Environmental issues take centre stage - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 11 Aug 2022 15:00 PDT
Rolls-Royce develops mtu electrolyzers © Rolls-Royce Power Systems
Rolls-Royce is now developing mtu hydrogen electrolyzers and investing in Hoeller Electrolyzer to produce low-cost hydrogen using green electricity. Hydrogen is the fuel of the future. The only question is: where are we going to get the huge quantities needed to overcome the climate crisis?
The answer is electrolysis: lots of electrolysis. This electrochemical process uses electricity to break water into its constituent parts: hydrogen and oxygen. Rolls-Royce is developing mtu electrolyzers with outputs of up to 2 MW that can be scaled up to over 100 MW. Now the company has acquired a stake in Hoeller Electrolyzer, a specialist company that develops and manufactures the cell stack, the core component of the electrolyzer.
The shared aim of Rolls-Royce and Hoeller Electrolyzer is to develop a solution to produce hydrogen cheaply and on a large scale using green electricity. This is an ideal add-on for an mtu microgrid. It creates the possibility to store and use solar and wind power, thus making an important contribution to the energy transition.
More environmental action extends to cleaning up the waterways. Since 2010, Suzuki Motor Corporation has been voluntarily conducting the 'Clean Ocean Project" campaign every year to create a healthier and cleaner marine environment. Over 8,000 people and 26 distributors have participated in this global initiative so far. Along with Suzuki, the Surf Coast Marine team is committed to taking responsible actions against plastic waste problems by reviewing its own contributions to the environment and introducing new measures to reduce plastic usage and waste.
Alongside Suzuki Australia, this year's Clean Ocean Project campaign will take place on Saturday 13th August 2022, between 8:30am and 1:00pm. Events will be held in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth - and Suzuki is inviting all customers to participate and support this important event.
Additionally, the Suzuki Motor Corporation has started the roll-out of its innovative new micro-plastic collecting device as a standard part in four of its mid-range outboard motors. The DF115B, DF115BG, DF140B and DF140BG will all now feature the micro-plastic collecting device and will be shipped worldwide, including to major markets such as North America and Europe.
As has been widely reported, a huge amount of plastic waste that flows into the oceans has become a significant environmental problem, and micro-plastics that are further crushed in the natural environment are having a massive impact on ecosystems.
From Queensland, a new specialised training academy has been established at the epicentre of the booming superyacht industry on the Gold Coast to support record growth and demand for workers as local and international buyers continue to splash out on luxury marine craft. With a flood of new boats of all sizes being delivered to buyers in Australia, arriving for refits, or just visiting through the Gold Coast, the training academy will be the first in Australia to be established at a shipyard.
The academy at the Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard (GCCM) will begin turning out an in-demand pipeline of skilled marine trades workers to fill labour shortages across the $80-billion industry, from marine labourers, to trade assistants, trimmers, fabricators, painters, electricians, carpenters, shipwrights and plumbers. GCCM CEO Trenton Gay said the marine sector had grown at an unprecedented rate, offering a massive spread of sophisticated and innovative job opportunities.
Further south, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP, the Federal Minister for Social Services and Member for Kingston, recently visited Northbank Marine, to discuss a range of issues with owner Rob Cuming. The Minister was taken on a walk around Northbank's recently upgraded boat building facility in southern Adelaide, where several new buildings have been added to ease congestion in the manufacturing process in this very busy operation.
Topics discussed included the current critical skills shortage facing the marine industry and problems being encountered dealing with the Department of Homes Affairs Immigration by skilled people on restricted work visas seeking permanency in Australia.
Expansion news this week includes advice from The Yacht Sales Group. The Yacht Sales Co is now the exclusive Australian dealer for Absolute Yachts, one of Europe's most prestigious shipyards. The agreement sees The Yacht Sales Co represent Absolute's range of luxury monohulls in Australia with the first orders signed at the recent Sydney International Boat Show.
The Italian shipyard specialises in building luxury yachts from 47 to 75 feet, including the Navetta, Flybridge and Coupé ranges. Premium Italian quality is a distinctive characteristic of Absolute Yachts' design with all yachts featuring refined beauty, excellent versatility, and uncompromising functionality.
New boats launched recently: the latest Dovell-designed motor yacht is a 32-foot dayboat called ELEKTRA, with the hospitable characteristics to enhance a pleasant day on the harbour with family and friends. The client, whose family owns several seafood restaurants, envisaged the 32-foot vessel as a versatile picnic boat for celebrating "the joys of life, good food, great friends, and beautiful scenery".
Constructed by Innovation Composites in Nowra on the NSW South Coast, 'Elektra' will soon take to its home waters of Sydney Harbour, with the occasional voyage to Pittwater. Innovation Composites Director, Mark Rowed, heads up the build and has worked on several Dovell-designed projects over the past 30 years.
Continuing our content inclusion of industry news from Oceania, a glamorous milestone event, Riva's 180th Anniversary VIP Reception, was held and showcased at one of the newest top exhibitions in China, the 2nd China International Consumer Products Expo with the Launch of New Riva Anniversario.
At its first participation at the Expo, Ferretti Group presented three scale models of the latest representative epoch-making superyachts: the avant-garde and innovative Wallywhy200, the Pershing GTX116 that breaks the limit of space, and the magnificent Riva 50m. A number of professionals from Ferretti Group and its local dealer Speedo Marine provided professional on-site explanations for prospective customers and partners.
Stay safe, warm and dry!
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com