The Swedish shipping company Ektank has opted for a new autopilot from Anschütz for the modernization of an oil tanker.
The NautoPilot 5300 NX is a state-of-the-art autopilot that offers the most comprehensive range of fuel-saving features in addition to high-precision control.
The new autopilot was installed on board their vessel M/T Ekfjord. Ekfjord is a very well-equipped 17,000 DWT double- skin tanker with DNV NAUT-OC notation that operates in global trade.
“We are delighted that Ektank has decided in favor of our autopilot for the modernization of its high-quality ships,” said Jörn Fischbach, sales manager for Scandinavia at Anschütz.
With its outstanding steering accuracy, the NautoPilot 5300 NX fulfills Ektank’s high safety and quality standards. Even at low speeds, the autopilot has proven its precise performance, which is essential for navigation in narrow and sensitive sea areas as well as between islands and archipelagos.
The new autopilot also ensures more efficient ship operation. The combination of various functions to increase efficiency in steering performance can save up to 2.5% of fuel, according to previous findings, which in turn leads to lower emissions.
Important functions include an ECO mode, which filters out regular ship movements due to weather or sea conditions and thus reduces rudder movements. Additionally, the Course Control mode guides the ship over the shortest distance with low rudder angles. On the intuitive heading and rudder plot, navigators can see how efficiently the autopilot is steering at that moment and can optimize the parameter settings at the touch of a finger at any time.
NautoPilot 5300 NX autopilot is appropriate for all ship types. It complies with current standards, including Ethernet communication standards according to IEC 61162-450, cyber security requirements according to IACS UR E27, and bridge alert management communication according to IEC 62923-1 and -2.
International WorkBoat Show Nov. 12-14, New Orleans
The International WorkBoat Show will take place November 12 to 14 in New Orleans. The event will showcase the global workboat industry, with a new tie-in to subsurface technology and systems via the co-located event Underwater Intervention.
More than 12,000 delegates from six continents will attend this year’s event. There will be an enhanced focus from 1,000 exhibitors on technology applied to the commercial marine and subsea industries.
You can use the code Save100 for free expo admission or a $100 discount for a WorkBoat Conference pass and/or an All Access pass.
Learn more at: www.workboatshow.
Scaling Marine Carbon Removal
By Dr. Sophie Gill • Dr. Jing He • Dr. Jennifer Yin
There is scientific consensus that in order to stay below 2° C of warming by 2100 and to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, we need to rapidly reduce emissions, as well as develop technologies that can remove billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.
There is a wide range of emerging carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, a subset of which utilizes the ocean for carbon removal and storage. These marine CDR (mCDR) approaches are a particularly promising class of CDR technologies with extremely high scaling potential because they leverage the vast surface area and large carbon storage capacity of the ocean. The ocean naturally contains about 40 times more carbon than the atmosphere and already absorbs about a quarter of human-made carbon dioxide emissions. Various mCDR approaches aim to enhance the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
The Science and Technology
Most mCDR approaches seek to reduce the partial pressure of dissolved carbon dioxide in the surface ocean, which prompts the surface ocean to re-equilibrate with the atmosphere and absorb more carbon dioxide from air. The removed atmospheric carbon is then durably stored for more than 10,000 years in the ocean.
mCDR approaches can be broadly categorized into those that leverage biological processes and/or organic materials (biotic) and those that do not (abiotic). Biotic mCDR approaches aim to increase the growth of micro- or macroalgae and enhance the storage of organic carbon in the deep ocean via sinking. When these marine plants grow, they take up the dissolved carbon dioxide in the ocean through photosynthesis. In contrast, abiotic mCDR approaches include ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) or direct ocean capture (DOC), which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean by leveraging the ocean’s natural chemistry, or through direct extraction of seawater carbon dioxide.
The Market
Five years ago, the landscape for mCDR was mainly academic, with markets nascent for these technologies. Since then, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of mCDR companies working on R&D for a variety of biotic and abiotic approaches, as well as an increase in public and private investment. For example, mCDR companies have been the recipients of advance market commitments from the Frontier buyer group, orders from the first round of carbon removal purchases from the U.S. Department of Energy, and finalists in the Carbon Removal XPRIZE. There have also been significant increases in research funding for mCDR from the U.S. and EU, as well as from private philanthropic organizations, such as the Carbon to Sea Initiative.
The use of carbon credits, where one credit represents 1 tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, creates economic incentives for the development and scaling of mCDR projects. In order to generate trustworthy carbon credits, it is important that CDR projects carefully quantify their removals through scientifically rigorous measurements and models and transparently report their data for verification by an independent third-party organization. Collectively, this process is known as measurement, reporting and verification (MRV).
Thus, in addition to developing the science and technology to carry out the mCDR activity, it is just as important to develop the necessary MRV science, technology and infrastructure to successfully scale mCDR. This will require an all hands on deck approach, with the need for more ocean sensors, measurements, models and data analysis tools.
With the rise of all this recent activity in mCDR, there is a need for clarity and guidance on what constitutes as a “high-quality” marine carbon removal credit. This is traditionally the role of a carbon removal registry, which can be thought of as a public ledger for carbon removal projects that have passed that registry’s quality bar and have gone through an independent third-party verification process.
Registries develop MRV protocols, which are rulebooks that carbon removal companies must follow when carrying out their activities and quantifying their carbon removals to ensure the credits issued are scientifically sound. High-quality and scientifically rigorous protocols are essential for instilling confidence that a carbon removal credit is actually a net benefit to the climate and to prevent greenwashing. Building this trust is essential to growing the mCDR market and advancing technologies to help achieve global climate targets.
Isometric’s Advancements
In May 2024, Isometric became the first carbon registry to publish a protocol for marine carbon removal through ocean alkalinity enhancement. The protocol, authored by ocean scientists at Isometric, details how OAE projects—which increase the ocean’s natural ability to draw down and store atmospheric carbon dioxide—can quantify their removals based on the best available science.
The Isometric OAE Protocol requires both measurements at the original project site as well as the use of internationally recognized numerical ocean models to quantify additional drawdown of carbon into the ocean. The quantification methods used in this protocol have been informed by Isometric’s research partnership with [C]Worthy, a leading research organization that is building open-source software tools to support MRV of mCDR projects. This rigorous approach to MRV is critical to instilling confidence for buyers of mCDR credits.
The first project developer who has signed up to this protocol is Planetary Technologies. Planetary Technologies adds naturally abundant alkaline minerals to coastal water systems to deliver alkalinity to the ocean and facilitate additional carbon drawdown. Shopify, MaRS and Terraset are some of the first buyers of credits from Planetary that will be delivered against the Isometric OAE Protocol.
All Isometric protocols are developed in line with the Isometric Standard, which is the world’s most robust set of rules for carbon removal. This protocol was created in collaboration between Isometric’s in-house science team and interdisciplinary expert reviewers in biogeochemical ocean modeling and chemical, biological, and ecological responses to OAE, and field trial researchers. It also underwent review within the Isometric Science Network, a group of more than 200 carbon removal scientists. This holistic approach is critical to ensuring the best available science is shared among industry, academic and research organizations.
So, what’s next for us at Isometric? We’re excited to start seeing some early deployments working with our MRV protocol for OAE, and we’re working on protocols for other mCDR approaches, such as electrolytic seawater mineralization and direct ocean capture. We are excited to continue building confidence in how we can leverage the best available science to responsibly learn from early mCDR deployments and help scale this important set of technologies.
Dr. Sophie Gill holds a Ph.D. in carbon removal from the University of Oxford. She previously worked as a CDR consultant for Stripe (Frontier), Carbon XPRIZE, CEA Consulting and ClimateWorks. She is the marine carbon removal manager at Isometric.
Dr. Jing He is a carbon removal scientist at Isometric and leads the research partnership with [C]worthy. She earned her Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Her experience includes conducting a global modeling study of ocean alkalinity enhancement at Google’s Climate & Energy team.
Dr. Jennifer Yin is a carbon removal scientist at Isometric who earned her Ph.D. at Stanford in coastal ocean physics and observations. She is an expert in building and deploying measurement systems in the natural environment. Yin worked previously at Jupiter Intelligence, GE and IBM.
Caption: Schematic of the four spatio-temporal regimes that need to be characterized to calculate gross CO₂ removal, from Isometric’s Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement from Coastal Outfalls protocol. (Credit: Isometric)
July 18: Aquaculture Networking Online
The Aquaculture Information Exchange Online Networking Hour will take place July 18 from 12 to 1 p.m. EST.
The virtual event will enable you to connect with fellow members of the Aquaculture Information Exchange Network and W&M One Network community from all over the world to share your expertise and build your professional network.
This event is sponsored by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Office of Career Development and Professional Engagement at William & Mary.
Atlantic Shores South Offshore Wind Approved
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind energy project. The project consists of two wind energy facilities—Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2—and associated export cables, which are expected to generate up to 2,800 MW of electricity, enough to power close to 1 million homes with clean renewable energy.
The project is approximately 8.7 miles offshore New Jersey at its closest point. To provide energy to New Jersey, Atlantic Shores South proposed up to 200 total wind turbine generators and up to 10 offshore substations, with subsea transmission cables potentially making landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt, New Jersey. BOEM has approved construction of up to 195 wind turbine generators.
CARMA to Develop AUV Swarms for Seafloor Mapping
Exail, RTsys and ABYSSA are collaborating in the CARMA (Mineral resources mapping by AUVs swarms) project. Co-funded by Bpifrance under the #France2030 initiative and designed to advance knowledge of deepwater, the CARMA project focuses on developing swarms of AUVs for efficient ocean floor mapping.
This project aims to develop an innovative solution for precise seabed surveying at great depths. The ongoing development involves creating a solution in which a multi-sensor underwater drone capable of diving to 3,000 m will coordinate multiple AUVs in order to increase the surface of the exploration area. The research program also includes the development of advanced collaborative navigation, acoustic communications, positioning and innovative mapping capabilities.
Exail will improve the capabilities of its deepwater AUV A18-D to serve as the leading AUV to guide the swarm. Improvements will enable navigation down to 3,000 m, at close altitude from the seabed over sloped terrains, and to accurately geolocate swarm’s acquired data. RTsys will extend the capabilities of its newly developed AUV COMET-3000 to dive to 3,000 m. Multiple units will be provided to act as followers, along with the development of an innovative launch and recovery system for the AUV swarm. ABYSSA will focus on developing exploration strategies for deepwater swarms of AUVS. Additionally, ABYSSA will process the magnetic data collected to map the magnetic anomalies on the seabed.
This project will result in the deployment of an operational demonstrator at sea in 2026, paving the way for future commercial phases. Concurrently, the project will carry out a preliminary study on extending exploration capacity to 6,000 m depth.
Open Connectivity Standards
By Evan Shapiro
The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the planet, but over 80 percent has never been explored, let alone mapped, measured or studied. This disparity has resulted in an extraordinary data gap.
Bridging this gap would open the door to insights and opportunities as vast as the ocean itself. Improved access to ocean data could support climate change mitigation, offshore wind farm design, sustainable fishing practices, marine biodiversity conservation and ship navigation, to name but a few.
Marine technology transformation at speed is helping to close this data gap. The rapid advancement in ocean technology has transformed how marine professionals approach environmental monitoring and operational planning. As these technologies mature, it signifies a change for the better for data collection, analysis and utilization, paving the way for more dynamic and real-time responses to environmental challenges.
Embracing these innovations will be key to unlocking the full potential of our oceans for sustainable development, and hardware interoperability is critical. This requires an open connectivity standard for maritime: a USB for the sea, to ensure easy and ubiquitous device connection.
Open Connectivity Standards
The adoption of open connectivity standards in marine technology has revolutionized how devices and sensors are integrated. Open connectivity standards make it as easy as possible for everyone to adhere to the same framework, similar to how having a single adapter for all our home electronic devices simplifies compatibility and usability. These standards facilitate a plug-and-play setup, significantly reducing installation times and costs traditionally associated with ocean data collection.
The Bristlemouth standard, for instance, enables diverse marine sensors and devices to communicate seamlessly. When implemented in systems such as Sofar’s Spotter platform, it allows for an even more flexible and efficient deployment of technology, enhancing the ability to monitor and analyze marine environments. Recently, Stream Ocean used Bristlemouth’s plug-and-play connectors for a tailored monitoring solution for clients, combining its underwater camera system with Sofar’s Spotter and Smart Mooring solutions.
The benefits from this simplicity should not be underestimated. Consider a researcher monitoring coral reef health who needs to measure both subsurface temperature (to track potential bleaching) and water clarity using a turbidity sensor (to determine if conditions are suitable for diving and research) at the same location. Without an open connectivity standard such as Bristlemouth, these devices would likely need to be deployed separately, requiring different sources of power and connectivity, making the integration process costly and complex. This integration capability is crucial for developing more detailed and functional oceanographic models and for enhancing the accuracy of marine assessments. Fundamentally, it lowers the cost and complexity of collecting multiple types of ocean data simultaneously. More data means more insights, which in turn results in improved operations, model accuracy and better assessments.
The benefits of open connectivity standards extend beyond coral reefs. Ocean currents are a fundamental aspect of marine environments, influencing everything from climate patterns to marine biology. Understanding currents is instrumental when it comes to plotting efficient and safe shipping routes, tracking the movement of marine species, selecting the location of an offshore wind site or fish farm, and studying ocean heat distribution for climate change research.
The complexity and local variability of currents, however, makes them difficult to measure. Historically, the tools available for collecting detailed, real-time underwater current data have been prohibitively expensive, complex and limited in their deployment capabilities, particularly in challenging marine environments.
The recent development of integrated data collection platforms such as Bristlemouth offers a new way to better understand currents. These systems provide modular and scalable solutions, enabling the collection of diverse marine data, including current speed and direction, in addition to other variables, such as temperature and pressure, through a single deployment.
Such systems enable marine professionals to deploy sensors quickly and retrieve data immediately, which is essential for timely analyses and decision making for environmental monitoring and offshore engineering.
Accelerating Offshore Wind Buildout with Open Standards
One practical application of open connectivity standards for current monitoring is in the planning and construction of offshore wind farms. Accurate real-time data on ocean currents is critical for optimal turbine placement, ensuring stability and efficiency. Integrated data platforms help engineers design foundations to withstand marine conditions and align turbines for maximum energy capture with minimal environmental impact. When devices and sensors are siloed, processes become more time consuming and costs begin to rise.
Furthermore, enhanced understanding of ocean currents means safer commutes for workers traveling to and from these offshore sites. Knowing the exact conditions and being able to access data remotely in real time through integration with Spotter allows for better planning of travel routes and schedules, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer working environments.
Technological advancements in ocean data collection have marked a significant leap forward in our ability to understand and manage marine environments. By integrating open connectivity standards and real-time data collection systems, we are now better equipped to understand complex ocean variables, such as currents, and apply these learnings to enhance the accuracy of marine assessments, and improve the planning and execution of offshore projects. As we continue to embrace and develop these technologies, we unlock new possibilities for exploring and conserving our oceans, ultimately contributing to a more informed, sustainable and resilient maritime future.
Evan Shapiro is the CTO at Sofar Ocean.
SeaPerch Student ROV Competition
Eight years ago, as a high school student, Bryson Potts competed in a SeaPerch competition, helping to design an ROV. He enjoyed the experience so much that he pursued a career in science, becoming a mechanical engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division in Florida.
Today, Potts gives back by volunteering as a mentor at SeaPerch events. Potts was one of many people involved with the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge, held this spring at the University of Maryland. The event featured more than 170 competing teams of elementary, middle and high school students from around the world.
The U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored program brought together students to showcase the ROVs they built as part of a curriculum designed to boost their skills and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). STEM is a critical focus area outlined in the Naval S&T Strategy released in April by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.
RoboNation’s SeaPerch program gives teachers and students the resources they need to build ROVs from kits comprising low-cost, easily accessible parts and to follow a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme.
Learn more at: https://seaperch.org/programs/
Fugro Supports Japan Offshore Wind
Fugro has been awarded a site characterization contract for a wind farm development off the coast of the cities of Murakami and Tainai, Niigate Prefecture, Japan.
The offshore wind farm off the country’s west coast will be developed and realized by a consortium of RWE, Mitsui & Co. and Osaka Gas. Fugro’s geodata will contribute to the detailed design of future turbine foundations and cable routes.
The fieldwork started in May 2024 and is being performed from the Fugro jack-up platform Amberjack and two of Fugro’s vessels, the Equator and the Mariner. All are equipped with Fugro-owned geophysical, geotechnical and positioning systems, which will acquire geodata to enable the detailed design of turbine foundations and cable routes.
OTEC Prototype Advances
Currently under construction at Hidramar Shipyard in Gran Canaria, Spain, a prototype designed to advance ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) in storm-prone areas has reached the halfway completion milestone.
Fabrication began in March, and once completed, the cylindrical hull, along with a coldwater riser pipe and gimbal connection point, will be assembled in the Atlantic Ocean for testing. This structure is being developed by PLOTEC, a pan-European consortium funded by the EU, which includes seven companies.
The latest advancements at the shipyard include the completion of the platform’s first level, achieved by plasma cutting over 660 steel plates ranging from 6 to 65 mm in thickness. The assembly of the entire structure is progressing rapidly. Each plate is meticulously prepared for welding, mounted onto the keel for fitment verification, then welded into its final position, with all welds rigorously tested for defects.
The project aims to advance the renewable energy transition for small island developing states (SIDS) that are vulnerable to severe weather conditions. This will be achieved by enhancing OTEC technology with an offshore platform specifically designed to withstand intense tropical storms, hurricanes and cyclones. Predominantly reliant on outdated diesel generators, SIDS lack clean and geographically suitable alternatives for electricity generation. With the ocean as their most abundant natural resource, OTEC emerges as an appropriate solution for power generation, especially when adapted to withstand the severe weather conditions they face.
The PLOTEC 1:5 scaled prototype will be installed for testing at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), approximately 3 km off the coast.
Wind and Metocean Campaign to Enhance Offshore Wind Data
TGS, a leading provider of energy data and intelligence, has announced a new campaign for offshore wind and metocean measurement located in Morro Bay, off the U.S. West Coast.
TGS said the initiative further expands the company’s multi-client wind and metocean measurement initiatives. It will also greatly enhance the industry’s understanding of offshore conditions across three wind energy lease areas in Morro Bay, calibrating TGS proprietary wind models with observational data.
The three-year deployment in an area with an average depth of 1,000 m. (3,300 feet) will be the first by TGS to be located on the West Coast of the U.S. The data gathered will offer insights throughout the floating windfarm development lifecycle.
This includes environmental impact assessments and technical decisions such as turbine selection, layout optimization, foundation design and operations, and maintenance planning. It will also enable more accurate modeling of capital expenditure, operational expenditure, potential energy production, and grid requirements.
The campaign is supported by funding from the offshore wind industry and is due to be launched in Q3 2024.
The company said that ocean current measurements and tidal information collected over the course of the campaign will be valuable for grid connection planning, while accurate atmospheric turbulence intensity observations will provide key inputs for windfarm energy yield.
TGS will use a buoy supplied by Eolus Solutions equipped with sensors designed to capture detailed measurements of wind, metocean, and environmental data. Key metrics include wind speed and direction at turbine hub height, wave heights, ocean current data across the full water column, and monitoring of birds, bats and fish.
Data will be continuously streamed, quality controlled, and made available daily to customers via Wind AXIOM, TGS’ site evaluation and wind data analytics platform. The multi-client approach will allow multiple customers to subscribe to the same floating LiDAR data, thus reducing development costs and timelines.
Free Quantum GIS Plugin for Bathymetric Data
To support coastal communities in collecting and using bathymetric data in the nearshore areas they depend on for travel, hunting, and fishing, the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) launched its Community Hydrography Program in 2022. As a part of that ongoing program CHS commissioned IIC Technologies to develop a Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) Extension to Help Create Bathymetric Community Maps. The CHS desired to provide these communities, particularly those in the remote northern areas of Canada, with the ability to create community maps/charts using their own data in areas where no large-scale charting was available. The objective of the extension is to greatly streamline the processing and visualization of bathymetric data collected by the public for their own purposes and to encourage bathymetric data gathering in these remote areas, ultimately improving safety of navigation.
The UMap Plugin that has been developed, allows any user to drag and drop existing bathymetric data, newly collected bathymetry from simple bathy data loggers, and other source information into a tool that automatically interprets and visualizes all supplied inputs. Although not an official chart, the system automatically generates a chart-like community map product that includes color-coded depth areas, depth contours and a selection of soundings, making understanding of local bathymetry more accessible to the public.
This free plug-in is already available for public use in the QGIS repository under IIC Technologies ( https://github.com/umap-iic/UMap) and, although it was commissioned by the CHS for use in Canada, it can be utilized anywhere in the world, as long as there is a suitable vector shoreline and bathymetric data for the area of interest.
A short demo on how to use the tool can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/QiiiLgZRaO4.
Panama Canal Lifts Daily Restrictions
The Panama Canal Authority (CDP) has lifted its draft and daily transit restrictions yet again in another positive sign for the waterway struck by drought issues last year. The authority marked the eighth anniversary of its $5 billion 2016 expansion project by raising its maximum draft from 46 to 47 ft. and adding an extra booking slot for its Neopanamax locks to begin on August 5.
Additionally, the CDP revealed it would increase the draft further to 48 ft. on July 11 after seeing positive projected water levels for the Gatun Lake, the primary water source for the canal’s many locks which had been hit by drought throughout 2023.
Panama Canal Administrator Ricuarte Vásquez Morales said, “This anniversary is distinct from previous ones since we have had to adapt our operations following the recent drought and the climatic variability affecting water levels at Lakes Gatun and Alhajuela.”
“In this critical period, we have prioritized the well-being of the population, guaranteeing the supply of drinking water and, on the other hand, ensuring the reliability of the service to our customers.”
The announcements come a month after the authority last raised the canal’s draft restrictions and added daily transit slots, with the change in August now set to take the total number of ships permitted through the waterway to 35 per day.
Severe droughts in Panama, and specifically the Panama Canal Basin, left 2023 as the second driest year on record for the region and forced the CDP to drastically cut its transit numbers as it adapted to the limited water supply.
The crisis forced the world’s shipping operators to find alternative routes through and around the Americas with some, including Maersk, turning to rail links to bridge the gap.
While the region’s issues appear to be easing in 2024, scientists have warned that weather phenomena caused by climate change, such as the El Niño system, could make the drought issues more and more prominent.
Offshore Wind Paid Internships
UMass Dartmouth has an offshore wind-based workforce development program currently operating in partnership with Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MACEC). This program, “Closing the Experience Gap,” seeks to provide career-relevant experiential learning opportunities and internships for students interested in the offshore wind industry.
By partnering with regional companies involved in offshore wind development, supply chain, environmental monitoring, or in research and development, the program has placed more than 25 students over two years directly into the industry, creating workforce development opportunities for the industry and offering real-world learning opportunities for students interested in renewable energy.
MACEC funds these internship positions fully. Students are typically paid $25 per hour for approximately 200 hr. worked over a 10-week period.
This program is multidisciplinary, with special focus on engineering, business, marketing, law, biology and marine science.
Teledyne Marine Photo & Data Contest
Teledyne Marine has launched the 2024 edition of the Teledyne Marine Photo & Data Contest. Customers are invited to showcase their creativity and expertise by sharing photos of Teledyne Marine products in action, whether in the office, lab, or field, as well as data samples collected using its products.
This contest is open to all Teledyne Marine customers. (Government officials are not eligible for prizes as per the eligibility criteria specified in the contest rules.)
Deadline is October 1, 2024.
Awards and Prizes:
Voters’ Choice Award – Grand Prize: Prize: HERO12 Black Creator Edition ($500 value)
Selection: The winner will be chosen from the top 10 images receiving the most votes.
Category Awards:
Categories: Best Data Award, Adversity Award, Moment of Zen Award and Underwater Award.
Prize Options: Winners can choose between a DJI OSMO gimbal smartphone stabilizer, a KODAK PIXPRO WPZ2 rugged waterproof digital camera, or a Garmin Instinct 2X Solar-Tactical Edition rugged GPS smartwatch.
Selection: A jury will select winners from all images with more than 10 votes.
RFP: Atlantic Wind Energy Supply Chain Development
Marine Renewables Canada (MRC), with funding support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables and Prince Edward Island Energy Corp., is requesting proposals from third-party consultants to lead a project that will help support an overall goal of developing a Canadian offshore wind supply chain and further growing capacity in the onshore wind supply chain to support the installation of future offshore and onshore wind projects.
Atlantic Canada’s offshore and onshore wind represent a significant potential renewable energy resource. The establishment of a capable and competitive supply chain to support this industry’s requirements will be a critical component of ensuring sustainable growth of offshore and onshore wind in Canada.
This important project will help industry, suppliers, governments, and other stakeholders strategically plan how to invest in local resources to de-risk future deployments, establish a sustainable and self-sufficient industry, and ultimately realize the significant benefits that can be achieved through an offshore and onshore wind industry in Atlantic Canada.
Submission deadline is July 12, 2024.
Apply: Full Scholarships for Women in Maritime
MLA College, the distance-learning higher education provider that specializes in maritime degree programs, is offering five full scholarships to women working in maritime.
Two of the scholarships are for a B.S. in sustainable maritime operations, and three are for an M.S. in sustainable maritime operations, with all five available for the September 2024 intake.
As these degrees entail remote study, they are open to applicants from around the world who have an interest in sustainability within the maritime sector.
MARAD Seeks Proposals for US Center for Maritime Innovation
The U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) program has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to establish a United States Center for Maritime Innovation. The center will support the study, research, development, assessment, and deployment of emerging marine technologies and practices related to emerging environmental challenges faced by the maritime transportation system.
MARAD seeks proposals from organizations to establish and maintain the center and serve as its secretariat. Funds for the virtual center are available through a competitive cooperative agreement with the META program.
Applications for this RFP must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on July 17, 2024.
Teledyne, Rutgers Honor Oceanographer Douglas Webb
Douglas Webb, an esteemed oceanographer emeritus from Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and the founder of Teledyne Webb Research, received recognition earlier this month for his lifelong contributions to science. The ceremony took place at the Teledyne Marine facility in North Falmouth, Massachusetts. Teledyne staff members Clara Hulburt, Shea Quinn, and Clayton Jones spoke about Webb’s legacy as an engineer, scientist, innovator, and world changer. Webb was also honored by Rutgers University’s undergraduate class of 2024 with a letter of appreciation.
Webb contributed significantly to developing low-frequency acoustic sound sources, such as SOFAR, RAFOS, and Tonpilz for water mass tracking, long-range navigation, and tomography. He played a key role in the development of vertical current meters to measure water chimney convection and profiling floats. He commercialized this development, which became part of the Argo program, the most successful ocean observing program, contributing critical information about climate and sea level change. Webb invented and developed the Teledyne Slocum gliders, for which he pioneered the buoyancy systems, revolutionizing how scientists approach ocean data gathering.
When he toured the Teledyne Marine facility, Webb was shown the “REDWING (Research and Education Doug Webb Inter-National Glider)” Slocum Sentinel glider named in his honor. REDWING will attempt the first-ever global circumnavigation by a subsea glider later this year, led by Rutgers undergraduates.
Student Spotlight: Glider Hydrodynamics
Sea Technology would like to call attention to a young scholar, Claire Atkinson, who has written a paper (below) on a project that simulates AUV flight to improve efficiency for scientific operations.
Atkinson is a junior at the University of Washington (UW) majoring in physics and applied and computational mathematical sciences. She uses Python to study gliders that help measure and analyze ocean environments. Atkinson aspires to pursue a research career with a focus in ocean, bio or atmospheric physics.
“Claire Atkinson came to work with me as an undergraduate physics major at the University of Washington,” said Peter Brodsky, principal engineer at the Applied Physics Laboratory at UW. “She was tasked with generating simulations of autonomous underwater gliders, which my lab builds and operates. With no background in the area, she quickly learned the associated subsea physics and mechanics and ultimately produced a sophisticated and useful model. This is some of the best work I have ever seen from an undergraduate in my 25-plus years in the business.”
Three Marine Buoys Deployed for Great Lakes Surveying
Three climate monitoring and maritime safety buoys have been deployed for the season from the south shore of Lake Superior.
The Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) staff deployed the buoys with boat support provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (NPS). The locations of these buoys are near the shorelines of Marquette, Munising and Grand Marias.
The Marquette buoy is one half-mile northeast of Black Rocks off Presque Isle; the Munising buoy is five miles north of Miners Castle, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; and the Grand Marais buoy is one and a half miles north of the harbor.
In 2021, the SWP received $47,786.80 in grant funding through the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) to purchase these new, innovative buoys. SWP continues to deploy, maintain, and retrieve them yearly.
Each of the three monitoring buoys collects important navigation and climate planning data. This includes wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and more. The live data provided by these buoys is critical for commercial and recreational boaters as well as for the National Weather Service, Environment Canada, and NOAA.
In addition, the SWP uses buoy data for long-term climate adaptation planning with coastal communities in the Upper Peninsula.
Data is transmitted and accessible via the GLOS Seagull website or through the SWP’s website.
Offshore Vessel Charging Concept
Damen Shipyards Group has developed a new concept for offshore charging, offering a way to dramatically reduce emissions during the operational phase of an offshore wind farm. The system envisages a fully electric crew transfer vessel (CTV) that can charge at either a turbine or one of Damen’s Commissioning Service Operations Vessels outfitted with a charger.
With the infrastructure for turbine-mounted chargers not yet widely available, vessel-to-vessel charging offers CTV owners and operators an opportunity to invest in the sustainable technology of the future at the present time.
Established Maritime Businesses Form New Subsea Services Company
Netherlands-based companies Vriezoo ROV Services and Mark Offshore have merged to form a new entity specializing in subsea services.
FreeStar Subsea Services will offer remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and survey support services using its recently acquired and outfitted vessel Navicula Star. The vessel was previously operated by the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research.
Navicula Star is fitted with an onboard ROV, accommodations for 11 people, a crane, two davits, and an A-frame with several winches for deploying and recovering a variety of loads into or out of the water. An ROV control and survey desk are located inside at deck level for easy access to the working deck.
With a draught of only one meter, the vessel is also capable of beaching.
Although Navicula Star is a diesel-powered vessel, it will also be capable of running on biofuel such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil).
FreeStar aims to offer a selection of services including bathymetric and geotechnical surveys, cable protection, and burial operations. In addition to Navicula Star, the FreeStar fleet is composed of five offshore and four inshore ROV systems.
IEA-OES: Spotlight on Ocean Energy
The International Energy Agency’s Ocean Energy Systems (IEA-OES) Technology Collaboration Programme has published its latest brochure, “Spotlight on Ocean Energy,” showcasing a dynamic range of ocean energy projects and diverse key policy initiatives from around the world.
The selection of 20 representative projects exemplifies the diverse range of ocean energy resources and technologies, including tidal and current energy, wave energy, salinity gradient energy, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Each project has been chosen to illuminate the innovative advancements driving the growth of this promising sector.
Bulker Retrofits Promise 99% Emissions Reduction
Damen Shipyards Group, with funding from Atal Solutions, will retrofit four bulk carriers for BAM Shipping with emissions-reduction technologies, integrating eight proven technologies, enabling these vessels to consume at least 20% less fuel and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 99%.
Damen believes the reduced opex of the vessels will help yield a rapid return on investment and anticipates the overhaul may increase the vessels’ lifecycle by a further 10 years and comply with new emissions regulations such as the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
Financier Atal Solutions will arrange for $124 million in funding for this project, allocating supplier credit of $105 million requiring vessel owners to provide 15% equity, with a 10-year repayment period at competitive interest rates.
Atal Solutions founder and managing director Edwin Sieswerda said, “We look at impactful solutions – easy and fast to implement, based on proven technologies – and avoid idealistic solutions. If we believe in a project, we make it happen and don’t stop until we do. Currently, we are working on four vessels, but we anticipate many similar projects will follow upon the successful implementation of this initiative.”
“Additionally, we expect increased support from the financial sector as the positive impact of our integrated solution becomes evident. Atal’s ongoing collaboration with Damen and other industry players helps them set a new standard for fuel-saving and emissions-reduction solutions.”
Damen Business Development Manager Rutger van Dam called the financing structure of the project a “breakthrough” that enables advancements through a commercially viable model. “Our mutual goal is to accelerate the transition to more sustainable shipping while ensuring the business case and revenue generation remain competitive,” he said.
The project is expected to be completed by Q1 2025.
Report: Carbon Neutral Fuel Pathways and Transformational Technologies
ABS has released “Beyond the Horizon: Carbon Neutral Fuel Pathways and Transformational Technologies,” a publication to guide the maritime industry’s challenging journey to 2050, including an updated fuel mix forecast, potential net-zero scenarios and detailed analysis of the capacity of the maritime ecosystem to support decarbonization.
Among the key takeaways in this year’s publication are:
- There is an active shift in the composition of the global fleet toward more sustainable energy sources, with about 50 percent of the current order book (in gross tonnage), featuring dual-fuel engines and a shift to a more diversified set of fuels, particularly LNG, methanol and ammonia, in the order book.
- The fuel mix forecast for this year and through 2050 underscores a substantial and continuous transition in the maritime sector toward cleaner alternative fuels such as methanol, ammonia, and LNG. The market share of traditional fossil fuels is anticipated to decline to 15 percent by the year 2050. The utilization of methanol gradually rises to 42 percent by 2050. Utilization of ammonia is anticipated to increase by 33 percent by 2050. As regulatory pressures increase, the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and alternative fuels is also anticipated to increase.
- In order to meet the 2040 IMO checkpoint, the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) total must be reduced by 70 percent and at least one-third of the tonnage will need to use alternative fuels.
- Capacity at major shipyards is expected to moderately increase by about 5 percent until 2035.
- Due to additional shipbuilding demand, new builders are anticipated to emerge from India, the Middle East, the Philippines and Vietnam.
- Current repair yard capacity is expected to meet demand through 2027, however demand for retrofits will continue to increase through 2035, which will require additional repair yard capacity to support fuel conversions.
- According to ABS’s GHG abatement cost methodology and current fuel prices, biofuels and blue fuels will have lower carbon abatement cost compared to others.
- In terms of regulations, FuelEU Maritime requirements and similar requirements expected from the IMO introduce new complexities and will require stakeholders to consider how they can pool credits for compliance.
Aquaculture Information Exchange Network
The Aquaculture Information Exchange (AIE), a NOAA- and USDA-funded online platform dedicated to connecting professionals in the aquaculture sector around the United States and beyond, has launched. This growing community currently has more than 1,000 members.
AIE is a social networking hub for industry news, events, job postings and collaboration opportunities.
Scaling eDNA to Monitor Marine Biodiversity
Ocean Diagnostics has partnered with Australia’s Minderoo Foundation to deliver environmental DNA (eDNA) depth sampling technology that can be scaled to monitor marine biodiversity. Using Ocean Diagnostics’ Ascension eDNA depth sampler, Minderoo’s OceanOmics team has collected hundreds of eDNA samples along Australia’s southwestern coastline, often in remote and undersurveyed locations.
Results found comparable data with the existing Niskin method at a fraction of the processing time, providing more user feasibility for tender boats and avoiding sample contamination. The project also created the first eDNA biodiversity assessment of Christmas and Cocos Islands and surveyed the Abrolhos Islands.
Ascension is a portable and automated 22-lb. instrument that can be deployed from small vessels or fixed installations to collect filtered eDNA down to 400-m depths.
Working toward the international goal of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, Australia has already designated 43 percent of its coastline as marine protected area. But the parks themselves have varying degrees of protection. More scientific data are needed to better understand their biodiversity and the effectiveness of marine parks.
Read about Ascension in ST‘s February 2024 issue.
Photo credit: Giacomo d’Orlando
New US Marine Sanctuary in Lake Ontario
NOAA has designated a 1,722-sq.-mi. area in eastern Lake Ontario as the 16th national marine sanctuary in the U.S. Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary一adjacent to New York’s Jefferson, Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties一will celebrate the region’s maritime cultural history and provide new opportunities for research, education, recreation, and maritime heritage-related tourism in local coastal communities and the broader Great Lakes region.
Eastern Lake Ontario’s waters and coast tells the story of America’s diverse history and heritage, from early indigenous settlements to today. The area includes transportation and trade routes for Indigenous Peoples and early European explorers, and locations of military conflicts and maritime innovation. Eastern Lake Ontario supported the growth of the young American republic and the nation’s industrial core.
The new sanctuary features an extraordinary collection of 41 known shipwrecks and one known submerged aircraft, among the best preserved in the world, discovered over decades by recreational scuba divers and shipwreck explorers. The shipwrecks, such as St. Peter, a three-masted schooner that was loaded with coal when it was lost in a storm in 1898, embody more than two centuries of the nation’s maritime history.
NOAA will use its expertise to further locate, research, and monitor these and other maritime cultural resources. NOAA will also focus on education and outreach through partnerships with indigenous governments, local partners, and institutions.
NOAA and the state of New York will co-manage the sanctuary, the third to be designated in the Great Lakes.
UN Endorses Baltic Sea Reoxygenation Project
The Baltic Sea Oxygenation and the Super-Green Hydrogen Economy project (BOxHy) has been endorsed under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021 to 2030. The project is a collaboration between Flexens, a developer of hydrogen projects with a strong regional focus; Lhyfe, a developer of onshore and offshore production of green and renewable hydrogen for mobility and industry; and the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences (DEEP) at Stockholm University, with expertise in marine ecology monitoring and a focus on both fundamental and applied Baltic Sea research.
By adapting existing technologies to oxygenate the sea, the project aims to restore aquatic vitality and explore the potential for sector coupling with green hydrogen production, offering a sustainable model for environmental restoration and economic development.
The project will inject oxygen into the Baltic Sea via offshore hydrogen production using water electrolysis, an adapted and existing technology.
The project began in October 2023 and is supported by the Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund. BOxHy will evaluate suitable coastal locations for conducting a pilot study of reoxygenation of marine ecosystems through the oxygen co-produced during this water electrolysis to set a precedent for innovative solutions in marine conservation and green energy integration.
Water Science Conference Jun 24-27
The 2024 Water Science Conference will be held in Saint Paul, Minnesota, June 24 to 27. WaterSciCon is jointly sponsored by the American Geophysical Union and the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences Inc. The meeting brings the water community together every two years to share research, collaborate and plan for the future.
This year’s conference theme is: Catalyzing Collaborations. In addition to a full scientific program, WaterSciCon24 will offer training events complementing the scientific sessions where you can learn new skills alongside your colleagues. The conference will host stand-alone workshops as well.
3D Digital Twin of Titanic Wreck Site
In summer 2022, Magellan Ltd., a deep-sea mapping and survey company, was provided with Voyis’s underwater imaging sensors to complement its systems and conduct an extensive optical survey that has resulted in the making of the first complete digital twin of the RMS Titanic‘s wreck site.
This collaboration has resulted in an extraordinary scaled digital twin of the entire bow and stern of the famous wreck, along with the surrounding debris field, enabling researchers and scientists to start to re-explore the vessel with the greatest level of detail ever recorded. The 3D model offers a snapshot in time of this iconic historical asset before it degrades beyond recognition.
The Titanic, resting at a depth of approximately 3,800 m (12,500 ft.) in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, has long been a subject of fascination and mystery since its tragic sinking in 1912. The aim of this ambitious project was to shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the disaster and utilize cutting-edge underwater optical technology to record the current state of this iconic wreck.
Seanergy, June 26-28, Nantes, France
Seanergy 2024, France’s international forum dedicated to offshore renewable energy, will take place June 26 to 28 in Nantes.
The global offshore renewable industry is experiencing rapid growth, with offshore wind capacity reaching approximately 60 GW in 2023. With projections suggesting that offshore wind could become a $1 trillion industry by 2040, Seanergy 2024 provides an essential platform for key players in the industry to convene and drive innovation.
The French government has reaffirmed its commitment to offshore wind energy with ambitious targets to deploy 45 GW of offshore wind along its coasts in the next 25 years. Recent milestones include the inauguration of France’s third offshore wind farm off the coast of Fécamp and the announcement of the winner of the first floating wind power tender in Brittany.
$4.8 Million Available for US Marine Highways
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is making $4.8 million available in fiscal year 2024 funds through the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP).
The USMHP funds projects that increase the movement of freight on America’s navigable waterways. Where water-based transport is available, it provides the most efficient, effective and sustainable option for freight movement. The USMHP strengthens the nation’s supply chains, helps reduce emissions, and eases congestion on roads and rail.
Since the inception of the Marine Highway Program, MARAD has awarded more than $103 million to eligible public and private organizations for marine highway services. These investments in marine highways have created viable maritime options for shippers around the nation and have funded critical freight infrastructure to promote supply chain resilience.
USMPH evaluation criteria include, among other things, the effect on movement of goods; level of non-federal funding investment; project readiness; consideration of climate change and sustainability; equity; and workforce development.
Applications must be submitted through grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EST on July 12, 2024.
Coda Octopus Founder Elected to Board of Directors
Coda Octopus Group, Inc. (CODA), a global market leader in real-time 3D/4D/5D and 6D imaging sonar technology for real-time subsea intelligence and real-time information platform diving technology, announced the election of Dr. Angus McFadzean to fill a vacancy created by the recent decision of the company’s Board to expand the number of seats therein. His election will become effective July 1, 2024.
Dr. McFadzean was one of the founders of Coda Technologies Limited in 1994 (now Coda Octopus Products Limited, which forms part of their marine technology business) and has worked with their marine technology business for the last 30 years.
Prior to establishing the marine technology business, he was a research assistant for Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was one of four researching sonar processing for the University following his PhD in Aspects of Sonar Interpretation.
Dr. McFadzean has retired from his position as CODA’s R&D Director effective May 31, 2024.
During his tenure as the company’s R&D director, he was responsible for overseeing, managing, and delivering all of their R&D programs including the Echoscope®, DAVD and their F280® series. Uniquely, Dr. McFadzean straddled both the hardware and software components of CODA’s developments and is, to a large extent, the institutional memory of the company.
He has mentored and provided pastoral care to all the engineering talent of CODA, and they are therefore delighted that he will continue to be engaged with the company, and that the Board can benefit from his vast knowledge of the subject matter we are engaged in. Dr. McFadzean was also responsible for all cyber security compliance management.
Commenting on his election, Dr. McFadzean said, “After 30 years, I retire with a lot of sadness as I believe that the technology roadmap is getting more exciting every day, with a lot of promise for the future. The current development team is well positioned to take this forward with many exciting projects already moving at a pace and in the right direction. I am delighted to join the Coda Octopus Board and look forward to continuing my interest in the company, albeit allowing myself some extra time for family and hobbies.
“It is truly remarkable and very gratifying for me to see how the team has been able to take the business forward. I would never have thought that our small start-up could have grown to the point where we have so many of the world’s leading companies and governments using our technology and solutions for such essential work, such as the salvage efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and increasing the safety and efficiency for divers through our DAVD suite. I wish the company the very best and will continue to lend my support to the company as a director of the Board.”
More Storms Forecast for Atlantic Hurricane Season
NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 10 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 5 percent chance of a below-normal season.
NOAA is forecasting a range of 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, eight to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including four to seven major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). Forecasters have a 70 percent confidence in these ranges.
The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation.
“Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks.
Maritime Cybersecurity, Domain Awareness June 25, San Diego
On June 25 at the Port of San Diego, TMA BlueTech and the San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE) will explore the critical intersection of cybersecurity and maritime defense and security, in pursuit of their broader mission to make the San Diego region a global hub of knowledge and advanced technologies for the maritime sector.
Both TMA BlueTech and San Diego CCOE share a vision of a future where San Diego is recognized as a leading center for cutting-edge research, development, and deployment of technologies that safeguard our maritime infrastructure and propel the advancement of maritime operations worldwide.
This hybrid, invitation-only event will bring together diverse stakeholders to exchange insights, forge partnerships, and chart a course toward a more secure and resilient maritime future.
NOAA Hiring Events: June 4 & 6, San Diego
NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations will hold two hiring events in San Diego, California, on June 4 and 6, to recruit professional mariners to work aboard NOAA’s ocean research ships.
NOAA operates a fleet of 15 hydrographic survey, oceanographic research and fisheries survey vessels. NOAA ships operate in the U.S. and around the world. The ships are run by a combination of NOAA commissioned officers and civilian professional mariners.
NOAA’s civilian professional mariners are federal employees and include engineers and unlicensed members of the engine, steward, and deck departments. In addition, survey and electronic technicians operate and/or maintain the ship’s mission, communications, and navigation equipment.
NOAA staff will be at the hiring event to answer questions and expedite the hiring process for qualified individuals. Qualified applicants could be issued a tentative job offer on the spot.
In particular, NOAA is hiring licensed engineers, oilers, able seamen and cooks. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Those interested should bring a photo I.D. (driver’s license, passport, etc.) to the event. Applicants are also encouraged to bring, if available:
- Merchant Mariners Credential
- Maritime training certificates
- Transportation Worker Identification Card
- Military service record
More details can be found at: omao.noaa.gov/marinerjobevents.
Wind Support NYC Summit
By Malo Saout
Wind Support NYC hosted a summit earlier this month dedicated to the decarbonization of maritime transport, with a particular focus on the transformative potential of wind propulsion. While many have set their sights on 2050 to achieve significant emissions reductions, the summit zeroed in on tangible progress that can be achieved by January 1, 2030.
The event kicked off with an inspiring introduction by Fabrice Loher, mayor of Lorient, France, setting the stage for a series of dynamic discussions. The first session featured François Gabart, the 2012 to 2013 Vendée Globe champion and co-founder of Vela, who shared his insights on the evolution of sailing transport. This was followed by a lively roundtable discussion, where zero-emission shipping early adopters expressed their expectations and aspirations for a greener future.
Maxime Millefert, representing the French Embassy, reaffirmed the unwavering commitments of the French government to its growing wind propulsion industry. Jean-Philippe Guillon, global head of asset finance for CIC Group, detailed the financing of the first cargo sailboats.
The discussions then shifted to the maritime industry’s current sustainability commitments and the crucial integration of these principles into maritime education. Participants explored how these initiatives are being thoughtfully incorporated into the curricula of maritime schools, ensuring that future generations are well-prepared to lead the charge toward a more sustainable maritime industry.
Wind Support’s summit was a powerful reminder of the immediate solution wind propulsion can offer to foster a sustainable future for maritime transport, demonstrating that with collective effort and innovation, significant strides can be made long before 2050.
Malo Saout works for Wind Support NYC.