Ausgabe zur SMM 2018

Ausg.Nr._13/2018 17 Offshore Dialogue Segment für die maritime Bran- che bereithält. Aus dem ehemali- gen Nischenmarkt ist ein interes- santes Wachstumsfeld geworden. Die dafür benötigten Produkte, Experten und Dienstleistungen finden die Fachbesucher während der SMM auf dem Hamburger Messegelände. Offshore Dialogue: High-tech for Deep Seas D eep-sea mining and eco- friendly resource utili- sation in the Arctic: How can the maritime industry over- come these tough challenges? At the Offshore Dialogue held in Hamburg on 6 September 2018 during SMM, the leading interna- tional trade fair of the maritime industry, experts will explore the risks and opportunities of this market segment. The depths of the oceans harbour some of Earth's last great secrets. Under the motto of "Pushing the limits – new maritime technolo- gies for future needs”, renowned experts will discuss at the Offshore Dialogue (OD) how the treasures and resources found on and be- low the Arctic sea bottom can be tapped using innovative maritime technologies without harming the environment. Organised jointly with GMT, the German Association for Marine Technology, this confer- ence will take place on 6 Septem- ber as part of SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair. Precious nodules One potential future source of a valuable raw material rests on the seafloor at depths around 5,000 metres: Manganese or polym- etallic nodules. The most plenti- ful deposits occur off the western coast of Mexico, in the Peruvian Basin, and in the Indian Ocean. https://www.planet-wissen.de/ kultur/nordamerika/mexiko_von_ der_revolution_bis_heute/index. html These lumps not only contain manganese but also iron, copper, cobalt, and nickel. Recent techno- logical advances are letting it ap- pear more economically attractive than ever to exploit these valuable ores. An overview of current tech- nology and research into deep- sea mining will be given by Heiko Felderhoff from the shipowning company Harren & Partner in a lecture titled “Deep-sea mining of massive sulfides – a completely new technical approach”. A mem- ber of the DeepSeaMining Alliance (DSMA), the company is pursuing sea-bottom exploration and devel- opment projects around the earth. The ecosystems surrounding the valuable polymetallic nodules are known to be extremely vulnerable. Changing the density of a nod- ule deposit will affect deep-sea biodiversity, a fact that is of par- ticular significance because this resource is non-renewable: “The nodules grow by as little as a few millimetres or centimetres in a mil- lion years,” says Prof. Dr. Andrea Koschinsky of Jacobs University Bremen, whose lecture “Challeng- ing environmental aspects of re- sponsible manganese nodules mining” will look at some of the ecological implications. Joury Van Gijseghem, General Manager at the Belgian maritime technology specialist DEME Blue Energy, will describe froma practical viewpoint how mining equipment should be designed to ensure responsible retrieval of polymetallic nodules. In icy climates Around the world highly quali- fied scientists are working hard to solve the mysteries of the deep sea. Their most important tools are high-tech research vessels capable of performing a multitude of functions and withstanding the most extreme ambient conditions. These maritime laboratories re- quire huge capital investments. Einar Vegsund, VP Design & Hydro at Rolls Royce Marine, will explain how to plan an optimal polar re- search vessel. His company is a key player in this market segment, having designed the new Norwe- gian icebreaker Kronprins Haakon, which is now serving as a model for the British research vessel “Sir David Attenborough”, a 200 mil- lion pound project slated to start operating in 2019. One key issue to keep in mind when designing ships of this type is the sturdiness of the hull be- cause pack ice is common in the sea regions they operate in. The Polar Code, in effect since January 2017, is the relevant international standard for ships and offshore structures. In her speech, IMO safety expert Sandra Allnutt will retrace the development of this piece of international legislation. The General Manager Market In- novation of Wärtsilä, Teus van Beek, will speak about eco-friendly propulsion systems. The Finnish ship engine manufacturer Wärtsilä is considered a pioneer in Green Shipping. For example, the Ger- man research and surveying ves- sel Atair, scheduled for commis- sioning in 2020, will be equipped with Wärtsilä machinery. She is the first German government- owned vessel propelled by lique- fied natural gas (LNG). The shipyards and suppliers in- volved in these sophisticated shipbuilding projects must deliver leading-edge technology. Nils Reimer from the Hamburg Ship Model Basin will elaborate on im- portant details to consider when building such vessels, and on ship types suitable for research and mining missions in Arctic regions. According to estimates of the US Geological Survey, 13 per cent of the world's unknown oil depos- its, and as much as 30 per cent of natural gas reservoirs, might be hidden under the bottom of the Arctic Ocean. How could man use these resources without causing significant damage to the environ- ment? This is the topic of a lecture by Anu Fredrikson, Director Arctic Economic Council. The question to what extent climate change will change overall conditions for ship- ping will be the subject of an anal- ysis by Robert Tustin, Consultant Ship New Construction at Lloyd’s Register. Whatever the scenario, the expert points out, stakeholders must quickly adapt to new trade routes. Promising niche market With its focus on deep-sea min- ing and the utilisation of Arctic resources, the Offshore Dialogue will give participants a compre- hensive overview of these multi- faceted topics and the business opportunities they offer to the maritime industry. A former niche market is turning into a fascinat- ing growth sector. SMM visitors will find related products, experts and services in the exhibition halls of the Hamburg Messe fair complex.  Text & Photo: Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH Messeplatz 1 D-20357 Hamburg