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Protecting shipowners in the long run: A case for stringent scrubber wash water monitoring

 06.07.2020

Installing a scrubber represents a significant investment for a shipowner. With the financial cost of the system and its installation, coupled with the lay-up time – no shipowner can take the decision lightly; with the reduced spread between HSFO and VLSFO increasing pay back times, scrubbers need to make sense as an even longer-term investment today. The economic case for scrubbers remains strong, though. If HSFO remains cheaper than VLSFO, scrubbers will represent a return on investment for shipowners and the current gap is highly likely to increase rather than decrease any further. Then there is the issue of fuelRead more

Primary Production in Oligotrophic waters

 23.06.2020

Primary productivity Phytoplankton form the basis of the aquatic food web. By utilising pigments such as chlorophyll and phycoerythrin, they are able to absorb solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into high-energy organic carbon compounds. This fuels growth by synthesising vital components such as amino acids, lipids, proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids. Phytoplankton are in fact responsible for around half the photosynthesis on Earth and hence are a fundamental component of the global carbon cycle. Vertical distribution of phytoplankton Sunlight is, directly or indirectly, the ultimate energy source for almost all life on Earth, with phytoplankton harvesting itRead more

From blooms to ocean deserts – understanding primary productivity in the ocean

 19.06.2020

From blooms to ocean deserts – understanding primary productivity in the ocean Sunlight is, directly or indirectly, the ultimate energy source for almost all life on Earth. Phytoplankton harvest it to convert inorganic carbon to an organic form and as a result, are responsible for approximately half of the photosynthesis that occurs on our planet. Phytoplankton primary production therefore fuels marine food webs and is a fundamental property of the ocean ecosystem. A combination of both light and nutrients are essential for phytoplankton to sustain their growth. Without the supply of nutrients from the lower layers of the ocean, phytoplanktonRead more

Enabling a future for shipowners; a case for stringent scrubber wash water monitoring

 18.06.2020

‘How do I help vessel owners ensure that they are making a choice that is future proof?’ article by Emma Johnson Investments can be precarious in the current climate. Therefore, all steps must be taken to validate any recommendations for compliance solution to shipowners to enable peace of mind and safeguard operations. In the case of scrubbers, it is imperative that shipowners have an in-built capability to allow them to monitor and manage wash water, providing assurance, but also – vitally – a tangible resource for regulators, as well as insurers, charterers and financiers. To stay afloat in 21st century shipping means always being one step ahead of the curve. Read more

Effective Ballast Water Monitoring in 3 Easy Steps, by Matt Kenney

 01.06.2020

Our Global Business Development Manager, Matt Kenney, takes the complex issue of Ballast Water Monitoring and distills it in to three bite-sized steps to compliance. The key is to understand the potential pitfalls. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (2004) – herein referred to as the ‘BW Convention’ – is now an integrated part of operating a modern shipping fleet. Since 2017, all compliant ships have been employing a certified ballast water management plan, and any applicable vessels not yet fitted with a suitable ballast water treatment system should now be scheduledRead more

Tackling Invasive species in the Great Lakes

 11.02.2020

Over the last 200 years, the Great Lakes have experienced significant changes to their ecosystems, following the invasion of over 180 alien species. The impact of this invasion is significant and widespread, causing millions of dollars in damage. Chelsea Technologies was invited to take part in the Great Lakes Practicums to demonstrate the efficacy of our portable ballast water compliance monitor, FastBallast, alongside monitoring technologies from five other manufacturers. FastBallast performed well in terms of usability and practicality. It provides a pass/fail results in less than ten minutes compared to the lengthy and expensive analysis methods required by laboratory testing, Indeed, attendees commented on the attractive simplicity of operation and the rapid turnaround of results. Read more

Marine Science_Aquaculture

The Importance of Biological Monitoring in Aquaculture

 16.09.2019

An algal bloom is believed to have killed thousands of Atlantic salmon at a finfish aquaculture site in Scotland, last month. According to a spokesperson for The Scottish Salmon Company, warmer water temperatures over the recent weeks is suspected to have been the cause of the bloom in Loch Fyne, reports the BBC. Read more