Optimization Tools News

Lloyd's Register (LR) said it has reached a deal to acquire Navico Group’s C-MAP commercial marine business, a provider of commercial marine cartography and digital publications, shore-side and shipside voyage optimization, cloud-based fleet management and fleet analytics software. Financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition, which includes C-MAP’s charts and publications, route planning and fleet management, weather services, professional services, and marine hydrographic services, will be integrated with into Lloyd's Register's i4 Insight performance platform.

Finnish maritime software provider NAPA has become the first service provider for ClassNK-owned Ship Data Centre’s Internet of Ships Open Platform (ShipDC IoS-OP).NAPA will provide ship performance analytics and voyage optimisation capabilities for the universal platform developed to share vessel operational data between stakeholders.The aim of the ShipDC IoS-OP is to create a new, digital maritime cluster by securely minimizing the costs of data ownership and portability for owners and operators, while allowing yards and manufacturers to access the rich data necessary for far-reaching innovation and research.This goal aligns closely with NAPA’s proven ability to combine big data and hydrodynamics expertise to create powerful performance optimization tools.

The Project Forward initiative, which is led by Athens-based Arista Shipping, has produced an energy efficient dry bulk carrier vessel that features liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion.Finnish clean-tech software engineering company Eniram, a Wärtsilä company, said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to assist in the development of monitoring and optimization tools.“Our input will help ensure that operational visibility will be maximized, and that the new ships can operate at optimal efficiency…

Integrated electronic navigation specialist Navico has secured type approval for its SIMRAD MARIS ECDIS900 Mk 5 and Mk 15 electronic chart data information systems (ECDIS) by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. The IMO type-approved navigation systems are designed for use on board merchant vessels which must meet mandatory compliance deadlines as set out in the International Maritime Organization’s SOLAS Convention regulations, as amended. “This is a big step for Simrad-branded ECDIS after a thorough type-approval process initiated in 2014…

Maritime services group Global Navigation Solutions (GNS) announced that London-based bulk carrier operator Helikon Shipping Enterprises has expanded its use of its VOYAGER software solution across its fleet to take advantage of VOYAGER’s advanced route planning and optimization tools. Helikon, a customer of GNS for more than a decade, has extended its contract to make use of the navigational efficiency tools available within the VOYAGER solution. In addition to VOYAGER’s inventory management, compliance management and chart updating functionality, the fleet is now also using A2BviaC digital distance tables and Meteo Group’s SPOS weather routing technology, all of which is enabling Helikon to improve route planning and achieve greater fuel efficiencies.

Navico’s list of approvals received from the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute of South Korea has grown following type approval of the latest generation Simrad MARIS ECDIS900 Mk 5 and Mk 15 Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems, joining already approved products such as Simrad Broadband 4G radars, ARGUS antennae, gyrocompasses, autopilots and control and display units. The integrated electronic navigation specialist has secured certificates warranting the new type approvals from KMERI for its IMO type-approved ECDIS navigation systems for use on board merchant vessels.

The first purely battery-driven car and passenger ferry Ampere has won the Ship Efficiency Award in the category Environmental Technology. The award recognizes innovative solutions which have contributed to reducing the environmental impact of shipping operations. The 80 metre long DNV GL classed vessel is one of three ferries operated by the Norwegian shipping company Norled between Lavik and Oppedal and is able to carry 120 cars and 360 passengers. “Ampere is trading in Sognefjord with 100 per cent regularity and consumes 50 per cent less energy compared with a traditional diesel ferry on the same route. It has proven to be a huge success for Norled,” said Claes Skat-Rørdam of award sponsor Hempel on behalf of the judges.

Orange Business Services informs it has joined a European Union-sponsored initiative developing a cloud-based ERP platform for the maritime shipping industry. The platform will make it easier to manage ships at sea, improve safety and tighten business operations. This technology is a first of its kind in this space. Orange explains that as part of the EIS (“Exzellenzinitiative Schiffsmanagement”) initiative, Orange Business Services will be the sole provider for ship-to-shore, vessel-based and land-based communication infrastructure.

Applied Weather Technology, Inc. (AWT) announced substantial advancements to its Bon Voyage (BVS) marine voyage optimization system with the release of BVS Version 7.0. The new developments are intended to help ship captains find safer and more fuel-efficient routes. BVS 7 includes access to high-resolution weather and ocean data via broadband, enhanced voyage optimization and new safety features. Haydn Jones, AWT’s Director of International Operations, said, “In the present shipping economic environment of high bunker fuel costs…

ABB launches complete marine advisory and automation system to improve fuel efficiency. Integrated advanced software, electrical systems and Azipod® propulsion can help ship owners slash fuel consumption by up to 20%. Zurich, Switzerland, September 18, 2012 -- ABB, the leading power and automation technology group announced that it has introduced several new software applications for the marine market that will help all types of ocean vessels dramatically reduce their fuel consumption. These Advisory Systems include the latest versions of ABB’s energy management system for marine applications (EMMA) and Amarcon’s Octopus solution. With the recent acquisition of Amarcon…

ABB introduce several software 'Advisory Systems' for the marine market to help all types of ocean vessels dramatically reduce fuel consumption. These Advisory Systems include the latest versions of ABB’s energy management system for marine applications (EMMA) and Amarcon’s Octopus solution and ABB say that Integrated advanced software, electrical systems and Azipod® propulsion can help ship owners slash fuel consumption by up to 20%. With the recent acquisition of Amarcon, ABB is now able to provide a vertically integrated power and automation set of solutions that will help ship-owners increase productivity and safety of vessel operation while minimizing fuel consumption and environmental impacts.

"How to make ships more efficient?" This was the key question posed at the 15th Canadian Committee meeting of Germanischer Lloyd (GL). More than 20 representatives of the Canada and U.S. Flags, ship owners and operators, yards, consultants, and port authorities attended the event hosted by Executive Vice President Americas Capt. Kevin Coyne and Committee Chairman Peter Cairns from the Shipbuilding Association of Canada. "Reducing the environmental impact of shipping in order to upgrade its image as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, is one of the most important topics for the maritime industry," he said in his introduction. Apart from fuel efficiency and emissions also statutory delegation and ship recycling was on the agenda.