Electronics Solutions News

ABB is launching a new solid state circuit breaker to enable the next generation of safe, energy-efficient direct current (DC) power systems. DC power distribution is at the forefront of strategies to make shipping and marine vessels more sustainable and energy efficient – the SACE Infinitus circuit breaker makes it simpler to integrate, protect and control these new DC network architectures for ships of all types and sizes.DC power systems improve fuel efficiency by up to 20 per cent.

Marlink and Radio Holland have concluded a partnership agreement whereby Marlink has acquired Radio Holland’s connectivity business. According to the partners, the deal strengthens Marlink’s position in maritime VSAT, while Radio Holland will be the preferred global sales and service partner offering Marlink’s satcom connectivity portfolio in combination with its maritime electronics solutions. Furthermore, Radio Holland and the Marlink Group, including Telemar, will intensify their existing cooperation in NavCom sales and servicing.

Marlink has acquired Palantir AS, a Norway-based maritime IT company specializing in remote IT management solutions. The Share Purchase Agreement whereby Marlink acquired 100 percent of Palantir AS shares was completed on March 17, 2017. Palantir provides IT managers on shore with access to individual vessels or entire fleets for remote support and management of on board IT networks. Marlink and Palantir already collaboratep through a strategic partnership agreement started in September 2014, which has enabled Marlink to deliver integrated IT management services to its Sealink multi-band communications service customers, including Stolt Tankers and CMA CGM.

It could be argued that no other sector of the maritime market has experienced a design innovation revolution quite like the Offshore Service Vessel (OSV) market. Driven by demands to supply people, gear and goods to offshore installations that are increasingly further from shore in deeper waters, today’s OSV is a far cry from those built only a decade ago. Maritime Reporter examines some of the recent innovations in design and function. Deepwater operations are increasingly demanding more personnel offshore, often for longer periods of time, placing a greater emphasis on crew accommodation.

Modular liquid-cooled drives and PLCs from ABB have been included in VARD ELECTRO’s innovative, application-specific propulsion and thruster power solutions for offshore supply vessels. The electric motor propulsion technology designed by VARD ELECTRO is used on a series of six platform-supply vessels (PSVs) - the first two of which currently are being built in Japan. Twenty years ago, in response to growing global competition and demands for ever-more sophisticated propulsion performance, the innovative shipbuilding group VARD decided to bring their systems integration function in-house.

Enteq Upstream PLC, a provider of upstream technology and products, launched an integrated Measurement While Drilling (MWD) solution based on proven technologies from Extended Exploration Technology (XXT) and KM Services (KMS), two companies acquired by Enteq in 2012. Enteq’s new development supplies an integrated MWD solution for directional, vibration monitoring, gamma and data transmission. The innovative MWD technology is based on the next generation XXT downhole interface module, drivers and interfaces optimized to work at the highest pressures and temperatures.

CLEAR-COM NAMES SHIPS ELECTRONIC SERVICES LTD AS OFFSHORE MARITIME DISTRIBUTOR IN THE UK. Clear-Com, a global leader in critical voice communication systems, has appointed Ships Electronic Services Ltd (SES) as its sole UK distributor in the offshore maritime market. The leading communication and navigation electronics distributor for the marine industry will offer Clear-Com’s wireless and wired professional intercom products to the commercial shipping sector, as well as the growing oil and gas market. The environment typically found in maritime applications, along with the steel construction of the ship, causes multi-path signal- and frequency-interference issues for wireless intercoms.

Radio Holland, a maritime electronics solutions provider, has been awarded a significant, multi-year contract to supply communication network services to a consortium of maritime shipping companies who are members of the Canadian Ship-owners Association (CSA) and the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA). The CSA and LCA member companies operate 131 Canadian-flagged and American-flagged ships providing bulk carrier shipping services on the Great Lakes, coastal and Artic waters of Canada. The site surveys are already underway, and the installations will begin in January. The communication network services supplied by Radio Holland include, amongst others, Seatel VSAT equipment, iDirect, Linksys and Cisco.

Brunswick New Technologies (BNT) is preparing to test and pilot a new generation of electronics solutions for the marine and recreational industries at its Marine Innovation Center opening today in Raffles Marina, Singapore. "We believe this latest venture in Singapore will further solidify and extend our leadership efforts in marine innovation by enabling Brunswick New Technologies the opportunity to test its applications in real-world situations," said George W. Buckley, chairman and chief executive officer of Brunswick Corporation. BNT, a unit of Brunswick Corporation, was recently formed to focus on developing growth initiatives in software and electronics applications. T.J. Chung is president of Brunswick New Technologies.

It is no secret that acceptance and incorporation of electronic charting systems has been more widespread in Europe than in the U.S., as European governments and commercial organizations collectively have worked more diligently together and built and maintained a lead in this area. The gap, however, is closing, as the era of the electronic chart is quickly arriving in the U.S. In a recent Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it is considering the feasibility of allowing commercial vessels to use electronic charting and navigation systems as their primary means of navigation in U.S. waters. It would have to meet ECDIS standards as supplied by the IMO.