Dynamic Positioning Control Systems News

With digitalization technologies sweeping through maritime, Henrik Segercrantz, Maritime Reporter’s correspondent in Helsinki, explores latest developments in the quest to harness the power of 'big data.'Wärtsilä's Smart Marine EcosystemWärtsilä continues to build its leadership resume in marine and energy markets, boasting net sales of $5.7 billion last year, supported by 18,000 employees with operations in more than 80 countries. Increasingly Wärtsilä is using ‘smart’ technologies in its growing scope of products for the maritime industry…

Wärtsilä Corporation announced that its acquisition of the Germany based L-3 Marine Systems International (MSI) has been finalized and control of the company will be transferred to Wärtsilä with effect from June 1, 2015. In December 2014, Wärtsilä announced that agreement had been reached to acquire MSI from NYSE-listed L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. using financing from existing cash resources and credit facilities. The transaction is valued at MEUR 285 (enterprise value). After estimated adjustments of cash, working capital, and pension liabilities, the purchase price is estimated to be MEUR 295. The final purchase price will be determined based on closing accounts. The acquisition received Korean merger control clearance in March and EU clearance in April.

L-3 Marine Systems International (L-3 MSI) will showcase a range of systems and services for cruise ship operations, including automation, integrated navigation, dynamic positioning, onboard entertainment and drive systems, in Hall C, Stand 1931, at Cruise Shipping Miami, March 16-19. L-3 noted that its highlights will include live demonstrations of the advanced NACOS Platinum series. Also featured as part of the demonstrations will be an L-3 Valmarine multifunctional VALMATIC…

L-3 Marine Systems International (L-3 MSI) has announced that it has been awarded a contract to provide its latest NACOS Platinum series aboard two new 150,000-gross-ton cruise ships for Star Cruises. Built by MEYER WERFT at its Papenburg shipyard in northern Germany, the 335-meter-long vessels are due to be delivered in 2016 and 2017. “We are extremely proud to once again be selected to supply Star Cruises with state-of-the-art maritime technology, as well as our NACOS integrated navigation equipment…

Wärtsilä Corporation is to acquire L-3 Marine Systems International from NYSE-listed L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. L-3 Marine Systems International (L-3 MSI) is a business sector within L-3’s Electronic Systems business segment primarily focused on the commercial ship industry. The transaction is valued at MEUR 285 (enterprise value), subject to customary adjustments including an estimated reduction of MEUR 60 for L-3 MSI employee pension-related liabilities to be assumed by Wärtsilä Corporation. Financing for the deal will be from existing cash resources and credit facilities. The acquisition is subject to clearance from the regulatory authorities. The acquisition is expected to be closed during the second quarter of 2015.

L-3 Marine Systems International (L-3 MSI) has been awarded a contract to provide its NACOS Platinum navigation system, including an integrated dynamic positioning system, for the third ship in Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) Oasis class, built by STX France at its shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. The 362-meter-long, 227,700-gross-ton ship, with a capacity of 6,360 passengers and a crew of 2,100, will be among the world’s largest cruise liners, together with its sister vessels, the Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas, and is slated for delivery in spring 2016.

L-3 Marine Systems International (L-3 MSI) announced today that it has been awarded a contract to provide a range of navigation, lighting and communication systems for the third ship in Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum class. Built by Meyer Werft at its Papenburg shipyard in northern Germany, the 348-metre-long, 158,000-gross-ton ship is the sister vessel to Quantum of the Seassm, due to be delivered this year, and Anthem of the Seassm, to be launched in 2015, both of which have been similarly outfitted with L-3 equipment. “The three-ship project marks the next step in L-3’s growing support of the world’s premier cruise ship fleets with proven, cutting-edge shipboard system solutions,” said Ulrich Weinreuter, president of L-3 Marine Systems International.

Today at the SMM 2014 exhibition, GE announced it will showcase a variety of cutting-edge projects and solutions to meet demands of the global commercial and naval marine industry. According to Afra Gerstenfeld, General Manager of Transportation’s Marine group, “The products and services GE provides can help customers operate ships more efficiently, reduce emissions and meet stringent global environmental regulations. •    Dongwon Industries-- one of the world's largest tuna fishery companies -- will use two 16V250 GE Marine diesel engines to power two 80-meter-long tuna purse seiners. The first ship is scheduled for commissioning in late 2015. This is the second GE diesels order from Dongwon. Local support is provided by GE’s regional distributor, YusinHR.

L-3 SAM Electronics announced today that it has completed the supply and installation of extensive drive equipment, as well as automation, navigation and positioning systems, on board the Heavy-Lift Jack-Up Vessel (HLJV) Vidar, which is operated by HOCHTIEF Infrastructure GmbH for construction and service support of offshore wind farms. The Vidar is the latest in a series of recently completed offshore turnkey projects undertaken by L-3 SAM Electronics on behalf of leading operators in the world’s offshore industry.

Dynamic positioning control systems from Navis Engineering have met performance expectations set out in the sea trials of the 62m aluminum fast supply vessel (FSV) FOS THOR. Designed by, built for and managed by Fast Offshore Supply Pte Ltd (FOS), of Singapore, FOS THOR is equipped to meet the highest industry standards and is the largest vessel of its type to be built in Asia. FOS Thor features four controllable pitch propellers (CPP) and two bow thrusters, a configuration ensuring superior DP performance…

L-3 Marine Systems International (L-3 MSI) has announced  that it has supplied its NACOS Platinum series aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s new 324-meter, 145,500-gross ton cruise liner, Norwegian Getaway. Built by Meyer Werft at its Papenburg shipyard in northern Germany, the vessel entered service in February of this year from its home port of Miami and accommodates 4,000 passengers. Norwegian Getaway is the sister vessel to Norwegian Breakaway, which was launched last year, and is equipped with the same L-3 SAM Electronics and L-3 Valmarine integrated NACOS Platinum systems.

Navis Engineering says it has delivered its NavDP4000 system and Autopilot AP4000 for the new icebreaker 'Baltika'. Navis explains that its dynamic positioning control systems have met performance expectations in the sea trials of the multifunctional icebreaking rescue and emergency vessel Baltika.The state-of-the-art icebreaker, commissioned in early April 2014, is fitted with the Nav DP4000 (DP System) and the Navis AP4000 Heading control system (autopilot). Designed by Finnish company Aker Arctic, Baltika was built by the Arctech shipyard in Helsinki and its construction has involved a profound rethinking of icebreaking capability.

L-3 SAM Electronics announced that it will exhibit an extensive range of advanced automation, navigation, dynamic positioning, electric propulsion, shore connection and degaussing systems for ships of all types and sizes in at Nor-Shipping, in Oslo, Norway, June 4-7. Key exhibits will highlight the latest enhancements to L-3’s established NACOS Platinum series of bridge-based integrated navigation, automation and control systems, which provide a full range of functionality and unprecedented levels of usability and scalability. Utilizing a common network and standardized sensors for improved levels of operational safety and convenience…

Growing reliance on DP technology, a burgeoning global market and the focus on offshore safety means that DP capabilities are no longer optional. The requirement for Dynamic Positioning (DP) capabilities on offshore tonnage is growing in leaps and bounds; directly related to the offshore drilling boom in many parts of the globe. And, says Michael C. Ford, Vice President of Commercial Operations for L-3 Dynamic Positioning and control Systems, “The global market is larger than you would think. For every rig out there, 7 to 8 OSV’s and 2 construction vessels are needed to service that operation. In the next few years, it will involve at least $200 million USD in DP investment.” Ford goes on to say that offshore operations, as a minimum, now demand DP1 capabilities.

Today, we live in a new era of global maritime standards, with the advent of ISO, ISM, and STCW-95. The industry has embraced these standards as mechanisms to ensure that corporate policy, company operational procedures, and mariners sailing on the open seas are measured and certified. Old internal practices have been done away with, and the new standard within the industry is to certify compliance in companies and aboard ships. At the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI), it is our business to train professional mariners. Our curriculum has been structured to exceed the standards of STCW and to provide mariners with the most realistic and technically advanced training available.

The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS), of Linthicum Heights, Md., has awarded STN Atlas a contract to upgrade one of MITAGS' full mission simulation systems. The new system will be installed by STN Atlas at MITAGS in October 2001, and will employ the latest generation of photo-textured on-screen graphics, advanced ship maneuvering capabilities and a complete Raytheon integrated bridge system utilizing Kamewa joystick control systems for steering and ship maneuverability. Through the use of STN Atlas designed removable bridge equipment sections, the MITAGS Raytheon Integrated Bridge System (IBS) is configurable and adaptable to many different types of shiphandling and bridge resource training.