Software Module News

NAVTOR  announced a breakthrough revamp of its Passage Planning module. Featured in the latest release of NAVTOR’s NavStation planning software (version 6.3), the new module offers expanded automation and auto-calculations, effectively slashing both administration time and the potential for human errors, compliance with the very latest industry standards, enhanced data utilisation, the ability to revise and update plans (rather than creating new ones after voyage deviations/changes)…

P&O Ferries and We4Sea have signed a cooperation agreement to roll-out the We4Sea Digital Twin based performance monitoring solution over the P&O Ferries chartered fleet, with the aim to reduce fuel consumption and emissions from ships. P&O Ferries are one of the UK's largest ferry operators with a fleet of ships serving a network of ferries to France, Belgium, Holland, Ireland, England and Northern Ireland.We4Sea, a Rotterdam based maritime scale-up focusing on increasing the fuel efficiency and reducing the emissions of seagoing ships…

Maritime technology company We4Sea is now officially certified by Verifavia for both IMO-DCS as EU-MRV emission monitoring, stated a press release.We4Sea developed a world’s first non-Capex fuel monitoring solution, to optimize the performance ánd reduce fuel consumption and emissions of seagoing ships. We4Sea collects vast amounts of operational data of a ship, such as position, draft, speed and heading. This data is sent to shore, where it is enriched with other data sources, such as weather conditions, wave heights, currents and wind.The proprietary Digital Twin technology of We4Sea transform this big data pool into actionable management information on how to optimize the use and configuration of a ship.

Maritime technology start-up We4Sea has received certification from Verifavia for EU MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) emission monitoring. We4Sea developed a cloud platform that offers advanced solutions to optimize the performance ánd reduce fuel consumption and emissions of seagoing ships. We4Sea collects vast amounts of operational data of a ship, such as position, speed, heading and engine data. This data is sent to shore, where it is enriched with other data sources, such as weather conditions, wave heights, currents and wind. The proprietary algorithms and energy models of We4Sea transform this big data pool into actionable management information on how to optimize the use and configuration of a ship.

With maritime piracy seen on the rise once again, the shipping industry now looks to redouble its efforts to prevent these dangerous and costly attacks. Though piracy had been on a steep decline since 2010 due to increased security efforts and precautions taken aboard ships, The State of Maritime Policy Report 2016 released last month by Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) finds that there has been decreased vigilance by the shipping community during the past few years, including hiring smaller private security teams and taking less security measures aboard ships. Now halfway through 2017 there have already been two hijackings including a tanker and a commercial ship, as Somali pirates resumed attacks on ships and resorted to old tactics of ransoming crew for money.

The technology group Wärtsilä launches its latest innovation SmartPredict at this year's Seatrade Cruise Global exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from March 13 to 16. Developed by the company's dynamic positioning unit, SmartPredict is designed to provide safer and more efficient vessel operations by reducing the risks associated with maneuvering. The system displays the vessel's predicted future position and heading, and uses proven dynamic positioning (DP) analysis algorithms to evaluate forces affecting the vessel, thereby providing advanced motion prediction.

Specialist ship owner, operator and manager GC Rieber has signed a fleet-wide agreement with NAVTOR for a total vessel navigation solution, spanning both paper and digital deliveries. NAVTOR, a global leader in e-navigation technology and services, will now install products throughout GC Rieber’s portfolio of advanced seismic and offshore ships, enhancing overall fleet efficiency, safety and cost control. The agreement is far reaching in scope. It covers the delivery of all digital and paper charts and publications…

The maritime wing of the Australian Army purchased and installed a VSTEP simulator classroom for landing craft operations and navigation training at its Townsville base in Queensland. According to VSTEP, the simulator purchase was made following an enquiry from the Australian Defense Force (ADF) and Bohemia Interactive Simulations, a global software company providing simulation training solutions for military and civilian organizations. As a developer of certified maritime simulators…

The Mexican Navy selected VSTEP to supply a Class A NAUTIS Full Mission Bridge (FMB) Simulator and 24 NAUTIS desktop trainer stations for the Naval Academy in Veracruz. The simulators will be installed at the new simulator training wing of the Heroica Escuela Naval Militar set to open in Q4 2014. The Heroica Escuela Naval Militar is the school where future officers are trained for the General Corps of the Mexican Navy. In line with the expansion of the school’s training facilities, a new simulator wing is currently under construction.

Consequence and risk analysis experts evaluating explosion hazards have historically had to undertake time-consuming analyses and have been unable to show all the combined influences in different scenarios. DNV GL’s new Phast 3D Explosions software module enables advanced 3D modeling, increasing both the accuracy and detail of the evaluations as well as information about the speed of vapor cloud explosion (VCE) analyses. Phast software is used extensively by governments, industries and academic institutions to help understand the hazards posed by process activities.

DNV GL’s new Phast 3D Explosions software module enables advanced 3D modeling, increasing both the accuracy and detail of the evaluations as well as information about the speed of vapor cloud explosion (VCE) analyses. Phast software is used to model safety aspects of design options for proposed new facilities and for operational changes in existing facilities. The software examines the progress of a potential incident from the initial release of hazardous substances to far-field dispersion including flammable and toxic effects.

Consequence and risk analysis experts evaluating explosion hazards have historically had to undertake time-consuming analyses, and have been unable to show all the combined influences in different scenarios. DNV GL’s new Phast 3D Explosions software module enables advanced 3D modeling, increasing both the accuracy and detail of the evaluations as well as information about the speed of vapor cloud explosion (VCE) analyses. Phast software is used extensively by governments, industries and academic institutions to help understand the hazards posed by process activities.

Efficiency and safety were the key topics at the third MACS3 User Conference. Taking part were 35 representatives of 25 companies, from nine different countries. Of particular interest to them was a highlight: the official premiere of the new StowMan software. StowMan opens up a new dimension in stowage planning, by significantly speeding it up and efficiently optimizing it at the same time. It was developed in cooperation with Professor Rune Møller Jensen of the IT University of Copenhagen. The second highlight was the opening of the Fleet Operation Center (FOC), which serves to increase efficiency and prevent accidents. Furthermore, INTERSCHALT offered participants a look at brand-new features of the MACS3 loading computer, such as the improved TROP software module for trim optimization.

ITI GmbH today announced that for the first time a marine application of the interdisciplinary simulation software SimulationX has passed Germanischer Lloyd’s (GL) type approval certification. The SimulationX software module marine propeller for the calculation of ice impact induced loads on the powertrain was designed and developed by ITI in collaboration with GL in accordance with the specifications laid down by GL, the Finnish-Swedish Maritime Administration and the IACS. The software certification conducted by GL proves the software’s high quality standards and is evidence of ITI’s commitment to safe, reliable and energy efficient ship propulsion systems.

ABS Nautical Systems continually enhances its NS5 Enterprise software suite of products to meet ever-changing industry demands. Currently in development for release in 2013 are a mobility platform, a new warehouse and inventory management module, as well as a new Hull Inspection 3D module. The mobility platform supports portable devices including scanners, tablet PCs and smartphones. Features will include alert view notifications and mobile calendaring. Any customer with mobility support within the organization’s infrastructure can take advantage of this upcoming technology.

Hefty fines, detention and possible arrest are looming for ship owners/operators who fail to meet new ship emissions requirements. In accordance with MARPOL (Marine Pollution) Annex VI regulations, new Emissions Control Area (ECA) regulations for sea areas within 200 nautical miles from the coasts and ports of the U.S. and Canada go into effect on August 1, 2011. Even with an exemption clause that extends the regulations enforcement date to Aug. 1, 2012, the time window is short for outfitting thousands of vessels.

Transas Marine, Hamburg (Germany), has been awarded the contract for two simulation systems that will be delivered and installed onboard two ships operated and owned by shipping company Intership Navigation Co. Ltd. (ISN). The K Class Capesize Bulk Carriers MV Lancelot and MV Percival with a capacity of 178.000 dwt each are currently being built at New Times Shipyard in Jing Jiang, China. The vessels are most energy efficient and equipped with unique propulsion aids. The Transas scope of supply comprises the software for an Engine Room Simulator (ERS 4000) and the software plus dedicated hardware for a Navi-Trainer Professional 5000 ship handling simulator.

ABS Nautical Systems (ABS NS) has taken the traditional purchasing relationship and automated it to provide shipowners and operators with a more efficient way of obtaining competitive bids and more responsive service with its eProcurement product, an extension of its Purchasing & Inventory software module. Nova Scotia-based Secunda Marine Services Limited (Secunda) is the latest operator to implement ABS NS eProcurement as part of its overall fleet management strategy. The SafeNet eProcurement solution simplifies the placing of Requests for Quotation (RFQs) via email to multiple sources. Savings flow from the automatic population of a client’s SafeNet database with vendor RFQs, eliminating the need for the re-keying of prices and delivery times.

General HydroStatics (GHS) software produced by Creative Systems is now available with an added feature - the ability to handle multiple floating bodies with points of contact between them. With ground contact handled simultaneously, applications include detailed simulation of loading and unloading of floating objects by partially submerging the carrier; complex salvage procedure modeling; ice breaker simulation and dry docking. Available through an optional software module labeled Multi-Body or MB, this capability is specifically integrated with GHS so that the regular features of the program can be used together.