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Maersk Continues Investments in Fleet Decarbonization
Natasa Mulahalilovic The Danish A.P. Moller & Maersk, the second largest container shipping company in the world, has set a goal to reach zero-emission container shipping by 2040. The Maersk ambitious objective is much advanced compared to the global shipping industry objective to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 to fight against 3% of the global greenhouse emission that they are responsible for.
The program initiated in 2021 aims to renew the fleet of 707 container ships, 304 owned and 403 long-time-chartered, with dual-fuel vessels and propulsion systems. Contracts with different partners and suppliers are in the process of being signed. The giant has chosen to combine methanol and liquified gas bio-LNG for the propulsion systems of its renewed green fleet. The exact split of propulsion technologies will be determined over time considering the latest regulatory requirements and green fuels supply.
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Electric and Hybrid Marine Exhibition Demonstrates New Technologies
EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic Amsterdam–The Tenth Annual Electric and Hybrid Marine Exhibition in Amsterdam’s RAI June 18-20 attracted more than 200 exhibitors and provided an opportunity for shipowners and operators to review the latest solutions to speed marine electrification, decarbonization, hybridization.
Reaching the objective to reduce greenhouse gas by 70% in maritime industry by 2050 looks realistic but the new technologies developers, equipment manufacturers and end users need more clarity and support from the regulatory and governmental bodies to accelerate the process. Creation of reliable and safe storage and fueling infrastructure will ensure the shipbuilders and ship owners trust the transition.
The three-day event presented the latest innovations and achievements in efficient decarbonization of the maritime industry. New technologies from companies in Europe, North America, China and other regions designed to support and accelerate the transition from high polluting fossil combustion to zero emission solutions in maritime industry were exhibited at the event. The exhibition was visited by thousands of industry professionals.
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Belgium May Lose Audi Car Production in Brussels
EUROPE REPORT
Audi said it intends to “restructure” its Forest production site in Brussels, a move that clearly could end with the site closing by 2027. Production of the model Q8 e-tron, the only model produced in Forest, will end sooner than was expected. Audi Brussels manufactured about 53,000 cars in 2023, but the sale of the large Q8 car with a high price tag (the catalog price starts at 86,000 EUR) does not meet market demand in Europe.
The possible closure could put more than 1500 employees out of work. The full production of the electric SUV Q8 e-tron will be relocated to Mexico and China where production costs will be lower than in Europe.
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Rolls-Royce Reports 16% Revenue Growth in 2023
EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic Rolls Royce Power Systems Business Unit, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, reported sales of EUR 4.56 billion in fiscal 2023, a 16% increase over 2022. Operating profit hit 10.2%, up from 8.4% in 2022.
The operating profit increase is due to the investments in transformation and process optimization, implementation of a new commercial policy, better cost, and stock management.
Strong demand for standby power generation especially for data centers, implementation of the “From bridge to the propeller” strategy for large yachts, and development of an energy storage systems in Europe integrating renewable energies into the Duch public grid have contributed significantly to the revenue growth.
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Electric Hydro Foiling Popular in Maritime Industry
EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic The electric hydro foiling propulsion system is a fast-growing technology taking an important place in the future of the maritime industry. The revolutionary concept provides cost-effectiveness, zero-emissions, zero-noise and excellent performance values (very fast) in different types of boats for pleasure and commercial use.
Tne technology is innovative and is, for most vessels, based on a specific aerodynamic design of a boat, retractable foils, electric motors, and batteries. Hydro foiling and electric systems work together to cut through waves causing less drag and resulting in higher speed.
The use of energy is much less than for any other vessel with a traditional propulsion system. E-foiling boats give an impression of flying over water silently with no CO2 emission or any other air or water pollution. The experience is comfortable, safe, clean and speedy.
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2023 Cannes Yachting Festival Sets Records
EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic The 46th Cannes Yachting Festival was the largest one ever, hosting 610 exhibitors and 705 boats. The Cannes Yachting Festival remains the largest and the most visited European pleasure boat show organized on the water.
The show’s organizers said the event has never hosted that many motor and sailing, mono and multi hulls, outboard boats, ribs and semi-rigid boats, tenders, electric, hydro-foiling, and other types of boats.
The show ran Sept. 12-17, offering six days of meetings and exchange with boat builders, engine and equipment manufacturers, designers and architects and other professionals from the pleasure marine industry.
The event hosted by a beautiful Mediterranean Cannes attracted 55,000 visitors coming from more than 130 worldwide countries. As usual, it was organized in two locations in the city, Vieux Port and Port Conto des Cannes. Motorboats and yachts in all sizes and with all propulsion types were displayed at the Vieux Port and sailing yachts and catamarans at the Port Canto des Cannes.
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Ammonia-Powered Fuel Cell Developed for Deep Sea Shipping
ShipFC is the project financed by the Union European program Horizon 2020 and Hydrogen Europe aiming to prove that fuel cells powered by green ammonia can meet the strict IMO standards of zero-emission Deep Sea shipping.
Currently, a 100% zero-emission solution is not available in this segment. Batteries do not last longue enough with a size that can fit a ship onboard, and Hydrogen technology has some other challenging issues to resolve. Alternative fuel solutions are promising but still need to be tested, confirmed, and approved by DNA.
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Group Beneteau Forecasts 10% Growth in 2023
EUROPEAN REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic Groupe Beneteau, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pleasure boats and mobile homes, posted revenue of USD 1.6 million (1.508,1 million EUR) for 2022. The boat division generated USD1.3 million (1.250,9 million EUR), 83% of the group’s total revenue.
The Group order books are full for this year. The forecast is for 10% growth compared to revenues achieved in 2022. Last year, revenues by market were at 613.20 million EUR for Europe, 424.4 million EUR for North America and 135.9 million EUR for other regions.
The group plans to launch 13 models in 2023, of which five will be new models of dayboats, four models of sailing yachts, two models of sail catamarans and two models of power catamarans.
The boat division revenues increased 19.7% compared to 2021. The motorboats division contributed 58% of the total and the sailing division added 42%. The best-selling boats are the motor dayboats in size up to 8 meters followed by the sailing multihulls over 10 meters.
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Rolls Royce Power Systems Posts Record Year in 2022
EUROPEAN REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic Rolls Royce Holdings’ 2022 Annual Report shows significant performance improvement compared to 2021. Its four business units posted revenue of £12.691 m (£10.947 m in 2021), gross profit of £2.477 m (£1.996 m in 2021) and operating profit of £652 m (£441 m in 2021). Civil aerospace business unit made 49% of the revenue, Defense 29%, and Power Systems 26%.
The Power Systems business unit is the home for the mtu brand developing and manufacturing power systems and solutions for commercial marine, industrial, defense and yachts as well as power generation. Headquartered in Germany, it closed the year with a record revenue of £3.347 m, a gain of 23 % comparing to the prior year. Orders for 2022 were £4.3 billion, 29% higher than the orders placed in 2021.
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