Smart Technology News

ABS and Singapore-based shipyard Seatrium Limited have achieved the assignment of a structural health monitoring notation for a self-elevating drilling unit (SEDU).ADMARINE 686 is the world’s first SEDU to receive the ABS SMART (SHM) Notation, recognizing its ability to monitor and analyze the condition of a range of key structural elements, supporting physics-based analysis and simulation for a holistic structural health assessment and prediction of drilling and maritime assets.Seatrium…

ABS and Seatrium are working together to advance smart digital technologies for shipyards, with a focus on boosting safety, productivity and efficiency.At Singapore Maritime Week, ABS launched detailed requirements to guide the industry in the application of smart technologies at shipyards and recognize Seatrium as the first shipyard group to deploy smart technologies in its operations, in line with the ABS Guide for Smart Technologies for Shipyards.Seatrium’s Mobile Wearable Personal Device (MWPD) Monitoring System…

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has introduced a chatbot dubbed SBOT for its ship designers as part of plans to boost the shipyard’s competitiveness.When a user asks SBOT a question, its artificial intelligence (AI) analyzes the meaning and finds design information, such as details on regulations and contracts, that is available from various systems within the company. New employees can perform their work quickly and accurately with SBOT, says SHI, and the use of design information can be maximized through the knowledge search function.In addition…

Korean Register (KR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), agreeing to work together on increased digitalization and the development smart and autonomous ship technology.The MOU was signed on May 18 and was attended by representatives from both companies, including the CEOs. KR and DSME will form a joint council and cooperate on smart and autonomous ship technologies and digitalization research.The key aspects of the…

U.S. Commercial Service previews September 20-22 export forum  The growing demand for marine technologies is generating new export possibilities for U.S. companies. To help American businesses pursue these opportunities, the Department of Commerce is hosting Discover Global Markets: The Blue Economy, in Providence, R.I., Sept. 20-22, 2022. International Trade Specialist Maryanne Burke leads the Marine Technology Team of the International Trade Administration (ITA). Maryanne is part of ITA’s U.S.

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä said it is set to launch a new engine combustion technology platform designed to enable the "fast and cost-effective" conversion of two-stroke main engines to operate on clean-burning future fuels.The company's Two-Stroke Future Fuels Conversion platform is due for commercial launch during the first quarter of 2022, as the maritime industry continues to work toward decarbonized shipping operations.The retrofit conversion will initially enable operation with liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel…

The technology group Wärtsilä and Wasaline, the Finnish–Swedish ferry operator, have signed a 10-year Optimized Maintenance agreement covering the company’s new ferry, the Aurora Botnia. The agreement was signed in June 2021, but became effective in September.Built at the RMC shipyard in Finland, the Aurora Botnia ranks among the most environmentally-friendly RoPax ferries in the world. The ship’s propulsion is based on a hybrid solution featuring the highly efficient Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engine and batteries.

Classification society ABS said it has completed a joint development project (JDP) with shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and marine services firm Hyundai Global Service (HGS) exploring decarbonization and digitalization in the marine and offshore industries. The project covered simulation and modeling of carbon footprints of a vessel incorporating energy efficiency technologies, liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering analysis and smart technologies.The JDP included detailed simulation and modeling of the carbon footprint of a very large crude carrier (VLCC)…

Greece-based Latsco LNG Marine Management has signed a five-year maintenance agreement with Wärtsilä covering the main engines for two large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, the Hellas Diana and the Hellas Athina.The deal signed in March 2021 covers two new vessels built at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) yard in South Korea. They are 297 meters in length and have a cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic meters. The Hellas Diana entered service at the end of March this year, and the Hellas Athina is scheduled to enter service in September.

Maersk Training UK (MTUK) has appointed a new managing director as the company looks to expand its offering to the North Sea energy sector. Leonardo Machado joins MTUK having previously been managing director of the company’s operations in Brazil for six years. Machado played a key role in developing training for the wind and production industries, as well as expanding service solutions for the firm.With plans in place to grow and expand the business in the UK, Machado is aiming…

Classification society ABS said it has awarded AET the SMART (INF) Notation for the 152,700 DWT DP2 shuttle tanker Eagle Passos, which was built and delivered by South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI).The first shuttle tanker to be granted an ABS Smart Notation, which recognizes the vessel’s data communication and network infrastructure, Eagle Passos will also be granted the Operational Performance Management (OPM) and Crew Assistance and Augmentation (CAA) class record comments in recognition of the optimization…

Shipbuilder Austal Australia has delivered a new 118-meter fast ferry to Fred. Olsen Express.The high-speed trimaran ferry Bajamar Express is the first of two identical vessels ordered by Fred. Olsen Express in a €126 million ($142.8 million) contract in October 2017. The second vessel, Bañaderos Express, is under construction at Austal Philippines shipyard in Balamban, Cebu, and is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2021.Capable of transporting 1,100 passengers and 276 cars at a cruising speed of more than 37 knots, the new trimaran ferries for Fred.

A 27-meter harbor tug equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities has been put through its paces at the Port of Singapore, demonstrating functions such as smart navigation and collision avoidance which are key to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA) goal to enable autonomous ship operations within the world’s busiest transshipment hub.The IntelliTug project, led by technology provider Wärtsilä and marine services firm PSA Marine, is a collaboration with classification society Lloyd’s Register…

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment (MHI-MME) has won a rare order to supply two retractable fin stabilizers for two 148-passenger Luxury Expedition Vessel being built by Helsinki Shipyard of Finland.Both fin stabilizers are scheduled for delivery to Helsinki Shipyard by the first half of 2021, said a press release from the Japanese  smart technology group.These vessels will be used for Polar cruises from Europe to the North and South Poles, depending on the season. The fin stabilizers will reduce the roll of the vessels at sea and help provide a comfortable voyage for passengers.This is the first fin-stabilizer order from Europe in 12 years since the 2008 order from Aker Yards.

The global port operator DP World has been awarded a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani), for the management and development of the Jeddah South Container Terminal at the multi-purpose Jeddah Islamic Port.According to a press release from the UAE-based world leader in global supply chain solutions, under the agreement, DP World will invest up to $500 million to improve and modernize the Jeddah Islamic Port, including major infrastructure development to enable the Port to serve the ultra-large container carriers (ULCC’s), which are considered the world’s largest mega containerships.Established in 1976, the Jeddah Islamic Port is on the red sea and the largest port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with annual volumes of over 6 million TEU’s.

The environment in oil patches onshore and offshore alike has been challenging throughout 2019; worries about an economic slowdown – whether cyclical or induced by a trade war – have weighed heavily on oil prices, even in the face of reduced production by the big producers. Though storm clouds persist, there appears a clearing on the horizon.The fate of Offshore Service Vessels (OSVs) is, naturally, closely tied to the price of oil. Seacor Marine’s John Gellert, in reviewing its Q2 results, said: “Activity levels in the U.S.

As ship owners increasingly use data to schedule ship equipment maintenance, evolving from a calendar-based to a condition-based maintenance (CBM) regimen, Wärtsilä launches its Expert Insight predictive maintenance product, a digital product designed to enable customer support to be delivered proactively by Wärtsilä Expertise Centers to ensure long-term accurate insight for their predictive maintenance strategies. The product is available in combination with a Wärtsilä Lifecycle…

Wärtsilä and Singapore-based PSA Marine have agreed to collaborate in the co-creation of smart technologies for the marine sector. The focus will be on solutions that are human-centric and deployable. The Letter of Intent was signed on November 14 as part of the events celebrating the anniversary of the opening of the Wärtsilä Acceleration Center in Singapore.Specific collaboration areas envisioned include the use of electric or hybrid technologies that further the use of low-emissions energy and propulsion systems…

The launch of Europort 2019 at the Rotterdam Ahoy yesterday (November 05) saw well-known journalist Geert Maarse bring four of the leading owners in Europe’s special ship segments to grips with the key challenges facing the maritime industries today and tomorrow. Now in its 39th edition, Europort continues to hold its own as one of the most significant events in the maritime calendar, with registered visitors this year reaching 27,000. In 2020, a new convention center will open alongside the existing site, expanding overall space by 50%.

In an Industry first, the provider of classification services to the offshore industry ABS partnered with Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) in developing the first two new build Drilling Rigs with Smart Notations.One of the rigs, which was delivered earlier this year for work in offshore Mexico, is already online with its performance being monitored from Singapore.In line with issuing the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units, Keppel O&M is recognized as the first shipyard group to integrate smart functions into rigs.Keppel O&M is a global leader in offshore rig design, construction and repair, ship repair and conversion…

Australian-based global ship building company Austal and the UK-based, Norwegian-owned cruise shipping line Fred. Olsen have partnered on two next generation trimarans with advanced environmental credentials.Starting with the design process, Austal’s R&D team used optimized lightweight structures and the benefits of Austal’s ongoing weight reduction program to reduce the power required to achieve the vessel’s high speed.This results in significantly lower emissions from the main engines compared to a steel vessel equivalent. In addition, all-aluminum vessels do not require the same corrosion protection required in steel vessels, eliminating…

Smart devices have the potential to radically transform the utility and value of shipping container equipment assets.According to Drewry, Smart containers have increased in prominence in a very short space of time and the pace of adoption is expected to accelerate over the next five years.A container becomes “smart” when fitted with a telematics device that provides real-time tracking and monitoring, enabling operators to increase turn time of their container equipment and so utilization. It also allows beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) to understand the location and status of their cargo so that they can better control their supply chains.“There are a number of factors driving this market growth…

The latest technology can detect the risk of an on board electrical fire – before it ignites. It’s not too late to incorporate this feature into your next workboat design.Fire on board always poses a risk to life, although certain vessels such as passenger ships present a particular danger because they carry a large number of people, and tens of millions around the world use them as a method of transport annually. However, a fire on any type of vessel, including the vast number and array of workboats…