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What’s Got Us Talking 4th March 2022

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.


City of Kiel to use autonomous electric water taxis

Torqeedo has been awarded a contract to supply a complete electric drive train for a groundbreaking autonomous boat in the German city of Kiel.

The electric vessel, called Wavelab, will be built by the Gebrüder Friedrich shipyard in Kiel and is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2022. Wavelab, will serve as a test vehicle for the clean autonomous public transport network (CAPTN) initiative in Kiel.

“The advantages of electric propulsion are obvious in terms of zero emissions and quiet operation,” says Sönke Stich, sales manager of Gebr. Friedrich. “Torqeedo is a clear leader in sustainable mobility technology and will be a solid partner in developing this first-of-its-kind vessel.”

 

SANY launch 300-tonne electric-drive front shovel

Company says new SY2600E marks another milestone in ultra-large digging machinery

SANY’s first 300-tonne electric-drive front shovel recently rolled off the assembly line in Shanghai. Measuring 15m in length and 8m in height, SANY describe the SY2600E as another milestone model in the field of ultra-large digging machinery.

Designed for use in large surface mines and earthwork projects, technical highlights of the SY2600E include: a fully electrically controlled, closed-type hydraulic system for faster dynamic response and less pressure loss; a 6,000V, 900kW heavy-duty motor; and an automatic lubrication system, centralized filling system, and maintainable parts that are centrally positioned and accessible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defence publishes Government response to “We’re going to need a bigger Navy”

Today, the Defence Committee publishes the Government’s response to its report “We’re going to need a bigger Navy”.

The Committee’s report called for the Government to expand the fleet, to plug capability gaps, particularly in weapons systems, and to support the British Shipbuilding Industry.

The Government’s response welcomes the Committee’s report and agrees with much of the Committee’s assessment of the strategic environment, including many of the Committee’s recommendations, such as, the need to develop systems to counter hypersonic weapons and explore the use of common missile launch systems. The Government has also agreed with the need for increased Parliamentary scrutiny of shipbuilding plans and Surface Fleet availability and has agreed to provide the Committee with an annual report on these topics.

Chair of the Defence Committee, Tobias Ellwood MP, said, “I am pleased to see the Government’s thorough response to our report. There is a huge amount of common ground. Both the Committee and the Government recognise the strategic importance of the Navy, and the many challenges it will face in the years ahead.

Cummins buying Meritor

In the third – and by far largest – move in the month of February, Cummins has announced a definitive agreement to acquire global powertrain specialist Meritor for approximately $3.7 billion

“The acquisition of Meritor is an important milestone for Cummins,” said Tom Linebarger, chairman and CEO of Cummins. “Meritor is an industry leader, and the addition of their complementary strengths will help us address one of the most critical technology challenges of our age: developing economically viable zero-carbon solutions for commercial and industrial applications.

Meritor has a legacy dating back more than 110 years. The company, which is headquartered in Troy, Mich., has more than 9600 employees serving commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, defence, speciality and aftermarket customers around the world.

The integration of Meritor will position Cummins as one of the few companies able to provide complete integrated powertrain solutions across combustion and electric power applications. Cummins believes eAxles will be a critical integration point within hybrid and electric drivetrains. By accelerating Meritor’s investment in electrification and integrating development within its New Power business, Cummins said it expects to deliver market-leading solutions to global customers.

Viking Line launches ‘climate-smart flagship’

Champagne christened Finnish shipping firm Viking Line’s Viking Glory on February 28, a day before the passenger ship was launched between Turku and Stockholm.

“This fantastic vessel exceeds all my expectations, It represents a brand-new generation of vessels and highlights the company’s origins in the archipelago in a fine way,” said Viking Line CEO Jan Hanses.

The €225 million vessel is being hailed as a ‘climate-smart flagship’, with technology group Wärtsilä under a three-year agreement to provide technical management of the ship’s ‘broad scope of solutions’, which comprise six LNG-powered Wärtsilä 31DF engines, two LNPac fuel gas supply systems and three tunnel thrusters.

The vessel was built in Xiamen, China, where it set sail in December 2021 for arrival in the Port of Turku, Finland, in January.