Assessment Tool News

Maritime e-learning specialists Intelligent Seas Group (ISG) and Marine Learning Systems (MLS) announced they are teaming up to deliver flexible, digital learning solutions to the on- and offshore maritime industries.The formal collaboration marries ISG’s eLearning content library with MLS’ maritime-specific learning platform, which includes a highly configurable learning management system (LMS) and live skills assessment tool.Leveraging up-to-date software packages and techniques…

E-learning technology and service provider secures £10,000 grant to implement proof of concept for end-to-end crew training solution aboard working ferryInmarsat announced that e-learning technology and service provider Marine Learning Systems (MLS) as the winner of the its inaugural Ferry Open Innovation Challenge, a competition inviting start-ups and SMEs to propose digital solutions that promise to enhance the working lives of ferry crews. Launched in January 2022 in collaboration with the largest ferry operator in Greece…

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) is currently developing an updated and enhanced version of its Ship Inspection Report Program (SIRE) tanker risk assessment tool, the ship inspection regime that has become central to supporting safety and best practice in the marine industry. The new regime, SIRE 2.0, will replace the current system from Q2 2022, delivering a more comprehensive inspection regime with enhanced tools, strengthened governance processes and more in-depth reporting outcomes…

Classification society ClassNK released its "EEXI Simplified Planner", an assessment tool for the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), which will apply from 2023.EEXI Simplified Planner provides the approximated calculation of a ship’s EEXI by inputting DWT and MCR, and identifies whether the value complies with the regulation. If it does not meet the requirement, the tool suggests the extent of engine power limitations (EPL) for compliance, and supports decision making on how to comply with EEXI regulations.EEXI Simplified Planner…

Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory is examining opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from marine vessels in Canada.Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) said Monday it has been awarded a contract by Transport Canada to develop an assessment tool to examine clean technologies that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the release of other pollutants from vessels. Using what is known as CNL’s Marine-Zero FuelTM (MaZeFTM) Assessment Tool…

Kongsberg Maritime reported that its K-CAT (KONGSBERG Competence Assessment Tool) is receiving positive reports from the global oil & gas fleet supplier Siem Offshore, consolidating a deal between the two companies worth in the region of $68,000 (700,000NOK).A digital tool which enables personnel assessments to be carried out online, K-CAT’s abilities range from pre-employment evaluation through to crew competence verification. It is available via all computers and smart devices with an internet connection, and can also be configured in offline mode.

Kongsberg Maritime announced an integrated strategy to deliver remote, targeted training for its customers. Providing this service through digital platforms reduces travel, cost, time away from home and climate footprint. Three products – Remote Training, e-Learning and K-CAT (Kongsberg Competence Assessment Tool) – combine to ensure that vessel crews can fully benefit from Kongsberg’s expertise from the convenience and safety of their homes or offices.Remote Training is delivered through established virtual classrooms and online training tools.

The Government of Canada is acting to preserve and restore marine ecosystems that are vulnerable to increased marine shipping and development.Transport Canada has awarded a contract to ESSA Technologies Ltd. under the Oceans Protection Plan to look at methodologies and tools to assess the cumulative impacts of marine shipping on coastal marine ecosystems.Transport Canada’s national cumulative effects assessment framework for marine shipping will identify regionally specific tools…

Late last year, the Transportation Research Board released a major study that was undertaken “in response to the rapid development of domestic sources of energy and questions about the safest ways to move these products.” The Study Committee examined the operational responses of the three primary modes impacted by the fracking revolution – rail, pipeline and maritime. A primary observation of this work was that that the “Marine Transportation System Offers a Model for Robust Safety…

Cargotec Corporation's Extended Executive Board has set the company sustainability targets for 2018. The targets support Cargotec's strategic must-win battles - services, digitalisation and people leadership - with which the company aims to become the global leader in intelligent cargo handling. Cargotec's focus in 2018 will be on increasing safety awareness, setting a new sustainability standard for the supply chain, increasing the usage of renewable electricity, and ensuring that human rights-related company practices and processes are at the correct level. "Our sustainability roadmap and targets support our strategy. They are set to ensure the standard sustainability management level of our operations…

Issuer Anthony Veder Group, sole arranger ABN AMRO and sole investor Delta Lloyd Asset Management announcd today that the Anthony Veder €66 million euro private placement concluded in the fourth quarter of 2015 has been confirmed as the first sustainable shipping loan. The loan is fully certified according to the Clean Shipping Index Guidelines by Bureau Veritas, which also verified the sustainable credentials of this transaction. This is a landmark transaction in the global shipping industry which to date, has not joined the ranks of verified sustainable financing. The transaction was solely arranged by ABN AMRO on behalf of Anthony Veder Group as a European Private Placement to finance the building of the 18…

Seagull Maritime has launched an advanced software tool able to benchmark seafarer knowledge levels, allowing shipowners and operators to compare their crew and potential recruits with industry peers. The new tool will provide shipping companies with online access to data that can help them take objective decisions on recruitment sources and identify areas where further training is required. Benchmarking establishes the standards specific industries find acceptable, in terms of products, service levels or competitive practices, then finds ways to meet or improve upon these standards. Companies use benchmarking to measure their successes and pinpoint their shortcomings.

BMT ARGOSS (BMT) and Charta Software have announced a partnership to develop a multifunctional software package named METRIS, (Modelsysteem voor Evaluatie Tijpoortregeling en RIsico’S bodemberoering), meaning ‘Model system to evaluate tidal admission policy and risk of seabed touchdown’, for the Dutch Directorate-General. The partnership aims to meet clientele needs by combining BMT’s experience in heading analysis, vessel response behavior, weather forecasting and shallow water metocean conditions, with Charta’s ability to deliver high quality software.

BMT SMART Ltd., a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd., is announced the introduction of the Charter Party reporting module within its performance monitoring portfolio. The new functionality will allow reports to be compiled at the end of a ship’s voyage, capturing significant details of the journey such as metocean data associated with the voyage, fuel usage, voyage information and total emissions used. These reports are then compared with the agreed Charter Party conditions. This streamlined compliance assessment tool allows the investigation of nonconformance, using the recorded vessel data.

Former USCG Admiral Thad Allen is a transformational leader in the history of the service, a rock through thick and thin. Today he talks about resource allocation, risk management and homeland security. As part of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Justice and Homeland Security business group, Executive Vice President and former U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen leads the development of thought leadership and client engagements regarding the future direction of law enforcement and homeland security. The Coast Guard is under pressure to either pare its mission mix or downscale what it does.

Nordic American Tankers (NAT) published its financial results from 4Q 2013, noting an expected increase in tanker rates that the company expects to play a role in its recovery. In early December 2013 the Suezmax tanker rates increased significantly compared with the average for 2013. A few weeks into 2014 the rates have weakened again. We expect improved results in 1Q 2014. The timecharter results of NAT were slightly lower in 4Q 2013 than in 3Q 2013. Short term rates in the tanker market are very volatile.

Tecnitas, the marine advisory arm of leading international classification and verification group Bureau Veritas (BV), has launched a new technology simulation system for pipeline damage assessment, in collaboration with Total. This system, EMPREINTE, helps pipeline operators to determine safe operating pressures after a pipeline is damaged. It is a software suite which provides a decision making tool which, according to BV, aims to save operators money and cut downtime for pipeline repairs.

Managing the risks associated with a new ship acquisition, whether commercial or military, can be a daunting process. For the commercial operator, the new ship must make a reasonable profit after the cost of design and the annual operating costs are accounted for. The warfighter must fit his new acquisition into ever-shrinking fiscal budgets while ensuring that a vital mission capability is met. Programmatic Risk – Will the selected hull form and associated requirements successfully meet the owner’s needs?

The International Jack Up Barge Owners Association (IJUBOA) established its Code of Practice last year, providing a standard against which companies can be audited. It is based on the International Safety Management (ISM) code. After a successful audit, companies get a “Certificate of Conformity” similar to the ISM “Document of Compliance.”  A major change to current practice for those operating small barges is that the code requires companies to appoint a Designated Person Ashore to bring all operators in line with those already complying with ISM.

The Norwegian marine training specialist Seagull is now the sole provider of onboard training systems to the Interorient fleet. Cyprus-headquartered Interorient employs over 300 shore-based employees and more than 1,200 seafarers on around 60 fully managed ships, including a number of predominantly ice class product tankers, containerships, roll-on roll-off  vessels and bulk carriers. The global provider of marine transportation services has used Seagull training modules since 2005, starting with Seagull’s Crew Evaluation System (CES), the computer-based assessment tool which is used to evaluate the knowledge of  seafarers as part of the company’s recruitment and promotion process, and to identify future training requirements.

Castrol Marine has renewed its Corporate Membership of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology’s (IMarEST) Marine Partners initiative. Fiona Morris, Acting Chief Executive of IMarEST, praised "Sea Your Future - a Guide to Marine Careers": a comprehensive assessment tool engineered by Castrol, which consists of eleven multi-level technical training modules designed to improve crew skills and knowledge levels. From Ship Types to Used Oil Analysis, the training covers key areas of the marine industry ensuring greater crew capability. Castrol Academy combines traditional print-based modules, with interactive DVDs and online assessment. The renewed partnership will see Castrol Academy modules available through IMarEST.

Castrol Marine has renewed the Corporate Membership of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology’s (IMarEST) Marine Partners initiative. “If there is one thing better than acquiring a new member of the Marine Partner scheme, it is news that a long-time partner is renewing its relationship with us,” says Fiona Morris, Interim Chief Executive of IMarEST. “It is extremely stimulating working with Castrol Marine, and we are delighted that we will be doing so for another year.

L-3 MPRI has launched the first liquid cargo handling simulator (LCHS) model for handysize products tankers capable of carrying mixed loads of crude oil, products and Class 2 chemicals. The simulator provides lifelike training in all aspects of operating such tankers. MPRI also introduced the WISE Assessment Tool that intelligently gauges students’ ability to perform multiple critical tasks at once. The new tool works across all of MPRI’s LCHS models. Determining the proper compatibility of handysize products tankers’ oil and chemical cargoes is vital to avoiding major safety risks including spills, explosions and fires. In addition to cargo selection and composition…