Ships Monthly

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE In this issue of Ships Monthly we have a feature on fuels of the future, which shipping companies are assessing to try to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport and bring down harmful carbon emissions. This decade will see naval architects come up with new designs which will focus on improving the efficiency of ships, using new and advanced technology to make operations safer, faster and greener. Over the next few decades it is hoped that the use of fossil fuels in the maritime sector can be eliminated, because of their polluting impact, and replaced by ‘clean’ fuels, and in order to achieve this a variety of new ideas is being considered. Not only are cleaner fuels being trialled and tested, but designers are looking to harness wind…

Richard Seville Richard Seville travels globally to photograph ferries. His particular interests include tracking down ferries which have previously served the UK in their new careers. James Hendrie James Hendrie is a part-time freelance writer with interests ranging from social history to transportation. He has been a regular contributor to Ships Monthly. Andy Hernandez Andy Hernandez has had a lifelong passion for ships. Living in Florida, he works at PortMiami and is a writer and photographer specialising in cruise ships. Jim Shaw Jim Shaw is a retired engineer who has worked at various locations around the world and has always had a deep interest in ships and shipping. Ships Monthly on Facebook REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Krispen Atkinson • Gary Davies • William Mayes • Russell Plummer • Jim Shaw • Conrad Waters SUBSCRIBE TO SHIPS MONTHLY SEE PAGE 20 FOR LATEST OFFERS…

A first for Svitzer TRANSVERSE TUG Maersk group towage operator Svitzer has reached an agreement with Canada’s naval architectural firm Robert Allan and Turkey’s Sanmar Shipyards for construction of a next-generation TRAnsverse Tug. The TRAnsverse Tug is able to generate higher steering forces than most tugs of similar dimensions and features a highly stable design with the ability to push, pull and manoeuvre in all directions. The first of the new boats will be 25.8m long and develop 60 tonnes bollard pull. JS US rock installation vessel NEWBUILD America’s Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania has been contracted to build a subsea rock installation vessel for operation by Chicagobased Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation under the US flag. The new ship will have two storage bins for rocks, each equipped with a mechanical shovel, and a centre-mounted…

PRESERVATION It was recently announced that the owner of the historic tug Cervia intends to commence deconstruction of the National Historic Fleet vessel, currently located in Smeaton’s Dry Dock, Ramsgate, by November 2022 unless an alternative solution is put forward before the deadline. Cervia is an ocean-going Empire class steam tug which was built in 1946 for use as a fleet auxiliary by Alexandra Hall & Company of Aberdeen for the Ministry of War Transport. In December 1946 she was sold on to the maritime towing business of William Watkins, and she was used on the Thames and Medway, enjoying long service. She has been in the care of Ramsgate Maritime Museum, run by the East Kent Maritime Trust, since 1985 and is a rare survivor of her type. She is one of…

Propeller innovation TECHNOLOGY A new aft layout design for ships has been developed by China’s Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) in cooperation with Thordon Bearings that eliminates the stern tube casting, while creating a chamber to permit in-water inspection and maintenance. The new design (pictured) also incorporates the use of seawater for lubrication of the stern tube bearings. JS WATERFRONT • www.shipsmonthly.com • The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL • t > 01959 541444 • e > sm.ed@kelsey.co.uk…

CARGO CARRIER While being transported from the Isles of Scilly to the mainland on the Isles of Scilly Steamship Co’s cargo vessel, Gry Maritha, a pair of meercats escaped from their cage. The crew sought to capture the animals, which were loose on the cargo deck and, while Doris was caught, Boris leapt into the dock at Penzance. With the animal struggling to swim, Tom Sexton, the vessel’s captain, also jumped into the harbour and rescued the animal. The pair were heading for Axe Valley Zoo at Axminster. The freight vessel Gry Maritha was built by Moen Slip in Norway in 1981 and has operated between the Isles of Scilly, 20 miles south-west of Land’s End, for over 30 years, working alongside the passenger vessel Scillonian III. Plans are afoot to replace the…