Power Control Systems News

Recent cyber attacks to the US Government, the IMO, Maersk, amongst others has caused the world to pay attention to criminal cyber activities by foreign states, terrorists, and criminals. The cyber attack against CMA CGM shut down services for close on two weeks. Two days later, on October 30th the IMO was held hostage by a cyber attack. These attacks follow attacks earlier this year against MSC and COSCO.As of January 1, 2021 all vessels that have a safety management system must address cyber security in order to maintain ISM certification.

If autonomous vessels are the future of maritime shipping, then cyber threats may be its Achilles heel. Congested shipping, restricted visibility, limited maneuverability, and intensive docking activities all contribute to port hazards – 42 percent of EU reported marine accidents (injury/death/damage to ships) took place in port areas and 44 percent of workboat fatalities occurred on Tugs. Autonomous shipping should provide numerous benefits including increased safety by relieving crewmembers of unsafe and repetitious tasks.

The IMO January 2021 deadline for shipping interests to incorporate cyber risk management into their existing Safety Management Systems is fast approaching. It is critical that stakeholders understand their vulnerabilities. The IMO has issued MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3 guidelines on maritime cyber risk management that does a good job of outlining the many vulnerable systems within marine operations, including:1.Bridge systems;2. Cargo handling and management systems;3.Propulsion and machinery management and power control systems;4.

Twin Disc, Inc. a provider of power transmission technology and equipment for marine- and land-based applications, announced today that it has completed the €52.1 million (approximately $60.8 million), acquisition of Veth Propulsion Holding, B.V. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Veth Propulsion”), a global supplier of main and auxiliary marine propulsion products. The closing price included net cash and working capital adjustments. The acquisition of Veth Propulsion establishes Twin Disc as a leading power control business for the global marine industry and expands Twin Disc’s presence in the market by adding complementary products and powerful new technologies. In addition, Veth Propulsion enhances Twin Disc’s engineering talent and product development capabilities.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is one of the fastest growing energy markets worldwide, and global production capacity could be more than double by the end of the decade. Higher natural gas prices and growing efficiencies in the LNG value chain are making it economically attractive to ship LNG over long distances, transforming natural gas from a regional to a global market. GE’s Power Conversion business is working closely together as a partner with the Power & Control Systems division (PCSD) of Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). Power Conversion has been appointed to equip four LNG carriers to be built by SHI at its Geoje facility in South Korea. SHI, one of the world’s largest ship builders, is a leader in the market with its LNG carriers and ultra-large container ships.

Industrial Power Systems, Inc. (IPS) of Jacksonville, Florida, recently completed new construction projects for two major shipyards, VT Halter Marine, and Gladding-Hearn. IPS supplied the electrical power control systems for the M/V Island Home and the M/V Iyanough, both recently commissioned into service by the notable Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (the Steamship Authority). Founded as a public service ferry company, the SSA has been serving a discerning client base between mainland Massachusetts and the islands since 1818.

DRS Technologies has received a $7m contract from the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. to provide fiber-optic data multiplex system (FODMS) – navigation sensor distributors for the second KDX-III destroyer of the Republic of Korea’s Navy (ROKN). The FODMS is a general-purpose, dual-network system that provides data and integrated communications between propulsion and power control systems, steering, navigation sensors, weapons systems — as well as Aegis combat systems. It is a complete information transfer system designed to meet evolving ship communications requirements and to handle data that are critical to ship operations.