28 thinks


Issue 5 2021 - Freight Business Journal


///FREIGHT BREAK


Could ferries one day be gliding across the seas at 180mph, powered by clean electricity? Brittany Ferries


it’s a


possibility and, together with Boston-based start-up REGENT (Regional Electric Ground Eff ect Nautical Transport) is exploring the potential for a new high- speed form of ferry travel, the seaglider. The Seaglider works by


harnessing a concept well- known to pilots – ground eff ect. This is the cushion created by high-pressure air trapped between wings and the ground


inches from the ground before fi nally coming to earth. Craſt that use the ground


eff ect aren’t entirely a new idea. A rather terrifying machine known as the Ekranoplan was in vogue for a few years in the former Soviet Union to ferry troops across fl at, marshy ground fl ying at treetop height. Some versions, such as the Caspian Sea


or water while fl ying at low


altitude. Seagliders are therefore akin to a hovercraſt with wings instead of a skirt. The eff ect will be familiar to anyone who has thrown a folded paper aircraſt


(Old) boy band


Collaboration is common enough these days in shipping, but the organisers of the Nor-Shipping conference have broken new ground with – wait for it – a rock band. They gathered together a band


of shipping executives to entertain delegates to its Ocean Now event


in June. The line-up included Ståle


Hansen, chief executive of marine insurers Skuld, on drums, his colleague Hilde Torp on lead vocals and, on bass, someone who you may actually have heard of in a musical context, Viggo Bondi, executive director of the Norwegian


London to build fi rst shipyard in a century


The Port of London Authority (PLA) is working with property developers, London & Regional, and the Royal Docks Team to build a shipyard on the Thames. Once, London’s


river was


teeming with boat building and repair yards but the site at Albert Island in Newham will be the first to be built in over a century. It forms part of Albert Island,


London & Regional’s 25-acre, multimillion-pound industrial regeneration scheme in the Royal Docks. PLA says it presents a unique opportunity for a skilled maritime operator


to develop dedicated facilities and highly skilled jobs for local people, serving the UK’s busiest inland waterway. Development of a London


shipyard is in line with wider Government moves to reinvigorate shipbuilding in the UK; an updated National Shipbuilding Strategy is due to be released later this year. PLA chief executive, Robin


Mortimer, explained that it would allow vessel services to be provided swiftly, instead of operators having to take vessels to boatyards off the river. The 3.3-acre shipyard


through the air (we all get bored in the offi ce from time to time). As the paper plane swoops close to the ground, it suddenly appears to get a fresh burst of speed and surges swiſt ly along, a couple of


Shipowners’ Association, but also a former member of A-ha. They were accompanied by


fellow Nor-Shipping executive John Anders Røse on keyboards and Per Martin Tanggaard on guitar. The latter said: “These guys are


all very experienced and, in Viggo’s case, actually famous.” A ringing endorsement if ever


there was one.


development at Albert Island, one of three strategic sites in the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone, already has outline planning permission. The PLA is now seeking expressions of interest from potential operators of the facility at the eastern end of the Royal Docks. It is expected to feature boat


a lift and other


infrastructure. The selected operator will be expected to obtain all relevant consents in accordance with the London Plan, Newham Local Plan, plus permits/licenses from the PLA, the Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency. For more information visit: www.pla.co.uk/albertisland.


All expressions of interest must be received by 16 July 2021.


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Monster weighed the best part of 400 tonnes and resembled a propeller aircraſt , but with short- stumpy wings. The Ekranoplan however fossil-fuel powered. The


was


Seaglider would be electric powered, by batteries and promises to be a much quieter beast. Passengers would be


insulated from the discomfort of choppy waves by a cushion of air, with sensors detecting and


automatically avoiding other sea traffi c. The ferry company has


signed a letter of intent which could see seagliders with a 50- 150 passenger capacity sailing between the UK and France by 2028. However, REGENT expects the fi rst commercial passengers to be travelling on smaller electric craſt by 2025. The route from Portsmouth to


Cherbourg could be covered in as little as 40 minutes.


turkishcargo.com.tr


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