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Dynamic Positioning Systems News

29 Sep 2023

Praxis Automation to Equip 59 RVOS Offshore Vessels with DP-2 Systems

Credit: Praxis Automation/AdobeStock

Praxis Automation, a company specializing in ship automation, electrical propulsion, and dynamic positioning systems, will outfit 59 vessels of Saudi-based Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services's (RVOS) with Praxis DP-2 systems.Under this RVOS fleet-wide contract, new build and existing offshore support vessels will be equipped with Praxis dynamic positioning systems, as well as customised equipment and software for digitization of the fleet in phases agreed with RVOS, one of the…

01 Nov 2022

DPS Safety Alert Follows DP3 Drillship Blackout Investigation

Copyright donvictori0/AdobeStock

The United States Coast Guard issued the following Marine Safety Alert rergarding Dynamic Positioning Systems.Dynamic positioning (DP) systems1 meeting equipment class 2 (DP2) and equipment class 3 (DP3) have control features and redundancies that are often regarded by the crews of vessels using these systems as infallible. A recently investigated DP incident revealed that a DP system may still have weaknesses, even when the design and testing of the system aims to remove or mitigate those weaknesses through engineering controls.

22 Sep 2022

KDI Delivers DP Simulators to MOL in Tokyo

Image courtesy Kongsberg Digital

Kongsberg Digital (KDI) has delivered a full mission K-Sim Dynamic Positioning (DP) Simulator to MOL Marine & Engineering (MOLMEC) for the new MOL Dynamic Positioning Training Centre (MOL DPTC) in Tokyo, Japan. MOL DPTC is the first DP training center in Japan to be accredited by the Nautical Institute (NI) to provide NI-approved dynamic positioning training courses.“We Installed Kongsberg DP simulator and were able to open a quality DP training center in Tokyo, Japan” said Nakashima Takashi, President, MOL Marine and Engineering Co., Ltd.

01 Oct 2021

Offshore Wind: Japanese Firms KCS, MOL In Cable Laying Collab

Japanese subsea cable laying firm Kokusai Cable Ship (KCS) and the shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have signed an agreement to collaborate on the operation of cable-laying ships to meet the increasing demand for the installation of power cables, especially in the offshore wind sector.KCS, established in 1966, was the first company to launch a subsea cable laying ship - the KDD Maru - in 1967. The company has, over the years, been involved in the construction of some 70,000km of submarine cables, mainly in the Asia-Pacific region, and today oversees the maintenance of over 87,000km of cable.In 2019, KCS launched the KDDI Cable Infinity, Japan’s first self-propelled power and telecommunication cable-laying ship. MOL and its group company MOL Marine & Engineering Co., Ltd.

24 Nov 2020

ABS Awards Smart Notation to AET’s Eagle Passos

(Photo: ABS)

Classification society ABS said it has awarded AET the SMART (INF) Notation for the 152,700 DWT DP2 shuttle tanker Eagle Passos, which was built and delivered by South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI).The first shuttle tanker to be granted an ABS Smart Notation, which recognizes the vessel’s data communication and network infrastructure, Eagle Passos will also be granted the Operational Performance Management (OPM) and Crew Assistance and Augmentation (CAA) class record comments in recognition of the optimization…

27 Oct 2020

ABS Updates Its Shuttle Tanker Advisory

© Fotos von Schiffen / Adobe Stock

Classification society ABS announced Tuesday it has updated its Shuttle Tanker Advisory, offering insights on shuttle tanker design and operation all over the globe, with particular focus on Brazil, the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.The Advisory explains how ABS optional notations complement class and statutory requirements to fulfill varying regional and operational requirements. As well as exploring new technologies having an impact on the sector, the Advisory identifies…

23 Sep 2020

Mackay Opens Sales and Service Center in Cape Town

(Photo: Mackay Marine)

Mackay Marine announced Wednesday it has opened its newest marine electronics sales and service center in Cape Town, South Africa, following the acquisition of Dynamic Marine Systems (DMS) (Pty) Ltd.Specializing in nav/comm electronics, dynamic positioning systems (DP), and automation equipment, DMS serves high-seas, oil and gas, coastal, commercial fishing and naval customers. DMS’ staff have more than 100 years collective maritime and naval experience.“Expanding our global network to include South Africa has been a long-term goal for Mackay Marine” said Jeff Schlacks, President of Mackay.

01 Jul 2020

Furuno Acquires EMRI A/S

Image Credit: Furuno

Furuno has acquired Danish company EMRI A/S, founded in 1972 and specializing in autopilots, steering control, joystick dynamic positioning and maneuvering systems.Based in Herlev, a suburb to Copenhagen, EMRI is a provider of steering control systems, autopilots and track control systems. Their autopilots have been well accepted for almost 2 decades, worldwide, and are today in operation onboard 1000+ vessels. Steering control systems have also been a key focus of EMRI’s for many years.

19 May 2020

World First: Cruise Ship Piloted Remotely During Sea Trials

Silver Origin on sea trials (Photo: Silversea Cruises)

Royal Caribbean's Silversea Cruises says it is preparing to take delivery of its newest ship, Silver Origin, following a unique set of COVID-19-related challenges overcome by the shipbuilder and innovative sea trials that included world-first remote operations.The new 100-passenger ultra-luxury cruise ship was built by Dutch shipyard De Hoop, which completed construction despite setbacks brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.Silver Origin was still under construction on March 15…

12 Nov 2019

Holvik joins Thrustmaster

Jon Holvik was named Thrustmaster's Executive Vice President for Business Development of Dynamic Positioning Systems.

Thrustmaster of Texas acquired the ICON Dynamic Positioning business from Rolls Royce earlier this year, a DP product addition to the Thrustmaster product portfolio. In addition to the rights to produce and sell future units of the DP products, Thrustmaster also has responsibility for the maintenance, service and upgrades of existing DP systems presently in operation. To support this addition, Thrustmaster has added Jon Holvik to the Thrustmaster team as the Executive Vice President for Business Development of Dynamic Positioning Systems.

29 Oct 2019

The ABC’s of DP 101

Dynamic Positioning has been around for a while, it is evolving and it is here to stay. Here to sort it all out are two of industry’s more familiar stakeholders who also explain what might come next.When it comes to critical offshore operations and vessel handling, this is not your grandfather’s marine industry, and it hasn’t been for some time. That’s because the bridge layout and equipment commonly found on any recently delivered offshore service vessel would be unfamiliar to the typical deck officer of just 20 years ago. Much of that can be attributed to the advent of dynamic positioning equipment systems.DP – perhaps like no other skill at sea – has changed the role of the deck officer. The technical requirements to qualify and operate this equipment are vast.

05 Jul 2019

RVOS Retrofits Fleet for DP Ops

Saudi Arabia’s Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services  (RVOS) has contracted Netherlands-based Praxis Automation Technology to deliver dynamic positioning systems for its fleet of offshore support vessels (OSVs) operating out of the country. RVOS, joint venture company between Rawabi Holding and Vallianz Holdings Limited of Singapore, said that the contract includes the retrofit of 14 ships with a Praxis Automation Class 2 Dynamic Positioning (DP) system, including the integration to the ship’s power distribution system and control systems.Jerome Lin, Commercial Director at Praxis Automation Far East in Singapore said that Praxis DP system is designed to be an accurate…

21 Mar 2019

First 'DP Digital Survey' Completed

Image © Bourbon

Kongsberg Maritime, Bureau Veritas (BV) and Bourbon verify a new application that enables remote surveying of Dynamic Positioning systems on boardKongsberg, BV and Bourbon announced a first in the maritime industry: the successful testing of a new solution for DP (Dynamic Positioning) system performance and redundancy audits.The ‘DP Digital Survey’ application runs on an industrial data management system to help ensure data consistency for the verification of installed systems.

02 Oct 2018

Unique Group to Provide Survey Vessel Package to Major Government Entity

Photo: Unique Group

Subsea and offshore solution provider Unique Group announced that its Marine & Subsea division has entered into a high value contract with the Southern African Shipyards to provide a turnkey package for hydrographic survey vessels and hydrographic office set up.The project will include multiple new build vessels - main vessel and support vessels. Unique Group will act as a technology partner to the shipyard and provide the vessel’s dynamic positioning systems and Navigational equipment package.

28 Sep 2018

KNOT Concludes TC Contract for Two Shuttle Tankers

Norway-headquartered Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT) has concluded a time-charter contract for two shuttle tankers with Equinor ASA for a maximum 20-year period starting in the second quarter of 2020.KNOT is a NYK Group company, in which NYK has a 50 percent share.The contract aims to use two 152,000 DWT Suezmax tankers equipped with dynamic-positioning systems built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. to shuttle crude oil produced in waters off Brazil.Upon commencement of this contract, the KNOT Group will have 31 shuttle tankers in operation or on order.In accordance with its new medium-term management plan “Staying Ahead 2022 with Digitalization and Green…

24 Apr 2018

Interview: Bourbon CEO Gael Bodénès

Bourbon Corporation CEO Gael Bodénès (Photo: Bourbon)

Bourbon Corporation CEO Gael Bodénès & his team plot a bold new course for this offshore industry stalwart.Your career with Bourbon has traversed many industry fluctuations. Looking back to when you joined the company, how is Bourbon today most the same, and most different?Bourbon has transformed from a small regional company to a world recognized leader in offshore marine services. It has seen its teams grow from a 3,000 to more than 8,000 employees of 88 nationalities, the fleet has grown to more than 500 units…

12 Jan 2018

Bourbon, Bureau Veritas Partner on Digitalization

Bourbon Explorer 508 (Photo: Bourbon)

Under a new strategic partnership agreement, French offshore services firm Bourbon and testing, inspection and certification services provider Bureau Veritas will develop and deploy new digital technologies, including solutions for automation, real time fleet monitoring and mitigating cyber risks. For dynamic positioning systems in particular, the partnership will aim to deliver advanced automation of to enable real-time advisory tools for bridge operators and remote support for onshore teams…

01 Sep 2017

Wärtsilä Tests Remote Control Ship Operating Capability

Gulfmark Offshore's the 'Highland Chieftain' was the vessel used for the test. (Photo: Wärtsilä)

Wärtsilä said it has taken a further important step toward developing its Smart Marine capabilities by successfully testing the remote control of ship operations. The testing, which involved driving the vessel through a sequence of manoeuvres using a combination of Dynamic Positioning (DP) and manual joystick control, was carried out on August 21 off the North Sea coast of Scotland in collaboration with Gulfmark Offshore, the U.S. based operator who provided the vessel for the project.

20 Jul 2017

Seacroft Hires Pearce as Engineering & DP Manager

Richard Pearce (Photo: Seacroft Marine Consultants)

Aberdeen-based Seacroft Marine Consultants said it has appointed Richard Pearce as Marine Engineering and Dynamic Positioning (DP) Manager, as the firm looks to develop more specialized offshore marine projects. Pearce brings to the role 16 years’ experience in engineering and technical disciplines of the marine and offshore industry, including spells at some of the sector’s most prominent names. Most recently he was technical manager at Fletcher Group and service delivery manager…

02 Jun 2017

Hyper Connectivity: The Risks and Rewards

Image: ABS CyberSafety

The maritime industry is becoming more connected – at sea, on land and in between. This trend has given rise to a cyber-enabled fleet that continues to adopt greater levels of automation and operational complexity. For the end user, the benefits of modern shipping are multiple. For the ship owner or operator, however, every incremental advance of technology creates new entry points for risk. In this hyper-connected era, defending against the introduction of new risks as technology changes demands a recommitment to systems engineering and…

07 Mar 2017

CSSC, Wärtsilä Form Electrical & Automation Joint Venture

The new joint venture company agreement is signed by Yang Guobing, Chairman of CSSC Electronics Technology Co., Ltd, Ma Yunxiang, Vice chief Economist, Director of Planning and Development Department, CSSC and Stephan Kuhn, Vice President, Electrical & Automation, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions. (Photo: Wärtsilä)

Technology group Wärtsilä and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) have signed a new joint venture company agreement. The new joint venture, to be known as CSSC Wärtsilä Electrical & Automation Co Ltd (CWE&A), will focus on the growing Chinese electrical and automation (E&A) market, especially for high-tech ship applications. The joint venture company is expected to be fully operational before the middle of 2017. China is a growing market within the high-tech ships segment, and Chinese yards are increasingly active in newbuild projects for high-tech and high-added value ships.

08 Feb 2017

Two New Builds Delivered to Subsea 7

Seven Arctic (Photo: Subsea 7)

Offshore engineering, construction and services company Subsea 7 said it has taken delivery two new builds: a heavy construction flex-lay vessel Seven Arctic and dive support vessel Seven Kestrel, completing its substantial fleet investment program that has added six newly constructed vessels to its fleet since 2014. Designed to meet the demands of deep water and harsh environments, including both tropical and winter conditions, Lloyd's Register classed Seven Arctic is capable of working at depths of 3…

07 Feb 2017

GE Introduces SeaLyte

Photo: GE

GE’s Marine Solutions brings the latest technology in vessel control and dynamic positioning (DP) systems, SeaLyte. The new solution complements GE’s bespoke SeaStream solutions, providing a structured and standardized package to better serve customers with smaller vessels for offshore support and merchant markets. Marine companies are facing increased cost pressure to get through the current market downcycle. In response to the challenge, GE’s SeaLyte offers a range of configurable product solutions.