Measurement Equipment News

The Port of Amsterdam announced a pilot project deploying a sailing drone that inspects the depth of marginal ships at the locks of IJmuiden, in a bid to gain experience in new technologies in nautical processes.The pilot has been set up with a view to gaining more information and experience regarding sailing drone technology. This development together with autonomously sailing vessels will have a great impact on future nautical processes.The experiment last week (8 to 13 July) took the first steps in examining the impact, the potential of the technology for Port of Amsterdam and the steps Port of Amsterdam has to take to prepare for a more structural deployment in the future.The pilot has been set up in collaboration with Seabed.

In order to prepare the Port of Rotterdam Authority for the arrival of autonomous navigation, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has converted a patrol vessel into a floating lab that collects data, including about the vessel’s operation and power.By making these data available to the business community and education, further research can be conducted into the introduction of autonomous navigation and the Port of Rotterdam can make further preparations for this.The first partnership for data exchange from the floating lab has now been signed with Captain AI. They are adding artificial intelligence to the data, which enables computers to be trained as artificial captains to navigate independently through the port.Ronald Paul…

Reliable and robust methods of positioning are required for safe vessel operations at offshore installations. The development of dynamic positioning (DP) systems has been gradual over the past 50 years and today, various manufacturers’ systems are available around the world. IMCA has published a report, IMCA M 229 ‘Mini RadaScan microwave radar sensor for dynamic positioning operations’ to provide an overview of the Mini RadaScan system. “Every measurement technology is bound by limitations (i.e. physics) and external factors (e.g.

For the first time all 16 SECA countries met for the Danish Maritime Authority’s workshop on sulphur regulation enforcement. A total of 35 legal experts, port State control surveyors and naval architects from the authorities in Canada, the EU countries, Russia, the USA and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) checked into the Konventum Conference Centre in Elsinore on 25 February. Here, they were striving – in a very concentrated manner and positive and curious spirit – to exchange experiences and generate ideas for an improved and more homogeneous enforcement of the sulphur regulations. During the course of the two days, the participants…

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…

Maine Maritime Academy Receives a $1.4 Million U.S. DOT Research Grant to Develop a Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory. The Marine Engine Testing and Emissions Laboratory (METEL) at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) is working on several initiatives to implement viable emissions reduction technologies for the marine industry. Funded by a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the METEL laboratory was developed to address environmental sustainability needs in transportation. Working with a Maine startup company, Sea Change Group LLC (SCG), the METEL team is helping to develop and implement a fuel that combines glycerin with diesel fuel to lower both operating cost and emissions for marine diesel engines.

WaveRoller, the wave energy device created by wave energy developer AW-Energy has received independent performance verification, taking the wave power industry one step closer to commercialization. WaveRoller received its validation after operating in fully exposed ocean environment during testing campaigns in 2012 and 2013. AW-Energy submitted detailed data covering wave conditions and device performance for external verification. Independent verification of the WaveRoller power…

Bestobell Valves, part of the President Engineering Group, announced a new contract which brings the total of orders for its innovative patented Float Level Insulation Valves (FLIV) across the world to over 100. The new contract for FLIV is with Bestobell’s Chinese partner, Valseal International Ltd. on behalf of Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai, China. The order is for the six China Shipping and Mitsui O.S.K Lines LNG carriers that will be built there. According to the company, this is a major achievement for Bestobell and Valseal…

Centrica awards contract to GL Garrad Hassan for design, supply, installation & operation of an offshore meteorological mast system. The contract is for Centrica's Celtic Array project in the Irish Sea. Located 15km north of Anglesey, the system includes a meteorological mast, power supply system, navigational aids and full suite of measurement equipment. “We’re delighted to be delivering to this high profile Round 3 project and having the opportunity to use what our Measnet-accredited…

Survey company Geo Plus will soon be putting into service its brand new survey ship Geo Focus. This innovative, hybrid ship will be officially christened on 23 June. The 35 metre long Geo Focus, which Geo Plus commissioned, was developed through a collaboration between Studio Yacht and De Haas Maassluis shipyard. The ship is equipped with ultra-advanced hydrographic measurement equipment for carrying out seafloor surveys. In line with Geo Plus' vision of sustainability, the Geo Focus has been equipped with innovative diesel hybrid propulsion.