(Reuters) - Paint inspired by the skin of a tuna fish and automated drone ships that don't need crews: such ideas could revolutionize the next generation of ocean vessels as the shipping sector looks to cut costs and tackle pollution.

(Reuters) - Paint inspired by the skin of a tuna fish and automated drone ships that don't need crews: such ideas could revolutionize the next generation of ocean vessels as the shipping sector looks to cut costs and tackle pollution.

Faced with new environmental rules and the need to cap operating costs as profits slide, shippers are renewing their fleets to make them more eco-friendly and fuel-efficient, participants at a shipping conference in China said this week.

Other ideas, such as powering ships with liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce emissions and using 3D printing to make parts, are gaining traction, as these forces drive a fundamental rethink of shipping technology.

"The new ships now have to be energy-efficient. It's all about being economical, about 'green' shipping,"

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China’s Subsidized Shipbuilding

China’s Subsidized Shipbuilding

In early September, China’s State Council issued guidelines on the development and modernization of the maritime and shipping industry in what China’s leaders lament to be an “oversupplied and loss-making sector.”

What’s more significant is that China’s own policies are to blame. Beijing has long considered shipbuilding to be a strategic industry, and it has employed a robust range of mercantilist subsidies to ensure an unfair advantage in world competition. In the process, an inefficient, unproductive industry that, while something of a jobs factory from a social policy point of view, has inflicted itself on world shipbuilding.

To be fair, China has made no secret of

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Energy Efficiency Factors in KOGAS Decision on New LNG Carrier Builders

 

Monday November 10, 2014

The new LNG carriers will bring shale gas from the U.S. to South Korea

South Korea's Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) has chosen suppliers to build six new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers, with energy efficiency an important factor, World Maritime News reports.

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) will build four 174,000 cubic metre capacity, energy-efficient LNG carriers, with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) selected to build two.

Once delivered, Korea Line Corporation, Hyundai LNG Shipping, and SK Shipping will manage two vessels each, which are intended to be used to transport shale gas from the U.S. to Korea from 2017.

DSME said its vessels will use an energy saving Partial Re-liquefaction System (PRS) systems, allowing boil-off gas to be used as fuel, removing the need for additional reliquefaction equipment.

PRS uses vaporised cargo LNG as a refrigerant, avoiding the need for additional refrigeration systems or power sources

Japan: Kyokuyo Shipyard Delivers New Ro-Ro Cargo Ship to Shiplux VII

Japan: Kyokuyo Shipyard Delivers New Ro-Ro Cargo Ship to Shiplux VII

 

Delivery ceremony of S-500, a 6,600tdw type RORO cargo ship ordered by Europe-based Shiplux VII S.A. took place at Kyokuyo Shipyard on November 17.

It is first  Kyokuyo built RORO cargo boat since 1995. It is a modern transporter optimized for the today’s logistics services in Europe. Underneath her exterior’s clean lines she has so many features.

Director of Euroship Service Ltd., on behalf of the owners, and Mr. Sho Murakami, representing Sojitz Marine Co., Ltd., the prime contractor for the transactions attended the ceremony.

This ship is the first of 4-ship in a series, the remaining 3 sisters are currently under construction.

Astilleros Gondan.- Jet propulsion for Spanish police patrol vessels

              

09 Oct 2014

Rolls-Royce has secured a contract to supply waterjets for two Spanish Police Guardia Civil 20m Patrol boats in Spain. These vessels will be built by Astilleros Gondan Shipyard.

This is the first time Rolls-Royce waterjets will feature on Guardia Civil boats, which operate in challenging conditions of strong winds and currents in demanding circumstances. According to Rolls-Royce, the stainless steel series waterjets have high fuel efficiency, good towing capability and acceleration as well as excellent durability. This enables them to have low servicing requirements, helping to meet the demands made of them during the lifetime of the vessel.

Jose Antonio Losada, Rolls-Royce, General Sales Manager – Spain, said: “We

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