CHIPS

e-Navigation: Multi-GNSS Receiver Chips Coming

Furuno say new multi-GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver chips "eRideOPUS 6" and "eRideOPUS 7" will be available from summer 2013. The new receiver chips are multi-GNSS compliant single-chip LSIs, capable of concurrently receiving signals from multiple satellites of GNSS systems, i.e., GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc., and Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) as well as Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). 
 The ability to concurrently receive GNSS and GNSS augmentation signals from multiple satellites belonging to different satellite services means that the receivers have a higher probability of acquiring a greater number of satellites at any single point in time. Subsequently, position stability as well as position accuracy will be greatly improved, minimizing the chance of a position loss. In addition, the receiver chips incorporate an enhanced level of noise rejection capability, through the implementation of an Active Anti-Jamming and an Advanced Multipath Mitigation functions.
 In May 2013, Furuno will start supplying evaluation kits for the new receiver chips to allow third-party manufacturers to evaluate the benefits of incorporating these receiver chips into their products. In August 2013, the new compact GNSS receiver modules GN-86F and GN-87F as well as the dead-reckoning-capable GNSS receiver modules GV-86 and GV-87, build around these new receiver chips

Jamestown Metal Marine to Construct Casino Vessel

Jamestown Metal Marine Sales, Inc. has been awarded a contract by Blue Chip Casino, LLC, a subsidiary of Boyd Gaming, to construct a new casino vessel at Blue Chip's Michigan City, Indiana facility. The new vessel, which will replace the present vessel, will be approximately 400 ft. in length with a beam of 200 feet and provide about 75,000 square feet of gaming area on a single deck. In addition to the gaming area there will be another 85

SeaChange Completes $100m Private Placement for Expansion

SeaChange Maritime has completed a private placement of $100m, the proceeds of which will be used to invest in expanding its fleet of container ships. The company, which is registered in the Marshall Islands and operates from offices in Miami, Fla., was formed in 2006 by former Sammy Ofer group executives Samuel Norton and Yariv Zghoul to serve as a leading supplier of container vessels for charter to integrated liner operators

GPS for Sydney Ferries

According to the Daily Telegraph, 30 of the 31 ferries in Sydney had global position systems installed, which will help improve the way ferries dock at a destination. In addition, the Hunter-based maritime firm Novamarine would install black boxes into the ferries, while Chipping-Norton based MTU Detroit Diesel would upgrade the engines on First Fleet and Rivercat vessels. The measures are part of a $5.4m safety upgrade announced in October last year after the Manly ferry Collaroy

GPA and Logistec Partner to Upgrade East River Terminal

The Georgia Ports Authority and Logistec USA, Inc. signed an agreement today to modernize the East River Terminal at the Port of Brunswick and facilitate the growing international market for wood pellets. Logistec, a marine and environmental services provider, will invest $5 million to expand the biofuel export market in Georgia and increase capacity for handling a broad range of general and bulk cargo. The East River Terminal will be significantly upgraded in the first phase of this expanded

GPA Marks Gains in the Fiscal Year

Double-digit growth in TEUs, autos The Georgia Ports Authority has announced  that the authority posted increases across all reporting categories for the first two months of fiscal year 2013. At its Oct. 8 meeting, the GPA board heard a report from Executive Director Curtis Foltz detailing 5.6 percent growth in tonnage across July and August, with 13.8 percent growth in total TEUs for the month of August. That’s an increase of 240,000 tons over the same two months in FY2012

A Lightweight Alternative to Marine Plywood

3M™ reinforced polyurethane foam offers lightweight alternative to plywood for marine construction & general use 3M introduces its new 3M™ Reinforced Polyurethane Foam, a lightweight and rot-resistant alternative to plywood for use in structural and semi-structural applications. These polyurethane foam boards with fiberglass reinforcement provide high strength in applications including marine, transportation and general construction

CMR Names New Group Marketing Manager

CMR Group has welcomed James Thwaites to its professional team.   Thwaites stepped into the newly created role of Group Marketing Manager and will coordinate global marketing efforts for CMR Group.  He will lead all activities related to customer/product strategy and launching new products to market, including the Group’s Product Development Forum.  Additionally, Thwaites will manage all traditional marketing functions including advertising, brand identity

BV Completes first Energy Management Systems Audit

Bureau Veritas has completed the first certification audit of any shipping company in the world  to the new standard ISO 50001- 2011 - Energy Management Systems.   Stena’s ship management division,  Northern Marine Management Ltd including  Northern Marine Management (USA) LLC,  has achieved certification to BS ISO 50001, which ensures systematic monitoring and control of energy usage, helping to optimise efficiency, reduce fuel consumption

New Orleans Intermodal TIGER Site Visited

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Deputy Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen visited the Port of New Orleans to tour the site. The site of planned infrastructure improvements was made possible through a US$16.7 million DOT TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant which was awarded in 2011. The 16-acre intermodal construction project will modernize and expand the port’s rail terminal, greatly enhancing cargo efficiencies.