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Onboard Equipment News

06 Feb 2024

Irish Naval Service Signs Up for Wärtsilä Optimized Maintenance Agreement

(Photo: Wärtsilä)

Wärtsilä announced it has signed a five-year Optimized Maintenance Agreement with the Irish Naval Service. The agreement, which covers four offshore patrol vessels (OPV), is designed to ensure operational reliability along with long-term cost predictability.“We have had good experience with Wärtsilä over the years, and we have great trust in their capabilities. This agreement will help us to achieve the level of efficiency and reliability that we aim for, which in turn will improve the environmental performance of these ships…

05 Feb 2024

Bisso's New Tractor Tug to Enter Service This Spring

(Photo: Caterpillar Marine)

A new tugboat is slated to enter service for Bisso Towboat this Spring.The Luling, La. based marine towage provider has been working with Main Iron Works to update its fleet, replacing a conventional tug with a tractor tug about every 18 months. In late 2022, the Houma, La. shipbuilder began building a new tractor tug Mr. Brian—the sixth azimuth stern drive (ASD) tractor tug built by Main Iron Works for Bisso in the past eight years.Named after Bisso’s vice president of operations Brian Cyprowski…

24 Jan 2024

Aurora Botnia - RoPax Ferry + Greentech Proving Ground

Photo: Wasaline

Built by Rauma Marine Constructions, in Rauma, Finland, and launched in 2021, the 150-meter-long Aurora Botnia boasts a long list of onboard equipment that help it to earn its “green” designation, a label that is confirmed via a Clean Design notation from classification society DNV. The ship is also compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target.Wasaline CEO Peter Ståhlberg describes Aurora Botnia as “a masterpiece of cooperation” and noted that the vessel is over 80% domestic made."I'm really proud of the Aurora Botnia.

02 Nov 2023

Maersk Supply Service Selects Inmarsat Fleet Data IoT for Battery-powered AHTS

Credit: Inmarsat Maritime
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Danish offshore vessel owner Maersk Supply Service has selected the Fleet Data IoT platform from Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat business, to help optimize the performance of its first vessel battery installation onboard the Maersk Minder anchor handler.The solution will also allow Maersk Supply Service to evaluate how best to optimize the use of zero-emission energy storage systems across its fleet. According to Inmarsat, an end-user API gathers data from onboard equipment, automatically organizes it with time-stamps…

21 Sep 2023

ABB's Power, Propulsion, and Automation for Samskip's Hydrogen-powered Container Ships

Image credit: Naval Dynamics

ABB has won a contract to deliver a power, propulsion, and automation system for two new-built short-sea container ships for Rotterdam-based global logistics company Samskip Group.According to ABB, the vessels will be among the world’s first of their kind to use hydrogen as a fuel. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed. Built by India-based Cochin Shipyard, the 135-meter ships are due for delivery in Q3 and Q4 of 2025, respectively. Both vessels will be operating between Oslo Fjord and Rotterdam, a distance of approximately 700 nautical miles.

17 Aug 2023

World's First Methanol Hybrid Fuel Cell Tug Taking Shape

Credit: Svitzer

Towage and marine solution services firm Svitzer on Thursday launched the second phase of its project to design the world’s first methanol hybrid fuel cell (MHFC) tug.Svitzer, part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has conducted technical studies to establish the feasibility of this type of vessel accommodating the real-world operational requirements of a tug. Work will now begin between Svitzer and naval architect company Robert Allan Ltd. to design the world’s first MHFC tug. The next phase will include work to complete the vessel design…

23 Feb 2023

MOL Sees Cow Manure as Path to Slash Vessel Emissions

© Oligo / Adobe Stock

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) said it is seeking to use cattle manure as part of its strategy to reduce vessel emissions.The company announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Air Water Inc. to study the use of liquefied biomethane (LBM) derived from cattle manure in vessels fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG).MOL, which has set a target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, has been accelerating the deployment…

22 Feb 2023

UK Royal Navy's Experimental Ship Starts Sea Trials

(Photo: Royal Navy)

The U.K. Royal Navy’s NavyX trials ship, XV (eXperimental Vessel) Patrick Blackett, left Portsmouth Naval Base to undergo sea acceptance trials - ensuring the vessel and its onboard equipment is fully functioning and ready to support innovative experimentation.The ship will be used by NavyX innovation and autonomy team to independently test and trial novel technologies, including unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles, paving the way for advanced experimentation, innovation and future capabilities within the Royal Navy.

04 Nov 2022

Bisso Towboat Orders Tug from Main Iron Works

Luling, La. based marine towage provider Bisso Towboat said it has ordered a new tractor tug from Houma, La. shipbuilder Main Iron Works. Construction is scheduled to commence in late 2022 with delivery in early 2024, Bisso revealed in an announcement.The 5,000 BHP ASD tug will feature two Caterpillar 3516E Tier 4F main propulsion engines generating 2,500 BHP each at 1,600 RPM. The engines will drive a pair of Kongsberg US205S azimuthing thrusters with 2,400 mm diameter stainless steel propellers in stainless steel nozzles. Estimated bollard pull will be 66 tons.Other onboard equipment will include a JonRie Series 240 escort winch, Caterpillar C4.4 118 KW generator sets and a full complement of safety, monitoring and electronic equipment, Bisso said.

25 Apr 2022

New Routines on the Bridge in the Digital World

(Photo: Vane Brothers)

Like every sector of cargo and passenger shipping, “digitalization”—where computerized processes are replacing onboard routines previously handled manually— is an ongoing trend coastwise, on the waterways and harbors. Regulatory compliance, especially with Subchapter M for towing vessels, has also driven choices of onboard equipment with digital interfaces to software and online platforms for record-keeping and for generating inputs for forms and documents.Improved performance has also shaped the capabilities of equipment in the wheelhouse and the view from the bridge.

13 Apr 2022

Wärtsilä to Maximize Engine Uptime, Reduce Emissions on Two MMS LNG Carriers

©Wärtsilä

Finland-based marine engine and technology specialist Wärtsilä has signed agreements with the Japanese shipping group MMS to optimize maintenance and emissions for two MMS LNG carriers and maximize engine uptime.Wärtsilä said the agreements were designed to deliver maximized engine uptime and long-term cost predictability, optimizing maintenance for the highest efficiency, and lowest carbon footprint.The project includes Wärtsilä’s digital predictive maintenance solution, Expert Insight.

21 Mar 2022

Wärtsilä Inks Service Deal for Four Knutsen OAS Ships

(Photo: Knutsen OAS)

The technology group Wärtsilä said it has signed a service agreement with the Norway based fleet operator Knutsen OAS covering the reliquefaction plant for four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.The scope of the agreement includes Wärtsilä’s digital Operim (Operational Performance Improvement & Monitoring) system, which provides real-time data on Wärtsilä’s onboard equipment, thus enabling expert management and control to deliver cost-savings and more efficient operations, Wärtsilä said.

25 Jan 2022

Stena RoRo's Ro-Pax Vessel Trio to Sport Broad Range of Wärtsilä Solutions

Credit: Wärtsilä

Finland-based marine technology and equipment specialist Wärtsilä will provide a broad scope of its solutions for three new LNG-fuelled Ro-Pax vessels being built in China for Swedish ferry operator Stena RoRo.China Merchants Jinling (Weihai) Shipyard is building the vessels. They will operate with Wärtsilä engines and propulsion machinery when delivered in 2024 and 2025. The vessels, each around 200 meters long, are part of a series of E-Flexer class ferries ordered by Stena RoRo for European line service.

02 Dec 2021

NYK, ABS, WinGD Working on Battery-Hybrid System to Cut GHG Emissions from Ships

Image of processing a simulation - Credit: NYK

NYK and NYK Group company MTI Co., Ltd. (“MTI”), together with the American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”) and Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd. ("WinGD"), have started joint research for optimization of ship design by utilizing a battery-hybrid system to aid ship propulsion and thus reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vessels.A vessel’s main-engine revolutions may increase significantly when a vessel tries to maintain its sailing speed during strong waves and winds.This phenomenon is called “load fluctuation.” The shaft generator may also increase the burden on the main engine.

03 Nov 2021

MAN Energy Solutions, Erma First Enter Strategic Partnership

MAN Energy Solutions Benelux via MAN PrimeServ Omnicare strategy will be providing after-sales technical support to vessels equipped with Erma First ballast water treatment systems calling at ports and repair yards in Northern Europe.Specifically, Erma First customers will be able to use the MAN Energy Solutions Benelux team of 20 based in Rotterdam and Antwerp for onboard equipment services. These include troubleshooting, installation, maintenance, calibration and testing related issues.

06 Oct 2021

Maritime Trade Union Signs on Sea Machines' Autonomous Voyage Project

Deck officers Bridget Quinn and Adam Szloch remotely command the autonomous NELLIE BLY in Denmark from Sea Machines’ Boston control room. The SM300 provides the remote commanders with full shore-to-vessel connectivity and control and includes an active chart environment with live augmented data overlays, state of vessel, situational awareness and environmental data, as well as real-time, vessel-born audio and video from many streaming cameras. (Photo: Sea Machines)

U.S. Coast Guard licensed officers in Boston are commanding an autonomous workboat on a voyage around Denmark.The American Maritime Officers (AMO) trade union has entered into a labor agreement with autonomous command and control systems developer Sea Machines Robotics for the project, which will see AMO-represented merchant mariners support Sea Machines’ first-of-its-kind 1,000 NM autonomous journey.The voyage, which Sea Machines is calling "The Machine Odyssey", aims to prove the world’s waterways are primed and ready for long-range autonomous vessel operations…

29 Jul 2021

Wärtsilä Engines, Thrusters for OHT's Offshore Wind Jack-up Rig

Credit: Wärtsilä

Finland-based maritime and offshore engine and equipment maker Wärtsilä has won orders to equip Norwegian firm OHT’s next-generation wind offshore turbine installation vessel being built in China.Wärtsilä will supply an integrated propulsion and dynamic positioning thruster solution, including the engines, a Wärtsilä NOx reducer emission abatement system, as well as steerable and tunnel thrusters to deliver optimum performance for vessel dynamic positioning in this new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV).

23 Jul 2021

Wärtsilä Thrusters for Chinese Offshore Wind Vessels

2000T WITV equipped with Wärtsilä thruster WST32 and WTT21 © MARIC

Finland's marine engine and equipment maker Wärtsilä said Friday it would deliver the steerable and tunnel thrusters for two new wind farm turbine installation vessels being built for the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC), a China state-owned power company. The ships will serve China’s expanding offshore wind power sector. The orders were placed by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co, the yard building a 2000-ton wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), and by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co, the yard building a 3000-ton heavy lift vessel.

06 Jul 2021

Castor Marine Expands North Sea 4G Network

Image courtesy Castor

Castor Marine signed a reseller agreement with Tampnet, an offshore 4G LTE network operator in the North Sea, and immediately went to work for its first 4G Tampnet client: supply 4G LTE offshore connectivity to the WTW vessel Keizersborg.With this deal, Castor Marine is now an official Tampnet Activation Point, adding value to its customers’ operations. In the past, vessels supported by Castor Marine automatically switched to the VSAT connection of the company’s own network when moving outside of 4G coverage and vice versa.

24 May 2021

Keppel Offshore & Marine Gets DNV AiP for AssetCare System

DNV has awarded Keppel Offshore & Marine an approval in principle for their digital lifecycle solution AssetCare. Image care of Keppel Offshore & Marine.

Keppel Offshore & Marine has received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society DNV for its AssetCare system, a suite of digital services to support the lifecycle needs of offshore and marine assets.The two companies have been collaborating to develop digital transformation projects, aiming to improve the overall efficiency of the design and construction process, and of the asset lifecycle support services for projects in the offshore and marine industry.Keppel's…

21 May 2021

New Vessel Shock Monitoring Systems Unveiled

(Image: Allsalt Maritime)

Allsalt Maritime announced the launch of four new Kinetix models of shock monitoring systems, each designed to provide easily assimilated guidance for maritime professionals to operate safely within designated shock and vibration exposure limits, reducing the risk of damage to vessels or injury to occupants.High speed watercraft and their crews experience severe shock and vibration levels when operating at sea. Vessel hulls, onboard equipment and, most importantly, human occupants…

22 Mar 2021

KVH Partners with Tile Marine

© OliverFoerstner / Adobe Stock

KVH Industries, Inc. announced that Tile Marine, a marine services company in India and the Middle East, is now a KVH Watch Solution Partner and will offer KVH Watch connectivity to augment its extensive maritime solutions. Tile Marine’s services cover a wide range of electrical, electronic, and mechanical work for shipowners and shipyards including installation, maintenance, and repair of communications equipment, integrated bridge systems, and other critical maritime equipment.“With KVH Watch connectivity…

25 Feb 2021

Smart Ship Hub to Offer KVH Watch Services

© Naypong Studio / Adobe Stock

Remote vessel and voyage management platform Smart Ship Hub will offer KVH Watch connectivity to enable actionable insights for vessels.KVH Industries announced Thursday that Smart Ship Hub is now a KVH Watch Solution Partner and will offer KVH Watch services as part of its range of remote technical and operational management solutions. The Smart Ship Hub platform provides performance advisory and predictive diagnostics for vessel performance optimization as well as remote video…