News

Guidance has been published to enable the shipping industry test and develop maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) safely and effectively. Classification society ClassNK has released its Guidelines of Automated/Autonomous Operations of ships - Design development, Installation and Operation of Automated Operation Systems/Remote Operation Systems. This comes as the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) opens its MARLab project for testing autonomous vessel technology to commercial operators and an IMO subcommittee prepares to begin discussions on how regulations should be adapted for MASS testing, development and operations. More information: Autonomous Ship Technology Guidance

A global regulation that will substantially reduce harmful sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships comes into effect from 1 January 2020, bringing significant benefits for both human health and the environment. From 1 January 2020 the global upper limit on the sulphur content of ships' fuel oil will be reduced to 0.50% (from 3.50%). Known as "IMO 2020", the reduce limit is mandatory for all ships operation outside certain designated Emission Control Areas, where the limit is already 0.10%. The new limit will mean a 77% drop in overall SOx emissions from ships, equivalent to an annual reduction of approximately 8.5 million metric tones of Sox. Particulate matter - tiny harmful particles which form when fuel is burnt - will also be reduced. Read more: IMO News

ABS published its Guide for Fuel Cell Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications to support the design, evaluation, and construction of fuel cell systems on vessels and offshore assets. The Guide, which covers all fuel cell types, focuses on the use of fuel cells systems and arrangements for propulsion and auxiliary systems both in new-build and retrofit projects while maintaining key safety principles. Read more: ABS News