The latest news from across the industry that ‘got us talking’
Welcome to our weekly news round-up! Take a look at ‘what’s got us talking’, a collection of topical industry news from both our marine and industrial sectors.
Step towards fossil-free shipping as Furetank secures biogas supply
Swedish shipping company Furetank has signed a letter of intent with Eskilstuna Biogas, enabling the development of a new biogas plant producing around 5,000 tonnes of LBG (liquefied biogas) annually.
Furetank has committed to buying at least 75% of the produced fuel for 10 years. The gas will be extracted from manure and food waste from the municipalities of Eskilstuna and Strängnäs, which is upgraded to a 100% waste-based, fossil-free and renewable biofuel, LBG.
Furetank says it strives to be a leader in climate and environmentally efficient shipping. It’s developed a new series of vessels that are best in class globally, according to the climate standards for shipping set by the IMO. Today these vessels operate mainly on liquefied natural gas, LNG, but the ambition from the start has been to switch over to LBG as soon as possible.
Production is planned to start in the last quarter of 2023 and Furetank says it will be one step ahead when all shipping companies need to start paying for their carbon dioxide emissions.
York tourism operator reports record-breaking year after surge in staycations
A POPULAR tourism operator in York has reported a record-breaking year in 2021 citing a surge in staycations and people’s desire to get back to doing what they loved.
City Cruises York welcomed more passengers during the six months of June to November than before the Covid crisis, while revenue topped pre-pandemic levels, rising by 14.7 per cent compared to 2019.
The York-based boat operator said a major success was its self-drive boats which saw a 176 per cent increase in revenue and a 204 per cent increase in passenger numbers compared to 2019.
Meanwhile, web searches and internet sales rose by 163 per cent since 2019.
City Cruises York has a fleet of seven passenger vessels and 14 self-drive boats, operating more than 6,000 sailings per years across a portfolio of core sightseeing, dining, and charter cruises.
Oshkosh Defense Unveils Silent Drive Hybrid-Electric JLTV
The eJLTV will provide extended silent watch, enhanced fuel economy and increased exportable power for various military operations.
Oshkosh Defense has unveiled its first silent drive hybrid-electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) which it is calling the eJLTV. The vehicle is designed to provide the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps with the same performance as the traditional JLTV but with the ability to drive silently.
In addition, the company says the eJLTV will provide extended silent watch, enhanced fuel economy and increased exportable power for use in combat as well as reconnaissance operations.
“For many years, we’ve been developing, testing and evolving hybrid-electric variants of our heavy- and medium-duty tactical wheeled vehicles,” said John Bryant, Executive Vice President for Oshkosh Corporation and President of Oshkosh Defense. “Now, with the eJLTV, we’re offering our military customers an affordable way to electrify their light tactical wheeled vehicle fleet without compromising the off-road performance or superior protection necessary in combat operations.”
2021 ‘year of achievement’ in sustainable development
THE latest sustainable development report from the Mineral Products Association (MPA) shows that 2021 was a year of achievement for the industry.
Whether putting into action the UK concrete and cement sector’s Roadmap to Beyond Net Zero or celebrating 50 years of successful quarry restoration and an unrivalled legacy of biodiversity gain, the new document outlines the sector’s commitment and tangible progress towards sustainable development.
The report features key industry achievements over the period, including the MPA-led world-first trials that proved cement can be made with net-zero fuel by using hydrogen and bio-based fuels, plus the other sustainability hghliughts.
Nigel Jackson, chief executive of the MPA, said: ‘Despite supply chain bottlenecks, shortages of some materials, and soaring energy prices – not to mention the ongoing pandemic restrictions, I am proud that the mineral products industry has, once again, made excellent progress in sustainable development.
Portsmouth’s masterplan aims to generate £739 million in ten years
Portsmouth International Port has unveiled its 20-year masterplan, with the developments expected to generate approximately £800m for the national economy by 2042 and secure over 11,000 jobs, following a £92m investment.
The Portsmouth International Port’s masterplan specifically targets sustainability, aiming to achieve net zero by 2030, in a bid to become one of the UK’s most environmental ports.
The Masterplan will focus on:
- expansion of port land to cater for increase in unaccompanied freight
- extension of berth to cater for ships up to 300m
- extension to 25m for ships exiting the port
- creation of out-of-city pre gate and storage facilities
- smart technology to manage cargo and passenger flow
- sustainable infrastructure to manage alternative power demands
- achieve net zero by 2030
- facilitate a new electric ferry service
- upgrade facilities at international cargo terminal Portico
- new Border Control post
