Systems Solutions News

International energy companies, from Germany's RWE to Spain's Iberdrola, are urging Japan to beef up offshore wind power auctions and make investments more attractive, amid soaring installation costs as competition for suppliers grows worldwide.Although desperate to ease its heavy dependence on energy imports from the Middle East and Russia, Japan is coming late to offshore wind, but some industry players say it is taking a more cautious approach that puts it at a disadvantage."It's a global race and we can't look at it in isolation…

Marine salvage, rescue, emergency response and specialized services company Resolve Marine announced the formation of a government relations departmentRetired Navy Capt. Gregg Baumann has been appointed government program manager to lead the effort from the Washington D.C. area. In this newly created role, Baumann is responsible for developing strategy and objectives to grow the company’s government services business, with a primary focus on the United States and Canada. He will also oversee government business development and project mobilization and de-mobilization…

Classification society the Indian Register of Shipping said it has opened a new office in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The premises were recently inaugurated and has been operational since February 1, 2022.Coimbatore is one of the most industrialized cities in Tamil Nadu with a diversified manufacturing sector including more than 25,000 small, medium and large-scale industries. IRS has serviced this region through its Cochin office in the past, however with increase in business opportunities…

Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems has opened a new test bench for mtu engines at the company’s location in Suzhou, China. The R&D test bench can accommodate mtu engines with a power output of up to 3,600 kW and will be used to test parts, engines and complete systems for power generation and industrial applications.Eugenia Valente, President Rolls-Royce Solutions Greater China, said, “The new R&D test bench is a testament to our strong commitment to the Chinese market. It allows us to do all product qualifications in China…

In a move that further expands its unmanned systems capabilities, Huntington Ingalls Industries acquired the autonomy business of Spatial Integrated Systems Inc. (SIS) which has proven unmanned surface vessel (USV) solutions.SIS’s unmanned systems solutions — including multi-vehicle collaborative autonomy, sensor fusion and perception — have been fielded for more than 6,000 hours on 23 vessel types. They have supported multiple development projects and demonstrations advancing autonomy in unmanned systems in the maritime…

The provider of energy industry solutions Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced that the company has delivered a mobile 30kW hydrogen fuel cell system, which volume per unit power output is reduced to 1/3 compared to the stationary fuel cell systems, to a fuel cell ship.The fuel cell ship, which passed the Temporary Navigation Permit Inspection of Japan Craft Inspection Organization on October 30, has started demonstrations of the verification by NREG Toshiba Building Corporation and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT).The newly mobile 30 kW pure hydrogen fuel cells system developed by Toshiba ESS will be available to install for vessels, railways and trucks. Hydrogen is used as fuel, allowing electricity to be generated without CO2.

The Japanese multinational Toshiba Corp said that it has completed the sale of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) operation in the United States to French oil giant Total SA, letting go of an asset it deems risky as it continues to restructure. Toshiba, which announced the deal in June, sold Toshiba America LNG Corp. (TAL) for $15 million Friday after judging that the plan to procure U.S.-made LNG for Japanese utilities was unlikely to achieve profitability as LNG prices have sunk.At the same time, Toshiba and Total also agreed that all contracts related to the LNG business entered into by Toshiba Group would either be transferred to Total or canceled…

ABB has won its first marine automation system contract for a cruise ferry in China, after the technology package for Chinese-built Viking Line vessel has been extended to include the ABB Ability System 800xA.ABB Ability System 800xA integrates power, propulsion and vessel management systems into one platform, enabling both crew and onshore teams to get a comprehensive overview of all the information needed to operate the vessel in the safest and most efficient manner. Adding marine automation to the technology package will improve project management…

ABB said its new dynamic positioning (DP) system unveiled at the maritime trade fair SMM sets out to simplify ship maneuvering, enable safer, more efficient ship operations and even help to pave the way toward autonomous shipping.With its user-centric design and intuitive touchscreen-based user interface, ABB Ability Marine Pilot Control reduces the workload on automating navigational tasks and allows bridge officers to focus holistically on the overall control and positioning of the ship, ABB explained.

ABB has won a contract to supply its ABB Ability Marine Advisory System – OCTOPUS marine software for one of the world’s most advanced floating hotel vessels for offshore operation.The 600-person accommodation vessel Edda Fides, operated by Edda Accommodation, will now be able to integrate real-time weather forecasts with ABB Ability Marine Advisory System – OCTOPUS, a digital solution that helps vessel owners gather and analyze data to optimize operations.OCTOPUS will provide…

Lyon Shipyard Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (N3220518D4913); Atlantic Fabrication and Boiler Services Inc., Portsmouth, Virginia (N3220518D4914); Colonna’s Ship Yard Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (N3220518D4915); Tecnico Corp., Chesapeake, Virginia (N3220518D4916); Mid Atlantic Engineering Technical Services Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia (N3220518D4917); QED Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (N3220518D4918); Auxiliary Systems Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (N3220518D4919); East Coast Repair and Fabrication LLC, Norfolk, Virginia (N3220518D4920); Kerney Service Group Inc., Linden, New Jersey (N3220518D4921); Walashek Industrial and Marine Inc., Norfolk…

Caterpillar Marine is establishing a new Marine Center in Singapore in the facility at 5 Tukang Innovation Grove previously occupied by Caterpillar Remanufacturing. The facility will bring together in one location almost 200 people employed by Caterpillar Marine in Singapore, and is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter 2016. It will also house members of Caterpillar Marine's Propulsion Systems Solutions team, and already serves as Caterpillar Marine's sales and service hub covering MaK, Caterpillar Marine and EMD branded medium speed diesel engines for the marine, power generation and oil and gas markets throughout the Asia Pacific and Oceania region.

In 2015, Ulstein Group recorded revenues of $279.4 million and an operating loss of $11.5 million. The business areas Design & Solutions and Power & Control both recorded profits. The downturn in the offshore sector and a tricky market has to be met with adaptation and innovation, according to CEO Gunvor Ulstein. ‘These are tough times. The group’s results for 2015 were weak as a result of lower utilization of capacity and the generally challenging market situation in our business areas. We believe 2016 will also be a challenging year. Ulstein Group has had a strong focus on supplying design, construction and systems solutions to the offshore market in recent years.

Arun Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director, head of IRClass, discusses advances at the classification society as it celebrates 40 years. Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) is India’s “National” Ship Classification Society, formed to fill the need for having an Indian ship classification society due to the increase in Indian flagged commercial shipping tonnage, post-independence. Accordingly, Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar first proposed to set up a National Classification Society. In response the Ministry of Shipping & Transport convened a meeting in Delhi on May 29…

AEG Power Solutions, a global provider of power electronic systems and solutions for industrial power supplies and renewable energy applications, informed that Fincantieri S.p.A. has selected its power systems solutions to secure all critical loads applications on board Seabourn Encore, an ultra-luxury cruise ship that Fincantieri will build for Seabourn, a brand of Carnival Corporation. A combination of AC (Protect 8 and Protect 4) UPS and DC (Protect TPR) systems will be delivered to Fincantieri in December this year. They will secure the electrical power supply for automation, ship digital communications, public address safety system, emergency diesel generator and low location lighting. Power supply is a critical part of security on board.

At Norshipping in Oslo, Wärtsilä introduced the Wärtsilä 31, self-described by the company as a transcendent power plant in terms of fuel efficiency and economy, a claim validated by the Guinness World Records which has stamped it as the most efficient four-stroke diesel engine in the world. Björn Rosengren, President and CEO of Wärtsilä, sat with Maritime Reporter to lend perspective and insight to this development and the maritime market as a whole. Wärtsilä President & CEO Björn Rosengren was beaming at the introduction of the Wärtsilä 31 to the world at last month’s Norshipping…

IRClass, a leading Class Society in Asia has successfully completed 40 years in the service of Maritime industry. With the growth in India’s international trade, the country’s merchant fleet has expanded substantially from 1970s to now. This needed to be backed by a reliable, cost effective and neutral technical body in order to promote national maritime interests and serve as a nucleus for R&D in shipping, shipbuilding & allied industries. The Indian Register of Shipping was thus formed in April 1975 with the active support and co-operation from the Indian Shipowners and Ministry of Shipping, Government of India following the recommendations of the Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar Committee.

Caterpillar Marine has completed the acquisition of ESRG Technologies Group, LLC, a vessel monitoring and data analytics company in the marine industry. The acquisition includes ESRG’s software suite for the remote monitoring and diagnostics of more than 65 on-board systems as well as the expertise to provide meaningful recommendations to ship owners to help increase efficiency, reduce downtime on their vessels and assist shipyards in reducing warranty expenses. Headquartered in Virginia Beach…

Caterpillar Marine has announced  it has completed the acquisition of ESRG Technologies Group, LLC, a vessel monitoring and data analytics leader in the marine industry. The acquisition includes ESRG’s comprehensive software suite for the remote monitoring and diagnostics of more than 65 on-board systems as well as the expertise to provide meaningful recommendations to ship owners to help increase efficiency, reduce downtime on their vessels and assist shipyards in reducing warranty expenses.

The 14th International Conference on Computer and IT Applications in the Maritime Industries (COMPIT) will take place from 11th to 13th May 2015 in Ulrichshusen, Germany. First held in the year 2000, COMPIT has established itself as a key conference in information technology (IT) for the maritime industries, bringing together software developers and users. Most participants come from industry, reflecting the practical relevance of the event. DNV GL will be the main sponsor of the event which covers the lifecycle of ships, offshore structures and equipment, from design to operation. E-navigation (or sea traffic management) could be considered as the maritime equivalent of air traffic control systems.

Caterpillar Oil & Gas announce the successful delivery of the 100th offshore generator set featuring Brazilian local content from the company’s Piracicaba, Brazil manufacturing facility. The 100th unit, a Cat 3512 Diesel Electric Propulsion (DEP) Generator Set was packaged, tested and certified with an industry-leading level of Brazilian local content per ANP standards. In recent years, Caterpillar has aggressively invested in the Piracicaba facility to enable the world’s leading power solutions provider to offer a wide range of main power…

Navis, the global technology standard for managing the movement of cargo through terminals, has announced that DP World Australia has reached another major milestone. The three terminals, Sydney, Fremantle and Melbourne, utilized automated testing to complete three Navis N4 terminal operating system (TOS) upgrades in rapid succession, further standardizing and centralizing DP World Australia’s technology platform. “We are committed to evolving the technology used at our terminals. N4 version 2.4.7 allows us to manage terminal operations more effectively and productively and as a result, provides a greater level of reliability to our customers,” said Richard Johnstone, Director of Business Systems Solutions at DP World Australia.

Caterpillar Marine say they will unveil a significant product milestone at the 2013 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, introducing the Cat® Three60 Pod 650, which is specifically designed for the new Cat C8.7 electronically controlled marine propulsion engine. The new Cat Three60 Pod 650 revolutionizes docking and slow-speed maneuvering for diesel-powered yachts. Available in spring 2015, the pod is specifically designed to be remarkably easy for customers to learn, with easy ‘push, twist and go’ maneuvering.