Unmanned Ships: How Close is the Autonomous Ferry?
The first remote-controlled ferry demonstrator could hit the water within four to five years thanks to a new wave of research into operational efficiency based on ship intelligence solutions. The prediction from Oskar Levander, VP for innovation, engineering & technology at Rolls-Royce Marine in Finland, will be explored at next month’s 40th annual Interferry conference in Copenhagen, where technical innovations will be a central theme of the trade association’s agenda. Levander will suggest that the maritime industry is at the dawn of an era in which ship intelligence is one of the main technology trends – driving advances such as increased automation, smart controls, robotics, optimization/decision support tools, equipment/system health management and predictive maintenance schemes.
Parker Hannifin Acquires Kittiwake Group
Alliance provides total system health management to customers. Kittiwake Group, a leading global provider of asset control and protection technology, has been acquired by Parker Hannifin Corp., the global leader in motion and control technologies. The transaction is designed to offer greater value with a comprehensive and innovative range of products and solutions and includes the acquisition of the entire Kittiwake Group, including Kittiwake Developments Ltd, Kittiwake Procal Limited, Kittiwake Holroyd Limited and Kittiwake Incorporated. The two companies complement each other; dealing within the same markets but with clear differentiation in product ranges.
