Technology Leadership Position News

Drew Marine, a provider of technical solutions and services for the maritime, defense and aviation industries, announced its acquisition of NAL Research Corporation, a designer and manufacturer of Iridium tracking and communications equipment. The financial terms of the acquisition were not released. NAL Research will team up with ACR Electronics, Inc., a brand of Drew Marine known as a leader in safety and survival technologies. The acquisition allows Drew Marine to expand its footprint into the Iridium tracking and communication product offering. NAL brings an experienced research and development team that specializes in Iridium satellite modems and tracking terminals from design through integration for the defense, research and commercial sectors.

ABS, a provider of maritime and offshore classification services, appointed Dr. Richard Korpus as Chief Scientist, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In the Chief Scientist role, Korpus will support the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and the organization through his focus on developing and applying CFD technology. "We see technology as the road forward," said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. The creation of this Chief Scientist position is the most recent step in the continuing process of technology investment at ABS.

Wärtsilä and Nordic Investment Bank sign a EUR 50-million loan agreement to support Wärtsilä's R&D activities. The contract for this 10-year loan was signed in Helsinki, Finland on 13 February 2013. This R&D loan supports Wärtsilä’s long-term strategy of strengthening its technology leadership position in the global marine and energy markets, and with it Wärtsilä will further develop its medium-speed engine technology in terms of efficiency, reliability and environmental performance, as well as in reducing lifecycle costs. Wärtsilä’s R&D activities continue to be given a high profile. Since 2009 Wärtsilä has increased its R&D related expenditures by more than 30 per cent.