News

Electrification of public transport is an important investment to achieve the target for reducing emissions. SSPA has supported Västtrafik, the public transport company in Gothenburg, Sweden, during the project to build a new ferry with battery-hybrid propulsion. The traffic across the river Göta älv in central Gothenburg has been a success and the passengers can continue to increase with the new ferry, Elvy. In late October, after naming ceremony and crew training, she will enter traffic. We are looking forward to travel across the river, more silent and with less emissions.

The Sea Traffic Management (STM) Validation Project was finished this summer and its final report with the project’s results was recently published. SSPA has been a partner in this project, where the SSPA Route Optimisation Service was developed and integrated into the ECDIS through the Maritime Connectivity Platform and tested with the involved partners and ships. Optimising the route has a strong impact on the operational costs for fuel and it is translated into GHG emission savings. Although the project has ended, the SSPA Route Optimisation Service remains active and new initiatives continue.

Accurate, complete, boat-specific and easily accessible technical information for vessels and boats not only enhances safety and accessibility, but also reduces the total lifecycle cost. SSPA has written a case study describing a recently finished S1000D project for the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. The case study describes our work from start to finish, including pre-history, challenges, project lessons and visions for the future.

As a part of the FAMOS Odin research project, a route optimisation analysis was performed. SSPA presents the results of taking stored AIS tracks and optimising their route geometry as well as their speed to minimise fuel consumption, i.e. to minimise the shallow water resistance experienced by each ship. The results show key changes in traffic patterns, specifically fairway shortcuts that could be taken if there are no safety concerns.

The eight Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering (Marine 2019) was recently hosted by Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. This conference is a meeting place for researchers developing computational methods and scientists and engineers focusing on challenging applications in marine engineering. Researchers from SSPA, together with some of our research partners, presented interesting papers.

The paper “Comparison of modern keel types for sail boats” was published in late 2017. The study systematically evaluated the hydrodynamic performance of different types of bulb keels. Recently, the paper was awarded with two prizes at the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) annual meeting. The Institution’s Medal of Distinction and the Austin Farrar Prize.

You do this by implementing S1000D, the International Specification for Technical Publications. SSPA supports the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in several projects with information analysis, data conversion, restructuring, content revisions, and quality assurance.

The latest issue of our company magazine, SSPA Highlights, issue 66 has been published. Read about; Skin Friction database, Route optimisation based on AIS tracks, Defining normal ship behaviour and safety distance, Logistical consequences of container port conflict, Implementing S1000D for military assault and support crafts, Thorough model testing required to make cruising in tough environments sustainable, The importance of high-quality data.

The Swedish maritime industry join forces to put together the best trainee programme for newly graduated Naval Architects. The trainee programme involves different actors in the Swedish maritime industry; shipowners, shipyards and manufacturers, classification societies, authorities, designers and more. The application for 2019/2020 opens 15 December 2018 and close 31 January 2019. 

It is a global issue with the plastics as marine pollution. Several initiatives have started around the world to influence people’s behaviour. In Sweden there is an awareness campaign called “Optimist för havet” (Optimist for the sea). Three Swedish organisations is behind the project and they all share the love for the sea. SSPA supports with building five prototype boats (optimist dinghies) from recycled plastic waste as a national flagship activity to raise awareness.

If you are enrolled at a Swedish technical university and would like to carry out your Master Thesis project at SSPA, please send us an application using the provided form.

Sweden has decided to analyse the conditions for a switch to fossil free state-owned vessels. SSPA has under a frame work contract been awarded with the task to support the Swedish Transport Administration (STA, www.trafikverket.se) in this analyse and the development of a strategy on how governmental owned ships and boats can operate with lower or no emissions of fossil carbon dioxide.

In a project together with Chalmers Sports & Technology, SSPA has contributed to the design and build of a racing skiff dinghy where 70 percent of the hull is made of biomaterials. The dinghy will soon compete in a three-day regatta against other boats representing universities all over the world. This dinghy is one of a kind. The sail plan is very large in relation to the boat, the mast height (9.5 m) is more than two times larger than the boat length (4.6 m), making it rather extreme. 70 percent of the hull is made of bio materials. The hull and deck are a sandwich construction with skins of flax fibre in a cashew-based epoxy matrix, and a core of balsa wood. The principles of skiff dinghy design have been combined with innovative, more environmentally friendly materials

Among all the factors on board that affect sleep and alertness, the impact of light may be less known. SSPA performed an overview, funded by the Swedish Mercantile Marine Foundation. With a greater insight about the effects of light; mariners can adapt new routines to improve their well-being. We can all benefit from knowing how to use light to maximise our performance, but it is even more important for mariners who are working and living 24 hours a day in a harsh environment where good recovery is important for safe operation and health.

Have you ever reflected over the different types of bulbs chosen for yacht keels? Today there is no general agreement on which bulb type is preferred for different types of yachts and very little scientific investigation has been done in this area. SSPA and Chalmers have carried out a study, where the hydrodynamic performance of different types of bulb keels were systematically evaluated. A paper is published in the International Journal of Small Craft Technology (IJSCT), a RINA Publication

SUMMETH, the Sustainable Marine Methanol project, which investigated and advanced development of methanol engine and fuel solutions for smaller ships, has recently been completed and the final reports are now available. The project concludes that methanol can be used efficiently as a combustion fuel for smaller vessels, resulting in significant environmental benefits. Particulate emissions are greatly reduced, there are no sulphur emissions, and large reductions in GHG emissions are possible if renewable methanol is used. SSPA was project manager and contributed work on environmental assessments, feasibility of sustainable methanol supply, and safety assessment.

Contents

• Hull air lubrication: future and challenges
• Assessing costs for new Swedish icebreakers: a 25-year perspective
• The Nobel Prize and its implication for mariners’ health and performance
• Maritime spatial planning and ship routeing systems
• Strategic research plan for hydrodynamics
• Ongoing hydrodynamic research project

The needs and possibilities of electrification within shipping is analysed in a pre-study, conducted as a Swedish collaborative project by Lighthouse, SSPA, Chalmers and RISE. This report is a synthesis of previous projects and interviews with actors within the shipping industry and closely related areas. The aim is to give an overview of the technical development within electrification of sea transportation and analyse parameters that influence the performance and costs of maritime electrification. The study also investigate the perspective of industry actors regarding their drivers for maritime electrification as well as existing challenges. Several project ideas has been formulated based on those insights.

Legislation on the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requires the determination of a “weather factor” – fw – reflecting the percentage of its calm-water speed that a ship can maintain in Beaufort 6 and corresponding waves. The higher the fw value, the smaller the speed loss and the better the ship will perform in a seaway. But how do we determine this unknown fw factor, and how do we strike a balance between accuracy and costs?

MaRINET2, the Marine Renewables Infrastructure Network, is composed of 39 organisations who collaborate to progress offshore renewable energy technologies in Europe. It aims to accelerate the development of wave, tidal and offshore wind energy technologies and infrastructure by opening up access to 57 test facilities across 13 European countries. The project is now in its second iteration, and it is supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme.

SSPA are working with projects on the development of innovative logistics solutions and energy efficient vessel concepts for increased use of sea transportation in general and inland waterway transportation in particular. Within this area, SSPA has a large role in two large collaborative Interreg projects, NÖKS II (ending in June 2018) and IWTS - Inland Waterway Transport Solutions (running until late 2020). 

The railway bridges in Stockholm city centre are to be replaced. Needless to say, this is a very sensitive operation and the Swedish Transport Administration wanted to acquire as much information about the problem as possible, as early as possible. One way of managing the impact of the operation on traffic was to transport and install the bridges over water.

Demonstrating new logistics solutions is shown to be an important step for gaining understanding of system prerequisites for commercialisation, both with regard to technical issues such as vessel design characteristics and cargohandling equipment, and social matters such as the importance of practitioner involvement and the evaluation of performance criteria.

The conflict in APM Terminals in Port of Gothenburg has led to a large reduction in volumes handled in the port. We can observe consequences within the supply chain and large companies across the country stress the negative implications in terms of increased cost as well as problems of sending/receiving goods on time. SSPA and the University of Gothenburg (School of Business, Economics and Law), will jointly investigate the consequences of the conflict from a national perspective. This knowledge will benefit both authorities and industrial actors.

The maritime industry is currently experiencing a significant increase of interest in battery hybrid installations for new buildings and retrofits. The driving forces include the current development in battery technology, potential for lowering operational costs, increased capacity of drivetrain and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

A new bridge is being built in the centre of Gothenburg, Sweden. The Swedish Transport Administration is investigating if a traffic management system can be useful to minimize conflicts between different modes of transportation. SSPA has supported this investigation and our experts has performed an extensive traffic analysis based on AIS and ship data. When using our database of AIS-data we have the capacity to map, describe and visualize traffic patterns on shipping lanes.

The latest issue of our company magazine, SSPA Highlights 64, has been published.

The EU-funded JOULES project recently presented its final results at a conference in Hamburg. SSPA was a partner in the four-year project, which developed simulation and assessment tools that were used to develop ship designs for two future scenarios (2025 and 2050), with significant reductions of energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.

The maritime industry is currently experiencing an increased interest in electric powered vessels. The driving forces include the current development in battery technology, potential for lowering operational costs, increased capacity of drivetrain and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. One of the crucial aspects is finding out when battery and hybrid propulsion is a feasible way of meeting the targets for a specific ship, including its operational profile. A number of recent projects shows that SSPA has the tools and knowledge to support our clients with answers to their questions and to evaluate different alternatives for propulsion, from batteries and fuel tanks to propellers. We will share our expertise in a seminar in Gothenburg on 30 August.

High performance in sports are closely coupled to technology. SSPA and Chalmers University of Technology are cooperating in Sports & Technology, with several research projects in sailing. A team with researchers recently visited a conference in France to present their papers. About 100 researchers was gathered at one of the sailing world's major conferences. Results and findings from the research projects "The Foiling Optimist", “The Paper Boat” and “Ranking of 7 Rudders for the Finn Dinghy” was presented.

Good vessel design will reduce the impact on the environment and have a positive effect on the financial life-cycle cost for the ship and its operators. This much is clear, but how do we achieve this? The answer lies in a correct interpretation and adaption to the operational profile for the trade or service intended for the vessel. But how do we ensure that this performance is attained? It is obvious that an icebreaker operating in the Port of Sabetta has different requirements for open-water performance than an ice-breaking LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier operating to ports in Northern Europe or for polar research vessels or even exploration cruise vessels. They all operate in icy waters, but with different purposes and different operating profiles. What is most important, the consumption and emissions for a single design point or for the intended sea route? 

The development of smart functions for shipping is revolutionising the industry. The trend is to use software to increase the efficiency, safety and environmental aspects of ships. SSPA is invited to speak at the Autonomous Ship Technology Symposium 2017, on 6 - 8 June in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. SSPA will present an open-source framework and show how it is used in the development of new functions for autonomous ships. At SSPA, we supports our clients with hydrodynamic knowledge and tools to make them able to test their smart future functions. 

All merchant ships longer than 100 metres must fulfil the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) standards for ship manoeuvrability. The best way to validate the criteria is model tests. Running model tests will avoid the risk of very unpleasant surprises during full-scale sea trials. The manoeuvring model tests are usually performed late in the design process. If the requirements are not fulfilled at this time, undesired design changes may be needed at the very end of a project. 

Widely used so-called energy efficiency indices and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) measure Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and there is indeed a connection between energy and emissions, but the distinction should be made clear. In practice, energy efficiency refers to optimisation in hydrodynamics, technical solutions and operational profiles. The challenges of energy efficiency and reducing emissions have to be approached internationally and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has focused on emissions and energy efficiency for a considerable time. An upcoming regulation is the European Union (EU) MRV Regulation 2015/757.

A demo for investigating the opportunities for using waterways in the city of Gothenburg has recently taken place in Sweden. The DenCity project is studying how waterways can become part of the city transport solution. Cities becomes denser, more people, more goods and more waste needs to be transported. The waterways are almost an untapped resource in Gothenburg. There is a great deal of space available for transporting goods and waste, and moving the transport to waterways would relieve the pressure on the roads and reduce both congestion and noise pollution. SSPA will evaluate how the use of the city waterways could be scaled up and become a commercial solution in the future.

We are all aiming to avoid future economic surprises, to “think first” and to make wise decisions. But unfortunately, economic surprises sometimes arise. One of the main reasons for this is that when a new product or system is to be acquired, it is common to investigate only the cost for acquisition, with ownership costs frequently forgotten. Thus, just one part of the life-cycle cost is considered. This well-known problem is often visualised using the famous LCC iceberg, which shows that the acquisition cost is “merely the tip of the iceberg”, and that the ownership costs are hidden under the surface, e.g. cost for human resources, training, repair, upgrades and disposal; costs that constitute the largest part of the total life cycle cost in most scenarios.

Under contract with DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd), SSPA has been testing and simulating the hydrodynamics of the new DSME 1400 AIP Class Submarine. SSPA performed the model testing on a scale model, manufactured and equipped with propeller, active aft control surfaces and forward hydroplanes. 

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has procured SSPA to support with revision of technical information for CB90 (Stridsbåt 90H) and the support vessels LTRB (Lätt Trossbåt). The current technical information has become invalid and needs to be updated and modernised regarding content, layout and quality. Using the international documentation standard S1000D, SSPA will produce user-friendly electronic technical information customised specifically for each vessel. This project makes SSPA a part of raising quality and availability of technical information on-board, and part of making the amphibious systems safer and more available.

The latest issue of our company magazine, SSPA Highlights, has been published.

The issue of speed is more complex for RoRo/RoPax vessels than other segments. A Swedish team with researchers from SSPA and the University of Gothenburg has addressed the preconditions for introducing slow steaming in Northern Europe and asked operators in Scandinavian waters how they prepared and have acted under SECA. An article about this study was recently published in HANSA International Maritime Journal.

The Swedish maritime industry join forces to put together the best trainee programme for newly graduated Naval Architects. The trainee programme involves different actors in the Swedish maritime industry; shipowners, shipyards, manufacturers, classification societies, authorities and more. SSPA is one of the companies involved in this trainee programme.

Interest in methanol as an alternative fuel for meeting emissions requirements continues to grow, and there are currently both a retrofit solution for a large Ro-Pax ferry and chemical tanker newbuilding projects underway. Methanol is also a good alternative for smaller ships operating on coastal and inland waterways, but has yet to be tested in these applications. SSPA is coordinator of the project, “Sustainable Marine Methanol” (SUMMETH), which is focused on developing methanol solutions for smaller vessels.

Currently there is a strong drive in the marine business sector to increase use of alternative fuels for propulsion, e.g. LNG fuelled ships. To supply alternative fuel, ship-to-ship operations play an important role, since it is the only way to transfer required bunker volumes for merchant ships in reasonable time, when terminal supply is restricted to less than a handful locations on an entire continent. Introducing an alternative fuel in large scale requires that the risks are evaluated in an efficient manner. SSPA is invited to present a paper on the Gas Fuelled Ships (GFS) Conference, taking place in Hamburg, 16-18 November. The paper “Simulator based risk management for LNG bunkering”, presents a tool for risk assessment, based on simulations, which is used for development and evaluations of equipment, ships, ports, operations and guidelines.

If looking on this issue from the perspective of a potential ship-to-ship LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) bunker supplier or its client, the most important question is: - Under what circumstances and in which location is it possible to perform a ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation with an acceptable risk level? 

The Ramform Titan launched a new class of seismic ship that is easily the most powerful and efficient in the world. They quickly recognized that the silent operations and wide stern made her perfect for seismic acquisition. The unique broad stern design and ultra-stable hull enables quick and safe deployment and the retrieval of massive volumes of towed seismic equipment. 

A recent article in the magazine Marine Propulsion & Auxiliary Machinery highlights the growing concern about environmental impact of ship noise emissions. Organisations such as IMO (MEPC), United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and EU (MFSD) are addressing the problem. This has lately been brought to wider public attention through articles published by national newspapers, e.g. The Guardian in the UK and The New York Times in the US.

Marine Propulsion & Auxiliary Machinery highlights SSPA as an example of companies that offer services to help maximise both energy and environmental efficiency: “In addition to offering services such as ship design and hydrodynamics, safety and risk management and alternative fuels, the company offers a portfolio of energy efficiency and environmental tools and services relating to underwater radiated noise.”

A seminar was held in Göteborg to introduce the recently initiated GreenPilot project and present the status of methanol as a marine fuel.

SSPA is a partner in the project, which has the goal of converting a pilot boat to methanol operation to show how a methanol conversion of a smaller vessel can be carried out in practice and to demonstrate the emissions reductions that can be achieved.

A study for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on the use of methanol and ethanol as marine fuels has been completed by SSPA, together with sub-contractor Lloyds Register. The study evaluates the potential of these alternative fuels as solutions for shipping to meet more stringent emissions requirements.

The Hydro Testing Forum (HTF) network has members of recognised hydrodynamic research organisations worldwide. The objective is to discuss in small expert groups the challenges of measurements with advanced equipment, discussing new methodologies for high-tech measurements and therewith improve learning curve and achieve good practices in an efficient manner.

What is the best possible way to limit the damages caused by oil spills in the Arctic? SSPA is participating in a major EU Horizon 2020 project searching for answers. Set to launch in March, the 3.5-year project will involve a total of 13 research institutes and companies from nine different countries. The full name of the project is “Integrated oil spill response actions and environmental effects – GRACE.” 

In the NÖKS II project (Närsjöfart i Öresund – Kattegat – Skagerrak) SSPA coordinates a total of 21 partners in three countries (Denmark, Norway and Sweden). The project’s main objective is to contribute to a more environmentally friendly and low-carbon transport system in the region, while also developing and enhancing the maritime transport system and encouraging the transfer of freight from road to sea. This will be achieved by developing solutions, tools and techniques to improve the quality and environmental performance of shipping services through the development of cost-effective, secure, flexible and competitive short sea shipping concepts. 

The latest issue of our company magazine, Highlights, has been published.

Marintec China 2015 will be held on 1- 4 December in Shanghai. Welcome to visit us at the Swedish Pavilion, hall N1, stand no. N1H01. 

The forthcoming GotMoS Conference on "Benefits to the society, maritime climate investments and job opportunities” will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, on the 9-10 of November. Results from our pilot pilot projects, Pilot LNG and Pilot Scrubber, both co-financed via MoS TEN-T, where LNG infrastructure is established with terminal, newbuildings/conversion of vessels and scrubber evaluated and implemented onboard, will be presented.

The 18th Numerical Towing Tank Symposium (NuTTS) was successfully ended on the 30th of September 2015 in Cortona, Italy. Dr. Da-Qing Li from SSPA participated at the symposium and presented a new paper on prediction of under-water radiated noise and the symposium organization rewarded him with this year’s “Landrini Award”.

The Midway Alignment of the Bothnian Corridor is a vital, year-round maritime transport connection between Sweden and Finland. The project includes a complete transport system for both goods and passengers and was initiated by the city of Umeå in Sweden and the city of Vaasa in Finland. SSPA’s experts are supporting the Project Management team during the first phase, until the end of 2015. Some of the activities that SSPA are closely involved with are the project analyses, the concept development and the design of the ferry.

Registration and agenda for the Motorways of the Sea Conference "Sustainable Shipping for Reduction of Emissions"

On behalf of Brian Simpson, the European Coordinator for Motorways of the Sea (MoS), I would like to invite you to the forthcoming MoS Conference on "Sustainable Shipping for Reduction of Emissions". The Conference will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, on the 18-19 of November. Opens at 08.30 day 01 and ends at 16.00 day 02.

On 14 August, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) and the Swedish Coastguard (KBV) submitted a joint report to the Ministry for Rural Affairs.

The report presents the results and recommendations of an investigation regarding a new research vessel for SLU/SMHI. Two alternative vessels have been studied; a new-build vessel and a conversion of an existing coast guard vessel, the KBV 001. 

The EffShip project began in December 2009 and is based on the vision of a sustainable and successful maritime industry that has a minimal environmental impact. The project has been co-financed by Vinnova (the Swedish Innovation Agency) and the project partners. The conclusions from the EffShip project will be presented at a seminar on the 21 March.

Effect Ships International (ESI) in Norway completed tank testing of its “soft motion” monohull Air Supported Vessel (ASV) or ASV Mono SM, which it believes is equally suitable for use as a fast naval vessel or as a ferry. A week of testing took place in the end of 2012 at SSPA´s towing tank in Sweden. An article was published at Warship Technology, a publication of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

We are pleased to announce that the following SSPA employees (shown on the pictures) presents and/or are involved in Papers that will be addressed during the 5 day long arrangement The 29th Symposium on Naval Hydrodynamics; Keunjae Kim, Da-Qing Li, Abolfazl Shiri, Björn Allenström, Michael Leer-Andersen and Sofia Werner.  

 “Performance and Vortex Formation of Flettner Rotors at High Reynolds Numbers” by Da-Qing Li, Björn Allenström and Michael Leer-Andersen  

“Hydrodynamic Optimization of Pre-swirl Stator by CFD and Model Testing” by Keunjae Kim, Michael Leer-Andersen, Sofia Werner and Michal Orych, Youngbok Choi 

 Jellyfish inspire tomorrow's shipping

More than 100 of the world's experts in naval hydrodynamics will be coming to Gothenburg 26–31 August to discuss the latest in fluid dynamics and shipping. This year's international symposium is a joint arrangement between the US Office of Naval Research, SSPA Sweden AB and the Chalmers University of Technology to promote the exchange of marine research and innovation between countries. Bio-inspired design is one of the topics that will be in focus during the symposium.

Blue Growth and innovation was on the agenda when the Swedish Minister for Infrastructure, Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd and her advisors David Erixon and Tomas Brolin visited SSPA today.

"In 2011, the Svenska Skeppshypotek supported the model Zero Vision Tool (ZVT) created by SSPA and the Swedish Shipowners' Association, a collaborative platform for safe, environmental and energy-efficient shipping." The co-operation continues.

To read the Svenska Skeppshypotek's yearly report for 2011, including ZVT and it's Joint Industry Projects; SS 2011

ACCSEAS is a new EU INTERREG North Sea projects designed to improve accessibility for maritime traffic in the North Sea region through a coordinated implementation of e-Navigation among the nations in the region. An e-Navigation test-bed will be created to demonstrate and test solutions. ACCSEAS will develop new navigation and communication concepts and the platform is designed to alleviate traffic congestion, bottlenecks and accident risks. SSPA will implement the SSPA Dynamic Predictor into the platform and explore the possibility of exchanging the information between ships and tugs. The technique will be tested in a simulator.

An interview with Björn Allenström and Peter Grundevik regarding the Estonia evaluation, the project DESSO and MONALISA is sent in the Swedish Radio P1 "Vetandets Värd" where risk handling and solutions are discussed. Link to the program POD/MP3 (in Swedish) sverigesradio.se/