Great Feedback from Southampton Next Gen Power Event

Next Generation Power - The Future Looks Bright

05.05.2016

Great Feedback from Unique Event in Southampton UK

A dynamic group of 3 keynote speakers and 20 presenters highlighted the latest technology and opportunities for the maritime sector worldwide - and the future for next generation marine power certainly looks bright!

The Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion conference brought together a broad and unique marine industry group from the UK, EU and US.

Professor Ajit Shenoi, Director of Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (SMMI), opened the conference with a keynote, 'Global Marine Technology Trends – 2030 and Beyond.' He highlighted the recent report, produced jointly with Lloyd’s Register and Qinetiq, which identified 18 technologies that are likely to shape the future of the marine and maritime sectors up to 2030. Advanced engines, alternative fuels, propulsion energy saving devices, hybrid and renewable sources of power and emissions abatement are all identified as likely technologies that will shape the future.

Captain Don Cockrill, Secretary General of UK Maritime Pilots Association, opened Day 2 with a keynote, 'Powering the Modern Port – Ships, Tugs and the Hidden Fleet of Support Vessels.' As a Master Mariner and Maritime Pilot he has an insiders view of our ports, where ships load and discharge their cargoes. His overview showed that there is a complex diversity of maritime work-horse vessels that make essential contributions to the safety and efficiency of port operations. The variety of their diverse and often innovative propulsion designs was highly relevant to the audience.

Captain Andrew Moll, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), opened Day 3 with a keynote, ' How Emerging Technology can Create Problems at Sea as well as Providing Solutions.' Evidence from accident investigation indicates that the introduction at sea of emerging technologies can create unforeseen problems. On the technical side it can be difficult to assess what checks and balances to apply to new technologies, with the result that old rules and standards are initially applied until sufficient experience is gained for adjustments to be made.

John Haynes, Next Gen Organiser & Chairman, announced that the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) had released MGN 550, 'Guidance for Safe Design, Installation and Operation of Lithium-ion Batteries' on 28 April to coincide with the Next Generation Marine Power Workshop. In October 2015 he brought together a working group to assist MCA Technology during the Hybrid Marine Power Conference at the RNLI Lifeboat College, UK. The high level panel included hybrid, battery and electric subject matter experts from sectors including automotive, aviation and power grid. In January 2016 he presented on 'Hybrid Superyachts & Tenders' at the London International Superyacht Forum, where MCA released the draft Battery MGN.

The Next Generation Marine Power & Propulsion event was held in the stylish Grand Harbour conference venue looking out over the Port of Southampton where cruise ships, oil tankers and the world's largest container vessels ply their global trade. A wave of cutting edge maritime innovations were highlighted and discussed by marine industry professionals including:

Aradex / BAE Systems / BAE Systems Hybridrive / Barrow International / British Marine / Carbon Trust / CCS - Corporate Clothing Solutions / CD Adapco / Century Maritime / DNV-GL / DSTL - Defence Science Technology Lab / ERPM UK Ltd / Frazer-Nash Consultancy / KPM Marine / Lloyd’s Register / Longitude Engineering / MAIB - Marine Accident Investigation Branch / MCA - Maritime Coastguard Agency / Mercator Media / UK MoD - Ministry of Defence / Naust Marine / NDP - Naval Design Partnership / Navis / NMEA - National Marine Electronics Assoc / Offshore Expeditions / Pallington Foot / Poole Harbour Commissioners / Prince William School / QinetiQ / REAP Systems / RINA - Ship & Boat International / RK-Marine / RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution / Rogers Yacht Design / Royal Marines / Salcombe Harbour Authority / Shock Mitigation / Southampton Solent University / SSA - Shipbuilders & Shiprepairers Assoc / SMMI - Southampton Marine & Maritime Insitute / University of Southampton / Southampton Solent University / SubSea Craft Ltd / Sue Stevens Media / Sun Ra Solutions / Team Brittania / Torqeedo / Triskel Ltd / UKMPA - UK Maritime Pilots Association / Warsash Maritime Academy / Wartsila UK Ltd / Westport Yachts / Windship / XALT Energy / Yacht Consultancy / ZF Service UK Ltd

Next POWER Conference in Southampton UK:

NEXT GENERATION Marine Power & Propulsion 18 & 19 April 2018 >

New MGN 550 - MCA Guidance for Lithium-ion Batteries

The UK MCA (Maritime Coastguard Agency) has issued MGN 550 (Marine Guidance Note) on, 'Guidance for Safe Design, Installation and Operation of Lithium-ion Batteries.'

MGN 550 Information & PDF Download >

UK Hybrid Ferry Announced for Isle Of Wight

On the last day of the Next Generation Power conference Wightlink Ferries announced that they have signed a contract to build a new Hybrid ship for the Portsmouth to Fishbourne route. The new ferry will be slightly larger than the flagship Wightlink ferry ‘St Clare’ and will be the most environmentally friendly ever to serve the Isle of Wight route.

John Burrows, Interim Wight Link Chief Executive, said, ‘This major investment in our services will allow us to carry more cars, lorries and other vehicles to and from the Isle of Wight and help us improve reliability and punctuality, especially at the busiest times of the year. Hybrid battery technology will reduce our carbon footprint and help us to operate more efficiently and quietly.’

It will cost over €30 million and enter service in 2018 using hybrid battery technology, as well as conventional fuel, to reduce emissions and make the vessel quieter. The new ferry will have two fixed vehicle decks to hold the equivalent of 178 cars and space for more than 1,000 people on board with luxurious and comfortable seats and cafés. The Cemre shipyard in Turkey has won the contract to carry out the work.