https://www.bmeglobalyachtsolutions.com/

BME Global Yacht Solutions, Wellington, FL (2024)

11/16/2022

Identifying a viable, scalable method for extracting hydrogen from ammonia at the point of use (i.e. onboard vessels or at industrial sites) has been one of the biggest challenges in large-scale hydrogen fuel adoption. Amogy’s platform includes a proprietary ammonia cracking technology that separates the hydrogen molecules for use in a traditional fuel cell. Our platform has already been demonstrated in an aerial drone and mid-size farming tractor.

In this research endeavor with Trafigura, Amogy’s ammonia-to-power platform will be assessed for use in large-scale applications that involve using ammonia as a carrier to transport large amounts of hydrogen from the point of production to the point of consumption. This includes hydrogen supply for pipelines, fuel cell vehicles, steel manufacturing and thermal power plants. Our hope is to identify opportunities to scale our platform to support the global hydrogen market and broader decarbonization goals.

ML: How did the partnership between Amogy and Trafigura come to be and what role do the companies play in global maritime shipping?

SW: Since we founded Amogy, maritime shipping has been a key target market for our ammonia-to-power technology, both due to the industry’s noted push to decarbonize and our platform’s potential to deliver clean power at scale through ammonia cracking.

As a major player in the global supply chain industry, Trafigura is very aware of the need for low-carbon energy sources to support infrastructure and logistics within maritime shipping. With the emergence of hydrogen and ammonia fueling options for maritime shipping, Trafigura’s understanding of supply chain economics and regional markets will be relied upon to assess and eventually deploy innovative clean hydrogen solutions to their customers.

Partnering with Trafigura was strategic because, by working jointly, we can better understand the economics of the ammonia supply chain and identify opportunities for large-scale ammonia cracking. Trafigura is interested in acquiring technologies that enable transportation and use of zero-emission fuels at scale. Ammonia is a cost-competitive hydrogen carrier. Cracking it at the receiving location, using a platform like Amogy’s, will facilitate large-scale adoption of clean hydrogen.

ML: Recently, Amogy received Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register for its ammonia-to-power system for maritime applications. What can you tell us about this exciting development?

SW: Lloyd’s Register is a maritime classification society responsible for ensuring new maritime technologies meet safety requirements. The maritime industry is known for strict approval processes and guidelines for any new technologies that will be used on oceangoing vessels, in ports or during fuel transportation. Receiving the AiP from LR is a very important and encouraging step that confirms our platform is aligned with industry needs and standards. While there are other qualification and approval steps we’ll need to take as we move ahead with partnerships and projects in the maritime industry, this milestone sets us on track to demonstrate our ammonia-to-power technology in a maritime vessel in 2023 and on to commercialization further down the road.

ML: What are your thoughts on the maritime industry’s push toward lower or zero emissions?

SW: When it comes to decarbonization, shipping remains one of the hardest to abate industries so it’s very encouraging to see industry leaders embarking on efforts to lower emissions across multiple states of their operations. While many are motivated by the need to meet climate goals and regulations being put forth by industry groups and governing bodies, many forward-thinking leaders and companies in this space are ready to lead the transition toward cleaner operations. That’s why Amogy is actively pursuing partnerships and research efforts in the maritime industry—we cannot achieve large-scale change alone, it will take collaboration between technology providers, regulators and shipping companies of all sizes to bring solutions to market and set the industry on a path to net zero.

Categories: Engines & Fuel, Environment, Q&As Tags: alternative fuels, ammonia, Ammonia as a marine fuel, amogy, decarbonization, fuel cell, shipping, Trafigura, zero emissions

11/09/2022

Great Show, made a lot of good contacts and great industry information on new projects & the growth of the global commitment of all involved to work towards a sustainable future.
Electric & Hybrid Marine Expo North America
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6d • 6 days ago

SHOW NEWS 📍 : Captain Peter Soles, marine operations and business development lead at Glosten, and Dave Lee, VP of sales and global workboat responsible marine systems at ABB, took to the conference stage on the first day of the show to introduce a first-of-its-kind, dual-fuel tug design with more than 90-tons bollard pull.

They claimed that the tug provides operators with a viable path to carbon-neutral operation that minimizes business risk and enhances competitiveness. “The uniqueness of the boat really boils down to two things,” said Soles. “This is the first methanol-powered harbor-assist tug offering for the US market. It makes use of two Caterpillar 3500E series engines, which is a high-speed diesel engine platform most US tugboat operators are already quite familiar with and comfortable using. In addition to offering diesel-like performance and diesel-like handling and storage requirements, the use of methanol as a diesel replacement will result in substantive reductions in local PM, NOX, and SOX emissions. This makes the SA-100 a particularly strong contender for service in California where forthcoming CARB harbor craft rules will apply,” he continued.

10/21/2022

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10/21/2022

Expert Insight: Raphael Sauleau, CEO of Fraser on a new yachting landscape
Written by Francesca Webster
20 October 2022 | 07:45 (EDT)
This article was written by Raphael Sauleau for the SuperYacht Times newspaper, Issue 42, as part of our expert insight series.

There has never been a more exciting time to be in our Industry and attend Industry events such as the MYS. Not only because yachting has truly boomed over the last 2-3 years, with Fraser seeing record sales numbers in 2021 and a huge charter surge in 2022, but because, post pandemic, we are also experiencing a true sea change in the type of clients coming to our world. A change that will have a lasting positive impact on how we work and how yachting is perceived from the outside world.
Raphael Sauleau, CEO of Fraser
Yes, fundamentally Fraser and other brokerage houses are in the business of selling, buying, chartering, building, refitting yachts and crewing, but it is also about creating the moment. The clients we are working with today – including 40% of those we worked with in 2021 coming to yachting for the very first time – are looking for something new and different. They are buying or chartering with a refreshing perspective, to share and live the experience for every generation of their family and friends. And they have realised that on board today’s yachts, with crews who are up skilled to the max offering everything from kiteboard instruction to yoga classes, anything is possible. The yacht is the destination within the destination. The approach across all generations from the Silent Generation to Generation Z may be different, but on board a yacht they all work in harmony, often with different generations positively influencing one another.
Alfa yacht at anchor
So how can our industry harness the potential of a yacht show like MYS and others to bring to life for potential owners, many of them new to yachting, the unimagined benefits and joys that the onboard experience can give to them and their family?

To answer that question, it is first necessary to look at how yacht shows are perceived in today’s new landscape. The pandemic brought a new perspective on the value of yacht shows, to both owners and brokers. Theoretically, the advantage of a well-run, well-marketed and well-attended show is that clients come to one place and see multiple relevant yachts, as well as gaining insight on any they are interested in from not only the yacht’s Broker, but often the shipyard, designer, even on occasion the seller. For brokers, in theory a good show that attracts motivated buyers is an opportunity for more buyers to see the yacht or yachts they represent, in a single place.

However, the sales boom we witnessed during the pandemic is hard proof that we do not need yacht shows to be able to sell boats. The pandemic made Brokers perfect the art of the live walkthrough, which has given their clients an in-depth idea of life on board and an opportunity to quiz the captain about every space and feature before making an informed decision as to whether a yacht is worth visiting in person. For cash-rich, time-poor potential buyers, it is an ideal solution that has changed the process for good, with the added benefit of reduced environmental impact from needless travel. Fraser even sold five yachts on the basis of quality video tours alone during the pandemic. Furthermore, the digital proposition is extremely appealing to experienced and new buyers and charterers who are very tech savvy and whose all-around yachting knowledge is extremely solid.
Illusion Plus yacht in MonacoPhoto: Charl van Rooy / SuperYacht Times
At a time where the digital and real-life realms are more intertwined than ever before, the optimised video tour has meant that the in-person tours Brokers give at the shows have been elevated to another level. Building on a buzz created in the lead-up to the event among their own databases, third party brokers and press, Brokers need to bring the experience alive with intelligently structured tours that highlight not only a yacht’s features, but the benefits of those features to a potential owner. For example, pointing out that the beach club on board a particular yacht, unlike on some yachts, is far more than just a means of entering the water: its lounge space with deck chairs means you can watch your family enjoying the jet-skis while sipping cocktails. Or a cinema that offers 12 armchair-style seats as opposed to the common 6 or 8, means every guest can enjoy movie night in the same comfort. These tricks keep the experience top of mind at every step.

And in this new experiential yachting landscape, what can we expect going forwards? Today, while sales are slightly down on the record-breaking 2021, they are significantly up on the 13-year average, and charter demand is surging – bookings on our own fleet are up by 87% on 2021. Times are uncertain, yes, but I can say for sure that despite what is going on in the world, the demand to enjoy yachting, to get away, to work remotely whilst discovering the world, to get back to nature, to be with those you care about and detox from the stress and demands of everyday life is still very strong.

10/05/2022

RINA unveils RINA MAXIMA to support clients in the superyacht industry
Written by Francesca Webster
4 October 2022 | 08:45 (EDT)
The inspection, certification and engineering consultation company RINA has now unveiled a new service sector dedicated specifically to superyacht clients with vessels from 40-180 metres in length. Utilising RINA's vast experience within the maritime sector, MAXIMA will support clients with specialist expertise, services.
Eclipse yacht at anchor
As a key stakeholder to the marine industry and one of the cornerstone companies of the certification sector, RINA has been operating within the yachting sector for more than 20 years. Its extensive services profile reflects its varied expertise, and MAXIMA is the next step for RINA and its clients within the yachting industry. The services will help owners, designers and operators to understand and meet the needs of the rapidly changing regulations, particularly those surrounding the new technologies being introduced to the industry over the coming years.

Speaking at the launch of RINA MAXIMA at the Monaco Yacht Show Giosuè Vezzuto, Executive Vice President Marine of RINA, said, “MAXIMA was born from our deep understanding of the current needs of the superyacht sector, which, like other areas of the marine industry, is undergoing a profound transformation driven by decarbonisation and digitalisation. The MAXIMA service profile will help owners, designers, and operators navigate rules and guidelines for the design and certification of increasingly complex superyacht systems and the growing variety of leisure activities these vessels have onboard”.
Fiorenzo Spadoni,and Giosuè Vezzuto at the RINA press conference at Monaco Yacht Show 2022
We spoke with Fiorenzo Spadoni, EMEA Marine Commercial Director at RINA, during the Monaco Yacht Show to find out more about the new programme.

"RINA MAXIMA is based on five key pillars, and is tailored specifically for custom built superyachts over 40-metres that are breaking new ground in the yachting industry. We recognise that at this time in the industry, owners have higher expectations in terms of sustainability, technology and innovation and we have built a team of experts that will help those owners and the shipyards to properly certify and support these builds."

The pillars are as follows;

1) Specialised experts with the highest qualifications

RINA MAXIMA has set up a dedicated team of highly qualified experts. Reinforcing custom superyacht Plan Approval centres in Italy,Turkey and Northern Europe and Asia. Not only this, but we have teams that can support owner's in any language across the globe, meaning we are highly accessible.

We have also established regular training programmes with the major flag administrations; EG A / REG B, Marshall Islands or Malta Yacht codes, to streamline the process for each applicable code.

2) Digitalisation of the full lifecycle of the yacht

RINA can deliver, through RINA Digital solutions, services in the most effective and efficient manner possible, by fully digitising the entire construction, engineering and approval process. For the first time designers will be able to immediately upload renders and designs to the system online, which can then be approved by one of our team without paper ever having had to change hands.

Not only is this system vastly more efficient, it is also better for the environment and better for the clients.

3) Core services for safety, comfort and security

With the question of safety and security always having been at the core of RINA's work, RINA MAXIMA's services will be supported by RINA Marine Consulting, to include;

Cyber Security By Design - A consultancy that can help ensure your superyacht is cyber secure even before it leaves the drawing board. Then, it’s about monitoring security onboard with a dedicated team.

Noise and vibration assessment - RINA is known for its expertise in this field and can assist both with measurement and prediction - giving comfort to designers of large and ambitious custom projects. When it comes to assessments, technicians are equipped with innovative tools, to take the most accurate readings.

4) Decarbonisation and Sustainability

RINA is supporting the widespread adoption of revolutionary alternative fuels, like hydrogen and methanol, that are now becoming commonplace in the most innovative custom-yacht designs.

In addition to the core certification services boosted by fuel-specific set of rules and guidelines, RINA MAXIMA, through RINA Marine Consulting, can use its expertise from other sectors, not least the energy industry, to advise clients from an engineering and design standpoint.

5) Shared-Platform Ship Model Approval

RINA MAXIMA is bringing a new approach to the Plan Approval process that allows a more efficient collaboration between the designer and the RINA technician.

This pioneering software enables designers and builders to literally build a ‘digital twin’ of their yacht, ensuring rapid reference facilities and efficient approval. Users can upload and work simultaneously on the 3D model or 2D plans of the yacht.
RINA press conference at Monaco Yacht Show 2022
Why has RINA unveiled this latest programme?

The yachting industry has been moving from strength to strength, and 2021 demonstrated the continued enthusiasm for yachting with one of the best years in record for the market. One of the most pervasive conversations within yachting at this time is the discussion around sustainability and decarbonisation and RINA will continue to support the sector by providing rules and guidelines for design, and certification for systems linked to alternative fuels.

The MAXIMA service profile incorporates a wide range of digital solutions, including SERTICA, one of the leading fleet management software packages in the commercial maritime sector which will now be applied to the yachting industry. Along with the benefits of digitalisation, which include increased efficiency and safety, comes the challenge of cybersecurity. MAXIMA has a clear focus on protection of assets in this area, including packages such as “Cyber Security and Vulnerability Assessment”, which verifies that a vessel’s communication network is secure.

Vezzuto added, “We continue to grow in the superyacht sector and have a keen focus on new technologies and innovation, areas where RINA is particularly strong. MAXIMA is based on our long experience in shipping and covers areas from alternative fuels to cybersecurity. As this sector continues to embrace increasingly advanced solutions and technologies, MAXIMA will support owners, designers and operators and help transfer our expertise to support them in meeting the challenges of the future”.

10/05/2022

The Power Systems business unit at Rolls-Royce and SOWITEC, a specialist in renewable energy projects, will cooperate with the aim of providing Power-to-X projects with a total electrolysis capacity of up to 500 megawatts by 2028. The plants will use renewable energy sources to generate electrical power that will be used to produce hydrogen with mtu electrolysers. This green hydrogen can be used as fuel for fuel cells and hydrogen engines, to produce industrial feedstock and to produce sustainable e-fuels for marine, aviation, agriculture, mining and data center power.

“With this project, we are actively working to reduce greenhouse gases in industry. We are convinced that with our new sustainable mtu technologies and through the cooperation with SOWITEC, we can successfully drive the expansion of Power-to-X plants,” says Andreas Görtz, president of the sustainable power solutions business division at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

Rolls-Royce brings a wide range of its own new products to the cooperation for the production and use of sustainable fuels based on green hydrogen: these include mtu electrolysers, mtu fuel cell systems and mtu hydrogen engines, as well as experience with hydrogen ecosystems and in the simulation, design and optimization of decentralized energy supply systems.

Last month (September 2022), Rolls-Royce announced partnerships with Sanlorenzo and Lürssen to work on specific projects to develop the use of methanol as an environmentally friendly fuel for superyachts.

SOWITEC, based in southern Germany, is one of the world’s leading developers of renewable energy projects. With over 4.2 gigawatts of solar and wind projects installed in South America, Europe and Asia, the Baden-Württemberg-based company has extensive experience in developing financeable turnkey renewable energy projects, from concept to implementation, including investor sourcing.

“We have already been working on Power-to-X plants since 2017. In Rolls-Royce Power Systems, with its innovative products and global sales and service network, we see a competent partner to jointly deliver integrated green hydrogen ecosystems from a single source,” says Frank Hummel, CEO of SOWITEC Group GmbH. “We are pursuing the vision of a global energy supply based on renewable energies and providing access to clean and affordable energy for all people and are developing competitive projects accordingly.”

Rolls-Royce had announced in 2021, through its ‘Net Zero at Power Systems’ sustainability program, that it would realign the product portfolio of its business unit Power Systems so that by 2030, sustainable fuels and new mtu technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent compared to 2019. This near-term target plays an important role in the Rolls-Royce Group’s net zero ambition by 2050 at the latest. In the meantime, the company is already successfully operating an mtu fuel cell system, developing electrolysers to produce green hydrogen, and gradually releasing its main engines for sustainable fuels such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils). The mtu gas engine portfolio is currently being prepared for hydrogen as a fuel, thus enabling a CO2-neutral energy supply.

09/27/2022

Industry spotlight: will the marine industry weather the economic storms?
Tuesday, September 27th, 2022

Leisure Marine
Selden Oyster sailing boat
Following worrying times for marine firms during the covid lockdowns, many companies now have order books that stretch well into the future, even if supply chain issues continue to be a headache. Yet those who have been in the industry a long time know just how important planning for a downturn is for long-term success.

At the International Multihull Show in the South of France earlier this year the mood across the big French brands was both striking and concerning. They are not counting on the current boom in sales continuing as a long-term trend. Instead, many were already planning for the possibility of more difficult times ahead.

Rising costs of living, spiralling inflation, increasing interest rates and a threat to European gas supplies are all mounting concerns. In July 2022, Financial Times reported German business confidence having fallen to its lowest level in more than two years, “…in the latest sign that Europe’s largest economy is teetering on the brink of recession.”

On a more positive note, the industry arrives at this point at a position of strength. Participation is up enormously, new boats are being cranked out as fast as possible and few are available on the brokerage market. Younger people have also returned to boat ownership, reversing a worrying long-term trend.

Read more industry insights in Marine Industry News print edition Issue 4.

In addition, many boatbuilders and manufacturers suggest that while the market recedes back to normality – and some nervousness creeps in due to domestic factors – they could still currently sell more product if supply chain, staffing and raw material supplies allowed.

Leading manufacturer of mast and rigging systems, Seldén, echoes a wide swathe of marine businesses experiencing positive results and bumper order books.

“We have experienced an increase in business across all markets – dinghy, keelboat and yacht – and in aluminium and carbon,” says Sam Vaughan, head of sales at Seldén Masts-sailing
“During the first half of 2022, we posted an increase of over 35 per cent growth with carbon proving particularly exciting and gaining traction. We have supplied Oyster, Nautor Swan, Hallberg-Rassey and many other OEMs with lighter, stiffer carbon spars for cruising boats this year. There is real mix of cruising, and racing interest out there,” Vaughan explains.

While he agrees supply chain issues have had a massive impact industry wide, Vaughan says Seldén has made workarounds with its long-established partners meaning the manufacturer has been able to “weather most storms”.

Vaughan cites staffing as a bigger obstacle. “Staffing has probably been a bigger factor [than supply chain],” Vaughan says. “We are a labour-intensive company and to sustain our own growth we need increased levels of labour and finding this labour is very hard.”

Since the pandemic the marine industry has seen a large number of previously UK-based foreign skilled workers leave Britain. Vaughan says that five years ago, staff supply was not such a critical issue.

“Over recent years, several of our skilled foreign workers left. I think Brexit probably started the wheels in motion and the pandemic accelerated it,” says Vaughan.

Another issue facing marine manufacturing is something Vaughan terms the “work readiness” of entry-level employees. “We accept that mast building isn’t a career choice that many people have when they leave school. But we’re very happy to teach people the skills and we are very keen to employ young workers. The problem is that even finding people that have got any form of relatable skill is incredibly difficult – as is finding people who are work ready. This is an industry where you’ll be at your workbench at 7.30am and that isn’t what some younger employees are ready or willing to do,” Vaughan says.

New routes to market
With areas of consumer spending likely to take a hit if financial pinches begin in earnest, new routes to market and adapting production lines becomes all the more important.

In recent years, boat shares have helped fuel growth as well as prime more customers for future boat ownership. For consumers, boat shares can be a cost-effective way to use a boat and for brokers, the model is a valuable tool to attract and retain new clients. Historically, worries including legal concerns, the possibility of disputes with other partners, or simply the fact a boat without your personal kit on board won’t really feel like yours, have hampered the uptake of this type of ownership.
European yacht brokerage company Ancasta has invested a lot of effort and experience into addressing these problems and has seen positive results across its yacht share division covering sail and motor yachts. “Most enquiries tend to be from people who are first-time owners,” says Ancasta Group marketing director Will Blair.

“I think it’s the appeal of low risk and lower commitment, combined with our service package, which people find reassuring if they haven’t had boats before.”

Boat shares provide a cheaper route into boating and once hooked, a growing number of boat share members are opting for full ownership. Blair gives an example of a client who started with a share of a Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, then bought an Oceanis 51.1 in the Mediterranean but held on to the share of the original boat “because he still quite enjoys it”.
He also points to a change in the attitude of clients over the past couple of years whereby the boat share option is proving an essential part of Ancasta’s offer: “When they walk in the door people are no longer saying: ‘I want to buy that boat’. They’re saying, ‘I’m looking to get into boating, what are my options?’”

Brand experience
In many senses, the key thing leisure boat buyers are looking for is a route to new experiences. Brands that understand this, such as Nautor’s Swan and RS Sailing, are outperforming other boatbuilders. The former’s regattas and rendezvous events, for example, are legendary – with buying a Swan the only way to ‘join the club’.

RS21 fleet
Similarly, much of RS Sailing’s success is community and activity driven. “We need to make sure we create relevant activities for our customers that gets them hooked,” says commercial director Michiel Geerling.

Whether the spike in participation over the past two years – more than 1,000 people took part in the 2022 RS Games – is a temporary blip or a change in longer-term behaviour is still to be seen but Geerling is positive. “If we look at the success of the RS Games, there are fewer travellers from abroad, but the local attendance has improved tremendously,” he says. Although RS Sailing is a boatbuilder, the firm is expanding the range of services it offers. “Whether you buy an RS Tera or an RS21, it’s super important to make sure there are relevant activities,” Geerling emphasises.

The RS21 keelboat class, for instance, has six key events in locations in Croatia and Italy this year. The format is so popular that many sailors who hired a boat for one event go on to buy one of their own. Equally, the programme format is so appealing that many of the professional crew on the Swan 36 racing circuit have an RS21 as their own boat and the two companies now cooperate to ensure their calendars don’t clash.

The industry clearly faces new challenges but businesses are preparing for the future with an encouraging energy and fluidity gained during the boom period.

This article was first published in Marine Industry News‘ print edition, distributed at Southampton International Boat Show 2022, with the title Underpinning the uptick. Words by Rupert Holmes.

So what are your feelings about the industry, is it a upturn are you feeling optimistic ???

09/23/2022

Sean McMillan, founder of Spirit Yachts, says that more than half the boats on order with the company are repeat orders for existing owners, but each repeat has gone from diesel to electric.

“You can’t build wooden boats and not be a part of this [sustainability],” he says. McMillan is predicting that ‘very soon’ diesel won’t be a part of sailing at all, although there is still a little way to go with powerboats.

“It’s an exciting time to be designing and building boats,” he says. Currently in-build are two 72s, a 68 (hybrid), a 52 (electric) and a 30-day-sailor (electric).

Within the mix is Spirit Yachts’ 100th wooden boat – the electric 52 – which will feature Douglas fir, from a managed forest in Canada. Since sustainable timber company Lignia went under in 2021, Spirit has been importing whole trees.

“They’re wonderful,” says McMillan of the product, which ranges between £34,000-£44,000 per tree. “Straight with no knots. Buying a whole tree makes matching much easier. Teak was only a young phenomenon,” he says. “Lignia is okay, but it’s still treated, and we’re trying to get back to untreated natural timber.”

[Sean McMillan pictured at SIBS with Karen Underwood, MD]

Spirit has a 30 day-sailor currently on show at SIBS 2022 (pictured below), alongside its Spirit 44CR.

McMillan says it’s really simple to sail and that it’s a beautiful-looking boat that does more than it looks as if it should do.

“It’s a good example of a visual tease between an old classic and yet is thoroughly modern,” says McMillan. “It’s very light displacement, with a deep fin. It reaches 14 knots and planes. But it doesn’t look like it could. I love that visual joke.” He has just drawn a camping version of it but is quick to point out that it doesn’t then become part of a ‘range’.

“In any other yacht yard, you’re looking at a range,” he says. “We don’t have a range. We don’t work like that. It’s a bit like going into a restaurant with no menu. It’s a bit to get over that, but it doesn’t take long. It all starts with a pot of coffee and then a sketch pad.”

BME Global Yacht Solutions

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