Disruptive Technologies News

Net Income of $4.65 Billion, Adjusted EBITDA  of $6.60 billion, and Adjusted EBIT of $5.82 billionAs the containershipping industry enjoys its greatest boom of a generation, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE: ZIM) announced its consolidated results for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2021.Net income for the fourth quarter was $1.71 billion (compared to $366 million in the fourth quarter of 2020), a year-over-year increase of 366%, or $14.17 per diluted share…

Classification society Bureau Veritas said it has issued novel design approval for what will be the world’s largest very large gas carriers (VLGC).The new 93,000-cubic-meter (CBM) capacity Panda 93P VLGC design has been developed by Jiangnan Shipyard, part of the CSSC Group (China State Shipbuilding Corporation), as an evolution of of the shipyard’s Panda gas carrier series, featuring optimized hull-form to allow increased cargo capacity without significant increases in fuel consumption.

Sea Machines Robotics, a Boston-based developer of autonomous command and control systems for commercial vessels, has hired Moran David as chief commercial officer (CCO).Effective immediately, this new position gives David responsibility for the company’s global sales and marketing of Sea Machines’ advanced technology to the builders and operators of the world’s commercial and defense fleets. Reporting to the company’s CEO Michael G. Johnson, he also has oversight for developing…

When it comes to complying with EPA’s Tier 4 emissions regulations, there’s no shortage of creativity emerging from America’s maritime engineering firms. Companies such as Hug Engineering are offering flexible, customized aftertreatment-based control systems that can assemble almost in modular like fashion. Other companies, such as ABB Group, offer battery-hybrid power sources to complement combustion power and avoid threshold diesel emissions. Engine manufacturers, such as Cummins…

The launch of Europort 2019 at the Rotterdam Ahoy yesterday (November 05) saw well-known journalist Geert Maarse bring four of the leading owners in Europe’s special ship segments to grips with the key challenges facing the maritime industries today and tomorrow. Now in its 39th edition, Europort continues to hold its own as one of the most significant events in the maritime calendar, with registered visitors this year reaching 27,000. In 2020, a new convention center will open alongside the existing site, expanding overall space by 50%.

Global container terminals are expected to embrace automated decision making powered by artificial intelligence (AI) as they pursue ways to improve operational consistencies and enhance equipment utilization.According to  TechValidate customer survey by Navis, 88% of respondents indicated that automated decision making will be very if not extremely important for the future of innovation at terminals.Further, 83% plan to increase their AI investments over the next one-to-three years, signaling growing confidence in the use of innovative technologies to improve terminal efficiencies and gain competitive advantages, said the survey.Nearly 60 Navis customers participated in the survey…

Global ship tracking and intelligence company MarineTraffic has appointed Nikos Psaltopoulos as its first ever Chief Operating Officer (COO) to bolster the firm’s ambitious 2020 vision.According to the Athens headquartered company, it has grown significantly and is working to make MarineTraffic a more vital tool than ever before for maritime professionals through more data and partnerships.MarineTraffic Chief Executive Officer Demitris Memos said: “We are very excited to welcome Nikos to the team and are confident that his energy and passion to disrupt will bring about meaningful, positive change.”“This is a significant move for MarineTraffic and part of our drive to become the world’s leading online platform for the shipping industry…

DNV GL has launched a digital hub in Singapore as part of the transformation of the oil and gas, maritime and energy industries toward digitalization, including increased cyber security and smart infrastructure.The new Singapore hub is called Digital Consulting and Smart Cities, and will include three teams covering smart cities, cyber security and digital development – including support for DNV GL’s open industry platform Veracity.The digital hub, part of DNV GL – Digital Solutions, is set up to work closely with local and regional authorities and industry players to improve the performance of assets and infrastructure and to increase…

The maritime industry has been challenged, to say the least. Today, where do you see challenge? Where do you see opportunity?It’s clear our business environment continues to change and we have a new definition of what normal means: nothing is normal. We are in era of rapid, disruptive and impactful change.The coming years will bring further turbulence, shaking out our industry and setting the course for the next 20 years and beyond. Market cycles will continue to evolve and will be impacted differently than they are today.For example…

OK. Full disclosure. We spent more than ‘five minutes’ on the phone with Chia Yoo Soon, General Manager, Finished Lubricants – Marine, Chevron Marine Lubricants. But given that we are based in New York and he is based in Singapore, the time difference mandated an efficient conversation for both. Without overstating the obvious, ship owners are under tremendous pressures. A relentless regulatory hammer continues to pound out new and ever stricter environmental and emission rules, while at the same time many sectors are in the midst of a historic and prolonged slump.

As one of the most important megatrends this decade, digitalization is already moving beyond the concept of connectivity and data gathering towards a greater and more integrated future where the entire industry coexists as one digital ecosystem. As this vision becomes a reality, we will see a new era of partnerships, knowledge sharing, and AI-led practices. Disruptive technologies and ground-breaking projects have begun to transform the maritime landscape, and the opportunities that emerge from this transition will avail the innovators and organizations that are already embracing the digital frontier. “Digitization and cloud computing are enablers for an industry that needs to remain relevant, cost-effective and drive value to all of its customers. We are an industry in change.

It is not business as usual in the world where we do business. Things are changing. Even regulations themselves are changing from less prescriptive in nature to more performance-based. As Chairman, President and CEO of a global classification and technology-centric company that operates in 70 countries with 5,000 employees, I am continually assessing the impact of these changes on the capabilities ABS needs to fulfill its mission and maintain its leadership position in the maritime, offshore and government industries it serves. To know where we are heading, we have to know where we began.

Naval experts from around the world are meeting in Cartagena, Colombia, for the Operations and Technology (OPTECH) South 2017 conference. The event is being conducted by the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Littoral Operations Center (LOC), supported by the Office of Naval Research-Global and the Colombian Naval Science and Technology Office and Swedish defense company Saab. The littoral is the complex “near shore” environment where hydrography, geography, commerce, fishing…

Modus Seabed Intervention has successfully completed trialling one of the subsea industry’s first commercially available hybrid unmanned underwater vehicles. It will be one of the first autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to feature the capabilities and characteristics of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). In partnership with Saab Dynamics, Modus has developed the Saab Sabretooth to offer greater endurance and speed, and is also developing advanced sensor payload packages and operating methodologies. The vehicle is expected to contribute to more cost-effective survey and inspection projects in the offshore, defence and oceanographic sectors. Following successful trials in Sweden and the UK, Modus is preparing the advanced spread for its first commercial deployment.

Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Andrew Tan, attended the second Port Authorities Roundtable (PAR) in Rotterdam. Hosted by the Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoR), the closed-door roundtable event brought together port authorities from major ports in Asia, Europe and US to network, exchange views and explore areas of collaboration. Participants included port authorities which attended the inaugural PAR in Singapore such as Ningbo Municipal Port Administration Bureau, Port Klang Authority, and Japan, Bureau of Port and Harbor, as well as new participants such as Port of Hamburg, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach and Port of Guangzhou.

ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Speaking at the opening session of the CMA Shipping 2016 Conference, ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki shared his views on developing the talent needed to lead the maritime industry forward. Setting the stage for a discussion on “Local Talent, Global Impact,” Wiernicki told attendees that the challenges impacting the industry demand new skills as well as a new way of developing leaders, and this requires organizations to change their approach.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) on May 28, 2014 seeking proposals under the Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) program to transition innovative technologies that resolve operational challenges or save costs into existing acquisition programs. The RIF Program is a Congressionally-mandated program, currently authorized from FY11 – FY15 and managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). RIF facilitates innovative technologies that show a clear transition path to fielding the technology into existing defense acquisition programs. There is a two-step selection process. The BAA will list the technology areas of interest for each participating component, instructions for submission of white papers, and source selection criteria.

QinetiQ Maritime contracted by UK'sMinistry of Defence (MOD) to research co-ordinated defence against attacks on Royal Naval ships. The contract is to carry out research into the co-ordinated defence of the Royal Navy fleet against the emerging threat of attacks from small, fast and agile boats that might be used by pirates, terrorists or other hostile forces. The contract has been awarded by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a trading fund of the MoD which maximises the impact of science and technology for UK defence and security. The research brings together two innovative concepts from QinetiQ with the potential to deliver an integrated solution for the Royal Navy to counter the small boat threat.

As Director of Innovation, Dr. Larry Schuette is one of three portfolio directors at the Office of Naval Research (ONR). His counterparts are the director of research (discovery and invention) and director of transition. The Office of Innovation promotes, fosters, and develops innovative science, technology, processes and policies that support the Department of the Navy. “I manage the ‘leap ahead’ portfolio here at the Office of Naval Research,” he says. Schuette leads both technological innovation in as well as the business of innovation.

Focus Area Forums, are an initiative of Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, the chief of naval research. The goal: bring together experts and find new and low-cost ways to support Navy and Marine Corps priorities, and advance disruptive technologies for our Sailors and Marines. The first Forum was on unmanned systems. "The lifeblood of scientific research is generating new ideas and sharing information," said Klunder. Nearly 200 participants came to the recent forum from across government…

The Littoral OPTECH East workshop is being held in Tokyo, Japan this week with the academic leadership of the Littoral Operations Center (LOC) at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. OPTECH East has the support of the U.S. Office of Naval Research Global, and with the participation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Swedish Navy and the defense company, Saab. Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, who commands the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet, was the keynote speaker for the first day.

EXPERTS from navies, academia and industry are meeting in Tokyo to examine the unique challenges of operating in the littoral or coastal environment. The Littoral OPTECH East workshop is being held in Tokyo, Japan this week with the academic leadership of the Littoral Operations Center (LOC) at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. OPTECH East has the support of the U.S. Office of Naval Research Global, and with the participation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Swedish Navy and the defense company, Saab. Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, who commands the U.S.