Date Technology News

Qtagg recently secured an order on a total upgrade of Silja Europa’s propulsion control system, a makeover designed to decrease the ship’s fuel consumption by 6% and CO2 emissions by 2096 tons yearly, according to the manufacturer. The overhaul includes engine speed governors, fuel rack actuators, pitch control and voyage optimization with EcoPilot.At 59,912 gt, Silja Europa is Tallink’s largest cruise vessel. Until the summer of 2022 it operated on the Baltic Sea, between Helsinki (Finland) – Tallinn (Estonia).

US Watercraft has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with SeaArk Marine to utilize the complete portfolio of its commercial firefighting, military, survey and workboats.US Watercraft is a builder of aluminum and steel vessels located on the Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina. “The SeaArk Marine models will be the marquee products for US Watercraft,” said Randy Borges, managing director of US Watercraft. “We are excited to offer new builds of the highly respected and proven designs…

The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) announced that the international Marine Aids to Navigation Day (WAtoN Day) will be held around the world for the first time.DMA marks the WAtoN Day at Nakkehoved Lighthouse in collaboration with Museum Nordsjælland on July 1, 2019.The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) will together with many national marine administrations including Denmark celebrate the WAtoN Day under the theme "Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet", and by that draw attention to the work on the development of Aids to Navigation and, not least, to tell about the importance of why we use beacons, buoys etc.

Imagine a settlement over falsifying emission levels in another transportation sector dropping money onto your deck. Who knew? But it’s true. The $2.9 billion settlement fund Volkswagen agreed to capitalize for distribution across all 50 states, tribal lands and Puerto Rico, as a result of “dieselgate,” its criminal dodging of required auto emission levels, presents an unparalleled opportunity to maritime companies that want to move their noxious diesel engines up a couple of EPA notches, and stick someone else with close to half the bill or more.

Marine News looks back at the past 12 months and showcases the best of North America’s workboat design shop and shipyard output. In a year where some stakeholders might not rank 2016 as the best of years in the shipyard or on the waterfront, we might disagree. And, there is plenty to write about. New contracts, deliveries and designs all combine to show that the collective workboat waterfront is moving forward, with technology, the environment and replacement tonnage requirements as the main drivers.

Navy nuclear submarine HMS Ambush yesterday steamed to Gibraltar – in a massive show of force against Spain. The Spanish – emboldened by Britain’s Brexit vote – demanded joint sovereignty over The Rock on the same day the shock results were announced. But the official reason given by military sources was that it was 'part of her scheduled operational tasking. Earlier this week , it was announced that the UK's submarine parachute assistance group would be in Gibraltar next week as part of ongoing mandatory training. HMS Ambush is described by the Royal Navy as its newest and most advanced submarine, fitted with “the most up-to-date technology” and providing “a formidable tool at the cutting edge of the UK’s military capability”.

The Danish-led e-navigation project, EfficienSea2, got one step closer to being launched when a core element of the project – Maritime Cloud – was debated by a group of international maritime organisations and companies. The purpose of the project EfficienSea2 is to develop and implement e-navigation and, thus, up-to-date technology on board ships by introducing and using modern communication, navigation and administrative systems. The concept behind the Maritime Cloud has been developed by the Danish Maritime Authority in connection with previous international projects. By now, it has matured so much that it is ready to receive feedback from relevant international maritime organisations and companies.

Ellicott Dredges, LLC has debuted a new design 20” (500 mm) cutter suction dredge, the Series 2070 Dragon dredge. Aiming to take advantage of modern, up-to-date technology and advanced design techniques, the new dredger unit will eventually replace the Series 1870 Dragon as Ellicott’s standard and in-stock 20” dredge. “This is a truly modern and efficient design without any sacrifice of the versatility, long life and high production rates that owners of the 1870 have come to expect,” said Paul Quinn, Vice President of Sales for Ellicott.

The Australian Maritime College (AMC) has opted to extend its Long Term Simulator Support Program (LTSSP) with Kongsberg Maritime for a further five years. The LTSSP ensures that all Kongsberg Maritime simulators installed at AMC’s sites in Launceston and Perth are up-to-date and operating optimally. Additionally, the LTSSP provides AMC the opportunity to upgrade to the new K-Sim Navigation technology platform. AMC is one of the largest maritime training organizations in the Southern Hemisphere and is highly regarded for its work in Dynamic Positioning…

Family owned shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group, announce the investment of £70million to build six new vessels at the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. Four D class IMT 950 Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs) and two F class IMT 958 ERRVs will be delivered during 2014 and early 2016, replacing existing tonnage in the fleet. The fleet expansion comprises of four D Class vessels, complementing the existing four D Class vessels already in service within the fleet.

Family-owned shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group, today announced the investment of £70 million to build six new rescue vessels at the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. Four D class IMT 950 Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs) and two F class IMT 958 ERRVs will be delivered during 2014 and early 2016, replacing existing tonnage in the fleet. Douglas Craig, Chairman and Managing Director of Craig Group, said, “This significant investment is part of our continued drive to operate the largest and most modern wholly British owned fleet engaged in the U.K.

Family owned shipping firm The Craig Group launched its latest Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), the Grampian Sceptre this week at the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. The vessel was officially christened by Mrs. Frances Murray, wife of Alistair Murray, Logistics Team Lead at Talisman Sinopec Energy U.K. Ltd. Craig Group committed £50M to the construction of this vessel, and it’ sister vessel the Grampian Sovereign. The vessels are the largest ever built by Craig Group and both have secured long term contracts with Talisman Sinopec Energy U.K. Limited.

French luxury liner, Compagnie du Ponant has picked BASSnet software solutions to drive key functions on its superior liners and flagship yacht¸ in a maiden contract for BASS in the cruise liner business. The hallmark of the BASSnet  software is that they provide a comprehensive solution for all important areas of Compagnie du Ponant’s maritime operations, are built on an up-to-date technology platform that makes them future-proof and that they win accolades for their outstanding user-friendly experience. This is enhanced by the proven ability of BASS to deploy the new systems rapidly through a structured implementation process. Compagnie du Ponant’s CIO…

Incat Crowther  announced the successful completion of the re-fit of the 43m Catamaran Ferry Seastreak Wall Street. Seastreak Wall Street was the third of four such vessels built by Gladding Hearn in Massachusetts, and was launched in 2003. The vessels were originally fitted with four Cummins KTA50 main engines, each producing 1424kW. The engines drove a quartet of KaMeWa A50 water jets. The original propulsion package was chosen with emphasis on speed for the Atlantic Highlands to Manhattan service, delivering speeds in excess of 38 knots and four-engine redundancy.

BASS Software Ltd, a leading provider of maritime software solutions, has added a top ranking customer to its expanding customer base with the German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd AG choosing its fleet management systems. Hapag-Lloyd, which operates a fleet of more than 145 container ships, selected the BASSnet Fleet Management Systems to be installed initially on 40 vessels. “The signing up of Hapag-Lloyd is an outstanding endorsement of the BASSnet software,” said BASS Regional Manager, Torsten Ecks. conversion. Hapag-Lloyd has opted for the latest integrated BASSnet suite, which enables users to access new and enhanced features. Jens Habler…

For the Italian navy, the Siemens Industry Solutions Division is equipping two new submarines of the U212A type with fuel cell modules for air-independent propulsion. The systems are ordered by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW). Delivery of the two submarines to the Italian navy is planned for 2015 and 2016. This will increase to 30 the number of submarines plying the seas worldwide with a Siemens fuel cell technology. The order has a volume of around $42.6m. The submarines are being built at the Italian Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A shipyard.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) released today 11 principles that have guided its operations and the formulation of the Permanent Modernization Plan - the Authority's long-term, strategic business plan, which will be completed next year. Based on the ACP's mission, vision and values, the "Guiding Principles" have been at the center of the organization's goals, objectives, and operations and have served as the ACP's "true north" - a guide for ACP management and employees regarding the priorities and fundamental goals and objectives of the Canal. The Guiding Principles have also led the ACP in undertaking and conducting business and planning for the Canal's future.

Sarawak Slipways’ Executive Director for Production, Edward P. K. Chew, has 28 years in design and construction of new vessels since qualifying as a naval architect in the U.K. A good example of the sort of new vessel that meets that need for up-to-date technology is the ABS-classed 58-meter Offshore Utility Vessel on which the yard is beginning construction for Miri-based Bumi Armada Navigation Sdn. Bhd. With a 13.8-m beam and a 5.5-m molded depth, the vessel will have tankage for 500 cu. m. of ship’s fuel oil, an additional 800 cu. m. of cargo fuel oil as well as 300 cu. m. of fresh water. Accommodation for 40 men includes two single cabins for the captain and chief engineer and, five two-berth cabins, seven four berth cabins. Twelve of these berths are intended for the charterer’s use.