At the recent SMM trade fair in Hamburg, MAN Energy Solutions and ABB – the  leading global technology company – signed a Decarbonisation Cooperation agreement regarding the development of a next-generation, Dual-Fuel, Electric+ (DFE+) propulsion concept for LNG carriers.
The DFE+ concept features the MAN 49/60DF engine – itself launched at SMM 2022 – and ABB’s Dynamic AC (DAC) technology and aims to deliver the operational flexibility shipowners need to cut carbon footprints as well as fuel bills for liquefied natural gas carriers. The scope of the collaboration covers a joint concept study between the partners sharing technical data, and discussing interfaces and system integration. MAN Energy Solutions and ABB intend to jointly promote the concept to customers.
Rune Lysebo, Global Head of Sales, ABB Marine & Ports, said: “Progressive regulations on emissions have called for continuous innovation in marine propulsion. To be truly future-proof, ships that are being built today need to be able to rely on flexibility in energy sourcing. The new power and propulsion system will be optimised for efficiency and compliance, and have the flexibility needed to achieve best performance.”
Elvis Ettenhofer, Head of Marine Four-Stroke – Region Asia Pacific, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “Two names like MAN Energy Solutions and ABB coming together to develop an innovative, decarbonising marine solution sends a strong signal to the market. Customers demand efficient and flexible propulsion concepts so they can react quickly to changing market conditions through the best use of their assets.
He added: “This cooperation with ABB will deliver the technology necessary to provide a new propulsion concept. In turn, this will help our customers to reduce their CO₂ footprint and fuel costs, and will provide the flexibility, for example, in operation for different trades or retrofits from an LNG carrier to floating storage units or floating storage regasification units. This concept can reduce methane slip and fuel costs compared to conventional diesle electric propulsion systems. ABB’s DAC and global presence are an ideal match for our new four-stroke engine.”
The DFE+ concept
Whereas the conventional DFDE concept is characterised by: 
·constant-speed operating engines (gensets) over the entire engine load
·optimised for high load, for example, the 85% load point
·in part- and low-load have high methane slip and less efficiency;
the new MAN/ABB DFE+ concept comprises:
·variable-speed operating engines (gensets) over the entire engine load
·better efficiency with significant reduction of methane slip over the entire engine map.
While variable-speed applications are well established for liquid-fuel systems up to 10mW_e, torque requirements and the low efficiency of first-generation dual-fuel engines – including limitations in the e-systems design for diesel-electric propulsion systems over 10 mW_e – killed variable speed for propulsion systems over 10mW_e.
ABB’s Dynamic AC technology enables the operation of propulsion systems above 10 mW_e at variable speed with all the accompanying benefits. In combination with the second-generation, high-efficiency MAN 49/60DF engine (with ALSi – Air Lubrication System interface, as an add-on), this DFE+ concept will provide customers with next-level efficiency and flexibility.
Pictured at SMM, Stig Leira, Transformation Program Manager, ABB Marine & Ports; Rune Lysebo, Global Head of Sales, ABB Marine & Ports; Vice President, Marita Krems, Head of Four-Stroke Marine & License, MAN Energy Solutions; and Elvis Ettenhofer, Head of Marine Four-Stroke – Region Asia Pacific, MAN Energy Solutions

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Marlink, the smart network solutions company, is helping to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans by supporting the global Plastic Odyssey expedition with smart connectivity solutions.
Plastic Odyssey is the world’s first floating laboratory vessel dedicated to plastic waste recycling. The ship will use recycling solutions, including pyrolysis, to convert plastic to fuel as well as acting as local recycling unit, showcasing waste reduction initiatives and promoting new thinking around plastic use.
Marlink will provide a free hybrid solution that combines Sealink's VSAT connectivity with global 4G roaming and a package of innovative solutions, including the use of the XChange platform for smart connectivity management. The Plastic Odyssey will be equipped with a 1-metre VSAT antenna and an L-band backup solution. For crew safety, the Telemed service will be provided for remote healthcare care.
Marlink chose to support this global initiative for environmental sustainability as it closely aligns with its own company-wide targets to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and pollution on land and at sea. Its connectivity solutions enable owners to optimise voyages to manage fuel consumption and report emissions data for regulatory compliance.
Plastic Odyssey’s vessel was acquired in October 2019 and underwent complete overhaul including asbestos removal and hull strengthening before its scheduled departure on October 1. Its three-year global journey will call at 30 main ports covering 40,000 nautical miles along the coasts of Africa, South America and Asia-Pacific. The project will also encourage coastal cities to use plastic waste as a raw material in into local micro-factories, transforming it into building materials and fuel with low-tech and easily transferable technologies.
“Plastic Odyssey is truly grateful to Marlink for its support of this project and its commitment to helping us reduce, reuse and recycle plastic around the world,” said Simon Bernard, CEO, Plastic Odyssey. “Its innovative solutions will keep the ship connected, enabling us to share updates and video with supporters - and keeping us in touch with shore in case assistance is required.”
“At Marlink we share the aims and objectives of the Plastic Odyssey team. Pollution is not just a threat to the oceans on which our customers depend; it threatens the future health of our planet’s ecosystem, said Erik Ceuppens, CEO of Marlink. “As a shipping industry stakeholder, we have a responsibility to work towards the minimising and ultimately the removal of marine pollution of all kinds.”

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Leading maritime catering management provider MCTC is celebrating its first decade of improving catering standards onboard ships by focusing on healthy and nutritious meals.
MCTC has been celebrating its milestone year with a special anniversary party and events throughout the year.
The company launched in 2012 with the aim of improving catering standards in the galley, serving healthy and nutritious meals and improving crews’ overall health, while reducing diet-related illnesses in crew members that are caused through consumption of fatty and high-calories foods.
MCTC started with offering training courses in catering and health and nutrition, with its flagship programme being the Catering Competency Development Programme. This offered the full training programme, as well as access to an experienced team of consultants, regular vessel visits, trade tests and weekly practical evaluations.
Over the years, the company evolved to offer full catering management services along with its training packages, taking care of the full spectrum of a vessels’ needs from budget planning, creating recipes and ordering supplies. MCTC is now on target to soon have 1,000 vessels under its service.
CEO of MCTC, Christian Ioannou said: “We are delighted to have reached our tenth anniversary and have enjoyed celebrating with numerous events throughout this year. The business has evolved significantly over the last decade and we are immensely proud to have gone from offering training to now offering a full scope of catering management services, along with our training programmes.
“MCTC started with the aim and vision to improve standards in the galley and there has certainly been a big shift in vessel managers and owners’ mindsets when it comes to health and nutrition over the last few years, particularly following the Covid pandemic. The new generation of seafarers are heavily invested in their physical and mental health and it is important that as an industry we are ensuring we are meeting this new set of needs.”
Alongside its training and catering management packages, MCTC has a team of experts who are on hand 24/7 with advice and support. All galley staff under its management has access to a fully interactive digital platform where they can receive nutrition advice, recipe ideas, communicate with the team, or access any of their training modules.
It also places focus on keeping fit and promoting a positive mindset to ensure seafarers are looking after both their physical and mental health.

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Container volumes in head-haul and regional trades are the key drivers of container vessel demand, average container rates, liner operator profits, and, since 2020, port congestion. According to Container Trade Statistics, combined head-haul and regional trade volumes fell 0.4% y/y in the first half of 2022. Head-haul volumes were 1.3% lower than a year ago while regional volumes were 0.6% higher.  Under normal market circumstances the peak season in key head-haul trades should lift Q3n volumes. However, recently released volume statistics indicate that there may be no peak season in 2022 but it is very likely that volumes will slow in Q4.
In July, the combined head-haul and regional trade volumes fell 1.5% m/m but were up 1.5% y/y. While this initially seems to be a relative improvement in volumes, compared to first half results, the figure appears in a different light when historical seasonality is considered.
As an example, in the Far East to North America trade lane, volumes in July have historically been on average 7.0% higher than June volumes due to the beginning of the peak season. However, this year volumes were 3.3% lower in July than in June. Applying historical seasonality, volumes should have been nearly 200,000 TEU and 10.6% higher than actual volumes.
Using the same principle for all head-haul and regional trade lanes, the combined July volumes should under normal circumstances have been 3.3% higher; 4.3% higher in head-haul trades and 1.9% in regional trades. Overall, volumes would then have been 4.9% higher than July 2021 instead of 1.5%. This is partly because it in 2021 was the first time in recent years that volumes in July were lower than in June.
Applying the same seasonality-based calculation to the rest of 2022, the full year volume estimate ends at 77.8 million TEU and 63.7 million TEU for head-haul and regional trades respectively. In total, that would leave the combined volumes at 141.5 million TEU and 1.3 million TEU lower than in 2021 (a reduction of 0.9%). Head-haul volumes would be down 3.3% y/y while regional volumes would be up 2.3% y/y.
Focusing on the rest-of-year period from August to December, the calculation indicates that combined head-haul and regional trade volumes will be down by 1.9% y/y. From a congestion perspective it is interesting to note a 10.7% y/y and 8.2% y/y fall in import volumes to the Europe and Mediterranean region and North America respectively.
“Considering the risk of energy shortages in Europe during winter and that conditions for consumers and businesses are likely to get worse before they get better as the year progresses, it is possible that volumes could end even lower,” says BIMCO’s Chief Shipping Analyst, Niels Rasmussen.
“Though we appreciate that this approach to forecasting rest-of-year volumes may be somewhat simplistic, the overall forecast does tally with the economy-based forecasts in our recently published Container Market Overview and Outlook report. The prediction will most likely not end up 100% accurate, but we do believe the overall trend will end up correct, confirming a very muted peak season in key head-haul trades and lower Q4 volumes in line with normal seasonality,” Rasmussen says.

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Irene Notias speaks about the geopolitical impacts on Med Energy

Irene Notias, new country manager of Global Marine Fuel trading house, SING FUELS, spoke on the 1^st panel of the IBIA Mediterranean Energy & Shipping Conference, held in Malta, on Sept 14 and 15^th 2022.   IBIA stands for the International Bunker Industry Association and is the 1^st and only association that represents the marine fuel suppliers majors and independents and represents the industry at the IMO.
Notias stated:  I am very pleased to have participated in the panel about New Regional Dynamics : the Geopoltical events that have created a massive disruption in global oil, shipping and bunker markets. The short and long term impacts and how they have affected Turkey the Black Sea, and the Med in general.   She also attended the famous IBIA training course by Nigel Draffin on Alternative Fuels just the day before the conference started. She added: “ It was the most accurate and factual training I have had in a long time. Nigel is a treasure for the industry with all that experience and knowledge he shares.”

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Island Oil celebrates this year thirty years of continuous and highly successful global activity in physical bunkering and marine fuel trading with a series of events. The first event was held at the Athenian Riviera, where company executives welcomed associates, shipping industry executives and media representatives to an evening of glitz and pride for Island Oil’s significant achievements up to date.
“Beyond an opportunity for celebration, we consider these events to be an opportunity for contemplation. We wish to contemplate what we have done well and what we can do better”, stated Chrysostomos Papavassiliou, CEO and founder of Island Oil.
Island Oil was founded in 1992 in Limassol, Cyprus, as an International Bunker & Lubricant Trader and through a dynamic course of development today has offices in eight countries and a strong imprint in the international market. The company’s office in Greece was established 1999 and today Island Oil also has office presence in Romania, Singapore, Israel, UK, China and Ukraine.
“We wanted to start our celebrations from Greece. After all, this is where we opened our first office outside Cyprus and I want to express my thanks and gratitude to all the good associates we have had all these years”, Mr. Papavassiliou added.
With over 120 on-shore staff in 8 countries and 150 seafarers, with 12 owned vessels and 3 physical supply stations in Cyprus, Israel and Romania, Island Oil’s 30 years of operation is not just a story of a company growing steadily, but also of a company giving back to its people and to society, and promoting sustainable and humane growth.
In this direction, listening to the needs of today but also to the challenges of tomorrow, Island Oil Group recognises the need to reduce its carbon footprint and gradually disengage from fossil fuels. To this effect the group is exploring the possibility of offering alternative and more sustainable fuels solutions in the near future and is collaborating with a research group that is exploring hydrogen as an alternative fuel for the shipping industry. It has also invested in a joint venture researching ways of introducing biomethane as fuel in industrial plants, small ships, vehicles etc.
“We aim to increase the number of clients by 20% within the next 3 years and increase our volumes to 3,000,000 mt by 2026”, said Mr Papavassiliou, outlining Island Oil’s business goals for the coming years.
The company’s 30 years celebration events will continue in Cyprus on September 23, and in Singapore on October 6.
About Island Oil:
Founded in 1992, Island Oil was quickly embraced by the industry and was entrusted by blue chip clients from local and international shipping markets, building a strong reputation as a reliable partner-supplier.
Headquartered in Limassol, Island Oil Ltd is the flagship of Island Oil (Holdings), a group of companies mainly active in the marine and domestic fuels sector. The group operates physical supply stations in Cyprus, Romania and Israel, owns and self-manages 12 bunker vessels, and has additional offices in Piraeus, Singapore, London, Constanta, and Haifa.
Today, Island Oil Ltd is an established company in the global bunker market. This has been achieved through a client-oriented approach, strong financial management, controlled growth, and a highly skilled and trained team of professionals.

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Celestyal, the award-winning, number one choice for travellers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, is delighted to announce that its CEO, Chris Theophilides, has been named Cruise Personality of the Year at the 2022 Seatrade Cruise Awards which took place in Malaga during Seatrade Cruise Med.
The Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year award is for an individual who has gone above and beyond in their particular sector or industry, representing the best in their field and embodying the values that Seatrade wants to celebrate.
According to Mary Bond, group director of Seatrade Cruise, Chris Theophilides is a worthy winner of the award due to his resilience and strong leadership which has enabled Celestyal to become a champion for mid-sized vessel cruising and deliver authentic experiences amplifying its Greek roots. She highlighted his particular strengths in strategic planning and attracting funding which allowed Celestyal to secure investment, part of which has been ringfenced for fleet renewal.  In a normal operating year, Celestyal contributes over €100m into the local Greek economy, whilst the company was praised for actively putting sustainable tourism into action. An example is the cruise line’s new intimate, immersive and hands-on Authentic Encounters shore excursion programme which provides unique, off-the-beaten path experiences to small groups of guests in order to protect the character of the places that Celestyal visits.
Commenting on the award, Chris Theophilides said: “At a time when the entire cruise industry’s perseverance was being tested, it is especially humbling to be awarded the Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year award for 2022. Our industry is fortunate to have an extraordinary plethora of exceptional professionals across all levels. To have worked amongst them in our quest to provide stewardship in rough seas was a privilege – to be recognised and singled out is a tremendous honour. As with all successes in life, today’s recognition is a team achievement in large part a result of the hard work of a great group of colleagues at Celestyal, and I am grateful to them for their unwavering passion and dedication.”

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Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR) have awarded Design Approval to Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the development of the world’s first 30,000cbm liquefied carbon dioxide carrier. The new carrier will incorporate a new type of steel in its tanks, supporting greater efficiencies in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain.
LR will provide advice and guidance on technical regulations and the development of a Type C storage tank using the new material. When built, the carrier will transport liquefied carbon dioxide under pressure, allowing carbon captured to be transported to storage facilities. Liberian Flag Administration will liaise with LR to formalise the approval and provide the required certification to allow the LCO2 Carrier to enter into service.
The steel used in the Type C LCO2 tank construction will make scantling lighter whilst keeping the tanks’ structural integrity intact. This innovation allows an upscale in the size of the LCO2 carrier, improving storage and transportation, something shipbuilders were not able to do with more conventional materials.
Andy McKeran, Chief Commercial Officer, Lloyd’s Register, said: “This Design Approval shows LR’s expertise in supporting the advance of ground-breaking marine projects in a safe, sustainable way. This vessel will be a key piece of infrastructure in the carbon capture and storage value chain, helping remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, supporting the progress to a net zero carbon economy.”
Thomas Klenum, Executive Vice President, Liberian Registry, said: “This innovative LCO2 Carrier design utilising new materials for the cargo tanks is an industry first and will play a vital role in our pursuit for global decarbonisation through carbon capture and storage. The Liberian Registry appreciates the great collaboration with HMD and LR in this project that once again demonstrates international collaboration is essential to unlock the potential for innovative solutions to decarbonise.”
Chan-il Kim, Senior Vice President of HMD, said: “This is the first result of the JDP of new steel for liquefied CO2 carrier signed in August 2021, allowing us to design and build more economical and efficient carriers. The developed new material has been examined and approved based on the mechanical properties experiment and engineering assessment. We are very pleased to share the result of this development show as we prepare to build customised economical liquefied CO2 Carriers”.
Leading ship manager Capital Gas Ship Management Corp. (Capital Gas) has joined this venture with HMD and LR, advising on operational and commercial matters relating to the project for LCO2 carrier design development.
Miltos Zisis, Managing Director, Capital Gas, said: “We are excited to pioneer together with LR and HMD this innovative LCO2 Carrier design. We see the move to the transportation of CO2, as a natural extension of our existing commercial and technical management expertise, which underlines our commitment to playing a significant role in the carbon value chain and the advance of decarbonisation of the shipping industry and beyond”.
HMD has already developed three different LCO2 carriers to flexibly respond to the market demands in terms of different business models in the CO2 value chain, which include 12,000cbm LCO2 carrier with high pressure cargo tanks, 22,000cbm LCO2 carrier with low pressure cargo tanks and 30,000cbm LCO2 carrier with low pressure cargo tanks.

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This year’s event was focused on the issues of energy crisis and the upcoming environmental regulations that will be imposed in shipping.
The well known shipowner Simeon Palios founder of Diana Shipping gave his perspective for the outlook of the shipping market and explained how the NY listed company Diana Corporation has achieved to expand its fleet and enjoy the trust and confidence of its shareholders amid a turbulent shipping and economic environment.
Former minister Mr. Andreas Andrianopoulos referred to the current energy crisis. He firstly asked who is profiting from the Ukraine war? Russia financially is not losing and unfortunately the west has not used the necessary diplomatic pressure to solve the problem. European tried to impose a cap on the Russian oil however restrictions are not working.
Mr. Laskaridis told that the reality of politics is more complex from what we think. We don’t know what is legal and what illegal regarding the sanctions imposed on Russia. Regarding the cost of the implementation of the environmental regulations and ETS the shipping industry tries to share this huge burden with the commercial operators who charter the vessels and are responsible for the trading of the ships. Costas Stamboulis analyst on energy and geopolitic developments insisted that the impact from the sudden increase on energy prices for Europe is far worse than the other countries of the world. We must note that Europe imports 60% of its energy commodities from other parties of the world. On the other hand U.S. oil and gas producers are not prepared to increase their productivity to help Europe facing a difficult winter.
As result of the oil and gas shortage the tanker freight rates will remain high because of the sudden increase of seaborne trade.
Mr. Panos Zachariadis referred to the latest developments on the alternative fuels. He said the hydrogen coming from NG and ammonia coming from hydrogen and all these fuels are emitting remarkable CO2 and methane. In addition to these there is no bunkering infrastructure and huge safety and technical concerns are addressed. The value of existing infrastrure is 2,5 trillion dollars so it is very difficult to replace all these tremendous storage facilities with alternative fuels stations in all over the world.
He finally suggested methanol from all renewable sources as the safest and green enough solution as limited retrofit is needed to be adapted on the current propulsion. The oil companies surely are investing on renewables but they are not rushing as the main business which is the supply of oil and gas flourish.
Mr. Stavros Hatzigrigoris in his speech remarked that carbon capture technology is a reliable method of CO2 abatement which is continuously developed and improved.
In his presentation, Professor Mr. Merikas stated that according to studies, inflation and the accuracy of raw materials are expected to bring a recession in the world economy in the coming years, but shipping rates will be high due to increased demand.
Regarding Poseidon rules, Mr. Laskaridis emphasized that for responsible and serious shipowners it is not an obstacle to secure the financing of their investments.
He also pointed out that Europe must maintain the European fleet under European flags and not put obstacles to improve competitiveness because European shipping risks migrating to other shipping centers around the world.
At the end of the conference, Mr. Emmanuel Vordonis referred to the need to stop the Russia-Ukraine war. Sanctions set us back decades by intensifying carbon consumption and this is because the European leadership is not responding to the challenges. What can we do? We should push for an end to the war and even the religious leaders should take action in this direction, underlined Mr. Bordonis.
The conference closed with an award to Mr. Panos Laskaridis, who has enhanced our War Navy with support ships and financed large-scale repairs.

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Stefanos Papandreou & Theano Kalapotharakou report from Hamburg

With the participation of a considerable number of ships’ equipment manufacturers from Greece, SMM Hamburg 2022 returned back more actively after a four-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The co-publishers of ELNAVI Stefanos Papandreou and Theano Kalapotharakou visited SMM to cover the commercial activities of the leading international and Greek ship’s equipment manufacturers and service providers.
The participants of the exhibition were focused on the following critical topics: Supply chain disruption, alternative propulsion technologies, e-fuels – political and business leaders discussed current challenges facing the shipping industry.
Their conclusion: Shipbuilding companies and suppliers are ready for the Maritime Transition – and SMM is about to provide valuable input on how to accomplish it.
Featuring high-profile speakers, SMM press conference marked the kick-off for four intriguing days. Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, was delighted to note that the entire exhibition campus is occupied, and face-to-face interaction is finally possible again.  The Hamburg Messe CEO had invited top-flight guests to discuss the core theme of this SMM, the Maritime Transition:
• Claudia Müller, the German Federal Maritime Coordinator
• Dr Uwe Lauber, CEO, MAN Energy Solutions
• Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General, BIMCO
• Steve Gordon, Managing Director, Clarksons Research
• Wolfram Guntermann, Director Regulatory Affairs, Hapag-Lloyd AG
Closed-off ports, overstretched supply chains, crew change challenges – Covid-19 kept a tight grip on the world over the past two years. Moderator David Patrician asked Steve Gordon, Managing Director at Clarksons Research, whether Covid had caused the Green Agenda to slip out of the the shipping industry’s focus. He said: “The shipping market remained remarkably resilient during Covid.” A look at the global orderbooks reveals that shipyards are fully booked for the next two to three years, he continued. “The share of new orders for ships with alternative propulsion systems is above 40 per cent,” including many newbuilds designed to operate on LNG, he said. While methanol is a big topic, Gordon pointed out, shipowners by and large are still rather hesitant when it comes to e-fuels. “We are just at the start of a huge fuel transition, with a fleet renewal programme that will require massive investment, technology change and innovation”.
The CEO of MAN Energy Solutions Dr. Uwe Lauber said the maritime transition is technically possible today. “The good news is: Regulatory framework provided, shipping can be green and not emit any more CO2 after 2045.  However this might still not be fast enough to stay in line with the Paris agreement. Industry growth alone will lead to a massive emissions overshoot on our way to 2045, if we do not act now.”
But what good is all this technology to shipowners if there isn’t enough fuel, asked Lars Robert Pedersen. According to the Vice Secretary General of BIMCO, the lack of sufficient energy resources is a massive problem. “Availability of sustainable energy for the transition is both the question and the answer to decarbonisation of shipping – and all other sectors of society as well. The scale is monumental. While sustainable energy is being scaled up, shipping should not wait but pursue all avenues to improve the efficiency of the fleet”.
Claudia Müller, the German Federal Maritime Coordinator, promised government support to the maritime sector.   “For shipping and beyond, the question we have to keep asking ourselves is this: Which energy source is best-suited and most efficient for specific applications?”, Müller asked.
“Retrofitting programmes are key to the environmental performance,” said Wolfram Guntermann, Director Regulatory Affairs at Hapag-Lloyd AG. At the world’s fifth-largest container shipping company this means retrofitting highly efficient propellers from the German manufacturer MMG (Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH).
This example demonstrates that the shipping industry is on the right path despite many open questions about future fuels. Bernd Aufderheide was confident that SMM will deliver the right impetus for the maritime energy transition.
SMM was officially opened by its honorary patron, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a video message. Scholz underlined the importance of the maritime sector saying: “’That ship has sailed’ (is a phrase) we often use to mark a lost opportunity. He also pointed to the important role of shipping in transporting alternative fuels such as methanol and hydrogen. All these topics are highlighted at SMM.

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