ZeroNorth Acquires Bunker Supplier Software Provider BTS
Technology company ZeroNorth announced that it has acquired BTS PTE Ltd., a software platform for marine fuel suppliers, headquartered in Singapore.The deal will see ZeroNorth acquire BTSâs flagship suite of services - iBMS (Intelligent Bunker Management System), which helps marine fuel suppliers, traders and brokers digitalize their business processes through eliminating unproductive tasks, automating work processes, greater sharing of information and enhancing decision making.iBMSâŚ
PowerCell to Establish US Presence
PowerCell announced it is looking to establish a local presence in the U.S. market amid growing demand for its hydrogen electric solutions.The company, founded in 2008 as an industrial spinout from the Volvo Group, develops and produces fuel cell stacks and systems for stationary and mobile applications, including commercial marine vessels. PowerCell currently has a presence in Sweden, Norway and China.âThe U.S. is an exciting and important market for us,â said Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell. âIn the U.S.
Seall Enters Distribution Partnership with Mackay Marine
Aberdeen, Scotland-based Seall has secured a partnership with global marine electronics and service provider Mackay Marine to distribute Seallâs suite of software solutions and products to the maritime industry, as they expand their worldwide footprint.Mackay Marine, headquartered in North Carolina, USA, has 50 locations in 16 countries, making it Seallâs largest distribution partnership agreement to-date. Seall will work with Mackay to build and scale their offering across their network of partners and customers.
OpEd: HEMEXPO Brings Impetus to Shippingâs Collaborative Agenda
HEMEXPO President, Helen Polychronopoulou, says Greek marine technology developers see collaboration between shipping industry stakeholders as the key to innovation and decarbonization.Helen Polychronopoulou has dedicated her career to the successful growth and development of the marine equipment manufacturing industry in Greece and today leads HEMEXPO â Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters.Established in 2014, HEMEXPO has developed a pivotal role in representing Greek marine technology specialists by reinforcing links worldwide with ship owners and operatorsâŚ
Baxter Marine Group Acquires WheelHouse Technologies, Vessel Vanguard & SeaKits
Baxter Marine Group announced it has acquired Wheelhouse Technologies, VesselVanguard and SeaKits Brand.The combined companies support more than 3,000 commercial, military, charter and recreational watercraft worldwide. Intuitive user tools, mobile applications, work orders, inventory and advanced telematics give owners and operators complete command of their vesselâs operations.Rick Heine, Baxter Marine Group Chairman, said, âOur goal is to provide the marine industry with the most advanced and intuitive systems to improve vessel reliability, safety, and reduce operational costs significantly.âDonald Hyde, founder of Vessel VanguardâŚ
UltraShip to Install Wärtsilä FOS Across Its Fleet
Wärtsilä said its Fleet Operations Solution (FOS) will be employed by UltraShip for the Denmark-based shipowner's entire fleet of 18 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier vessels.The solution by Wärtsilä Voyage is designed to save costs while increasing safety by automatically optimizing the route and speed of the vessel. It also provides the fullest and latest voyage data, keeping both onboard and onshore personnel informed and notified.The contract was signed in Q4 2020 and roll-out will take place during the first and second quarter of 2021.
MESPAS Revamps its Technical Ship Management Software
Swiss IT and engineering firm MESPAS informs it has completely redesigned its Technical Ship Management software, resulting in a user interface that is more modern, intuitive and user-friendly.The new look is based on Microsoft design guidelines, says, noting the new software solution feels familiar and easy to use for those who know Microsoft Office products. Meanwhile, the interface itself uses the latest up-to-date software technology.MESPAS Technical Ship Management is a maritime software product for the management of procurement, maintenance, QHSE, operations and crewing.
EPA Tier 4: Difficult and Contentious, 12 Years and Counting
When it comes to complying with EPAâs Tier 4 emissions regulations, thereâs no shortage of creativity emerging from Americaâs 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 CumminsâŚ
KVH Introduces TracVision UHD7
KVH Industries has introduced the TracVision UHD7, a high-performance 60 cm (24 inch) marine satellite TV antenna designed to provide boat owners, charter yacht guests, and commercial vessel crews with access to ultra high-definition (UHD) and 4K programming from DIRECTV as well as regular HD programming from other leading satellite TV providers. The system is on display at the Fort Lauderdale (FL) International Boat Show, October 30-November 3, in Booth 328.Designed for ease of installation and useâŚ
KVH Ships 10,000th VSAT System
KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), a leader in mobile connectivity, has announced that it has shipped its 10,000th VSAT satellite communications system. This is the latest milestone for a company whose history of innovation in the maritime satellite communications industry began in 2007, when KVH introduced the TracPhone V7, the first maritime 60 cm VSAT terminal, and the mini-VSAT Broadbandsm service. Since that time, KVH has become the market share leader for maritime VSAT terminals (Source: EuroconsultâŚ
Iridium Certus Now Available as Companion to KVH VSAT Systems
KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), has announced that the Iridium Certus service is now available from KVH as a companion for KVHâs TracPhone mini-VSAT Broadband systems. Iridium Certus is a next-generation L-band solution providing pole-to-pole global coverage and featuring small-form-factor, cost-effective antenna terminals. KVHâs VSAT systems include the TracPhone HTS-series, which provide data speeds as fast as 20/3 Mbps (down/up) to meet the connectivity demands of todayâs commercial maritime vessels and global-voyaging superyachts.This companion solutionâŚ
âKVH Watchâ IoT Connectivity Introduced as a Service
KVH Industries has introduced the maritime industryâs only all-inclusive, no-commitment, Internet of Things (IoT) Connectivity as a Service program utilizing global VSAT communications. KVH Watch is designed as the connectivity solution for remote equipment monitoring and intervention by maritime equipment manufacturers and IoT application providers. With remote monitoring, manufacturers can act in real time, minimizing expensive service calls and ensuring that their equipmentâŚ
Virtual Reality Training for Maritime
Recognizing the appeal of virtual reality (VR) for engaging seafarers who need training as they enter and advance through the maritime industry, KVH Videotel and OMS-VR has announced a letter of intent to enter into an exclusive agreement to produce and distribute VR maritime training. Coinciding with the announcement, KVH Videotel will be providing a demo of VR training during the CrewConnect Global Conference in Manila tomorrow and Wednesday, November 6-7.KVH Videotelâs maritime training programs include more than 950 titles related to the Standards of TrainingâŚ
Hapag-Lloyd Launches Optimised Mobile App
Beginning immediately, all Hapag-Lloyd customers can make use of the advantages offered by the carrierâs optimised app, says a press release from the company.The appâs functionality has been expanded to include Quick Quotes and online booking. Quick Quotes makes the quotation process for container shipments faster, easier and more convenient â across the world and around the clock.In just a few seconds and no matter where they are, customers can request a binding offer and then book their container immediately and conveniently.âMobile applications and simple customer processes are extremely important to us â and thatâs exactly why we have significantly improved the Hapag-Lloyd appâŚ
Maritime Thought Leadership: Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS
The maritime industry has been challenged, to say the least. Today, where do you see challenge? Where do you see opportunity?Itâs 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 exampleâŚ
Top Speed For Your Maritime Charts
SevenCs has just released a brand new software tool called TMS ChartServer which is running on a high performance âTile Map Serviceâ technology. It allows users of maritime web and mobile applications â e.g. Fleet Monitoring, Vessel Tracking, and Surveying â to display maritime charts at top speed: no matter if full global chart coverage is needed or just a smaller area of interest. SevenCs GmbH is located in Hamburg, and for decades has been âthe Expertâ in developing maritime software applications.
ABS Rolls Out New Fleet Management Software
ABS announced the release of its Nautical Systems (NS) Enterprise fleet management software, including NS Insight, a new business intelligence module. The NS solution provides complete capabilities to plan, execute and document all compliance work processes. The release includes a new cloud-based NS Voyage Manager, the latest mobile applications, an expanded NS Autologger, and enhancements to NS Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental (HSQE) Manager. âEffectively managing compliance is a core business objective for our clients,â said ABS Chief Digital Officer, Howard Fireman.
Shipbuilding: $13.3 Mln Awarded for R&D Projects
The National Shipbuilding Research Programâs (NSRP) Executive Control Board has selected a new round of research and development (R&D) projects aiming to spur technology advancements in order to reduce costs associated with shipbuilding and ship repair in the U.S. The seven projects â valued at over $13.3 million, including cost share â were selected from those proposed in response to research announcement issued in July 2017, and are outlined below. Objective: The primary goalâŚ
Simple Steps to Futureproof the Shipping Industry
Senior decision makers from all sectors of the shipping industry met in Hamburg yesterday to hear some of the leaders in the digital revolution debate the opportunities and threats faced by the industry today. Although operating in many different fields, their conclusion was startlingly clear. To navigate successfully and profitably in the digital age, ship operators must go back to basics, steering a clear course through the data explosion to harness the benefits of the new technologies whilst avoiding their pitfalls.
New Asset Integrity Management System Launched
Bureau Veritas has launched Veristar AIM 3D asset integrity management system, based on technology partner Dassault Systemsâ 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The new solution combines a digital twin of any marine or offshore assets with smart data in a collaborative environment. Veristar AIM 3D will be used in the design, development and implementation of the operational lifecycle, to reflect and predict the condition of any asset, or fleet of assets. The solution supports risk based inspection and condition based maintenance approaches.
Lake Constance Ferry to Test MTU Gas Engine
From 2019, Rolls-Royce Power Systems and the City of Constance public utility are to begin testing the marine propulsion technology of the future on Lake Constance. This takes the form of a gas engine carrying the MTU brand. The public utility's new car ferry is to be equipped with twin eight-cylinder Series 4000 gas engines from MTU, each delivering 746 kW. This makes it the first inland waterway passenger vessel in Europe to be propelled by straightforward high-speed gas engines. The fuel will be liquefied natural gas.
Coxreels Introduces Three-way Brake for 1600 Series
Hose, cord and cable reel manufacturer Coxreels announced the addition of an optional accessory to improve efficiency and safety of its 1600 Series reel, adding a three-way brake feature to the array of available components, configurations and accessories. Drag brakes are a standard feature on hose reels to prevent free-spooling when momentum continues to spin the reel after the desired length of hose is extracted, Coxreels explained. The three-way brake is a lever-actuated brakeâŚ
Swedenâs PowerCell Establishes German Arm
PowerCell Sweden, an energy technology company with a patented technology for generating electricity from fuel cells, announced today it will establish PowerCell Germany GmbH. André Martin, a senior fuel cell expert and former and Member of the Board of Directors of PowerCell Sweden, was appointed Managing Director of the company. Per Wassén, CEO of PowerCell Sweden, said, âThe establishment of the German branch is a logic step for implementation of our commercialization strategy. The support by Mr. PowerCell, which develops and distributes advanced fuel cell stacks and systems for stationary and mobile applications, said the foundation of its German brand aims to strengthen its market development in one of the most important European markets.