Multi-Use Platforms at Sea offer one solution for ocean sustainability

With increasing concern regarding the over-development of offshore marine infrastructures, offshore platforms, also known as Multi-Use Platforms at Sea, or MUPS, can represent a viable solution to meet these growing demands.

These are the findings from ENTROPI, a European funded project which has identified specific areas of targeted innovation that could achieve significant cost reductions for the development of Multi-Use Platforms at Sea to make them more economically attractive.

The forecast massive development of offshore marine infrastructures such as wind farms, marine aquaculture farms and wave energy technologies will cause increasing pressures on the anthropogenic exploitation of the oceans and therefore needs to implemented in an integrated and sustainable way in order to limit the impacts on fragile marine ecosystems. Cost has been a major barrier to the development of multi-use facilities to date and the ENTROPI project aimed to find ways to significantly reduce these costs.

The two year ENTROPI project which was co-funded by the EU Maritime and Fisheries Fund undertook a thorough review of conceptual and existing multi-use offshore platform projects, Key Enabling Technologies that currently exist as well as the value chain opportunities for businesses. The project focused on the geographical area of the Atlantic Sea Basin where much of the existing technological capability is based. After significant research and evaluation, the project identified three areas of innovation that could significantly reduce the development costs of Multi-use platforms:

* Anchoring and Mooring Solutions
* Security and Surveillance Applications
* A concept platform supporting renewable energy devices and aquaculture facilities

For each of these areas the project partners researched the engineering, technology, construction and operational issues in order to produce Road-Maps which businesses, investors, developers and users can download to quickly and easily understand the key actions, benefits and milestones for each innovation scenario.

British project partner Marine South East led the work looking at innovative anchoring and mooring solutions and concluded that the use of sub-sea helical screw pile anchors would significantly reduce the costs and installation times compared to traditional approaches. This capability would enable tethering of floating platforms at both substantially lower cost and without the need for specialist installation vessels.

Pole Mere Bretagne Atlantique, from France, researched, evaluated and identified innovative remote security and surveillance capabilities to provide efficient, low-risk protection for a variety of multi-use platforms at sea. They also propose equipping the platforms with strategic airborne and sub-sea facilities to enlarge the geographical coverage capacity further offshore and provide possible additional revenue streams.

Project partner PLOCAN, based in the Canary Islands, looked at the viability, financing and investment potential of Multi-Use platforms at sea. Their findings indicate that a concept platform that could support renewable energy devices and aquaculture facilities has the most immediate potential for development. The likely financial mix for such an investment is likely to be a combination of venture capital, private investment, government grants and commercial banks.
The project has also identified a consortium of international companies and expert partners that have the competence to contribute towards the deployment of all three scenarios, including large 'pillar companies' as well as small innovative businesses with existing expertise and experience. Relevant research centres and public funding programmes have also been highlighted to stimulate future public and private investment in the development of multi-use platforms at sea.

The project has created an online 'Interest Group' to keep businesses, stakeholders and interested parties informed of relevant news, events, projects, activities and opportunities regarding multi-use offshore platforms.
To sign up to the Interest Group please follow the link:

https://www.offshoreplatforms.eu/interest-group

A video explaining the ENTROPI project has been prepared by project partner PLOCAN and is available to view here.
More information and background to the ENTROPI project can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.offshoreplatforms.eu/objectives

More information and background to the ENTROPI project can be accessed at the website:

https://www.offshoreplatforms.eu/

Posted 2019-04-25 11:29:50

Sustainable Inland Shipping project calls to focus on results not certificates

Sustainable inland shipping is within reach, but calls for a different approach from ports, transport companies and shippers. This is according to the partners in the European LIFE-project CLINSH (CLean INland SHipping).

Rather than focusing on certificates for particular engines and environmental systems, the CLINSH project thinks that we should actually be looking at the environmental benefits achieved by the vessel skippers.

"Inland shipping is a sustainable form of transport in itself", argues Rik Janssen, member of the Zuid-Holland provincial executive, who chairs the CLINSH consortium. "But it can be even more sustainable. Until now, customers and port authorities have been focusing on specific types of engines and environmental systems. This is despite the fact that our measurements in practice have revealed that other ships can be at least as clean as certified ships. In other words, improving the sustainability of inland shipping can be cheaper, faster and more efficient!"

Practical trial
An important part of CLINSH is the practical trial of sustainable inland shipping. In it, advanced equipment is being used to continually monitor the actual emissions of 35 inland vessels during use. The vessels participating in the trial are using a variety of engines and fuels and sustainable technologies such as catalytic converters, aftertreatment systems and particulate filters. Skippers taking part receive a payment for any modifications required to their vessels and as compensation for their efforts. The data they collect is being used to identify the environmental benefits of the various technologies. The trial will also offer an insight into the business case for skippers or vessel owners – demonstrating whether a particular investment is financially and environmentally worthwhile. This provides useful information for other skippers and for government bodies, financial institutions and special-interest organisations that wish to contribute to sustainable inland shipping.

Untapped opportunities
Currently, skippers who can demonstrate that they have a clean sustainable vessel qualify for specific advantages. These include discounts on mooring fees and port dues and a higher price for freight transport. However, individual skippers often face significant investments when improving the sustainability of their vessels. At the same time, technologies for which no certificate is available offer no operational advantages. As a result, there are still untapped opportunities for further improving the sustainability of the entire European fleet of inland vessels. The CLINSH partners aim to change that by identifying the environmental benefit of all available technologies.

About CLINSH
CLINSH is a demonstration project that aims to chart the effectiveness and costs of emission-reducing technologies and alternative fuels in practice. CLINSH is supported by the European LIFE fund. With a total cost of more than € 8.5 million, the project aims to enable 16 partners from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom to invest with the European LIFE fund in a range of projects that contribute to sustainable inland shipping.

More information?

Visit http://www.clinsh.eu

View the CLINSH Video: Practical trials & onshore power supply – the latest experiences https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDVEbNKnuT8&feature=youtu.be

Download the publication 'Talking about CLINSH – The human factor of inland shipping' https://www.clinsh.eu/documents.html

Posted 2019-04-02 10:10:21

Find out about transfer of Key Enabling Technologies to the maritime industries

KETmaritime held a successful workshop during the recent Ocean Business conference and exhibition to help businesses find out about Key Enabling Technologies that could drive innovation and competitiveness in their business.

Around 30 delegates attended the event which explored the technological, commercial and innovation potential of new technologies for maritime applications including:

* Industrial Biotechnology KET: taking advantage of marine biological resources

* Nanotechnology KET: exploiting the benefits of a smaller scale

* Advanced manufacturing KET: a new paradigm for industrial processes

* Photonics KET: using light for monitoring of marine assets and resources

As part of the project, UCC from Ireland are developing a Road Map for the development of Key Enabling Technologies in maritime industries. The design of this Roadmap is being driven by users such as SMEs, to ensure it is tailored as effectively as possible to suit their Research, Development and Innovation needs. A lot of the discussion points raised during the workshop highlighted barriers and opportunities for KET and maritime bridging mechanisms. The project would like to gather any feedback and expert opinions you may have to offer in a survey:

https://goo.gl/forms/7Hc4DYbw2921u9K72

KETmaritime is an ambitious EU funded project aiming to promote the transfer of Key Enabling Technologies in the maritime sector. KETs have the potential to impact on many aspects of the society, enhancing the industrial competitiveness and creating growth and jobs in Europe.

The KETmaritime project aims to build a cooperative network integrating organisations with experience in R&D&i in KETs and maritime activities and marine sector bodies (clusters, associations, public institutions, companies, etc.) to strengthen KETs transfer and facilitate the adoption of novel technological developments and new ways of thinking into traditional maritime companies, especially SMEs.

The consortium, led by the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, (INL), brings together seven partners from 5 countries working, closely with maritime sector industries and businesses to bring to market new processes, products, services.

For more information about the KETmaritime project please visit http://ketmaritime.eu

Posted 2019-04-24 09:27:44

Skills Support for the Workforce in the Solent

Skills Support for the Workforce in the Solent, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) aims to upskill the employed workforce and enable business growth across the Solent area of the New Forest, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Portsmouth & Havant.

The funding, available until July 2021, can also be used to support businesses and their staff with current and/or potential redundancies, providing training in other areas and supporting staff to seek other roles internally or externally. It can also be used to build upon current skills to enable further productivity to continue in their current positions.

There will be a key focus on the Local Enterprise Partnerships priority sectors, however this is not an exclusive list and flexibility towards businesses is at the heart of the project.

The focus, although not exclusive, is on STEM, Level 3 and above, linked to these sectors.

Training is delivered by local colleges and training providers and is bespoke to the needs of the business. Flexibility is key so training can be tailored to your business requirements. The training maybe on or off the business premises, consist of short bite size elements, or be part of a wider programme internally or externally, such as complimenting an Apprenticeship.

Rocky Moore, Partnership Manager for CSW, is available to guide you through everything you need to effectively access funding & business support. If you would like to have an informal chat or arrange an appointment to discuss your business requirements, contact Rocky on 07909 998 450 or email rocky.moore@cswgroup.co.uk

This project is financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund.

Posted 2019-04-03 15:17:01

Innovate UK Bridging for Innovators Fund

From start-ups to large corporates, Bridging for Innovators helps companies to overcome product, manufacturing or process performance issues by leveraging more than £2bn worth of government investment in world-leading science facilities.

Working closely with Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) research and innovation experts, companies can develop projects that address specific innovation challenges to accelerate business productivity.

By taking part in B4I, companies gain:

* In-kind funding for projects aiming to solve product, manufacturing or process issues
* Access to STFC's world-leading science facilities
* Extensive support from scientific and technical experts with proven track-records of solving complex industrial challenges

Bridging for Innovators (B4I) is an Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) programme run by STFC to support UK industry to boost productivity. STFC has a long track-record of working with businesses to provide tailored solutions to problems - understanding individual innovation needs and challenges and applying cutting-edge expertise and technologies to solve them.

The programme provides access to STFC's world-leading science facilities located around the UK including Harwell, Daresbury and the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, as well as regional B4I hubs in the Midlands and South Wales.

There is no upper limit cap per project. But typically STFC's contribution to a project is up to £100,000 and each project lasts between three to 12 months. High potential projects, those that demonstrate substantial productivity benefits to the participating company, may be eligible for additional funding.

Full details of scope are available at the following link:

https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/research-grants/funding-opportunities/closing-calls/bridging-for-innovators-funding-programme/

Posted 2019-04-03 08:42:45

Barclays backs small businesses with £14bn lending fund

Barclays has announced a £14bn lending fund, as part of a series of initiatives to help small & medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to succeed and flourish through Brexit and beyond.

The package of support includes:

* A £14bn dedicated lending fund for the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK economy (turnover of £0-£25 million)

* More than 100 SME Brexit clinics and seminars being run in local communities across the country

* An established network of on-the-ground relationship management experts and industry specialists, based across the UK

These interventions are designed to help SMEs think about managing cash-flow and working capital, exporting goods abroad, labour, supply chain management, and broader issues of preparedness.

For more information please visit:

https://home.barclays/news/2019/04/sme-lending-fund/

Posted 2019-04-23 12:09:28

Atlantic Blue Ports events at European Maritime Days, 16th-17th May 2019, Lisbon, Portugal

The Atlantic Blue Port Services project will be addressing the contentious issue of ships effluents, in particular oiled water, ballast water and invasive species at a number of events, demonstrations and exhibitions taking place during European Maritime Day 16th-17th May 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Interested parties are invited to take part in the following events being organised by the EU funded project Atlantic Blue Port Services:

* 16th May 2019, 14.15 - Workshop 'Invasive Species and the IMO Ballast Water Convention' at the European Maritime Day Conference.

* 16th & 17th May 2019, 15.30 - demonstration of the port based ballast water treatment system 'InvaSave' in the Port of Lisbon.

* 16th & 17th May 2019, throughout the day - exhibition of the Atlantic Blue Port Services project aims at the European Maritime Days event.

The Atlantic Blue Port Services project aim is to find a consensus for 'adequate' port services for the management of effluents that is attractive for ship owners and manageable for ports. The Interreg funded project has brought together 24 partners from the Atlantic area including port authorities, port reception facility operators, public authorities, businesses, cluster organisations, national authorities and research centres.

The consortium will take an active part in the European Maritime Day to promote the project results, meet with relevant organisations and discuss related regulations and environmental concerns. In particular the project will discuss the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention implementation scheme and the environmental risks linked to invasive species.

The IMO Ballast Water Management Convention is a new challenge that ship owners, ports and national authorities need to address. Its implementation has unforeseen costs and complexity although everybody agrees on its rationale. Is there a way to reduce its economic impact and even facilitate its operational implementation? This is one of the questions the Atlantic Blue Port project hopes to address.

The Atlantic Port Services project will have three stands throughout the European Maritime Days event. The stands aim to present the three main issues being addressed by the project; what are the risks associated with shipping and port activities regarding invasive species and pollutants? What are the seawater monitoring facilities they use to detect pollution? And how port reception and treatment facilities for ships effluents contribute to reduce marine pollution.

To register to attend the European Maritime Days event visit: https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/en

For more information about Atlantic Blue Port Services please contact contact@blueportservices.com

Posted 2019-04-23 12:37:19

Demonstration of Hybrid Electric Propulsion System for Small Vessels, 22nd May 2019, Falmouth

Interested commercial users, businesses and organisations are invited to the demonstration of an innovative modular hybrid propulsion system taking place on Wednesday 22nd May 2019 in Falmouth.

During this free event, delegates will be able to experience the hybrid propulsion system in operation on Falmouth Harbour in the working passenger ferry Kingsley II. Installation and testing of the new technology is well advanced in the vessel, owned by Cornwall Ferries Ltd. Participants will also learn about the benefits and opportunities this technology can offer through technical presentations networking with the HEVIMA project team.

Led by REAPsystems in Southampton, the HEVIMA project has been co-funded by Innovate UK, it offers the potential of significant savings in fuel, engine power rating, weight and emissions as well as reduced noise and vibration for commercial vessels up to 250kW.

The HEVIMA system is designed to outperform the efficiency and emission levels of existing hybrid systems for the small commercial vessel market and should offer operators significant benefits in terms of economy and improved vessel performance. Use of this technology is particularly relevant to the small commercial marine market where many vessels have duty cycles requiring significant load changes from their prime movers.

Commenting on the new technology, Tim Light, Director of Cornwall Ferries Ltd noted, "Our main interest in this innovation was as an early adopter to trial the concept of improving customer experience through reduced noise and vibration whilst at the same time further reducing both environmental impact and fuel cost. As an operator of 7 passenger vessels, some over 80 years old, the retrofit of this type of technology is not without challenges not least of which is the technical risk and relatively high cost of being a 'pre-market' user. The involvement of so many well respected organisations, both academics and commercial, with the addition of funding from Innovate UK has really helped the project push the boundaries of current technology and to utilise Kingsley II, an iconic passenger ferry that was built in Cornwall, as the donor boat for the trial.
We very much hope that the trial proves successful technically but just as importantly in terms of the customer experience and doing our bit to reduce the environmental impact of our public transport offering, something that our Company has always strived to lead on."

The demonstration event is taking place on Wednesday 22nd May 2019, 10.00-15.00 at the National Maritime Museum, Falmouth and is free to attend. Please register your place now at the following link: http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/make_booking/?id=4267

For more information about the HEVIMA project please visit:

http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/news/collection/more/?id=3750&coll=330

Posted 2019-03-11 15:11:27

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