Category: Blogs
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Marine Plastic Pollution | Definition, Sources, Effects, & Solutions
Introduction The development of plastic in the 20th century was nothing short of a revolution. It was cheap, lightweight, durable, and easy to manufacture. Plastic technology’s evolution has enabled it to infiltrate every field of life, from chairs to space shuttle parts. However, plastics have a problem. Synthetic plastics, in particular, decompose at an alarmingly…
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Greenhouse gas emissions and shipping measures to reduce them
Introduction Climate change is a grim reality today. Due to the rise in global temperatures, we are seeing effects such as hotter temperatures, increased drought, severe storms, loss of species, and health risks. As a result, there is a global shift among all industries to operate more responsibly. Maritime transportation has been at the forefront…
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Wind propulsion systems will power ships and cut emissions
Introduction The maritime industry is also evolving to fight climate change and global warming. One way of doing this has been to research and implement renewable energy sources to propel and power ships. Wind propulsion systems are an option among several others to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and associated emissions. While this technology has…
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Zero Carbon Emission Ships – Achievable or a Pipe Dream?
Introduction 90% of world trade occurs through the sea. Compared to other modes of transport, shipping is 80% cheaper and produces relatively less carbon emissions. But the sheer scale at which shipping operates makes it a contender for carbon emissions reductions as any optimizations can have massive effects. In addition to ships, optimizations are possible…
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Measuring Main Engine Bearing Clearances
Introduction Bearings support the load of various components while ensuring no metal-to-metal contact occurs between them. In this article, we take a look at how to measure the various bearing clearances in the main engine of a ship. Main Engine Clearances In the main engine, we must measure clearances of the main bearings, crank pin…
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Propeller Cavitation – Reasons, effects and prevention
Understanding Propeller Cavitation – Principle, Causes, Effects and Prevention Introduction Propeller cavitation is a destructive phenomenon that can damage the propeller and the components around it such as the hull, rudder, and any other appendages. While the first instances of a working screw propeller go back to 200 BC, the theory of cavitation has been…
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MARPOL overview for beginners – 15 min summary
MARPOL overview for beginners – 15 min summary Introduction MARPOL stands for Marine Pollution. It is the main international convention that addresses the different types of pollution from ships operating around the world. It also covers fixed and floating platforms to some extent. In this article, we explore MARPOL to get a brief overview of…
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The Azov Sea—10 Reasons Why It’s Extraordinary
The Azov Sea: A Jewel Amongst Seas—10 Reasons Why It’s Extraordinary Introduction The Azov Sea is located in eastern Europe, between Russia and Ukraine. There are several characteristics that make it a unique body of water. In this article, we explore them to understand why. General information The Sea of Azov gets its name from…
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Stern Tube Explained | Location, Parts and Purpose
Stern Tube Explained | Location, Parts and Purpose Introduction Among the many different parts of the ship that serve a waterproofing function, the stern tube is the most important. In this article, we explore what it is, its location and purpose. What is the stern tube? The stern tube is a hollow tube that holds…
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Quick summary of The International Safety Management Code or ISM Code – Part A
Part A of International Safety Management Code or ISM Code for Ships Introduction ISM code is a very popular standard introduced by the IMO for the maritime industry. While it was first adopted in the year 1993, it has since undergone many beneficial changes that make it one of the most robust and reliable standards…