U-Ming Takes on Board Jotun’s Hull Skater
U-Ming's next bulk carrier newbuild being built in China will feature an underwater hull cleaning robot.The Taiwan-headquartered shipping company has signed a commercial agreement with builder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard (SWS) and Norway's Jotun for the Jotun Hull Skating Solutions (HSS) to be installed aboard one of U-Ming’s four liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual- fuel Tier III 190,000 dwt bulk carriers to be built by SWS in Shanghai to support the long term charter with mining giant Anglo American.
Raytheon Robotics Helps Shipyards Lighten the Load
Dr. Fraser Smith of Raytheon is the President of Raytheon Sarcos, part of Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business. He’s also the chief proponent of a new technology that could revolutionize how shipyards move, store and retrieve bulky, awkward and heavy materials. Raytheon is actively marketing the robotic device now and looking to find follow-on funding to make the product commercially viable. Based on their early findings and performance, they are well on their way to doing just that.