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Complex Systems News

15 Dec 2023

Achieving Digital Transformation in the Marine Industry

Image credit: Siemens

Like so many other industries in transportation, the marine industry is being challenged on multiple fronts—from a shortage of manpower and emerging digital technologies to sustainability requirements. In the face of these growing pressures, ship designers increasingly rely on digital transformation to stay competitive and deliver higher-quality products. Digital transformation offers many solutions across a ship’s lifecycle, from design and crew training to interconnectivity and automation


12 Sep 2023

Indonesian Government Buys UK-Built Submarine Rescue System

Source: SMP

UK-based Submarine Manufacturing and Products (SMP) will provide its new submarine rescue system (SRS) to the Indonesian Navy.The SRS will be hosted on a mothership designed by independent design and engineering consultancy Houlder and delivered by its Indonesian strategic partner, BTI Defence.The three-year build contract will include the UK design and manufacture of the SRS, centered around SMP's new SRV-F Mk3 rescue submersible. The custom build of the mothership will take place in region


05 Jul 2023

Rolls-Royce Acquires Team Italia

Source: Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce has acquired Team Italia/Onyx Marine, an Italian group specializing in yacht bridges and marine automation.Having begun to collaborate on joint development projects in 2019, the two companies now agreed that the best way to realize strategic growth plans would be for Team Italia to become part of Rolls-Royce.Team Italia, established in 2000, designs and develops integrated bridges and marine navigation and automation systems – mainly for Italian yacht builders and shipyards positioned prominently on the global yacht market.With this acquisition


10 Apr 2023

BAE Systems Begins Building UK's New Frigate in Scotland

(Photo: BAE Systems)

Construction on the U.K. Royal Navy's future HMS Birmingham has officially commenced at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow.Work on the first three Type 26 ships is well under way with HMS Glasgow now at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard to have her complex systems installed, HMS Cardiff currently being assembled and HMS Belfast in its early construction phase. HMS Birmingham is the first ship to be constructed under a £4.2 billion contract for the remaining five ships secured in November


27 May 2022

US Navy Taps GA-EMS to Study Propulsor Bearing Concept Designs

(File photo: Mark Turney / U.S. Navy)

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) said on Friday it has been awarded a task order from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) to conduct a manufacturing assessment of several new propulsor bearing concept designs for U.S. Navy submarines. The task order is under the Propulsor Demonstration Hardware (PDH) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract previously awarded to GA-EMS.“Manufacturing feasibility evaluations such as this are crucial steps in determining whether a new concept design will deliver greater performance


22 Feb 2022

Furuno Earns LR AIP for HermAce

© nespix / Adobe Stock

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) said it has granted approval in principle (AIP) to Furuno Hellas for the HermAce voyage data recorder (VDR) digital twin and remote service as an alternative to onboard annual VDR performance testing, marking the first verification of a digital twin specifically designed for this purpose.LR’s verification and subsequent approval has been recognized by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, allowing a pathway for


14 Jan 2022

Training Tips for Ships: Are Mariners Knowledge Workers?

Copyright Inna/AdobeStock

What is the difference between knowledge and skills? Which should we focus more on in our training, and how does one influence the other?When we think about the most important mariner quality, often the first thing that comes to mind is skill. Can the officer or crewmember safely perform the skills required of him or her? After all, if everyone performs their necessary skills correctly, what more is there?There is, in fact, much more. Let’s see what the experts have to say:“A study by the U.S.

04 Nov 2021

Havyard Delivers Final Wellboat for Frøy

New build 151, Åsvérfjord on sea trial in the Sognefjorden (Photo: Havyard Leirvik AS)

The vessel Åsværfjord, which is the sixth ship in the Havtrans series, is leaving Havyard Leirvik to go into service for Frøy.Managing director of the yard, Tor Leif Mongstad, says they must have broken the world record for start-up on these kinds of ships.‘I do not think there is anyone who can compare with us when it comes to starting up this type of ships. We have learned a lot along the way and dare to say that we are experts in wellboats.’Excellent, quick workHåkon Bosdal has been project manager for Åsværfjord.

08 Jul 2021

Industry-First: SEA-KIT's USV Gets LR Certificate

Fugro Blue Essence USV and ROV heading to a project in the APAC region. Photo credit Fugro

UK-based unmanned surface vessel developer SEA-KIT has said it has been awarded the first-ever Unmanned Marine Systems (UMS) certificate by Lloyd’s Register for its USV built for Fugro."SEA-KIT has worked closely with Lloyd’s Register since early 2020 in a concerted effort to achieve the highest standards for the Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) sector, culminating with their latest 12m X-class USV for leading geo-data specialist, Fugro, being awarded thenew UMS certification on 28 June 2021.

25 May 2021

ABS Members Weigh Rule Changes for New Tech

© momentscatcher / Adobe Stock

ABS members debated more than 400 changes to its rules during the Annual Marine and Offshore Technical Committee Meetings in May.Key areas for discussion included scantling refinements for containerships and gas carriers, flare tower vibrations and water-backed welding.Members, including leading technical experts from major shipyards, designers, owners and operators, also heard presentations on new EEXI and CII regulations and issues with aging floating production, storage and


26 May 2020

BMT’s Pentamaran: Next-gen Hull for Autonomous Ops

Image: BMT

Designed to meet challenges of long range autonomous ops, the ‘Pentamaran’ design has been optimized to reduce fuel consumption and increase flexibilityBMT recently released details of its next generation ‘Pentamaran’ platform for autonomous applications, vessels that can be custom configured for military, patrol, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and hydrographic survey work.The Pentamaran has been designed to reduce drag as much


15 Dec 2019

Dutch MoD Shortlists Naval Group for Submarine

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MOD) has selected France's Naval Group to enter the next phase in the selection process for the Submarine Replacement program."Naval Group looks forward to entering an in-depth technical cooperation with DMO to conduct this joint-design phase in close association with the involved stakeholders. The Group strongly believes that the envisaged operational profile is very much in line with the mission capabilities of the conventionally powered Barracuda family submarine," said a press note from"Naval Group thankfully acknowledges this new phase, which will allow the joint in-depth design process to be translated into a full industrial solution


06 Dec 2019

Zentech, WW Industries Partner

(Photo: Zentech Incorporated)

Two Houston based firms have teamed up to provide offshore drilling rig surveys, engineering and manufacturing for rig modifications or upgrades.Marine engineering and naval architecture firm Zentech Incorporated said it has partnered with fabrication, assembly, and testing company WW Industries (part of the Deepsea Technologies group) in an attempt to leverage the strengths of each other to provide complete turnkey, innovative and cost-effective solutions to their customers.The


29 Oct 2019

Ship Design: Evolving for Efficiency, Compliance

Alternate fuels such as liquid hydrogen are already well-served by existing supply chains. Credit: Glosten

The evolution of marine design is increasingly influenced by three drivers: New three-dimensional design tools, the increasing complexity of power systems, and new access to high-latitude shipping routes. While new digital design tools are a natural progression of the current Information Age, new propulsion energy requirements and Polar shipping routes are reactions to the legacy of the ebbing Industrial Age. Three-Dimensional Design WorkflowsA young naval architect recently stated


05 Aug 2019

NTSB Weighs in on McCain Collision

File image of the USS John McCain (Credit: U.S. Navy)

Insufficient Training, Inadequate Bridge Operating Procedures, Lack of Operational Oversight Led to Fatal Ship Collision. The National Transportation Safety Board said Monday that the Aug. 21, 2017, collision between the USS John S McCain and the tanker Alnic MC was caused by insufficient training, inadequate bridge operating procedures and a lack of operational oversight.Ten sailors aboard the John S McCain died in the accident and 48 were injured when the ships collided in the Middle Channel passage of the Singapore Strait Traffic Separation Scheme.

13 May 2019

Interview: Rolf Stiefel, Winterthur G&D

The next big thing on fuels is LNG. We are a long way from identifying a fuel which offers the same viability, in terms of infrastructure, beyond LNG at the moment. LNG is the necessary bridge which is getting us closer to a carbon neutral future.

The May 2019 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News features a 10-page feature section on "Thought Leadership" in the marine power sector. Here we extract and present the interview with Rolf Stiefel, Vice President Sales, Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd., in its entirety.Please put in perspective and discuss – using your career as the time span – the current environment and pressure to reduce emissions in the maritime industry.When I started in the marine industry (coming from the power generation markets) back in the early 2000’s


18 Nov 2018

Work‘bots’: Autonomous Vessels Arrive

The near-shore and inland workboat fleet is at the leading edge for autonomous vessel developmentWhile the advent of autonomous workboats are not exactly mainstream, you better believe that in the not-too-distant future they will be a reality on waterways in and around the U.S. Today there remain more questions than answers, particularly on the legal, logistics and insurance side of the coin. But the technology is evolving at record pace, providing many in the industry with mixed emotions. Excitement. Controversy. Curiosity. Skepticism. These are just a few of thoughts, and emotions that arise to any mention of the topic of autonomous vessels.It’s happening now.

28 Sep 2018

Coast Guard, Industry Partner on LNG Inspector Training

file Image: TOTE's new LNG-fueled vessel receives (LNG) bunkers. CREDIT: TOTE

The Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Natonal Center of Expertise, industry experts provide technical training for future LNG fueled vessel inspectors.The Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) partnered with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville to coordinate a four-day “LNG as Fuel Workshop” Sept. 17-20, 2018, for future inspectors of LNG fueled vessels, with support from industry experts and the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center.Together, this team of LNG as fuel specialists provided Coast Guard marine inspectors from across the U.S.

10 Jul 2018

Norwegian Breakaway Maintenance Completed

Norwegian Breakaway at Damen Shiprepair Brest (Photo: Damen)

The 326-meter, 146,000 DWT, cruise ship Norwegian Breakaway arrived in Brest on April 28 for 11 days of scheduled maintenance and refurbishment.The primary objective of the visit was mechanical works on the ship’s two ABB azipods. The DSBr team worked alongside ABB service engineers on both azipods to repair the shaft bearings and replace the slewing seals. These works required the removal of both propellers and took place in very close coordination with the other teams working


01 Feb 2018

The Role of Safety in the Offshore Environment

© currahee_shutter/Adobe Stock

On rigs and offshore vessels, the safety of crew and passengers is a top priority in the energy industry. However, with the particularly hazardous environments of remote offshore worksites, accidents can happen, and it’s up to the operators to ensure their crew members are well-equipped to handle an emergency situation. One of the ways they can provide safe conditions on their assets is to invest in the newest, most advanced technologies with enhanced safety features and better automation, keeping more of their crew out of harm’s way.

29 Dec 2017

Best Workboats of 2017

Marine News showcases the best of North America’s 2017 workboat deliveries. There is something for everyone. Notwithstanding the lingering offshore energy downturn, there were plenty of bright spots for North American shipyards in 2017. If a hull was delivered in 2017, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For starters, it is always exciting when a domestic yard delivers a vessel – or multiple vessels, for that matter – to foreign buyers. We can compete in a foreign arena; on price, quality and on-time delivery. This year was no different. No less important is the environmental footprint of a vessel, and there was plenty to report on from that angle in the past 12 months. The domestic waterfront is indeed getting greener and cleaner.

27 Dec 2017

AIS, AtoN, MTS – and you

Figure 1

USACE and USCG collaborate to make inland waterways safer. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), supported by Alion Science and Technology (Alion), has put forth considerable effort during the last two years to further extend the capabilities of the existing Automatic Identification System (AIS) network to improve the safety and efficiency of navigation along the inland rivers. The USACE works with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other agencies and stakeholders to operate and maintain the nation’s Marine Transportation System (MTS).

19 Dec 2017

Technology Qualification on the Route to Autonomy

ABS weighs in on the way forward for marine autonomous systems and navigation technology. The era of digitization and hyper-connectivity is taking the maritime industry on a journey as it transitions from ‘smart’ to remotely operated and then, to autonomous vessels. The OSV sector – and offshore workboats in general – may well be leading that transition, with some projections for remote-controlled vessels as soon as next year. Many new technologies (sensors, navigational systems