Data Collection and analysis of different biodiesel/MGO blends give an understanding of decarbonisation options

The route to decarbonisation can be pursued with different solutions, and using biodiesel is one starting point. RINA supported a biodiesel testing programme which collected and analysed emissions data using biodiesel blended with MGO at different percentages. The project aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the use of biodiesel onboard a tanker for the reduction of overall emissions, in particular carbon dioxide, measuring emissions while the vessel was sailing across the English Channel. This project was important, helping the industry understand the options for decarbonisation and their effects on emissions to meet new IMO regulations. The effectiveness of biodiesel in reducing emissions will depend on the characteristics of each vessel, but this programme demonstrated that emissions were lower with greater percentages of biodiesel. RINA supported the project with engineers and project management services and witnessed the procedure for collecting data. It provided the measurement instrument, advice on where to place sensors and how to take measurements, and a full data input worksheet. 

Ensuring the FSRU meets regulations and client requirements

RINA has been awarded the contract for support services to SNAM for the Golar Tundra FSRU dry-dock refurbishment. These include a review of the Works Specification, including refurbishment scope and modification yard contract; technical assistance during the project; design and document review; survey of refurbishment activities; trials after work is completed; and supervision of the cooling down procedure. Its services will ensure the work meets the client’s requirements and compliance with all applicable rules and regulations (International Rules, Flag Rules, class rules, and international standards). 

Finding the right vessel for the job

In 2022, RINA was awarded a contract for consultancy services to define the technical specifications of a ship to be used to repair marine cables. It will provide market analysis on potential operating areas in the Mediterranean Sea, issue TERNA with the main characteristics of the vessel, give an indication of the upgrade process for a supply vessel capable of performing the cable repair operations, draft the minimum technical details for the purchase of a vessel for an upgrade, provide a general overview of the Class notation and relevant certification for the selected unit, and produce 3D modelling of the ship.

The first RINA Green Plus class HSC hybrid fast vessels will have an environmentally friendly profile with fuel and energy-saving solutions onboard

Liberty Lines has ordered nine new high-speed passenger ships for the Spanish Armon shipyard to be delivered between 2023 and 2026, with an option for nine further vessels to be delivered between 2027 and 2030. The vessels will be equipped with hybrid propulsion Rolls-Royce Mtu engines. Their design is the result of over two years of collaboration between Liberty Lines, the Armon shipyard, Rolls-Royce, RINA, and Australian designers Incat Crowther. The new vessels will be the first HSC hybrid fast units to obtain the RINA Green Plus class. RINA is providing services to revising the Safety Management System manual and procedures used on board the ships and within Liberty Lines in compliance with the IMO ISM code and laws and regulations of the Italian Administration using its ‘Hydrogen Ready’ expertise.  

Hybrid LNG/battery RORO  

In a contract awarded in 2022 with scheduled completion in 2024, RINA is providing supervision of the construction at the shipyard and classification of the Sefine NB 60- Gas Fuelled Battery powered RORO Passenger Vessel. The vessel is 133.6m long, with a maximum passenger capacity of 1500 persons. It will be powered by a combination of LNG and battery units, providing an environmentally friendly profile with fuel and energy-saving solutions. 

Addressing the safety of small vessels in more adequately   

In the absence of harmonised EU safety standards, small passenger ships need to be carefully checked against fragmented national standards. In the second-hand market, in case of not conformities in safety requirements, the vessel has to be modified and re-certified, with all associated additional costs. In a project completed in 2022, RINA developed a prototype common EU performance-based framework for small passenger ships. With full responsibility for the project, the RINA team included experts in passenger ship rules and regulations and project management. The work included assessing possible technical and implementation options, consultation with EU stakeholders, and impact analysis. The performance-based approach will provide flexibility for manufacturers and regulators while setting a common safety benchmark. 

The next generation of lifesaving appliances and systems on high-capacity passenger ships   

In extreme scenarios and conditions, timely evacuation of high-capacity passenger ships requires fast and accurate evaluation of the ship’s condition and estimation of remaining evacuation time. In a project completed at the end of 2022, RINA provided safety, ship lifesaving appliances and evacuation, and digital system experts to redefine the evacuation processes, evacuation systems/equipment and international regulations for passenger ships in all environments, hazards and weather conditions. Independent of demographics, the new, integrated system collectively monitors, processes and informs passengers and crew of optimal evacuation routes during emergency scenarios while providing advanced, intuitive and easy-to-use LSA. It provides clear instructions to facilitate safely guiding passengers to safety in an emergency to reduce the total time required for ship evacuation without reliance on specific skills or experience. 

Using modern digital tools to predict energy saving and emission reduction  

RINA performed a comparative study of four different energy-saving devices to be installed on the chemical tanker, Tommaso S. By analysing the operational profile and shape of the vessel, RINA used Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis to produce a simulation and evaluate the devices. The study's outcome provided a comparison of the maximum efficiency gained by each device and estimated return on investmen. 

The most advanced cable layer to date  

RINA will supervise the construction, testing and classification of the new, cutting-edge Prysmian Group cable-laying vessel to be designed and constructed by Fincantieri. The vessel, which follows the delivery of the “Leonardo da Vinci” vessel in 2021, will be specialised for advanced subsea operations and is intended to be the most capable cable layer in its market. The development of smart and sustainable power grid infrastructure is key to enabling the energy transition, and submarine cables are an essential component. The new vessel will have substantially the same hull as the Leonardo Da Vinci, a length of approximately 170 m and a breadth of about 34 m. With highly efficient and green engines, it will cut NOX emissions by 85%.  

Using digital tools to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of ship design and production phases  

RINA uses the latest digital tools to approve the piping systems and structures of towing winch settings for the H260 Kocaçay IV RI100993. The RINA ship approval platform defines critical survey aspects in advance. It is designed to lessen the number of remarks to increase efficiency and productivity during all ship life phases and reduce time and costs during the design and production phases.    

A decarbonisation solution for vessels using current technology  

In partnership with FKAB, Wartsila, ABB and Helibo, RINA is working on a project to design an MR tanker using hydrogen as fuel. The tanker design is based on combining LNG with steam in a Helbio gas reformer to split LNG molecules into hydrogen and CO2. Hydrogen is then directly used to fuel the internal combustion engines and fuel cells in a hybrid marine power system by ABB. The CO2 is captured by splitting the LNG molecules rather than from exhaust gas.  The percentage of hydrogen used can be progressively increased to maintain a top CII rating throughout the ship's life, reducing CO2 emissions in a parallel slope with the applicable regulations. The ship can meet full decarbonisation targets by running the engine on 100% hydrogen or produce all the required power by fuel cells. In this way, the owner can decide the rate of CO2 reduction. The innovative approach provides a novel solution for decarbonising new ships with a currently available, technically viable, practical solution that meets IMO 2050 targets.   

Evaluating legislative developments

RINA is providing classification of the new Moby Fantasy RO-PAX vessel. The ship has been designed with solutions that will make it possible to lower emissions without compromising performance. Innovative scrubbers are being used to enable the vessel to switch from traditional power to LNG. The Moby Fantasy will be the first RO-PAX vessel to attain EEDI PHASE III.   

Supporting rescue activities throughout the world

In 2022, RINA started the classification of the SDO-SuRS for the Italian Navy. The ship is under construction at the MARIOTTI Shipyard in Genoa and associated Submarine Rescue deployable assets at DRASS in Leghorn. When complete, SDO-SuRS will enable the Italian Navy to perform rescue activities up to around 600 msw and the deployable system is designed to be transported by air to be deployed worldwide in less than 72 hours.    

Decarbonisation drives innovation

TT-Line has chosen RINA class for their LNG Fuelled Green Ships, Nils Holgersson and Peter Pan. As a result of their innovative technologies, these forward-looking LNG-powered RoPax vessels are the result of cooperation within the industry and a perfect example of how decarbonisation can drive innovation. The engines on board can be started and run up directly with LNG. Over the year, this saves many hours (and the associated emissions) of run-up operation in diesel mode.    

Concept Design for Hydrogen-fuelled RORO

A cooperation between Aurelia Green Ship Concept Design and RINA has generated a new design concept for a cargo RORO vessel with electric propulsion using highly compressed hydrogen as fuel. Aurelia assigned RINA to provide Approval in Principle of the concept design for the hydrogen-fuelled ship, including CH2 (high-pressure cylinders in racks), fuel cell and battery systems. The 100% compressed hydrogen generates no environmentally harmful emissions, producing a design that can be considered zero emission both in port and during navigation. Hybrid propulsion is based on battery and fuel cell power modules, and it is not supported by additional internal combustion engines supplied by petroleum-based conventional fuels. The batteries are also used as an energy storage source to power the hotel load.     

First pipeline assessment project for RINA in Nigeria

Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC) has decided to undertake rehabilitation of its Port Harcourt Refinery. The refinery used to export its product as well as import feed and consumables through 13 pipelines running between the refinery and two jetties located offshore. The subcontract scope focuses on the refurbishment of these pipelines. RINA is providing pipeline assessment services using long-range and manual ultrasonic testing experts and associated relevant equipment. The work will enable NNPC to check levels of corrosion in the pipelines through a fast, methodical and cost-effective approach compared with other technologies such as pigging.